Veritas Gathered: Preparing for Sunday – September 8th, 2013

Derek Nicol

SERMON

This weeks sermon text comes from Romans 11: 33-36. If you were with us this past week then you know how deep and weighty of a text we covered.  If we are honest with ourselves we find that when scripture has difficult things to say we tend to avoid it. We don’t put as much stock in the difficult sections of God’s word and would rather reside in the parts of scripture that make us feel good.  We do this because we are sinful and broken people who want comfort and understanding.  This week, we are going to look at how Paul chose to resolve this heavy theological text.  Rather then turning to doubt or speculation Paul has chosen to turn to worship.  The mystery of God is profound and unlike anything else we have ever or will ever encounter and this weeks text calls us to respond to that truth by worshiping God.  Spend some time this week reflecting on how you respond when God doesn’t seem to make sense or you can’t fully comprehend life around you.  Do you respond with worship out of awe or do you turn to cynicism and disbelief?

LITURGY

L: Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation will tell of Your works to another; they speak of Your mighty acts and proclaim Your faithfulness. Together, we celebrate the glorious splendor of Your majesty—and we will meditate on Your wonderful works. We tell of the power of Your awesome works—and we will proclaim Your great deeds.
C: We will join with all generations as we celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
– Adapted from Psalm 145:3-7

Romans 11 ends with a proclamation that God is worthy of ALL praise. That doesn’t exclude us.  We are called to worship God in all aspects of our life. Reflect on this call to worship and allow it to move your heart and mind away from worshiping un-godly things and to return to worship God and God alone.

MUSIC

Check out this list of some of the songs we will be singing together this week:

  • “Oh Great Is Our God” – a joyful song of praise to our great and glorious God!
  • “All The Poor And Powerless”- speaks of the beautiful reality that God, our father, is calling all people back to Himself. He is a God that heals and restores                        and is worthy of praise.
  • “Praise To The Lord”- this is a song which calls us to complete and utter worship of God regardless of our circumstances

Here is a link to a Spotify playlist.

Even though our arrangements might be slightly different, listen through these songs and see the great truths that they speak about our God and then come prepared to sing them out loudly and joyfully as a gathered church.

See you Sunday!