SERMONS

Songs of Jesus - 2015-2017

The Psalms are the poetry of the passions, the songs of the Jesus. For nearly three thousand years God’s people have used the Psalms as daily devotionals; these one hundred and fifty poetic stories are replete with meaning to shape our loves, voice our cries, mold our desires, and reveal the beauty of Jesus’ work for us. Until the late 19th century memorization of the Psalms was a requirement for monastic life and ministerial ordination. They were a fixed part of the curriculum of the Latin grammar school. Indeed, the phrase “psalteriam dicere” became a synonym for early education. Augustine quoted the Psalms as he died. Jesus did too. Give yourselves permission to stop and meditate on the truth of God through the Songs of Jesus. This summer we will continue to explore the Psalms together in corporate worship. We started this journey in the summer of 2015 and will continue until we finish meditating on all 150 in gathered worship. Many of us have read the Psalms but rarely have we meditated upon them. Practicing prayerful meditation on God’s Word will prepare us to respond in faith and repentance. Jesus joins his people in gathered worship to that end.