Home | What's New |
Mission Statement | Location|
Services | Calendar |
Lessons |
Committees | Activities |
Search | Links
Music, Search By: Hymnal / By Tune
/ Music Book |
Scott's Reference Library
Date: | Sunday, July 9, 2000 |
Time: | 10:00 AM |
Service: | Pentecost 4, Proper 9, B |
Liturgy: | Holy Communion, LBW Setting II |
Ezekiel 2:1-5
He said to me, "Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you." [2]
As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to
me.
[3] He said: "Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation
that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to
this very day. [4] The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to
them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says.' [5] And whether they listen or fail to
listen--for they are a rebellious house--they will know that a prophet has been among
them.
Ezekiel 2:1-5 (The prophet is directed what he is to do)
Lest Ezekiel should be lifted up with the abundance of the revelations, he is put in mind that still he is a son of man, a weak, mortal creature. As Christ usually called himself the Son of man, it was also an honourable distinction. Ezekiels posture showed reverence, but his standing up would be a posture of greater readiness and fitness for business. God will speak to us, when we stand ready to do what he commands us. As Ezekiel had not strength of his own, the Spirit entered into him. God is graciously pleased to work in us whatever he requires of us. The Holy Spirit sets us upon our feet, by inclining our wills to our duty. Thus, when the Lord calls upon the sinner to awake, and attend to the concerns of his soul, the Spirit of life and grace comes with the call. Ezekiel is sent with a message to the children of Israel. Many might treat his message with contempt, yet they should know by the event that a prophet had been sent to them. God will be glorified, and his word made honourable, whether it be a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death.
Psalm 123:1-4
A song of ascents.
I lift up my eyes to you,
to you whose throne is in heaven.
[2] As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
till he shows us his mercy.
[3] Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us,
for we have endured much contempt.
[4] We have endured much ridicule from the proud,
much contempt from the arrogant.
Psalm 123:1-4 (Confidence in God under contempt)
Our Lord Jesus has taught us to look unto God in prayer as our Father in heaven. In every prayer a good man lifts up his soul to God; especially when in trouble. We desire mercy from him; we hope he will show us mercy, and we will continue waiting on him till it come. The eyes of a servant are to his masters directing hand, expecting that he will appoint him his work. And also to his supplying hand. Servants look to their master or their mistress for their portion of meat in due season. And to God we must look for daily bread, for grace sufficient; from him we must receive it thankfully. Where can we look for help but to our Master? And, further, to his protecting hand. If the servant is wronged and injured in his work, who should right him, but his master? And to his correcting hand. Whither should sinners turn but to him that smote them? They humble themselves under Gods mighty hand. And lastly, to his rewarding hand. Hypocrites look to the worlds hand, thence they have their reward; but true Christians look to God as their Master and their Rewarder. Gods people find little mercy with men; but this is their comfort, that with the Lord there is mercy. Scorning and contempt have been, are, and are likely to be, the lot of Gods people in this world. It is hard to bear; but the servants of God should not complain if they are treated as his beloved Son was. Let us then, when ready to faint under trials, look unto Jesus, and by faith and prayer cast ourselves upon the mercy of God.
2 Cor. 12:2-10
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether
it was in the body or out of the body I do not know--God knows. [3] And I know that this
man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows-- [4] was
caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to
tell. [5] I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except
about my weaknesses. [6] Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because
I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is
warranted by what I do or say.
[7] To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations,
there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. [8] Three
times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. [9] But he said to me, "My
grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I
will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
[10] That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in
persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Cor. 12:1-6 (The apostles revelations)
There can be no doubt the apostle speaks of himself. Whether heavenly things were brought down to him, while his body was in a trance, as in the case of ancient prophets; or whether his soul was dislodged from the body for a time, and taken up into heaven, or whether he was taken up, body and soul together, he knew not. We are not capable, nor is it fit we should yet know, the particulars of that glorious place and state. He did not attempt to publish to the world what he had heard there, but he set forth the doctrine of Christ. On that foundation the church is built, and on that we must build our faith and hope. And while this teaches us to enlarge our expectations of the glory that shall be revealed, it should render us contented with the usual methods of learning the truth and will of God.
2 Cor. 12:7-10 (Which were improved to his spiritual advantage)
The apostle gives an account of the method God took to keep him humble, and to prevent his being lifted up above measure, on account of the visions and revelations he had. We are not told what this thorn in the flesh was, whether some great trouble, or some great temptation. But God often brings this good out of evil, that the reproaches of our enemies help to hide pride from us. If God loves us, he will keep us from being exalted above measure; and spiritual burdens are ordered to cure spiritual pride. This thorn in the flesh is said to be a messenger of Satan which he sent for evil; but God designed it, and overruled it for good. Prayer is a salve for every sore, a remedy for every malady; and when we are afflicted with thorns in the flesh, we should give ourselves to prayer. If an answer be not given to the first prayer, nor to the second, we are to continue praying. Troubles are sent to teach us to pray; and are continued, to teach us to continue instant in prayer. Though God accepts the prayer of faith, yet he does not always give what is asked for: as he sometimes grants in wrath, so he sometimes denies in love. When God does not take away our troubles and temptations, yet, if he gives grace enough for us, we have no reason to complain. Grace signifies the good-will of God towards us, and that is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort in all afflictions and distresses. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Thus his grace is manifested and magnified. When we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; when we feel that we are weak in ourselves, then we go to Christ, receive strength from him, and enjoy most the supplies of Divine strength and grace.
Mark 6:1-13
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. [2] When the
Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.
"Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that
has been given him, that he even does miracles! [3] Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this
Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with
us?" And they took offense at him.
[4] Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own
house is a prophet without honor." [5] He could not do any miracles there, except lay
his hands on a few sick people and heal them. [6] And he was amazed at their lack of
faith.
Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. [7] Calling the Twelve to him, he
sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.
[8] These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff--no
bread, no bag, no money in your belts. [9] Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. [10]
Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. [11] And if any place
will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a
testimony against them."
[12] They went out and preached that people should repent. [13] They drove out many demons
and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
Mark 6:1-6 (Christ despised in his own country)
Our Lords countrymen tried to prejudice the minds of people against him. Is not this the carpenter? Our Lord Jesus probably had worked in that business with his father. He thus put honour upon mechanics, and encouraged all persons who eat by the labour of their hands. It becomes the followers of Christ to content themselves with the satisfaction of doing good, although they are denied the praise of it. How much did these Nazarenes lose by obstinate prejudices against Jesus! May Divine grace deliver us from that unbelief, which renders Christ a savour of death, rather than of life to the soul. Let us, like our Master, go and teach cottages and peasants the way of salvation.
Mark 6:7-13 (The apostles sent forth)
Though the apostles were conscious to themselves of great weakness, and expected no wordly advantage, yet, in obedience to their Master, and in dependence upon his strength, they went out. They did not amuse people with curious matters, but told them they must repent of their sins, and turn to God. The servants of Christ may hope to turn many from darkness unto God, and to heal souls by the power of the Holy Ghost.
All lessons NIV, all commentaries from Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
kw: pentecost 4b, proper 9b
Other Notes: