Grace and Mercy 08.01.2022

Introduction

Hello everyone! My name is David Finklea with Columbia International University. It is a pleasure to share together in the hearing of God’s Word. I personally enjoy these times of fellowship, because it provides us the opportunity to consider the Word of God in its original context. This attention to the biblical narrative will give us the ability to build the necessary principles and applications for our own lives.

Tonight, we will open by praying the psalms as practiced by the earliest Christians. Tonight’s psalms will come from chapter Psalm 127 and Psalm 128. These two psalms are often referred to as Psalms/ Songs of Ascents or Psalms/ Songs of Degrees. These psalms or songs were believed to be sung and prayed by pilgrims who would journey to Jerusalem for major feasts and festivals. It would have also have been used by those who are returning back to Jerusalem from exile.

Psalm 127

is a didactic psalm

focuses on two major points: 1) trusting in God’s strength and protection, 2) family

Psalm 128

speaks on the reward of reverencing God with one’s life

Our Old Testament passage comes from the Book of Isaiah 61-66. The remaining chapters of Isaiah are greatly concerned with the restoration of the nation of Israel, and ultimately, the world’s salvation.

Isaiah 61 contains a very familiar passage that indicates a sort of universal jubilee that will brought by the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.

The remaining chapters encourage the nation of Israel that God has a plan that will ultimately restore them and usher in a time of glorious redemption for the entire world.

Shows God’s determined will to save the entire world.

So as we participate in the sacred moment of fellowship, let’s begin by praying Psalm 127. Afterwards, we will listen to Isaiah 61-66.

Pause for reflection.

For our New Testament reading, we will be covering Acts 11-13.

The Book of Acts was written by Luke who was a physician and -companion of the apostle Paul.

The Book of Acts contains the story of the early church, and it highlights how Jesus’s disciples would spread the gospel throughout the entire world.

Acts 11-12:25 shows how Isaiah’s words are fulfilled. Peter begins defending his ministry to the Gentiles

Acts 13 demonstrates the tenacity of the Apostle Paul as he takes the ministry to the nations.