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  CATO CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

July 21, 2013 Sermon - Our Spiritual Relationships

7/22/2013

 
This Sunday Pastor Ron encouraged and exhorted us to consider the words of the hymn we had just sung, "Take Time To Be Holy".  Ron has frequently recommended that we make sure we are not just singing some words in a casual, thoughtless way.  Larry referenced another hymn in the thoughts he was sharing with us, "How Deep The Father's Love For Us". 

It is amazing the depth of theological and practical instruction in the Christian faith that is contained in the hymns and songs we sing in church.  These songs beautifully and accurately summarize what we have been studying together the last few weeks: the importance and priority of God's word, fellowship with fellow believers and prayer in our lives.  I encourage you to slow down a little this week and meditate on the teaching contained in these songs.  

Take Time To Be Holy  
1. Take time to be holy, 
speak oft with thy Lord; 
abide in him always, 
and feed on his word. 
Make friends of God's children, 
help those who are weak, 
forgetting in nothing 
his blessing to seek. 


2. Take time to be holy, 
the world rushes on; 
spend much time in secret 
with Jesus alone. 
By looking to Jesus, 
like him thou shalt be; 
thy friends in thy conduct 
his likeness shall see. 
3. Take time to be holy, 
let him be thy guide, 
and run not before him, 
whatever betide. 
In joy or in sorrow, 
still follow the Lord, 
and, looking to Jesus, 
still trust in his word. 


4. Take time to be holy, 
be calm in thy soul, 
each thought and each motive 
beneath his control. 
Thus led by his spirit 
to fountains of love, 
thou soon shalt be fitted
for service above.
(George Coles Stebbins1846-1945)
How Deep The Father's Love For Us
1. How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss -
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.

2. Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life -
I know that it is finished.
3. I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart -
His wounds have paid my ransom.
(Sturart Townend)
This week consider:
  • Seeking God's help to find time in your schedule devoted to the pursuit of personal holiness. 
  • Meditating on the truths in these two songs; believe them, live and apply them! 
  • Next Sunday pay attention to the words we sing in worship.

If you have a favorite hymn, chorus or worship song please post a comment sharing the title and why it is your favorite.
Kathy
7/22/2013 09:16:02 am

OK, I'll be the first to post. My favorite hymn is "It Is Well With My Soul". I can tend to be a glass half-empty person. The writer of this hymn (Horatio Spafford) had lost his family to a storm at sea, and yet was still able to say to God, it is well with my soul. It reminds me that God is the keeper of my soul, and in Him I can have peace regardless of circumstance.

Verne Montana
8/3/2013 06:26:21 am

Yes this hymn, also one of my favorites, is about the peace that surpasses all understanding. Something I have benefited from since soon after being saved. In John 15 verse 16 Jesus says ....I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit..... I believe this peace that Christians display in times of tragedy and strife is a prime example of that fruit.

Jim
7/22/2013 09:31:36 am

My personal favorite is "Trust and Obey"When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Refrain

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

Refrain

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Refrain

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Refrain

Trust and Obey is a simple statement of my response to God's grace to me.

Sue Pierce
7/22/2013 11:08:49 pm

I was challenged by Larry's sermon this week. If God is guiding our pastor to preach in a certain place in scripture, it makes sense that we should be meditating on that part of scripture too. Never really thought about it that way.

Jim
7/23/2013 06:10:34 am

I really like Sue's comment. Sometimes in our desire to please God we get ourselves over-extended. A sermon on Sunday, a sunday school class on a different topic from the sermon, a mid-week bible study or small group study on another topic, and then our own study/reading or favorite radio ministry on still another topic. It's no wonder that many have described the church in America as "miles wide but only and inch deep". If you struggle for focus in the time you spend with God, a good place to start would be to consider making the scripture passages, worship lyrics and topics of our Sunday Services as your focus each week.


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