# LLMs-Full.txt - Full Content for Project Pages # Generated on: 2026-08-30T01:41:30.482Z # Total pages: 55 --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/sermons ### Title: Sermons ### Page ID: 7783668 ### Content: #### [God is Love](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=god-is-love) ###### Date: Oct 05, 2025 #### [2025: Vanity of Vanities, All is Vanity](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=2025-vanity-of-vanities-all-is-vanity) ###### Date: Jan 05, 2025 #### [Elders: God's Gift to the Church, to serve God and the Church](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=elders-gods-gift-to-the-church-to-serve-god-and-the-church) ###### Date: May 28, 2023 #### [The Ascension of Jesus Christ](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-ascension-of-jesus-christ) ###### Date: May 21, 2023 #### [Sunrise Service](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=sunrise-service) ###### Date: Apr 09, 2023 #### [O Death, Where is Thy Victory?](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=o-death-where-is-thy-victory) ###### Date: Apr 09, 2023 #### [God is my sanctuary](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=god-is-my-sanctuary) ###### Date: Mar 26, 2023 #### [God and Gender](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=god-and-gender) ###### Date: Mar 12, 2023 #### [Our God, to Us and to Our Children](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=our-god-to-us-and-to-our-children) ###### Date: Feb 05, 2023 Every Sunday, we gather together as God's people to worship God and hear His Word. If you have any questions, please email us at jerseycitygrace@gmail.com We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/) - [about us](/different-kind-of-church) - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church) - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership) - [what we believe](/what-we-believe) - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church) - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church) - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet) - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus) - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation) - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care) - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship) - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government) - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor) - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation) - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god) - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms) - [open letter](/open-letter) - [on halloween](/on-halloween) - [future orientation](/future-orientation) - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer) - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king) - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms) - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity) - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil) - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ) - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity) - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer) - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity) - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love) - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms) - [contact us](/contact-us) - [donate](/donate) - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church) - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership) - [what we believe](/what-we-believe) - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church) - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet) - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus) - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation) - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care) - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship) - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government) - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor) - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation) - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god) - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms) - [open letter](/open-letter) - [on halloween](/on-halloween) - [future orientation](/future-orientation) - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer) - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king) - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms) - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity) - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil) - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ) - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity) - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer) - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity) - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love) - [home](/) - [about us](/different-kind-of-church) - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church) - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership) - [what we believe](/what-we-believe) - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church) - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church) - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet) - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus) - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation) - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care) - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship) - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government) - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor) - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation) - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god) - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms) - [open letter](/open-letter) - [on halloween](/on-halloween) - [future orientation](/future-orientation) - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer) - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king) - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms) - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity) - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil) - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ) - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity) - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer) - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity) - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love) - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms) - [contact us](/contact-us) - [donate](/donate) - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church) - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership) - [what we believe](/what-we-believe) - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church) - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet) - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus) - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation) - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care) - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship) - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government) - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor) - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation) - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god) - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms) - [open letter](/open-letter) - [on halloween](/on-halloween) - [future orientation](/future-orientation) - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer) - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king) - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms) - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity) - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil) - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ) - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity) - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer) - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity) - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love) --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/blog ### Title: Blog ### Page ID: 7783623 ### Content: We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/reset-password-page ### Title: Reset password page ### Page ID: 7783628 ### Content: We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/protected-collection-item ### Title: Protected Page ### Page ID: 7783629 ### Content: In order to view the page, please enter the password below: We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/home ### Title: Home ### Page ID: 7783630 ### Content: ## The Holy Spirit: Who Proceeds from the Father and the Son ###### Date: Jan 18, 2026 ###### Category: Nicene Creed ###### Speaker: Rev. Sam Perez ###### Passages: [Acts 2:33](https://cloud.bible/KJV/acts/2/33) ## Life And Death ###### Jul 17, 2016 ###### Rev. Sam Perez An explanation of Public Worship in the reformed churches The APpetizer, the Conquest, and The Culture-MakinG Everyone dies. Only Christ died and lived again. All those who trust Him will know this new life, too. The Video could not be played. Please [download it here](https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMzU0NDkiLCJzZXJtb25faWQiOiI0MjI5NzgyIiwibWVkaWFfaWQiOiIxMzg0ODM3MCIsIm1lZGlhX2Zvcm1hdCI6IjEwNSJ9/https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/account-media-clover/store/ae6cc8c4-8210-47bc-925b-9690e2bb9457/f887d6ba88/720p.mp4). *The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for all men, for the believer and unbeliever alike.* If you're looking for a solid Christian church in North Jersey that takes the Gospel seriously, then welcome to Grace Reformed Church of Jersey City! Grace Reformed Church is committed to the Bible and the historic teachings of the Protestant Reformation. Our VISION is to be a vibrant community of Jesus that worships God by learning, believing, living, and sharing God’s Word and its implications for all of life, and works for the good of its neighbors and the renewal of Jersey City. We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/different-kind-of-church ### Title: Different Kind of Church ### Page ID: 7783631 ### Content: At Grace Reformed Church we hold to what the historic Christian Church has taught regarding the purpose of man: man was not made for himself, nor will he ever find the purpose of his life within the small circle of his existence. Far from affirming the notions many people have and think to be true, at Grace Reformed Church we believe what Scripture teaches in its opening words (“In the beginning, God...”): life, meaning, and true significance are only found in worshipping God alone, in bowing down to Him, in renouncing our sinful desires and ambitions, and seeking God’s transforming grace to change us continually (Titus 2:11). If God is the great source of our joy (Ps. 16:11) and salvation (Ps. 42:11), why would we begin talking about life anywhere else? At Grace Reformed Church, we are passionately God-centered and Christ-centered. This means that we take very seriously the words God has spoken (the Bible). The Bible is our very life (Ps. 119; Dt. 32:47). The Bible teaches us that Christ’s lordship extends over all things (Mt. 28:18; 1 Cor. 15:27; Eph. 1:20-22). That means that Christ is interested in more than simply whether or not we go to Church on Sundays or how much we pray. It means that Christ the King speaks with ultimate authority to the most important areas of our lives: our work, our sexuality, our families, they way we treat others, science, the arts, government, and human culture. How can you come to know the beauty and power of God in Christ in your own life? It begins by recognizing your personal need of a Savior who will rescue your from the wages of sin and the wrath of God. Are you a sinner in need of God’s grace? Do you agree with Scripture that every person is dead in his or her sins, and apart from God’s supernatural Word, will remain incapable of worshipping and loving God, the very thing we were created by God to (Ephesians 2:1-10)? As long as a person thinks they are not really a morally deficient person, they will never sense their need of Jesus Christ nor devote his or her life to Him. That is why Jesus Christ said: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17). Are you generally okay and not really in need of Christ’s diagnosis of your life and salvation for your life? Or, are you a sinner in need of God’s grace? We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/the-church-leadership ### Title: The Church & Leadership ### Page ID: 7783632 ### Content: When you hear the word, Church, what do you think of? For some, no doubt, Church has many negative associations of oppression, bad personal experiences, hypocrisy, bigotry, or irrelevance. At Grace Reformed Church, however, we seek to cultivate a Biblical vision of the Church, and that means beginning with Christ. Christ alone is the head of the Church, since Christ paid for her with His own precious blood (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:22). No man can claim this title. No Word but God’s Word can lay claim to our lives. The Church, ruled by Christ, is His body. We are members together of Christ and of one another (1 Corinthians 12:12-21). This is highly significant for the way we treat one another. If we despise a member of Christ’s body, we despise Christ Himself (1 John 3:20). He who abides in self-sacrificial love to his or her brothers and sisters abides in God’s love (1 John 3:16). The Church is the sphere of salvation and reconciliation (Ephesians 2:11-22). The Church is where the Word is preached, where the sacraments are administered, where gifts of the Spirit are used, where sinners are saved, where saints are built up, where the wayward are challenged, where the doubting are strengthened, where the suffering are comforted. Where else does this happen but in Christ's Church? She is the one who brings all manner of persons together in unity and love towards one another only in and because of the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The United Nations has nothing on the Church of Jesus Christ. The Church is God’s new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Everything that is true of the worldwide future New Creation is true of the present localized Church now. The Church is the place of regeneration, resurrection, reconciliation, and worship of God, the very things that will forever characterize the Church when Christ returns. The Church is that peculiar people who pray, “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). She seeks to adhere to Christ’s will here and now on earth. The Church protests the commitment-phobia of modern, American Christians who refuse to join a local church and prefer an idealized vision of the Church that is full of “perfect people,” those who have their “lives in order.” or homogenized people who are “just like me.” Rather, the Church is the family and household of God (1 Timothy 3:15; 5:1-2), saved by the one death and resurrection of Christ and joined together in Him. The Church is composed of sinners (yes, sinners, not perfect people) who were far from God but now have been drawn near to Him, who come from different backgrounds (economic, social, political, etc.) but now share together in the life of Christ and seek to share their life with one another. She is the physical, gritty, tangible manifestation of God’s grace in the world. As Christ said to us, so we say to one another: I give up my life for you. The Church can say and do these words only because she is empowered by God and indwelt by Him as His temple (1 Corinthians 6:14-7:1), living in holy joy. Just like every family has a structure that is to work for the well-being of the family, so the Church has been given leaders who are to serve God's people, not be lords over them. This is one big difference between what, on the one hand, everyone thinks about when they hear the words "power" and "authority" and, on the other hand, what Christ says is the true nature of authority. Authority in the world is paternalism, exploitation, and corrupting. Authority in the family of God is the opportunity to serve others in self-sacrificing humility, just as Christ served us (Matthew 20:25-28). Grace Ref is a member of the family of churches known as the [United Reformed Churches of North America](http://www.urcna.org/). *Pastor, Grace Reformed Church* Sam is a native of Spanish Harlem, and was raised by Catholic immigrant parents who came to the Christian faith when Sam was a young boy. Sam came to own the Christian faith for himself in his late high school years. Sam worked as a school teacher in the south Bronx and Brooklyn before graduating from Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Sam lives in North Jersey with his wife and family, and has few dreams greater than to see all of North Jersey worshipping Jesus Christ as Lord and King over all of life. We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/what-we-believe ### Title: What We Believe ### Page ID: 7783633 ### Content: THE WORD OF GOD is the foundation of all our teaching and preaching.  We cherish what God has said, since it is our ultimate and final authority for our faith and life. There is absolutely nothing more relevant for your life than the Old and New Testament.      To value Scripture is to value the DOCTRINE taught by Scripture (doctrine is simply what the Bible teaches about God, man, Scripture, sin, the world, the Christian life, etc). Today, doctrine is often considered divisive, and downplayed or sidestepped. But doctrine is unavoidable. A church will either teach good doctrine (what accords with Scripture) or bad doctrine (what contradicts Scripture). In fact, far from being divisive or sectarian, good doctrine is the health and unity of the church. The Church’s true unity is founded upon the truth of Christ’s Word, and “contending for the faith once delivered to all the saints."      Throughout her history, the Church has had the blessing and responsibility of summarizing her faith in written forms. These faithful formulations (called *creeds* and *confessions*) are the Church’s confession of her faith.  These formulations are not inspired by God nor possess the same authority as God’s Word. Yet, they are to be highly regarded as the church’s faithful, visible, and public confession of her faith. Rather than re-invent the wheel of Scripture’s teaching, the Church is called to hold fast to Scripture and her confession.      At Grace Reformed Church, we confess the Ecumenical Creeds which have defined Christian churches around the world since the time of Christ. We also confess the Three Forms of Unity which have defined Protestant churches for the last 450 years, or since the time of the Protestant Reformation. To download a copy the Creeds and Confessions of the Church, click [HERE.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.cloversites.com/76/76e46fcb-e1f5-42d0-b3c3-af67cb283433/documents/Creeds_and_Confessions.pdf) We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/nehemiah ### Title: NEHEMIAH ### Page ID: 7783634 ### Content: #### ["The Wall Was Finished"— the view of the Future, the view of the Present](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-wall-was-finished-the-view-of-the-future-the-view-of-the-present) ###### Date: May 18, 2025 #### [Befriended? Pressured? Terrified?](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=befriended-pressured-terrified) ###### Date: May 11, 2025 #### [Jesus Paid My Debt, Set Me Free, Feasts with me at His Banquet](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=jesus-paid-my-debt-set-me-free-feasts-with-me-at-his-banquet) ###### Date: May 04, 2025 #### [With Christ in the Storm](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=with-christ-in-the-storm) ###### Date: Mar 09, 2025 #### [Plead the Promises of God](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=plead-the-promises-of-god) ###### Date: Feb 02, 2025 #### [The Priority of Compassion and Prayer](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-priority-of-compassion-and-prayer) ###### Date: Jan 26, 2025 #### [The Work of Reformation Continues](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-work-of-reformation-continues) ###### Date: Jan 19, 2025 #### [A Gracious God, A Repentant People](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=a-gracious-god-a-repentant-people) ###### Date: Jan 12, 2025 #### [Confess Your Sins to God](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=confess-your-sins-to-god) ###### Date: Dec 08, 2024 We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - 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[how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church ### Title: OT Israel, Jesus, and the Church ### Page ID: 7783635 ### Content: “Should the Church seek to rebuild the physical wall, temple, and city of Jerusalem?” An expanded and edited transcription of a sermon preached on February 16, 2025 Based on Acts 15:14-18 and 1 Peter 2:9-10 To download a pdf of this transcript, please [click here.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.cloversites.com/76/76e46fcb-e1f5-42d0-b3c3-af67cb283433/documents/2025_02-16_b_TRANSCRIPT_Should_the_Church_seek_to_rebuild_the_physical_wall_temple_and_city_of_Jerusalem_OT_Israel-Jesus-Church.pdf)    In the early chapters of his book, Nehemiah is stirred up to pray to God, pleading the promise of God to restore Israel and rebuild the ruined walls of Jerusalem. There are many such promises of God all throughout the OT (many of them will be listed in the third section). We want to ask the question: How should we read those passages in the OT where God promises Israel’s restoration? Just so you know, what follows has nothing to do with geopolitics and everything to do with hermeneutics, that is, how you interpret Scripture.     As a way of framing the Bible’s answer, consider an example. A father gives his son a bike. He tells his son, “See this bike and enjoy this bike, but see in this bike my love for you.” A father gives his daughter a dollhouse to play with. And he says to his daughter, “My daughter, do you see this dollhouse? I want you to not merely see this gift I'm giving you to play with. I want you to see in and through this dollhouse my love for you.” The bike and the dollhouse are real gifts that can be truly enjoyed and played with by the son and the daughter. But fundamentally, they are an expression of the father's love for his children that point back to the father. They are to see that gift and, through the enjoyment of that gift, see their father's love.     For the last 130 years or so, there has been an erroneous teaching on the OT swirling around in the Church, called Dispensationalism. Dispensationalism says that the gifts of a rebuilt temple in Ezra and wall in Nehemiah merely point back to themselves. According to Dispensationalism, these gifts are about the gifts not Giver of the gifts. The truth of the matter, rather, is that the OT is tied not to itself, but to Christ as its center. The OT is pointing to the saving love of the Father to His people given them in Christ. So, here’s the question before us: Should the church seek to rebuild the physical wall, the physical temple, and the physical city of Jerusalem as a fulfillment of Nehemiah's desire.     Dispensationalism saw the establishment of the country of Israel in 1948 as the fulfillment of the OT prophecies which God promised regarding the restoration of Israel. So many in the church at the time said, “Look at Israel! It got its own country back! God is returning his people to the land in a kind of political, national, ethnic fulfillment.” Even now, Christian brothers and sisters who believe the error of Dispensationalism will look at Nehemiah and say, “Yes, we need to be about the work of rebuilding the physical wall  and city of Jerusalem.” And the reason why Christians might say that is because they believe the OT applies only or mostly to ethnic Jews, while the New Testament applies only or mostly to the church and to the Gentiles. Dispensationalism erroneously teaches, in other words, that God has two separate peoples, two separate programs of salvation, two ways to Father: either through the Law of Moses or through grace in Jesus Christ.     Now, if you're sitting there, thinking, “No, that sounds wrong to me,” you are correct. Dispensationalism is a wrong interpretation of the OT. I want you to see from three simple points how Scripture wants to be read and understood on its own terms. I. OT Israel     First of all, let's talk about OT Israel. Dispensationalism ignores this simple fact: everything in the OT ultimately points away from itself and points towards Jesus.     In Luke 24, two of Jesus’ disciples were on their way to Emmaus, and they didn't understand that Jesus was supposed to die and be raised again from the dead. The resurrected Lord joins them on their walk to Emmaus and explains to them that the Messiah did everything the OT said He would do. In verse 27: “beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." Jesus is going from Genesis all the way to the last book of the OT and is explaining to them that every part of the OT, the then-known scriptures, is about Jesus. Again, Luke 24:44 tells us, “He said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ ” Jesus has more than a mild rebuke for His disciples for neglecting what had been so clear not only from His own ministry but also from the OT.      In John 5:39, Jesus is not speaking to his disciples but to a hostile audience of unbelieving Jewish Pharisees: “You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” It’s not just that there are some things in the OT that are about Jesus. It's that all of the OT is about Jesus. And this is the problem of the Pharisees and of the unbelieving Jew in our day and at the time of Jesus. They were devoted to an OT without Jesus. And what Jesus says is that all their devotion to the pages of the OT means nothing if you miss Jesus. If you read the entire OT, but you miss Jesus, you have missed the entire point of the OT— every person, every place, every thing, every sacrifice, every event, every ritual reveals who Jesus is and what is His saving work. You cannot understand the OT without Christ Jesus as its center.     So, coming back to Nehemiah and the walls and the temple and the city. What are the walls in Nehemiah about? Fundamentally, not about the walls. What is the holy city of Jerusalem in the OT about? Fundamentally, not about the holy city. What are the temple and its sacrifices about? Fundamentally, not about the temple and sacrifices. They are all about the One who would be sent by the Father to be the propitiation for His people’s sins.     I want you to see the union of the OT to Jesus from one more verse. In Hebrews 10:1, God again reveals to us how to read the OT: “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.” God gives us an image that explains how to understand the OT. The OT is a “shadow” (or a “type,” to use a more theological term) of Christ. Your shadow is meaningless without you. You cannot have a shadow without you being present. It's impossible. Your shadow does not exist without you, because you are the substance that casts the shadow.     The shadow of Jesus is strewn all over the pages of the OT, but Jesus Christ is the substance of our salvation. On its own, the sacrifices and the law are shadows that cannot perfect anyone. If you were to go to the temple and think that in that animal sacrifice in itself you have forgiveness of sins, you would be highly mistaken. That sacrifice, and that temple, and that holy mountain, and that holy city are a shadow of Jesus, and Jesus is the true form of those realities. God establishes this relationship between the OT— and everything in it— and Jesus.     As the faithful Israelite brought his animal sacrifice to be slaughtered at the temple, he was to see in that bloody sacrifice God placing his sins on that animal and that animal's innocence on him, God forgiving him his sins, and God’s promise to provide a better salvation with a better Savior with a better blood. In other words, the faith-filled Israelite was to see the shadow of Jesus in the sacrifices which which God had revealed and established. In fact, the faithful Israelite could see Jesus in everything God had revealed in the OT—in the Passover, in the Temple, in circumcision, in the manna in the wilderness, in the rock of water that followed Israel (which 1 Cor. 10:4 explicitly tells us was Jesus!), in the high priests and kings of Israel, in the dietary laws, in all the feasts, in the Sabbath, in the land itself, in Moses and Joshua and Gideon and all persons in the OT— and trust, not the shadows and types, but God who had appointed those shadows and types to reveal His past and future salvation in Jesus. But the OT shadows have no ultimate significance in themselves unless they are the shadows of Jesus, unless they are revealing Him.     In this sense, we could say that the entire OT was “sacramental,” in the historic Reformed theology sense of that term. That is to say, every part of OT was a sign and seal of salvation, but only Jesus was the reality of salvation. To trust Jesus through the signs and seals He had established was to be faithful to God, but to trust only the signs and seals was to reject Him and was condemned by God. We would say the same about the water of baptism, and the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper. Addendum One: What about faithless Israel? Here lays the problem of the faithless Israelite. The long history of Israel is the history of God’s mercy upon Israel, calling her to repentance, and of Israel’s faithlessness and continual rejection of God. As a result, God says all throughout the OT that for Israel to reject Him while trusting in mere sacrifices and religious rituals will only bring God’s displeasure and condemnation upon Israel. God says to Israel in so many passages, “What to me are all these sacrifices you're bringing? I loathe them!”     In Psalm 50:8-13, God upbraids His people for piling on sacrifices without actually loving Him, thinking that God is like a pagan deity who is hungry or in some material need. “Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me. I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. \[…\] If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?”     In Psalm 51:16-17, David repents of his adultery and understands that true religion consists of a heart that loves God. It is then, and only then, that God will accept whatever sacrifices we bring Him. “For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”     In Isaiah 1:12-15, God rebukes Israel for bringing their religiosity into the holy courts of His temple, yet with no accompanying faith in Him, obedience to His Law, and love from their heart: “When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.”     In Amos 5:21-22, God declares to Israel that because they have neglected justice and righteousness and true love for God, all their external and outward sacrifices mean nothing to God. They’re worse than nothing. They have become abominable objects of His hatred: “I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them.”     In Joel 2:12-13, God commands Israel to tear not their garments in some showy religious ritual but to rend their heart with sincere, whole-hearted repentance. They would find God to merciful and gracious and forgiving: “ ‘Yet even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.’ Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.’ ”     Ironically, it is God who had established all these sacrifices. How can God then turn around and say that He despises the sacrifices that He’s established? It's because the faithless Israelite who offers them is trusting not in God but despising Him. The faithless Jew self-deceptively believes that mere sacrificing, merely going to temple, merely offering the Passover lamb year after year will in itself save him. Do you now see that the problem was not the sacrificial offering but the heartless and loveless and faithless and unrepentant disobedient Israelite who offered it? Yet God says that they have misunderstood what these sacrifices, what this shadow of the OT, is all about— it's about your need for a salvation that only God can bring. It's about trusting that God will save you. No animal sacrifice nor blood can ever wash away your sin or cleanse your conscience. This how the Bible teaches us to understand OT Israel. II. Jesus     Second of all, how are we to understand Jesus? In other words, who is Jesus? Mark 1:15 tells us of Jesus’ announcement at the start of His ministry: “The time is fulfilled. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.” The expression, “The time is fulfilled” means that everything the OT pointed to has arrived. Why? Because Jesus has arrived. Jesus is not a type of something to come. Rather, Jesus is the anti-type, that is, the fulfillment of every promise God made in the OT. Jesus is declaring of Himself that He is no forerunner of the high priest yet to arrive. He is the Great High Priest. He is no symbol of the sacrifice to come; He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He is no mere prophet in a long line of prophets yet to appear; He is the last and the greatest prophet of God who reveals the Father to the world (John 1:18: “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known”). He is the promised son of David who will sit on David's throne as the king of the Jews, yes, but also as the ruler of the nations.     The coming of Jesus to Israel in His earthly ministry is the Day of the Lord for Israel, a day of salvation and a day of judgment, a day that will expose Israel's heart and will expose all of mankind, as well. What Jesus declares, what the Gospel writers are saying, and what the New Testament is telling you is this— you cannot delay your repentance. You cannot procrastinate your coming to the King. You cannot be neutral to the King. There is no more sand in the hourglass that's falling. It's all been completed. The time is fulfilled. And Jesus, as the King, comes with salvation in His right hand and judgment in His left. He comes to pardon Israel and all rebels of their sin and their treason against Him. In the words of Isaiah 61 (fulfilled in Luke 4:16-21), Jesus has come to lift up the downcast, to comfort the weary-hearted because of their guilt, to bring about that foretold new creation of glory and peace with God and with man, to liberate all who are weighed down by man-made religion, which only adds to their burden and guilt. Here is the King who comes to his own people. And if Israel repents and turns to her King, here at the end of history, she will enjoy God himself as her King and Savior, and be included in the kingdom of God.     But what happens if Israel rejects Jesus Christ the king? I trust we know something about the New Testament to know the answer. But look at Matthew 21:33-45 to see the answer given to us in a gruesome parable. If Israel rejects Jesus Christ as her King, she will be cast out and condemned, and have no part in the kingdom of God. “There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress.” He sent his servants to the tenants, to the workers he had hired, and he sent his servants to get the tenants to bring the harvest to the master. What happens? “The tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another.” Here, the master of the house has come to his vineyard through his servants. God has come to Israel through the prophets. He sent one prophet after another in the OT to bring Israel to the point of producing and bearing the fruits of the vineyard. And what did OT Israel do? It killed one prophet. It stoned another. It beat yet a third.     How merciful is the master of the house! Verse 36: “Again he sent other servants, more than the first.” And what did they do? Did they say, you know what? We better change our ways. We better repent. How merciful is the master, but how cruel were those tenants! “They did the same to them.” And then, in verse 37: “Finally, he sent his son to them, saying, they will respect my son.” You have to wonder at this point, is there something wrong with the master? We know he's compassionate. We know he's merciful. But we want to cry out to him, Master of the house, don’t you know what they are going do to your son?! You know how the story ends. God the Father sends his only Son, his only begotten Son, to His own people and His own people received Him not, John tells us.     What is the insanity of these tenants? Read the rest of the text: “When they saw the son coming to the vineyard, they said to themselves, This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance. And they took him. and they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants? They said to him, he will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons. And Jesus said to them, have you never read in the scriptures, The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes.” You need to feel the impact of these words of judgment that Jesus pronounces.“Therefore, I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces. And when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” And notice verse 45— “they perceived that he was speaking about them.”     What will happen to ethnic Israel, to the Jews, if they refuse Jesus? God explains to them: This Messiah Whom you hold as unworthy, Whom you despise, Whom you spit upon, Whom you want to crucify—you think so lightly of Him—but He is the Son of God. He is the cornerstone. He's the most important architectural piece of the structure God has been building and is now revealing in redemptive history. Jesus is the centerpiece of God's salvation. He is the Savior, the One who, like a cornerstone, gives meaning and direction to everything else in this structure. What will happen to the Jews if they reject God who has come in the flesh to them? God will take away His kingdom from them, a kingdom He had graciously given them and He will give it to another people who will bear its fruit. The Son of God will be triumphant as the cornerstone, but ethnic Israel will be crushed.     If you look over at so many passages in the New Testament, especially in the Gospel accounts, you realize that almost every parable is about this judgment that is to come, that's racing towards ethnic Israel because, although they had been given so much by God, they are rejecting Jesus as the Messiah even into this final moment of redemptive history.     Luke 14:15-24 records the parable of a man who throws a great banquet, and he sends invitations to so many, and those who are first invited have so many excuses: “The first said to him, I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.” Essentially, the invited say to God, I know You have invited me to this feast which is Your salvation, to this feast which is new creation, but I have something better to do. You have invited me to Yourself, but I do not want You.     And so the man says to his servants, Forget them. Rather, go to the highways and byways, go to the poor, the crippled, the lame, and compel them to come in. The guests who had first been invited but refused to attend will be not at the banquet but have been rejected. But those who had not been invited at first will be at this great banquet. Do you see what Jesus is teaching? The kingdom of God was given to the Jews but because of their rejection of God, God is removing this feast beyond ethnic Israel that rejected Him and bringing it to the Gentiles, to all those who believe in Him. Now, it won’t matter that you weren’t invited at first— your ethnicity, ancestry, biological lineage, whether you're a Jew or a Gentile, an Easterner or a Westerner, none of that matters. What matters is if you believe in Jesus Christ. If you do, then you are a member of the kingdom of God.     The rejection of the Jews represents salvation for the Gentiles but is judgment upon the Jews. The coming destruction of the Jewish nation within the lifetime of the Apostles is the dark prospect that moves Jesus to weep for His people. In Luke 19:41-44, we read: “And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.’ ”     Again, in Matthew 23:37-39, Jesus raises up a lament for His people who will judged, condemned, and cast out because they despised and rejected Him as the Messiah: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”     One last point that must be mentioned because the Bible is emphatic on this point. With the arrival of God in the flesh, no one may go back to the shadows of the OT and of the Old Covenant. For the Jewish Christian in the early Church (who believed in Jesus Christ and was also an ethnic Jew) and for Christians in all subsequent generations, the teaching of the entire book of Hebrews is clear. If after receiving Jesus, after having known Jesus, after having seen God incarnate— the very sum and substance of your salvation— anyone turns away from Him and goes back to the types and shadows of the law, to blood sacrifices in a temple, to all the ceremonies of the OT that were but a shadow of Jesus, such a one is trampling underfoot the blood of Christ and there remains for them no salvation (Hebrews 10:29). They are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding Him up to contempt (6:6). The point of the OT shadows is not fix your attention on those things that are passing away but on Jesus— to worship, serve, and love Jesus because of His salvation on the cross— and to join in with His Church gathered from the four corners of earth in heartfelt devotion to Jesus. III. The Church     Third, what about the Church? In light of what God reveals about OT Israel and Jesus, how are we to understand the Church? It's not the case that the Church replaces Israel. Rather, it's that Jesus fulfills everything about OT Israel in His very person and work since He is the sum and substance of our salvation. Jesus then reorganizes Israel now to include all those who believe in him, whether Jew or Gentile (Gal. 3:28). In Christ, we all have equal standing because of His gracious work.     Up until the moment before Christ’s Ascension to the right hand of God the Father, however, the disciples were unclear about this. They were confused about the nature of the people of God and the Kingdom which God was bringing in Jesus Christ. Poor disciples!     In Acts 1:6, the disciples ask Jesus, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom of Israel?” In effect, they’re saying, Jesus, we now know you are the Messiah. We know you are the king. We had our doubts about you when you were crucified. We were depressed those three days you were in the grave. But you were raised in power. You are the resurrected king. You are all-powerful. We know now that you are the king of Israel. We know now that you are the ruler of the nations. We know now that nothing can stand before you. So tell us, Jesus, when are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel? When are you going to restore the temple? When are you going to restore the ruined walls and the city gates? When are you going to defeat the Roman oppressor? When are you going to give us our ethnic, political, national kingdom back?     How does Jesus answer? “He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”     The disciples are asking a “when” question: what time is the restoration of the Kingdom? But Jesus responds with a “how” answer: the kingdom of God will be restored, not when a temple is physically rebuilt, nor when physical walls and gates are rebuilt from their ruins. The Kingdom of God will be restored as the Apostles, with the power of the Spirit, are made witnesses of Christ, and go into the world and proclaim the forgiveness of sins in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth, as a pebble thrown into a pond creates growing concentric circles from an epicenter. The Israel of God will now be gathered from all the nations as the Spirit-empowered Church bears witness of the crucified, risen, and reigning Christ who forgives the sins of both Jews and Gentiles. Addendum Two: Was God’s salvation revealed in the OT only for Israel or for the world? The answer to this question is, “Yes.” God’s plan was for Israel and the world. What we can easily miss in the OT is that God’s purposes were always for the world. God did elect and favor a particular people: Abraham and his seed, which became the people of Israel.     That God had favored the Jewish people in ancient times meant that, for the early Church, there was a historical priority in proclaiming the Gospel to the Jews first. In Acts 1:8, Jesus instructs His Church to begin the ministry of witnessing Christ in Jerusalem and Judea first, where ethnic Jews were greatly concentrated. The Jews must hear about the Gospel of Jesus first.     In Acts 2:39, Peter proclaims on the Day of Pentecost to the Jews who gathered to see the spectacle of 120 believers speaking in recognizable foreign tongues that God’s “promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” Note the sequence: for the Jew first (“you and your children”), and then the Gentile (“for all who are far off”).     Paul teaches in Romans 1:17 that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first, then to the Gentile.     The historical priority of the Jewish people was the pattern of Paul’s ministry. It was Paul’s custom during his missionary journeys, when visiting a new city, to first enter the synagogue, not the marketplace. He went to the Jew first, and then, upon their rejection of the Gospel, to the Gentiles in the public square. Paul’s practice is evident in Acts 13:44-47. After entering Antioch of Pisidia, visiting its Jewish synagogue, and being rejected by the Jewish authorities there, Paul and Barnabas confront Jewish unbelief: “The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, ‘It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” ’ ” This is one of the key turning points in the book of Acts where the Church continues to makes a definite turn to the Gentiles because of the ongoing Jewish rejection of Christ wherever the Gospel is proclaimed in the Roman Empire.     Although the Jewish rejection of Jesus meant that Jesus takes His salvation to the world, we can easily miss that the plan of God from the beginning of time was to expand Israel in order to include His elect from the nations of the world. This worldwide expansion of God’s hovers under the surface of the OT.     In Genesis 1:27, God called mankind to multiply and fill the world with worshippers of God who love Him and do His will. The whole world is the domain of God the King and to be subdued for His glory and rendered back to Him as a humble offering.     In Genesis 12:3, God promises to Abraham that in Him all the families of the earth shall be blessed.     At many points in the Law, God makes provision for the stranger to become part of Israel (e.g. Ex. 12:48; Num. 15:14-16).     God includes Rahab the Gentile prostitute from Jericho and Ruth the Gentile from Moab among His people to show in preview form what will be true at the end of this age: God’s people will be composed of the nations of the world.     In Psalm 2, the Father promises to give His Messiah the nations of the earth as His inheritance and the ends of the earth as His rightful possession.     In Isaiah 49:6, God appoints Israel to be a light to the nations that God’s “salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”     In Isaiah 2:2-5 and Zechariah 8:20-23, God promises to bring the nations streaming up into Zion to be instructed as pupils of God Himself and to worship God as a reconciled people.     Isaiah 19:23-25 speaks of a day when God will make Egypt and Assyria (historic foes of Israel) to be His people along with Israel: “In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, ‘Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.’ ”     Isaiah 45:22-23 foresees a day when all knees bow before God and all tongues swear allegiance to Him (quoted by Paul in Phil. 2:10-11).     In Psalm 22:27-29, God promises that one result of Messiah’s death and resurrection will be that “all the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. \[…\] All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive.”     In Psalm 67:4, God commands all the nations to “be glad and sing for joy. \[…\] Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!” Like Psalm 117, this command is a promise that God will fulfill.     In his writings, the Apostle John draws upon this worldwide salvation God will bring in Jesus Christ. In John 3:16, Jesus declares to the Jewish Pharisee Nicodemus that God has loved the world, not only the Jews. This would have been shocking to Nicodemus but was found all throughout the OT in veiled form. In John 11:49-50, Caiaphas speaks better than he knew about how the death of Jesus would spare the nation from destruction. John explains the import of Caiaphas’ statement in John 11:51-52: “He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.” In Christ, God will gather into one people all of His children from the nations. John states this wondrous truth in 1 John 2:2: Jesus “is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” Jesus is not just for us Jews, John is saying, but also for the Gentiles. Jesus is no parochial Messiah; He is the sufficient and promised Savior of the world (1 John 4:14). There can be ethnocentricity in the Christian Faith that despises the Gentile nations. Finally, in Revelation 5:9-10, John sees the eschatological consummation of Christ’s work in history at the end of this aeon. The Church, represented by the twenty-four elders (reminiscent of 12 OT tribes and 12 NT apostles), sing a most joyful song (among many others in Revelation): “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”     This is the mystery of salvation Paul explains in Ephesians 3:6: “This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” The mystery not made known to previous generations but now revealed to the world is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs with Jewish believers of the Promise of God. In Christ, they stand on equal footing with past believers. Paul summarizes God’s promise to send Christ to the world in Romans 15:8-11, when he quotes from the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings, three divisions of the OT.     In sum, God’s saving purposes were always for the world. Though God concentrated His blessings upon the ethnic people of Israel after the Fall, this was to demonstrate through Israel what He would do in the world through Christ: save sinners and make them a people consecrated to Him.     Here’s the Bible’s key to understanding the Church. Every description and blessing God applied to OT Israel is now applied to Jesus and His people, so that every promise of the restoration of Israel is fulfilled in Jesus and His Church. Let’s look at a few examples.     In John 14:1-8, Jesus is true vine of Israel which God planted (see Is. 5:1-7). Now, Jesus makes His people, the Church, ingrafted members of that vine.     Jesus is the true Israel who receives the promised Holy Spirit and is anointed by the Spirit without measure (Jn 3:34; 16:13-15). On the day of Pentecost, in Acts 2:33, Jesus pours out His promised Spirit upon the Church, making them His people, in fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32.     In Revelation 1:5, Jesus is the true and trustworthy witness of God who has shed His blood as God’s Suffering Servant (see Is. 53), to redeem the straying sheep of Israel. Now, Jesus makes His people, the Church, His suffering servants who seal their testimony of the Lamb with their own blood (see Rev. 6:10; 16:6; 17:10)     Romans 2:28-29 teaches that those who have believed in Jesus— whether Jews or Gentiles— are the true Jews who possess the true circumcision, that is, the circumcision of the heart. In the circumcision of Christ, that is, His body pierced on the cross in death, Christians have been circumcised and cleansed (see Col. 2:12-13).     Romans 4:13 and 16 state that Christians inherit the promise of Abraham and are made heirs of the world through Jesus Christ. That is, it is Christ who inherits the world as the true son and heir of Abraham. But in Christ, the Church is given the world, heaven and earth, and made co-heirs with Christ of all that He possesses (see Rom. 8:17 and Matt. 5:5).     Galatians 3:26 teaches that in Christ, the Church are the sons of God through faith in Him. “Sons of God” is how God described His ancient people (Deut 14:1). Now the blessing of adoption and sonship are bestowed on those who believe in Christ. They are given the Spirit of adoption (see Rom. 8:14-17).     Galatians 3:29 teaches that in Christ, the Church is the heir of the promise and the true children of Abraham. It is not those who have a biological lineage from Abraham and can trace their ancestry back him who are the sons of Abraham and heirs of the promise of God. No, it is those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.     In Ephesians 2:12-18, Jesus is the faithful Israel who reconciles those who were “far” (Gentiles) and those who were “near” (Jews) and by the power of His blood makes them into “the commonwealth of Israel” and heirs to “the covenants of promise.” United to the King, the Church is made the Kingdom of God, where Christ governs over His loyal subjects and citizens.     Jesus is the temple of God that is raised in three days and makes His Church, the temple of the living God, the dwelling place of God, where we find Jesus and through Him access to the Father. So, who is the temple of God that God is now re-building? Ephesians 2:21-22 tells us that is the people of God, the Church, those forgiven by Christ. God calls you now in Christ now to be a part of this temple and to seek its well-being.     In 1 Peter 1:1, the Church is called the elect exiles, the sojourners in the wilderness of this world, akin to Israel wandering in the desert. Israel’s wandering was a result of their disobedience, but the Church’s sojourning, restlessness, and spiritual homelessness in this world is a result of our obedience to Christ. In this world of sin, we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come, to enter the Sabbath Day that remains for the people of God (see Heb. 4:8-11; 11:10, 16; 12:22; 13:14).     In 1 Peter 2:5, the Church is called the house of God, where God dwells, akin to what Israel was called by God to be (see Ex. 25:8; 29:45; Lev. 26:12).     1 Peter 2:9 takes so many of the blessings given to OT Israel and applies them to the Church through Christ: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood \[that is, a kingdom of priests\], a holy nation, a people for his own possession \[that is, God’s treasured possession\], that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Every one of these descriptions was applied to Israel, is given to Jesus as their fulfillment, and is now applied to all those who believe in Him. The proclamatory nature of OT Israel’s distinct and divine calling is what Peter says is now true of the Church— the Church was set apart by God, to live set apart for God, to proclaim to the nations the Good News of Christ.     1 Peter 2:10 teaches that in God’s salvation of His Church, the prophecy of Hosea 1:10 is fulfilled. The Church are those outcasts whom the Father has gathered up and brought back to Himself. They were not a people, but now God has made them His people. They had had not received mercy, but now God has had mercy on them. They had been bastards, without God as their Father and without hope in the world (Eph. 2:12). Now, God has made them children of the living God (see Rom. 9:23-26 which also applies Hosea’s prophecy to the salvation of Gentiles in Christ).     Finally, what can we say of Revelation 21? The Church is the New Jerusalem, the holy city of God, the Zion from above (Heb. 12:22; see also Gal. 4:25-26), made perfectly holy and faithful, freed from all sin by God. There is no point in building a terrestrial city like that of Old Jerusalem that will perish and be shaken (Heb. 12:27) when God promises a celestial that will not be shaken (12:28). The Church in Revelation is the bride of YHWH whom the Savior finally marries, having promised her matrimony since the time of His people’s Exodus from Egypt (in fulfillment of Hos. 1-2, Ezek. 16, and many other passages).     In commenting upon the relationship of the Church to Jesus and Israel, Reformed pastor Michael Horton says this: “The promises made to Abraham are fulfilled in Christ and passed along to all those who belong to Christ by faith. Whether Jew or Gentile, all who are relying on the works of the law are still under a curse and apart from the Messiah there is no promise of anything but judgment.” Reformed professor Iain Duguid puts it this way: “Since Jesus Christ is Himself the new Israel, all those united to Him by faith are also incorporated into the Israel of God.”     Before concluding this Biblical survey (and we could go on for several more texts!), let’s turn to Acts 15:14-18. This text is key to understanding how God’s promise to restore Israel’s walls is fulfilled in Christ and His Church. The Council at Jerusalem asks the question, Should we force upon the Gentiles all the laws of Moses? Here is the answer given by the Apostle James: “Simeon \[Simon Peter\] has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.’ ” Addendum Three: God’s promise to restore and rebuild Israel’s ruins In quoting Amos 9:11-12, James is also quoting all the OT prophecies, similar to Amos 9:11-12, which promise Israel’s restoration. Let me list a few of them here with minimal comment: Psalm 14:7 (see also 53:6): Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. Psalm 51:18: Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar. Psalm 69:35-36: For God will save Zion and build up the cities of Judah, and people shall dwell there and possess it; the offspring of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall dwell in it. Psalm 126:1-6: When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 147:2-3: The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Isaiah 11:11-13 (see also verses 1-11 about the reign of Christ): In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea. He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. The jealousy of Ephraim shall depart, and those who harass Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah, and Judah shall not harass Ephraim. Isaiah 44:26: \[I am the LORD\], who confirms the word of his servant and fulfills the counsel of his messengers, who says of Jerusalem, “She shall be inhabited,” and of the cities of Judah, “They shall be built, and I will raise up their ruins.” Isaiah 58:12: And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. Isaiah 61:4 (note verses 1-3 that speak of the Spirit coming upon the Anointed One of God to proclaim liberty): They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Isaiah 65:17-25: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord, and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 23:3-6: Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord. Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.” Jeremiah 29:11-14: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. Jeremiah 30:3, 17-18: For behold, days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah, says the Lord, and I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall take possession of it. \[…\] For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord, because they have called you an outcast: “It is Zion, for whom no one cares!” Thus says the Lord: Behold, I will restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob and have compassion on his dwellings; the city shall be rebuilt on its mound, and the palace shall stand where it used to be. Jeremiah 31:4, 8-10: Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. \[…\] Behold, I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the pregnant woman and she who is in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.” Jeremiah 32:42-44: For thus says the Lord: Just as I have brought all this great disaster upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I promise them. Fields shall be bought in this land of which you are saying, “It is a desolation, without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.” Fields shall be bought for money, and deeds shall be signed and sealed and witnessed, in the land of Benjamin, in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, in the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the Shephelah, and in the cities of the Negeb; for I will restore their fortunes, declares the Lord. Jeremiah 33:6-11, 23-26: Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first. I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it.  Thus says the Lord: In this place of which you say, “It is a waste without man or beast,” in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man or inhabitant or beast, there shall be heard again the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord: “Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first, says the Lord. \[…\] The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “Have you not observed that these people are saying, ‘The Lord has rejected the two clans that he chose’? Thus they have despised my people so that they are no longer a nation in their sight. Thus says the Lord: If I have not established my covenant with day and night and the fixed order of heaven and earth, then I will reject the offspring of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his offspring to rule over the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them.” Ezekiel 20:40-44: For on my holy mountain, the mountain height of Israel, declares the Lord God, there all the house of Israel, all of them, shall serve me in the land. There I will accept them, and there I will require your contributions and the choicest of your gifts, with all your sacred offerings. As a pleasing aroma I will accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered. And I will manifest my holiness among you in the sight of the nations. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the country that I swore to give to your fathers. And there you shall remember your ways and all your deeds with which you have defiled yourselves, and you shall loathe yourselves for all the evils that you have committed. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name’s sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel, declares the Lord God. Ezekiel 39:25-29 (note that this is God’s last promise to Ezekiel and the people before the next and final nine chapters of Ezekiel’s oracle that record his vision of a new, latter-day temple which God will construct): Therefore thus says the Lord God: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for my holy name. They shall forget their shame and all the treachery they have practiced against me, when they dwell securely in their land with none to make them afraid, when I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them from their enemies’ lands, and through them have vindicated my holiness in the sight of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord their God, because I sent them into exile among the nations and then assembled them into their own land. I will leave none of them remaining among the nations anymore. And I will not hide my face anymore from them, when I pour out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, declares the Lord God. Amos 9:11-15: “In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old, that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name,” declares the Lord who does this. “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when the plowman shall overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed; the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it. I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them,” says the Lord your God. Micah 7:8-12: Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon his vindication. Then my enemy will see, and shame will cover her who said to me, “Where is the Lord your God?” My eyes will look upon her; now she will be trampled down like the mire of the streets. A day for the building of your walls! In that day the boundary shall be far extended. In that day they will come to you, from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, and from Egypt to the River, from sea to sea and from mountain to mountain. Zephaniah 3:14-20: Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the Lord.    Haggai 2:6-9: For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.     When was God’s promise to restore Israel fulfilled? It should be said that a kind of restoration, of course, a provisional fulfillment of God’s promise, occurred when God brought back the Jewish exiles from Babylon and Persia to the land He had given their forefathers. Judah was restored from exile and her walls rebuilt— in a sense. This is the promise Nehemiah pleads with God to fulfill in Nehemiah 1:5-11.     In actuality, who could read the account of the post-exilic people of God in Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, and think that God had completely fulfilled His promise of restoration? God’s people were still in a spiritual exile, with lukewarm hearts that did not love God wholeheartedly, in a land that did not enjoy perfect peace from their enemies, and still prone to future exile and oppression, as recorded in Ezra-Nehemiah. And the new creation on earth that would bless all the nations and the unbroken and blessed communion between God and Israel that was to accompany the restoration of Israel had not yet occurred in the time of Ezra-Nehemiah. The return of Judah to the land was supposed to be a kind of new creation, but the reality fell far short of the promise in Ezra-Nehemiah’s time. This is because the OT restoration from exile was a shadow of what was to come, but not the full reality. A better restoration was yet to come. That return from exile would be accomplished in full only in the coming of Jesus Christ.     Back to Acts 15. Notice what James says. The glorious fulfillment of all of those OT prophecies— God would gather in the outcasts and the exiles of Israel, the temple and city would be rebuilt—all of it is now being fulfilled how? In Christ saving Gentiles and Jews through his death on the cross by faith in Him.     In the moment just before Christ’s ascension in Acts 1:6, the Apostles communicated an immature understanding of the Kingdom of God and its restoration. At that time, they were still thinking in ethno-national and political terms. By Acts 15 (about 20 years after Christ’s ascension), the Apostles have learned what the Kingdom of God is and communicate a more mature understanding of its nature.     In other words, James explains that God is restoring Israel not with 12 literal sons and the physical tribes that descend from them, but by Jesus sending out his apostolic church into the world to gather His sheep, not only from one ethnic group, but from the nations. God is returning from exile, not only Israel but all of mankind— that greater exile when mankind fell into death and sin by Adam's disobedience.     Again, how does God rebuild His temple, His holy city, and His kingdom? With a physical wall or a physical temple in a physical city in a geopolitical country in the Middle East? No, but by saving sinners through the gospel of Jesus Christ. He builds His temple not with a “gospel” of types and shadows (that wouldn't be good news at all because we would then have to continually offer animal sacrifices since the blood of bulls and goats can never make clean man’s conscience, Hebrews 10:1-4) but with the Gospel of the crucified, risen, and reigning Jesus, the promised Messiah, who is God incarnate, come down to take away our sin— our condemnation and corruption— in His death and resurrection. God builds His kingdom not with a “gospel” of externalities, rules and regulations, and biological lineages and genealogies (that wouldn't be good news because, if this is how man can be saved, you and I would be excluded from the Kingdom of God because we're not ethnic Jews) but with the Gospel that proclaims the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ and His power to transform a dead heart into a heart that worships and loves God.     So, back to Nehemiah, this is why we can apply Nehemiah in Christ and His saving work to us. What is the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall and city gates except Jesus extending His holiness in this world, revealing His glory, and asserting His universal dominion among the nations in and through the salvation of sinners and their worship of Christ in the Church. All the promises of God find their fulfillment, their “yes” and “amen,” in Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 1:20). Addendum Four: What is “new” about the New Covenant and New Covenant worship? Israel worshipping God from a renewed heart as her Savior-God and Lord was always the point of the OT, even amidst the shadows which God established for His people. That which is the true worship of God at all times is made front and center in the New Covenant. Here, then, are some of the main the things that make the New Covenant “new” (and they’re all inter-related): The substance of salvation has arrived in Jesus; there are no more types and shadows in the NT. Jesus actually gains for us, in His body and blood, the forgiveness of our sins (atonement) and the taking away of the Father’s wrath (propitiation). We do not look to another savior, for there can be no other who is both perfect God and perfect Man. Jesus is our only Savior. Because the Messiah has been crucified and raised from the dead, winning for His people their salvation, God the Father has given Him the most supreme gift— His Spirit. Christ, in turn, pours out the gift of His of empowering witness upon the universal Church, in fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. No more is the Spirit’s work restricted to the only a few of God’s people, as in the OT. Now, He is given to all for holy witness. Through the Spirit-empowered witness of the Church, Gentiles are now fully included in the covenant of grace, and nations are discipled into Zion. In the OT, the holy people of Israel was (mostly) ethnically homogenous and centered upon the holy land of Israel, made holy by God’s special presence there. The Spirit of Christ renews man from the inside out. The religion of the heart is fore-fronted in the NT, and the externalities of religious ceremonies are put in the background. There are hardly any religious ceremonies in the NT. To use some technical language, Israel was “a legal administration of the covenant of grace.” That is, she reflected in a judicial, legal, and national manner the gracious promise of God that was given in Genesis 3:15 and later on to Abraham. Nevertheless, Israel was theocracy centered upon the cult of the temple and the land of Israel. Other terms for the OT theocracy are the “ceremonial law” and “the Mosaic administration.” The OT theocracy— which prominently emphasized laws regarding temple worship and the land— is done away with, never to be refurbished again, because God has not divinely instituted any civil nation as His theocratic kingdom, because Christ is the fulfillment of the holy temple, and because Christ and His worldwide Church are the fulfillment of the holy land. In many ways, the “new” in New Covenant is not to be understood so much in a chronological sense— as in a set of portraits that depict a Church “before and after” Jesus’ arrival— but in a theological sense. The dichotomy that runs through Galatians but begins in 1:4, and runs through Hebrews but is quite evident in 10:13, conceives of the old covenant as that which is temporal, passing away, and perishing, while the new covenant is that salvation which God brings about in Jesus, which lasts forever.     Understood in this Biblical way, there is a real sense in which the New Covenant was found in the OT. For instance, Abraham was a member of the New Covenant before the time of its ratification in Christ’s death (Rom. 4:11-12, 16-17, 23-24). All the faithful believers listed in Hebrews 11 were members of the New Covenant in ancient times. They partook of the sum and substance of salvation, which was Jesus Christ, by faith in Him.     There’s also a sense in which some of the externalities and provisionality of the Old Covenant are still found in the New Covenant. For instance, not every member of the Church is necessarily regenerate (1 Jn. 2:19). Some members are even cut off by Christ (Jn. 15:1-6). The externalities and provisionality of the New Covenant in this time before the return of Christ necessarily exist and cannot be extirpated before the Consummation of all things.     With these truths in place, we can understand how Jesus’ statement to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:20-24 characterizes New Covenant worship. God’s true worship is not a matter of membership in a particular ethnic people group or gathering on a particular location or mountain deemed holy. It is a matter of worshipping God “in Spirit and in truth.”     That is, you can only worship God the Father when you are united to Jesus Christ and it is the Spirit of the risen and reigning Christ who unites you to the Savior. Without the power and work of the Spirit Spirit, you cannot have a heart inclined towards Christ and the Father, since it is the Spirit who changes us and witnesses of Christ and the Father to us.     And, you must worship in truth, that is, according according to the revelation of His Word of Truth. You cannot worship contrary to what God has revealed, according to the inventions and imaginations of man, since the Spirit will only lead us to serve, love, and obey what God has revealed. “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (John 16:13). In sum, New Covenant worship is worshipping God “in Spirit and in truth” (Jn 4:23, 24), precisely what God had always desired, even in the OT.     We're out of time, but let me give you three applications among so many we can consider.     First of all, be humble before God. We don't have time to look in detail at Romans 11:17-22, but I include it here for your consideration: But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. God tells the Gentiles who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ to not be proud, to be humble. Ask yourself: why were you given the privileges of salvation that once had been offered to ethnic Israel millennia ago? It is not because of your righteousness, God says. So, “Do not be arrogant” toward the Jews (11:18). “Do not be proud” (11:20). This is a lesson for us. Do not be puff yourself up against ethnic Jews who have rejected Jesus. Do not be proud and self-righteous, thinking that it is something in you that moved God to save you. This is the problem of the Jews of old, who self-righteously thought it was something in them that compelled God to save them. Do not be ethnocentric like the Jews, thinking it's your bloodline, it's your lineage, it's your earthly citizenship that has saved you or made you great or makes you stand before Christ. Do not presume and say, “We’re better because we are us.” That's the problem of presumption of OT Israel. “We are good because we're biological sons of Abraham. We don't need to fear. We don't need to have faith in God. We're good.” Beware you don't believe the same! “We have our reformed theology. We have our infant baptism. We have our Trinity Psalter Hymnal. We have the basis of our acceptance before God in what we have done or in who we are.” God says He cut ethnic Israel off because of her faithlessness and disobedience and proud presumption, and God will cut you down, too, if you are proud. Do not presume. Do not be proud. Be humble before God and continually and freely and joyfully recognize that God’s salvation is all of grace in Christ.     But secondly, be prayerful in pleading for the salvation of unbelieving ethnic Jews. Romans 11 goes on to say that God has reserved a place in His church for ethnic Jewish people (11:12, “full inclusion;” 11:15, “acceptance;” 11:23-24, “natural branches grafted back in;” 11:31, “receive mercy”). At what time God will save them (e.g., during Paul’s lifetime, throughout this era of redemptive-history, or at the end of history) and to what degree God will save them (e.g., many Jews, a significant portion of them, or a publicly noticeable mass of ethnic Jews), only God knows. I cannot clear up all the various interpretations of this text, but this much God tells us: we should pray for those who are lost, including ethnic Jews. There are only two kinds of people in the world. There are those who are in Christ, and there are those who reject Christ. There's not a middle category. And without Jesus, Jews are lost pagans. They’re blind to Him, perhaps even more blind than most unbelievers. Their entire identity is built off a continual rejection of Christ as the Messiah. Even the the name of the country in the Middle East, “Israel” is a misnomer. That country is not true Israel. God tells us who true Israel is: His Church, His blood-bought people. “Israel” is a secular country that simply has that name. It's as if a bunch of secular unbelievers wanted to start a gathering and called themselves a “church.” We would ask, By what standard are you a church? You don't believe in Jesus, you don't believe the Bible, how are you a church? Without Jesus, unbelieving ethnic Jews are lost and dead in their sins, and we ought to pray for them, as so many of our Reformed confessions teach us (see Westminster Larger Catechism Q/A 191).      And thirdly, be eternally grateful to Jesus for His salvation. Do you understand what you have been given in Christ? Do you know what He has made you to inherit? You've been adopted by God. You are children of God, sons and daughters of the Most High. You've been justified. By Christ, by his blood, by his righteousness, you've been made an heir of eternal life. You are now the sons of Abraham. Abraham is your earthly father of faith. God has opened your eyes to rightly read the OT in order to worship Jesus. As we started, so we end our time, from 1 Peter 2:10: Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Once you had not been a people, but now you have been made the people of God. And so live for God in eternal gratitude to Christ. Amen. Our Father and our God, would You help us understand Your Word, would You help us understand the glory of Christ who is Father, the fulfillment of all that You promised. We have our “yes” and “amen” in Him. Thank You for our great Savior. And Lord, humble us, keep us from pride and presumption, from going our own way. Father, keep us from a hatred of anyone, including of Jews. Have compassion on those, Father, who claim to have Abraham as their father, but who are blind to Christ and dead in their sins. We pray that You in Your mercy would save unbelieving Jews, ethnic Jews, and add them to Your church, add them to the body of Christ. And that, Father, we, with them, one and all, would come to worship Your holy name here in Mount Zion and on the last day, as well. Forgive me, Father, if I have spoken anything that has been amiss or has deviated from Your word. Guard us from sin and keep us and guide us in Your way, we pray. Father, in Jesus' name. Amen. 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[7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/you-shall-not-covet ### Title: You Shall Not Covet ### Page ID: 7783636 ### Content: The following is an edited transcript of a sermon entitled, “You Shall Not Covet,” preached on Sunday, February 9, 2025.     In 2020, I decided to plant a garden. I had not really done that before. With all the time on our hands because of the lockdowns, I thought we could plant some vegetables like tomatoes and snow peas, and to really have a go at it. I didn’t want to just throw some seed down, but to find out how to do it well. What must we do to ensure that we have a good harvest later on in August, September before the frost hits? I learned a lot of very obvious lessons— perhaps you know these already! It's not just a matter of monitoring the actual tomatoes. You should do that and that's important. And you have to monitor what they're connected to, the stems and branches. And you must also make sure that the roots of your tomatoes are good, that there’s enough ventilation at the bottom of the plant by the root systems. But most basically, before you even start planting your first seed of tomatoes and all through the months of growing, you have to ensure that the soil from which your tomatoes are growing is good, is rich in nutrients, and is getting sunlight. It's not just a matter of looking at the fruit, its stems, or roots— you must consider the soil from which everything is growing.     And that's the question before us today. We can look at our character, we can look at our actions, our thoughts, the words we say, and all throughout the 10 commandments, we've been doing just that. But you see, this Tenth Commandment is different because it's more penetrating. Our heart with all its desires is the soil from which everything will grow. And so you not only have to monitor and take stock of your thoughts, your words, your actions, your motivation: you have to take stock of your heart's desire, the soil of your life. That’s the focus of this commandment. I want to, in a kind of Bible study way, look at three points with you today. First, I want to look at what coveting is. Second, I want to look at your life and mine. Third, I want to return to Psalm 73:25-26 and look at the Lord Jesus Christ.     First, what is coveting? This commandment prohibiting coveting is similar to the First Commandment. They’re not the same; they’re more like bookends dealing with the same issue from slightly angles. The First Commandment asks, what are you worshiping? The focus is God and his worship and our faithfulness to God, analogous to the faithfulness a husband or wife is to have to their spouse. Do you worship God alone? Are you faithful to Him alone?     The Tenth Commandment returns to that same issue, but from a different angle. The focus here is not the worship of God. It's you: what do you desire? What do you love? What do you truly want in life? Another translation of Exodus 20:17 where this commandment is first recorded as part of the Decalogue is this: “You shall not set your desire on anything contrary to what God has commanded, contrary to what God has given you.” The focus is your love. What do you love? It’s not a matter of whether you actually stole or took possession of something. The issue simply is, what have you desired? What have you lusted after? What have you set your heart upon?     This is why James 1:13-15 draws attention to the heart of man. You are to take stock not only of the fruit of your life, or its stems and root— you are to consider the very soil of your life. Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. It is so common for us to always see our problem as something or someone outside of us. How many times do we do this? “He made me do it.” “She made me do it.” “That thing made me do it.” “He provoked me to sin.” “I'm a peaceful person, but this thing, this circumstance provoked me to anger.” The issue, somehow, is never you. In our minds, we’re never the sinner. The problem is always out here. And that’s how we approach God. We say, “it's God who tempted me.” And James says, No, he did not. Do not blame God for your temptation. Rather, where does temptation come from? James 1:14 tells us: but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death. You are enticed by your own desire, by your own soil, by your heart's desire, and then that gives birth to a plant, and then that plant gives birth to a fruit, to sin when it is fully grown. Before you commit any sinful action, say any sinful word, before you think any sinful thought, you have a heart that is corrupted. You have a heart within you that is not attracted to Christ and to the obedience of Christ and to His Word, but attracted to self, to sin, to the world. And James says, you must know this about your heart. You would be a fool to go through your whole life and not know that that your heart is the cause of your sin.     So in other words, coveting is not simply desire, but corrupted desire. It is the fallen, twisted, perverted desire inside every person who’s ever lived. Coveting is not simply a yearning, but a yearning for what is evil. It is a discontentment and a frustration with God in our hearts that few, if any, can ever see. And yet it lurks within. It’s a frustration with God’s Word, a discontentment with how He has called us to live, with how He has created the world, with His provision for us, a discontentment and a frustration with others. This is the lesson I learned in planting my garden in 2020 and it's the lesson we all must learn in guarding our hearts and cultivating Christ-like habits, Christ-like character, Christ-like desire, and Christ-like fruits. You must just pay attention to your heart, the very soil from which your character and habit will grow. This is what sets the Tenth Commandment apart— it’s summarizing the previous nine commandments, and it's telling us that all throughout each of the commandments God has revealed to His people, He doesn't want mere behavior modification. He has always wanted the same thing— your heart, your desire, your love.     Yet, what is inside of man is a sinful desire, or, to use the more theological word, concupiscence. This is a very good word that we need to recover as Reformed Christians. If you grew up with the Spanish translation of the Bible, La Reina Valera— and excuse this momentary digression— you may remember that the Spanish word, concupiscencia, occurs repeatedly. Unfortunately, it does not appear in our ESV translation. But if you look at the King James Version, the English word, concupiscence, appears repeatedly. Concupiscence means that our desire is twisted and perverted. There are some today who might say, “Your desire is fine as long as you don't act on it.” No, the Bible says your desire is the problem. It's not just your actions do that are the problem. The heart of your problem is your heart, your desire, which is corrupted. It's your concupiscence. Consider this thought experiment: If, after the fall of man into sin and disobedience, and under God's condemnation and his just judgment, man had never again sinned (I know, an impossibility!), would man be liable to eternal wrath and hell? Yes, because his very nature is corrupted. Because inside of him lies an enemy, concupiscence, a sinful, warped, twisted, perverted desire. And that is enough to destine man to hell.     As Christians, we know we have been made born again by the Spirit. We have entered into this kingdom that requires a renewal of heart, mind, and soul. So within your life as a Christian, you not only have this enemy within, but you have been given a new heart, a new mind, new desire. And yet even as Christians, we need God to speak to us at the level of our desire. Why? Because if we were to be honest, who here loves God fervently without fail at all times? Who here yearns and desires to do God's will perfectly without fail? Beloved, our love for God is so tepid, it’s so weak and frail. If salvation depended on the fervency of our love for God, we would be truly hopeless. We so easily disregard God's commandments. We so quickly downplay how exhaustive and comprehensive His will is for our lives. All of us, at different times, check out of the Christian life, we have greater interests than God's will, we more fervently desire something or someone else. How often do you believe that that thing or that person or that event or that action or that lifestyle or that decision is what will give you true joy, satisfaction, fulfillment, peace, and goodness? If you have escaped God's other commandments and have patted yourself on the back, God does not let any of us escape this commandment. It is here that our righteousness is exposed to be what it is: not righteous at all.     I want to show you from two passages in God's Word how God exposes our covetous hearts, our concupiscence, which lurks underneath the surface of our righteousness. Mark 10:17-22 records the story of the rich young ruler. He runs up and kneels before Jesus. He has the right bodily posture before God. He calls Jesus, “good teacher,” which seems like a compliment but Jesus points out that He may not be reduced to a mere rabbi. Jesus is not saying that He’s not God but that if Jesus is merely a human teacher, then this young man may not call Him good since only God is good. Beware how you’re thinking of Jesus!     The rich young ruler asks, what must I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus tells him that perfect obedience is how a person enters into heaven. He lists the commandments of the second table of the law, which the young man knows already: You know the commandments, do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother. Jesus is absolutely right. Perfect obedience is absolutely necessary to enter heaven.     The young man responds, Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth. Here is an exemplary young man: a ruler of the synagogue, and, possibly, a ruler of the Sanhedrin, which was the ruling body of the Jews at the time. They were like the Jewish Supreme Court which had final authority over all matters of Jewish life and doctrine. We would look at this man and say he was morally upright, the kind of person we would want to be around. And he tells us as much!     But there's one commandment Jesus has left out. It's the Tenth Commandment. You shall not covet. And why does He leave it out? Jesus knew what was in this young man. And so, Jesus says to him, You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. It’s not that he lacked one thing in the sense of one little thing, one insignificant thing. The one thing this young man lacked was the most central thing. Jesus says, You lack the most important thing, rich young ruler man who have come to me with your righteousness. You lack a desire for God. You lack a true love for God. And as a result, you have missed the point of the Christian life. Rich young ruler: you see your earthly treasures as your greatest treasure. And the way to deal with a concupiscent heart, with this twisted desire, is to be rid of that which you would treasure and follow Jesus.     All seemed well in the life of this young Pharisee until Christ gets underneath the surface of his righteousness and points out his covetous heart. The young man could point to his outward life, the fruits and branches, and it all seemed fine. But what about the soil of his heart? His desire was all poisoned because his treasure was something other than Jesus Christ.     Romans 7:7-9 is a second passage which exposes the human heart. Covetousness is not always tied to the love of money. This is a common association. Where one appears and the other often appears. But that’s not always the case. Paul here reflects on his life as a Pharisee, as Saul of Tarsus, before he comes to Christ (in case you’re wondering, Paul will go one to talk about the conflict that still lives within the Christian in a moment). Paul tells us in Galatians a few autobiographical details. He says that he was advancing in Judaism. Among those of his age, he was way ahead of everyone. He was at the very top of his class, the very top 1% of the top 1% of the top 1% of Pharisees. He was so extremely zealous for the traditions of his fathers. (Galatians 1:13-14). If you had you looked at Saul of Tarsus, you would have seen a Pharisee of Pharisees. You would have seen an example in the Jewish community of obedience to God, of righteousness, of conformity to God's law, an example of all the sorts things we would look at and say, Wow, that's an extremely moral and upright person (see Philippians 3:4-6).     And in this, Paul was strikingly similar to the rich young ruler. In fact, there has been in recent years in scholarship, a greater openness to saying that the rich young ruler was Saul of Tarsus (I'm not going to preach this so don't hold me to it). Saul was that young 20-something-year-old who was so impressed with this Rabbi of Nazareth who knew way more than he did and so he came to Jesus to speak with him. I’ve done everything, Jesus. What else must I do to inherit eternal life?     The parallels are striking, aren’t they? Notice what Paul says in Romans 7:7. We want to be careful that we don't ever say that there's something wrong with the Law of God. No, Paul later on in verse 12 says, the Law is holy, righteous, and good. The problem is not the Law. The problem is you. One of the functions of the Law is to show you your sin. Paul says, If there were no law, I would not think of myself as a sinner. I would not have known sin. I would not have been confronted by my corrupt desire if the Law had said, do not covet. In verse 8, Paul says, until the Law of God came, until the Tenth Commandment came, until the Lord and in His law pierced through to my heart, I was fine. My sin was dormant. But when the spotlight of the Tenth Commandment shone upon my sinful heart, my sin started thrashing about like a monster. And my sin, not the Law, produced in me all kinds of covetousness (all manner of concupiscence, in the King James Version). I thought I was fine. In verse 9, Paul says, I was once alive apart from the law. I thought I was good. I'd kept all the law of God, but when confronted with this commandment, you shall not covet, when confronted with my corrupt heart, with my true treasure, then my sin became alive and I died. And all of a sudden I became so acutely aware not that I was great or a good or morally righteous person, but that I was a sinner. I became acutely aware of all those inclinations and desires that live in me. What Jesus said to the rich young ruler, he says to Paul: one thing you lack. Not an insignificant thing, not a little thing of no consequence, but the central thing, the most significant thing— you lack a love for Christ. You've missed the boat, Saul, Saul of Tarsus, because your heart is without love for Christ and has rejected Christ. And Jesus here, Paul tells us, puts his finger on his heart that was contrary to God's commandments. It may have been a love for money. He may have been the rich young ruler. We don't know. But we know that he had a covetous heart. He had a desire to be better than Stephen the deacon. We're told in Acts, he had a desire to rage against the church. He loathed Christ. He loathed all those early Christians. And he wanted to put them to death. He co-signed the death warrant of Stephen. Such was his corrupted heart.     And it wasn't until the Lord confronted him with this commandment— you shall not covet— that Saul then began to know that he was not well. Our corrupted desire neglects the one central thing.     But secondly, what about you? The Tenth Commandment, when it's first given and recorded in Exodus 20, lists a number of examples of what a corrupted desire wants and lusts after. And these examples apply to that original audience of ancient Israel which was an agricultural people. So the commandment goes on to say, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife (who was the co-worker and co-laborer in the household economy). Don't covet your neighbor's house, his property, his land, his farm. Don't covet his male and female servants, his ox, his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.     To be sure, many of these examples don't resonate with us. We're not an agricultural people. There's not a lot of farmlands around us. It’s not quite the Garden State up here in North Jersey. And even if we were surrounded by many farms, how many of us are tempted to desire farms above Christ himself? How many of us covet an ox, a donkey, or a beast of burden?     Okay, those examples don't resonate with you. But you fill in the blank of what your heart's desire is. What do you covet? What do you love? What do you treasure? What do you put above Christ? Where is your heart? Where do you neglect God and his commandments for your desire, for your will? Is it something about marriage? Is it your work? Is it your family? Is it children? Is it parents? Is it your home? Is it something about your neighbors? Is it something about this country? About your age in life? Is it something about your schedule and time? About your resources? About your money? Is your great desire to have stability in life? Is it to have a certain kind of education and set of credentials? Is your great desire to always get your own way in life no matter? That's your desire, and no one knows that? Search your heart, search your desire, inspect the soil of your life.     Thirdly, what is the way forward in Christ? God comes to you as His beloved people, not as unregenerate unbelievers, but as his people, renewed by his grace, renewed in your desire and in your hear. He tells you, by the power of His Holy Spirit in union with Christ, to do two things.     First, from the words of Heidelberg Catechism, reflecting God's word: you must put off anything, as small as it may be, as small as the slightest desire or thought, that may be contrary to any one of God's commandments. Those motions, those flutterings of the heart that are invisible and imperceptible to everyone else but which are inside of you— you are to put them off. You are to starve that concupiscence. You are to starve and to strangle your desire that strays from God’s will, and wants to do your will.     And this strangling of your concupiscence requires you to recognize that there is in you as a Christian, as a member of the body of Christ, a conflict. This conflict doesn't exist in the life of the unbeliever. I know you know this. This is a conflict between good and evil, between wanting to serve and love the Lord, on the one hand, and on the other hand, to do your sinful desire. There's no such conflict or battle or spiritual warfare in the life of the unbeliever. The unbeliever is blind, settled and at peace in his sin. Because of this, the unbeliever seems to live an untortured life. But your life as Christian is tortured because you not only have an enemy within, but you have the Spirit of God within. This conflict inside of you doesn't make you less of a Christian. That is what the Christian is: the one who has a corrupted desire for sin given to him because of the first Adam’s disobedience and sin, and a new heart for God given to Him by the Second Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ. Heidelberg 114 goes on to say that even the holiest have only a small beginning of this obedience. Nevertheless, with all seriousness of purpose, they do begin to live according to all, not only some, of God's commandments. This is the conflict that lived inside even the great Apostle Paul, the paragon of piety and love for God. In Romans 7:15, the regenerate, Christ-loving, saved-by-the-power-and-grace-of-the-Spirit-apostle confesses: For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. In verse 19 he confesses: For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.     Not only must you starve your concupiscence, your evil desire, and not let yourself do what you want. Secondly, as Heidelberg 113 says, you must always hate sin and delight in all righteousness. Part of starving and strangling your concupiscence is delighting in all righteousness. That is, feeding your renewed heart and desire for Christ. And how do you do this? Psalm 73:25-26 tells us.     Asaph was a man who knew what this inner conflict in Romans 7 was like and how torturous it had been in his soul. He says, Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. O God, You are my desire. This is what the Holy Spirit of God invites you today to say and to believe and to be convinced of. Asaph is saying, Take this world, take the silver, take the gold, take all the riches, take all the things a man can hope for and can desire. All I desire is you, O Christ. You are my true love. You are my true life. Your word is my nourishment.     Asaph continues in verse 26: My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. He says, when I look out at this world, I grow weak and frail. When I look at this world, I am tempted. My resolve just melts away because I see what the wicked have. He says in verse three, I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.     Asaph then goes on to describe the wicked in verses 4-12. They have no pain. They're always prospering. They're rich, they're wealthy, and very healthy. Their lives seem to be elongated, whether organically or artificially. I see how evil they are, and yet they're prospering. How can this be? I serve you, God. Is the Christian faith not profitable, not advantageous to me as a person, to my health, to my wealth, to my bank account, to my pension, to my status in life, to my education, to my credentials? And I became envious of the wicked. My heart and my flesh failed.     Asaph says in verses 13-14 that he realized, as he was looking at the world and tempted by the world and envious of their riches and their prosperity, he had become neglectful of God. He thought, This whole Christian life of loving and serving God doesn't pan out. It's not worth it. It's so vain. It's of no worth. It doesn't pay me anything.     But then, in verses 16-17, Asaph comes into the sanctuary of God. He says, By faith I saw You, in Your sanctuary, O Yahweh. I worshiped You, and my heart was once more renewed and turned to You. And then I saw not only the end of the wicked and what becomes of their lives. In verses 18-20, all that the wicked have is a mirage. All the prosperity and peace is swept away like a flood, it vanishes like a dream. They're utterly destroyed in a moment. God sets them in slippery places. I saw what becomes of all this that I envy. And then, I saw you, O God, once more. My soul was embittered. I was brutish and ignorant like a beast toward you until I saw what is of true worth: You are. You are my treasure. You are my life. You are my delight. You are my true love.     And this is what we are called to say, to believe, to be convinced of. This is what is to be the soil of our hearts. When I have everything, but I don't have You, O God, I'm a pauper. I'm the poorest of men. But when I have You, Jesus Christ, I may not have a lot— and you know that's not true! The Lord provides you with so much. The Lord has never abandoned any of you. So this idea that you have to make it out on your own without God's blessing is nonsense, that you have to worship your riches and your money and your work and your wealth is nonsense! God has never abandoned you. —But even if you had nothing and all you had was Jesus Christ, you would be the wealthiest person on earth because you would have the true treasure of treasures. This is what Asaph says, and this is what you are to say, to believe, and to be convinced of. That you are loved by the God of heaven and earth, who is your Father through Jesus Christ, your Savior, and He is your portion and your inheritance forever. You strangle and starve your evil desire, your concupiscence, by feeding your heart with the reality of Christ's salvation and love of you, by feeding your heart the fact that there is no reason to ever be discontented with God, by feeding your heart the fact that you owe everything you have to God. What do you have that you have not been given? And now, having been given not just Jesus Christ, but graciously all things in Him, you are to live for God. You are to love God. You are to serve Him and serve others around you in the love of Christ for you. *Gracious God and Heavenly Father, You are so good to us, but do help us, Lord, and recalibrate our priority in our hearts this day and this week, that, Lord, we would be rich with You, and, Father, seek first the kingdom of heaven, and put You, Father, in the place that You belong— our supreme desire, our true love. And that in the love of Christ, Father, You would rightly order all our subordinate loves— our love of our family, our desire for self-preservation, our wanting to be materially stable in this world, not just us, but also our children and our progeny after us.*     *But Father, it all begins with our hearts. Help us, Lord, and forgive us where we have gone astray and where we have loved things and people more than you, where we have loved money and wealth, Father, which is a root of all manner of evil. Forgive us, cleanse us, renew us, that Father, the enemy within, would be weakened and that our inner man in Christ would be strengthened as we feed off Christ and His love for us and his work on the cross for us in His death, but also in His resurrection. We thank You, Lord, that You have never abandoned us and that you are with us to the end of the age. Help us now to live in love for You and in gratitude, for You are the God of our salvation. We pray in Jesus' name. 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[7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/ascension-of-jesus ### Title: Ascension of Jesus ### Page ID: 7783637 ### Content: What does the Bible teach us about the Ascension of Jesus? Ask someone about Christmas or Easter, and you'll get a familiar nod. Ask them about the Ascension, and you might risk a blank stare, even from Christians. The Ascension of Jesus is a forgotten truth in our day. Along with His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection, the Ascension is an indispensable aspect of the salvation Jesus has accomplished on behalf of His people.     The Ascension is not simply the moment when Jesus was taken bodily, visibly, and locally from earth into heaven. It is the climactic point up to that point of His exaltation (which began in His resurrection). The Ascension is when Jesus is raised into heaven to sit down on His throne at the right hand of God the Father (also called His session). Jesus, perfect God and perfect man, is crowned as the Priest-King over all things. There is a Man at God’s right hand, which signals the restoration of human vicegerency through Jesus Christ (in antiquity, a vicegerent exercised rule on behalf of a ruler). Jesus receives all authority in heaven and on earth from His Father. As Lord over all, Jesus gathers to Himself His elect through the witness of His Church and applies His finished work to His people. Through His continual intercession and perfect superintendence of all things, Jesus the King is working all things in creation and history for His glory and His people’s good. The devil and evil forces are not in ultimate control of this world and the events of earth. God the Son is. So, do not be afraid.     This often neglected aspect of our Savior’s work is front and center in the Bible. Here is a small selection of passages: Gen 1:27: The kingly mandate of the first Adam, fulfilled by the second Adam. 2 Sam 7:16: God’s covenant with David promises an everlasting throne and a king to always sit on it. Ps 2: The Messiah is given the nations of the world as His inheritance. Ps 8: In creation, man is given the place of prominence and dominion which he loses in his Fall but which are restored in the New Man. Ps 72: A prayer to God for the King of Israel who is ultimately Jesus Christ. Ps 89:19-37: God’s Anointed King will rule, and God’s favor will always be upon Him. Ps 110: The most quoted psalm in the NT that promises that Christ will rule until all His enemies are destroyed. Ps 146-150: The Psalter concludes with an exaltation of the supreme and righteous kingship of YHWH. Is 9:6-7: The Promised Messiah will have a government that knows no end. Dan 2:31-45: The Kingdom of God, established from a small stone cut by no human hand, overtakes and breaks all earth’s kingdoms. Dan 7:13-14: The Son of Man receives a kingdom that has no end. Mt 6:10: We are taught to pray that God’s will and kingship would be fully revealed on earth as it is in heaven. Mt 26:64: At his trial, Jesus prophesies His ascension, further infuriating the Sanhedrin. Mt 28:17-20: Jesus’ declaration of supreme authority in the Great Commission. Mk 16:19; Lk 24:50-51; Acts 1:9: The Gospel writers record Jesus’ ascent into heaven. Lk 1:32: Jesus is the true Heir of David’s throne whose kingdom will have no end. Acts 2:33, 36: The Spirit was poured out because Jesus was exalted to God’s right hand, and has entered into His full anointed lordship over all things. Acts 4:24-30: The Church prays Psalm 2. The nations vainly conspired against Jesus, God’s anointed King, and they vainly conspire against His Church, too. Acts 5:31: God exalted Jesus to His right hand to give Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. Christ’s ascension and session are necessary for salvation. Rm 8:34: There is no condemnation for Christians because Christ died, was raised, and seated at God’s right hand where He is interceding for us. 1 Cor 15:22-28: History concludes with the full subjection of the world to Christ, and Christ handing over His kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rebel power and authority. Eph 1:20-21: God raised Jesus from the dead, raised Him into heaven, and seated Him at His right hand, over all powers in heaven and on earth. Eph 2:6; Col 3:1: We have been raised with Christ and seated with Him in heaven now, where we are to seek our life. Eph 4:8-14: Like all kings of antiquity, Jesus Christ gives gifts in His ascension to His throne. The gifts given are to his Church, which He leads out of captivity in the train of His conquest. Phil 2:5-11; Heb 12:2: Christ’s humiliation preceded His exaltation, when God gave Him a name above every name. His humiliation and exaltation are the pattern for the Christian life. Heb 1:3: Christ sat down on the right of the Majesty on High (a Jewish circumlocution) after making purification for our sins. Christ is the Great Priest-King in Hebrews, the fulfillment of every OT type and shadow. Heb 2:5-9: In this quotation of Psalm 8, the writer states that, although we do not presently see Christ’s kingship in all its fullness, we do presently see Christ crowned with glory, all things having been subjected to Him. Heb 4:14-16; 8:1-2: We pray to Jesus because He alone is our Great High Priest-King who, seated on His throne of grace, sympathizes with us. Heb 10:11-14: Jesus, the Priest-King (in the line of Melchizedek), offers the perfect sacrifice for our sins and sits down at God’s right hand. 1 Pet 3:22: After Christ’s ascension, all powers are subjected to His reign. Rev 3:21: The conquering King promises a place on His throne to those who conquer. The Heidelberg Catechism on the Ascension and Kingship of Jesus 46\. What do you understand by the words “He ascended into heaven?” That Christ, in the sight of His disciples, was taken up from the earth into heaven,\[1\] and continues there in our behalf \[2\] until He shall come again to judge the living and the dead.\[3\] \[1\] Mt 26:64; Lk 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11; \[2\] Rom 8:34; Eph 4:10; Heb 4:14, 7:23-25, 9:11, 24; \[3\] Mt 24:30; Acts 1:11, 3:20-21 47\. But is not Christ with us even unto the end of the world,\[1\] as He has promised? Christ is true man and true God. According to His human nature He is now not on earth,\[2\] but according to His Godhead, majesty, grace, and Spirit, He is at no time absent from us.\[3\] \[1\] Mt 28:20; \[2\] Mt 26:11; Jn 16:28, 17:11; Acts 3:19-21; Heb 8:4; \[3\] Mt 28:18-20; Jn 14:16-19, 16:13; Eph 4:8; Heb 8:4 48\. But are not, in this way, the two natures in Christ separated from one another, if the manhood is not wherever the Godhead is? Not at all, for since the Godhead is incomprehensible and everywhere present,\[1\] it must follow that it is indeed beyond the bounds of the manhood which it has assumed, but is yet nonetheless in the same also, and remains personally united to it.\[2\] \[1\] Jer 23:23-24; Acts 7:48-49; \[2\] Mt 28:6; Jn 1:14, 48, 3:13, 11:15; Col 2:9 49\. What benefit do we receive from Christ’s ascension into heaven? First, that He is our Advocate in the presence of His Father in heaven.\[1\] Second, that we have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge, that He as the Head, will also take us, His members, up to Himself.\[2\] Third, that He sends us His Spirit as an earnest,\[3\] by whose power we seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God, and not things on the earth.\[4\] \[1\] Rom 8:34; 1 Jn 2:1; \[2\] Jn 14:2, 17:24, 20:17; Eph 2:4- 6; \[3\] Jn 14:16; Acts 2:33; 2 Cor 1:21-22, 5:5; \[4\] Jn 14:3; Col 3:1-4; Heb 9:24 50\. Why is it added: “And sits at the right hand of God?” Because Christ ascended into heaven for this end, that He might there appear as the Head of His Church,\[1\] by whom the Father governs all things.\[2\]     \[1\] Eph 1:20-23; Col 1:18; \[2\] Ps 110:1; Mt 28:18; Jn 5:22-23; 1 Pt 3:22 51\. What does this glory of Christ, our Head, profit us? First, that by His Holy Spirit He pours out heavenly gifts upon us, His members;\[1\] then, that by His power He defends and preserves us against all enemies.\[2\] \[1\] Acts 2:33; Eph 4:7-12; \[2\] Ps 2:9, 110:1-2; Jn 10:27- 30; Acts 2:33; 1 Cor 15:25-26; Rev 19:11-16 123\. What is the second petition? “Thy kingdom come;” that is, so govern us by Your Word and Spirit, that we submit ourselves to You always more and more;\[1\] preserve and increase Your Church;\[2\] destroy the works of the devil, every power that exalts itself against You, and all wicked devices formed against Your Holy Word,\[3\] until the fullness of Your kingdom come,\[4\] wherein You shall be all in all.\[5\] \[1\] Ps 119:5, 105, 143:10; Mt 6:33; \[2\] Ps 51:18, 122:6-7; Mt 16:18; Acts 2:42-47; \[3\] Rom 16:20; 1 Jn 3:8; \[4\] Rom 8:22-23; Rev 22:17, 20; \[5\] Ps 102:12-13; 1 Cor 15:24, 28; Heb 12:28; Rev 11:15 We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - 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[you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/election-and-reprobation ### Title: Election and Reprobation ### Page ID: 7783638 ### Content: From *Canons of Dort* (1619), Head of Doctrine I, Article 7: *Election is God’s unchangeable purpose by which he did the following: Before the foundation of the world, by sheer grace, according to the free good pleasure of his will, he chose in Christ to salvation a definite number of particular people out of the entire human race, which had fallen by its own fault from its original innocence into sin and ruin. Those chosen were neither better nor more deserving than the others, but lay with them in the common misery. He did this in Christ, whom he also appointed from eternity to be the mediator, the head of all those chosen, and the foundation of their salvation. And so he decided to give the chosen ones to Christ to be saved, and to call and draw them effectively into Christ’s fellowship through his Word and Spirit. In other words, he decided to grant them true faith in Christ, to justify them, to sanctify them, and finally, after powerfully preserving them in the fellowship of his Son, to glorify them.*    *God did all this in order to demonstrate his mercy, to the praise of the riches of his glorious grace.*    *As Scripture says, “God chose us in Christ, before the foundation of the world, so that we should be holy and blameless before him with love; he predestined us whom he adopted as his children through Jesus Christ, in himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, by which he freely made us pleasing to himself in his beloved” (Eph. 1:4-6). And elsewhere, “Those whom he predestined, he also called; and those whom he called, he also justified; and those whom he justified, he also glorified” (Rom. 8:30).* Notice a few key characteristics regarding election. The time of election: *Before the foundation of the world....* (2 Tim 1:9; Eph 1:4) The cause of election: *by sheer grace, according to the free good pleasure of his will....* (Rom 9:15-18; Titus 3:4-7; Eph 1:4, 7; 2:8-10) The proximate goal of election: *he chose in Christ to salvation....* (Eph 1:4, 5, 7, 13) The definiteness of election: *a definite number of particular people....* (Mt 1:21; Jn 6:37, 39; Rm 8:28-30) The diversity of the elect: *out of the entire human race....* (Jn 11:51-52; Rev 5:9-10) The necessity of election: *which had fallen by its own fault from its original innocence into sin and ruin....* (Rom 5:15-17; Eph 2:1-3) The unconditionality of election: *Those chosen were neither better nor more deserving than the others, but lay with them in the common misery....*  (Eph 2:3) The foundation of election, chosen in the Chosen One: *He did this in Christ, whom he also appointed from eternity to be the mediator, the head of all those chosen, and the foundation of their salvation....* (Heb 2:13; 3:2; 10:5-7; 1 Pet 1:20; John 6:37, 39; 17:2, 6, 9, 24; Eph 1:3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 13) The working out of election in time: *And so he decided to give the chosen ones to Christ to be saved, and to call and draw them effectively into Christ’s fellowship through his Word and Spirit....* (John 6:44; Eph 2:4-7; 1:13-14) The certainty and fruit of election: *In other words, he decided to grant them true faith in Christ, to justify them, to sanctify them, and finally, after powerfully preserving them in the fellowship of his Son, to glorify them....* (John 6:37, 39; 10:28-29; Rom 8:28-30; 31-39) The ultimate goal of election: *God did all this in order to demonstrate his mercy, to the praise of the riches of his glorious grace....* (Eph 1:6, 12, 14) From *Canons of Dort* (1619), Head of Doctrine I, Article 15: *Moreover, Holy Scripture most especially highlights this eternal and undeserved grace of our election and brings it out more clearly for us, in that it further bears witness that not all people have been chosen but that some have not been chosen or have been passed by in God’s eternal election– those, that is, concerning whom God, on the basis of his entirely free, most just, irreproachable, and unchangeable good pleasure, made the following decision: \[1\] to leave them in the common misery into which, by their own fault, they have plunged themselves; \[2\] not to grant them saving faith and the grace of conversion; \[3\] but finally to condemn and eternally punish them (having been left in their own ways and under his just judgment), not only for their unbelief but also for all their other sins, in order to display his justice. And this is the decision of reprobation, which does not at all make God the author of sin (a blasphemous thought!) but rather its fearful, irreproachable, just judge and avenger.* There are differences between election and reprobation: 1\. Election (predestination unto salvation) depends completely upon God, that is, *monergism* (singular operation). 2\. Reprobation (predestination unto condemnation) depends upon God leaving man in his sinful state, acquiescing to man’s desire to not repent, and condemning man in what man has already chosen. In other words, reprobation is a work that depends on God and man, “but never takes apart from sin and culpability of those who are not saved.” It is *concursus* within God’s providence, that is *synergism* (co-operation). A. “to leave them in the common misery into which, by their own fault, they have plunged themselves...” In saving some, God passes over others by leaving them in the sin they have desired. This is *preterition*. Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34 (Pharaoh hardens his heart): 15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.... 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go....34 But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet again and hardened his heart, he and his servants. Psalm 7:15-16: He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made. 16 His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends. Psalm 9:15-16: The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught. 16 The Lord has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Psalm 69:22 (quoted by Romans 11:9-10): Let their own table before them become a snare; and when they are at peace, let it become a trap. Romans 1:18-32: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 
    24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
    26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 
    28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. 2 Thessalonians 2:11:  The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. B. “not to grant them saving faith and the grace of conversion...” God withholds His mercy. That is His prerogative. Isaiah 6:9-10 (quoted in Matthew 13:10ff et al): And he said, “Go, and say to this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ 10 Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.’ ” Matthew 11:25-27: At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Matthew 13:10-15 (cf. Mark 4:12; Lk 8:10; John 12:39-40; Acts 28:24-28): Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. 15 For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.” John 17:9: I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. Romans 11:7-8: What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” Ephesians 4:17-19: Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. C. “but finally to condemn and eternally punish them (having been left in their own ways and under his just judgment), not only for their unbelief but also for all their other sins...” He ultimately hardens reprobate in their sin. God gives them what they want (cf. Rom 1:24, 26, 28). Exodus 4:21; 7:3; 9:12 (The LORD hardens Pharaoh’s heart): 21 And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go....  3 But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you.... 12 But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses. 1 Samuel 2:25: If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death. Romans 2:5: But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 2 Timothy 2:19-20: But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” 20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 1 Peter 2:8: So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 2 Peter 2:12-13a: But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, 13 suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. Jude 4:  For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. D. One of the most important text (has all three categories): Romans 9:14-24: What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. 19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? *1\. The reprobation of the condemned is for God’s glory:* “in order to display his justice.” Psalm 83:17-18: Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, 18 that they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth. Exodus 9:16: But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth. Exodus 14:17: And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. Romans 9:17 (quoting Exodus 9:16): For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” *2\. God is not morally culpable at all in the sin of man. He is not the author of sin:* “And this is the decision of reprobation, which does not at all make God the author of sin (a blasphemous thought!) but rather its fearful, irreproachable, just judge and avenger.” James 1:13-15: Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. *3\. Man is condemned not because of God’s election but because of his sin. God does not prevent anyone from coming to Him. That is, He does not take away from man something he deserves (grace), not puts something in his life that wasn’t already there (sin). God gives man what man wants (cf. Rom 1:18-32).* John 3:18-19: Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. Hebrews 3:19; 4:6: So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.... 6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, *4\. Sinful man has no claim to God’s mercy whatsoever. Thus, all mankind (each individual) deserves God’s judgment.* Romans 9:18: So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. Titus 3:4-7: But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. *5\. We must careful to not question the generosity and mercy of God in election and reprobation, nor to give ourselves over, in pride or despair, to speculate on that which God has not revealed.* Matthew 20:15: Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity? Romans 11:33-36: Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Deuteronomy 29:29: The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. 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[god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care ### Title: A Reformation of Pastoral Care ### Page ID: 7783639 ### Content: What difference did the Reformation make in how God's people are shepherded by ministers and elders? And what lessons does the Reformation continue to hold forth for us today? *Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. \[...\] Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.* \-Hebrews 17:7, 17 The Protestant Reformation was a return to the apostolic pattern of pastoral care: shepherds giving pastoral attention to God’s people and God’s people submitting to their leaders. Both aspects are crucial in order for pastoral care to have its intended, Biblical effect of maturing God’s people in Christ. Paul’s command in Philippians 3:17 is not uncommon in the New Testament: “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” Paul later repeats himself: “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things” (Phil 4:9a).  Unlike in the Roman Catholic Church or many evangelical churches, Reformed pastors are not removed and aloof from the congregations they serve. They are close by, living with their congregants in the trenches of their lives. *The Registers of the Consistory of Geneva at the Time of Calvin* gives colorful testimony to the variety of pastoral issues dealt with in Geneva, and how John Calvin and his company of pastors sought to bring God’s Word to bear upon the lives of God’s people.  Biblical pastoral care places an onus on pastors and elders, whose faith in Christ and conduct before others are to be observed and emulated by the congregation (Heb 13:7; 1 Cor 11:1). Congregants are to imitate their church leaders’ devotion to God’s Word, fight against sin, self-control and fruit of the Spirit, marriage and household, conduct during suffering, and self-sacrificial love for the local church and outsiders. Church members get to submit to their leaders’ shepherding of the stubborn, the proud, the doubtful, as they admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and warn the divisive (2 Thes 5:14; Titus 3:10).  Reformed pastoral care also places an onus on members of the local church. God calls you to submit to your local shepherds. You may not be a “cyber-disciple.” Cyber-disciples are not committed to the local church nor submit to local leaders, but are rather molded by internet videos, sermons, and podcasts. Quite honestly, cyber-disciples are often simply following their own whims. They would rather be shaped by someone “out there” in internet-land, than be formed and trained by the local shepherds God has placed in their lives. If you would rather Google your theology question than ask your pastor, if you would rather receive pastoral counsel from an internet personality than from your elders, you are neither Biblical nor Reformed in your view of pastoral care.  This must not be. God has given you examples to imitate at hand. They are not impersonal internet gurus who say true things. They are flesh and blood shepherds whom you can see and hear, who pray for you, who inquire about your spiritual life, who are concerned for you. This may astound you but no one on the internet actually personally knows you or cares about you. John MacArthur won’t ever visit you when you’re in the hospital. Doug Wilson won’t ever meet with you for pastoral counseling. James White won’t ever take you out for coffee to catch up with how you’re doing. But do you know who will do all these things? Your pastors and elders. Internet personalities cannot be completely disregarded, but they are of far less importance than your local shepherds.  Your shepherds, not internet Reformed celebrities, will give an account to God of your life and doctrine. We are not hirelings (John 10:12-13) or super-apostles who butter you up with flattering words but abandon you in times of trouble. We are men of sincerity, commissioned by God, who hold forth God’s truth to you in the sight of God. We speak with you. We correct you. We eat with you. We know you. We love you. And we are interested and invested in your spiritual growth in Christ. We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/a-reformation-of-worship ### Title: A Reformation of Worship ### Page ID: 7783640 ### Content: What difference did the Reformation make in how God's people worship? And what lessons does the Reformation continue to hold forth for us today? PART ONE: THE MANNER OF ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP *Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.* (Hebrews 12:28-29) The Protestant Reformation represents a return to the reverent, Biblical, participatory, and spiritual worship of the New Testament (NT), away from human inventions codified by the late medieval Roman Catholic Church and quite popular in present evangelical worship. For all their differences, worship in Catholic churches and evangelical churches have significant similarities—and the NT and the Protestant Reformation stand resolutely against both.     One of the most basic insights of the Reformation is that the renewed longing of our heart must be regulated by God’s Word. It’s not enough to want to worship God. We must know how to worship God. Our love for God must be bound by His Law. Our desire must be ruled by divine design. You may not offer God whatever you want. As Heb. 12:28 states, we must offer God “acceptable worship.”     The writer to the Hebrews is intent to contrast and compare the Mosaic covenant with the New Covenant for his hearers who are tempted to go back to the Mosaic covenant. Near the end of his letter (12:18-29), the writer casts the two covenants in terms of different worship services taking place on two different mountains. The old covenant on Mt. Sinai is full of servile fear, things that could be touched and seen, and a refusal to hear God. The new covenant, in contrast to the old, lifts us up to Mt. Zion— to heaven itself!—to God the Father and His Son, to participate in the joy of the worship of angels and the faithfully departed saints of God from the OT and NT.     Note what is different. In NT worship, we do not encounter the physical, geographical, sensory-rich worship of OT worship. Why? Because although the Christian Church may gather in a variety of earthly places for worship on the Lord’s Day, the Christian Church is actually translated to heaven as God calls us to worship Him.     But note what is similar in the worship of the two different covenants. It is not the sights and sounds but the covenantal obligations enjoined by God upon the Church. The writer is echoing an earlier point (Heb 2:1-3): If the OT Church had to approach God with reverence and awe, how much more the NT Church, to whom Christ has been fully revealed?      In fact, the demands of the covenant are heightened and intensified in Christ. Christ warned His people on earth through earthly messengers under the Mosaic covenant, but now Christ warns us directly from heaven. How then shall we escape God if we refuse to hear the Son of God? In other words, you may not think that because you do not live in the OT, you can be casual about the worship of God. You may not mindlessly waltz in on Sunday without preparing to meet with God. God calls us to offer Him acceptable worship, that is, worship characterized by reverence and awe of God. PART TWO: THE ELEMENTS OF ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP     What are the elements of acceptable worship? First, corporate worship must be regulated by the Word of God. This is what is called the Regulative Principle of Worship. We are not free to re-invent worship. Worship is not a matter of human preference or pragmatics, whether it has the musty scent of centuries of tradition or is the latest Hillsong craze. The Word of God alone determines what is worship and what is included therein. This is why, although the sermon (the plain reading, explanation, and application of God’s Word) is the centerpiece of Reformed worship, the entire corporate worship service is to be considered the ministry of the Word from start to finish. The Word is what God has promised to bless (1 Pet. 1:25; Rom. 10:17)—not pantomimes, liturgical dancing, religious art, slideshows, or stories from our past week.     Secondly, acceptable worship is dialogical in character. That is, in worship, God speaks to us, and we respond in faithful adoration. Biblical worship is active and participatory. This means you may not be a spectator in worship. For Rome, worship was and is still a matter of the laity going to see the priest perform worship. For evangelical churches, the same holds true: the dimming of the lights, the cranking up the volume, and the singing of unsingable melodies all mask the sad fact that evangelical worship is not for God’s people but is a matter of seeing the “priest class” (the praise band) perform worship. The Protestant Reformation, however, returned the worship of God back to His people. You may not mumble your words while singing hymns or confessing your sins. You may not be thoughtless in worship—you are expected to participate in God’s worship because God has called you to worship Him with His people. This is another reason why individual expressions have no place in corporate worship. We sing, confess, pray, read, and hear God together.     Thirdly, acceptable worship is spiritual worship. In response to the confusion of the Samaritan woman who asked about the mountain upon which God should be worshipped, Jesus states: “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn 4:24). That is, acceptable worship must be according to God’s Word and according to His Spirit who alone lifts us up to heaven, brings us face to face with God who is spirit, and fills us with reverence and awe. In NT worship, the priority in worship is not a temple, priestly vestments, smells and bells, nor the right kind of lighting and instrumentation. Physicality is important but it is not more important than the Spirit who brings us into the presence of the Father by the work of the Son. This explains the portability of Reformed worship. Rome and evangelicals can’t ever have a worship service according to their own standards at the home of a shut-in. But by the standard of the NT, Reformed Christians can. Rome and evangelical churches can’t ever plant a church in many places of the U.S. or the world unless accompanied by certain liturgical accoutrements and sacred architecture. But by the standard of the NT, Reformed churches can be planted anywhere and everywhere. Why? Because acceptable worship is in God’s Spirit and in His truth.     We cannot and we should not yearn for OT forms of worship. Incense, elaborate ministerial vestments, bells, liturgical dancing, ornate ceremony, sophisticated lighting, and a professional sound team to get the acoustics “just right” all threaten the spiritual nature of Biblical worship.      Ugliness is no virtue. But the goal of NT worship is the beauty of Biblical simplicity in our order of worship, in our meeting place, and in the way the service is conducted, which all serve to focus our attention upon our triune God, His covenant love for us, and our obligations to Him. 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[7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/god-and-civil-government ### Title: God and Civil Government ### Page ID: 7783641 ### Content: Does God reveal in His word any requirements for civil government? Or does God merely want civil government to be "neutral"? [Psalm 72: The Human King: What God expects of Civil Government](https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=8921140341930) We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - 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[pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - 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[god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/open-letter-to-nj-governor ### Title: Open Letter to NJ Governor ### Page ID: 7783642 ### Content: To download a pdf of this letter, please [click here.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.cloversites.com/76/76e46fcb-e1f5-42d0-b3c3-af67cb283433/documents/Open_Letter_to_Gov._Murphy_FINAL_w_add_l_signatures.pdf) May 13, 2020 To the Honorable Philip Murphy, Governor of New Jersey, The Bible says, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). Man’s essential activity is to live by what God says in His revealed Word, which is, in sum, to worship and enjoy God forever. Before any other consideration—economic, material, or otherwise— the worship of God takes priority. As important as eating, working, and taking walks in parks are for the maintenance of bodily life, they are not man’s true sustenance. Man’s real food is God, God’s will revealed in His Word, and the worship of God. A man may lack everything in life yet if he has the Lord, he lacks nothing else. It is for this reason that the 1st amendment of the US constitution says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble . . ..”  It is also why the New Jersey state constitution specifically begins, “We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this Constitution.”  Moreover, article I, paragraph 3 says, “No person shall be deprived of the inestimable privilege of worshipping Almighty God in a manner agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience . . .” Based on our God given rights that have been recognized and codified by the US and State Constitutions, we petition you, Governor Murphy, to recognize the lawful assembling of the Christian church in this state. We do not ask you to give this right since it is given and enjoined upon us by God alone, and this right is recognized by both our federal and state constitutions. We do respectfully request that you recognize and make it clear that the assembling of Christians in their respective Christian churches for their weekly and ordinary worship of God is a lawful activity in this state. Our request is not borne out of selfishness but out of a true love for our neighbors who need the Christian Church to be open and active in the communities of New Jersey. We are driven by a love for our neighbors who need to worship God and fellowship with Him in our weekly Lord’s Day worship, singing God’s praises assembled together, hearing God’s Word read and preached, publicly confessing together our sins to God as one body and hearing His absolution, partaking together of the life in the body of Christ— in a word, being the Church of Jesus Christ. It is because men, women, and children are more than mere economic or material beings that we petition you to recognize the lawful assembling of Christians in public worship. This is what is most needed now, and always, for the good of our state as recognized in the Holy Scriptures and our own state constitution. We recognize that Article V of the State Constitution does grant you executive power that legislative statutes, such as the Disaster Control Act, N.J.S.A. App. A:9-33, et seq. (DCA) and the Emergency Health Powers Act, N.J.S.A. 26:13-1 et seq. But enactment of these powers do not allow the suspending of God given and constitutionally protected rights absent a compelling state interest and then, only via the least restrictive means necessary.  This means that now is the time to recognize, that as our state looks to “re-open,” the Church’s worship of Christ may not be sidelined as a “peripheral concern” or a public assembly that may “endanger the public health” of New Jersey. The truth is quite the opposite. Assembling together in Christian worship is a salutary benefit without equal, an essential activity, and mankind’s very *raison d’etre*. When many establishments and organizations have remained opened as “essential,” certainly the legitimacy and legality of Christians assembling for worship must be recognized. You will find that affirming our requests will be welcomed not only by Christians but broadly by all persons of religious convictions who seek to once more gather in their respective religious assemblies. You will also find that by allowing our one, living, true, God to be freely worshipped, our society as a whole will be greatly benefitted. We pray for you privately and publicly as a Church. We pray for God to give you wisdom and strength during this pandemic. We pray to God that your actions would be guided by a true, civil righteousness, and that you would know that all your judgments will finally stand under God’s judgment. Respectfully, Rev. Samuel Perez Grace Reformed Church Jersey City, NJ Rev. Dr. Daniel Wiginton First Baptist Church of Matawan Matawan, NJ Rev. Timothy Ferguson, Esq. Grace Presbyterian Church Westfield, NJ Pastor Ron Abrahamsen Englewood Baptist Church Englewood, NJ Pastor James Domm Englewood Baptist Church Englewood, NJ Pastor Amos Gibello Englewood Baptist Church Englewood, NJ Mr. Justin Nobel Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church Pompton Plains, NJ Rev. David Klompien Preakness Valley United Reformed Church Wayne, NJ Rev. John Keegan Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church Fair Lawn, NJ Rev. Jim Jordan Church of the Covenant (OPC) Hackettstown, NJ We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/pray-for-church-nation ### Title: Pray for Church & Nation ### Page ID: 7783643 ### Content: There are three passages in Scripture that, when taken together, are meant to move God’s people to pray and intercede for those He has placed in political authority: Proverbs 14:34: Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Jeremiah 29:7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. 1 Timothy 2:1-2: First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. In the first passage, God tells us that righteousness (faithful adherence to God’s law) is a universally good thing for all nations. A robust Christianity that seeks to press the claims of Christ’s kingship in all areas of life makes for a wholesome, attractive *civitas*. Just as a young man who prizes wisdom will be exalted and given a graceful garland (Prov 4:8-9), so a nation that seeks to follow God’s Law and fears the Lord (which is the beginning of wisdom)—that nation will be exalted. On the other hand, sin—codified and promoted by a society— makes that nation ugly and rejected by God. That nation which highly prizes sin will be despised by God since they have despised Him (Rom 1:21-32).     The second passage tells us that while exiled in Babylon, Judah was commanded by God to become an integral part of Babylonian society. They were not to forget their status as exiles, that is, that Babylon was not their home. Yet, as embedded exiles, they were to work for the welfare of Babylon, for in its welfare Judah would find its welfare. In many ways, as it goes with our nation, so it goes with God’s people.     The final passage, taken from Paul’s instruction to a young pastor, urges us to make intercession for those in civil authority (kings or otherwise) in order that the State may leave the Church alone. Far from teaching a kind of disengaged and withdrawn “quietism” (where the Church is absent from the public square), this passage actually teaches that the Church ought to pray that the State leave the Church alone so that the Church may fulfill its calling, part of which is to witness to this world of the kingship of Christ through creed and conduct. This passage, along with Isaiah 49:22-23, is the historical basis among Protestant churches for speaking of government’s task to be a “nursing father and mother” to Christ’s Church. That is, government that is good and just is one that removes obstacles that obstruct the Church’s faithful witness and development. The state is to neither hijack the ministry of the Church nor to burden it. For what should we pray for? Which brings us to our present cultural moment. Our nation is in a deep spiritual crisis. The causes of this crisis are found in the decades (and centuries?). Our spiritual disarray will extend far beyond this year’s election day. We understand from God’s Word that no amount of political ingenuity, economic programming, nor social engineering can turn our spiritual condition around. In fact, what man’s hands can accomplish is perfectly evident in the sins of our country.  Our problem is spiritual and systemic.     That is why we as a Church call upon God. As His people in this land, “who know their right hand from their left” (Jonah 4:11), we repent for the sins of this land. We ask God to have mercy upon this nation and upon His Church in this nation.  Like Daniel (Daniel 9:4-19), Ezra (Ezra 9:6-15), and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9:5-38), we know that true reformation and life cannot come without repentance and turning away from sin and turning to God. We want repentance to start in the house of God, and then to extend out into the farthest corners of this country. What are our sins? In order to repent of our national sins, we need to know what they are. Here are some of the obvious ones. 1\. We despise the life God has given. This nation has killed over 60 million children since abortion became legal in 1973. Not only have we killed 60 million unborn persons, we have relished this sin, protected it, promoted it, and have perversely encouraged women to “shout your abortion.” Not satisfied with killing children in this nation, our foreign policy prioritizes other nations who share this love of death. At all levels of society, we worship that which dehumanizes us because we have rejected Christ. “All who hate me love death” (Proverbs 8:36). Lord, have mercy on us. 2\. Leaders (economic, political, social) who are unprincipled at best and, at worst, suffer from an iniquitous messianic complex. We have leaders who sell justice to the highest bidder, who have no integrity, who believe they are gods in their own eyes, who can dispatch fiat after fiat without impunity, who pay lip service to virtue while working to undermine the moral foundation of this country. Our corruption affects all positions of leadership. We love lies and deception. We love lying and being lied to. Our hubris is evident in thinking that we can solve our deepest problems with bureaucratic, agency-oriented initiatives. Lord, have mercy on us. 3\. We have ignored the poor, the widow, the orphan, the stranger in our midst. We have neglected to see that all those around us are our neighbors, to whom we owe love, neighbors who are made in the image of God. We have vilified, demonized, and exploited them. Truly, we don’t care about them, we only care about “caring” for them. Paternalistic and predatory attitudes of various leaders (including government officials) have devastated America’s inner-cities and hollowed them out. Injustice and unrighteousness rock our land. There are deep chasms of social, economic, and ethnic alienation between whole sections of society, such that only the Lord can heal them. Lord, have mercy on us. 4\. There is a radical (literally, from the root up) insubordination at every level of society. In educational institutions, law enforcement, families, government, socially, from the least to the greatest, from the most inconsequential area of life to the most significant, our nation pursues a program of selfish autonomy. We are a lawless people who seek to be our own law. What better representation of this than our activist judiciary that thinks it can create laws and constitutional rights out of thin air? Like Israel’s condition in the book of Judges, each person does whatever is right in their own eyes. Superiors hate inferiors because they detect God’s image in them. Inferiors hate superiors because they are reminded of God’s authority through them. And so we stand on the brink of further spiritual anarchy and thuggery. Lord, have mercy on us. 5\. We have become a society that permits and exalts every manner of sexual perversion. We are an oversexualized culture. We don’t know what sex is for. We are animalistic and violent in our expressions of sexuality. Pornography and pornographic values are one of the biggest exports of this nation to every country in the globalized economy, transmitting our national disease to all corners of the earth. The wholesale embrace of homosexual and transgender values in the public square is further evidence of our degeneration. Our nation seeks to bend reality to fit its lusts and it will find that it will be broken in the end. How low can we go? Lord, have mercy on us. 6\. If this wasn’t bad enough, the condition of the churches in this nation is utterly lamentable. There is no Christian consensus on any given “social issue” anymore in large part because the Church has failed to faithfully hold the line. Not only has the world sought to silence the truth of God, we love to silence and domesticate the power of God. We love distraction and amusement to our destruction. We have lost sight of what is good, true, and beautiful. The Church has lost sight of Christ and His counter-cultural Word. In so many ways, the Church resembles the world in what it values, how it lives its life, what it worships, and how it conceives of salvation. “If a trumpet gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?” We are part of the problem. Lord, have mercy on us. May the LORD bless our time in prayer, revive His Church in this nation, and bring those who dwell in this nation to repentance and faith in Him. In the name of Jesus, Amen. Pastor Sam Perez November 4, 2018 Prayers for our own land and her well-being in a special manner, that in the peace of this land God’s people may have peace Let us be thankful for this country We bless You that You have planted us in a very fruitful hill, and has not made the wilderness our habitation, or the barren land our dwelling, but our land yields her increase. Isaiah 5:1. Job 39:6. Psalm 85:12. Lord, you have dealt favorably with our land. We have seen Your mercies upon this land. Psalm 85:1. We dwell safely, under our own vines and fig-trees, and there is peace to him that goes out, and to him that comes in. 1 Kings 4:25. 2 Chronicles 15:5. And because You, O Lord have had mercy upon this people, therefore You have set in times past a good government over us to do judgment and justice; to be a terror to evil doers, and a protection and praise to them that do well. 1 Kings 10:9. Romans 13:3. *Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: we humbly beseech You that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Your favor, because we are so forgetful of the truth that all we enjoy is given by Your hand. Bless us with industry, prosperity, learning, and purity of life. Save us from discord and violence, and from pride and arrogancy. Preserve us from public calamities, pestilence, and famine; from war, privy conspiracy, and rebellion; and especially from national sins and corruption.* Let us be humbled before God for our national sins and provocations But we are a sinful people, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil doers; And a great deal of reason we have to sigh and cry for the abominations that are committed among us. Isaiah 1:4. Ezekiel 9:4. Iniquity abounds among us, and the love of many is waxen cold. Matthew 24:12. We have not been forsaken nor forgotten of our God, though our land be full of sin against the Holy One of Israel. Jeremiah 51:5. Let us pray for all those employed in the conduct of public affairs (public officials, judges, congressmen, senators, the President, etc.) O remove not the speech of the trusty, nor take away the understanding of the aged, nor ever let the things that belong to the nation’s peace be hid from the eyes of those that are entrusted with the nation’s counsels. Job 12:20. Luke 19:42. Make it to appear that You, O Lord, stand in the congregation of the mighty, and judge among the gods, and that when the princes of the people are gathered together, the God of Abraham himself is among them; And let the shields of the earth belong unto the Lord, that he may be greatly exalted. Psalm 82:1. Psalm 47:9. Let those that be of us build the old waste places, and raise up the foundations of many generations, that they may be called the repairers of the breaches, and restorers of paths to dwell in. Isaiah 58:12. Make those that rule over us just, ruling in the fear of God; and let those that judge remember that they judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with them in the judgment, that therefore the fear of the Lord may be upon them. 2 Samuel 23:3. 2 Chronicles 19:6, 7. Make them able men, and men of truth, fearing God, and hating covetousness, that judgment may run down like a river, and righteousness as a mighty stream. Exodus 18:21. Amos 5:24. Enable our magistrates to defend the poor and fatherless, to do justice for the afflicted and needy, to deliver the poor and needy, and to rid them out of the hand of the wicked; and let rulers never be a terror to good works, but to the evil. Psalm 82:3, 4. Romans 13:3. 1 Peter 2:14. *Almighty Father, we pray for those who serve our common welfare in temporal affairs, especially those who govern us, that they may do so with wisdom, integrity, and the knowledge that their councils stand under Your final judgment. We ask that You would restrain wickedness and vice in society, promote justice and the common good, and cause us to be salt and light in this evil age.*     *Let Your Spirit rule the hearts of men in righteousness and love. Repair the desolations of former days; rejoice the wilderness with beauty; and make glad the city with Your law. Establish every work that is founded on truth and equity, and fulfill all the good hopes and desires of Your people. Manifest Your will, Almighty Father, through the victory of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.*     *We humbly beseech You, as for the people of these United States in general, so especially for their Senate and Representatives in Congress assembled: That You would be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations, to the advancement of Your glory, the good of Your Church, the safety, honor, and welfare of Your people; That all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavors, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, Biblical religion and piety may be established among us for all generations. Endue with wisdom those in authority, that justice and peace may prevail. Make us strong and great in the fear of God, and in the love of righteousness, that, blessed of You, we may be a blessing to all people. In prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in trouble do not allow our trust in You to fail.* Let us pray for the favor of God to us, and His presence among us, as that in which the happiness of our nation is bound up. O the hope of Israel, the Savior thereof in time of trouble, be not thou as a stranger in our land, or a wayfaring man that turns aside to tarry but for a night; but be always in the midst of us, though our iniquities testify against us and our backslidings are many. Jeremiah 14:8, 9, 7. Turn us to You, O Lord God of hosts, and then cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved. O stir up Your strength, and come and save us. Psalm 80:3, 2. Show us Your mercy, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation, yea let that salvation be near them that fear You, that glory may dwell in our land: Let mercy and truth meet together, righteousness and peace kiss each other: Let truth spring out of the earth, and righteousness look down from heaven; yea let the Lord give that which is good: Let righteousness go before him, and set us in the way of his steps. Psalm 85:7, 9-13. Let us pray that the kingship of Christ take root in this nation O let the throne of Christ endure for ever, among us, even the place of Your sanctuary, that glorious high throne from the beginning. Psalm 45:6. Jeremiah 17:12. Let our candlestick never be removed out of his place, though we have deserved it should, because we have left our first love. Never do to us as you did to Your place which was in Shiloh, where You set Your name at the first. Revelation 2:4, 5. Jeremiah 7:12. Let us never know what a famine of the Word means; nor ever be put to wander from sea to sea, from the river to the ends of the earth, to seek the word of God. Amos 8:11, 12. Let wisdom and knowledge be the stability of our times and strength of salvation, and let the fear of the Lord be our treasure: Let the righteous flourish among us, and let there be those that shall fear You in our land as long as the sun and moon endure throughout all generations, that there may be abundance of peace, and the children which shall be created may praise the Lord. Isaiah 33:6. Psalm 72:5, 7. Psalm 102:18. Let that righteousness abound among us which exalts a nation, and deliver us from sin, which is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34. Let us pray for the suppression of vice and iniquity, and the support of Biblical religion and virtue. O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just, O righteous God that tries the hearts and minds. Spirit, rise up for the just against the evil doers, and stand up for righteous against the workers of iniquity. Ps 7:9. Ps 94:16. Let the Redeemer come and turn away ungodliness; let the filth of the people be purged from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and the spirit of burning. Romans 11:26. Isaiah 4:4. Let all iniquity stop her mouth, and let the infection of that plague be stayed, by executing judgment. Psalm 107:42. Psalm 106:30. Let those that are striving against sin never be weary or faint in their minds. Heb12:4, 3. Cause the unclean spirit to pass out of the land, and turn to the people a pure language, that they may call on the name of the Lord. Zechariah 13:2. Zephaniah 3:9. \*     \*     \* Prayers for the breaking of the power of all the enemies of the Church that seek her ruin, and the defeating of all their designs against her. Rise, Lord, and let Your enemies be scattered, and let those that hate You flee before You, but return, O Lord, to the many thousands of Your Israel. Numbers 10:35, 36. Give us help from trouble, for vain is the help of man; Through God let our forces do valiantly, yea let God himself tread down our enemies, and give them as dust to our sword, and as driven stubble to our bow. Psalm 60:11, 12. Isaiah 41:2. Let us be a people saved by the Lord, as the shield of our help and the sword of our excellency; and make our enemies sensible that the Lord fights for us against them. Deuteronomy 33:29. Exodus 14:25. Let all that set themselves, and take counsel together against the Lord, and against his anointed, that would break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from them, imagine a vain thing. Let him that sits in heaven laugh at them, and have them in derision; speak unto them in Your wrath, and vex them in Your sore displeasure. Give them, O Lord: what will You give them? give them a miscarrying womb, and dry breasts. Psalm 2:1-5. Hosea 9:14. O our God, make them like a wheel, and as stubble before the wind; Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O Lord, and that men may know, that You whose name is the LORD, are the most high over all the earth. Psalm 83:13, 16, 18. Put them in fear, O Lord, that the nations may know themselves to be but men, and wherein the proud enemies of Your church deal proudly, make it to appear that You are above them. Psalm 9:20. Exodus 18:11. Let them be confounded and turned back that hate Zion, and be as the grass upon the housetops, which wither before it grows up. Psalm 129:5, 6. Let no weapon formed against Your church prosper, and let every tongue that rises against it in judgment be condemned. Isaiah 54:17. Lord, let the man of sin be consumed with the spirit of Your mouth, and destroyed with the brightness of Your coming: And let those be undeceived that have been long under the power of strong delusions to believe a lie, and let them receive the truth in the love of it. 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 8, 11, 10. Let Babylon fall, and sink like a mill-stone into the sea; And let the kings of the earth, that have given their power and honor to the beast, be wrought upon at length to bring it into the new Jerusalem. Rev 18:2, 21; 17:17; 21:24. Father, forgive our enemies, for they know not what they do; and lay not their malice against us to their charge, and work in us a disposition to forbear and forgive in love, as You require we should when we pray. Luke 23:34. Acts 7:60. Col 3:13. Mark 11:25. Lord, give us to love our enemies, to bless them that curse us, and to pray for them that despitefully use us and persecute us. Matthew 5:44. And grant that our ways may so please the Lord, that even our enemies may be at peace with us. Let the wolf and the lamb lie down together, and let there be none to hurt or destroy in all the holy mountain. Proverbs 16:7. Isaiah 11:6, 9, 13. *Almighty Father, You are the King eternal, immortal, invisible, You are the only wise God our Savior; Hasten, we beseech You, the coming upon earth of the kingdom of Your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and draw the whole world of mankind into willing obedience to his blessed reign. Overcome all His enemies, and bring low every power that is exalted against Him. Pull down all of the strongholds of Satan in this world and establish Your kingdom throughout the earth. Destroy the devil’s work; destroy every force which revolts against You and every conspiracy against Your Word. Do this until Your kingdom is so complete and perfect that in it You are all in all.* \*    \*     \* Prayers for the Church, her ministry, relief, and succession Let us pray that Christ’s Church would continue to prosper amidst all manner of religious, political, social, and economic adversity. Lord, preserve to us the lamp which You have ordained for Your anointed, that the generation to come may know You, even the children which shall be born, that they may set their hope in God, and keep his commandments. Psalm 132:17. Psalm 78:6, 7. May your Church experience covenant succession, that she would abide before God forever, from generation to generation. That our children would rise up to love you above life itself, and their children after them, for a thousand generations. That mercy and truth may preserve Your people, so will we sing praise unto Your name forever. Thus let the Lord save Zion, and build the cities of Judah, that the seed of Your servants shall inherit it, and they that love Your name dwell therein. Psalm 61:7, 8. Psalm 69:35, 36. Let our eyes see Jerusalem, the city of our solemnities, a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down: Let none of the stakes thereof be removed, nor any of the cords thereof broken, but let the glorious Lord be unto us a place of broad waters and streams; for the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king, He will save us. Isaiah 33:20, 21, 22. Let us pray for relief for those Christians who suffer and that part of the Church that is persecuted for righteousness sake. We desire in our prayers to remember them that are in bonds for the testimony of Jesus, as bound with them, and them which suffer adversity, as being ourselves also in the body. O send from above, and deliver them from those that hate them, and bring them forth into a large place. Heb 13:3. Ps 18:16, 17, 19. O let not the rod of the wicked rest upon the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. Ps 125:3. Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake as in the ancient days, as in the generations of old, and make the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed of the Lord to pass over. Is 51:9, 10. For the oppression of the poor and the sighing of the needy, now do You arise, O Lord, and set them in safety from them that puff at them. Psalm 12:5. O strengthen the patience and faith of Your suffering saints, that they may hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. Revelation 13:10. Lamentations 3:26. O let the year of Your redeemed come, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion. Isaiah 63:4. Isaiah 34:8. Lord, arise, and have mercy upon Zion, and let the time to favor her, yea the set time come; yea let the Lord build up Zion, and appear in his glory. Lord, regard the prayer of the destitute, and do not despise their prayer. Psalm 102:13, 16, 17. O Lord God, cease we beseech You, by whom shall Jacob arise, for he is small! O cause Your face to shine upon that part of Your sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake. Amos 7:5. Daniel 9:17. Let the sorrowful sighing of Your prisoners come before You, and according to the greatness of Your power preserve those that for Your name’s sake are appointed to die. Psalm 79:11. Let us pray for all the ministers of God’s Holy Word and sacraments. Teach Your ministers how they ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, that they may not preach themselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and may study to show themselves approved to God, workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 1 Tim 3:15. 2 Cor 4:5. 2 Tim 2:15. Make them mighty in the scriptures, that from there they may be thoroughly furnished for every good work, in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, and sincerity, and sound speech, which cannot be condemned. Acts 18:24. 2 Timothy 3:17. Titus 2:7, 8. Enable them to give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine, to meditate upon these things, to give themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word, to give themselves wholly to them; and to continue in them that they may both save themselves, and those that hear them. 1 Timothy 4:13, 15. Acts 6:4. 1 Timothy 4:15, 16. Let utterance be given to them, that they may open their mouths boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, that from there they may speak as they ought to speak, as able ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the spirit, and let them obtain mercy of the Lord to be faithful. Eph 6:19-20. 2 Cor 3:6. 1 Cor 7:25. Let the arms of their hands be made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; and let them be full of power by the spirit of the Lord of hosts, to show Your people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins. Gen. 49:24 Mic 3:8. Is 58:1. Make them sound in the faith, enabling them always to speak the things which make for sound doctrine, with meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; let not the Lord’s servants strive, but be gentle to all men, apt to teach. Tit 1:13; 2:1. 2 Tim 2:24f. Make them good examples to the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity; and let them be clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord, and let Holiness to the LORD be written upon their foreheads. 1 Tim 4:12. Is 52:11. Ex 28:36. Lord, grant that they may not labor in vain, or spend their strength for nought, and in vain, but let the hand of the Lord be with them, that many may believe, and turn to the Lord. Isaiah 49:4. Acts 11:21. *Gracious Father, we beseech You for Your Church in the world but especially in this country; that You would be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, establish it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus who died and rose again, and ever lives to make intercession for us.*     *Bless Your holy Gospel, that it may be faithfully proclaimed and the world filled with the knowledge of Your truth. To that end, please send workers into Your field to plant, water, and harvest a people for Your name. But frustrate the work of those who would sow weeds of heresy and discord.*     *Please give fatherly attention to Your servants who suffer persecution for the sake of the Gospel and strengthen them in mind and body by Your Spirit through the means of grace. Rule us by Your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to You. 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[7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/sing-to-god ### Title: Sing to God! ### Page ID: 7783644 ### Content: Why did God create us to sing to Him? This is one of those splendid mysteries of God’s creation. Why did He create the pleasure of food? The warmth of family? The human body with two arms instead of four? At bottom and back of it all, we know that all which God made, He made good and with a purpose. And for His glory.     Singing is human. You were made to sing, and made to sing to God. It is not inconsequential or negotiable. To not sing to God does not make you more human, but less. To withhold from singing does not restore God’s broken image in your life but further tarnishes it.     Singing to God is not useless. It is life. Consider how the Bible talks about singing. If you do not sing to God, you cannot please God. But when you sing to God from the heart with others (Eph 5:19-20), you will be doing the very thing you God created you to do. Singing to God with others is like eating together with others: to do it well is to do it for God, and to do it for God is to enjoy God’s work of redeeming all things in Christ Jesus, including in your own particular life. Singing is worship and obedience to God Ps 65:1: Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed. Ps 66:1-2, 8: 1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth; 2 sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! 2 sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! 8 Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, Ps 67:3-5: 3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah 5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Ps 149:1-2: Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly! 2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! Heb 13:15: Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Singing is rejoicing in, and because of, God Ps 9:2: I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. James 5:13:  Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Singing is bodily obedience Ps 109:30: With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise him in the midst of the throng. Singing is living Ps 6:5: Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love. 5 For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise? Ps 30:9, 12: “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? 12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! Ps 88:10: Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Ps 104:33: I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. Ps 115:17, 18: 17 The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any who go down into silence. 18 But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord! Ps 137:3, 4: 3 For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? Ps 150:6: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Singing is continual as living is continual Ps 63:6: So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. Ps 104:33: I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. Ps 146:1-2: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! 2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Singing is giving thanks to God Ps 30:4: Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. Ps 57:9: I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. Ps 100:4: 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! Singing is remembering God’s deliverance and mighty works Exodus 15:1, 21: Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. 21 And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.” Ps 13:6: I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me. Ps 18:49: For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name. Ps 51:14: Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. Ps 92:4: For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. Ps 96:1-3: Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! Is 35:10: And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Is 51:11: And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Is 52:9: Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem. Is 54:1: Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord. Rev 5:9-10: And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Rev 14:2-3: 2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. Rev 15:2-4: 2 And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. 3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! 4 Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” The LORD is your song. Ps 40:2-3: 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Ps 118:14: The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Is 12:2: “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” Sing to God because of His Word. Ps 119:7: I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. Ps 119:62: At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules. Ps 119:164: Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules. Ps 119:171: My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. Singing to God is calling on all creation to sing to God! (sing about singing) 1 Chron 16:23, 33: 23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. 33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. Sing, O earth! Forests, trees sing for joy. Ps 66:1-4: 1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth; 2 sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! 3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. 4 All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Ps 69:34: Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them. Ps 89:5: Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones! Ps 96:1-3, 11-12: Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 12 let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy Ps 98:1-3, 5, 8: 1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. 2 The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. 3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! 5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! 8 Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together Ps 148:  Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! 3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created. 6 And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, 8 fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! 9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! 10 Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! 11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! 12 Young men and maidens together, old men and children! 13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. 14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord! Is 44:23: Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and will be glorified in Israel. Is 49:13: Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted. Singing is invitation/proclamation to the nations Singing is declaring God’s work to the nations Ps 9:11: Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds! Ps 96:3: 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! Singing to God is praising God among the nations 57:9: I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. Ps 108:3: I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. Singing to God is inviting the nations to sing to God Ps 67:3-5: 3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Ps 68:32: O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Ps 117:1: Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! Singing to God is declaring to one another God’s Word and work Ephesians 5:18-19: 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, Singing to God is re-orientation back towards God Ps 37:1: Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! 2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Ps 101:1-4: I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music. 2 I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; 3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. 4 A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil. Singing  to God is confessing God’s faithfulness Ps 59:17: O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love. Ps 63:3: Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. Ps 98:1-3: 1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. 2 The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. 3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Singing to God is waiting/remaining steadfast Ps 57:7: My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Ps 84:2 (longing): My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Ps 108:1: My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being! Singing to God is resting in God’s protection Ps 5:11: But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. Ps 63:7: for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. Singing to God is warfare 2 Chron 20:21-22:21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” 22 And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. Ps 22:3: Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Acts 16:25, About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. Singing to God is good Ps 33:1: Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Ps 92:1: It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; Ps 135:3: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant! Ps 147:1: Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. 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[donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/love-the-psalms ### Title: Love the Psalms ### Page ID: 7783645 ### Content: The Psalms give us the Spirit-inspired words and vocabulary to speak to God in whatever season of life we are in. They capture for us the rhythm, seasons, and struggles of the Christian faith (often times, psalms are tied to actual seasons of the year, too).     Are you sad? Read the psalms and cry out to God. Are you happy? Read the psalms and sing a song of praise to God. Are you weighed down by your sin and guilt? Read the psalms and confess your sins to Christ to find forgiveness and hope. Are you thankful to God? Read the psalms and express your devotion to Him. Are you angry and frustrated? Read the psalms and pour out your complaint to Jesus. Are you hounded by mockers and haters of God and His Gospel? Read the psalms and find strength in God’s promised vindication. Are you afraid? Read the psalms and learn to depend on the unshakeable promise of God.     Are you getting it? The movement of the Psalms takes us from where we are and drives us to the LORD. The Psalms do not tell us to get squeaky clean first, and then come to God. They tell us to come to God in the muck and mire of our lives to be re-made in Christ’s image, and to be given God’s perspective on life: the LORD reigns. This is the point of the book of Psalms which is finally reached in the grand finale, Psalms 146-150: see beyond your transient life to behold your great King, Jesus Christ (YHWH Himself), and fix your hopes and life and destiny on Him alone. Each psalm tells this same story in miniature. The entire book of Psalms tell this same glorious story in 150 chapters. We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - 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[sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/open-letter ### Title: Open Letter ### Page ID: 7783646 ### Content: Open Letter to The City COuncil and Mayor of Jersey City Rev. Samuel Perez Grace Reformed Church 240 Fairmount Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07306 June 5, 2018 To the Honorable Mayor of Jersey City and the City Council of Jersey City: As the pastor of Grace Reformed Church of Jersey City (a multi-ethnic Christian and Protestant church), I write to express to you my grave concerns about the [proposed](https://bit.ly/2kQAwGi) [repeal](https://bit.ly/2sLWNZb) of Jersey City’s public obscenity [law](https://bit.ly/2Lsu4QX) that bans women from appearing topless in public.     The Christian Church respectfully asks for the basis upon which such a repeal is founded. Mayor Fulop, on April 2, 2018, you [tweeted](https://bit.ly/2sAL1Sq) your support for this repeal, and seemed to show us the standard that guides your thinking: I found the person who put in place Jersey City obscenity law - it was put in place in 1981 by @JerryNJ3 - he explained the background on how this came to be. in any event this will be amended/rescinded to fit the times. There are lots of laws on the books that are just outdated In this statement, Mayor Fulop, you have told us two things. First, the ethical standard of what is right and wrong is relative and must “fit the times.” Second, the good of a society is that which is not “outdated” but borne of the immediate cultural moment. Everything else, it seems, can be summarily dismissed as antiquated, irrelevant, and perhaps even harmful to society.     Mayor Fulop and city council, you may believe in the standard of the relative and novel good. Such a standard, however, has been shown by history to be purely arbitrary and subject to the whims of political power. It is a variation of “might makes right.” One thinks of many despotic political states, past and present, that have used this standard to advance destructive policies.     Against this shifting human standard stands an abiding guide of right and wrong: God’s Word, which has been borne out in all cultures and times, especially with respect to public nudity.     When Adam and Eve rejected God at the dawn of human history, God mercifully clothed their naked bodies although they had squandered the blessing of being clothed with God’s perfect glory. Since then, men and women have sought to take their clothes off and rebel against the God-given societal norms meant to protect them and create a more just society.     When men and women choose to physically expose themselves, they also expose themselves, unwittingly or not, to great danger and harm. Women, especially, have been degraded in places where their bodies are objectified and treated as an accessory for men. It is a lamentable and horrible fact that sexual confusion about the body of women is accompanied by sexual violence against the body of women. One thinks of the [hook-up culture](https://verilymag.com/2015/07/sexual-assault-campus-hookup-culture-date-rape) of college campuses. Administrators regularly permit a sexually “liberated” ethos while failing to protect the female students in their midst. Women are not more liberated when they are encouraged to expose their bodies. They become violently objectified by men, media, and culture. It is highly ironic that this repeal (which is anti-woman) is under consideration all the while the #MeToo movement (which purports to be pro-woman) continues to generate much support among the political class.     More broadly, repeal of the obscenity law is dishonorable to the human body because it fails to adequately ask, answer, and understand the nature of the question, “What is the human body for?” Will the Jersey City council give us their answer? Will you, Mayor Fulop? Is the human body for self-pleasure? Is it meant to be flaunted? To be used for whatever purpose each person wants?     The Bible teaches us that the human body is to be used to worship God and, in self-sacrifice, for the good of our neighbor. When the human body is used the right way, human society will flourish. A father uses his body protect and provide for his wife and children. A mother uses her body to nurture and care for her family. Firefighters sacrifice their bodies to extinguish raging fires and protect innocent lives. Police officers put their bodies on the line to uphold peace and stop acts of evil. Citizens use their embodied skill to clean parks, open and maintain businesses, and help their neighbors. Examples can be multiplied. This salutary pattern is deeply ingrained in every culture: where the human body is used for what it was created, people will truly flourish. Conversely, no good can come from living apart from the principles of God’s Word which have been vindicated in every human culture.     In terms of economic flourishing, the repeal is not good for business nor is it family-friendly across a broad spectrum of Jersey City (including Muslim, Coptic, Hindu, Catholic, and Protestant families). Families who seek to teach their children what is right in this regard (and not what is merely “legal’ and “permissible”) would be dissuaded from visiting parks and moving into neighborhoods where public denuding would be prevalent. They would choose to not spend money near area businesses where public denuding would be common. A repeal would put Jersey City on the same footing as the economically stagnant New York city of the 1980s, where I was raised by immigrant parents and where red-light districts abounded. Why would we want to expose ourselves and our children to what the better angels of any society have known to be morally bankrupt? Why must the general welfare of a society be made to suffer because of the interests of a few? This is a textbook example of elitism.     In short, it would be an unmitigated mistake of civilizational proportions to allow this repeal to pass and I urge you, Mayor Fulop and the city council, in the strongest possible terms, to refuse its passage. Respectfully, Rev. Samuel Perez We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - 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[sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/on-halloween ### Title: On Halloween ### Page ID: 7783647 ### Content: October 22, 2017 In this short piece, I’m not interested in tracing the origin of Halloween nor in outlining what is permissible for Christians to do on this day, or the days leading up to it. (*Can I dress up as Snoopy? Can I buy candy that’s on sale?*) My interest is far more fundamental. I want to consider the present-day religious presupposition of Halloween in our culture, and to make Christians aware of this presupposition, as we engage our culture’s increasing rebellion against Christ the King.     Simply put, our culture’s religious celebration of Halloween reflects both the fallenness of man as well as, in spite of himself, his nature as the image of God.     Whatever past practices of Halloween may have been, Halloween today is a grotesque and dehumanizing celebration of masochism and general ugliness. Consider what is seen on many entrances and front yards of homes in America this time of year. There are fake cobwebs, fake tombstones, artificial body parts (fake hands and fake feet drenched in fake blood), and fake skeletons. More and more, the prosthetics and props of Halloween look realistic. Our culture desires to have the scariest Halloween that approximates reality, and yet remains unreal.     One must ask the question, however: why stop with fake blood, fake body parts, fake everything? If what is grotesque is what our culture celebrates, why not have (excuse the pun) a full-throated embrace of, not mere approximations of sadistic scenes, but *actual* scenes of *actual* body parts and *real* horror in one’s front yard? Lest, we think this is unthinkable, we ought not be surprised if in next year’s Halloween celebrations, blue-ribbons are given to homes decorated with real corpses. This slide into the hideous is part of our culture’s embrace of death. Christ warned us that “all who hate me love death” (Prov 8:36). Our culture continues to turn its back on Christ as the exclusive Word of Life, instead preferring the enslaving word of mortal man, with all the tyrannies hell gives. Is it any wonder, then, that our culture rebels against the Lord of Life by loving and embracing death?     Halloween is just the tip of the iceberg. The most popular show on cable TV in the last 5 years is one that, so I’ve read, glorifies rape, sadism, brutality towards women, senseless violence, vengeance killings, murder, naked ambition, and the exercise of raw power. *This is who we are as an American culture*. As such, Halloween is a holiday—a religious celebration— that is perfectly fitting for our culture’s religious commitment to Satan, hell, and death.     Yet, in spite of our culture’s commitment to death, fallen man is still an image-bearer of God. As much as he would like to efface his nature (like someone shaterring a mirror and wanting to disintegrate the shards into dust), man is unable to get beyond his nature, which is to image and reflect God. We see the inescapable image of God in Halloween because anyone who still has any sense of beauty, whether or not they’re Christian, is still repulsed by the grotesque images of ugliness and fake body parts.     Hence, the proliferation in our day of *plastic horror.* Our fallen culture wants *ugly horror* because it hates God, but it wants an *artificial expression* of it because, in spite of itself, it is too timid to live fully by the courage of its conviction: that life is bad and death is good. Being a *fallen image bearer* means that unbelievers are still governed by God’s providence and are restrained by His goodness from fully being destroyed by their own hands.     This is not a static moment. Quite the opposite. Evidence abounds that God is slowly letting go of His restraint and giving this culture what it wants, which is a gorging on death and a numbness to Life.     When Jesus healed the Gadarene demoniac by casting out his demons into two thousand pigs, how did that region respond to Jesus? “And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region” (Mark 5:17). They would rather choose to live in fear with a man possessed of thousands of demons than to have the Lord in their midst. This is the insanity of sin, that in man’s calculus slavery is to be preferred over freedom!     When man refused the immortal God and desired instead mortal man (Rom 1:23), “God gave them up in the lusts of their heart to impurity” (1:24). When man refused the truth and the worship of God (1:25), “God gave them up to dishonorable passions” (1:26), the lie that is enacted in homosexual relations. When man refused to acknowledge God even in his condition (1:28), “God gave them up to a debased mind” (1:28). See the pattern? Remember this general rule: when people insist on eating garbage and flagrantly sinning, God gives them what they want.     What is left for the Church to do? On October 31, the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ has its own holiday. It is Reformation Day. On that day, in 1517, the Church began to re-discover a Biblical understanding of the sovereignty and mercy of God in saving man from his love of sin and slavery to it. That is our heritage. We are people of light, of life, of joy, of hope, because we are a people who belong to Jesus. So on this day, when the world is flirting with death like so many minions of darkness, have a celebration in your home. Sing “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” with some German beer (and buy the good stuff!). Explain to your children why you are a Protestant. Recount to them the heroic stories of *their* forefathers: Luther, Calvin, Tyndale, Bucer, Knox, Reina, Cranmer, and Valera (and maybe you need to brush up on that history yourself!). Read the Scriptures in their language, and show them how 500 years ago, the only Bibles that existed were written in Latin, and even then, people could not read them (because of mass illiteracy) nor were they allowed to read them (because the Church prohibited it). And explain to them (like the Israelite children who gathered around the table and asked about the meaning of the Passover Lamb) the mercy of God in saving you, your family, and His people from Satan. Amen. We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - 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[open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - 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[sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/future-orientation ### Title: Future Orientation ### Page ID: 7783648 ### Content: You can download this Grace Thought as an article [here](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.cloversites.com/76/76e46fcb-e1f5-42d0-b3c3-af67cb283433/documents/ESSAY,_Appetizer,_Conquest,_Culture.pdf). You can listen to the sermon that (of which this is a loose transcription) [here](http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1221719452110). *I’m indebted, in what follows, to works of Peter Leithart, Alexander Schmemann, and Michael Horton.* The Lord’s Supper point us to the past (Christ’s sacrifice for us), to the present (our union with Christ and His people), and also to the future.     Jesus said, on the night before His death, when He instituted the Lord’s Supper with elements from the Passover meal: “I will not eat it \[bread\] until it is fulfilled in KoG. \[...\] I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until KoG comes” (Luke 22:16, 18). The Lord’s Supper gives us a future orientation. We are to anticipate Christ’s return because the Lord’s Supper is a sign that He will return. As one liturgical form of the United Reformed Churches (of North America) states: “Finally, the remembrance of our Lord’s death revives in us the hope of his return. Since he commanded us to do this until he comes, the Lord assures us that he will come again to take us to himself. As we commune with him now under the veil of these earthly elements, we are assured that we shall behold him face to face and rejoice in the glory of his appearing.”     I want to pick up on this theme of anticipation and build on it. There are at least three major aspects of the future orientation found in the Lord’s Supper. (1) The Lord’s Supper is an appetizer of the great and final feast of Christ and His people. It is the first part of the meal that awaits the main course.     When considering the Lord’s Supper, it is always important to consider its OT parallel, the Passover. After all, the Lord’s Supper is simply the Passover transformed by the saving work of Christ. The Passover had a similar future orientation as the Lord’s Supper. Sure, the Passover looked back to what YHWH had accomplished by slaughtering the Egypt’s firstborns and celebrated their deliverance from slavery by YHWH’s mighty hand. But the Passover had a future orientation, too. It looked forward to the final act of redemption, the coming of the final Passover Lamb who would take away the sins of His people.     So it is with us. The Lord’s work of expiation and propitiation was accomplished on the cross. Yet, is there anything left for Christ to do? Yes. He still has to return to His people, transform them completely, and take them to Himself to live with Him forever in the new creation, the new heavens and earth where righteousness dwells. The Lord’s Supper points forward to this final feast of new creation (Rev 19:6-9).     Actually, when you begin to look at Scripture through the motif of “eating” and “feasting” you begin to see how much Scripture talks about feasting and eating. It is not just the Passover that has a future orientation. All of the feasting of the OT points to the reality that is encapsulated in miniature form in the Lord’s Supper which is the reality beyond the Lord’s Supper: the great and final feast that is the new creation.     Look at a few OT examples. Genesis 2 tells us that man had a God-given hunger only God could supply. He did it by giving man the whole world from which to eat: You may surely eat of every tree of the garden. The history of the world begins with hunger and points to the end of the world, which is a God-given feast. This feast is, of course, hindered by the entrance of man’s sin into the world. Yet, God doesn’t nullify His original plan. God seeks fellowship and feasting with His people and re-institutes the way back to Him through the tabernacle and the feasts of Israel’s liturgical calendar. The tabernacle of God had a table in the holy place (Exodus 25:23-30) for bread, signifying God’s table fellowship with His people. What is contained in the Ark of the Covenant in the most Holy Place? The Ten Commandments, the rod of Aaron that blossomed, but also a jar of manna (Exodus 16:33). Interestingly enough, there were no chairs or place to recline in the tabernacle (as Jesus reclines with His disciples) since the work of Priests and High Priest was never complete. The feast was always being prepared and never quite enjoyed. Canaan was to be a holy place, an enlarged tabernacle where the twelve tribes would dwell with God. How is Canaan repeatedly described? As the “land that flows with milk and honey,” a place of bountiful feasting (Exodus 3:8). In fact, the whole world is to enjoy the feast of God and His people. This ever expanding feast will encompass all the nations by the time of Israel’s latter prophets: 6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. 7 And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. 8 He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. (Isaiah 25:6-9) These examples of feasting in the OT point to the great feast on the last day.     But what about the NT and the coming of Christ? We find the motif of “feasting” intensified. Jesus Christ brings the kingship of God in His very person and ministry. The kingdom of God is in the midst of Israel because God the Son has drawn near. And in His ministry, the Son enacts the signs of the kingship of God, that is, what will the world be like when God is fully enthroned and all is restored to its rightful place. What are the signs of the kingship of God? Jesus heals the sick, cleanses lepers, forgives sinners, raises the dead, calms the seas, rebukes demons, and... eats with sinners! Jesus Christ’s very eating is a sign that the kingdom of God has drawn near. It seems that wherever you turn in the Gospel accounts, especially Luke, Jesus Christ is eating. This would make sense, given the charge that Jesus was a drunkard and glutton (Luke 7:34). The charge, although untrue, had some plausibility because Jesus did, in fact, eat and drink. This was no more motif. This was actual feasting.     When we consider Christ’s teaching, as Peter Leithart has pointed out, the form that the consummated kingdom of God most often takes is the form of a feast. The kingdom of God is given to Christ who in turn gives it to the disciples, a kingdom of eating and drinking (Luke 22:28-30). The kingdom of God is like a great banquet thrown by a man whose guests proffered excuses and were thus excluded only to have the undesirables of the highways and byways take their place. The kingdom of God is a universal, trans-Israel feast where many from beyond Israel will recline with the patriarchs (Matt 8:5-13). The kingdom of God is like a wedding feast where the bridegroom has arrived (John 3:29). In such a state, the joy of a wedding is appropriate but the austerity and sorrow of a funeral is not (Mark 2:19-20). And of course, the kingdom of God is like the recovery of that prodigal son who returns home: as those in the margins are included (tax collectors, sinners, Gentiles) in the Father’s house, the older son (Jews) is to rejoice and make merry. All are to partake of the celebration (Luke 15:11-32).     What’s the point of this brief survey? We must ask, why all these references to eating and drinking and feasting? Simply put, it is because all the feasts God gives His people, especially the Lord’s Supper, are pointers to the great eschatological feast of Revelation 19, the marriage supper of the Lamb (which, of course, is not a coincidence but connects us back to the passover Lamb). And the marriage supper of the Lamb is the universal feast of God’s worship, communion with God and His people, re-creation, rest, joy, and love. It is what God made mankind for. It’s where all of history is headed.     It is within this grand context that the Lord’s Supper is given by Christ to His people. It is an appetizer, the hors d’oeuvres served prior to main meal. Or, as Jeff Myers has put it, the popcorn that makes us hungry for the main meal. It is important to note that the appetizer is not main meal, but a guarantee that main course will come. We commune with God through these earthly elements as a guarantee that Christ will return. As Genderen and Velema point out, the Lord’s Supper reaches into future, brings that future to us. All that’s true then and there in that great and final eternal feast is true now in miniature— the grateful joy we have because of Christ’s salvation, the peace with God, the love of God to us. The cup that will be raised in the eschatological feast will not be the cup of wrath but the cup of blessing. Christ will be with us forever and that presence is experienced now in the Lord’s Supper. (2) In the Lord’s Supper, Christ assures us of His consummated conquest. We are given a guarantee that Christ will reign and put all of His enemies under His feet.     The Lord’s Supper proclaims Christ’s death (1 Cor 11:26), but it’s a death that secures the victory of Christ and His people and the defeat of Christ’s enemies. We usually don’t think of the death of Christ in this way. We most often connect Christ’s victory with the resurrection of Christ, not His death. Yet, Paul does not hesitate to link death and victory: God forgave our sins “by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” The death of Christ is the death of death, Satan, the power of sin, our record of debt, and the powers of this age. Victory is found in Christ’s death not just in His resurrection.     This brings to light an important principle. Feasting is connected to the victory God gives His people and defeat of God’s enemies. It’s helpful to see that principle with a few examples from the OT. Abram summons the trained men of his household and leads them to defeat the kings of the valley who had taken captive the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, including Lot, Abram’s nephew (Gen 14:1-16). What happens after the deliverance of Lot? Melchizedek, the king of Salem, brings out to Abram bread and wine to eat and drink (14:18). After victory over God’s enemies, there is feasting by God’s people. Esther 9 records the institution of Purim. What did God’s people celebrate in Purim? That God had delivered the Jewish race from extermination at the hand of Haman, but also that the “Pur” that Haman had cast (that is, the lots) had been returned upon his head. The Jews can celebrate only when Haman is hung. The Jews were to celebrate their salvation and the defeat of God’s enemies with “a day for gladness and feasting, as a holiday, and as a day on which they send gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor” (Esther 9:16, 22). After victory over God’s enemies, there is feasting by God’s people. Of course, what is the Passover but this principle in bold relief? The Israelites can enjoy the Passover only because they believe God is conquering the tyrants who had held them in oppression for centuries. The Passover is the celebration that God is slaughtering Egypt’s firstborns and thereby beginning their deliverance.     In summary, when the enemy has been defeated, the people of G enjoy peace and rest. Thus, they eat/drink.     Yet, in the OT, peace is never absolute. The enemy always lurks behind the scene. One time of victory and peace gives way to a time of future conflict and that, in turn, issues forth in victory and peace.  Peace is always threatened, never settled. Peace and threats are correlatives. Do we not see this in even in the NT? Our days and lives are threatened by enemies inside and outside of us, by our sin, Satan, and the world. We do not have absolutely settled peace that is not threatened. Vigilance and sobriety are called for because the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking who he can devour.     That is why the Lord’s Supper is feasting in faith. Each feast, whether big or small, God has with His people assures us of that final feast. Which is to say, each victory of God’s people brings us closer to final victory. The death of Christ secured for us that final victory feast which can only happen if X conquers all His enemy. This is precisely what we see in Revelation. The Hallelujah chorus of the saints in Revelation 19:1-5 is motivated because of God’s judgment upon the harlot, Babylon the great, who was drunk with the blood of the saints and martyrs. When God’s enemies are defeated, G’s people celebrate!     The wine of the supper additionally points to this principle. Peter Leithart points out that the original passover did not include wine. The addition of four cups of wine was probably an inter-testamental development. Wine was never to be drunk if front of YHWH because it was a drink of rest. There was no final rest in the OT. But in the NT, with Christ’s accomplished work on the cross and the guarantee of final rest that His work brings, God’s people share in a preview of that rest now. It’s like putting your slippers on after a day of work in the office. The work is done, you can relax now. That’s what God tells us in the supper. “Drink wine and rest, my son, my daughter: do not be afraid, I have overcome the world.”     What we eat and drink in Lord’s Supper is nothing but the complete, consummated victory of Christ. We are celebrating Christ’s present conquest that guarantees Christ’s final conquest, when all enemies will be finally put under His feet. (3) In the Lord’s Supper, Christ assists us in our calling of making Christian culture. Although Christ’s work of propitiation is done, He continues His work as our great, High Priest. Christ presently is interceding for us and has sent His Spirit to indwell us and to equip us. For what purpose? To use our creativity and ingenuity to make culture that pleases God.     Again, think of the Passover. God required Israel to eat a lamb roasted by fire (Exodus 12:8-9) but to do so in a way that the preparation did not break any of the lamb’s bones. (12:46). To celebrate the passover, a fire was needed. It had to be sustained it long enough for a lamb to be roasted. A lamb had to be born healthily and live for one year without blemish. In that year, the lamb had to be nourished and fed and fattened. To celebrate the Passover, in other words, human creativity was needed.     That’s exactly what we see in the Lord’s Supper. What did Christ choose as the two elements of the Lord’s Supper? Bread and wine, elements that are not found in nature as is. There is no bread tree, no wine orchard. Bread and wine are a result of man’s creativity and of his exercise of dominion over creation. Peter Leithart, following Leon Kass, points out what is needed to make bread. Men must apply themselves to inquiry, discovery, and work. The ground must be plowed, seed must be sowed and regularly watered. Once the wheat sprouts from the seed, it must be harvested at the right time (which requires observation and accumulated knowledge regarding climate and harvesting patterns), and then stored, ground by a miller, purchased by a customer, kneaded, and then baked. If we are to celebrate the Lord’s Supper until Christ returns and when Christ returns (after all, Christ promised He will eat of His meal again in the new creation, Luke 22:16, 18), then all of these and related cultural activities are needed. The same is true of wine.     What does the Lord’s Supper, then, tell us of this world and our cultural engagements as Christian for God’s glory? First, the world of the final feast is this world transformed. Christ did not choose angelic food, but a universal food, found in every culture, as part of the sacrament of kingdom of God. Christ does not separate us from this world but brings us back into His world, and bestows on us His power and ingenuity.     Second, Christ gives us His power to bring the whole world under His dominion and for His glory. If we take the bread and wine as representative of culture-making, we can say that there is a right way to bake bread and make wine, and many wrongs ways. In other words, there’s a right way to create culture, and many wrongs way to create culture. The right way is under God and for God.     Third, do not show up to new creation empty-handed. Do not leave your bread and wine at home. Do not leave your Christian culture behind. It follows you into new creation. What is “the fine linen, bright and pure” given to Christ’s bride to clothe herself with? “for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints” (Rev 19:8). Our works follow us into new creation (Rev 14:13).     The Church needs to learn how to do this right. We are given the whole world to feast upon, to enjoy the cultivation and production of all manner of cultural artifact and activity, under God and for God. Politics, music, fiction, architecture, mechanics, IT, parenting, edu, philosophy, finance— all to glory of G. We do shy away from bread and wine just because unbelievers use bread for their gluttony and wine for their drunkenness. Similarly, we do not shrink back from culture just because unbelievers use it to distort truth and create lies and rebel against God. We engage culture and seek its transformation under Christ. That is to say, we seek Christian culture.     The relationship between Christ, His Church, and the world is like that of a husband, wife, and their children in their home. Christ has worked and provided for His bride what she could never accomplish on her own: salvation and the forgiveness of sins. Christ’s work frees His bride now to work in their home, which is this world and to beautify it (as a wife beautifies her home), to catechize the nations (as a mother instructs her children), to bring order to a chaotic world (as a wife and mother does), subduing all to the glory of G.     When we eat the Lord’s Supper, we are eating Christian culture: things man has developed that are transformed by Christ and given new purpose in the Kingdom of God, to be used for the glory of G.     Christ has worked on the cross. As we eat and drink Christ by faith in the Lord’s Supper, Christ aids us in our work: “For we are his workmanship, created in X Jesus for good works, which G prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10).     As Alexander Schmemann says, we are given this whole world by God and receive from His hand with thanksgiving. We seek His dominion in this world with thanksgiving. And on the last day, we will give this world back to God with thanksgiving. When we do, we will face the One who gave Himself, and continues to give and give and give to us, the One who has has transformed us, and will transform this world so we can feast and fellowship together, as a husband and bride forever. 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[7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/day-of-prayer ### Title: Day of Prayer ### Page ID: 7783649 ### Content: REformation Day of Prayer for this nation and the Church Therein To download these remarks as a pdf booklet, click [HERE](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.cloversites.com/76/76e46fcb-e1f5-42d0-b3c3-af67cb283433/documents/GRC_Fasting_and_Prayer.pdf) There are three passages in Scripture that, when taken together, are meant to move God’s people to pray and intercede for those He has placed in political authority: *Proverbs 14:34:* *Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.* *Jeremiah 29:7:* *But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.* *1 Timothy 2:1-2:* *First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.* In the first passage, God tells us that righteousness (faithful adherence to God’s law) is a universally good thing for all nations. A robust Christianity that seeks to press the claims of Christ’s kingship in all areas of life makes for a wholesome, attractive civitas. Just as a young man who prizes wisdom will be exalted and given a graceful garland (Prov 4:8-9), so a nation that seeks to follow God’s Law and fears the Lord (which is the beginning of wisdom)—that nation will be exalted. On the other hand, sin—codified and promoted by a society— makes that nation ugly and rejected by God. That nation which highly prizes sin will be despised by God since they have despised Him (Rom 1:21-32). The second passage tells us that while exiled in Babylon, Judah was commanded by God to become an integral part of Babylonian society. They were not to forget their status as exiles, that is, that Babylon was not their home. Yet, as embedded exiles, they were to work for the welfare of Babylon, for in its welfare Judah would find its welfare. In many ways, as it goes with our nation, so it goes with the God’s people. The final passage, taken from Paul’s instruction to a young pastor, urges us to make intercession for those in civil authority (kings or otherwise) in order that the State may leave the Church alone. Far from teaching a kind of disengaged and withdrawn “quietism” (where the Church is absent from the public square), this passage actually teaches that the Church ought to pray that the State leave the Church alone so that the Church may fulfill its calling, part of which is to witness to this world of the kingship of Christ through creed and conduct. This passage, along with Isaiah 49:22-23, is the historical basis among Protestant churches for speaking of government’s task to be a “nursing father and mother” to Christ’s Church. That is, government that is good and just is one that removes obstacles that obstruct the Church’s faithful witness and development. The state is to neither hijack the ministry of the Church nor to burden it. For what should we pray for? Which brings us to our present cultural moment. Our nation is in a deep spiritual crisis. The causes of this crisis are found in the decades (and century?) leading up to this recent election season (although our current slate of presidential candidates perfectly exemplifies our collective spiritual illness). Furthermore, our spiritual disarray will extend far beyond the presidential election on November 8, 2016. We understand from God’s Word that no amount of political ingenuity, economic programming, nor social engineering can turn our spiritual condition around. In fact, what man’s hands can accomplish is perfectly evident in the sins of our country.  Our problem is spiritual and systemic. That is why we as a Church call upon God. As His people in this land, “who know their right hand from their left” (Jonah 4:11), we repent for the sins of this land. We ask God to have mercy upon this nation and upon His Church in this nation.  Like Daniel (Daniel 9:4-19), Ezra (Ezra 9:6-15), and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9:5-38), we know that true reformation and life cannot come without repentance and turning away from sin and turning to God. We want repentance to start in the house of God, and then to extend out into the farthest corners of this country. What are our sins? In order to repent of our national sins, we need to know what they are. Here are some of the obvious ones. We despise the life God has given. This nation has killed over 60 million children since abortion became legal in 1973. Not only have we killed 60 million unborn persons, we have relished this sin, protected it, promoted it, and in a perverse campaign in recent months, encouraged mothers to “shout your abortion.” Not satisfied with killing children in this nation, our foreign policy prioritizes other nations who share this love of death. At all levels of society, we worship that which dehumanizes us because we have rejected Christ. “All who hate me love death” (Proverbs 8:36). Lord, have mercy on us. Government leaders who are unprincipled at best and, at worst, suffer from an iniquitous messianic complex. We have leaders who sell justice to the highest bidder, who have no integrity, who believe they are gods in their own eyes, who can dispatch fiat after fiat without impunity, who pay lip service to virtue while working to undermine the moral foundation of this country. Our corruption affects all positions of leadership. We love lies and deception. We love lying and being lied to. Our hubris is evident in thinking that we can solve our deepest problems with bureaucratic, agency-oriented initiatives. Lord, have mercy on us. We have ignored the poor, the widow, the orphan, the stranger in our midst. We have neglected to see that all those around us are our neighbors, to whom we owe love, neighbors who are made in the image of God. We have vilified, demonized, and exploited them. Truly, we don’t care about them, we only care about “caring” for them. Paternalistic and predatory attitudes of various leaders (including government officials) have devastated America’s inner-cities and hollowed them out. Injustice and unrighteousness rock our land. There are deep chasms of social, economic, and ethnic alienation between whole sections of society, such that only the Lord can heal them. Lord, have mercy on us. There is a radical (literally, from the root up) insubordination at every level of society. In educational institutions, law enforcement, families, government, socially, from the least to the greatest, from the most inconsequential area of life to the most significant, our nation pursues a program of selfish autonomy. We are a lawless people who seek to be our own law. What better representation of this than our activist judiciary that thinks it can create laws and constitutional rights out of thin air? Like Israel’s condition in the book of Judges, each person does whatever is right in their own eyes. Superiors hate inferiors because they detect God’s image in them. Inferiors hate superiors because they are reminded of God’s authority through them. And so we stand on the brink of further spiritual anarchy and thuggery. Lord, have mercy on us. We have become a society that permits and exalts every manner of sexual perversion. We are an oversexualized culture. We don’t know what sex is for. We are animalistic and violent in our expressions of sexuality. Pornography and pornographic values are one of the biggest exports of this nation to every country in the globalized economy, transmitting our national disease to all corners of the earth. The wholesale embrace of homosexual and transgender values in the public square is further evidence of our degeneration. Our nation seeks to bend reality to fit its lusts and it will find that it will be broken in the end. We fear what is next in line. Lord, have mercy on us. If this wasn’t bad enough, the condition of the churches in this nation is utterly lamentable. There is no Christian consensus on any given “social issue” anymore in large part because the Church has failed to faithfully hold the line. Not only has the world sought to silence the truth of God, we love to silence and domesticate the power of God. We love distraction and amusement to our destruction. We have lost sight of what is good, true, and beautiful. The Church has lost sight of Christ and His counter-cultural Word. In so many ways, the Church resembles the world in what it values, how it lives its life, what it worships, and how it conceives of salvation. “If a trumpet gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?” We are part of the problem. Lord, have mercy on us. Some practical helps Try to spend as much time as possible on Monday in prayer. Wake up early. Skip breakfast and lunch. Take a break from social media. Use your discretionary time to intercede for this nation and the Church in this nation. Remember, the goal is not to abstain from food. The goal is to pray to God. Abstaining from food (and other things) is simply a symbol of how much we depend on God. (We need You, O Lord, more than food itself!) The sections below are prayers that have been compiled for your benefit as you pray for this nation and Christ’s Church. Use these prayers as model prayers and prompts. They are taken from the prayers of the URCNA and Book of Common Prayer, but mostly they are drawn from Matthew Henry’s Method for Prayer. Matthew Henry, a 17th-century Puritan, wrote prayers with the very words of Scripture. Literally, his Method for Prayer is simply a collation of Scripture passages arranged topically. I have copied the relevant sections and heavily edited them for our use. In an article on fasting, Rev. Daniel Hyde answers the question “How should we fast?” with four helpful answers \[excerpts below\]: (a) We Fast Freely. What does this mean? It means that you are free to fast. There is no prescribed time of the year in which you must fast. There is no prescribed length of time for which you must fast. There is no prescribed diet or lack thereof in fasting. There is no particular method required of you. In all these you are free. John Calvin said of congregational fasting in the context of Rome’s required fasts: “The time, the manner, and the form are not prescribed by God’s Word, but left to the judgment of the church” (Institutes, 4.12.14). (b) We Fast Humbly. There is a great contrast between the Pharisees’ flouting their fasting by walking around with looks of hunger, pain, and anguish on their faces so that people would know they were fasting (Matt. 6:16) and Jesus’ disciples. Isaiah spoke of the Pharisees when he said, “Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure” (Isa. 58:3). Joel rebuked Israel for the same thing, saying, “‘Yet even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments’” (Joel 2:12–13). Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for this, saying, “they have received their reward” (Matt. 6:16). Instead, it is far better to be seen and rewarded by God: “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matt. 6:17–18). Outwardly, we are to look and act normal. Inwardly, we are to be humbled before God, seeking his face in prayer. Your reward is that God will see you and grant you the desires of your heart. (c) We Fast Seriously. This is not medical fasting or fasting to lose weight. This is serious business with God. The things that led to fasts in the Old and New Testaments were wars, plagues, ordinations of leaders (Acts 13:1-3; 14:23), repentance from sin, and other such serious matters in the life of God’s people. We fast seriously individually as well as corporately. Though our fasting is serious, we do not fast with all the outward rites and expressions of the Old Covenant—tearing our garments (Joel 2:13), putting on sackcloth (Neh. 9:1), or covering the head with ashes (Dan. 9:3). Nor do we fast in a legalistic spirit, as if it somehow earns us favor with God. The puritan Matthew Barker said, “All our duties, even our fasting and humiliations, ought to be performed evangelically,” that is, in a gospel-centered way, with faith, hope, and love in Christ. (d) We Fast Prayerfully. It is not fasting itself that brings us before the face of God, but the prayer that arises out of it. James Ussher called fasting merely a help and assistance to prayer. Wilhelmus a Brakel said, “Fasting, in and of itself, is not a religious practice. It is only so when it is a seeking after God by way of fasting. . . . Fasting serves but one purpose: to facilitate the humbling of the soul; it has no significance beyond that.” Why mention this? To keep us from superstitious fasting or from thinking our fasting earns us anything with God. Fasting is only a means to prayer to God. May the LORD bless our time in prayer, revive His Church in this nation, and bring those who dwell in this nation to repentance and faith in Him. In the name of Jesus, Amen. Pastor Sam Perez Reformation Day 2016 Prayers for our own land and her well-being in a special manner, that in the peace of this land God’s people may have peace Let us be thankful for this country We bless You that You have planted us in a very fruitful hill, and has not made the wilderness our habitation, or the barren land our dwelling, but our land yields her increase. Isaiah 5:1. Job 39:6. Psalm 85:12. Lord, you have dealt favorably with our land. We have seen Your mercies upon this land. Psalm 85:1. We dwell safely, under our own vines and fig-trees, and there is peace to him that goes out, and to him that comes in. 1 Kings 4:25. 2 Chronicles 15:5. And because You, O Lord have had mercy upon this people, therefore You have set in times past a good government over us to do judgment and justice; to be a terror to evil doers, and a protection and praise to them that do well. 1 Kings 10:9. Romans 13:3. *Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: we humbly beseech You that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Your favor, because we are so forgetful of the truth that all we enjoy is given by Your hand. Bless us with industry, prosperity, learning, and purity of life. Save us from discord and violence, and from pride and arrogancy. Preserve us from public calamities, pestilence, and famine; from war, privy conspiracy, and rebellion; and especially from national sins and corruption.* Let us be humbled before God for our national sins and provocations But we are a sinful people, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil doers; And a great deal of reason we have to sigh and cry for the abominations that are committed among us. Isaiah 1:4. Ezekiel 9:4. Iniquity abounds among us, and the love of many is waxen cold. Matthew 24:12. We have not been forsaken nor forgotten of our God, though our land be full of sin against the Holy One of Israel. Jeremiah 51:5. Let us pray for all those employed in the conduct of public affairs (public officials, judges, congressmen, senators, the President, etc.) O remove not the speech of the trusty, nor take away the understanding of the aged, nor ever let the things that belong to the nation’s peace be hid from the eyes of those that are entrusted with the nation’s counsels. Job 12:20. Luke 19:42. Make it to appear that You, O Lord, stand in the congregation of the mighty, and judge among the gods, and that when the princes of the people are gathered together, the God of Abraham himself is among them; And let the shields of the earth belong unto the Lord, that he may be greatly exalted. Psalm 82:1. Psalm 47:9. Let those that be of us build the old waste places, and raise up the foundations of many generations, that they may be called the repairers of the breaches, and restorers of paths to dwell in. Isaiah 58:12. Make those that rule over us just, ruling in the fear of God; and let those that judge remember that they judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with them in the judgment, that therefore the fear of the Lord may be upon them. 2 Samuel 23:3. 2 Chronicles 19:6, 7. Make them able men, and men of truth, fearing God, and hating covetousness, that judgment may run down like a river, and righteousness as a mighty stream. Exodus 18:21. Amos 5:24. Enable our magistrates to defend the poor and fatherless, to do justice for the afflicted and needy, to deliver the poor and needy, and to rid them out of the hand of the wicked; and let rulers never be a terror to good works, but to the evil. Psalm 82:3, 4. Romans 13:3. 1 Peter 2:14. *Almighty Father, we pray for those who serve our common welfare in temporal affairs, especially those who govern us, that they may do so with wisdom, integrity, and the knowledge that their councils stand under Your final judgment. We ask that You would restrain wickedness and vice in society, promote justice and the common good, and cause us to be salt and light in this evil age.*     *Let Your Spirit rule the hearts of men in righteousness and love. Repair the desolations of former days; rejoice the wilderness with beauty; and make glad the city with Your law. Establish every work that is founded on truth and equity, and fulfill all the good hopes and desires of Your people. Manifest Your will, Almighty Father, through the victory of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.*     *We humbly beseech You, as for the people of these United States in general, so especially for their Senate and Representatives in Congress assembled: That You would be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations, to the advancement of Your glory, the good of Your Church, the safety, honor, and welfare of Your people; That all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavors, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, Biblical religion and piety may be established among us for all generations. Endue with wisdom those in authority, that justice and peace may prevail. Make us strong and great in the fear of God, and in the love of righteousness, that, blessed of You, we may be a blessing to all people. In prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in trouble do not allow our trust in You to fail.* Let us pray for the favor of God to us, and His presence among us, as that in which the happiness of our nation is bound up O the hope of Israel, the Savior thereof in time of trouble, be not thou as a stranger in our land, or a wayfaring man that turns aside to tarry but for a night; but be always in the midst of us, though our iniquities testify against us and our backslidings are many. Jeremiah 14:8, 9, 7. Turn us to You, O Lord God of hosts, and then cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved. O stir up Your strength, and come and save us. Psalm 80:3, 2. Show us Your mercy, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation, yea let that salvation be near them that fear You, that glory may dwell in our land: Let mercy and truth meet together, righteousness and peace kiss each other: Let truth spring out of the earth, and righteousness look down from heaven; yea let the Lord give that which is good: Let righteousness go before him, and set us in the way of his steps. Psalm 85:7, 9-13. Let us pray that the kingship of Christ take root in this nation O let the throne of Christ endure for ever, among us, even the place of Your sanctuary, that glorious high throne from the beginning. Psalm 45:6. Jeremiah 17:12. Let our candlestick never be removed out of his place, though we have deserved it should, because we have left our first love. Never do to us as you did to Your place which was in Shiloh, where You set Your name at the first. Revelation 2:4, 5. Jeremiah 7:12. Let us never know what a famine of the Word means; nor ever be put to wander from sea to sea, from the river to the ends of the earth, to seek the word of God. Amos 8:11, 12. Let wisdom and knowledge be the stability of our times and strength of salvation, and let the fear of the Lord be our treasure: Let the righteous flourish among us, and let there be those that shall fear You in our land as long as the sun and moon endure throughout all generations, that there may be abundance of peace, and the children which shall be created may praise the Lord. Isaiah 33:6. Psalm 72:5, 7. Psalm 102:18. Let that righteousness abound among us which exalts a nation, and deliver us from sin, which is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34. Let us pray for the suppression of vice and iniquity, and the support of Biblical religion and virtue. O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just, O righteous God that tries the hearts and minds. Spirit, rise up for the just against the evil doers, and stand up for righteous against the workers of iniquity. Ps 7:9. Ps 94:16. Let the Redeemer come and turn away ungodliness; let the filth of the people be purged from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and the spirit of burning. Romans 11:26. Isaiah 4:4. Let all iniquity stop her mouth, and let the infection of that plague be stayed, by executing judgment. Psalm 107:42. Psalm 106:30. Let those that are striving against sin never be weary or faint in their minds. Heb12:4, 3. Cause the unclean spirit to pass out of the land, and turn to the people a pure language, that they may call on the name of the Lord. Zechariah 13:2. Zephaniah 3:9. Prayers for the breaking of the power of all the enemies of the Church that seek her ruin, and the defeating of all their designs against her. Rise, Lord, and let Your enemies be scattered, and let those that hate You flee before You, but return, O Lord, to the many thousands of Your Israel. Numbers 10:35, 36. Give us help from trouble, for vain is the help of man; Through God let our forces do valiantly, yea let God himself tread down our enemies, and give them as dust to our sword, and as driven stubble to our bow. Psalm 60:11, 12. Isaiah 41:2. Let us be a people saved by the Lord, as the shield of our help and the sword of our excellency; and make our enemies sensible that the Lord fights for us against them. Deuteronomy 33:29. Exodus 14:25. Let all that set themselves, and take counsel together against the Lord, and against his anointed, that would break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from them, imagine a vain thing. Let him that sits in heaven laugh at them, and have them in derision; speak unto them in Your wrath, and vex them in Your sore displeasure. Give them, O Lord: what will You give them? give them a miscarrying womb, and dry breasts. Psalm 2:1-5. Hosea 9:14. O our God, make them like a wheel, and as stubble before the wind; Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O Lord, and that men may know, that You whose name is the LORD, are the most high over all the earth. Psalm 83:13, 16, 18. Put them in fear, O Lord, that the nations may know themselves to be but men, and wherein the proud enemies of Your church deal proudly, make it to appear that You are above them. Psalm 9:20. Exodus 18:11. Let them be confounded and turned back that hate Zion, and be as the grass upon the housetops, which wither before it grows up. Psalm 129:5, 6. Let no weapon formed against Your church prosper, and let every tongue that rises against it in judgment be condemned. Isaiah 54:17. Lord, let the man of sin be consumed with the spirit of Your mouth, and destroyed with the brightness of Your coming: And let those be undeceived that have been long under the power of strong delusions to believe a lie, and let them receive the truth in the love of it. 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 8, 11, 10. Let Babylon fall, and sink like a mill-stone into the sea; And let the kings of the earth, that have given their power and honor to the beast, be wrought upon at length to bring it into the new Jerusalem. Rev 18:2, 21; 17:17; 21:24. Father, forgive our enemies, for they know not what they do; and lay not their malice against us to their charge, and work in us a disposition to forbear and forgive in love, as You require we should when we pray. Luke 23:34. Acts 7:60. Col 3:13. Mark 11:25. Lord, give us to love our enemies, to bless them that curse us, and to pray for them that despitefully use us and persecute us. Matthew 5:44. And grant that our ways may so please the Lord, that even our enemies may be at peace with us. Let the wolf and the lamb lie down together, and let there be none to hurt or destroy in all the holy mountain. Proverbs 16:7. Isaiah 11:6, 9, 13. *Almighty Father, You are the King eternal, immortal, invisible, You are the only wise God our Savior; Hasten, we beseech You, the coming upon earth of the kingdom of Your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and draw the whole world of mankind into willing obedience to his blessed reign. Overcome all His enemies, and bring low every power that is exalted against Him. Pull down all of the strongholds of Satan in this world and establish Your kingdom throughout the earth. Destroy the devil’s work; destroy every force which revolts against You and every conspiracy against Your Word. Do this until Your kingdom is so complete and perfect that in it You are all in all.* Prayers for the Church, her ministry, relief, and succession Let us pray that Christ’s Church would continue to prosper amidst all manner of religious, political, social, and economic adversity. Lord, preserve to us the lamp which You have ordained for Your anointed, that the generation to come may know You, even the children which shall be born, that they may set their hope in God, and keep his commandments. Psalm 132:17. Psalm 78:6, 7. May your Church experience covenant succession, that she would abide before God forever, from generation to generation. That our children would rise up to love you above life itself, and their children after them, for a thousand generations. That mercy and truth may preserve Your people, so will we sing praise unto Your name forever. Thus let the Lord save Zion, and build the cities of Judah, that the seed of Your servants shall inherit it, and they that love Your name dwell therein. Psalm 61:7, 8. Psalm 69:35, 36. Let our eyes see Jerusalem, the city of our solemnities, a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down: Let none of the stakes thereof be removed, nor any of the cords thereof broken, but let the glorious Lord be unto us a place of broad waters and streams; for the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king, He will save us. Isaiah 33:20, 21, 22. Let us pray for relief for those Christians who suffer and that part of the Church that is persecuted for righteousness sake We desire in our prayers to remember them that are in bonds for the testimony of Jesus, as bound with them, and them which suffer adversity, as being ourselves also in the body. O send from above, and deliver them from those that hate them, and bring them forth into a large place. Heb 13:3. Ps 18:16, 17, 19. O let not the rod of the wicked rest upon the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. Ps 125:3. Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake as in the ancient days, as in the generations of old, and make the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed of the Lord to pass over. Is 51:9, 10. For the oppression of the poor and the sighing of the needy, now do You arise, O Lord, and set them in safety from them that puff at them. Psalm 12:5. O strengthen the patience and faith of Your suffering saints, that they may hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. Revelation 13:10. Lamentations 3:26. O let the year of Your redeemed come, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion. Isaiah 63:4. Isaiah 34:8. Lord, arise, and have mercy upon Zion, and let the time to favor her, yea the set time come; yea let the Lord build up Zion, and appear in his glory. Lord, regard the prayer of the destitute, and do not despise their prayer. Psalm 102:13, 16, 17. O Lord God, cease we beseech You, by whom shall Jacob arise, for he is small! O cause Your face to shine upon that part of Your sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake. Amos 7:5. Daniel 9:17. Let the sorrowful sighing of Your prisoners come before You, and according to the greatness of Your power preserve those that for Your name’s sake are appointed to die. Psalm 79:11. Let us pray for all the ministers of God’s Holy Word and sacraments Teach Your ministers how they ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, that they may not preach themselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and may study to show themselves approved to God, workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 1 Tim 3:15. 2 Cor 4:5. 2 Tim 2:15. Make them mighty in the scriptures, that from there they may be thoroughly furnished for every good work, in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, and sincerity, and sound speech, which cannot be condemned. Acts 18:24. 2 Timothy 3:17. Titus 2:7, 8. Enable them to give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine, to meditate upon these things, to give themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word, to give themselves wholly to them; and to continue in them that they may both save themselves, and those that hear them. 1 Timothy 4:13, 15. Acts 6:4. 1 Timothy 4:15, 16. Let utterance be given to them, that they may open their mouths boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, that from there they may speak as they ought to speak, as able ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the spirit, and let them obtain mercy of the Lord to be faithful. Eph 6:19-20. 2 Cor 3:6. 1 Cor 7:25. Let the arms of their hands be made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; and let them be full of power by the spirit of the Lord of hosts, to show Your people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins. Gen. 49:24 Mic 3:8. Is 58:1. Make them sound in the faith, enabling them always to speak the things which make for sound doctrine, with meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; let not the Lord’s servants strive, but be gentle to all men, apt to teach. Tit 1:13; 2:1. 2 Tim 2:24f. Make them good examples to the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity; and let them be clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord, and let Holiness to the LORD be written upon their foreheads. 1 Tim 4:12. Is 52:11. Ex 28:36. Lord, grant that they may not labor in vain, or spend their strength for nought, and in vain, but let the hand of the Lord be with them, that many may believe, and turn to the Lord. Isaiah 49:4. Acts 11:21. *Gracious Father, we beseech You for Your Church in the world but especially in this country; that You would be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, establish it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus who died and rose again, and ever lives to make intercession for us.*     *Bless Your holy Gospel, that it may be faithfully proclaimed and the world filled with the knowledge of Your truth. To that end, please send workers into Your field to plant, water, and harvest a people for Your name. But frustrate the work of those who would sow weeds of heresy and discord.*     *Please give fatherly attention to Your servants who suffer persecution for the sake of the Gospel and strengthen them in mind and body by Your Spirit through the means of grace. Rule us by Your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to You. Keep Your church strong, and add to it.* We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/worship-christ-the-king ### Title: Worship Christ the King ### Page ID: 7783650 ### Content: An explanatory guide to the public worship of Reformed Churches We live in a time when it is fashionable, at least in the United States and other western nations, for individuals to piece together one’s answers to ultimate questions—who am I? where do I come from? what is the purpose of my life?—from a variety of eclectic sources. No longer do people want to be identified as “religious” for this seems to speak of institutions and group-think. Rather, “spirituality” is the new religion, and it is often the religion of one—one’s spirituality is as distinct from the next person’s, as their fingerprints are never identical. This cacophony of variation and hollowness has affected the Church in profound ways, perhaps no more evident than in how corporate worship on Sundays looks and sounds like.     Is it possible that God has let the order of public worship be determined by individuals irrespective of what He says in His Word? Or can the Church actually look to God’s Word to understand the principles He says should undergird His public worship? Reformed churches are wholly committed to following Scripture and confess that God has spoken in His Word about how He wants to be worshipped. God’s worship is not a matter of inventing or imagining something innovative, trendy, expressive of individual tastes. Rather, we believe there is a discernible pattern in Scripture that teaches us how God is to be worshipped.     This brief explanatory guide is meant to orient you to what God calls us to do on Sundays as His people.  Below you will find an introduction to worship (including the essential principles of Biblical and Gospel-centered worship), and a more detailed explanation of each aspect of worship. We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/how-to-read-the-psalms ### Title: how to read the psalms ### Page ID: 7783651 ### Content: Is the book of Psalms merely a collection of individual psalms? Or is it a We often read the Psalms as 150 individual songs of lament, thanksgiving, praise, and penitence. We see each psalm as different from the next. The truth is that although each individual psalm is distinct, the 150 psalms tell one cohesive story, and each psalm contributes to that one narrative.     Consider the ancient division of the Psalms into five books. The ends of Books 1-4 (Ps 41:13, 72:19, 89:52, 106:48) all end with a doxology and a double Amen. Book 5 does not have a doxology or a double Amen. Instead, it ends with a resounding series of five psalms (146-150) that are called “The Great Hallel” because each begins with Hallelujah, or “Praise the Lord” (hallel means “praise” in Hebrew). These “seams” between the books punctuate the centrality of YHWH’s praise.     Moreover, many of the seams of the Psalm’s five books contain references to kingship. Psalms 38-41 reflect upon the great uncertainty of David’s kingship, even the sins of God’s chosen king. Psalm 72, written by Solomon, is a bright and hopeful declaration of God’s favor upon the king. The communal lament of Psalm 89 arises because the promises of God for His king and royal house seem to have been ignored by God. The search for the true Israelite king goes unabated in the psalms.     Another clue in understanding the Psalms’ unified message is found by locating David’s psalms. If we go by the superscriptions in the Psalms, most of David’s 69 psalms are found in Book 1 (37 psalms) and in Book 2 (18 psalms). Book 3 contains one Davidic psalm, Book 4 has two Davidic psalms, and Book 5 has 11. Most of David’s psalms are laments. In fact, most psalms in the book of Psalms are “sad psalms” (psalms of laments, imprecations \[or curses\], and repentance) not “happy psalms” (psalms of joyous praise and thanksgiving), whether or not they were written by David.     Taken together, the punctuating praise at the seams of each of the psalms’ five books, the reflection upon true Israelite kingship, and the placement of David’s psalms within the Psalter form a running commentary on David and his human kingship. In the first two books (psalms 1-72), David is the main character. He is the chosen king of YHWH. Yet, the royal house of this mere man is full of uncertainty, provisionality, doubt, and sin. What kind of kingdom can outlast all kingdoms if it can totter and be overthrown by enemies within and without? The certainty at the end of Book 2 (Ps 72) gives way to the utter darkness that engulfs Israel by the end of Book 3 (Psalms 88 and 89) because God seems to have turned His back on Israel’s king and kingdom. A merely human king and kingdom will not do.     The progression of the Psalms, then, is towards this unified message: God leads us through King David to a better King, who is Jesus Christ Himself, truly God but truly man, from the seed of David (Rm 1:1-4; Mt 1:1), in fulfillment of all the ancient promises (e.g. Ps 110). The eternal kingship of YHWH is powerfully asserted in Books 4 and 5 as the movement of the Psalms strips us of our trust in all things and people so that we would trust God alone. Friendships, wealth, power, men, horses and chariots, even the mountains and hills— all prove to be a futile and shakeable foundation for an everlasting kingdom. Only YHWH, the God over all gods, can provide a sure foundation for life. Thus, only YHWH is worthy of praise. The exclusive kingship of YHWH, in the background at the Psalter’s beginning, is unambiguously asserted at its end (145:1, 11-13; 149:2).     This progression of the Psalter is found not only in the broad sweep of the book but also on a smaller scale in individual psalms. Psalm 23 is a classic example: there is an initial confidence in God, a disorienting brush with death, and then a deeper, renewed trust in the Lord’s comprehensive provision that ends in dwelling with the Lord forever, a state much better than the first. The smaller scale of individual psalms shows the broader progress of the book of Psalms.     The progression of the Psalms (from human kingship to divine kingship) also makes sense of the Hebrew name for the Psalms, Tehillim, or “Praises.” If most of the book is sad, why the title of “Praises”? It is because God leads us through our suffering, from enemies within and without (suffering that is often unfathomable to us), to share in the great destiny of man: to praise the one, true, living God who is faithful to His promise and His people, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God who is the true King of Israel and of the world. That is why God’s people are called to direct all their prayers and praises to Him, especially in times of suffering. The worship of God is the great goal of all nations, and this is how the Psalter resoundingly concludes. *Some of the works of Gerald Wilson, Geoffrey Grogan, Walter Brueggemann, and Doug Green have been helpful in articulating many of the themes explained above.* We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - 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[open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/saltiness-of-christianity ### Title: Saltiness of Christianity ### Page ID: 7783652 ### Content: OR, WHAT DIFFERENCE SHOULD THE CHRISTIAN FAITH MAKE IN MY LIFE?     \[...\] What is the sum of it all? What difference does and should Christianity make in your life? We insist, in the first instance, that the Christian’s faith is not only grounded in real history (historical truth) but also in “experiential truth.” The Christian lives in recognition of what God has done, not just in general, but what God has done for him. This truth affects us and transforms the way we live. Consider some practical implications.     Because God alone is God and the only Creator, the Christian understands that no creature can ever be the Creator, and that no man can ever be God. This is why the Christian understands that attempts to divinize man and make God out of the government, the church, a man who is called Pope, any non-profit organization, any and all attempts to misplace our hope in anything or anyone are hollow attempts to find substance in what is ethereal and fleeting. It is idolatry. Christians don’t bow down to anything or anyone claiming to be God. Christians worship God alone.     Because the Christian understands that God alone is God, he does not fear tyranny or dictatorships of any kind but calls them out for what they are: emperors without clothes, rebels armed in futility against Christ the King. Because he understands that God’s law is the absolute standard for life and belief, he does not fear man’s law when man calls good evil and evil good. He fears God alone and is fearless in the face of the raging of the world.     Because Jesus destroyed sin and evil and devil and death in His death and resurrection, the Christian understands that he has victory in his struggle against sin, the world, and the devil. He is not hopeless but is hopeful as he daily battles to trust in God. Because he knows God has given Him every grace he needs, the Christian use the grace of repentance not to continue in sin but to turn from it and to turn to the God who loved Him and bled for Him.     Because God the Son became a man for us men and for our salvation, we do not fear materiality or the created order. Rather, we rejoice in that God is restoring Christians as the new humanity to the right use of creation. Christ is restoring human sexuality and human bodiliness not as prisons to be broken out of, but as temples in which He dwells and with which to love and serve God with all that He has given us, and to love our fellow neighbor as ourselves.     Because Jesus Christ told 12 regular men in an obscure part of the world that they were the salt of the earth and then used this ragtag band of believers to completely change the world, the Christian understands that God does not need human might nor horses, powerful people nor philosophers, kings nor influential personalities to accomplish His eternal purposes. The Church of Jesus Christ goes forth, then and now, neither in her power nor with a message she has invented. Christ’s Church goes forth in the name of Jesus Christ, the LORD of Lords, the KING of kings. In a few short years, the Church had been accused of turning the then-known-world completely upside down. And we know that it’s going to happen again in the future in a much bigger way. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess Christ as Lord in the ultimate reversal.     Because the Christian knows that God works in and through history, the Christian fights for an accurate depiction of the past, not just redemptive history, but all of history. The history of the world is the history of what God has done in the past and is thus our history as the people of God.     The Christian fights for an accurate depiction of the present and how news is interpreted and editorialized. These are not random occurrences that can be isolated from one another. Rather, present occurrences  find their meaning and interpretation within the story line of God’s purposes.     The Christian fights for an accurate depiction of the direction of the future. Where is this all going? Who will be the winner in history? Neither sin nor the devil nor the world nor the LGBT agenda, nor those who distort the Law of God nor those who twist the moral fabric of the created order will be on the right side of history. God and all those who have confessed Him with their lives are on the right side of history. History is not cyclical. It’s going somewhere. Progress is not to measured by anything but Christ’s rule and dominion. When all things bow down to Christ, then the end will come (1 Cor 15). The future belongs to God, and because we belong to God, the future belongs to us. Christ is the King now and He will be then ever more so. We have the victory now through Jesus, and we will have the victory then ever more so through Jesus. And because the Christian knows what the direction of history is and that Christ is the absolute King, he has confidence in His God, that God will do what God has promised to do. He is daily thankful to God and he lives in unshakeable hope. He has a positive, future orientation.     We are not fearful. We are not guided by what the world says. Christian men marry Christian women and give themselves in lifelong devotion and service to their brides. Christian parents have children (as many as God gives!) and we are not afraid of what the world says or thinks. We raise them to fear the Lord and to have this Biblical consciousness, this way of thinking and living and relating and loving.     Because we find our true selves in loving God and loving those around us, we are generous to all with our time, our money, our laughter, our energy. We are loyal to God who remains loyal to Himself and to us, and loyal to one another. Christianity is not an escape from the world. Christianity does not reject matter. It embraces it as God’s creation gone awry in sin but restored in Christ. Christianity celebrates with deep joy God’s wondrous works. That is why Christians are festive and joyous. And in our times, above all else, we remain patient, because we know the best is yet to come. *From a sermon entitled,* The Saltiness of Christianity*, on January 3, 2016.* *Listen to it here:* [*http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1516171526*](http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1516171526) We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - 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[to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - 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[god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - 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[open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/to-destroy-works-of-devil ### Title: To Destroy Works of Devil ### Page ID: 7783653 ### Content: There are two kinds of children, and two kinds of fathers *When the Bible says “sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4), it means that those who practice sin manifest their father: the devil. The Bible says that “the devil has been sinning from the beginning” (1 John 3:8), because he has been lawless from the beginning. That is, the devil rebelled against God’s just and righteous laws, and has incited rebellion against God ever since.  On the other hand, those who claim God as Father will manifest the family likeness: practicing righteousness.  This is how Robert Candlish, a Scottish minister of the 19th century, put it:* As it is the nature of God to be righteous, so it is the nature of every one who is born of God to be righteous also. So he who is preeminently the Son of God is righteous; and we who are children of God in him are "righteous as he is righteous." But his being righteous necessitates his doing righteousness; to imagine otherwise in his case would be a profane calumny. So also to think that we can be righteous as he is righteous, if our being righteous does not necessitate our doing righteousness, must be a gross and grievous delusion. On the other hand, it is the devil's nature to be evil; and being evil, he cannot but be doing evil. If we are doing evil, "doing sin," —that proves our identity of nature with the devil; we are "of the devil." And being of the devil, the originator of sin, "sinning from the beginning,"—we cannot be children of God as Christ is his Son. For he was " manifested for this very purpose, that he might destroy the works of the devil." \[...\] Thus two parentages are here contrasted. Two fathers, as it were, desire to have us as children. They are wide as the poles asunder. Of the one relationship it is the characteristic not to sin; of the other, to be always sinning. The one father never has sinned, never could sin, being the " righteous Father." The other has been always a sinner; sinning from the beginning; his first act being to sin. Each father imparts his own character to his children. The virtue or the vice; the wholesome purity or the poisonous matter; the sweet charm or the sour taint; runs in the blood. The children of the one father have infused into them the seed or germ of his impeccability; his being of such a nature that it is impossible for him to sin. The children of the other inherit his absolute incapacity of not sinning; his being of such a nature that it is morally impossible for him not to sin. It is a terrible inheritance. It is the devil's nature to sin. When we sin we give proof of its being our nature too. And it is a nature which we derive from him. It was he that communicated it to us. Our relation to him, therefore, in respect of our thus sharing his nature, is very close. It may be true that it is only in a figurative sense that we can be called " children of the devil," or said to be " of the devil." Still the figure has in it a sad reality. If it is natural for us to sin, he is the father of that nature in us. His seed is in us; the seed of his nature, his natural life, which is to sin, to do nothing but commit sin. \[...\] Root and branch, the "works of the devil must be destroyed." The seed, the germ, the principle of all his works must be eradicated. Suspicion, dislike, servile dread, criminal sullenness, self-justifying pride, must all be scotched and killed. These are the devil's works. They must be all destroyed. Let me look to the Son of God as he has been and is manifested; and are they not, through my so looking, destroyed? I cannot think and feel, with reference to God and his authority and law, as the devil does, when I look to the Son of God manifested for this very purpose, that I may think and feel as he does; that God may be to me what he is to him, and his law to me what it is to him that thus in me he may "destroy the works of the devil." 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[sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - 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[open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - 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[7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/marriage-of-jesus-christ ### Title: Marriage of Jesus Christ ### Page ID: 7783654 ### Content: What does it mean that Jesus Christ marries His Church? *The great reformer Martin Luther wrote a little book in 1520,* On Christian Freedom, *where he addresses how the Christian, trusting in Jesus Christ, is a servant of none (since he has been made free from the bondage of sin and trying to earn salvation), yet is made a servant to all (since he has been freed by Christ to serve his neighbor in a life of good works that are the consequence, not cause, of salvation). In this excerpt, Luther masterfully appropriates the imagery of Ephesians 5 and the analogy of human marriage to explain how Christ receives all our sin, while we receive all of Christ’s righteousness:* The third incomparable grace of faith is this, that it unites the soul to Christ, as the wife to the husband; by which mystery, as the Apostle teaches, Christ and the soul are made one flesh. Now if they are one flesh, and if a true marriage-- nay, by far the most perfect of all marriages--is accomplished between them (for human marriages are but feeble types of this one great marriage), then it follows that all they have becomes theirs in common, as well good things as evil things; so that whatsoever Christ possesses, that the believing soul may take to itself and boast of as its own, and whatever belongs to the soul, that Christ claims as his. If we compare these possessions, we shall see how inestimable is the gain. Christ is full of grace, life, and salvation; the soul is full of sin, death, and condemnation. Let faith step in, and then sin, death, and hell will belong to Christ, and grace, life, and salvation to the soul. For, if he is a husband, he must needs take to himself that which is his wife's, and, at the same time, impart to his wife that which is his. For, in giving her his own body and himself, how can he but give her all that is his? And, in taking to himself the body of his wife, how can he but take to himself all that is hers? In this is displayed the delightful sight, not only of communion, but of a prosperous warfare, of victory, salvation, and redemption. For since Christ is God and man, and is such a person as neither has sinned, nor dies, nor is condemned, nay, cannot sin, die, or be condemned; and since his righteousness, life, and salvation are invincible, eternal, and almighty; when, I say, such a person, by the wedding-ring of faith, takes a share in the sins, death, and hell of his wife, nay, makes them his own, and deals with them no otherwise than as if they were his, and as if he himself had sinned; and when he suffers, dies, and descends to hell, that he may overcome all things, since sin, death, and hell cannot swallow him up, they must needs be swallowed up by him in stupendous conflict. For his righteousness rises above the sins of all men; his life is more powerful than all death; his salvation is more unconquerable than all hell. Thus the believing soul, by the pledge of its faith in Christ, becomes free from all sin, fearless of death, safe from hell, and endowed with the eternal righteousness, life, and salvation of its husband Christ. Thus he presents to himself a glorious bride, without spot or wrinkle, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word; that is, by faith in the word of life, righteousness, and salvation. Thus he betroths her unto himself "in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies." (Hosea 2:19-20.) Who then can value highly enough these royal nuptials? Who can comprehend the riches of the glory of this grace? Christ, that rich and pious husband, takes as a wife a needy and impious harlot, redeeming her from all her evils, and supplying her with all his good things. It is impossible now that her sins should destroy her, since they have been laid upon Christ and swallowed up in Him, and since she has in her husband Christ a righteousness which she may claim as her own, and which she can set up with confidence against all her sins, against death and hell, saying: "If I have sinned, my Christ, in whom I believe, has not sinned; all mine is His, and all His is mine;" as it is written, "My beloved is mine, and I am his. (Songs 2:16.) This is what Paul says: "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ;" victory over sin and death, as he says: "The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law." (I Cor 15:56, 57.) 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[7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/cult-of-unity ### Title: Cult of Unity ### Page ID: 7783655 ### Content: What do ancient coins have to do with Jesus Christ? *An article by John P. Lotz examines ancient Roman coins found in Asia Minor that were part of the* homonoia *cult. The Greek word* homonoia*, meaning “oneness,” was the name of the goddess of  “political concord.” The imperial authorities of many cities in the Roman Empire promoted "political oneness" by seeking to order all of life under the goddess,* Homonoia*, who, it was thought, could bring about concord and uniformity between the ancient cities of the empire. This, in turn, would ensure lasting imperial peace, or what historians call* Pax Romana *(“the peace of Rome”). As many recent studies have shown, this unity and peace were more ideal than real, but it’s interesting to note how the Apostle Paul may have had some of these imperial policies in mind when writing about the true supreme King, Jesus Christ, who brings true peace and true unity in His person and work (see Ephesians 1:10). The excerpt below is the conclusion of the article and highlights what Paul understood: all rivals (ancient and present) to Christ’s kingship are blasphemous and futile attempts to do what only Christ can accomplish.* \[...\] The themes of unity and oneness occur throughout the epistle to the Ephesians. But these themes do not occur against a neutral back-drop, rather, they are expressed as a revolutionary part of God's work of reuniting all things under the headship of Christ. The imagery here is intentionally provocative. Augustus had also been hailed as the world ruler under whose headship peace and prosperity had been secured, yet we know from the examples of the cities in Asia Minor in subsequent years that the *Pax Romana* was more often an ideal than a practical reality. In fact, social and political tensions were still major issues, and the unruly administrations of Caligula, Nero, and Vespasian stand as harsh reminders of the limits to peace at the height of Roman rule. Unity and oneness were themes that contemporary orators preached as well, stressing the importance of embracing *homonoia* instead of engaging in rivalries and disputes. The rise in the use of *homonoia* in popular slogans and in political speeches in the late first and early second centuries A.D. helps reveal the amount of discord that was current under the surface of political compliance to Rome, and the later involvement of Roman emperors in promoting concord (ομόνοια) confirms suspicions of a latent disunity at the local and provincial levels throughout the empire. Unity is a pressing concern of the writer of Ephesians. This is an understandable concern when viewed against the back-drop of the increasing inter-city rivalry of the late first century, and helps broaden our understanding of some of the nuances the writer's choice of words and images could have had. C.E. Arnold has already alluded to some of the dimensions the “power language” can have had in the context of the Magical Papyri, but it is also possible to see specific political images evoked and challenged as well. One such image occurs in Ephesians 1:21. In the Thanksgiving and Prayer, the writer prays that the recipients would have the eyes of their hearts enlightened in order that they might know the hope to which God has called them, the riches of his inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for believers. This incomparably great power the writer identifies as that same power which both raised Christ from the dead, and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms “...far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in this present age, but also in the one to come.” In the context of the religious milieu of the first century, these are lofty assertions, but in the context of the political world, these were provocative and seditious words. In Plutarch's warning to the young political aspirant he conscientiously recommended that the supremacy of Rome in all affairs be acknowledged and not infringed upon, but here the writer of the epistle refuses to consign God's power merely to the realm of religion and the great hereafter, but situates Christ's supremacy fundamentally in the present age. Christ is seated far above all possible authorities and powers, as well as “...every title that can be given.” To the listeners hearing these words, the titular rivalries between the leading cities of Asia Minor may have appeared as comparatively obvious examples of the meagerness of worldly power in light of Christ's heavenly supremacy, as well as the undeniable shortcomings of the many attempts to broker concord and peace in the name of *homonoia*. The best attempts at political unity were continually succumbing to the rivalries that broke out between the leading cities over the titles that Rome could give them, and very often the discord handicapped trade and generally dampened the well-being of the neighboring cities. Political discord may even have been a form of resistance against Roman rule, and contemporary orators were aware of the compromises such protests could engender for a city. Paul's prayer that the eyes of the believers hearts might be enlightened can be seen in direct contrast to the short-sightedness of the many rivalries that were constantly being pursued by the cities in their struggle to secure the appearance of power and prestige, but which were often ways in which they further subjugated themselves to Roman manipulation. In contrast to the precarious bonds of *homonoia*, the writer proclaims Christ as having permanently broken through the barriers and the “dividing wall of hostility” that separated Jews and Gentiles (who were far less like one another than Ephesians and Smyrneans), and further, established peace between the discordant races in his own person. Throughout the epistle, the unity that God has established in Christ is defined in terms far superior to anything else, encompassing all things and being fulfilled in the Church, which is his body. In the ears of the hearers of the epistle, Christ through the Church and not the Emperor through his empire is the real source for hope for peace and unity, and the focus of the good news of the gospel of reconciliation and forgiveness. The message Paul and his followers proclaimed was one that extended throughout the dimensions of first century A.D. society, from religion through politics, and its stark contrasts between light and darkness, good and evil, this world and the one to come were no mere Gnostic metaphors, or the escapist fantasies of an apocalyptic sect, but were situated in the midst of the day to day intercourse of life in first century society where oppression, disempowerment, political ambition, compliance, resistance, and rebellion all had their share in forming the world-views of slaves as well as sophists. The mere titles that could be allocated to the politically emasculated cities of Asia Minor were shallow consolations in the light of Roman hegemony. That Christ reigned in heaven at God's right hand, and that his power extended not only into the next age, but was rooted in the present one, could hardly have failed to escape comparison with the governors of provinces, or even the emperor, whose power and rule offered only timid promises of peace and empty slogans of harmony and concord. From John Paul Lotz, “The Homonoia Coins of Asia Minor and Ephesians 1:21” in *Tyndale Bulletin* 50.2 (1999), 186-188. 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[bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/priorities-in-prayer ### Title: Priorities in Prayer ### Page ID: 7783656 ### Content: If someone were to ask you for Bible passages that show a pattern for prayer, where would you turn? For a general pattern, maybe you might turn to the Lord’s Prayer (Matt 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4). For confession of sins, it would be hard to beat Psalm 51, or the prayers of Daniel, Nehemiah, or Ezra (Dan 9:3-19; Neh 9:5-37; Ezra 9:6-15). But how many of us would turn to Paul’s prayers as a Biblical pattern of thanksgiving and intercession? At the beginning of most of his letters, Paul the Apostle thanks God for the Christian churches and intercedes for them.  He constantly thanks God for the reports he has heard about their faith in Christ and labors of all love for all the saints. He also intercedes to God for them. That they would be filled with joy. That they would abound in their knowledge of God. That they would be filled with spiritual wisdom and understanding. That they would walk worthily before God and bear all manner of good fruit. In sum, Paul thanks God for the grace He has given Christians and asks God that they would know the full depths of God’s grace. In other words, Paul is asking for their spiritual maturity. Paul uses words like fill, increase, not lacking, and abound to describe his intercession, his longing for the Christian churches. He wants them to live in the wealth of what God has done for His people and gives them now. When we don’t know God, what He has accomplished for us in Christ, nor what He gives us now, we live shriveled, impoverished Christian lives. That is why so often Paul prays for a certain kind of knowledge for his fellow Christians. Ignorance of God and His work is poverty. Knowledge of God and His work is eternal life. What must change in your prayers to follow this Scriptural pattern of thanksgiving and intercession? *Romans 1:8-15: First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.* *1 Corinthians 1:4-9: I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.* *Ephesians 1:15-23: For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.* *Colossians 1:3-14: We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.* *Philippians 1:3-11: I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.* *1 Thessalonians 1:2-10: We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.* *2 Thessalonians 1:2-4: We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.* *2 Timothy 1:3-7: I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.* *Philemon 1:4-7: I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.* We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/bloody-christianity ### Title: Bloody Christianity ### Page ID: 7783657 ### Content: Christianity is nothing without the blood of Christ. The centrality of Christ’s blood does not arise from a perverse fascination with all things bloody. Rather, it is an acknowledgment, as the writer to the Hebrews makes clear, that “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins” (Hebrews 9:22).  Without the death of Christ, God’s righteous wrath due to our sins cannot be placated, nor can man be forgiven his sins.  The righteous and eternal Son of God had to live the life we could not live, and die the death we should have died because of our sin. Christianity is emphatic about the death of Christ because it is emphatic about God’s righteousness and man’s sinfulness. Bloodless Christianity, however, denies these two realities.  It sees God as something less than righteous who will accept the bloodless sacrifice of a Jesus that is something less than perfect.  Eighty years ago, Richard Niebuhr, no friend of orthodox Christianity, described failed liberal Christianity (bloodless Christianity) this way: "A God without wrath brought men without sin into a kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a cross" (Kingdom of God in America, 193). Bloodless Christianity offers no hope to man because it does not get to the root of man’s problem: God’s abiding wrath because of man’s sin.  To believe in a “bloodless” Christianity is to deny Christianity.  On the other hand, to hold to Biblical Christianity is to believe in a righteous God who offered His willing Son, Jesus Christ, as a bloody sacrifice for the forgiveness of anyone who trusts Him with his or her life, now and in eternity. We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - 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[sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - 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[open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - 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[sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/no-docetic-love ### Title: No Docetic Love ### Page ID: 7783658 ### Content: One of the false teachings the New Testament emphatically addresses is an early form of docetism (pronounced DOE-se-ti-zim). Docetism, from the Greek word for “to seem” or “to appear,” is the false teaching that denies the humanity of Christ; in other words, those who hold to docetism teach that Jesus only appeared human but really wasn’t. The Bible is clear that a Savior who only seemed human cannot save since He cannot die, and if He cannot die, then we are still dead in our sins. That’s why John opens his first letter with his testimony that Jesus had been heard, seen, and touched (1 John 1:1-3), actions that cannot be done to apparitions or ghosts: *1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.* Docetism denies God’s love because it denies that Christ came in the flesh to die for our sins (1 John 4:2-3, 10). The Bible tells us that God did not appear to love us. He actually did love us, and that’s why He actually sent Jesus. If God’s Love took on flesh and was visible and physically tangible for His people, what about our love for one another? God refuses to allow His people an abstract love that’s expression-less to our fellow Christian. He refuses to allow us a hazy, invisible kind of love to one another that’s empty of action: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (4:20). Christian love is tangibly expressed and issues from a heart of obedience to God: “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (3:18). Christian love is no docetic love. We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/sermons-on-the-psalms ### Title: Sermons on the Psalms ### Page ID: 7783659 ### Content: #### [A Funeral Sermon for the People of God](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=a-funeral-sermon-for-the-people-of-god) ###### Date: Sep 21, 2025 #### [The Resurrection of Jesus and His People](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-resurrection-of-jesus-and-his-people) ###### Date: Sep 14, 2025 #### [Our Priest-King Brings Us Into the Temple of God](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=our-priest-king-brings-us-into-the-temple-of-god) ###### Date: Oct 13, 2024 #### [The Blessed Reign of King Jesus](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-blessed-reign-of-king-jesus) ###### Date: Oct 06, 2024 #### [God Curses His Enemies](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=god-curses-his-enemies) ###### Date: Sep 29, 2024 #### [Awake to Your Sovereign Savior](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=awake-to-your-sovereign-savior) ###### Date: Sep 22, 2024 #### [A Fourfold Savior](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=a-fourfold-savior) ###### Date: Sep 15, 2024 #### [Creation: Cathedral of God's Glory](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=creation-cathedral-of-gods-glory) ###### Date: Jul 28, 2024 #### [Remember the Love of Christ](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=remember-the-love-of-christ) ###### Date: Jul 21, 2024 Each summer and fall, we work our way through ten psalms. In summer and fall of 2024, we will look at Psalms 101-110. We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession ### Title: Sermons on the Belgic Confession ### Page ID: 7783660 ### Content: #### [Belgic 26: The Intercession of Christ](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=belgic-26-the-intercession-of-christ) ###### Date: Aug 20, 2023 #### [Belgic 25: The Law of God](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=belgic-25-the-law-of-god) ###### Date: Aug 13, 2023 #### [Belgic 24: Sanctification](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=belgic-24-sanctification) ###### Date: Aug 06, 2023 #### [Belgic 23: Justification by Faith— Sins Forgiven, Righteousness Given](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=belgic-23-justification-by-faith-sins-forgiven-righteousness-given) ###### Date: Jul 16, 2023 #### [Belgic 22: The Righteousness of God that is Received by Faith](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=belgic-22-the-righteousness-of-god-that-is-received-by-faith) ###### Date: Jul 09, 2023 #### [Belgic 21: The Atonement](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=belgic-21-the-atonement) ###### Date: Jul 02, 2023 #### [Belgic 20: The Justice and Mercy of God](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=belgic-20-the-justice-and-mercy-of-god) ###### Date: Jun 25, 2023 #### [Belgic 19: Two Natures of Christ](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=belgic-19-two-natures-of-christ) ###### Date: Jun 11, 2023 #### [Belgic 18: The Incarnation of Jesus](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=belgic-18-the-incarnation-of-jesus) ###### Date: Jun 04, 2023    The Belgic Confession was written by Guido De Bres in 1561 as a witness to the world of what the Reformed Churches believed and public confess.    In 1619, the Belgic Confession was adopted by the National Synod of Dort as one of three confessional standards of the Reformed Churches.    Since that time, the Belgic Confession has guided and guarded the Church with its Biblical simplicity and profundity. We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/sermons-on-1-peter ### Title: Sermons on 1 Peter ### Page ID: 7783661 ### Content: #### [Stand Firm](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=stand-firm) ###### Date: Aug 13, 2023 #### [Briefing on Spiritual War](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=briefing-on-spiritual-war) ###### Date: Aug 06, 2023 #### [Shepherds and Shepherded](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=shepherds-and-shepherded) ###### Date: Jul 16, 2023 #### [Suffer with Christ](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=suffer-with-christ) ###### Date: Jul 09, 2023 #### [Spiritual Gifts— From God, For the Church](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=spiritual-gifts-from-god-for-the-church) ###### Date: Jun 11, 2023 #### [Christian Hospitality: Open Hearts and Open Homes](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=christian-hospitality-open-hearts-and-open-homes) ###### Date: Jun 04, 2023 #### [Relation to God and to the Church](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=relation-to-god-and-to-the-church) ###### Date: May 14, 2023 #### [The Verdict of God the Judge](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-verdict-of-god-the-judge) ###### Date: May 07, 2023 #### [The Way of the Gentiles or the Will of God?](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-way-of-the-gentiles-or-the-will-of-god) ###### Date: Apr 30, 2023 The first letter of Peter to the Church reveals how the Church is live We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/forgotten-truths ### Title: FORGOTTEN TRUTHS ### Page ID: 7783662 ### Content: #### [The Devolution of Man and the Last Stage of Human Society](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-devolution-of-man-and-the-last-stage-of-human-society) ###### Date: Jun 19, 2022 #### [The Antithesis](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-antithesis) ###### Date: Jun 12, 2022 #### [Sin and Satanic Hermeneutics](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=sin-and-satanic-hermeneutics) ###### Date: Jun 05, 2022 #### [The Ascension of Jesus Christ (2)](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-ascension-of-jesus-christ-2) ###### Date: May 29, 2022 #### [The COVENANT of God](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-covenant-of-god) ###### Date: May 15, 2022 #### [MALE and FEMALE He Created Them](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=male-and-female-he-created-them) ###### Date: May 08, 2022 #### [IMAGE OF GOD (and the Dominion Mandate)](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=image-of-god-and-the-dominion-mandate) ###### Date: May 01, 2022 #### [METAPHYSICS (Or, the Divine Ordering of the World)](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=metaphysics-or-the-divine-ordering-of-the-world) ###### Date: Apr 24, 2022 We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/sermons-on-philippians ### Title: Sermons on Philippians ### Page ID: 7783663 ### Content: #### [The Grand Finale: The Kingdom of God Conquers Caesar's Household](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-grand-finale-the-kingdom-of-god-conquers-caesars-household) ###### Date: Apr 10, 2022 #### [Christian Service: Partnership in the Church and Worship of God](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=christian-service-partnership-in-the-church-and-worship-of-god) ###### Date: Apr 03, 2022 #### [Anatomy of Discontentment and Its Remedy](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=anatomy-of-discontentment-and-its-remedy) ###### Date: Mar 20, 2022 #### [Service and Contentment in Christ](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=service-and-contentment-in-christ) ###### Date: Mar 13, 2022 #### [The Beauty of Christ's Holiness](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-beauty-of-christs-holiness) ###### Date: Feb 27, 2022 #### [Joyful, Loving the Church, Trusting in God, Guarded by His Peace](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=joyful-loving-the-church-trusting-in-god-guarded-by-his-peace) ###### Date: Feb 20, 2022 #### [Agree in the Lord](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=agree-in-the-lord) ###### Date: Feb 06, 2022 #### [Stand Firm in Christ](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=stand-firm-in-christ) ###### Date: Jan 30, 2022 #### [True and Counterfeit Paths to Your True Home](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=true-and-counterfeit-paths-to-your-true-home) ###### Date: Jan 23, 2022 We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/sermons-on-titus ### Title: Sermons on Titus ### Page ID: 7783664 ### Content: #### [Grace Be With You All](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=grace-be-with-you-all) ###### Date: Mar 28, 2021 #### [Good Works— Learning to Love Others](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=good-works-learning-to-love-others) ###### Date: Feb 28, 2021 #### [Friends of Paul](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=friends-of-paul) ###### Date: Feb 14, 2021 #### [Protecting the Peace and Purity of the Church](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=protecting-the-peace-and-purity-of-the-church) ###### Date: Feb 07, 2021 #### [Pastor! Insist on God's Word and Good Works](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=pastor-insist-on-gods-word-and-good-works) ###### Date: Jan 24, 2021 #### [Justified Heirs Of An Inheritance In Hope](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=justified-heirs-of-an-inheritance-in-hope) ###### Date: Jan 17, 2021 #### [Washing of Regeneration and Renewal](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=washing-of-regeneration-and-renewal) ###### Date: Jan 10, 2021 #### [Gratitude to God, Goodwill toward All Men](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=gratitude-to-god-goodwill-toward-all-men) ###### Date: Nov 22, 2020 #### [How To Resist the Encroachments of a Hostile World](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=how-to-resist-the-encroachments-of-a-hostile-world) ###### Date: Nov 15, 2020 What should a church look like? Join us as we learn from God's Word *His* blueprints for *His* Church. We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/sermons-on-job ### Title: Sermons on Job ### Page ID: 7783665 ### Content: #### [The Resurrection of Job and the Renewal of All Things](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-resurrection-of-job-and-the-renewal-of-all-things) ###### Date: Aug 16, 2020 #### [God in the Whirdwind](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=god-in-the-whirdwind) ###### Date: Aug 09, 2020 #### [Elihu: The Flawed Messenger](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=elihu-the-flawed-messenger) ###### Date: Jul 26, 2020 #### [Third and Final Dialogue: Limitations, Elusive Wisdom, and the Revelation of Christ](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=third-and-final-dialogue-limitations-elusive-wisdom-and-the-revelation-of-christ) ###### Date: Jul 12, 2020 #### [Second Dialogue: Misconceptions about God and Life](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=second-dialogue-misconceptions-about-god-and-life) ###### Date: Jul 05, 2020 #### [Round One: Cautious and Cutting](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=round-one-cautious-and-cutting) ###### Date: Jun 21, 2020 #### [A Curse and a Lament](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=a-curse-and-a-lament) ###### Date: Jun 14, 2020 #### [The Bad News of False Comforts](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-bad-news-of-false-comforts) ###### Date: May 17, 2020 #### [Man of Sorrows: Why do you serve God?](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=man-of-sorrows-why-do-you-serve-god) ###### Date: May 10, 2020 We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/special-sermons ### Title: Special Sermons ### Page ID: 7783666 ### Content: #### [Christ the King](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=christ-the-king) ###### Date: May 13, 2018 #### [God's Mission: God Dwelling With Man](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=gods-mission-god-dwelling-with-man) ###### Date: Jun 11, 2017 #### [A North Jersey Pentecost](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=a-north-jersey-pentecost) ###### Date: Jun 04, 2017 #### [We See Jesus](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=we-see-jesus) ###### Date: May 28, 2017 #### [When Foundations Are Destroyed: A Jeremiad Through The Minor Prophets](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=when-foundations-are-destroyed-a-jeremiad-through-the-minor-prophets) ###### Date: Nov 20, 2016 #### [Blessed are the Poor in Spirit](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=blessed-are-the-poor-in-spirit) ###### Date: Oct 30, 2016 #### [The Power and Truth of God's Word](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-power-and-truth-of-gods-word) ###### Date: Oct 30, 2016 #### [The Blessing of Church](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=the-blessing-of-church) ###### Date: Aug 21, 2016 #### [Lives Overflowing with Gratitude](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=lives-overflowing-with-gratitude) ###### Date: Aug 21, 2016 These are sermons preached by guest preachers and topical sermons on various aspects of the Christian life. We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/7-toxic-ideas ### Title: 7 Toxic Ideas ### Page ID: 7783667 ### Content: #### [Toxic Idea #7: RELATIVISM](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=toxic-idea-7-relativism) ###### Date: Oct 23, 2016 #### [Toxic Idea #6: CONSUMERISM](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=toxic-idea-6-consumerism) ###### Date: Oct 16, 2016 #### [Toxic Idea # 5: MATERIALISM](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=toxic-idea--5-materialism) ###### Date: Sep 25, 2016 #### [Toxic Idea #4: INDIVIDUALISM](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=toxic-idea-4-individualism) ###### Date: Sep 18, 2016 #### [Toxix Idea #3: EGALITARIANISM](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=toxix-idea-3-egalitarianism) ###### Date: Sep 11, 2016 #### [Toxic Idea #2: NEOPHILIA](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=toxic-idea-2-neophilia) ###### Date: Aug 28, 2016 #### [Toxic Idea #1: TECHNOPOLY](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=toxic-idea-1-technopoly) ###### Date: Aug 14, 2016 God calls us to love Him with our mind (Matt 22:37). How we think matters to God, in part, because how we *think* will affect how we *live*. But in this fallen world, we are constantly assaulted by toxic ideas that threaten to derail faithful thinking and living to God. Ideas have consequences. Here are seven ideas that affect not only our society but are also threatening the Church and Christians. We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/sermons-on-proverbs ### Title: Sermons on Proverbs ### Page ID: 7783669 ### Content: #### [Hear, My Son](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=hear-my-son) ###### Date: Jun 30, 2019 #### [Wisdom in the bones](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=wisdom-in-the-bones) ###### Date: Jun 23, 2019 #### [Wisdom's Re-valuation of Life](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=wisdoms-re-valuation-of-life) ###### Date: May 19, 2019 #### [Womanhood Restored in Christ](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=womanhood-restored-in-christ) ###### Date: May 12, 2019 #### [No Self-Cleaning Heart](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=no-self-cleaning-heart) ###### Date: Apr 28, 2019 #### [Rescue Lives](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=rescue-lives) ###### Date: Mar 31, 2019 #### [Pride](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=pride) ###### Date: Mar 17, 2019 #### [Young and Old in Christ (2)](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=young-and-old-in-christ-2) ###### Date: Mar 10, 2019 #### [Young and Old in Christ](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=young-and-old-in-christ) ###### Date: Mar 10, 2019 We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/christmas-through-the-canons ### Title: Christmas through the Canons ### Page ID: 7783670 ### Content: #### [Perseverance and Preservation of the Saints (2)](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=perseverance-and-preservation-of-the-saints-2) ###### Date: Dec 30, 2018 #### [Perseverance and Preservation of the Saints](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=perseverance-and-preservation-of-the-saints) ###### Date: Dec 30, 2018 #### [God's Efficacious and Irresistible Grace](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=gods-efficacious-and-irresistible-grace) ###### Date: Dec 23, 2018 #### [Man's Total Depravity](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=mans-total-depravity) ###### Date: Dec 16, 2018 #### [Christ's Definite Atonement](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=christs-definite-atonement) ###### Date: Dec 09, 2018 #### [Unconditional Election](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=unconditional-election) ###### Date: Dec 02, 2018 We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/) - [about us](/different-kind-of-church) - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church) - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership) - [what we believe](/what-we-believe) - [nehemiah](/nehemiah) - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church) - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church) - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet) - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus) - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation) - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care) - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship) - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government) - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor) - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation) - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god) - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms) - [open letter](/open-letter) - [on halloween](/on-halloween) - [future orientation](/future-orientation) - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer) - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king) - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms) - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity) - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil) - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ) - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity) - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer) - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity) - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love) - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms) - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession) - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter) - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths) - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians) - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus) - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job) - [sermons](/sermons) - [special sermons](/special-sermons) - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas) - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs) - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons) - [our community friends](/our-community-friends) - [contact us](/contact-us) - [donate](/donate) - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church) - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership) - [what we believe](/what-we-believe) - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church) - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet) - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus) - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation) - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care) - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship) - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government) - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor) - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation) - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god) - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms) - [open letter](/open-letter) - [on halloween](/on-halloween) - [future orientation](/future-orientation) - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer) - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king) - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms) - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity) - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil) - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ) - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity) - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer) - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity) - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love) - [special sermons](/special-sermons) - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas) - [home](/) - [about us](/different-kind-of-church) - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church) - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership) - [what we believe](/what-we-believe) - [nehemiah](/nehemiah) - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church) - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church) - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet) - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus) - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation) - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care) - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship) - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government) - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor) - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation) - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god) - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms) - [open letter](/open-letter) - [on halloween](/on-halloween) - [future orientation](/future-orientation) - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer) - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king) - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms) - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity) - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil) - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ) - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity) - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer) - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity) - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love) - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms) - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession) - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter) - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths) - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians) - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus) - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job) - [sermons](/sermons) - [special sermons](/special-sermons) - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas) - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs) - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons) - [our community friends](/our-community-friends) - [contact us](/contact-us) - [donate](/donate) - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church) - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership) - [what we believe](/what-we-believe) - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church) - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet) - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus) - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation) - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care) - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship) - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government) - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor) - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation) - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god) - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms) - [open letter](/open-letter) - [on halloween](/on-halloween) - [future orientation](/future-orientation) - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer) - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king) - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms) - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity) - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil) - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ) - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity) - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer) - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity) - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love) - [special sermons](/special-sermons) - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas) --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/our-community-friends ### Title: Our Community Friends ### Page ID: 7783671 ### Content: Over the past years, we have partnered with the follow organizations, and commend their work to others. The Market Street Mission ministers to the homeless, helpless, and hopeless in Northern NJ, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by meeting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs through a Biblically-faithful structured program which enables them to lead responsible, productive lives. [First Choice Women's Resource Centers (North Jersey)](http://1stchoicefriends.org/) First Choice Women’s Resource Centers strive to protect the unborn by empowering women, and they do this with gentleness and respect, seeking to share Christ’s love and grace with every woman we serve. The Open Door of NJ & NY helps immigrants to reach their full, God-given potential by equipping them with the skills they need to successfully integrate, participate, and contribute to the well being of our society. Recognizing that the language barrier is a great risk factor for poverty and its effects, The Open Door offers weekly ESL, computer, and GED prep classes.  As a consequence of The Open Door’s service to 450 students each year, individuals find hope, families are strengthened, and communities are transformed. New City Kid’s mission is “Loving kids for change to create a community of academic, leadership, musical, and spiritual development.” NCK walks with a child from first grade through college and beyond. At New City Kids, 100% of their Teen Life Interns have entered college in the past eight years and 90% of them have finished, or are on their way to finishing, college. This is no small accomplishment in Jersey City, where 33% of local teens drop out of high school and 51% do not attend college. Reformed Youth Services is a Reformed organization committed to the spiritual and social nurturing of the youth of Reformed Churches that are found in the United States. RMS affirms a Biblical worldview, emphasizing that young people live all of life to the honor and glory of God, and models a vibrant, relevant, joyous and challenging Christian faith that is inspiring and relevant. Through its retreats, conferences, conventions, and lesson material, RYS encourages, edifies, and equips young Christians so they can grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. Reformed Mission Services is a vibrant ministry that supports member churches and their missionaries to envision, plan, and carry out effective and meaningful education, resource management, construction, and infrastructure and disaster relief projects worldwide. RMS seeks to help Reformed churches fulfill their call to make disciples in all the world acting under the authority and oversight of local Reformed and Confessional congregations. The mission of Concepts of Truth International is to share God's truth about life around the world, providing counseling services, education in abortion recovery and prevention, and striving to articulate a Biblical sexual ethic. Goodwill Rescue Mission ministers to those suffering in the hopeless cycle of poverty, homelessness and dependencies in Newark, NJ, with the transforming grace and power of Jesus Christ. GRM does not seek or accept city reimbursement or government funding that would compromise the Bible-based foundation of our ministry. GRM’s compassionate care enables the poor, homeless, and addicted of Newark to encounter Christ in spiritually rich and vocationally focused program of sustainable comprehensive life transformation. We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/contact-us ### Title: Contact Us ### Page ID: 7783672 ### Content: We meet at 240 Fairmount Ave, just south of Montgomery Ave. You can find and listen to all our past sermons here: We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/donate ### Title: Donate ### Page ID: 7783673 ### Content: Your gift is a partnership in the Gospel ministry here in Jersey City.  To give a gift of any amount, please click on the MAKE A DONATION button below.   Grace Reformed Church is a 501(c)3 non-profit; your gift is tax-deductible. We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/organization-service ### Title: Organization Service ### Page ID: 7783675 ### Content: On September 30, 2023, Grace Reformed Church was organized as a member congregation in the United Reformed Churches of North America (URCNA). We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/westminster-catechism ### Title: Westminster Catechism ### Page ID: 7783676 ### Content: We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - 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[bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/import-media ### Title: import media ### Page ID: 7783677 ### Content: #### [Eph 6:18-20, Pray!](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=eph-618-20-pray) ###### Date: Jul 13, 2014 #### [Eph 6:10-18, Spiritual Warfare](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=eph-610-18-spiritual-warfare) ###### Date: Jul 06, 2014 #### [Eph 6:5-9, Workers and Employers in the Master's House](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=eph-65-9-workers-and-employers-in-the-masters-house) ###### Date: Jun 29, 2014 #### [Eph 6:1-4, Children and Parents in God's Household](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=eph-61-4-children-and-parents-in-gods-household) ###### Date: Jun 22, 2014 #### [Eph 5:22-33, The Meaning of Marriage](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=eph-522-33-the-meaning-of-marriage) ###### Date: May 25, 2014 #### [Eph 5:22-33, Husbands who die](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=eph-522-33-husbands-who-die) ###### Date: May 18, 2014 #### [Eph 5:22-33, Wives who submit, Husbands who die](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=eph-522-33-wives-who-submit-husbands-who-die) ###### Date: May 11, 2014 #### [Eph 5:15-21, Sobered by the Spirit's Wisdom](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=eph-515-21-sobered-by-the-spirits-wisdom) ###### Date: May 04, 2014 #### [Eph 5:8-14, Awakened by Christ's Light](/sermon-detail?mc-slug=eph-58-14-awakened-by-christs-light) ###### Date: Apr 27, 2014 We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/october-9-2018-conference ### Title: October 9 2018 Conference ### Page ID: 7783678 ### Content: Semper Reformanda Conference 2018 Classis Eastern U.S. (URCNA) Where:        [Hudson Valley United Reformed Church](http://hvurc.org/Hudson_Valley_United_Reformed_Church/Home.html)                     1043 County Rd 12, New Hampton, NY 10958 ([click here for map](https://goo.gl/maps/C2jrFF8RSsK2)) When:         Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 2:00-8:30pm Who:            All are welcomed. Conference is free! Speaker:     Rev. Tim Bayly has served Clearnote Church (Bloomington, IN) since 1996. His M.Div. is from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and he was ordained in 1983 by John Knox Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (USA). With his church (near Friesland, WI), Bayly transferred into the Presbyterian Church in America where he served until 2010. (He and his congregation are now in Clearnote Fellowship.) Bayly is the author of Daddy Tried (2016) and co-author of The Grace of Shame (2017) He writes and podcasts at Warhorn Media. Married to Mary Lee since 1976, the Baylys have five children and twenty-five grandchildren. The World We Made: From the garden to transgender bathrooms (2-3:15 pm) It’s cliché to say we live in a broken world. After a few centuries of relative peace and prosperity in the western world, modern culture is falling to pieces, and most everybody knows it. But why? What happened? What changed and why? Who is responsible? What We Lost: Fatherhood in a fallen world (3:40-5 pm) God is the Father from whom all Fatherhood gets its name. He has written his fatherhood into the world in such a way that we cannot escape it. The authority of God rests in our earthly fathers, be they dads in homes, bosses at work, leaders in government, or pastors in the church. How can every man, whatever his station in life, begin to embrace the fatherhood that God built into him and into the world? And what about women? Well, what about them? As our culture has abandoned the authority of God, men have abandoned the responsibility of working hard, serving the church, and loving their wives and children. The Bible has a word for this: effeminacy. And it calls it a sin. Effeminacy is evident absolutely everywhere in the world today. Everywhere. Even (and sometimes especially) in those who hold to a “biblical” view of sex and church-life. Where do we go from here? We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/hurricane-relief ### Title: Hurricane Relief ### Page ID: 7783679 ### Content: We encourage you to contribute directly to these Christian organizations that are helping with relief efforts because of recent hurricanes: [http://opcstm.org/category/disaster-response/hurricane-harvey/](http://opcstm.org/category/disaster-response/hurricane-harvey/) We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/basketball ### Title: Basketball ### Page ID: 7783680 ### Content: ## First Scrimmage ###### Sep 17, 2016 ###### Boys basketball team Welcome to the basketball program of Grace Reformed Church. We just completed an exciting Fall 2016 Season. Congratulations to all who participated! September 24: 2 Scrimmages against Hudson Evolution (2 losses, 0-2) October 15: 2 Tournament games @ Wayne PAL (2 losses, 0-4) November 5: 2 Scrimmages @ Koinonia Academy (2 wins, 2-4) November 12: 2 Scrimmages @ home (1 win, 1 loss. 3-5) November 19: Final meeting of the season: Invite one friend for an open gym time. We will watch the basketball documentary, "Benji." The Video could not be played. Please [download it here](https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMzU0NDkiLCJzZXJtb25faWQiOiI0MjI5OTk0IiwibWVkaWFfaWQiOiIxMzg0ODc5NSIsIm1lZGlhX2Zvcm1hdCI6IjEwNSJ9/https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/account-media-clover/store/297382e1-1435-43f0-8611-982b91764206/f4915ccd38/720p.mp4). We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") --- ## URL: https://www.jerseycitygrace.org/sermon-detail ### Title: Sermon Detail ### Page ID: 7783681 ### Content: ## The Holy Spirit: Who Proceeds from the Father and the Son ###### Date: Jan 18, 2026 ###### Category: Nicene Creed ###### Speaker: Rev. Sam Perez ###### Passages: [Acts 2:33](https://cloud.bible/KJV/acts/2/33) We are a congregation of the [United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)](https://www.urcna.org/).  - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [home](/ "home") - [about us](/different-kind-of-church "about us") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [nehemiah](/nehemiah "nehemiah") - [grace thoughts](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "grace thoughts") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [sermons on the psalms](/sermons-on-the-psalms "sermons on the psalms") - [sermons on the belgic confession](/sermons-on-the-belgic-confession "sermons on the belgic confession") - [sermons on 1 peter](/sermons-on-1-peter "sermons on 1 peter") - [forgotten truths](/forgotten-truths "forgotten truths") - [sermons on philippians](/sermons-on-philippians "sermons on philippians") - [sermons on titus](/sermons-on-titus "sermons on titus") - [sermons on job](/sermons-on-job "sermons on job") - [sermons](/sermons "sermons") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas") - [sermons on proverbs](/sermons-on-proverbs "sermons on proverbs") - [christmas through the canons](/christmas-through-the-canons "christmas through the canons") - [our community friends](/our-community-friends "our community friends") - [contact us](/contact-us "contact us") - [donate](/donate "donate") - [different kind of church](/different-kind-of-church "different kind of church") - [the church & leadership](/the-church-leadership "the church & leadership") - [what we believe](/what-we-believe "what we believe") - [ot israel, jesus, and the church](/ot-israel-jesus-and-the-church "ot israel, jesus, and the church") - [you shall not covet](/you-shall-not-covet "you shall not covet") - [ascension of jesus](/ascension-of-jesus "ascension of jesus") - [election and reprobation](/election-and-reprobation "election and reprobation") - [a reformation of pastoral care](/a-reformation-of-pastoral-care "a reformation of pastoral care") - [a reformation of worship](/a-reformation-of-worship "a reformation of worship") - [god and civil government](/god-and-civil-government "god and civil government") - [open letter to nj governor](/open-letter-to-nj-governor "open letter to nj governor") - [pray for church & nation](/pray-for-church-nation "pray for church & nation") - [sing to god!](/sing-to-god "sing to god!") - [love the psalms](/love-the-psalms "love the psalms") - [open letter](/open-letter "open letter") - [on halloween](/on-halloween "on halloween") - [future orientation](/future-orientation "future orientation") - [day of prayer](/day-of-prayer "day of prayer") - [worship christ the king](/worship-christ-the-king "worship christ the king") - [how to read the psalms](/how-to-read-the-psalms "how to read the psalms") - [saltiness of christianity](/saltiness-of-christianity "saltiness of christianity") - [to destroy works of devil](/to-destroy-works-of-devil "to destroy works of devil") - [marriage of jesus christ](/marriage-of-jesus-christ "marriage of jesus christ") - [cult of unity](/cult-of-unity "cult of unity") - [priorities in prayer](/priorities-in-prayer "priorities in prayer") - [bloody christianity](/bloody-christianity "bloody christianity") - [no docetic love](/no-docetic-love "no docetic love") - [special sermons](/special-sermons "special sermons") - [7 toxic ideas](/7-toxic-ideas "7 toxic ideas")