May 2, 2010

Morning Meeting

• Hymn 215 - O solemn hour! Oh hour alone
• Scripture: I Kings 18:38 & 39 : Sometimes it takes an Old Testament type to bring out  a thought that a New Testament scripture does not. Here is the account of Elijah on Mount Carmel. I can’t think of another passage that more descriptively portrays the completeness and intensity of what happened at Calvary. There were the people of Israel, indifferent, halting between two opinions. Twelve stones had been laid down (one for each of the tribes). The sacrifice was prepared. Then water was poured on. What a picture of Calvary when the fire of God fell, not on those who deserved it, but on the Lord. All was consumed: the burnt offering speaks of Christ offering Himself for the glory of God. The wood speaks of His humanity. The stones represent the nation of Isreal. The dust speaks of man; the water, of His spirit (Ecclesiastes 12:7).  All of it was dealt with when the Lord was crucified.
• Hymn 213 - On Calvary we’ve adoring stood
• Prayer
• Hymn 137 -  Oh Christ what burdens bowed thy head
• Breaking of Bread
• Hymn 236 Book 2 - To Calvary, Lord, in Spirit now

• Prayer

  Children’s Meeting: Norman Burgess

Prayer

Back in my business days, I used to do a lot of flow-charting; this was a way to map or chart procedures. Let me give you an example:

First we’re sleeping, then our alarm goes off. This brings us to a decision, which is shown by the diamond shape. Do we press the snooze button or not? If we say yes, then we go back to sleep for nine minutes; then the alarm rings again, and we have to make another decision. If we say no, then we wash up, get dressed, and then we have another decision. Do we have time for breakfast?  

In our story in Genesis 24, Rebekah had to make a decision.Genesis 24:58.Rebekah says that, yes, she will go. Vv.59-61. Here we have some of the flowchart steps.

Well, Rebekah said yes, but she also put her words into actions. She arose and started to pack. Her parents wanted her to stay for at least ten days, but Rebekah wants to go. She has the bracelets, the earring and clothes from this man, and she is in love and wants to go.

Next, they rode on the camels. When we saw the camels back at the well, they were the servants, or the Hold Spirit’s helpers. Here they are still helping, but this time helping the new Christians along the pathway.

Then they followed the man. You could easily get lost in the desert, so they followed Abraham’s servant. We are to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, they went his way. Maybe they didn’t always want to go the way that the servant lead them, but they had to follow or they would get lost. Our will will not always be the Lord’s will, but we must follow Him if we are to be blessed. And how blessed we will be when, at the end of our path down here, we will be able to set our eyes on our precious bridegroom, as Rebekah could.

Reading Meeting: Nehemiah 12: 27 - 40

After the Jews made the covenant and sought to get right with God, they held a dedication, which is what we are seeing in this chapter. We saw last week how they accounted for all the porters, watches, and singers. Now, v. 27, they begin the dedication ceremony. This was done by the princes of Judah. We can see that they wanted to do this in a way that would please God; this is signified by the fact that they purified themselves. Also, they were doing it with joy; when things are put right and done in God’s way, we can act in joy.

This dedication seems to involve a parade. Nehemiah divided the rulers into two companies on the top of the wall. Why were they not in unison? Well, they all started at the dung gate and went to the house of God, each party taking a different side of the wall. This is very similar to our earthly pilgrimage; we’re not always together, but we are all heading to Heaven. As they went along, they were rejoicing, so that they could be heard far away. And well might they rejoice: this wall was an important part of the place where the Lord had set His name. When they came to Jerusalem, the walls were broken down, but they had built them up; now, they could march on their heights as they go to the house of God; similarly, we should have a strong relationship with God so that we can be close to Him as we march towards Heaven. Read Psalm 84:1 - 3; these are the kinds of feelings that the Jews probably had as they were marching toward the house of God.

V. 40: Now they came to the house of God; they were using many instuments to praise Him. Should we use instruments today in our worship of God? Colossians 3:16 says we should be “singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord.”

Hymn 364 - Little children, praise the Saviour

Prayer