A.W. Tozer said, “Without worship, we go about miserable.” 

Our gathering each Sunday as a church family is the apex of the week. Hundreds of voices, hearts, and minds collide into one, proclaiming to God and one another our faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. What a privilege we have to push back the misery around us as sons and daughters of the King!

Of particular note for this Sunday is the opportunity we have to gather at the Lord’s Table. In light of all of Matthew 5, let’s approach the table confident in God’s grace, reconciled with our brother, and emboldened to declare the Lord’s death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26).

As you wrap-up your week at home, work or school, would you prepare for our gathering by reading, praying, and singing?

Read: Matthew 5:38-48

Pastor Ken will exhort us from Matthew 5:38-48 to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. This section ends with God’s standard for His children — ultimately fulfilled in Christ: “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48).

This teaching from Jesus was hard for his listeners two thousand years ago and is equally hard for us today. As you read, slow down and ponder these words, asking the Holy Spirit to grant understanding and humility.

Pray

May this excerpt spur you to love those hard-to-love people, following our Savior’s example.

When my mind is fixed on the gospel, I have ample stimulation to show God’s love to other people. For I am always willing to show love to others when I am freshly mindful of the love that God has shown me. Also, the gospel gives me the wherewithal to give forgiving grace to those who have wronged me, for it reminds me daily of the forgiving grace that God is showing me.

Doing good and showing love to those who have wronged me is always the opposite of what my sinful flesh wants me to do. Nonetheless, when I remind myself of my sins against God and of His forgiving and generous grace toward me, I give the gospel an opportunity to reshape my perspective and to put me in a frame of mind wherein I actually desire to give this same grace to those who have wronged me.

Stimulated to Love Others — A Gospel Primer for Christians

Sing: Song List for Sunday

1.“Holy, Holy, Holy (We Bow Before Thee),” arr. by Shane & Shane

2.“His Mercy Is More,” by Matt Boswell

3.“The Lord Is My Salvation,” by Keith and Kristyn Getty

4.“O Praise The Name (Anástasis),” arr. by Shane & Shane

Follow our “Sunday Morning Setlist” on Spotify.