LORD’s Day #45

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”

Psalms 100:4

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SOME EXCERPTS AND LESSONS FROM TODAY’S MESSAGE

MORNING SERMON

SERMON FOCUS: “LIVING PEACEABLY WITH ALL MEN: THE AUTHORITIES AND ITS RESPONSIBILITIES”

Text: Romans 13:1-7
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

1. CHRIST’S DELEGATED AUTHORITIES
2. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STATE

– There are three authorities delegated by God: (1) Familial, (2) Civil, and (3) Ecclesiastical.
– The three responsibilities of the State are: (1) to restrain evil/curve the natural state of a fallen man, (2) to punish evil, and (3) to praise God.
– Submission to authority is hard in our fallen nature as we desire absolute independence.
– As we are taught to submit in all authorities ordained over us, we are being taught to submit to the authority of God.
– Jesus is our King and He gave us the command to submit to all earthly-given authorities.
– Christ is a glorious Lord. God ordained all authorities for our good and for our benefit
– The threat of punishment restrains people from doing evil.
– God restrains the depravity of man thru the state by threatening punishment for evildoers

“The minister of God [the government] is appointed to protect you in your rights; to vindicate your name, person, or property; and to guard your liberty, and secure to you the rewards of your industry. The magistrate is not appointed directly to reward men, but they practically furnish a reward by protecting and defending them, and securing to them the interests of justice.”

– Albert Barnes

AFTERNOON MESSAGE

SERMON FOCUS: “THE GLORIOUS TITLES OF THE MESSIAH: THE WONDERFUL COUNSELOR”

Text: Isaiah 9:6-7
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

1. AS OUR WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, THE MESSIAH HIMSELF IS THE DIVINE WISDOM
2. AS OUR WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, THE MESSIAH HAS THE BEST COUNSEL

– The Messiah’s wisdom is so wonderful that it is beyond compare.
– In Christ are hidden the invaluable treasures of this world. The wise and the wisdom of this world is incomparable to God.
– The Messiah is not just to be described as wonderful but He himself is wonder.
– He is not just qualified to rule His people but he also has the best plan for them because (1) His counsel surpasses man’s counsel and (2) His counsel makes him qualified to rule.
– The title points to the king’s role as strategist and policy maker.
– The Lord remains their king beyond men’s reign and power. The king’s wisdom is unsurpassed.
– We cannot trust our own in important life decisions, we need to take counsel from Him whose counsel is wonderful
– Look at Jesus as the wonderful counselor, he has the best ideas, plans, and strategies, let’s follow Him.

“The redeemer will come endowed with absolute wisdom”

– John Calvin

Therefore:
(a) Let’s rest in the Lord for His wisdom is a sure ground of comfort
(b) Let’s seek to obey the Lord for His wisdom is the strongest incentive to obedience.

Blessed LORD’s day, dear brethren!
To God alone be the glory!