UNTIL

The whole life of man until he is converted to Christ is a ruinous labyrinth of wanderings. --- John Calvin

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience ---- among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of he body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath....  But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses , made us alive together with Christ...for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:1- 5, 10).

A hymn to read, sing, play, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: Grace! 'Tis a Charming Sound (Philip Doddridge, 1755).  

REPENTANCE

We see "gospel repentance" in all those who, made sore by the sting of sin but aroused and refreshed by trust in God's mercy, have turned to the Lord. -- John Calvin

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what earnestness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! (I Corinthians 7:10-11).  

A hymn to read, sing, play, hum, or whistle to the glory of God: O Thou That Hear'st When Sinners Cry (From Psalm 51. Isaac Watts, 1719).

LEADING

Even if all men are liars and faithless, still God does not cease to be trustworthy. -- John Calvin

The sheep hear His voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from Him, for they do not know the voice of strangers (John 10:4).

A hymn to read, sing, play, hum, or whistle to the glory of God: All The Way My Savior Leads Me (Fanny J. Crosby. 1875).

NECESSITY

Let this be a firm principle: No other word is to be held as the Word of God, and given place as such in the Church, than what is contained first in the Law and the Prophets, then in the writings of the apostles; and the only authorized way of teaching in the Church is by the prescription and standards of His Word. ---- John Calvin

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit... (I Corinthians 1:21; 2:13).

Man shall not live alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

...from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:15-16).

I charge you in the presence of God and in Christ Jesus...preach the word (II Timothy 4:1).

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart (From Psalm 119). -- (E. O. Sellers, 1908). 

RAISED

Since Christ, our Head, has ascended to heaven, we should leave our carnal desires behind and lift our hearts upward to Him. ---- John Calvin

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4).

A hymn to read, sing, play, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Helen H. Limmel, 1922).

FALLING

The more anyone excels in grace, the more he ought to be afraid of falling. --- John Calvin

 

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (I Corinthians 10:12)

 

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one (II Thessalonians 3:3)

 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle to the glory of God: Yield Not to Temptation (Horatio R. Palmer)

SCEPTRE

The Bible is the sceptre by which the heavenly King rules His Church. ---- John Calvin

 

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people (Isaiah 2:3-4).

 

...unto the Son He says, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom (Hebrews 1:8).  

ILLUMINATION

Unless God's Word illumine the way, the whole life of men is wrapped in darkness and mist, so that they cannot but miserably stray. ---- John Calvin

 

But the LORD's portion is His people, Jacob His allotted heritage. He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; He encircled him, He cared for Him, He kept him as the apple of His eye....the LORD alone guided him, no foreign god was with him(Deuteronomy 32: 10, 12.)

 

For You are my lamp, O LORD: and You, the LORD will lighten my darkness (II Samuel 22:39).

 

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you shall go; I will guide you with my eye (Psalm 32:8).

Name

To "know the name of the LORD" is to lay aside every false opinion and to know Him from His Word, which is His true image, and next from His works. We must not imagine God from the fancy of man, but must comprehend Him as He declares Himself to be. ---- John Calvin

Therefore my people will know my name; therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it. Yes, it is I. How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news...who say to Zion, "your God reigns!" (Isaiah 52:6-7).

"Isaiah envisages a day when faith will pass into sight and the Victor Himself will be seen face to face" (Alec Motyer).

....then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know even as I am fully known (I Corinthians 13:12).

No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will see Him. They will see His face, and HIs name will be on their foreheads(Revelation 22:3-4).

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: The God of Abraham Praise. 

 "The God of Abraham praise, who reigns enthroned above, Ancient of everlasting days and God of love. Jehovah! Great I AM! by earth and heaven confessed; I bow and bless the sacred name, for ever blest." Thomas Olivers, 1770

Mind

Oh, how greatly has the man advanced who has learned not to be his own, not to be governed by his own reason, but to surrender his mind to God! ---- John Calvin

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus...." (Philippians 2:5)

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ... (II Corinthians 10:5).

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: May the Mind of Christ My Savior: "May the mind of Christ my Savior live in me from day to day, by his love and power controlling all I do and say." 

Usefulness

Whatever ability a faithful Christian may posses, he ought to possess it for his fellow believers, and he ought to make his own interest subservient to the well-being of the church in all sincerity ---- John Calvin.

 

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord....To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. But God has so composed the body....that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it (I Corinthians 12:4-7, 12, 14, 24b-27).

The Church

Good morning!

The excellence of the church does not consist in multitude but in purity. John Calvin.

...but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:21-22). 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle to the glory of God: GLORIOUS THINGS OF THEE ARE SPOKEN (Trinity Hymnal 345). 

Sunday, August 24, 1997: Southern Cities String Quartet in Concert at the First United Methodist Church of Long Beach for the Summer Sunday Concert Spectacular Program.

Christine Ho, Violin
Oliver Truong, Violin
Melissa Bowers, Viola
Anthony Aviguetero, Cello

The theme of this piece is also recognized as the:
- Christian Hymn, "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken" with lyrics composed by John Newton
- German National Anthem

Angels

Good morning!

Angels are the dispensers and administrators of the divine beneficence towards us. ---- John Calvin.

Of the angels He says, "He makes His angels winds, and His ministers a flame of fire."  Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?  (Hebrews 1:7, 14)

A hymn to read aloud, and/or sing aloud, and to offer to God in worship: YOU HOLY ANGELS BRIGHT.

Faithfulness

Good morning!

God is always like Himself. ---- John Calvin

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17; ).

For I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob (Malachi 3:6).

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A hymn to be read or sung aloud to the glory of God: GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS 

The Christian and Law

Good morning!

THE CHRISTIAN AND THE LAW  God is only rightly served when His law is obeyed. It is not left to every man to frame a system of religion according to his own judgment, but the standard of godliness is to be taken from the Word of God. ---- John Calvin

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night (Psalm 1:1-2).

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A hymn to be read or sung aloud to the glory of God: TEACH ME, O LORD, YOUR WAY OF TRUTH.