Worship service 11/30/25.
Greetings and call to worship.
Greetings and good morning saints and fellow Christians, grace, mercy and peace be with you abundantly through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are gathered once again on the Christian Sabbath, the Lord’s day, to worship Him who is altogether lovely, full of grace and glory, expecting that He will lead us into His glory according to the promise of the gospel. Psalm 17:15 says, “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Our souls find delight and satisfaction only in the light of the knowledge of the Son of God Jesus Christ, and therefore we come under the banner of the gospel to learn His doctrine from the authority of His word. A Puritan minister writes, Close the Sabbath evening with repetition, reading, singing Psalms, and prayer. Ask that God would bless the word you have heard. Could we but thus spend a Sabbath, we might be ‘in the Spirit on the Lord’s-day,’ our souls would be nourished and comforted; and the Sabbaths we now keep, would be earnests of the everlasting Sabbaths which we shall celebrate in heaven.
Prayer unto the public reading of the Holy Scripture:
Our holy and righteous Father,
Eternal, immutable, and full of all glory, justice, and righteousness,
Merciful, compassionate, and faithful—The God who will by no means clear the guilty, yet showing mercy to thousands that love thee with the whole heart and keep thy commandments:
We come before thee solemnly and sincerely, as those whom thou hast redeemed and purchased by the precious blood of thy Son, called out of darkness and into the marvellous light of the gospel and the kingdom of Jesus Christ. According to thy word, we are bid and commanded to draw near to thee humbly, with a single heart and upright affections; and therefore we ask thee to grant it unto us, that it may be even so—Acknowledging that thou art incomprehensibly great, holy, and excellent, Glorious in power, fearful in praises, doing wonders. We are therefore careful to approach thy altar, knowing the severity of thy law, the holy requirements of the gospel, as well as our own vileness and unworthiness to draw so near unto thee.
We freely confess, O Lord, that apart from the mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are justly denied entrance into thy glory, and must be cast from thy presence as an abominable thing. For we are guilty and polluted, unable of ourselves to repent or return, and altogether unfit to render thee any service that is not defiled by sin. Yet we believe that thou art our God, and the rewarder of them that diligently seek thy face. Therefore, we boldly cry unto thee for the free gift of thy grace: For pardoning mercy to cover our iniquities, And sanctifying mercy to make us meet for thy presence. Hear our prayers, deliver us from all trouble, cleanse us, we pray, by the blood of Christ. Assist us by the power of thy Spirit. Defend us from all evil, Strengthen our faith, subdue the lusts of the flesh that swell within us, And enable us to perform this holy service, Not in our own strength, But in the virtue which thou dost supply of thine own free goodness. And now, O Lord, as we come to the reading of thy holy word, we pray for a special blessing upon this portion of Scripture, that it may be effectual to build up thy holy church, which thou hast called thy special possession, and thy little flock. Open our hearts to receive it with meekness; Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and cause us by thy grace to worship thee by it; And may the same Spirit who spake unto the fathers, apostles and prophets, the reformers and Puritans, so guide our whole lives, That we may grow up in Him in all things, even He who is the Bridegroom and Head of the Church, Jesus Christ, our Prophet, Priest and King. All this we ask in his most worthy name,
Amen.
Devotional and doctrinal exposition on the Psalms:
Psalm 27 [8] (Verse 3): 1 David maketh this Psalm being delivered from great perils, as appeareth by the praises and thanksgiving annexed: 6 Wherein we may see the constant faith of David against the assaults of all his enemies. 7 And also the end wherefore he desireth to live and to be delivered, only to worship God in his Congregation.
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I request; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his Tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When thou saidst, seek ye my face; my heart answered unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
9 Hide not therefore thy face from me; nor cast thy servant away in displeasure: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 Though my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a right path, because of mine enemies.
12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as speak cruelly.
13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
Exposition:
We saw previously in the summary of the second verse, the nature and end of the Christian’s enemies, on this sure foundation: that God is his helper, and God is against the wicked. For it is written, “The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth” (Psalm 11:5). We have no reason to doubt that David’s enemies were not only antagonistic, but violently disposed against him—without cause, without provocation. As with David, so with all the godly in Christ Jesus: they are men of peace, lovers of righteousness, and followers of that wisdom which is “first pure, then peaceable.” Yet, as it was with Abel and Cain, so it is still—peace is persecuted by wrath, and righteousness is hunted by hypocrisy and envy.
David, like all true saints, was no stirrer of strife. The conflict was not of his own choosing, nor of his devising. It arose from the enmity of ungodly men, much like Saul, who persecuted David, not for his fault, but for his favour with God and man. For as long as there are men of faith in the world, there shall be war with those who oppose the grace of God: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed” (Genesis 3:15). This quarrel is ancient and irreconcilable—the seed of the serpent ever wages war against the seed of the woman. Yet, though we are men of peace, yet not of passivity. We are summoned to holy war: war against our sins within, and war against the public sins that rage without. For when the gospel is truly preached, the men of this world are offended—deeply and violently. They would rather war with the saints who rebuke them, than with the sins that destroy them. They cannot endure sound doctrine, and will not suffer the truth to stand unopposed. Thus we are not to be surprised at their enmity or hostility—indeed, it must needs be so.
And this is why David, with faith fortified and a heart inflamed by divine courage, declares in the next verse, “Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident” (Psalm 27:3). Here is the sweet fruit of a well-rooted faith. Though often weak in the flesh and often shaken by circumstances, yet it is strong according to its object—even God. Though faith hath trembling hands, it lays hold on a mighty Saviour. We must bear in mind that faith is not bold because it is great, but because its God is great. For it rests not in self, but in Him who is mighty to save. David’s confidence was not bravado, nor foolish presumption, such as the vain boasting of carnal men who speak loudly of their courage but know not the terror of trial. It was the humble boldness of one who knows his God. So likewise Elisha feared not, though compassed about by the armies of Syria. The Scripture records: “Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel? And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber. And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.” Both David and Elisha had their hearts stayed upon the Lord. They looked not at the host of flesh and blood upon them, but at the Lord of hosts who was for them. They feared not what man could do, for they trusted in Him that raiseth the dead.
Even so, let us not be found faint-hearted in our trials. Tribulation will come. We are not promised peace in the world, but conflict. Yet we are assured of inward peace: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3).
Let us, then, fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, let us fear God and cling to His promise, trusting in His arm to uphold us and His providence to deliver us. Our enemies are many, and stronger than we—but “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). They are not worth our fear. Let us give ourselves to prayer, to holy meditation, and to the joyful expectation of eternal glory.
This is the calling of the saints—to suffer, to strive, to endure, and to overcome. The enemy may cry at the gate, but he shall not prevail. For our strength is not in flesh, but in God. Therefore, let us “watch and pray,” “put on the whole armour of God,” and “resist the devil, and he will flee.” And when the battle is ended, we shall lift our hands in triumph and say, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
John Calvin,
Under the terms, camps and armies, he includes whatever is most formidable in the world: as if he had said, Although all men should conspire for my destruction, I will disregard their violence, because the power of God, which I know is on my side, is far above theirs. But when he declares, My heart shall not fear, this does not imply that he would be entirely devoid of fear, — for that would have been more worthy of the name of insensibility than of virtue; but lest his heart should faint under the terrors which he had to encounter, he opposed to them the shield of faith.
Opening Prayer.
Our gracious and glorious Father in heaven,
thou who art from eternity—our King, our Counselor, and our Deliverer—
we give thee thanks, O God, we give thee thanks,
for thy mercy and for thy truth;
for the forgiveness of sins
and the free imputation of righteousness by grace,
which is bestowed so freely
and applied unto us by the blessed Spirit.
We thank thee for the whole work of redemption:
for the giving of the law,
and for the precious ordinances delivered unto Israel,
whereby thou didst make thyself known
to a people in ignorance and darkness.
Thou hast ever been patient with us, O Lord,
for we are slow to hear and slow to understand;
but thou art long-suffering,
and dost lead us gently with tender mercies.
Continue to lead and guide us by thy hand, O Lord,
for we are prone to go astray,
and cannot know the way
except thou direct us by thy rod and thy staff.
Lead us by thy word
that we may walk in peace and holiness,
and at last enjoy everlasting felicity with thee in heaven;
for that is our end,
and that is our expectation in Christ.
Do this for thine own name’s sake,
for we trust in thee—
thou who art our Captain, our Savior, and our Governor.
We pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,
our blessed Redeemer.
Amen.
Lesson 60. [1.2.34.] The Contents of Holy Scripture: Introduction to the Prophets.
Westminster Confession of Faith 1.2.
Under the name of holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments,
Genesis-Song of Songs… Isaiah.
All which are given by inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life.
Intro.
I. The Antiquity of the Prophets.
As God, who is sovereign in all His works, hath ever been pleased to reveal Himself by His Word for the consolation, instruction, and salvation of His people, so from the beginning He appointed the prophetic office as the ordinary means whereby His will should be made known unto the Church.
For the knowledge of Christ cometh only by the Word, and Christ, our great Mediator, executeth the office of a Prophet, revealing unto His Church, by His Word and Spirit, the whole counsel of God concerning our salvation.
Therefore, whosoever despiseth, corrupteth, or rejecteth the ministry of the prophets, either in the Scriptures or in the Creeds and Confessions of the ancient church, doth thereby manifest that he knoweth not Christ; for He Himself that spake by the prophets, hath sent them forth for doctrine, reproof, correction, and admonition unto life eternal.
Hebrews 1:1 —
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son.”
2 Peter 1:21 —
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
Amos 3:7 —
“Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.”
The office of the prophetic ministry proceedeth from the very nature of God, who revealeth Himself not by wandering imaginations, private visions, or mystical enthusiasms, but by the mediation of His Word—a doctrine—set forth for the government, instruction, and salvation of His Church. For God is pleased that all His works be justified by a perfect, public, unchanging rule:
“That Thou mightest be justified in Thy sayings, and mightest overcome when Thou art judged” (Psalm 51:4).
And again:
“Yea, let God be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).
Thus the prophetic Word is the only infallible standard by which God’s truth is known, and His Church preserved; and therefore the written Word together with its faithful exposition is most necessary (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
This office began in the earliest ages of the world, from Adam who delivered unto Abel that right way of worship, even to Enoch, the seventh from Adam, who prophesied of the coming judgment:
“And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied… saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all” (Jude 14–15).
Enoch prophesied not by private invention, but by that holy doctrine delivered from Adam—concerning sin, the curse, and the promised Redeemer. Thus from the beginning the prophetic office was not to merely speak of the word of God, but to speak according to it, that is, in full agreement with the doctrine God had revealed to mankind for his salvation. As it is written:
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
And Tyndale rightly testified: “There is no heresy but man’s wisdom.”
This same office continued in Noah, whom the Apostle calls “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5). Noah proclaimed the same everlasting truth—sin, wrath, righteousness, judgment, repentance and grace—bearing witness that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” (Romans 1:18).
This office was continued in Abraham, of whom God said, “He is a prophet” (Genesis 20:7), and who commanded his household after him in the doctrine of the covenant:
“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD” (Genesis 18:19).
Thus the prophetic ministry flowed through the patriarchs, preserving the saving knowledge of God until the rise of Moses, Samuel, and the whole company of those who “spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21).
In later ages the prophetic ministry shone in Elijah and Elisha, who stood as Christ’s witnesses against the idolatry of the Northern tribes, and by miracles confirmed that “the LORD, He is God” (1 Kings 18:39).
Thus in every age God preserved His Church by His prophets, for:
“Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).
Therefore the prophetic office is of highest necessity, being essential to the history of redemption and the preservation of the faith. For as men cannot be saved without the mediation and intercession of Christ, nor without the atonement He provides, so neither can they be saved without believing the Word which He speaks through His prophets, by whom He executeth His office of Mediator:
“For how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).
To reject the prophetic Word is to reject Christ Himself:
“He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me” (Luke 10:16).
Thus the prophetic ministry is indispensable to the Gospel, to faith, to conversion, to sanctification, and to the gathering and governing of Christ’s flock; and all true believers are bound to submit themselves to Christ’s voice speaking in the Scriptures, and to be ruled by Him as under His kingly sceptre.
II. The Efficacy of Preaching.
Inasmuch therefore as we confess and proclaim that the office and ministry of the prophets is of most noble and ancient standing, so do we further affirm that God is pleased to save His people by these means, and by no other ordinary means whatsoever. For although we dare not bind God absolutely to the use of means—seeing He is infinite in wisdom, power, and freedom, and able when He willeth to execute His decrees immediately, without the ministry of man—yet such is the bond which He in His sovereign pleasure hath established between the Word and salvation, that we confidently assert that he who hath not the Word preached unto him dieth in his sins.
Neither is the Word, as preached by men, efficacious in itself, as though the preacher possessed any virtue or power to raise the dead in trespasses and sins. The preacher is but an instrument in the hand of the Almighty, that God alone may have the glory, and that the salvation of man may appear to be wholly of grace. As Luther rightly judged, when reflecting on the first fruits of the Reformation: “I did nothing. The Word of God did all.”
Therefore we conclude that the power of God is absolutely necessary unto salvation, so that unless the Lord, of His own will and by His own grace, turn a man from his sin by regeneration, the Word bears no saving effect upon him whatsoever. To the elect it is the savour of life unto life; but to the reprobate it is the savour of death unto death, serving only to harden them the more, increase their guilt, and heighten their punishment for the refusal and rejection of the grace set forth before them.
Thus we confess that all whom the Father, by His most absolute and eternal decree, hath appointed unto life shall infallibly be saved—saved by the death of Christ, according as He is the Surety of the covenant; and saved by the power of the Spirit, who in due season unites them to Christ by working faith in them, and making the Word effectual unto their conversion.
1 Cor. 1:21
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
Isaiah 55:10–11
“For as the rain cometh down… so shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please.”
Jeremiah 23:29
“Is not My word like a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”
Ezekiel 37:4–6
“Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.”
Hosea 6:5
“I have hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth.”
III. The Authority of the Prophets.
Inasmuch therefore as God, in His marvelous condescension and grace, doth effectually save His elect from their sins by the Word, so He also inscribes that same Word upon their hearts, that believers may know the grace whereby they are saved; not attributing to themselves—whether by merit, free will, or native righteousness—the least fraction of their salvation, but acknowledging that “of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things.”
Moreover, all who are truly converted by the Word do openly attest that it was through the Word they were saved; and therefore, far from rebelling against it or despising those lawful ministers by whom it is dispensed, they willingly submit themselves to be instructed, governed, reproved, and comforted by the same. For it is impossible to be saved by the Word and yet remain ignorant of the Word by which you were saved.
Thus God leads His sheep into green pastures, and appoints shepherds—lawfully called and inwardly wrought upon by His grace—for their salvation, nourishment, and safety. Yet the authority of ministers consisteth not in lordship over the conscience, commanding, “Go here,” or “Do this,” according to human will which may err; but in faithfully preaching that doctrine which is necessary for salvation, profitable for edification, and agreeable to sound words. “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”
Those therefore who turn their ear from hearing the law, and from the true ministers thereof, do not turn aside from men, but from God Himself; and are so far from pleasing Him by their self-will, that even “their prayer shall be an abomination.” For either the Scripture hath but one true interpretation, unified, coherent, and complete—which the true Churches of the Lord Jesus Christ call Reformed Orthodoxy—or else we must remain in perpetual doubt, never knowing whether the doctrine we believe be truth or deceit, and consequently whether our faith be grounded or delusion and we will forever wander in lies and error.
And although faith, according to its degree, may sometimes waver, faith according to its object is steadfast and immovable; for the believing soul knoweth—by the inward testimony of the Spirit—that salvation is in Christ alone, and that the doctrine according to grace and truth is the only right way of preaching and receiving Jesus Christ and His merits unto eternal life.
John Calvin,
Whether God made Himself known to the patriarchs through oracles and visions, or whether He suggested through the work and ministry of men what was afterward transmitted by hand to posterity, there is no doubt that He engraved upon their hearts a firm certainty of doctrine, so that they were persuaded and understood that what they had learned had proceeded from God. For God has always established unquestionable faith in His word, which surpasses all human opinion.
At length, in order that the truth of doctrine, by continuous progress, might remain perpetually in the world throughout all ages, He willed that the same oracles which He had deposited with the patriarchs should be, as it were, committed to public records. With this purpose, the Law was promulgated, to which afterward the Prophets were added as interpreters. Though the Law served multiple purposes, as will be better considered in its proper place, its principal intent, along with that of Moses and all the Prophets, was to teach the manner of reconciliation between God and men (hence Paul also calls Christ “the end of the Law” [Rom. 10:4]). Yet I repeat, beyond the peculiar doctrine of faith and repentance, which sets forth Christ as Mediator, Scripture distinguishes the one true God—who created and governs the world—with clear marks and evidences, so that He might not be confounded with the multitude of false gods.
Thus, although it is fitting for man to direct his gaze earnestly to the works of God—since he has been placed in this most splendid theatre to be a spectator—it is, nevertheless, even more necessary that he incline his ears to the Word, that he may profit more fully. It is therefore no wonder that those who are born in darkness become increasingly hardened in their stupefaction, for very few submit themselves to the discipline of God’s Word, so as to remain within its bounds; rather, they exult in their own vanity.
Thus, we must hold it as certain that, in order for true religion to shine upon us, its beginning must arise from heavenly doctrine, and that no one can attain even the slightest taste of sound and wholesome teaching except by being a disciple of Scripture. From this also emerges the principle of true understanding, which begins when we reverently embrace what God has willed to testify concerning Himself therein. Indeed, not only does faith, in its perfection and full measure, arise from obedience, but all true knowledge of God proceeds from it.
Num. 12:6-8
If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision.
Luke 10:16
He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me.
Deut. 18:18-22
“I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
Isaiah 8:20
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
IV. The Message of the Prophets.
Sin.
Isaiah 1:2-4
“Hear, O heavens, and hearken, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of the wicked, corrupt children: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are turned away backward.”
Jeremiah 17:9
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.”
Hosea 7:2
“They consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness.”
Micah 3:8
“I am full of power… to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.”
Wrath.
Isaiah 13:9
“Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger.”
Zeph. 1:2-3
“I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD. I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.”
Judgment.
Isaiah 26:21
“For, behold, the LORD cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.”
Ezekiel 18:4
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die.”
Salvation.
Isa. 6:9
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Isa. 11:1-5
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.”
Isaiah 45:22
“Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.”
Micah 7:18–20
“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old..”
Hosea 14:4
“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely.”
Conclusion.
Closing Prayer.
O Lord,
thou hast ever been our guide, our strength,
our fortress and our high tower.
In thee we find our refuge,
and by thy power we stand.
The world is filled with false men—
those who have deceived others and deceived themselves,
being deceived by the devil.
They have gone forth to preach,
but thou hast not sent them.
They proclaim sermons,
but not according to thy word.
They labour for praise and applause from men,
but have no love for thy truth.
They are servants of mammon,
and all men follow after them.
The world is deceived
and hath fallen under a heavy stupor,
for thou, O Lord,
in righteous judgment hast given them over
to the spirit they have chosen.
For we have forfeited thy grace in our first father Adam,
and thou art righteous to render sin for sin,
and to sell men over to iniquity
for their first iniquity.
Thou didst make man upright,
but they have sought out many inventions.
But be thou merciful unto thy church, O Lord,
and restore us unto thy favour.
Raise up a generation of righteous men
who shall call upon thee in truth,
and preach thy doctrine with faith,
with clarity,
with zeal,
with conviction,
and with authority according to right order.
Bring Reformed doctrine back into the public places,
and conform men unto thy word by its power.
We wait for thee,
for thou alone canst do it.
All men go astray and choose their own path,
but thy elect thou dost call out of darkness
into thy marvellous light.
Save thy people, O Lord.
And so may we call upon thy name
in truth and righteousness,
even as we do now.
We pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,
our great Prophet, Priest, and King.
Amen.
Fearless Puritan: 