Lord’s Day 6: Tradition and Mediation: Q&A 16-19

A huge theme in Scripture, especially in the Old Testament, is calling back to the history of God’s people. Over and over again through the Prophets and Wisdom books we hear of God’s faithfulness to his people over and over again despite their shortcomings. It’s one of the central points of the book of Judges! One of the most famous chunks of the New Testament is in Hebrews 11 where we get an all-time great rundown of the heroes of the faith, drawing us to Jesus ultimately at the top of chapter 12:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3, NIV

How often do we intentionally use this ancient calling on tradition in our worship? Oftentimes a preacher will wrap up a sermon with an example of a great person of faith and how their life can point us to Christ, but outside of direct quotations from Scripture, I believe there is an opportunity for us to call upon the history of our faith as we come together in worship. Lord’s Day 6, specifically Q&A 19, gives us a great opportunity for this, and I thought it would be a great Greeting or even a Call to Worship.

LORD’S DAY 6

Q&A 16-18

CALL TO CONFESSION

God’s holy and righteous judgment demands that as fallen and sinful humans, we must pay for our sins. We are so steeped in our sin and fallen nature, though, that we cannot begin to pay for that sin ourselves, and we cannot pay it for others either.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Only God can fulfill the massive debt that our sins have caused. Only one who is truly God and truly human can bear the full weight of the wrath that is deserved from our sins. Our Lord Jesus Christ was given to us to completely deliver us from our sins and our sinful nature and to make us right in the eyes of God.

Thanks be to God.

Q&A 19

GOD’S GREETING

The Lord–the God who began to reveal the Good News of the Gospel at the beginning of humanity, who proclaimed that same Gospel through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who spoke through the prophets, who even revealed the good news of salvation through the Law of Moses, who in the fullness of time sent his only Son, Jesus our Savior to fulfill the gospel–This is the God who welcomes you into this space and time of worship. Grace, Mercy, and Peace be yours from our God: Father, Son, and Spirit.