COVENANTER

The Bible beautifully portrays God as the potter and us as His clay, emphasizing that He is our Creator and we are His creatures. He shaped us with purpose and formed us by His divine hands with intention—to worship, obey, and enjoy Him. Let us remember that our worth comes from being His handiwork, and our ultimate purpose is to live for and glorify Him.

It is astounding to consider how God has transformed the world for Christ—not through impressive oratory but through the simple preaching of ordinary men. Even mediocre sermons, delivered by weak and trembling preachers, can be made effectual by the power of the Holy Spirit. This reminds us that the transforming work in preaching comes not from the preacher’s skill but from God’s Spirit and His Word.

We all know what a fair-weather friend is—someone who stays close when life is easy but disappears when hardship comes. Unfortunately, some have experienced not just fair-weather friends but also fair-weather family—relatives who support and encourage them only until they choose to follow Christ. Yet, Scripture assures us that true friendship is not broken by adversity. The ultimate example of this is Jesus, the friend who never forsakes us, even in our darkest moments.

A deacon is a servant, called to oversee the church’s physical needs so that elders can focus on prayer and preaching (Acts 6). As diakonos means “to serve,” deacons follow the example of Jesus, the ultimate servant, by ministering wisely, with integrity, and full of the Holy Spirit. Their role requires wisdom and spiritual maturity, as they navigate church needs, manage resources, and care for the congregation in a way that honors Christ.

The Yorkshire town of Rotheram, though beautiful in appearance, had a history of deep spiritual darkness, as seen in the 18th century when George Whitefield faced fierce opposition while preaching there. Among his opponents was a gang called the “Hell-Fire Club,” whose member, Mr. Thorpe, once mocked Whitefield’s preaching—only to be struck by the power of the very Gospel he ridiculed. That night, Thorpe was radically converted, later becoming a faithful minister—a testimony to the unstoppable, life-transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

Richard Baxter (1615–1691), a Puritan pastor in Kidderminster, England, penned the hymn “Lord, It Belongs Not to My Care” 35 years after a severe illness that was expected to end his life. During his isolation, he meditated deeply on eternity, a habit he continued for the remaining 45 years of his life. This eternal perspective shaped not only his hymn but also his view of life, urging believers to resist temptation, steward their time wisely, and live with heaven in view.

Last week, Pastor Rob shared his excitement about how a new sanctuary would enhance both the reverence and joy of our worship, but is that the only reason to take on such a major endeavor? Beyond aesthetics, a larger sanctuary would allow our entire congregation to worship together, strengthening our unity and making it easier for our leaders to shepherd the flock. Additionally, it would provide space for growth, ensuring that more people can hear the Gospel, be discipled in the Reformed faith, and take part in Christ’s Kingdom-building mission for generations to come.

A sanctuary’s design, though not central to worship, is significant. A sanctuary can reflect both the joy and reverence of worship, as Psalm 96 describes, through thoughtful architecture—an elevated pulpit for the Word’s centrality, high ceilings to lift our gaze to God’s transcendence, and natural light to symbolize the radiance of the Gospel. While God cares most about the heart in worship, the setting in which we gather can enhance our ability to worship Him in spirit and truth. Join us in prayerfully considering whether the Lord is leading us to build a new sanctuary.

There’s something special about the protective love of an older brother, and we see it beautifully in Judah’s self-sacrificing plea for Benjamin in Genesis 44. Judah was willing to give up his own freedom out of love for his father Jacob and for his little brother. In the same way, Jesus—our true and greater Brother—willingly took our place, motivated by His love for the Father and for us, refusing to return home without securing our freedom.

Our walk with the Lord is not measured by the depth of our feelings but by the truth of who God is and what He has revealed in His Word. While there are times when God’s presence feels palpable and powerful, the Bible reminds us that God is near regardless of how we feel. Let us neither idolize mountain-top experiences nor dismiss them, but instead trust in the ordinary, steady work of the Spirit, praying for hearts that both worship faithfully and rejoice when God grants us glimpses of His glory.

Robert Robinson, born in 1735 in Swaffham, Norfolk, lost his father at a young age and fell into a life of sin during his apprenticeship in London. Despite a troubled youth spent in rebellion, he was converted after hearing George Whitefield preach, eventually becoming a pastor and the author of the well-loved hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” Yet questions linger about whether Robinson himself later strayed from the faith, a sobering reminder to guard our own spiritual walks diligently.

You may know the moving story behind the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul,” written by Horatio Spafford, a devout Presbyterian and successful Chicago lawyer of the mid-19th century. After losing his four young daughters in a tragic shipwreck, Spafford penned the hymn’s powerful words while crossing the very waters where they perished. The words of the hymn remind us that even in life’s darkest valleys, we can echo the Apostle Paul: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed… struck down, but not destroyed,” upheld by the hope of the resurrection in Christ.