Welcome to Our Gathering of EChurch@Wartburg
Enhanced Rainbow by Barb Ver Sluis
Here is our order of worship
Prayer of Anselm (1033-1109) link
Lord, because you have made me, I owe you the whole of my love;
because you have redeemed me, I owe you the whole of myself;
because you have promised so much,
I owe you my whole being. Moreover,
I owe you as much more love than myself as you are greater than I,
for whom you gave yourself and to whom you promised yourself.
I pray you, Lord, make me taste by love what I taste by knowledge;
let me know by love what I know by understanding.
I owe you more than my whole self, but I have no more,
and by myself I cannot render the whole of it to you.
Draw me to you, Lord, in the fullness of your love.
I am wholly yours by creation; make me all yours, too, in love.
Amen
If you are new to EChurch, please click on this link for an explanation
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:5 (NASB Bible Gateway)
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Ambrose of Milan, c 339-97 link
O Lord, who hast mercy upon all, take away from me my sins,
and mercifully kindle in me the fire of thy Holy Spirit.
Take away from me the heart of stone,
and give me a heart of flesh,
a heart to love and adore thee,
a heart to delight in thee,
to follow and to enjoy thee,
for Christ's sake.
Amen
Questions for Discussion
(1) Why do you think it impossible to walk with God without faith?
(2) What are some of your impediments in developing a more intimate walk with God?
(3) Explain how a walk with God is the best preparation for an exit from this life.
A prayer written by Clement of Rome in a letter to the church in Corinth around 96 A.D.
You, Lord, through your works have revealed the everlasting structure of the world.
You, Lord, created the earth. You are faithful throughout all generations,
righteous in your judgments, marvelous in strength and majesty,
wise in creating and prudent in establishing what exists,
good in all that is observed and faithful to those who trust in you,
merciful and compassionate; forgive us our sins and our injustices,
our transgressions and our shortcomings.
Do not take into account every sin of your servants,
but cleanse us with the cleansing of your truth,
and "direct our steps to walk in holiness and righteousness and purity of heart,"
and "to do what is good and pleasing in your sight" and in the sight of our rulers.
Yes, Lord, "let your face shine upon us" in peace "for our good,"
that we may be sheltered "by your mighty hand"
and delivered from every sin "by your uplifted arm";
deliver us as well from those who hate us unjustly.
Give harmony and peace to us and to all who dwell on the earth,
just as you did to our fathers when they reverently "called upon you in faith and trust,"
that we may be saved,
while we render obedience to your almighty and most excellent name,
and give harmony and peace to our rulers and governors on earth.
Amen
Thank you for spending your precious time worshipping the Lord.
Another truly beautiful service all!
Pastor Wade gave me a big chuckle when he mentioned that much of the glory of heaven (paraphrase) is a mystery to us because if we knew, too many of us would “check out” to get there. 🙂
Thanks to all for this ministry!
Something else that I found enlightening in the sermon was about rewards and the end of one’s life. That those rewards are based on Christ and the work He did; not on our performance. I found that very interesting as most believers focus on works because of the perceived? misunderstood? understanding of rewards according to Rev. 22:12. But it seems that understanding of rewards would indeed encourage works. I gotta study up on this. …smile…
Victorious,
This (rewards) is one of those areas that has disagreement among Christians. I believe the Bible clearly teaches that any rewards we receive from God are based on the obedience of Christ (that is why we are called “co-heirs with Him”) and that the only place where there is a measurement of performance is at the judgment seat or Great White throne judgment where NON-believers are rewarded based upon their performance in this life. There is not only NO condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1), there are rewards without measure because of Christ! 🙂
So, the person who rejects Christ has a great incentive to live as moral of a life as possible. He will be judged according to His works.
Thanks for expounding a bit on that, Pastor Wade. I’m in complete agreement. I can understand how other believers, based on the importance placed on performance in this world, might choose to believe otherwise. But this belief seems to contradict the whole of scripture in that it takes the focus off of Christ and onto the individual.
Paul often speaks of a prize, award, wreath, reward, crown, etc. which seem to be symbols the of imperishable, uncorruptable, eternal life as the reward at the end of running the “race.”
Rev. 21 and 22 confirm your view by contrasting the end of unbelievers to that of believers. The “reward” then for the believer (every man) is eternal life purchased for us by the blood of the Lamb.
Praise God for what He has done!
I’m so appreciative for the insight into the Word the Lord has given you as well as the clear manner in which you convey it.
I got up just before sunup this AM. Venus, Jupiter, and the Pleiades formed a breathtaking tableau that is somewhat a rarity in the light polluted skies of my locale.
The Pleiades are mentioned in Job 9:9, 38:31, & in Amos 5:8.
I couldn’t help but remember the old hymn “How Great Thou Art”. It is sung in just about every English speaking Protestant church & Catholic parish there is.
I’m so glad I stumbled upon this website! I work every other weekend and am not able to get get to church on the sundays that I work. Thank you for the word today, it has enlightened me and I am appreciative of that.
Rae,
Wonderful you could participate! Many great people join you, including Muff Potter!
It is scary when Wade seems to get inside my head and preach on what is found there!!!!! thank you Wade for an uplifting message.