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 23, 2000 |
| Time: | 10:00 AM |
| Service: | Pentecost 6, Proper 11, B |
| Liturgy: | Holy Communion, LBW Setting II |
Jeremiah 23:1-6
"Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my
pasture!" declares the Lord. [2] Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel,
says to the shepherds who tend my people: "Because you have scattered my flock and
driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for
the evil you have done," declares the Lord. [3] "I myself will gather the
remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them
back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. [4] I will
place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or
terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the Lord.
[5] "The days are coming," declares the Lord,
"when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
[6] In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The Lord Our Righteousness.
Jeremiah 23:1-8 (The restoration of the Jews to their own land)
Woe be to those who are set to feed God’s people, but take no concern to do them good! Here is a word of comfort to the neglected sheep. Though only a remnant of God’s flock is left, he will find them out, and they shall be brought to their former habitations. Christ is spoken of as a branch from David’s family. He is righteous himself, and through him all his people are made righteous. Christ shall break the usurped power of Satan. All the spiritual seed of believing Abraham and praying Jacob shall be protected, and shall be saved from the guilt and dominion of sin. In the days of Christ’s government in the soul, the soul dwells at ease. He is here spoken of as "the Lord our Righteousness." He is so our Righteousness as no creature could be. His obedience unto death is the justifying righteousness of believers, and their title to heavenly happiness. And their sanctification, as the source of all their personal obedience is the effect of their union with him, and of the supply of this Spirit. By this name every true believer shall call him, and call upon him. We have nothing to plead but this, Christ has died, yea, rather is risen again; and we have taken him for our Lord. This righteousness which he has wrought out to the satisfaction of law and justice, becomes ours; being a free gift given to us, through the Spirit of God, who puts it upon us, clothes us with it, enables us to lay hold upon it, and claim an interest in it. "The Lord our Righteousness" is a sweet name to a convinced sinner; to one that has felt the guilt of sin in his conscience; seen his need of that righteousness, and the worth of it. This great salvation is far more glorious than all former deliverances of his church. May our souls be gathered to Him, and be found in him.
Psalm 23:1-6
A psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
[2] He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
[3] he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
[4] Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
[5] You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
[6] Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 23:1-6 (Confidence in God’s grace and care)
"The Lord is my shepherd." In these words, the believer is taught to express his satisfaction in the care of the great Pastor of the universe, the Redeemer and Preserver of men. With joy he reflects that he has a shepherd, and that shepherd is Jehovah. A flock of sheep, gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant pastures, under the care of a skilful, watchful, and tender shepherd, forms an emblem of believers brought back to the Shepherd of their souls. The greatest abundance is but a dry pasture to a wicked man, who relishes in it only what pleases the senses; but to a godly man, who by faith tastes the goodness of God in all his enjoyments, though he has but little of the world, it is a green pasture. The Lord gives quiet and contentment in the mind, whatever the lot is. Are we blessed with the green pastures of the ordinances, let us not think it enough to pass through them, but let us abide in them. The consolations of the Holy Spirit are the still waters by which the saints are led; the streams which flow from the Fountain of living waters. Those only are led by the still waters of comfort, who walk in the paths of righteousness. The way of duty is the truly pleasant way. The work of righteousness in peace. In these paths we cannot walk, unless. God lead us into them, and lead us on in them. Discontent and distrust proceed from unbelief; an unsteady walk is the consequence: let us then simply trust our Shepherd’s care, and hearken to his voice. The valley of the shadow of death may denote the most severe and terrible affliction, or dark dispensation of providence, that the psalmist ever could come under. Between the part of the flock on earth and that which is gone to heaven, death lies like a dark valley that must be passed in going from one to the other. But even in this there are words which lessen the terror. It is but the shadow of death: the shadow of a serpent will not sting, nor the shadow of a sword kill. It is a valley, deep indeed, and dark, and miry; but valleys are often fruitful, and so is death itself fruitful of comforts to God’s people. It is a walk through it: they shall not be lost in this valley, but get safe to the mountain on the other side. Death is a king of terrors, but not to the sheep of Christ. When they come to die, God will rebuke the enemy; he will guide them with his rod, and sustain them with his staff. There is enough in the gospel to comfort the saints when dying, and underneath them are the everlasting arms. The Lord’s people feast at his table, upon the provisions of his love. Satan and wicked men are not able to destroy their comforts, while they are anointed with the Holy Spirit, and drink of the cup of salvation which is ever full. Past experience teaches believers to trust that the goodness and mercy of God will follow them all the days of their lives, and it is their desire and determination, to seek their happiness in the service of God here, and they hope to enjoy his love for ever in heaven. While here, the Lord can make any situation pleasant, by the anointing of his Spirit and the joys of his salvation. But those that would be satisfied with the blessings of his house, must keep close to the duties of it.
Ephes. 2:11-22
Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called
"uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that
done in the body by the hands of men)-- [12] remember that at that time you were separate
from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the
promise, without hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who
once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
[14] For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier,
the dividing wall of hostility, [15] by abolishing in his flesh the law with its
commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the
two, thus making peace, [16] and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through
the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. [17] He came and preached peace to
you who were far away and peace to those who were near. [18] For through him we both have
access to the Father by one Spirit.
[19] Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's
people and members of God's household, [20] built on the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. [21] In him the whole
building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. [22] And in him
you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephes. 2:11-13 (The Ephesians called to reflect on their state of heathenism)
Christ and his covenant are the foundation of all the Christian’s hopes. A sad and terrible description is here; but who is able to remove himself out of it? Would that this were not a true description of many baptized in the name of Christ. Who can, without trembling, reflect upon the misery of a person, separated for ever from the people of God, cut off from the body of Christ, fallen from the covenant of promise, having no hope, no Saviour, and without any God but a God of vengeance, to all eternity? To have no part in Christ! What true Christian can hear this without horror? Salvation is far from the wicked; but God is a help at hand to his people; and this is by the sufferings and death of Christ.
Ephes. 2:14-18 (And the privileges and blessings of the gospel)
Jesus Christ made peace by the sacrifice of himself; in every sense Christ was their Peace, the author, centre, and substance of their being at peace with God, and of their union with the Jewish believers in one church. Through the person, sacrifice, and mediation of Christ, sinners are allowed to draw near to God as a Father, and are brought with acceptance into his presence, with their worship and services, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, as one with the Father and the Son. Christ purchased leave for us to come to God; and the Spirit gives a heart to come, and strength to come, and then grace to serve God acceptably.
Ephes. 2:19-22 (And the privileges and blessings of the gospel)
»Book Intro
The church is compared to a city, and every converted sinner is free of it. It is also compared to a house, and every converted sinner is one of the family; a servant, and a child in God’s house. The church is also compared to a building, founded on the doctrine of Christ; delivered by the prophets of the Old Testament, and the apostles of the New. God dwells in all believers now; they become the temple of God through the working of the blessed Spirit. Let us then ask if our hopes are fixed on Christ, according to the doctrine of his word? Have we devoted ourselves as holy temples to God through him? Are we habitations of God by the Spirit, are we spiritually-minded, and do we bring forth the fruits of the Spirit? Let us take heed not to grieve the holy Comforter. Let us desire his gracious presence, and his influences upon our hearts. Let us seek to discharge the duties allotted to us, to the glory of God.
Mark 6:30-34
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. [31]
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to
eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some
rest."
[32] So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. [33] But many who saw
them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of
them. [34] When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because
they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
Mark 6:53-56
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. [54] As soon as
they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. [55] They ran throughout that whole
region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. [56] And wherever he
went--into villages, towns or countryside--they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They
begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were
healed.
Mark 6:30-44 (The apostles return, Five thousand fed by a miracle)
Let not ministers do any thing or teach any thing, but what they are willing should be told to their Lord. Christ notices the frights of some, and the toils of others of his disciples, and provides rest for those that are tired, and refuge for those that are terrified. The people sought the spiritual food of Christ’s word, and then he took care that they should not want bodily food. If Christ and his disciples put up with mean things, surely we may. And this miracle shows that Christ came into the world, not only to restore, but to preserve and nourish spiritual life; in him there is enough for all that come. None are sent empty away from Christ but those who come to him full of themselves. Though Christ had bread enough at command, he teaches us not to waste any of God’s bounties, remembering how many are in want. We may, some time, need the fragments that we now throw away.
Mark 6:45-56 (Christ walks on the sea, He heals those that touch him)
The church is often like a ship at sea, tossed with tempests, and not comforted: we may have Christ for us, yet wind and tide against us; but it is a comfort to Christ’s disciples in a storm, that their Master is in the heavenly mount, interceding for them. And no difficulties can hinder Christ’s appearance for his people, when the set time is come. He silenced their fears, by making himself known to them. Our fears are soon satisfied, if our mistakes are set right, especially our mistakes as to Christ. Let the disciples have their Master with them, and all is well. It is for want of rightly understanding Christ’s former works, that we view his present works as if there never were the like before. If Christ’s ministers now could cure people’s bodily diseases, what multitudes would flock after them! It is sad to think how much more most care about their bodies than about their souls.
All lessons NIV, all commentaries from Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
kw: pentecost 6b, proper 11b
Other Notes: