Paramount Church

". . . there lies always upon God’s Minister, Wo be unto me, if I preach not the Gospel, if I apply not the comfortable promises of the Gospel, to all that grone under the burden of their sins." ~John Donne (1572-1631), Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral London @TWRjack

Lord, we pray, absolve your people from their offences so that through your bountiful goodness we may be set free from the chains of those sins which in our frailty we have committed; grant this, heavenly Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen. ~Collect for the The Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity

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It is an interesting observation to notice that nomists/Lordship Salvation advocates always argue from the assumption that they obey well, are truly “surrendered” (Keswick idea not a Reformed category, “radical,” and fully submitted to Christ while everyone else needs to examine themselves to see if they are a Matthew 7 false “Christian” (Matthew 7 isn’t addressed to Christians or Christians who sin; 1 John 2:1-2 is addressed to Christians, who sin too). We reject this overrealized eschatological view of the Christian life. We hold to obedience to the entire moral law of God empowered by the gospel of grace and gratitude. But, we have an inaugurated eschatological view of what is actually possible this side of the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Heidelberg Catechsim Q. 114 states this reality perfectly. 114. Can those who are converted to God keep these commandments perfectly? No, but even the holiest men, while in this life, have only a small beginning of this obedience;1 nevertheless, with earnest purpose they do begin to live, not only according to some, but according to all the commandments of God.2 1 Ecc 7:20; Rom 7:14-15; 1 Cor 13:9; 1 Jn 1:8; 2 Ps 1:1-2; Rom 7:22-25; Php 3:12-16 So, until we become just like Jesus (1 John 3:1-3), we press on. We obey. We fail. We repent. We confess. We mourn. We rejoice. This is the “already but not yet.” But we never lose heart because WE HAVE and an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous and He is the propitiation FOR OUR SINS (1 John 2:1-2). We are called the Beloved- the same title given to Christ- thus is MY BELOVED SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED (Luke 3:22). “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” ((1 John 3:1-3). So, we come to church every Lord’s and humbly confess our sins to Almighty God praying: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker and judge of us all: We acknowledge and lament our many sins and wickedness, which we from time to time have most grievously committed, by thought, word, and deed against your divine majesty, provoking most justly your righteous anger against us. We earnestly repent and are deeply sorry for these our transgressions; the burden of them is more than we can bear. Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; for your Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may evermore serve and please you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then we immediately receive God’s Word of pardon and comfort: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who in his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to all those who sincerely repent and with true faith turn to him, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Hear what comfortable words our Savior Christ says to all who truly turn to Him: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 Hear also what St. Paul says: The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15 Hear also what St. John says: If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 2:1 And then after having been served by Christ, our Lord and Servant, in the Lord’s Supper, we have full assurance of our status as adopted sons of God and therefore join with Christ and immediately pray saying, “Our Father” (adoption, the highest privilege of the gospel). And then we give thanks to God for His favor and goodness towards us and we pray to be sent by His favor and goodness into the world in our multitude of vocations to do all the good works He has prepared for us to do. Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us, through this Sacrament, of your favor and goodness towards us: that we are true members of the mystical body of your Son, the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs, through hope, of your everlasting kingdom, by the merits of the most precious death and passion of your dear Son. And we humbly ask you, heavenly Father, to assist us with your grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all the good works that you have prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen. This is the pattern for how we live the Christian life.

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