Our High Priest Deals Gently With Us
Let’s prepare our hearts and minds for Sunday, December 26, 9:30 AM In-person, 11:00 AM In-person/Livestream Worship Service, and the sermon by reviewing the bible readings, confession, and reflection.
Bible Reading 1: Psalm 110 (ESV)
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”
2 The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!
3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.
4 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.
6 He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth.
7 He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head.
Confession/Creed:
Larger Catechism, Question 44. How does Christ execute the office of a priest?
Answer. Christ executes the office of a priest, in his once offering himself a sacrifice without spot to God, to be a reconciliation for the sins of the people; and in making continual intercession for them.
Bible Reading 2: Hebrews 5:1-10 (ESV)
1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; 6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
Reflection
"Look to Christ. He deals gently with you. It’s the only way he knows how to be. He is the high priest to end all high priests. As long as you fix your attention on your sin, you will fail to see how you can be safe. But as long as you look to this high priest, you will fail to see how you can be in danger. Looking inside ourselves, we can anticipate only harshness from heaven. Looking out to Christ, we can anticipate only gentleness.” -Dane Ortlund
We hope you can join us on December 26 (In-Person at 9:30 AM or In-person/Livestream at 11:00 AM), as Pastor John speaks about these verses. Here are the complete details for Sunday’s Service. The link for Sunday’s 11:00 AM Livestream is below. Lastly, here are the songs for Sunday if you like to listen to Sunday’s song selection.
Miss a recent service/sermon? Here is the "Worship Service Archive" page.