Trinity Fellowship

In our text today, Matthew strategically places a passage from Isaiah 42:1-4 in between opposition and rejection. The opposition Jesus faced and his impending rejection as Messiah by the Jewish leadership runs counter to the expectations most Jews had of the Messiah and his ministry. But Matthew wants to make clear to his primarily Jewish audience that this is all according to plan. Isaiah had prophesied centuries earlier, describing what the Servant of the Lord would be like and what he would do. He would not be quarrelsome or forcefully assert himself, instead he would care for the broken and the weak. And even though Jesus was not heard by his own people, his proclamation of justice is a message of hope to the nations. As we herald that message let us learn from this portrait of our Servant-King, that like him we would serve in all humility and gentleness even in the midst of opposition and rejection.

From the beginning, the Sabbath has been a marker to separate one week from another. God performs His creative work for six days and then enters into His rest, and this sets up the pattern for all of human history afterwards. In the days of promise under the old covenant, the people of God toiled in anticipation of future rest. In the new covenant, Christ becomes the new Adam in the new garden and initiates the new creation with His resurrection on the first day of the week. The day has moved but so far from destroying the old principles, a Lord's Day Sabbath fulfills and explains the old principles. We now work out of our rest instead of for it. Christ is our final Sabbath rest, and we rehearse for eternity each week when we set aside the business of the other six days in order to be fed by Christ through worship, through fellowship, and through a day of not only enjoying peace but in being intentional to extend it to those around us.

We live in an age where the wicked seem to prosper. Ungodliness is regarded as harmless, or even as good, while righteousness is mocked and maligned. We see that in many cases, we are governed by those who have no fear of the Lord, and are often even openly at war against Him. Ours is an age of flattery, narcissism, self-love, and lies. Yet none of this is particularly new or unique. This is how things always are when God prepares to rise up and bring safety to His people. Our charge this week is to take God at His word. Christian, do you believe that God's promises are purer than silver refined seven times? Are you confident of your safety in Him? Do you understand that He is committed to guarding your generation forever, even when you are surrounded on all sides? This is the kind of God we serve; He's done it before so you can trust Him to do it again. Rest in the comfort and in the safety He has promised, and once you are rested, labour for His glory as one who knows that nothing can harm you. "The Three Worlds of Evangelicalism" by Aaron Renn in 'First Things' magazine. https://www.firstthings.com/article/2022/02/the-three-worlds-of-evangelicalism "On Controversy" by John Newton https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/on-controversy#:~:text=Consider%20Your%20Opponent,the%20Lord's%20teaching%20and%20blessing.

In order to dwell with God there are specific requirements. Psalm 15 provides a list of characteristics that would be found in a person qualified to be in the presence of the Lord. It covers many aspects of life including one's conduct, conversation, commitments, constancy, and conscience; all of which we fall short of on a regular basis and thus are disqualified from communing with God. Yet if you are in Christ, these requirements have been fulfilled in Him. Through His work we can approach God and look forward to dwelling in heaven one day. If you are living in the hope of the gospel, these are traits that should be growing in you by the power of the Spirit and His work of sanctification. Rely on Him to sustain and keep you, and you shall never be moved.

You are to live in the full realization that you are accountable to God, so do not continue to live in sin and treat salvation as a license to do what ever you want. Ask God for wisdom because He will give it to those who ask (James 1:5). With that, live in the joy of your salvation knowing that if you repented and put your trust in Christ, that you may take refuge in the creator of the universe, to whom we are all accountable to. Go to God with your anxieties like the psalmist does, and take shelter in him.