Mark’s Gospel is written with urgency. The first verses tell that Jesus is the fulfillment of OT prophecy. Within the first four verses John the Baptist appears in the wilderness to announce the Messiah’s coming. Only seven verses later Jesus emerges from the river Jordan’s waters after his baptism. After that, the story of the life of Jesus’ is told with super fast pace. Before the end of chapter one Jesus has been tempted in the wilderness, the first disciples have been called and a man, a mother-in-law, and a leper have been healed.
Mark moves rapidly from scène to scène, creating a narrative that speaks of urgency and passion. It seems as if the author came across the story of Jesus and it was such a powerful and life changing experience that he cannot help to share the good news as quickly as he can. He cannot hide his excitement.
You have heard the story. You know how Jesus healed, cured and delivered. You encountered the Messiah’s ministry, death, resurrection and exultation in Scripture.
How did this life changing experience transform your faith and life? Did it kindle a passionate flame and inspired you to be on fire for Christ?
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand
My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
No merit of my own I claim,
but wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand –
all other ground, is sinking sand.
When weary in this earthly race,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every wild and stormy gale
my anchor holds and will not fail.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand –
all other ground, is sinking sand.
When the last trumpet’s voice shall sound,
O may I then in Him be found!
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before His throne.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand –
all other ground, is sinking sand.
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
No merit of my own I claim,
but wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand –
all other ground, is sinking sand.
When weary in this earthly race,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every wild and stormy gale
my anchor holds and will not fail.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand –
all other ground, is sinking sand.
When the last trumpet’s voice shall sound,
O may I then in Him be found!
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before His throne.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand –
all other ground, is sinking sand.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
What does the Bible say about the Church? Part 3. final
1 Timothy 3:15: . . . I write (to you) so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is.... the pillar and support of the truth.
Being part of the local church is not optional. It is the household of God and if I am one of God’s children I belong where the Lord’s family meets and is edified.
The church is also called the pillar and support of the truth. In the Church God’s truth is discovered, taught and learned.
There is something special about knowing the truth in the context of the community of Christ’s household. Firstly, learning in the community of faith safeguards the truth. Anyone can go off track. Anyone can misinterpret God’s Word and individuals are prone to over emphasising one teaching of the Bible to the detriment of others. Within the community of faith we find the help and support to uphold the full counsel of God. This is why the Church is the pillar and support of the truth.
Secondly, the church is a pillar and support of God’s truth, because of the biblical promise that God’s Spirit will be present within this community and will guide his people. Although we know that the Spirit dwells in every individual follower of Jesus, God’s promise to reveal and uphold the truth that has to be taught and learned, is given to the community of Christ, as a body.
In church we are not merely expressing our personal opinions or share our private experiences of God’s guidance and help, but we in faith expect God to address his people on the universal, Christian and apostolic truth as revealed in Christ and testified to in the Scriptures. God calls men and women to preach and teach in his Name by the authority given to them to do so by Christ, who guides his Church in calling his servants to do his work.
God confirms the Gospel truth to his people and applies it to our lives today! This how we become disciples and it simulates the journey that the disciples of Jesus had when he was on earth.
The church provides the context where we challenge one another to fully live for the Lord on the basis of the truth God has revealed to us in Christ and through the Scriptures. We do this as a family in the household of God, the community of the King, the church of the Living God.
Remember what we said three weeks ago. The church is composed of people redeemed by the Son of God, brought together by the will of God to live together as the family of God, in order to do the work of God.
This is possible when we share the truth of God, through the guidance of the Spirit of God, because we desire to know the full counsel of God, as the church of God.
Being part of the local church is not optional. It is the household of God and if I am one of God’s children I belong where the Lord’s family meets and is edified.
The church is also called the pillar and support of the truth. In the Church God’s truth is discovered, taught and learned.
There is something special about knowing the truth in the context of the community of Christ’s household. Firstly, learning in the community of faith safeguards the truth. Anyone can go off track. Anyone can misinterpret God’s Word and individuals are prone to over emphasising one teaching of the Bible to the detriment of others. Within the community of faith we find the help and support to uphold the full counsel of God. This is why the Church is the pillar and support of the truth.
Secondly, the church is a pillar and support of God’s truth, because of the biblical promise that God’s Spirit will be present within this community and will guide his people. Although we know that the Spirit dwells in every individual follower of Jesus, God’s promise to reveal and uphold the truth that has to be taught and learned, is given to the community of Christ, as a body.
In church we are not merely expressing our personal opinions or share our private experiences of God’s guidance and help, but we in faith expect God to address his people on the universal, Christian and apostolic truth as revealed in Christ and testified to in the Scriptures. God calls men and women to preach and teach in his Name by the authority given to them to do so by Christ, who guides his Church in calling his servants to do his work.
God confirms the Gospel truth to his people and applies it to our lives today! This how we become disciples and it simulates the journey that the disciples of Jesus had when he was on earth.
The church provides the context where we challenge one another to fully live for the Lord on the basis of the truth God has revealed to us in Christ and through the Scriptures. We do this as a family in the household of God, the community of the King, the church of the Living God.
Remember what we said three weeks ago. The church is composed of people redeemed by the Son of God, brought together by the will of God to live together as the family of God, in order to do the work of God.
This is possible when we share the truth of God, through the guidance of the Spirit of God, because we desire to know the full counsel of God, as the church of God.
Monday, January 23, 2012
The full armour of God: Each piece put on with prayer!
Ephesians 6: 11 "Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes".
But how do we do that? How does God's armour become our defence against evil and temptation? Paul tells us in verse 18: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. “
The answer to how we put on the full armour of God, is, through prayer. We are equipped for our spiritual challenges, through prayer. There is a hymn we often sing which speaks to this:
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Stand in his strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you,
Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armour,
Each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls, or danger,
Be never wanting there.
The secret to endure in living for the Lord, to persevere in worshipping and conducting one well in God’s household , is in and through prayer. Then God's strength becomes our strength and his power our power.
Everyone knows that we should put on the full armour of God to take our stand against the schemes of evil. The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of readiness to announce the Good News of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.
And we put on each piece with prayer.
Our prayer would be:
Almighty God. Rule us. Keep your church strong. Destroy evil’s work and kingdom. Let us obey you Lord, rather than our own weak flesh. Uphold us and make us strong so that we may never be defeated by our weakness or by the temptations of the world!
But how do we do that? How does God's armour become our defence against evil and temptation? Paul tells us in verse 18: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. “
The answer to how we put on the full armour of God, is, through prayer. We are equipped for our spiritual challenges, through prayer. There is a hymn we often sing which speaks to this:
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Stand in his strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you,
Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armour,
Each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls, or danger,
Be never wanting there.
The secret to endure in living for the Lord, to persevere in worshipping and conducting one well in God’s household , is in and through prayer. Then God's strength becomes our strength and his power our power.
Everyone knows that we should put on the full armour of God to take our stand against the schemes of evil. The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of readiness to announce the Good News of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.
And we put on each piece with prayer.
Our prayer would be:
Almighty God. Rule us. Keep your church strong. Destroy evil’s work and kingdom. Let us obey you Lord, rather than our own weak flesh. Uphold us and make us strong so that we may never be defeated by our weakness or by the temptations of the world!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
What does the Bible say about the Church? Part 2.
1 Timothy 3:15: . . . I write (to you) so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God...
The decline in participation in local churches is the result of a lack of Biblical teaching by the church and about the church. Last week we learned that being part of the Lord’s church is not optional. This is true, because being part of the local church is to experience being part of the household of God.
Many metaphors are used to describe the Church in the Bible: a temple, a body, a community and a family, amongst others. When the Church is referred to as a household or family, the emphasis is on the essential need for believers who wish to have a healthy relationship with the Lord, to be supported and encouraged through relationships with other Christians.
When we think about Christ’s community as a household, we emphasise that our union is created by sharing a relationship with God and with one another. We are interconnected to the extent that the Bible says that we are brothers and sisters, because God is our Father, because we have one Saviour and because one Holy Spirit lives in us.
Do you live as part of this family of God? Do you experience this connectedness with the people worshipping with you? Remember, if someone is God’s son or daughter, he or she is your brother and sister.
This has implications for how one “ought to conduct himself in the household of God.” It means that we are to care for each other, to share God’s love and to help those who need support or are hurting. We call this “ministry”. And when we pray and learn together to be equipped for Christian living, we call it “discipleship”. We are not so much prepared and equipped by programs for the challenge to consistently live as God’s family, but by fellow pilgrims on this journey – the household of God.
We all need encouragement and we all need to grow in faith and in the knowledge of Christ. We all need to grow in love for the Lord. This happens within the family of God. Being part of the family is therefore not optional. It is essential and the Bible says the local Church is where you will experience this.
What we do in and about the Church of our Lord really matters. Our behaviours and choices impact on our brothers and sisters who need us. Someone may say, I do not need these relationships – but God needs you to make a difference in the lives of his children, and your fellow Christians need you to encourage and build them up. When we are willing to be open to share in the family of God, we will find that we need their love, friendship and encouragement too. When this penny drops in the local church, the whole church is built up and functions according to God’s will.
Lets be very clear about this: If we do not see the church as the household of God and ourselves as brothers and sisters to every other believer, we do not listen to what the Bible says about the church. But if we do, we will begin to experience the abundance that Christian living is intended to be.
The decline in participation in local churches is the result of a lack of Biblical teaching by the church and about the church. Last week we learned that being part of the Lord’s church is not optional. This is true, because being part of the local church is to experience being part of the household of God.
Many metaphors are used to describe the Church in the Bible: a temple, a body, a community and a family, amongst others. When the Church is referred to as a household or family, the emphasis is on the essential need for believers who wish to have a healthy relationship with the Lord, to be supported and encouraged through relationships with other Christians.
When we think about Christ’s community as a household, we emphasise that our union is created by sharing a relationship with God and with one another. We are interconnected to the extent that the Bible says that we are brothers and sisters, because God is our Father, because we have one Saviour and because one Holy Spirit lives in us.
Do you live as part of this family of God? Do you experience this connectedness with the people worshipping with you? Remember, if someone is God’s son or daughter, he or she is your brother and sister.
This has implications for how one “ought to conduct himself in the household of God.” It means that we are to care for each other, to share God’s love and to help those who need support or are hurting. We call this “ministry”. And when we pray and learn together to be equipped for Christian living, we call it “discipleship”. We are not so much prepared and equipped by programs for the challenge to consistently live as God’s family, but by fellow pilgrims on this journey – the household of God.
We all need encouragement and we all need to grow in faith and in the knowledge of Christ. We all need to grow in love for the Lord. This happens within the family of God. Being part of the family is therefore not optional. It is essential and the Bible says the local Church is where you will experience this.
What we do in and about the Church of our Lord really matters. Our behaviours and choices impact on our brothers and sisters who need us. Someone may say, I do not need these relationships – but God needs you to make a difference in the lives of his children, and your fellow Christians need you to encourage and build them up. When we are willing to be open to share in the family of God, we will find that we need their love, friendship and encouragement too. When this penny drops in the local church, the whole church is built up and functions according to God’s will.
Lets be very clear about this: If we do not see the church as the household of God and ourselves as brothers and sisters to every other believer, we do not listen to what the Bible says about the church. But if we do, we will begin to experience the abundance that Christian living is intended to be.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Epiphany 2. "Come and see"
John 1: 43 – 46. The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” Philip then found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote.”
Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” Philip said.
To be a Christian starts with the invitation of Jesus who says “follow me”. The essence about being a follower of Jesus, is to hear his kind invitation - and accept it.
In this passage Jesus called Philip. What makes his story speak to me, is that Philip really was a very ordinary guy! He did not become a Bible writer or a well known preacher. But he listened to the Lord’s call and had the amazing privilege to spend the next 3 years in the Lord’s company and then became a founding member of the Church.
Responding to the Saviour’s call was a life changing day in his life! And he knew it. “We have found the promised Messiah” he told the first person he found, a man called Nathanael. And when it turned out that Nathanael was a sceptic, Philip invited him to meet Jesus too. “Come and see” he said.
Jesus calls ordinary people, and if they hear his voice and are saved, they can make a difference to God’s work by simply inviting those who cross their path to “come and see”.
Who are you going to invite to share your life changing experience with Jesus this week? Is there anyone you should invite to “come and see”?
May the Lord bless you and use you to reveal his glory today.
Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” Philip said.
To be a Christian starts with the invitation of Jesus who says “follow me”. The essence about being a follower of Jesus, is to hear his kind invitation - and accept it.
In this passage Jesus called Philip. What makes his story speak to me, is that Philip really was a very ordinary guy! He did not become a Bible writer or a well known preacher. But he listened to the Lord’s call and had the amazing privilege to spend the next 3 years in the Lord’s company and then became a founding member of the Church.
Responding to the Saviour’s call was a life changing day in his life! And he knew it. “We have found the promised Messiah” he told the first person he found, a man called Nathanael. And when it turned out that Nathanael was a sceptic, Philip invited him to meet Jesus too. “Come and see” he said.
Jesus calls ordinary people, and if they hear his voice and are saved, they can make a difference to God’s work by simply inviting those who cross their path to “come and see”.
Who are you going to invite to share your life changing experience with Jesus this week? Is there anyone you should invite to “come and see”?
May the Lord bless you and use you to reveal his glory today.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Jesus must become more
A music professor with a well-trained voice usually sang the major male solo parts in the choir of a large church. A young man named Bob who had no training sometimes took a few shorter solos. As the choir director prepared for the Christmas cantata, she felt that Bob’s voice and style made him a natural for the lead role. However, she didn’t know how she could give it to him without offending the older man.
Her anxiety was unnecessary. The professor had the same thoughts as she did, and he told her that Bob should take the part. He continued to sing faithfully in the chorus and was a source of much encouragement to Bob.
People who can humbly set aside selfish ambition and genuinely seek the good of others, have an attitude that pleases God. This is how John the Baptist reacted when the crowds left him and began following Jesus. John said, “Jesus must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:22 – 30NIV).
What did John the Baptist and the music professor have in common? They were happy to see others elevated above themselves where the purpose is to serve God in the best possible way.
Do we understand what this humility is that enables us to bow humble hearts before the Lord and enter his service unconditionally? To let him be everything and we simply being his servants! To truly live our confession of faith that says that Jesus is King and Head of his church, which means that he must become more, greater! He must increase, always! All we do is to serve him, obey him, be the church he wants us to be and be the Christians he wants us to be!
When we can forget about ourselves, we can do things others will remember.
Her anxiety was unnecessary. The professor had the same thoughts as she did, and he told her that Bob should take the part. He continued to sing faithfully in the chorus and was a source of much encouragement to Bob.
People who can humbly set aside selfish ambition and genuinely seek the good of others, have an attitude that pleases God. This is how John the Baptist reacted when the crowds left him and began following Jesus. John said, “Jesus must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:22 – 30NIV).
What did John the Baptist and the music professor have in common? They were happy to see others elevated above themselves where the purpose is to serve God in the best possible way.
Do we understand what this humility is that enables us to bow humble hearts before the Lord and enter his service unconditionally? To let him be everything and we simply being his servants! To truly live our confession of faith that says that Jesus is King and Head of his church, which means that he must become more, greater! He must increase, always! All we do is to serve him, obey him, be the church he wants us to be and be the Christians he wants us to be!
When we can forget about ourselves, we can do things others will remember.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
What does the Bible say about the Church? Part 1.
1 Timothy 3:15: . . . I write (to you) so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)
Could it be true that we live during an age where people do not need the church anymore? This is what more and more people say.
The decline in participation in local churches is the result of a lack of Biblical teaching by the church and about the church. It seems that less people know what biblical teaching about the church is. Many think the church is optional for believers and even redundant in our generation. For the next few Wednesdays, let’s consider this.
The short verse quoted above already says a lot about the church, according to the Bible. Paul speaks about “the church of the living God”, about the “household of God” and about the church as the “pillar of truth”. We need to carefully examine what the Bible says to remain within God’s will when it comes to being part of and maintaining God’s work through his Church.
In our current society we live with a multitude of organizations. Political, civic, social, environmental, sport and business organisations have increased in numbers. Unfortunately, many started to see the church as only another one of these many organisations. As simply another option to choose from. So the thinking is that if you are interested in a good spiritual cause, you may choose to participate and maintain the church. If it doesn’t interest you, join something else, or just live selfishly, seeking self-gratification without “making a difference”.
Our text, however, indicates that the church is much more than simply another good cause. Paul, in writing to Timothy, is instructing him in how one should conduct oneself in relation to the church. As he gives this teaching, he calls the church “the household of God” and the “pillar of the truth”. In saying this, he already indicates that the church has a special importance in God’s plan for our lives and if we want to serve and worship God, we need instruction on how we are to relate to this plan of God.
The church is not optional. Yes, the church needs reformation. And the leaders and members of the church make mistakes. And the church sometimes communicates in a way that feels not relevant, and we need to repent of that and fix this with God’s help. But the church is not optional!
Jesus established the church. He did not merely establish individual Christian living, but he established a community, the church. Jesus announced that he would build a community on the confession that he is Lord, Saviour and the Son of God. This community the New Testament calls the Church of Christ.
The New Testament simply assumes that people who are believers are part of a local church where they live out their confession about Jesus. The church is not man’s invention, but God’s. Because Christ instituted the church, we should know what it is according to the Bible, and how we should function as a member of it. And the church should figure out how to teach, function and organise herself that her members understand God’s plan for the Church well.
The church is composed of people redeemed by the Son of God, brought together by the will of God to live together as the family of God, in order to do the work of God! (David J Hokes)
(Next week more about the Church as “the household of God”.)
Could it be true that we live during an age where people do not need the church anymore? This is what more and more people say.
The decline in participation in local churches is the result of a lack of Biblical teaching by the church and about the church. It seems that less people know what biblical teaching about the church is. Many think the church is optional for believers and even redundant in our generation. For the next few Wednesdays, let’s consider this.
The short verse quoted above already says a lot about the church, according to the Bible. Paul speaks about “the church of the living God”, about the “household of God” and about the church as the “pillar of truth”. We need to carefully examine what the Bible says to remain within God’s will when it comes to being part of and maintaining God’s work through his Church.
In our current society we live with a multitude of organizations. Political, civic, social, environmental, sport and business organisations have increased in numbers. Unfortunately, many started to see the church as only another one of these many organisations. As simply another option to choose from. So the thinking is that if you are interested in a good spiritual cause, you may choose to participate and maintain the church. If it doesn’t interest you, join something else, or just live selfishly, seeking self-gratification without “making a difference”.
Our text, however, indicates that the church is much more than simply another good cause. Paul, in writing to Timothy, is instructing him in how one should conduct oneself in relation to the church. As he gives this teaching, he calls the church “the household of God” and the “pillar of the truth”. In saying this, he already indicates that the church has a special importance in God’s plan for our lives and if we want to serve and worship God, we need instruction on how we are to relate to this plan of God.
The church is not optional. Yes, the church needs reformation. And the leaders and members of the church make mistakes. And the church sometimes communicates in a way that feels not relevant, and we need to repent of that and fix this with God’s help. But the church is not optional!
Jesus established the church. He did not merely establish individual Christian living, but he established a community, the church. Jesus announced that he would build a community on the confession that he is Lord, Saviour and the Son of God. This community the New Testament calls the Church of Christ.
The New Testament simply assumes that people who are believers are part of a local church where they live out their confession about Jesus. The church is not man’s invention, but God’s. Because Christ instituted the church, we should know what it is according to the Bible, and how we should function as a member of it. And the church should figure out how to teach, function and organise herself that her members understand God’s plan for the Church well.
The church is composed of people redeemed by the Son of God, brought together by the will of God to live together as the family of God, in order to do the work of God! (David J Hokes)
(Next week more about the Church as “the household of God”.)
Monday, January 9, 2012
If we love as Jesus loved, those who live, work and play with us will have an epiphany of the glory of Christ
John 13: 34, 35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
The “old commandment” was to love your neighbour as yourself. (See Lev. 19) God expected his people to live as moral people that
do not steal, lie or deceive;
that do not profane his Name;
that do not defraud, or rob;
that do not oppress the vulnerable, do not pervert justice, do not slander, do not endanger another’s life, do not hate and do not bear a grudge!
God still expects Christians to live moral lives.
But Jesus gave us a new commandment. Jesus expects more than living moral lives. He expects sacrificial love and a life modeled on his own example. He gave his life for his friends.
If we love as Jesus loved, those who live, work and play with us will have an epiphany of the glory of Christ through our living testimony.
“Lord, through your Spirit, equip us to serve and love you and our neighbour as Jesus loved, Amen.”
The “old commandment” was to love your neighbour as yourself. (See Lev. 19) God expected his people to live as moral people that
do not steal, lie or deceive;
that do not profane his Name;
that do not defraud, or rob;
that do not oppress the vulnerable, do not pervert justice, do not slander, do not endanger another’s life, do not hate and do not bear a grudge!
God still expects Christians to live moral lives.
But Jesus gave us a new commandment. Jesus expects more than living moral lives. He expects sacrificial love and a life modeled on his own example. He gave his life for his friends.
If we love as Jesus loved, those who live, work and play with us will have an epiphany of the glory of Christ through our living testimony.
“Lord, through your Spirit, equip us to serve and love you and our neighbour as Jesus loved, Amen.”
Friday, January 6, 2012
Epiphany
Many millions of Christians call today, 6 January, the Feast of Epiphany.
In tradition, where the birth of Christ is celebrated on December 25, the arrival of the Magi is celebrated on January 6, called the Feast of Epiphany. This feast is in Eastern Christianity celebrated with more magnificent festivities and church services than Christmas. It was originally within Christianity the day of the giving of presents, following the example of the Magi. This tradition is specifically observed in Spanish speaking countries and in the Eastern Church. It is only in recent years that the Epiphany was again included in the celebrations of some branches of the Western Church, including some of the Protestant churches.
Epiphany considers that the Messiah was revealed to the Gentiles, while Christmas, the birthday, is celebrated as the day when Jewish believers, such as the shepherds, worshipped the new born King. This is why amongst Gentiles in the East, where the Magi came from, it became an important day of remembrance and celebration of an “epiphany” of the meaning of the light and love of Christ for the gentile nations. They also emphasize the revelation of Christ by the Father at Jesus’ baptism with the words: "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (Matt 3:17.) They remind each other also of the first miracle, when Jesus turned water into wine, and the Bible says, this was to reveal the “glory of Jesus”.
For many in the west it is the day when Christmas decorations are packed away and when we “leave” the contemplation of the meaning of the birthday of Christ, expecting an epiphany of the glory of the Son of God, as it was revealed to his followers through his miracles, parables and teachings! The real, complete and final epiphany of the glory of Christ can only be understood when we remember his suffering, and his glorious resurrection, contemplated during Lent and Easter.
It is a day when we may pray that Jesus will not leave us, but show us the fullness of his glory, through his kindness and his victory!
This song and prayer may guide our minds and hearts to desire a personal epiphany of Jesus – the light of the world!
Lord, the light of Your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness shining;
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us,
Set us free by the truth You now bring us,
Shine on me, shine on me.
Shine Jesus shine,
Fill this land with the Father’s glory;
Blaze Spirit blaze, set our hearts on fire!
Flow river flow,
Flood the nations with grace and mercy;
Send forth Your Word, Lord –
And let there be light.
Lord, I come to Your awesome presence,
From the shadows into Your radiance;
By the blood I may enter Your brightness,
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness.
Shine on me, shine on me!
As we gaze on Your kingly brightness,
So our faces display Your likeness,
Ever changing from glory to glory,
Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story.
Shine on me! Shine on me!
Shine Jesus shine,
Fill this land with the Father’s glory;
Blaze Spirit blaze, set our hearts on fire!
Flow river flow,
Flood the nations with grace and mercy;
Send forth Your Word, Lord –
And let there be light.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Complete Order for Sunday worship in Afrikaans, with Communion
A complete Order for Sunday worship in Afrikaans, with Communion, in the UPCSA, with rubrics in English. Based on an order of the UPCSA, but with many added Afrikaans resources incorporated to simplify and enrich leading an UPCSA worship service in Afrikaans.
To down load, click this link:
http://www.cpk.co.za/formuliere.htm
To down load, click this link:
http://www.cpk.co.za/formuliere.htm
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