Worship Preparation Guide for Sunday, July 15

It takes strength to live by faith.  It takes strength to finish the race of faith.  It takes strength to love each other as we should; to be as hospitable as we should; to have the compassion we should for those incarcerated and suffering; it takes strength to be faithful to our marriage vows and not love money and the things of this world.

It takes strength to worship as we should.

Where does that strength come from?  Is it a big Sunday morning breakfast of steak and eggs (or a more healthy breakfast of fruit and granola)? 

Our text this week is Hebrews 13: 8-14:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 

Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, 

for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, 

not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. 

We have an altar from which those who serve 

the tent have no right to eat. 

For the bodies of those animals whose blood is 

brought into the holy places 

by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are 

burned outside the camp. 

So Jesus also suffered outside the gate 

in order to sanctify the people 

through His own blood. 

Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp 

and bear the reproach He endured. 

For here we have no lasting city, 

but we seek the city that is to come. 

Verse 9 tells us “it is good to be strengthened by grace, not foods”.   A healthy diet and good nutrition are helpful, but they are not the place where we find spiritual strength.  Our world with its many diets, exercise programs and food fads will tell us differently.  We must be careful to not elevate helpful things to the place where they are our source of hope and spiritual strength.  They will prove to be unable to provide what we ultimately need.

In Christ we have a banquet of grace.  He is the altar where our sins are atoned for and He is the source of the spiritual nourishment we require.  His grace is the food we need, the grace of forgiveness, the grace of hope, the grace of His strength.  The only way to stay strong and run well is to come again and again hungry for His grace.  Because He is the same yesterday, and today and forever, there is always grace to be found and received.

This Sunday we will gather at the communion table and share in the Lord’s supper.    As you prepare for worship and communion with God, read and meditate upon our text for this week and another passage in Hebrews: Hebrews 10: 11-39. 

This Sunday we will sing a communion hymn entitled Jesus At Your Holy Table.  The lyrics are an excellent basis for our prayers asking God to prepare our hearts to meet with Him this Sunday:

Jesus at Your holy table may our hearts united be;

Bind us with Your grace and presence 

that redeem and set us free.

Crucify our pride and hatred; 

light the path on which we walk

Teach us how to love each other 

in the way that You have taught

Christ remind us of Your passion 


Of Your precious life outpoured,


Of the love which none can fathom
 

and our victory evermore;


Bread of heaven wine of promise, 


Feed us with Your holy Word,


Nourish us with Your strong presence
, 

Risen Savior only Lord.

Lift your hearts and raise your voices
, 

Celebrate this wondrous love
;

Join the chorus with all Christians
 

and with saints who live above
;

Silent lips now sing with gladness
, 

Blinded eyes are filled with sight
;

Jesus' love has pierced our darkness
, 

brought us home to peace and light.