Sunday 15th March 2009 I can't remember

It was such a large list. What's that got to do with anything, do I hear you say? Well a lot actually. You see at St Luke's we are into the Lent series of sermon. This morning our preacher was Vicar Phil. Here is a picture of Phil. Oh, while your there what about reading his Phil's Focus. Anyway, this morning sermon was about Getting to know God and in particular, knowing God's forgiveness. Our Vicar went on with this big long list of sins. There was a lot of them. But me to mind of "Sinners in the hands of an Angry God" by Johnathon Edwards.
Phil also went on about Conviction versus condemnation. Conviction is of the spirit and condemnation is of man. Especially self condemnation. Which is something we all might do from time to time. Some more than others.
But, this hymn was the highlight for me. It's a ripper. In fact I liked it so much I am going to re-print it here. I didn't like the tune much, in fact the tune is down right dead bog boring. But the words! They are life.

1. Father of heaven, whose love profound
a ransom for our soul hath found,
before Thy throne we sinners bend -
to us Thy pardoning love extend.

2. Almighty Son, incarnate Word,
our prophet priest, Redeemer, Lord,
before Thy throne we sinners bend -
to us Thy saving grace extend.

3. Eternal Spirit, by whose breath
the soul is raised from sin and death,
before Thy throne we sinners bend -
to us Thy quickening power extend.

4 Thrice holy! Father, Spirit, Son;
mysterious Godhead, Three-in-One,

before Thy throne we sinners bend -

grace, pardon, life to us extend.

I didn't like the tune and couldn't sing it then got to really looking at the lyrics. It is a prayer. So while every one else sung, I read. It is good to do that every now and then. I think it is great. A simple prayer. Of course it can be argued that we already have this in Christ. And that is certainly true. But I like the prayer because it reminds me of my constant need.

There was another highlight today. It is actually a memory verse from ages ago but one which I can never remember where it is.

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight,

Oh, Lord; My rock and my Redeemer.

Now that should be our constant prayer. That is Psalm 19 verse 14.

It is good to gather with the brethren that we may encourage and uplift each other. Actually I find I am liking the form of the Anglican service more and more. Not the repetitive nature, but the form. The liturgy is good. I like the priestly nature of it. Not that it is our works, because our works are as dirty rags. (God look at the actually translation of that verse. It is too disgusting to be printed in here, but you would certainly get the drift.) Now Jesus fulfilled all the roles, Prophet (God speaking to us), Priest (us talking to God) and King, which He is. Now the Vicar, or who ever is leading, fills the priestly role, that is us talking to God and leading us all in the responses. And to me, being led to a higher place, where I have to follow and respond, I can't be a passive bystander, is what I need. I need to be reminded of our Holy God and His righteousness. We all do. Our Vicar, by his gown alone, stands as a constant reminder that God is "up there". He is a lot higher than us lessor mortals. We lesser mortals need to be reminded that we are just that: Lesser! We should not be so familiar. We need to be reminded that we are the created, He is the creator. We are His children.

If I have a criticism, may God forgive me, it is this. It is the same Sunday after Sunday, week in week out, month in month out. I should like to see a knew one for each Sunday, or at least for each month. Trouble is that would be expensive because we would have to print a service each week.

Oh, for those of you who don't know, we Frankston Anglican's use the 1962 Book of Common Prayer.

Till, next time: May God Bless you and May Jesus save you, and may you get Born Again if you are not already. Remember Salvation is God's work not yours.