We invite you to use the following sermon preview to prepare for worship on Sunday morning.
This Sunday, August 24, Dr. Gaddy will deliver a sermon titled, "The Integrity of God and the Audacity of Religion." The two scripture texts (see below) involve the old discussion about what will happen to the Jews, but various points of the discussion lead far beyond that subject and relate to what will happen to all of us. The apostle Paul exhibits his heart-wrenching struggle with this matter and ultimately offers one of the most beautiful doxologies in scripture -- which is the reading from the Christian Scriptures for this week.
The Hebrew Scripture Lesson (Isaiah 51:1-6)
1 Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness, you that seek the Lord. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. 2 Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, but I blessed him and made him many. 3 For the Lord will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song. 4 Listen to me, my people, and give heed to me, my nation; for a teaching will go out from me, and my justice for a light to the peoples. 5 I will bring near my deliverance swiftly, my salvation has gone out and my arms will rule the peoples; the coastlands wait for me, and for my arm they hope. 6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and those who live on it will die like gnats; but my salvation will be forever, and my deliverance will never be ended.
The Christian Scripture Lesson (Romans 11:33-36)
33 O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" 35 "Or who has given a gift to him, to receive a gift in return?" 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.
