Learning how to pray

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Pastor David

As a young boy, growing up in a conservative, evangelical Baptist Church in rural Vermont, I remember repeating the Lord’s Prayer during Sunday morning worship services, and repeating it daily in our local elementary school – a practice that no longer transpires in both places.

Now, nearly five decades later, I rarely recite the prayer. The last time I recited this prayer was at a wedding of a young couple from our congregation. And yet, this prayer is likely to be the most often quoted portion of Scripture among Christians the world over. According to Wikipedia:

On Easter Day 2007, it was estimated that two billion Catholic, Anglican, Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Christians read, recited, or sang the short prayer in hundreds of languages. Although theological differences and various modes of worship divide Christians, according to Fuller Seminary professor Clayton Schmit, ‘there is a sense of solidarity in knowing that Christians around the globe are praying together…, and these words always unite us.’

It is a powerful prayer, and though it is most often recited weekly by congregations as part of their liturgy of worship, it is likely that Jesus meant this to be a pattern for how Christians would pray, rather than a prayer to be formally recited.

This coming Sunday I will begin a series of sermons on the Lord’s Prayer (Mt. 6:9-13 and Lk. 11:2-4), also known as the Pater Noster or the Our Father. I hope that these sermons will lead us into a life of vibrant conversation with the God of the universe who revealed himself to us in his eternal Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

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New Ministry Year Begins

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Pastor David

The summer break is over and students are back in the classroom. That signals the start of a new ministry season here at Grace. All of our regular ministries will resume within the next couple of weeks.

Grace is a small congregation, but we manage to provide a well-rounded ministry with meaningful opportunities for spiritual growth and service.

Our weekly worship service (Sunday @ 9:30 am) is a blended service combining music that includes both traditional hymns and contemporary gospel songs along with a biblically-based message from the Pastor.

Following our worship, we enjoy a time of fellowship (including coffee, tea, juice and cookies) before heading off to Learning Centre (if you grew up in church you probably know this as Sunday School), with classes for all ages.

Throughout the week there are programs and activities for just about every age.

Our vision is to be a Christian community that loves God supremely and loves people sincerely. We strive to learn more about the God we serve through study and reflection on his Holy Word in order that we might live obediently as he desires.

We hope you will join us in this exciting spiritual journey.

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Stand in Awe of God

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Pastor David

Studies in Habakkuk 3:1-19

As you read through the book of Habakkuk, you see the prophet eventually recognizing God’s sovereign right and ability to rule all history, exacting true justice and judgment in his own time and way. As we reflect on the final chapter of this short book, we see a prophet whose faith is renewed – who finally stands in awe before God.

1.  To stand in awe of God is to engage in respectful prayer. (Hab. 3:1-2)

The basis for Habakkuk’s appeal rests in God’s covenant commitment to help his people as can be seen in his past acts on their behalf. Because God’s commitment includes the intention to punish disobedience, Habakkuk appeals for mercy even as judgment falls.

2.  To stand in awe of God is to offer reflective praise. (Hab 3:3-15)

In these verses, Habakkuk records various ways in which God revealed himself to Israel throughout her history: giving Israel the Law at Sinai (Hab. 3:3-4); reviewing the history of God’s dealing with the nations (Hab. 3:5-13);  and finally, considering how God will intervene on Israel’s behalf even as he uses Babylon as an instrument of judgment in dealing with Israel’s sin (Hab. 3:14-15).

3.  To stand in awe of God is to live with resolute patience. (Hab 3:16-19)

Habakkuk is truly frightened at the prospect of Babylon’s arrival, but nevertheless is resolute in waiting for their ultimate defeat at the “appointed” time (Hab. 2:3). Even as he witnesses the destruction brought by Babylon’s invasion, Habakkuk is determined to live by faith (Hab. 3:17-18). He is able to do so because God himself will be Habakkuk’s strength (Hab. 3:19).

Concluding Thoughts

Habakkuk’s difficult questions are resolved by looking past the present circumstances to God’s sovereign purposes in history. No more arguing, but rather recognizing that God always does right, Habakkuk is now interested in seeing how God will be glorified in all that transpires.

Commenting on this experience of Habakkuk, the late D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones observed:

“Our troubles can nearly all be traced to our persistence in looking at the immediate problems themselves instead of looking at them in light of God.” [From Fear to Faith, p.59]

When major disasters occur, it is proper to call for days of prayer and fasting. But we must not assume that everything is alright with us, and that all we need is for God’s intervention on our behalf. These times call for significant self-examination, for real humiliation and confession of sin – both within the church and in the nation at large.

As I conclude this short series of meditations on Habakkuk’s prophecy, I am reminded that God’s dealing with Israel (Judah) is not unlike his dealing with Christians today. We must never lose sight of the truth that God’s chastisement of his people is evidence of his genuine love for those who belong to him (Heb. 12:1-13).

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