One notable distinctive of our worship is our joyful singing of the psalms. This is often one of the first things mentioned by visitors to our churches, for it is both attractive but also simply really peculiar. Now of course this is not a practice that we have made up, but is rather part of our inheritance in the Reformed tradition and as God’s people. And so this morning I want to offer two simple reasons behind why we sing psalms in our worship services. 

First, the Psalter is a divinely-inspired book of 150 songs given by God to His church. It would be foolish to neglect in our worship songs that we know God is absolutely pleased to hear. As John Calvin wrote, “when we sing psalms we can be sure that God Himself has put the words in our mouths, as though He Himself were singing in us to the praise of His glory.” The Spirit wrote these words, and so we have the privilege of offering them back to our Lord in song. 

The second reason is this: the psalms are fitting for biblical worship. The writer of Hebrews calls us to worship “with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28b–29). When put to appropriate music, the psalms are up for this task, as they most accurately reflect the character of God and His will. Following the Apostle Paul’s admonition to be “fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:11), the psalms offer God’s people the opportunity to sing songs that are both formal and lively, and that express a zealous and militant joy. 

If the church is to conquer the nations with the gospel, the Psalter then is an excellent battle hymnal for the frontlines—whether in corporate worship, our homes, or in the town square. 

So let us hear and heed the words of Psalm 95,
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
and let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” 

Shawn Paterson – April 28, 2024

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Each Lord’s Day we come to worship the Lord together, and we do so as people with bodies and souls. We are not floating disembodied spirits, walking brains, nor bags of flesh. We are made up of both body and soul, and so when we worship our God, we want to offer all of ourselves to Him. This is why during our worship services we assume various bodily postures. 

But because we want all that we do in worship to be according to Scripture, it would be good to review why we do what we do from time to time. So this morning, I’d like to run through the four basic postures we assume in our worship services and their biblical support.

First, we kneel during our prayer of confession. This is an act of humility and submission. It is not a Roman Catholic thing, but a human thing, and a biblical practice. As Psalm 95:6 reads, “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” 

Second, we stand for the reading of God’s Word. This shows honor, respect, and attentiveness. When Ezra opened the Book of the Law to be read before the people, it says they all stood up to receive it (Neh. 8:5, 9:3). 

Third, we sit for communion. This is because we are guests seated at our Lord’s Table. As the Gospels record, Jesus sat with His twelve apostles as they ate their final Passover meal (Mt. 26:20, Lk. 22:14–15). 

And fourth, we lift our hands during the closing doxology. We do this in unison as a corporate action of praise, rather than as a spontaneous individual expression. We see this action in various psalms, along with Paul’s instructions in 1 Timothy for men to pray lifting up holy hands (Ps. 63:4, 143:6, 1 Tim. 2:8). 

By observing these various postures, we are producing within ourselves what we are trying to cultivate, such as humility in confession. And then we are also communicating this outwardly, displaying the posture of our hearts to both men and God. 

So with this understanding, may we all now seek to present our whole bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to our God, for this is our spiritual worship (Rom. 12:1).

Shawn Paterson – April 7, 2024

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Two thousand years ago on the first Easter Sunday, Mary Magdalene returned to the garden tomb in which our Lord was laid and found it empty. Struck with concern for her Master’s body, she rushed away and returned with Peter and John, who confirmed that his body was indeed gone. While they returned to their homes, Mary lingered in the garden, weeping—for she did not understand what this all truly meant (Jn. 20).

Mary loved Jesus. When most others had fled, she stood at the cross alongside his mother and John, suffering with Him. And here again, she refuses to leave Him—or at least where she thought He should be. As she cried, a man approached, whom she presumed was the gardener. He asked why she was weeping, and she responded with interrogation, asking where he moved Jesus to.  And it was at this moment, when Jesus the Gardener simply replied, “Mary,” that her eyes were opened. 

Here was her resurrected Lord and friend, no longer dead but alive, calling her by name. She replied with joy, exclaiming, “Rabonai, Teacher!” While she did not understand what was happening, her patient love and devotion to Christ, though mixed with grief, allowed her to see and believe. With that one word—her name spoken by Christ—her whole world was turned upside down. The tears she had sown in that garden quickly reaped a harvest, and Mary received her reward. 

In this, Mary is a picture of Christ’s bride, the Church. And Mary is an image of you this morning—if you hear His voice. Christ knows your sin and weakness. He knows your fears and grief. He knows that you are often slow to understand all that He is doing. And as the Good Shepherd He comes near in comfort, calls you by name, in order that you would recognize His voice (Jn. 10). 

So this Easter Sunday, remember that His resurrection is not merely a historical fact. It is personal. If you have died with Him, if your sins have gone into the grave—you too now share in His resurrection. So hear and believe this Good News, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and in your believing may you have eternal life (Jn. 20:31).

Shawn Paterson – March 31, 2024

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In Matthew’s Gospel, as Jesus entered Jerusalem on the donkey, we read that “all the city was moved, saying, ‘Who is this?’ So the multitudes said, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee’” (Mt. 21:10–11). 

The multitudes here are the people who recognized the Messiah riding in like a king, and cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (21:9). These were those who knew the Scriptures, who could clearly see the prophecies coming true, and were worked up into jubilant praise, sharing their joy with the whole city. 

What is this all about? Who is this? It’s Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of David, they gladly answer. This question itself brings to mind another Scripture, for it is an echo of the great question of Psalm 24, “Who is this king of glory?” 

Our Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem was obviously a one-time historical event in God’s plan of salvation, but there is a lesson here for us to learn. As Christ’s works are seen by the world, we must be ready and eager to praise Him and point others to Him. When His reign is manifested in our midst, it is our duty as His witnesses to declare what is taking place, what all the commotion is about. As we seek to live quiet and peaceable lives, others should see our faithfulness, and our city ought to be moved, causing questions. And it should be our joy to answer them. 

When Christ saves sinners — behold, the King of glory! 

When the Lord’s Day is honored — behold, the Lord strong and mighty!

When children are raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord  — behold, the Lord of hosts! 

So this morning, turn your attention in worship to your King of glory. He once road into his City on a lowly colt, and He has promised to come again on a white horse. But until that glorious Day, recognize the thousands of different ways in which He comes with blessing and mercy to you, your families, and this community. And call upon all people, saying, “Lift up your heads, O you gates… and the King of glory shall come in” (Ps. 24).

Shawn Paterson – March 24, 2024

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There are many in the church today who know and hate their sin but find themselves still stuck in their guilt and shame. They know that God is holy, that they are not, and do not struggle to say so. But a key ingredient is missing in their attempts at repentance. 

Full repentance is not just owning what you have done, but it is also owning, or apprehending, what God has done on your behalf. You could say that there are two movements or parts to repentance. The first is true confession – identifying and naming your sin as God names it, with contrition and no euphemisms or excuses. But you must not stop there. The second part of repentance is then owning what God has done – turning to Christ in faith and receiving His forgiveness, graciously extended to you. Without both of these pieces, repentance is incomplete. 

If all you have done is name your sin but have not yet turned in humble faith to the One who is faithful to forgive and cleanse you of all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 1:9)—then it is no wonder that you keep finding yourself stuck in the same hole of despair. Without forgiveness, without cleansing, you are still left in the mess you dug yourself into. 

Sure, you can see clearly that it is dark and dirty, and that you cannot climb out on your own. But you have not yet grasped onto the nail-scarred hand reaching down to pull you out. You have not yet apprehended God’s forgiveness and grace extended to you so that you may walk in the light.

Now note, this is not the same thing as “forgiving yourself.” Forgiveness is not extended from yourself to yourself – it comes from God – the one you have offended and sinned against. 

He freely offers forgiveness to all who turn to Him; you must only exercise faith and take hold of it. Or perhaps for a more accurate illustration, if His forgiveness was a sea of refreshing water, all you must do is fall in. And when you do, you will most certainly be washed clean.

Shawn Paterson – March 3, 2024

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