From Doxology to Life
Do you know what worship is? No, really? Do you know what the bible calls worship? Spoiler alert: it’s not just singing. In fact, it’s not even primarily singing. It’s way more than that! Check it out!
Do you know what worship is? No, really? Do you know what the bible calls worship? Spoiler alert: it’s not just singing. In fact, it’s not even primarily singing. It’s way more than that! Check it out!
In January of this year, I presented my written sabbatical proposal to the elders of our church in accordance with our sabbatical policy. In February, the elders graciously approved my sabbatical proposal with a few alterations. I shared briefly about my upcoming sabbatical in my sermon on February 25, emphasizing that the purpose of this renewal sabbatical is longevity in ministry at Wildwood. In my interview process with Wildwood in 2016, I was encouraged that Wildwood had a long-standing sabbatical policy. It conveyed that this church recognizes the toll of ministry on a pastor and his family and they care enough to keep pastors around for the long-term to offer this extended time away.
After spending eleven chapters laying out the doctrine of God’s salvation, Paul erupts with praise. That’s the way it ought to go in our lives. Right doctrine leads us to right doxology. If our doctrine isn’t leading us to praise the glory of God, we’re doing it wrong!
All people come to the Father by grace alone through faith alone, according to God’s mercy alone. By mercy, not by merit.
When Jesus comes back He’s going to stand upon the mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, the same place from which He departed. Christian, Israel matters to God and Israel ought to matter to you. We’ve been grafted into the olive tree, from which they’ve been removed, and into which they will be returned. Paul wants us to feel this connection to Israel. It’s a good antidote to Gentile pride.
Paul was unapologetically taking the gospel to the Gentile world. But had he forgotten about the Jews? Were they abandoned? Not at all! Paul went to the Gentiles in hopes that doing so would cause some of his Jewish kinsmen to want the blessings of God that they received and in turn, would come to Jesus in faith and repentance.
What began on Palm Sunday with shouts of celebration and triumph ended with unbelief. Sadly, not much had changed for Israel over the few decades that would follow. In today’s passage in Romans 11, Paul sheds light the unbelief of Israel in his day and in ours.
It may feel like the days are getting darker and more evil. It may feel like the faithful are fewer and farther between. It may feel like the world and the devil are winning. You may feel discouraged, disheartened, and disillusioned. But take heart, there will always be a remnant, chosen by grace! Kept by God’s sovereign hand…preserved by him…preserved for him.
There are so many people spiritually stranded, helpless, and alone, in need of spiritual rescue. Who will they call to rescue them? How will they call upon the name of Jesus for salvation if they’ve never
heard the name of Jesus and what He did for them? Who will tell them?
No matter how hard we try, you and I can never live a perfect life. We cannot stand before God on our own merit. Thankfully, there is another way to stand in the day of God’s judgment. And it’s not by doing all sorts of things to elevate ourselves to heaven. Paul tells us in this passage that it is not at all about what we do for God, but what God has done in Christ for us!
We’re ready to help
We’re ready to help
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