June 16-22 Family Worship Guide 2024

The Guide for the Week
June 16-22nd 2024
 Fifth Week of Pentecost

Bible Passage for the Week
Proverbs 22:11-21
2 Corinthians 1
1 Samuel 22
Psalm 130

Verse to Memorize
Romans 5:19  

Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.

People to Pray for:
Church:  Holy Trinity Reformed Church
                        Pastor James Brown Jr
Ministry:  Michael Foster- Romania
                     
Civil Magistrate: Jeffersonville City Council
                                              Donna Reed
                                                       
 
 
 
 
Notes for Parents:
Proverbs 22:11-21

Verse 14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; He who is cursed of the Lord will fall into it.
The book of Proverbs is undeniably repetitive, with its 31 chapters emphasizing certain themes time and again. One of the primary warnings is to steer clear of the adulterous woman. King Solomon, a man well-versed in the perils of misplacing his affections, exemplifies this cautionary tale. As early as Exodus 34 and Deuteronomy 7, God’s people were warned to avoid foreign women, those outside the covenant community. Yet, 1 Kings 11 tells us Solomon did not heed this counsel:

"Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the people of Israel, 'You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.' Solomon clung to these in love. He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. For when Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father."

Solomon, led by his lusts, surrendered to women who did not love God. These adulterous women turned his heart away from the Lord. Nevertheless, Solomon sought to protect his son from a similar downfall. Thus, he repeatedly warns in Proverbs to avoid the adulterous woman.

We must heed this repetition and employ the same persistence in warning our sons to shun wicked women. Likewise, we must teach our daughters to be wise and faithful. We aim to shield our sons from giving their strength to those who would lead them away from God, encouraging them to seek the wise woman whom God approves.
Ultimately, the choice before our sons is not merely between the adulterous woman and the wise woman. It is between following Jesus or succumbing to the wicked woman. Many young men, zealous for the Lord, have been led astray by a woman who flatters with her lips and delights with her eyes. Such a woman will siphon the zeal and life from a man, drawing his focus away from Christ.

Scripture describes her as a deep pit. When you first rappel into a deep pit, you still see the light near the entrance. But as you descend, you move further into darkness. The way out becomes more elusive. Descend far enough, and you will see no light and no escape. This fate awaits the man who yields to the adulterous woman. He strays bit by bit until he is engulfed in darkness, rejecting Christ and His truths.

Therefore, the choice is clear: it is between the adulterous woman or Jesus, living in the light of Christ or the darkness of sexual immorality. The darkness is relentless. The adulterous woman will never cease taking. Without God's mercy, she will consume all you have. Get her pregnant, and you face 18 years of child support and strife over your children.
Fathers must continuously warn their sons against wicked women*.
*and the lure of her image on the internet.

2 Corinthians 1

In his first epistle, the apostle expressed his intention to visit Corinth as he traveled through Macedonia (1 Corinthians 16:5). However, being providentially hindered for some time, he wrote this second epistle about a year later. Two urgent issues prompted this letter:
  • The case of the incestuous person, who was disciplined in his last letter, required immediate restoration and reintegration into communion. The apostle gives directions regarding this matter (ch. 2), and later (ch. 7), he expresses satisfaction upon hearing of their proper handling of the situation.   The discipline of the church worked to move the man to repentance and faith. 
  •  collection was being made for the poor saints in Jerusalem, and he exhorts the Corinthians to participate (ch. 8, 2 Corinthians 9:1-15).
Several other significant topics are addressed in this letter:
I. The apostle’s account of his labors and success in preaching the gospel in various places (ch. 2).
II. The comparison he makes between the Old and New Testament dispensations (ch. 3).
III. The various sufferings he and his fellow workers endured, and the motivations and encouragements for their diligence and patience (ch. 4, 5).
IV. The caution he gives the Corinthians against mingling with unbelievers (ch. 6).
V. The defense of his apostleship and his rebuttal of false teachers' accusations aiming to tarnish his reputation at Corinth (ch. 10-12 and throughout the epistle)
In Chapter 1, verse 3, the Apostle Paul gives praise to God, the Father or our Lord Jesus and the Father of Mercies.   Matthew Henry says the following about this
God is the Father of Christ's divine nature by eternal generation, of his human nature by miraculous conception in the womb of the virgin, and of Christ as God-man, and our Redeemer, by covenant-relation, and in and through him as Mediator our God and our Father, Joh_20:17. In the Old Testament we often meet with this title, The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, to denote God's covenant-relation to them and their seed; and in the New Testament God is styled the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to denote his covenant-relation to the Mediator and his spiritual seed. Gal_3:16. 2. The Father of mercies. There is a multitude of tender mercies in God essentially, and all mercies are from God originally: mercy in his genuine offspring and his delight. He delighteth in mercy, Mic_7:18. 3. The God of all comfort; from his proceedeth the COMFORTER, Joh_15:26. He giveth the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts, 2Co_1:22. All our comforts come from God, and our sweetest comforts are in him.
 
1 Samuel 22
After David escaped from Gath by acting insane, he made his way to the cave of Adullam.  It was near his hometown and it was here that God refreshed David with the arrival of His family.   He also gathered around him a ragtag group of people- those in distress, in debt, and discontented.  God brought to David, needy people and yet people who would humbly follow him. David became their leader.  It will be this group of misfits that David leads for years before he becomes king.  They will defend David and he will turn them into a group of mighty men.   David images our King Jesus and we are the ragtag ban of people in distress, debt, and discontentment.  Jesus takes us and makes us into His church to present us holy and full of joy.   Our King is good.    We ought not forget then our state before Christ.   We aren’t much to boast about.   Therefore, we ought to have the same mercy and patience with our brothers and sisters in Christ.   We ought to still draw in those in debt to sin and show them the freedom found in Jesus.   We need to take those discontented and show them the deep joy found in Christ.  

Saul on the other hand is wicked.  He berates his followers for David getting away.   But Doeg, the filthy Edomite rat, tells on the priest for giving David bread and a sword.  Here we see the height of the wickedness of Saul.  Up until now, he had been providentially hindered from committing murder but now he commands the death of God’s priests.  He has 85 of God’s priests killed and then their whole city destroyed- women, children, and infants.  Saul’s wickedness is now in full blossom and his hands covered in blood.
David is told of this and he is sick to his stomach.  He felt responsible for his lies that had led to the priests death.  He took responsibility and sought to protect the son of Ahimelech.
 
Psalm 130
Verse 3-4 If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared
Scripture tells us what is required to stand in the presence of God—it is pure holiness and perfection. God's eyes are too pure to look upon iniquity. The burning purity of His inherent righteousness would destroy any imperfection that dares to enter. It is a fearful thing to come into the presence of God, especially when we consider the state of our own character. When we examine our hearts and the wickedness within them, our indifference to our neighbor, and our quickness to selfishness, the thought of standing before the Lord should cause us to tremble. Yes, the world around us is wicked and exceedingly so, but we know our own contribution to it. We know our own lusts, our own greed, our own idolatry. How can we stand?

In this song of ascent, sung on the way to worship, we are reminded that the only way anyone can enter into the glorious and joyful worship of God is through the forgiveness found in Him. Our only hope is to rely completely upon His mercy. For if He were to judge iniquities swiftly, who could stand?

But praise God, there is grace found in Him. There is loving-kindness with Him and abundant redemption for His people, His church. We can only come by faith alone in Christ alone for His grace alone.

Notice though that the psalm says there is forgiveness found in God so that He would be feared. God's grace is not the cheap grace of our day. It is not the “God loves everybody and so keep doing what you are doing” grace. No, it is grace that constantly puts before us the fear of the Lord. It moves us to rely on Him and to seek to obey Him. God's grace drives us to fear and obedience. If we do not fear disobedience and seek to live in light of His grace, then we do not yet know what it is to hope in the Lord.

Let us remind ourselves of His grace, and let us fear coming into His presence walking in unholiness. Rather, let us come to church trusting in Jesus and living out our trust in Him.

Example Prayers for Weekly Prayer Concerns
Prayer for Expectant Mothers:
Heavenly Father, we lift up Shawn Crone, Rowina Spurgeon, Gabby Fluhr, Maddie Sands, and Emily Leupp to You. Grant them strength and peace as they carry the precious lives You have entrusted to them. Protect these mothers and their unborn children, and prepare them for the journey ahead. May they find joy in Your promises and rest in Your love. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Prayer for Holy Trinity Reformed Church:
Lord God Almighty, we bring before You Pastor James Brown Jr. and the Holy Trinity Reformed Church. Grant them wisdom and fortitude as they face challenges from the city government concerning their water system and environmental issues. We pray that the authorities will act justly and not impose burdens that hinder the church's mission. Provide for their financial needs, and use these trials to grow the church in both number and spiritual maturity. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Prayer for Michael Foster in Romania:
Mighty God, we pray for Michael, Your servant in Oradea, Romania. Strengthen him as he ministers in a land steeped in superstitious ceremonialism. Empower him to restore true faith in Christ alone. Bless his efforts as he preaches in the open markets, spreading Your gospel. Provide for all his financial needs and protect his family. May his work bear much fruit for Your Kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Prayer for Councilman Donna Reed and the Jeffersonville City Council:
Sovereign Lord, we lift up Councilman Donna Reed to You. Grant her wisdom to uphold Your law and make righteous judgments. We pray that she and the council will seek to honor You and lead Jeffersonville to submit to the Kingship of Jesus. Convict the council to repent for allowing perverse pride events. Help Councilman Reed to focus on her primary responsibilities at home, submitting to her husband and caring for her children. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.


Church History Spotlight

Alban, First Martyr of Britain
22 June 304

There were probably Christians in the British Isles already in the first century. However, Alban is the first recorded Christian martyr. The traditional date of his death is 304, during the persecution under the Emperor Diocletian; but many scholars now date it as around 209, during the persecution under the Emperor Septimius Severus. Alban was a pagan, and a soldier in the Roman Army. He gave shelter to a Christian priest who was fleeing from arrest, and in the next few days the two talked at length, and Alban became a Christian. When officers came in search of the priest, Alban met them, dressed in the priest's cloak, and they mistook him for the priest and arrested him. He refused to renounce his new faith, and was beheaded. He thus became the first Christian martyr in Britain. The second was the executioner who was to kill him, but who heard his testimony and was so impressed that he became a Christian on the spot, and refused to kill Alban. The third was the priest, who when he learned that Alban had been arrested in his place, hurried to the court in the hope of saving Alban by turning himself in. The place of their deaths is near the site of St. Alban's Cathedral today.

A prayer of thanksgiving for St. Alban
Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyr Alban triumphed over suffering and was faithful even unto death: Grant to us, who now remember him with thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to you in this world, that we may receive with him the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
 
 
Announcements for the Week 06/09/2024- 06/15/2024 
Raising Funds for Sovereign King Academy:  We need your support to establish a school dedicated to helping parents educate their children in the Lord. Whether or not you plan to send your children to this school, this is a chance to love your neighbor (who may want to make use of this) and contribute to a worthy cause for the future. We ask that any donations be above and beyond your tithe to the church.  Give at https://www.sovereignkingchurch.com/donate.  

Declaration of Family Ministry and Children in Ministry:
   Last year, the session of Sovereign King Church drafted a comprehensive document detailing our beliefs on ministering to families and children. This document addresses our commitment to keeping children and families together in worship, alongside practical aids like nurseries and Sunday schools. As it has been some time since its publication, you can review it through this link.
https://storage1.snappages.site/QDCG9H/assets/files/Declaration-on-Children-in-Worship-and-t-63.pdf
Prayer Concerns:
  • Expectant Mothers: We request special prayers for Shawn Crone, Rowina Spurgeon, Gabby Fluhr, Maddie Sands and Emily Leupp
  • Holy Trinity Reformed Church:  Pastor James Brown Jr., shepherd of Holy Trinity Reformed Church, faces significant challenges from the city government regarding their water system and environmental impact on their property. Please pray for divine wisdom for Pastor Brown and his congregation as they navigate these obstacles. Pray also that the city authorities will not impose undue burdens that hinder the church's use of their land. Lift up a request for financial provision. Finally, ask God to use this trial to increase the church in both number and spiritual maturity.
  • Michael Foster-Romania: Michael, a missionary and pastor of Koinonia Church in Oradea, Romania, ministers in a region dominated by Eastern Orthodoxy, which has largely degenerated into superstitious ceremonialism, lacking the true faith in Christ alone. Pray for Michael as he strives to restore genuine heart religion. He regularly preaches in the open markets, spreading the gospel. Lift up a request for God to provide all the financial resources needed for him and his family.
  • Jeffersonville City Council Donna Reed: The Holy Spirit, speaking through the Apostle Paul, teaches us to pray for those in authority. Scripture says, "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." Pray for Councilman Reed, that she would uphold God’s law and make judgments that are wise, godly, and good. Pray that she would desire to see Jeffersonville submit to the Kingship of Jesus. Pray that the entire council would repent for allowing sexually perverse pride events to be held in public in Jeffersonville. Finally, pray that she would focus her primary attention on submitting to her husband, caring for her children, and working to be a helper at home.
 
Announcements:
  • Growing Kids God’s Way  Sunday Evenings in June 5-7 PM
  • Nursery: To begin the first Sunday of July
  • Family Fun Night June 19
  • Nursing Home Ministry July 1
  • Farmer’s Market Outreach July 13
  • 4th of July Cookout 
  • Men and Boys Camping Trip August 30-31
 
For more information and updates, please visit our website
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