Cornerstonekaty

The Covenant and the Family

Genesis 17:1-14

We’re starting a new series this week. It’s called the Covenant family. You might be asking, “what is a covenant family?” I’m glad you asked! A covenant family is one with a special relationship with the Lord for a distinct purpose.

So the follow up question you may be asking is this: “Is my family a covenant family?” If you are here this morning as a follower of Christ, then the answer is yes! You have been made a part of the family of God, which is a family related by covenant with God. This is good news and has huge implications for how your family is to live. That’s what this series as a whole will look at in the coming weeks. We will look at what this means for your marriage, for raising children, for understanding the covenant role of a husband and a wife.

As we start this series, we’re looking at a foundational text in Genesis that sets the stage for understanding the covenant family.

Corporate Confession

Psalm 106

Remembering God's Greatness

The events of this week have grabbed the attention of our nation, perhaps the world. Specifically the assasination of Charlie Kirk. Politics aside, he was very outspoken with his faith in Jesus Christ and a model for us all in that. The news of his death was shocking. As troubling as this was, it wasn’t the only tragic news of the day. There was also another school shooting near Denver, Colorado. Both events are destablizing. They contribute to the growing sense of uncertainty about the future of this country. I want to take a moment to speak to the Charlie Kirk shooting as it seems to have taken hold of this country. Some are overwhelmed with grief and perhaps even anger. Others are cheering, which is disturbing. I can understand people not liking Mr. Kirk because of his outspoken views. But to cheer his death reveals a false placed faith. While ideas and ideologies are powerful, they will never be a true savior. And I think many people, even many Christians, have fallen into such thinking. Ideas are important, but ideas alone do not have the power to fix the root of our problem, which is our sinful nature; our corrupted hearts. There is only one way a heart can be changed—and that is by the God who made it.

So what do we do with our sadness and anger in such a time? If you don’t believe in the God revealed in the Bible, then you are left in a dangerous position. Such sadness and anger can easily lead to anxiety and despair, or worse, violent acts. When justice seems evasive, there is a great temptation to turn to the sword and go after it yourself. Without faith in the Biblical God, this is a logical outcome.

But if you believe in the biblical God, the one revealed to us in Scripture and in Psalms like this, then you have another path. You can walk a path of peace and love and compassion that others cannot. And the reason is quite simple: we have a great God!

This is what this Psalm extols. While it is true all the time, this truth only allows us to walk a path of peace and love and compassion when we remember it. Hence, the invitation in the opening line to our own soul.

Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great!

Church of the Unfailing Temple

Revelation 3:7-13

Calling Your Own Soul

Psalm 103

Praying in Distress

Psalm 102

What do you do with your pain? We find lots of wrong ways to deal with it. We moan and wallow in self-pity. We get angry with God. We criticize others and blame them. We try to pull others into our pain with us. These may help bring a form of relief. But it is not permanent relief. It is only an illusion. The psalmist teaches us to pray through our pain. Verse 17 explains why.

he regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer. (Psalm 102:17)

God regards the prayer of the destitute. Take your pain to God.

The New Testament instructs us more specifically,

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

The Psalms show us how to do this in the midst of real despair. They coach us and prepare us for such moments.

Integrity in the Home

Psalm 101

These are the resolutions David, the man after God’s own heart, makes before the Lord as he accepts the responsibility for his house that God has given him. At the heart of the psalm and his resolutions, we find verse 2.

       I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;

If we are to prepare our home, we must prepare our heart. That’s where it must begin. 

This psalm is likely written with David’s kingship in mind. Possibly written as a precursor to bringing the Ark of the Covenant into the City of David, David resolves before the Lord to walk in integrity in his kingdom. This job that David has for the kingdom, you have for your home. So you must attend to your heart so that you can attend to your home.

As we go through this psalm we find a list of resolutions that David makes. We can break these resolutions into two kinds. David makes resolutions that have to do with what goes into his heart and resolutions that have to do with what comes out.

Our Covenant God

Psalm 100

Psalm 100

This psalm is a classic call to worship. It is the prototype for coming together as we do each Lord’s day. Did you hear it?

Make a joyful noise to the LORD…
Serve the Lord with gladness
Come into his presence with singing

It sets the stage for our time together. It reminds me of that old Kool and the Gang song,

Celebrate good times, come on! (Let's celebrate)
Celebrate good times, come on! (Let's celebrate)

There's a party goin' on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times, and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with you

Maybe you don’t remember such a song, but in my high school days, it was played at every dance. It’s such a catchy tune and beat that you can’t help but move your feet and smile. Psalm 100 is such an invitation.

But there is a key difference. Kool and the Gang had nothing specific to celebrate. Psalm 100 does. It is a celebration of our covenant God. That may not mean much to you, so let me unpack it for you. In essence, it is only because we have a covenant God that we have real hope in this world.

The Impact of Holy

Psalm 99

The Lord is Holy! That is the theme of this psalm. We see it proclaimed 3 times: at the end of verses 3, 5, and 9. Does that mean something to you? We hear the term “holy” often enough going to worship, or as a student of the Bible. And it ought to move us in a profound way. Unfortunately, I don’t think it does—at least not to the degree it ought to. And the reasons are plentiful.

One, our world doesn’t treat God with much respect. His name is trampled in everyday conversation, reduced to a common curse word. Two, it is shrouded in mystery. That is not a bad thing. The holiness of God will always be shrouded in mystery to some degree simply because it is unfathomable. But that doesn’t mean we should just ignore it. I think that’s what often happens.

But if we’re willing to pry into this mystery, we will find it is both terrifying and wonderful all at the same time. God’s holiness moves us to trembling exaltation. In fact, that is good litmus test to know whether or not you have met with the Lord. Do you tremble when you consider his presence? Do you exalt him when you find his favor?

When I look around at the state of the many who consider themselves Christians, I suspect there is little trembling and exalting going on. Why do I say that? Because people like to maintain a casual relationship with God. You cannot have a casual relationship with a God who is holy.

What does it mean to be holy? Holy is a hard word to define. When a thing is holy, it is set apart to God. When referring to God, it means wholly other. So, what does it mean to enter the presence of the Holy God? Trembling exaltation.

Why We Sing

Psalm 98

Think of watching your favorite football team make a surprise touchdown at a critical moment in the game. The crowd erupts in shouts of elation. It's a joyful noise that can't be silenced. The psalmist’s invitation to the people to sing and make a joyful noise is an invitation to consider and enter into the reality of the greatness of God’s salvation. I am convinced this is why singing is such an important element of worship. 

So, what is so great about this salvation?

It heals everything. It reaches everywhere.