STARTING NOVEMBER 1, 2020 AND BEYOND
ADULT BIBLE STUDY -click on picture to view and/or download
ADULT BIBLE STUDY -click on picture to view and/or download
STARTING ON AUGUST 30, 2020 AND BEYOND
ADULT BIBLE STUDY -click on picture to view and/or download
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AUGUST 23, 2020
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
COURAGE IN A TIME OF CRISIS
STUDY GENERAL TOPICS Courage in a Time of Crisis REV. DR. ADAM C. KOONTZ Fear and worry come easily. Courage is harder to find. How do we persevere in faith and flourish in Christ especially when so many certainties turn into uncertainties? Read and pray the Scripture passages below to find Paul’s words come true that “through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). COURAGE UNDER TRIAL 1. In a letter filled with suffering, Paul also wrote to the Corinthians about courage. What is the future Paul sees in 2 Corinthians 5:6–10? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 2. How can Paul “always” be of good courage (cf. Rom. 8:23–27)? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 3. If Paul were walking “by sight,” what are some things that could understandably discourage him (cf. 2 Cor. 2:1–4, 7:5–7, 11:16–33)? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 2 4. Look carefully at your life. What are the things present, past or future that could discourage you if you walked “by sight”? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 5. What does Paul mean by “home with the Lord”? How does that give you courage? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ COURAGE FOR BOLDNESS 1. Can you be a Christian with no problems? Courage is necessary because problems always stand in our way. Read the story of Jehoiada’s courage in 2 Chronicles 23. What would have happened if fear had won out in Jehoiada’s heart? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 2. What sustained Ezra when so many obstacles were laid in his way? Read Ezra 7:11–28. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 3. What did Joseph of Arimathea stand to lose when he “took courage” and asked to bury Jesus’ body? Read Mark 15:42–47. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 4. What is our attitude when reasons to be courageous and bold are hard to find? Read Psalm 27:14 and Psalm 31:24. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 3 5. What do God’s people do when all hope seems lost? Consider how the apostles reacted when their lives were threatened in Acts 23:11 and Acts 28:15. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 6. How was Daniel strengthened when the government and so much earthly power was set against him and his God? Read Daniel 10. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ COURAGE TO CONFESS CHRIST 1. What purpose does Paul see in his suffering and death? How can he have “full courage” even then? Read Philippians 1:19–26. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Paul sees his continued life or his imminent death as good things. Why does he speak about suffering as something “granted” to the Philippians in 1:29–30? What is the “conflict” they share with Paul? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Compare Joshua’s preaching in Joshua 10:25 with Paul’s encouragement to the Philippians in Phil. 2:1–11. How does our hope in God’s coming salvation encourage us today? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 4. On what did Paul set his heart while in prison and near death? Read Philippians 3:8–10. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 4 5. On what can you set your heart so that you have full courage and a cheerful heart every day? Read Philippians 4:4–7. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ PRAYER FOR COURAGE O God, the Author of peace and Lover of concord, in knowledge of Whom is our eternal life, Whose service is perfect freedom: Defend us, Your humble servants, against all the assaults of our enemies, that we, surely trusting in Your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
AUGUST 16, 2020
AUGUST 9, 2020
HYMNS THAT MENTION PRAYER AND HYMNS THAT ARE PRAYERS
Even a casual visit to a bookstore will impress a viewer with the many “how-to” or self-improvement books that are available today. How to be happy, be healthy, be successful, be a good parent…and the list goes on.
But what about the “how-to’s” for an effective spiritual life? Are there daily practices that Christians should pursue?
First and foremost, there needs to be an appreciative awareness of God’s amazing grace in Jesus Christ in our lives: grace that adopted us as sinners and made us members of the heavenly kingdom; grace that sustains and directs our daily steps; and the grace that will ultimately usher us to our eternal home.
A believer’s daily experience is to be one of--
Beyond the one basic resource book, The Bible, which gives us spiritual well-being, is another:
the church hymnal. Regular study of The Bible, God’s infallible rule of faith and practice, is an absolute essential for Christian living. Nothing ever replaces our daily need for His trustworthy Word. Through the ages, however, devout believers from every Christian community have responded to God and His inspired revelation with their own expressions. The church hymnal, a most important heritage of the Christian church, is one of the finest collections of man’s thoughts and emotions about God. When these choice responses are further enhanced with appropriate melodies, harmonies, and rhythms, there exists a reservoir of unusual spiritual strength and encouragement.
One poem (author unknown) puts it this way regarding the hymnody of the church--
Hymns breathe the praise of the saints,
The vision of the prophets,
The prayers of the penitent and the spirit of the martyrs.
They bring solace to the sad, assurance to the perplexed,
Faith to the doubter and comfort to the oppressed.
They span the centuries of history and bridge the barriers of denominations.
Study them to be pure in heart;
Sing them to be joyful in spirit,
Store them in the mind to possess a treasury of worship.
With the above in mind, we consider some (three) of the many hymns that mention prayer, and just a small sampling of the hymns (three) that can/could be used as prayers. A brief history of the hymn (at least the lyrics/words) will be given and then we will sing it.
SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER This hymn talks about setting aside a “sweet hour” of prayer each day of our lives. This hymn is believed to have been written in 1842 by William Walford, an obscure and blind lay preacher who was the owner of a small trinket shop in the little village of Coleshill, England.
The first two stanzas remind us of the blessings of prayer—relief for our troubled lives and the assurance of a God who is concerned about our every need. The final stanza anticipates the day when we will no longer need to pray, for we’ll be at home in heaven with our Lord.
There is an interesting reference in stanza three to Mount Pisgah—the place where God instructed Moses in Deuteronomy 3:27 to go and merely view the promised land since, because of disobedience, he would never be entering it.
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, that calls me from a world of careAnd bids me at my Father’s throne, make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare, by thy return, sweet hour of prayer.
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness, engage the waiting soul to bless;
And since He bids me seek His face, believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my ev’ry care, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, may I thy consolation share,
Till from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height, I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise, to see the everlasting prize,
And shout, while passing through the air, “Farewell, Farewell, sweet hour of prayer.”
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS Joseph Scriven (1819-1896) had a pleasant life in his native Ireland. His family was wealthy, all were highly educated and devoted to one another. Then unexpected tragedy entered. On the night before Scriven’s schedule wedding, his fiancée accidentally drowned. In his deep sorrow, Joseph realized that he could find the solace and support he needed only in His dearest friend, Jesus Christ.
Soon after this tragedy, Scriven dramatically changed his lifestyle. He left Ireland for Port Hope, Canada, determined to devote all of his extra time in being a friend and helper to others. He often gave away clothing and possessions to those in need, and he worked—without pay—for anyone who needed him. Scriven became known as “the Good Samaritan of Port Hope.”
When Scriven’s mother became ill in Ireland, he wrote a comforting letter to her, enclosing the words of his newly written poem with the prayer that these brief lines would remind her of the never-failing Heavenly Friend.
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness—take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee—thou wilt find a solace there.
COME, YE DISCONSOLATE This hymn is one of comfort and consolation. Originally entitled, “Relief in Prayer,” the author of this hymn, Thomas Moore, was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1779 and attended law school at Trinity College in that city. He was admitted to the practice of law and later held a government position in Bermuda. He married Bessie Dyke and they had two sons. One son died as a surgeon in the English army, and the other died when he was serving in the French Foreign Legion. Needless to say, Moore was downcast and grief-stricken. He died in 1852. He wrote Come, Ye Disconsolate in 1816. It appeared in his work entitled Sacred Songs.
Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish; Come to the Mercy seat, fervently kneel.
Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish; Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.
Joy of the desolate, Light of the straying, Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure;
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying,--Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot cure.
Here see the Bread of Life; see waters flowing, forth from the throne of God, pure from above.
Come to the feast of love; come, ever knowing, Earth has no sorrow but heaven can remove.
SUN OF MY SOUL, O SAVIOR DEAR
This hymn could be used as a prayer. It was written by John Keble in 1820. He was born in 1792 at Fairford in Gloucestershire, England. At the age of 15, he was awarded a scholarship to attend Corpus Christi College in Oxford. He was ordained a deacon in 1815 and a priest in 1816. He spent most of his life serving in small country parishes but exerted great influence throughout England by carrying on correspondence with many very influential people in the Church of England which helped to lead to some reforms. He died in 1866.
The six stanzas of Sun of My Soul, O Savior Dear are only a portion of the original 14 stanzas.
Sun of my soul, O Savior dear, It is not night if you are near.
Oh, may no earthborn cloud arise, To hide you from your servant’s eyes.
When the soft dews of kindly sleep, My wearied eyelids gently steep,
Be my last thought how, safe from harm, I rest within my Savior’s arm.
Abide with me from morn till eve, For without you I cannot live;
Abide with me when night is nigh, For without you I dare not die.
If some poor wand’ring child of God, Has spurned today your shepherd’s rod,
Now, Lord, the gracious work begin; Let him no more lie down in sin.
Watch by the sick; enrich the poor, With blessings from your boundless store;
Be ev’ry mourner’s sleep tonight, Like infant’s slumbers, pure and light.
Come near and bless us when we wake, As through the world our way we take,
Till in the ocean of your love, We lose ourselves in heav’n above.
MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE
This hymn has been hailed as “the most precious contribution which American genius has yet made to the hymnology of the Christian Church.” [E.E. Ryden, The Story of Our Hymns, 1930, p. 338] Ray Palmer was born in 1808 in Rhode Island. One of his relatives was William Palmer, who came to Plymouth via the Mayflower in 1621.
Due to his family’s poverty, he found it necessary to leave home at the age of 13. For two years he served as a clerk in a dry goods store in Boston. Others recognized his educational abilities and urged him to finish school. He eventually ended up graduating from Phillips Andover Academy and Yale. For a time, he was a teacher, first in New York City and later in New Haven, Connecticut but later decided to be a minister in the Congregational church. He wrote My Faith Looks Up to Thee while teaching in New York City. He was 22 years old at the time. He died in 1878. (This hymn would also make a good prayer.)
My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine.
Now hear me while I pray, Take all my guilt away, O let me from this day Be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart, Strength to my fainting heart, My zeal inspire;
As Thou hast died for me, Oh, may my love to Thee, pure, warm and changeless be, a living fire!
While life’s dark maze I tread, And griefs around me spread, Be, Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day, Wipe sorrow’s tears away, Nor let me ever stray, from Thee aside.
When ends life’s transient dream, When death’s cold, sullen stream, Shall o’er me roll,
Blest Savior, then in love, Fear and distrust remove; Oh, bear me safe above ,a ransomed soul!
JESUS, SAVIOR, PILOT ME
It should come as no surprise that this hymn was written by the pastor of a sailor’s church. The Rev. Edward Hopper served for many years as the minister of The Church of Sea and Land in New York Harbor. He had in mind the daily life of the seamen attending his church when he wrote his famous lyric in 1871. A hymn on the theme of the stormy sea, picturing Jesus as the divine Pilot—this, he thought, would appeal to sailors and be a source of constant comfort and encouragement. [Note: The hymn first appeared anonymously in The Sailors’ Magazine.]
Hopper was born in New York City in 1818. His father was a merchant and his mother was a descendant of the Huguenots, the persecuted French Protestants. He was educated for the ministry and after serving several churches outside of New York, he returned to New York City in 1870 to begin his work among the sailors. He continued to serve at The Church of Sea and Land until his death in 1888.
An interesting sidenote—the beautiful prayer in the third stanza of his hymn was answered in his own passing. He was sitting in his study-chair, pencil in hand, when the final summons came. On the piece of paper before him were found some freshly written lines on “Heaven.”
Jesus, Savior, pilot me, Over life’s tempestuous sea; Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treach’rous shoal. Chart and compass come from thee. Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
As a mother stills her child, Thou canst hush the ocean wild; Boist’rous waves obey thy will
When thou say’st to them, “Be still!” Wondrous Sov’reign of the sea, Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
When at last I near the shore, And the fearful breakers roar, ‘Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on thy breast, May I hear thee say to me, “Fear not, I will pilot thee.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><>
I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
1 Corinthians 14:15b
Even a casual visit to a bookstore will impress a viewer with the many “how-to” or self-improvement books that are available today. How to be happy, be healthy, be successful, be a good parent…and the list goes on.
But what about the “how-to’s” for an effective spiritual life? Are there daily practices that Christians should pursue?
First and foremost, there needs to be an appreciative awareness of God’s amazing grace in Jesus Christ in our lives: grace that adopted us as sinners and made us members of the heavenly kingdom; grace that sustains and directs our daily steps; and the grace that will ultimately usher us to our eternal home.
A believer’s daily experience is to be one of--
- PRAISE – Thanksgiving and adoration of God
- PRAYER – Fellowship and a communion with God.
- LOVE – A delight in the personal assurance of God’s love and a desire to share His love with
Beyond the one basic resource book, The Bible, which gives us spiritual well-being, is another:
the church hymnal. Regular study of The Bible, God’s infallible rule of faith and practice, is an absolute essential for Christian living. Nothing ever replaces our daily need for His trustworthy Word. Through the ages, however, devout believers from every Christian community have responded to God and His inspired revelation with their own expressions. The church hymnal, a most important heritage of the Christian church, is one of the finest collections of man’s thoughts and emotions about God. When these choice responses are further enhanced with appropriate melodies, harmonies, and rhythms, there exists a reservoir of unusual spiritual strength and encouragement.
One poem (author unknown) puts it this way regarding the hymnody of the church--
Hymns breathe the praise of the saints,
The vision of the prophets,
The prayers of the penitent and the spirit of the martyrs.
They bring solace to the sad, assurance to the perplexed,
Faith to the doubter and comfort to the oppressed.
They span the centuries of history and bridge the barriers of denominations.
Study them to be pure in heart;
Sing them to be joyful in spirit,
Store them in the mind to possess a treasury of worship.
With the above in mind, we consider some (three) of the many hymns that mention prayer, and just a small sampling of the hymns (three) that can/could be used as prayers. A brief history of the hymn (at least the lyrics/words) will be given and then we will sing it.
SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER This hymn talks about setting aside a “sweet hour” of prayer each day of our lives. This hymn is believed to have been written in 1842 by William Walford, an obscure and blind lay preacher who was the owner of a small trinket shop in the little village of Coleshill, England.
The first two stanzas remind us of the blessings of prayer—relief for our troubled lives and the assurance of a God who is concerned about our every need. The final stanza anticipates the day when we will no longer need to pray, for we’ll be at home in heaven with our Lord.
There is an interesting reference in stanza three to Mount Pisgah—the place where God instructed Moses in Deuteronomy 3:27 to go and merely view the promised land since, because of disobedience, he would never be entering it.
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, that calls me from a world of careAnd bids me at my Father’s throne, make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare, by thy return, sweet hour of prayer.
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness, engage the waiting soul to bless;
And since He bids me seek His face, believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my ev’ry care, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, may I thy consolation share,
Till from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height, I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise, to see the everlasting prize,
And shout, while passing through the air, “Farewell, Farewell, sweet hour of prayer.”
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS Joseph Scriven (1819-1896) had a pleasant life in his native Ireland. His family was wealthy, all were highly educated and devoted to one another. Then unexpected tragedy entered. On the night before Scriven’s schedule wedding, his fiancée accidentally drowned. In his deep sorrow, Joseph realized that he could find the solace and support he needed only in His dearest friend, Jesus Christ.
Soon after this tragedy, Scriven dramatically changed his lifestyle. He left Ireland for Port Hope, Canada, determined to devote all of his extra time in being a friend and helper to others. He often gave away clothing and possessions to those in need, and he worked—without pay—for anyone who needed him. Scriven became known as “the Good Samaritan of Port Hope.”
When Scriven’s mother became ill in Ireland, he wrote a comforting letter to her, enclosing the words of his newly written poem with the prayer that these brief lines would remind her of the never-failing Heavenly Friend.
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness—take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee—thou wilt find a solace there.
COME, YE DISCONSOLATE This hymn is one of comfort and consolation. Originally entitled, “Relief in Prayer,” the author of this hymn, Thomas Moore, was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1779 and attended law school at Trinity College in that city. He was admitted to the practice of law and later held a government position in Bermuda. He married Bessie Dyke and they had two sons. One son died as a surgeon in the English army, and the other died when he was serving in the French Foreign Legion. Needless to say, Moore was downcast and grief-stricken. He died in 1852. He wrote Come, Ye Disconsolate in 1816. It appeared in his work entitled Sacred Songs.
Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish; Come to the Mercy seat, fervently kneel.
Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish; Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.
Joy of the desolate, Light of the straying, Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure;
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying,--Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot cure.
Here see the Bread of Life; see waters flowing, forth from the throne of God, pure from above.
Come to the feast of love; come, ever knowing, Earth has no sorrow but heaven can remove.
SUN OF MY SOUL, O SAVIOR DEAR
This hymn could be used as a prayer. It was written by John Keble in 1820. He was born in 1792 at Fairford in Gloucestershire, England. At the age of 15, he was awarded a scholarship to attend Corpus Christi College in Oxford. He was ordained a deacon in 1815 and a priest in 1816. He spent most of his life serving in small country parishes but exerted great influence throughout England by carrying on correspondence with many very influential people in the Church of England which helped to lead to some reforms. He died in 1866.
The six stanzas of Sun of My Soul, O Savior Dear are only a portion of the original 14 stanzas.
Sun of my soul, O Savior dear, It is not night if you are near.
Oh, may no earthborn cloud arise, To hide you from your servant’s eyes.
When the soft dews of kindly sleep, My wearied eyelids gently steep,
Be my last thought how, safe from harm, I rest within my Savior’s arm.
Abide with me from morn till eve, For without you I cannot live;
Abide with me when night is nigh, For without you I dare not die.
If some poor wand’ring child of God, Has spurned today your shepherd’s rod,
Now, Lord, the gracious work begin; Let him no more lie down in sin.
Watch by the sick; enrich the poor, With blessings from your boundless store;
Be ev’ry mourner’s sleep tonight, Like infant’s slumbers, pure and light.
Come near and bless us when we wake, As through the world our way we take,
Till in the ocean of your love, We lose ourselves in heav’n above.
MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE
This hymn has been hailed as “the most precious contribution which American genius has yet made to the hymnology of the Christian Church.” [E.E. Ryden, The Story of Our Hymns, 1930, p. 338] Ray Palmer was born in 1808 in Rhode Island. One of his relatives was William Palmer, who came to Plymouth via the Mayflower in 1621.
Due to his family’s poverty, he found it necessary to leave home at the age of 13. For two years he served as a clerk in a dry goods store in Boston. Others recognized his educational abilities and urged him to finish school. He eventually ended up graduating from Phillips Andover Academy and Yale. For a time, he was a teacher, first in New York City and later in New Haven, Connecticut but later decided to be a minister in the Congregational church. He wrote My Faith Looks Up to Thee while teaching in New York City. He was 22 years old at the time. He died in 1878. (This hymn would also make a good prayer.)
My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine.
Now hear me while I pray, Take all my guilt away, O let me from this day Be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart, Strength to my fainting heart, My zeal inspire;
As Thou hast died for me, Oh, may my love to Thee, pure, warm and changeless be, a living fire!
While life’s dark maze I tread, And griefs around me spread, Be, Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day, Wipe sorrow’s tears away, Nor let me ever stray, from Thee aside.
When ends life’s transient dream, When death’s cold, sullen stream, Shall o’er me roll,
Blest Savior, then in love, Fear and distrust remove; Oh, bear me safe above ,a ransomed soul!
JESUS, SAVIOR, PILOT ME
It should come as no surprise that this hymn was written by the pastor of a sailor’s church. The Rev. Edward Hopper served for many years as the minister of The Church of Sea and Land in New York Harbor. He had in mind the daily life of the seamen attending his church when he wrote his famous lyric in 1871. A hymn on the theme of the stormy sea, picturing Jesus as the divine Pilot—this, he thought, would appeal to sailors and be a source of constant comfort and encouragement. [Note: The hymn first appeared anonymously in The Sailors’ Magazine.]
Hopper was born in New York City in 1818. His father was a merchant and his mother was a descendant of the Huguenots, the persecuted French Protestants. He was educated for the ministry and after serving several churches outside of New York, he returned to New York City in 1870 to begin his work among the sailors. He continued to serve at The Church of Sea and Land until his death in 1888.
An interesting sidenote—the beautiful prayer in the third stanza of his hymn was answered in his own passing. He was sitting in his study-chair, pencil in hand, when the final summons came. On the piece of paper before him were found some freshly written lines on “Heaven.”
Jesus, Savior, pilot me, Over life’s tempestuous sea; Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treach’rous shoal. Chart and compass come from thee. Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
As a mother stills her child, Thou canst hush the ocean wild; Boist’rous waves obey thy will
When thou say’st to them, “Be still!” Wondrous Sov’reign of the sea, Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
When at last I near the shore, And the fearful breakers roar, ‘Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on thy breast, May I hear thee say to me, “Fear not, I will pilot thee.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><>
I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
1 Corinthians 14:15b
BIble Study Article for Sunday, July 26, 2020
Question: "Can people in heaven look down and see us?"
Answer: Some see in Hebrews 12:1 the idea that people in heaven might be able to look down and see us: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. . . .” The “witnesses” are the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11, and the fact that we are “surrounded” by them leads some commentators to understand those heroes (and possibly other people) are looking down on us from heaven.
The idea that people are looking down from heaven to see what we’re doing is common in popular culture. But, as much as we might like the notion that we’re being watched by our departed loved ones, that’s not what Hebrews 12:1 is teaching. Building on Hebrews 11, the author begins drawing up some practical lessons (that’s why chapter 12 begins with “Therefore”). The “witnesses” are the people whom God commends for their faith in chapter 11, and there is a large crowd of them in heaven. The question is, in what way are they “witnesses”?
The proper interpretation of Hebrews 12:1 is that the men and women forming the “great cloud of witnesses” are witness to the value of living life by faith. Their Old Testament stories give testimony to the blessings of choosing faith over fear. To paraphrase the start of Hebrews 12:1, “Since we have so many tried-and-true examples of proven faith . . . .” So, it’s not that people are in heaven watching us (as if our lives on earth are so interesting or they have nothing better to do!), but that those who have gone before us have set a lasting example for us. The record of their lives bears witness to faith and God and truth.
Hebrews 12:1 continues, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Because of the faith and endurance of believers who went before us, we are inspired to stay the course in our own race of faith. We follow the examples of Abraham and Moses and Rahab and Gideon and etc.
Some people point to the rich man’s mention of his brothers in Luke 16:28 as proof that departed souls (in Hades, at least) can see events on earth. However, the passage never says that the rich man could see his brothers; he knew he had brothers, and he knew they were unbelievers. Also, some people use Revelation 6:10 as a proof text: the tribulation martyrs call for God to avenge their deaths. Again, this passage says nothing about the martyrs seeing people on earth; it simply says that they knew they deserved justice and desired the Lord to take action.
The Bible doesn’t specifically say that people in heaven cannot look down on us, so we can’t be dogmatic. However, it is unlikely that they can. People in heaven are likely preoccupied with other things such as worshiping God and enjoying the glories of heaven.
Whether or not people in heaven can look down and see us, we are not running our race for them. We are not hoping for their approval or listening for their applause. Hebrews 12:2 keeps our focus where it belongs: “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Jesus is our blessed hope, no other (Titus 2:13).
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Seven Things Not to Say at a Funeral-Sunday July 19, 2020
Some of the most difficult moments of our lives are after the death of a loved one. Some of the most awkward moments are when we go to comfort friends after the death of their loved one.
Though we all are confronted with death and must deal with personal loss, we never seem to know what to say to someone else going through grief.
Sometimes, even if we have the best intentions, we can say something that is emotionally hurtful or theologically off-base.
Here are seven things to avoid saying at a funeral or to someone grieving the loss of a loved one.
“THEY’RE AN ANGEL NOW.”
No, they’re not. Nowhere in Scripture does it teach that deceased humans become angels. Don’t let cartoons and pop culture ideas influence your understanding of death.
Not only is it wrong, it can be insensitive as well. Don’t try to diminish the grief of someone by spouting off trite (and inaccurate) sayings.
“I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL.”
Yes, virtually all of us have suffered loss, but none of us has the exact same experience or feelings. This makes the conversation about you and not about the person who is suffering.
If you have been through a similar tragedy—such as losing a spouse or child—tell the person that you’d be glad to talk when they feel up to it. Don’t push them, but follow up after a few weeks once things have settled down. Let them know you will be there for them.
“THEY LOOK SO GOOD.”
One of the most awkward experiences is seeing the body of the person in the casket. The temptation can be to compliment the appearance of the body or note how it “looks just like them.” Don’t do this.
In reality, we all know the body doesn’t look good. It doesn’t look right because it’s not. After Adam and Eve fell, death became an unwelcome resident of God’s good creation. The dead body looks unnatural because it is, and no amount of soothing words can make that any less of a reality.
“DON’T CRY” OR “GO AHEAD AND CRY.”
Yes, everyone grieves, but everyone grieves differently. We should not attempt to impose our way of grieving on others.
Yes, Christians do not grieve as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13), but we do grieve. For, some that means floods of tears. For others, that may mean silent reflection. Work to bring comfort, not grief judging.
“AT LEAST IT WASN’T WORSE.”
This should be obvious, but too often it’s not. Saying something like this will not make the person feel better or lessen their loss.
Don’t try to point how other people have had it worse or try to get the grieving person to “look at the bright side of things.” Allow them to grieve without feeling guilty for it.
“GOD IS SOVEREIGN OR IN CONTROL.”
Yes, this is true. Yes, this is biblical. Yes, God has promised to work all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). But no, you shouldn’t say it to a person immediately after their loved one died.
We can rest in God’s knowledge of things and trust in it, but still not want to hear a trite “everything happens for a reason” as we stifle waves of grief.
“LET ME KNOW IF I CAN HELP.”
This may sound comforting, but in many ways you are placing the onus on the person trying to keep their head above water. Instead of asking them to tell you, look for ways you can meet a need without being asked.
They’re probably not going to call you to ask for something, but they may gladly receive a meal, some help with paperwork, or an offer to pick up kids from school or take them to soccer practice.
Be close enough that you can see the needs they have and meet them without making the grieving family contact you to ask for help.
WHAT CAN YOU SAY INSTEAD?
In many ways, just saying, “I’m so sorry for your loss” can go a long way in communicating care and presence.
Maybe try sharing your favorite memory of their loved ones. I know one of the unexpected comforts during the grieving process was gathering with family members and reminiscing and telling stories.
If all that fails, just hug them or sit with them in silence. You can communicate a lot without saying a word. It’s better to say nothing than to say something that will do more harm than good.
AARON
Some of the most difficult moments of our lives are after the death of a loved one. Some of the most awkward moments are when we go to comfort friends after the death of their loved one.
Though we all are confronted with death and must deal with personal loss, we never seem to know what to say to someone else going through grief.
Sometimes, even if we have the best intentions, we can say something that is emotionally hurtful or theologically off-base.
Here are seven things to avoid saying at a funeral or to someone grieving the loss of a loved one.
“THEY’RE AN ANGEL NOW.”
No, they’re not. Nowhere in Scripture does it teach that deceased humans become angels. Don’t let cartoons and pop culture ideas influence your understanding of death.
Not only is it wrong, it can be insensitive as well. Don’t try to diminish the grief of someone by spouting off trite (and inaccurate) sayings.
“I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL.”
Yes, virtually all of us have suffered loss, but none of us has the exact same experience or feelings. This makes the conversation about you and not about the person who is suffering.
If you have been through a similar tragedy—such as losing a spouse or child—tell the person that you’d be glad to talk when they feel up to it. Don’t push them, but follow up after a few weeks once things have settled down. Let them know you will be there for them.
“THEY LOOK SO GOOD.”
One of the most awkward experiences is seeing the body of the person in the casket. The temptation can be to compliment the appearance of the body or note how it “looks just like them.” Don’t do this.
In reality, we all know the body doesn’t look good. It doesn’t look right because it’s not. After Adam and Eve fell, death became an unwelcome resident of God’s good creation. The dead body looks unnatural because it is, and no amount of soothing words can make that any less of a reality.
“DON’T CRY” OR “GO AHEAD AND CRY.”
Yes, everyone grieves, but everyone grieves differently. We should not attempt to impose our way of grieving on others.
Yes, Christians do not grieve as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13), but we do grieve. For, some that means floods of tears. For others, that may mean silent reflection. Work to bring comfort, not grief judging.
“AT LEAST IT WASN’T WORSE.”
This should be obvious, but too often it’s not. Saying something like this will not make the person feel better or lessen their loss.
Don’t try to point how other people have had it worse or try to get the grieving person to “look at the bright side of things.” Allow them to grieve without feeling guilty for it.
“GOD IS SOVEREIGN OR IN CONTROL.”
Yes, this is true. Yes, this is biblical. Yes, God has promised to work all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). But no, you shouldn’t say it to a person immediately after their loved one died.
We can rest in God’s knowledge of things and trust in it, but still not want to hear a trite “everything happens for a reason” as we stifle waves of grief.
“LET ME KNOW IF I CAN HELP.”
This may sound comforting, but in many ways you are placing the onus on the person trying to keep their head above water. Instead of asking them to tell you, look for ways you can meet a need without being asked.
They’re probably not going to call you to ask for something, but they may gladly receive a meal, some help with paperwork, or an offer to pick up kids from school or take them to soccer practice.
Be close enough that you can see the needs they have and meet them without making the grieving family contact you to ask for help.
WHAT CAN YOU SAY INSTEAD?
In many ways, just saying, “I’m so sorry for your loss” can go a long way in communicating care and presence.
Maybe try sharing your favorite memory of their loved ones. I know one of the unexpected comforts during the grieving process was gathering with family members and reminiscing and telling stories.
If all that fails, just hug them or sit with them in silence. You can communicate a lot without saying a word. It’s better to say nothing than to say something that will do more harm than good.
AARON
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St. Paul Lutheran Church
275 Nation Dr Auburn, CA 95603 (530) 885-5378 stpaul[email protected] Pastor: Rev. Dr. David Poganski Sunday Worship Schedule
*Sundays 9:00 AM IN-PERSON & ONLINE Christian Education on ZOOM *Youth Class 10:15 *Adult Bible Study 10:15 |
