As we see our sin against the reality of a holy God, You have provided the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we were imputed with the guilt of Adam’s sin, so we are imputed with the righteousness of the obedience of Christ. With Adam, we did nothing. We were condemned because we were united to him by birth. In Christ, we do nothing. We are united to Him by faith. Even our faith is a gift of God. We stand ready to die. We stand ready to face the judgment of a Holy God, not because there is anything good in us, but because there is everything good in Christ. Lord, give us peace as we hear the gospel again this morning.

Lord, bless the Church in all its endeavors. As authority was granted to You to rule the nations with rod of iron, to conquer them as the potter breaks the vessels into pieces, so also that authority has been given to the Church. We pray that Thine enemies be broken and that they repent and bow before the Son of God. Take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice in trembling. Do homage to the Son, lest he become angry and you perish in the way. God’s wrath may soon be kindled. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in the Lord.

Lord, help us to overcome. As troubles assail us and as adversity threatens us, give us a calm and quiet heart. As persecution may lie ahead of us and oppression may be our lot in life, give us strength. Help us to remember that he who overcomes shall be given the crown of life. He will be made a pillar in the temple of God and he will not go out from it anymore, and the name of God shall be written on his forehead. He will not be hurt by the second death. Lord, give us perseverance. We are weak, but You are strong. We are frail but you are powerful.

Lord, we are but dust. From the dust we were made and to the dust we shall return. It is appointed to every man once to die and then the judgment. We assume a great deal Lord. We assume we shall be alive tomorrow. We assume that illness shall not catch up with us. We assume that tragedy will be only the lot of others. Lord, we do live day by day, knowing that we are in Thy hands. We are not presumptuous. We have learned that the calamities common to men can come to us too. While we are healthy and free from pain, give us the spirit of thanksgiving. When we find the days to be dark and there is little hope, give us a spirit of thanksgiving. Help us to be content in whatsoever circumstances we are.

Lord, help us to think more of others than we do of ourselves. Help us to pray for the suffering. Help us to offer a helping hand to those in distress. Help us to be willing to give the shirt off our own backs to those without. Open our pockets to give our last dime to the hungry. Open our hearts to show mercy and love to one another. Give this Church a reputation for love.

Our Father, help us to remain faithful to the truth of God’s word in every facet. Truth changes men’s hearts. Truth enables us to escape many of the traps of sin. Truth makes men free. May we never despise truth. May we never despise doctrine. May we never despise orthodoxy. Truth is not something just for the mind. Truth gives us a roadmap on how to live in this world. It gives us a way to deal with any issue we face, any ideology prominent that is put before us, and any decision we have to make.

Lord, help us to remember that the Law is king. Greater than man is the Law of God. The King is not Law. When men seek to replace the Law of God and become lawgivers, then we will lose our freedom. Men will become tyrants and we shall become slaves. Raise up men who will confront the Kings with the Law of God.