The scripture text for this morning sermon is found in Romans chapter 2 and I begin reading at verse 17.

But if you bear the name Jew and rely upon the law and boast in God and know his will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and of truth.

You therefore who teach another do you not teach yourself.

You who preach that one should not steal do you steal.

You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?

You who have horror idols, do you rob temples.

You who boast in the law, through your break in the law, do you dishonor God.

For, the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you just as it is written.

Father, we corporately feel a great need for you because we are weak and we are fallible and we are frightened and there is great uncertainty in the short run in our lives and

sin tends to get the upper hand and make us wander.

There is a sense of unworthiness upon us

and having met you in worship so preciously and sweetly,

and having called out to you and tasted of you

has this double effect of making us feel inadequate

while admiring your great adequacy

and glorious all sufficiency.

And so we're crying out now again that for another little while here you would stand forth this time from your word as I attempt to unfold it from Romans 2.

Please Lord, leave us not to our own resources here.

Be the teacher in this moment and quicken dead hearts that they might live and see and hear and breathe and love and trust and obey and go to heaven instead of hell.

Guard us from the evil one now

and let your word come with the weight and the glory that is fitting in Jesus name.

Amen.

...