Confessions of a Church: Open like Abaddon

The Psalm writer wrote: Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law. As we come before a Holy God and hear his word, may we have eyes open to the wonderful and fearful things from his law. May it move us to repent and seek forgiveness, fear disobedience, and live in light of the grace we have received.  This is the word of God.  It is eternally true and applicable for all of life:

Proverbs 15:11-20 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord. How much more
the hearts of men! A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, He will not go
to the wise. A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the
spirit is broken. The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of
fools feeds on folly. All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a cheerful heart has a
continual feast. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord Than great treasure and
turmoil with it. Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox
served with hatred. A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger
calms a dispute. The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the
upright is a highway. A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises
his mother.

Humans are religious creatures. John Calvin says that our hearts are “idol making factories”. Those that are religious become very adept at displaying the outward raiment of their professed God. One need not look further than march madness to see a very public display of religion by the worshipers of a little round ball and a game: Team Jersey, check. ESPN cable package, check. Season tickets, check. Christians are no different. We listen to all the right podcasts, have our christianese finely tuned to our particular reformed circle, and even conform our physical appearance to match our particular theological bent: tweed jackets, and beards, and plaid shirts. But all of these outward displays of religion are quickly cut in two this morning by God's very sharp sword. “Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD. How much more the hearts of men!” God knows what is in our hearts. He knows what the true object of our worship is, despite our cleverly crafted outward appearance and practices . God is fully aware of our practice of worshipping Him with our mouths while our hearts are far from Him. Jesus, knowing the heart of man, called the Pharisees “whitewashed tombs “, full of dead men's bones. This knowledge should bring the fear and dread of the LORD into our hearts, and lead us to repentance.
 
So, let us respond to God's Word appropriately this morning. If you are able,please kneel as we confess to God how we have failed to keep His Law:

Most High God, our Heavenly Father,
We come to you this morning, having had our hearts exposed by Your Word. Heavenly Father, you remember our frames, that we are men of dust, weak, frail, and full of sin. Father we sin against you in our words, thoughts, and deeds, and we worship the thing created rather than worshiping You, our Creator. LORD, please be merciful to us sinners. Please grant us repentance that we may walk in a manner that is pleasing to You. Please forgive us for our sins against You O Lord. Please grant us greater discernment, that we may more readily recognize the idols around us, and in our hearts, and please give us strength to be able to turn from these false gods and worship you alone. LORD, please help us to fear You, and to hate every worthless thing that seeks to dethrone You from our hearts. It's in the name of Your precious Son Jesus that we pray, Amen.
 
Listen now to the comforting assurance of the grace of God, promised in the gospel to all that believe:

Luke 10: 19-20 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and
scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.
Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but
rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”

Lift up your hearts!!!!

(From the liturgy of Sovereign King Church written by Aaron Sabie.  March 2018)