For God Alone: The Song of Renewal
Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may one from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19-20a) Yesterday morning, our pastor preached a sermon on Isaiah 40:1-31. He called the fortieth chapter of Isaiah one of the greatest chapters of the Bible, a statement with which I completely resonate. Pastor Ellis’s theme for his final Lenten sermon was Renewal, a consistent theme that runs through the Bible. Those of us who have heard countless sermons, and who are faithful students of the Bible will readily agree with this claim. Pastor and author, Ray Ortlund, Jr. subtitled his commentary on Isaiah: God Loves Sinners. And, indeed, He does! Pastor Ellis described how God’s plan for renewal, brokenness, and repentance, is found throughout the entire word of God: Adam and Eve, Cain and Able, Noah, Jacob and Esau, Joseph, and Moses. Job sings a song of renewal even when his body is covered with disease: For I know that my Redeemer lives...