Jewels in the Rough

- CALL TO WORSHIP -

Let us rise and worship the Triune God.

ADORATION

Minister: Grace, mercy, and peace to you, from God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Congregation: And also to you.

SCRIPTURE

Acts 4:24–26 “And when they heard that, they lift up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.” Minister: Lift up your hearts! Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord!

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, you are the author of this world. Here on page 2026 AD, we are being written by your finger. If you wanted to get rid of us you wouldn't have to do anything. You'd simply have to stop doing what you have been doing in sustaining our very beings. This creation is like an infant—only standing up because you have held up her hands. Power is an attribute of you alone. No thing else besides you has any. We thank you for vesting that rule and authority to your Son, who you have written into this story. We come to you our Creator and our Lord, the foundation and end of our being. Almighty God, we worship you now through Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with You, and the Holy Spirit, One God, world without end, and Amen.

HYMN

Praise the Savior, Praise Him.............271 (vv.1-3)

- CONFESSION -

Please sit.

EXHORTATION (Samuel Davidson)

The prophet Isaiah came into close contact with the holiness of God when he had a vision of His glory in His temple. What impact did this vision have on him? It brought home to him a deeper realization of his own sinfulness and the sinfulness of his people. Knowledge of our holy God and knowledge of our sinful self go hand in hand. So, do not be shocked to find gunk in your heart. It is part of God's plan for you to come into a closer knowledge of the depravity of your own heart. It is uncomfortable and disheartening to be sure. And thank God, He reveals it to us bit by bit, lest we die of being overwhelmed. But do not resent being shown more of your sinfulness. The alternative is turning into stone.

Observe the first assignment that Isaiah gets from God after his commissioning—go and tell Israel, 'keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' He is explicitly told to make their ears heavy and to shut their eyes with their message. But that is the only alternative. If you do not worship God for fear of being further in touch with your sinfulness, you will be found worshipping deaf and blind idols. And those who worship them become like them. Hearing but not understanding; seeing but not perceiving. This reminds us of our need to confess our sins so let us prepare to do so as we sing..

PSALM

Be Gracious unto Me, O God..............................107

CONFESSION OF SIN

So, as you are able please kneel in confession before God

Exodus 20:2–3 “I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

Heavenly father, we confess that we have resented becoming more aware of our sinfulness. We confess that we have called it by other names like a mistake, a misunderstanding, a bad mood or some other fancy. We pray you give us eyes to see our sin for what it is and the courage to name it for what it is knowing that when we do so and ask for forgiveness, you forgive us always without a doubt because of Jesus’ blood.

You have called Your church to truth in the inward parts, so we confess our individual sins to you now, Selah.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Please rise for the assurance of pardon! Romans 10:11–13 “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Christian, you may boldly sweep away all the shame that wells up from within you, for..

Minister: Your sins are forgiven through Christ. Congregation: Thanks be to God!

CONFESSION OF FAITH

Having confessed our sins, let us now confess our common faith in the words of the apostles’ creed, saying, Minister: Christian, what do you believe? Congregation: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the virgin, Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hades. On the third day He rose again from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Responsive Reading

Minister: Bow down You ear, O Lord, hear me: Congregation: For I am poor and needy. Minister: Be merciful to me, O Lord: Congregation: For I cry to You daily. Minister: Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; Congregation: And attend to the voice of my supplications. Minister: In the day of my trouble I will call upon You. Congregation: For you will answer me. Minister: Among the gods there is none like unto You, O Lord; Congregation: Neither are there any works like Yours. Minister: For You are great, and do wonderful things: Congregation: You are God alone. Amen.

HYMN

Praise the Savior, Praise Him..................271 (vv.4-6)

- CONSECRATION -

SCRIPTURE READING

(Tom Miller)

Joshua 24:14–25 AV 1873

Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods; for the Lord our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed: and the Lord drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the Lord; for he is our God. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the Lord: for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel. And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey. So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.

1 Corinthians 8:1–6 “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” Reader: The Word of the Lord. Congregation: Thanks be to God!

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

(Tom Miller) Opening: Matthew 6:9-10 Thanksgiving: Ephesians 2:7-9 Petitions: Mark 9:23-24

HYMN

Please stand. Blest Is the Man Who Does Not Walk....................2

SERMON

Introduction

When the Israelites had come out of Egypt and were wandering in the wilderness, the news of God’s deliverance to them had reached the surrounding nations and they were melting away in fear on account of them. Balak was shocked to see how great a multitude Israel was. He had heard what they had done to the Amorites and he was afraid. When Rahab met the two spies from Israel, she told them that they had heard of what God had done in drying up the Red Sea. So from the outside, the camp of Israel was a remarkable glory to behold. It was like an army marching with banners. But on the inside? Israel was full of rebellious, stubborn hearts, exhausted, haggard, complaining and grumbling. And that temptation to lose heart is present with the church even to this day. That happens when we lose sight of what God is doing from the birds eye view. When we don’t see the cosmic picture, we can be tempted to despair because our trials appear to grow to cosmic proportions in our minds. The Church can forget what a great privilege she has in having the covenant presence of the almighty God with her. And when that happens, she loses her peace. But things ought not to be this way! Like Elisha’s servant, we need to see the many chariots of fire around us and the great glory that the Lord is in the process of bringing us. Our text today invites us to look at the riches and splendor that is our in Christ from the macroview. God wants you to see today how the church looks like in her weakness and her struggles from the point of view of the angels in heaven. So consider with me a summary of this text.

Unsearchable Riches

Our text (Ephesians 3:8-13) begins in that parenthetical note that stretches from v2 to v13 in which he is talking about his ministry. In the preceding verses he told them about how he is in prison for their sake, that is, for the Gentiles’ sake. He had been appointed by God to this office. The age old mystery had been revealed to him that the Gentiles were to be fellow heirs with the Jews in the Gospel, which he had been preaching. Now in v8, he recounts how we was the least of the saints, on account of being a persecutor of the church as he often recounts in the book of Acts. But despite not deserving any merit from God, he was given this gift—to preach to the Gentiles, the unsearchable riches of Christ. So, this is a gift, an immense blessing—to distribute among the Gentiles the inexhaustible riches of Jesus. It had brought about his imprisonment and many trials on him. Yet it was a gift all the same. Therefore, he says in v13, do not lose heart. Do not lose heart, O Ephesians, because all my trials for the Gentiles are a gift of grace from God. His eyes are set towards a God-ward perspective and in verses 9-12, he raises our eyes heavenward as well.

In v9 he elaborates on his preaching of these immense riches from Christ. He says that he has been set aside to enlighten the minds of everyone into what exactly is the fellowship of this mystery. This, again, is about the ingrafting of the Gentiles into the covenant tree of Israel. This fellowship or communication of the mystery was hidden in the very being of God Himself before He created all things through Christ Jesus. And now, in Him, this mystery has been revealed.

When Angels Learn Theology

In verse 10, he gives a purpose for which God set forth this mystery. And the purpose almost seems like a non-sequitur. It was to manifest the multi-faceted wisdom of God to the angels in heavenly places. The signification of angels here is not to the fallen angels, as if God was trying to prove to them anything about his plan for salvation. But the text declares that God was teaching something to the godly angels through the revelation of this mystery. The idea of the multi-faceted wisdom of God evokes the image of a the refraction of light in a diamond. God’s Wisdom, more precious than jewels, sparkles remarkably from different angles. And where is this jewel studded? In the church. God has placed this wisdom crown on His bride. As the Gospel is preached out to the Gentiles, God’s wisdom, Christ Jesus Himself, takes up residence in various corners of the world, so that various parts of the globe shine differently when the Gospel transforms their nations. As the earth spins and the sun reveals the glory of the earth with each turning, so the jewel of God which rests on His church sparkles in different nations each Lord’s Day.

In the words of the hymn, “The Day Thou Gavest” We thank you that your Church, unsleeping while earth rolls onward into light, through all the world her watch is keeping and never rests by day or night.

As over continent and island each dawn leads to another day, the voice of prayer is never silent, nor do the praises die away.

So be it, Lord! Your throne shall never, like earth’s proud empires, pass away; your kingdom stands and grows forever until there dawns your glorious day.

Each evening, as some saints conclude their worship in one part of the world, another group of saints is rising in worship of God and showing forth God’s glory. And who sits witnessing all of these things? The angels of God! The Church of God, in her multifaceted display of God’s wisdom, unceasingly engages the angels of God in a theology lesson. The Scriptures are abundantly clear that everything from the Incarnation on was something that the angels rejoiced in with great and marvelous awe. That God should yoke Himself with man in Christ, in the hypostatic union was unthinkable.

We see the remarkable awe of the angels, in their singing in the Christmas narratives. They are intently observing all that is happening in the world, especially in the church. The apostle Peter tells us that the angels desired to look deeply into the Gospel, how by suffering, death and resurrection, the Son of God would vouchsafe for Himself fellow brothers, sons of God (1 Peter 1:12). The apostle Paul, in 1 Tim 3:16, speaks about the mystery of godliness: That God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. In 1 Cor 4:9, the apostle speaks for all who bore that office saying that they have been make a spectacle before men and angels. That the sufferings that they were enduring were a cause for great wisdom and maturity in the angels. Like Job’s friends, who learnt wisdom from God in his suffering, the angels gain wisdom from God in the trials of the church. The Church is the school of Christ for all her children and also for all the angels of God. Not only are angels watching us, they are with us right now.

Scripture is clear that angels are present with the saints in worship. Psalm 138:1-2 says, “I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You. I will worship toward Your holy temple.” Christ tells us that angels rejoice in heaven when even one sinner repents on earth (Luke 15:10). Hebrews 12:22 says that we, in the New Covenant, have come to mount Zion, to a company of innumerable angels. So, as we worship the Lord on the Lord’s Day, we come to God in the heavenlies. Which means that in all that takes place in the church service, we must hear the shuffling of angel’s feet. The angels are here. Why are they here? God is teaching them something about His manifold wisdom.

Who Shall Ascend the Hill of the Lord?

All of this was in accordance with the eternal plan of God, the one which was accomplished in Christ Jesus (v11), and now applied by the Spirit. Verse 12 talks about our bold access with confidence that we have before the face of God. This is something the angels do not have and perhaps is one of the reasons of their marvelling at our salvation. They hide their faces and their feet with wings and dare not look at God directly but we get to behold God in the face of Jesus Christ. God was looked at. God was held in the arms of his mother at one point. He looked little children in the eye and placed his own hand on them.

Why would God do this? It is a mystery. So, in answer to the Old Testament question: who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? At the end of the book of Exodus, God brings His covenant presence among His people but Moses is unable to enter the Tabernacle, so God sets up an elaborate system of holiness through which they are able to enter into God’s presence. That enough should have been scandal for the angels. But He went further and Tabernacled among us in the body of His flesh. And further, He universalized it by giving His Spirit to all flesh. Ephesians 2:18 echoes what 3:12 says, “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” So the Father ordained our salvation, the son accomplished it and the Spirit applies it to us, giving us boldness that the angels cannot think of having. Boldness in approaching God with all our requests, in all our desires and speaking to Him as to a friend. Therefore, the apostle says, do not lose heart on account of the trials that have come on me for they are your glory. These trials make you shine. And the angels are watching it all play out.

Do Not Lose Heart

So, when the angels look down upon the plan of God manifesting in the Incarnation of our Lord and the blessing of all nations in Him, what do they see? Saints shining bright, glorious, manifesting the character and nature of their Father in heaven. Getting married and bearing immortal souls who will worship God forever. Creating everlasting effects by their finite hands, having been raised up to the stature of God’s sons, sitting even to judge the angels one day. The angels of God, stars as they are in the heavens, jewelled up in the firmament of the sky—when they look down on earth, what do they see? They see an orb spinning, reflecting dazzling glory. They see God’s fiery presence among them, no longer in a pillar of smoke, but in the far grander vision of renewed earth. They see a glorified Eden. They see God descending down to be in our very hearts, in such a manner as has never been seen before. They see saints meeting face to face with God, confessing their sin, calling Him Father, approaching Him with boldness not even the bravest of them could muster. They see an earth blazing with the shekinah glory of God.

And what do we see? Wars and rumours of wars. Death, decay, assassinations, in-fighting, bickering, adultery, theft, murder, greed and envy. Within the church we see fights and complainings, trials, hardships, long-nights and early-mornings, betrayals, heartbreak, sorrow, exile, lynchings, beheadings. It is much like the Israelites in the wilderness. From within the camp it was not easy to see the glory that God was working out. It took faith to see that. The Song of Moses is a witness to that faith (Exodus 16). So, when we look into the heavens, we see the angels as jewels in the sky. Likewise, when they look down at us, they see us as jewels in the dirt, jewels in the rough. God is in the process of mining us and refining us. That is what He has been doing through the centuries. As we get refined, we keep shining brighter and brighter, revealing different aspects of God’s wisdom to the angels.

So, do not lose heart in your trials, especially when they happen because you were trying to honour God in whatever you were doing. The apostle Paul struggled much on account of fulfilling the will of God. Obedience brings challenges. Be ready for them. They refine you. Church, expect your shepherds to fight and get in trouble. Wives, expect your husbands to get into trouble. They were made for war. Husbands, be glad when you are tired and haggard in obedience to God. When you need to lay your life down for your family, you are being turned into a jewel for God, a masterpiece meant to teach the angels more about Him. Young men, take risks. Read the Bible and go straight to obedience. That will get you into trouble. Run towards the trouble and not away from it. Sons, get ready for battle. They will be your glory. You made to be fighters. Daughters, do not lose heart at the evil and the trouble in this world. When things do not go your way, know that God is producing glory for you to inherit. Eagerly wait to see the end of the matter—how God is trying to make his church shine forth in His wisdom. When someone gets martyred for the faith, think, “There shines another aspect of the wisdom of God.”

We have boldness and access with confidence before the very face of God. We have an approach to the Most High that makes the highest angels marvel. In the witness of the Gospel, men and angels are experiencing the glory of God in a remarkable way. So, this week, as you get your hands dirty in the earthy work of building God’s kingdom, know that the sun casting varying shadows on you is making you dazzle before the face of God in His holy counsel. When you’re in pain next time or strain next time, bring to mind the promises of God concerning glory. Get into the habit of singing in sorrow. Don’t fight for your joy, fight with your joy. Do not lose heart on account of your trials. Ask God for the faith to see how He is glorifying His people through your particular trial.

PRAYER

Ending with The Lord’s Prayer…

OFFERTORY

Please stand. Cast Thy Bread.......................................................715 Father, you have buried glory in this earth and we are in the process of finding it out and using it to build your kingdom. All that we have is yours. Accept these offerings for we offer them up to you in the name of your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

- COMMUNION -

Please sit.

MEDITATION

A good riddle is one which once explained still makes you marvel at its simplicity and which unfolds its wisdom with time. The good news of how God was to be made right with man and how man was to be made right with man is the greatest riddle of history. It was revealed simply in the form of a baby but unfurled its meaning as he grew up and shocked the world with his words and with his deeds. He spoke in parables and riddles. And his death confounded both his followers and the very earth under him shook. But His resurrection explained to the angels and to his men this great mystery. And yet there is much to marvel at in the resolution of this riddle. In its unfolding he gave us another mystery, this table. The mystery of salvation is this—that Jew and Gentile are fellow heirs of this table, this mystery. This is what the angels marvel at. That you and I partake together of one loaf and one cup. Who would have thought this up? Blessed are the eyes that see what you see and the ears that hear what you hear. So, come and welcome to Jesus Christ.

THE BREAD

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he broke it:

Lord, Our Lord, in All the Earth...........................16 And when Jesus had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

THE WINE

On Christ the Solid Rock.....................................410

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

- COMMISSION -

Please stand.

CLOSING DOXOLOGY

The congregation may raise hands. Gloria Patri...........................................................735

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

So the charge is this—As you go about your ordinary life—cooking dinner, working your job, gardening, spanking your children, doing your homework, cleaning your room—remember that not only God is watching but so are all the angels. They are taking notes. As you’re working, take time to think how might this act reflect to the highest intelligences in all of creation, the wisdom of God. And it is usually going to be found where dirt meets God’s glory and shines like a jewel. And now with glad and believing hearts receive the benediction of your God.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. Amen.