Greetings Redeemer Family!

I was talking with some friends last night about speed traps. We joked how it often seems that traffic cops get a kick out of finding the most obscure places to hide their car, a place that’s on the blind side of a hill, around a bend. They’ll turn off all lights and wait for the unsuspecting driver to miss a speed limit change and be caught by their radar guns. We lamented the disparity of Virginia laws, where you can’t even own a radar detector. Our griping pointed to an unspoken objection: what gives them the right to do this?

But many of us have the same attitude when it comes to any kind of judgment. When we read Old Testament passages of the Law, we get mental images of God as a harsh dictator determined to bring prosecution against the smallest infraction. We bristle against that kind of authority. At the same time, we see hear stories of suffering and injustice around the world. We see brokenness in our local community. We long for someone to step in and set things right. We need a judge that will rule with true equity and righteousness.

We begin our service this week reading from Psalm 96, which reminds us of the benevolent majesty of our God and King. He sovereignly directs the world in His perfect wisdom and goodness. Reality itself is founded upon His unchanging character. In all of His acts, He has promised to display His righteousness. Therefore, we can worship and rejoice.

Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.

Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”
The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it;

let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;

they will sing before the LORD, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in his truth.

Our first hymn this week is a celebration of the majestic reign of Christ our Lord.

Jesus, the Savior, reigns, the God of truth and love;
When He had purged our stains He took His seat above;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er earth and Heav’n,
The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv’n;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

He sits at God’s right hand till all His foes submit,
And bow to His command, and fall beneath His feet:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

We rejoice also that this same king welcomes sinners to come and be cleansed by His grace. This simple text is one of my favorite hymns, as it points to the perfect sufficiency of Jesus’ love for our every need.

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all.

Let not conscience make you linger,
Not of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him.

I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.

Our opening set of songs closes with a newer song of praise, which ends with a wonderful verse pointing to the promise of the new creation.

Eternity’s King is coming again
Through all of the earth will fade away
His truth will remain

Let us adore Him
Let us adore Him
Jesus Christ is the Lord
Come and behold Him
Bow down before Him
Jesus Christ is the Lord

In our confession of faith this week, we read from the Heidelberg Catechism about the second coming of Christ, when He will come to “judge the living and the dead.”

52. Q. What comfort is it to you that Christ will come to judge the living and the dead?

A. In all my sorrow and persecution,

I lift up my head and eagerly await the judge from heaven.

He is the very same person

who long ago submitted Himself to the judgment of God for my sake,

and so has removed the whole curse from me.

He will cast all His and my enemies into everlasting condemnation,

and He will take me and all His chosen ones to Himself

into heavenly joy and glory.

As we read and sing about the righteous judgment of God, we cannot help but be reminded of our accountability before Him. Growing up in a liturgical church, I love this simple prayer for purity, which we will use this week as our corporate prayer of confession:

Almighty God,

to You all hearts are open, all desires known,

and from You no secrets are hid.

Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts

by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit,

that we may more perfectly love You,

and more worthily magnify Your holy Name;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We close our service this week with a joyful reminder of the cleansing grace of Christ, which sets us free to delight in the commandments and justice of God. His perfect love casts out all fear. In Him, we have life in overflowing abundance.

Arise, my soul, arise,
shake off your guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice,
in my behalf appears;
Before the throne my Surety stands,
Before the throne my Surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

My God is reconciled;
His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child;
I can no longer fear
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.

Arise (arise), arise (arise), arise
Arise, my soul, arise.
Arise (arise), arise (arise), arise
Arise, my soul, arise.
Shake off your guilty fears and rise

Rejoicing in our righteous judge and king,

Tim Sharpe

Worship Director