We want to serve the Lord, while still living and looking like “normal” folks. We want the respect of the watching world, and self-respect. We can’t have both.

Call to Worship

[November 29, 2009]

Let us worship the Triune God:

Today marks the first Sunday of Advent, the beginning of another liturgical year. It is in the spirit of Christmas that we give thanks for a liturgical year which was established long ago. Even though various Church traditions celebrate the liturgical year differently, we should all see its value: by defining our days, weeks and years according to the most significant events of Jesus’ life, we are constantly reminded of reasons to rejoice and give thanks.

We know that the events of Jesus’ life define our lives as believers. The Father accepts His perfect life as ours. The Father is satisfied with His death in our stead. The Father raised Him from the dead in view of raising us. So now that we have heard His call and been spiritually raised, let us give thanks that much of this began with a holy child, born to a poor young woman in an obscure location so long ago.

Thus, if we understand this season properly, this Lord’s Day we again begin to celebrate the triumph of Christ over the principalities and powers as He made a public spectacle of them and triumphed over them.

Let us now stand, sing and give Him the praise He is due.

What I CAN and CANNOT Live With as a Pastor
by Mark Dever