The sermon identifies Jesus as the ultimate healer of both physical ailments and emotional wounds, emphasizing that He alone can mend a broken heart. Drawing from Luke 4:18 and Psalm 147:3, the message encourages believers to prioritize faith in God over medical diagnoses, recognizing Him as the final authority on healing. The preacher advises against setting rigid expectations to avoid unnecessary heartache, urging reliance on divine will instead. By presenting Jesus as the 'bread of life,' the text illustrates how daily communion with Christ satisfies spiritual hunger and provides lasting comfort amidst life's losses. Ultimately, the message calls for active trust in God's power to heal and sustain those who come to Him in faith.

This sermon warns against performative piety by examining Jesus' teachings on giving, praying, and fasting in Matthew 6. The central message challenges believers to examine the hidden motives behind their spiritual disciplines, ensuring they seek God's approval rather than human praise. It contrasts the empty rewards of hypocritical religious display with the intimate relationship found in secret communion with God as Father. The preacher emphasizes that true Christianity is rooted in grace and humility, not in earning status or favor through outward acts. Ultimately, the text calls for self-examination and reliance on Christ to overcome the deep-seated desire for human validation.

Consecutive Reading: 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 Psalm Singing: Psalm 91:1-4 , #141 Spohr; 119:25-32, #90 Martyrdom; 63:1-4, #96 Wetherby Sermon Title: "Draw Me Into Thy Chambers" Sermon Scripture: Song of Solomon 1 Sermon Series: Communion September 2026 Pastor: Craig J. Scott Date: 9-6-2026 Service: Afternoon

Before taking the Lord's Supper today we explore its significance by tracing its roots from the Old Testament Passover to Christ's ultimate sacrifice. It explains how Jesus fulfills the role of the Lamb of God, offering eternal redemption through His blood rather than temporary animal sacrifices. The message emphasizes that believers must remember this profound act of grace, acknowledging their former status as enemies of God and their new identity as redeemed children. By reflecting on Christ's victory over death and sin, the congregation is encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith and service. The central call is to look back at the cross with gratitude and forward to eternal life with hope all the while remembering what He has done for us.

This sermon explores the Last Supper as the pathway of communion, highlighting Jesus Christ's intense desire for fellowship with His disciples before His suffering. The preacher connects the Passover ritual to Christ as the fulfillment of the sacrificial lamb, whose body and blood were given as a substitute for humanity. Despite knowing that Judas would betray Him and the other disciples would forsake Him, Jesus remained faithful and steadfast in His mission to Calvary. The message emphasizes that God seeks genuine worship and communion among believers, reflecting Christ's own longing to be with His people. Ultimately, the sermon presents Christ's obedience and love as the foundation for Christian fellowship and hope.

This devotional explores the Heidelberg Catechism's teaching on the Lord's Supper, clarifying that partaking in the sacrament requires a believing heart rather than mere ritual observance. It distinguishes between baptism as an initiating covenant sign and communion as a nourishing act dependent on active faith. The preacher explains that eating Christ's body signifies accepting His sacrifice through trust and being spiritually united to Him via the Holy Spirit. By examining passages from John 6, Romans 8, and Ephesians 4, the message emphasizes that true faith involves a deep, transformative union with Christ and the church. Ultimately, the Lord's Supper serves as a means of grace where the Spirit applies the benefits of redemption to believers.

Life After the Thunder (1 Samuel 7:13-17) This sermon explores the aftermath of dramatic spiritual experiences, emphasizing that true victory lies in ordinary faithfulness rather than continued excitement. Drawing from 1 Samuel 7:13-17, it highlights how God restrains enemies without removing them entirely, restores lost spiritual ground, and grants unexpected peace to those who walk faithfully. The text contrasts fleeting emotional highs with the enduring power of consistent service and private devotion, illustrated by Samuel's annual circuit and his return to his altar. It warns against professionalizing ministry or neglecting personal communion with God while pursuing public work. Ultimately, the message calls believers to recover neglected areas of their lives, value seasons of quiet peace, and maintain a deep, private relationship with Christ amidst daily responsibilities.

In this sermon on the third petition of the Lord's Prayer, Mark Hogan explains that "your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10) embraces both God's will of decree and His will of precept. The petition primarily asks God to enable believers to willingly obey His commands, but it also calls them to contentedly submit to whatever He ordains in providence, even painful adversities, as modeled by David's submission and Mary's "let it be to me according to your word." Hogan stresses the petition's eschatological dimension