Dan continued the sermons series on Joseph tonight, and used Genesis 39:20-40:23 and Genesis 41:1-40, 50-57 as the text.  You may listen or download here, or read the text here.

By Emily L

Worship is like a medicine for the soul. Sometimes it tastes good, sometimes we can’t taste it at all, and sometimes it tastes bitter. Even so, we are instructed to worship:

“In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”—1 Thess. 5:18

“Sing to him, sing praises to him; speak of all his wonders!”—1 Chron. 16:9

“You who fear the LORD, praise him!”—Ps. 22:23

“Sing praise to the LORD, you his godly ones;”—Ps. 30:4

“For it is written: ‘ “As I live,” says the LORD, “Every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” ’ ”—Rom. 14:11

“Through him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips who give thanks to his name.”—Heb. 13:15

“… Is anyone (among you) cheerful? He is to sing praises.”—James 5:13

“ … ‘Give praise to God, all you his bond-servants, you who fear him, the small and the great!’” —Rev. 19:5

It seems impossible at times, to thank God, to give praise to his holy name when we are in pain, in seasons of doubt, or when observing a natural disaster. Sometimes that natural disaster is looking in the mirror at us, wondering how exactly we represent the image of God. Thank God, however, that we have a lifetime to grow in the virtue of praise. Amen for that!

This fall I asked God to help me “clean house” spiritually. I knew that there were areas where I had grown in my relationship with God, but also some “closets” I had boarded up. These represented unanswered questions, doubts and fears. I wanted to be 100 percent surrendered to God, not holding back anything, not loving God with only part of my heart, but all of my heart. God, as is his faithful nature, responded by prying the boards off those “closets” and opening those doors at an unexpected time, causing all the questions, doubts and fears to come tumbling out. With them came anger, sadness, and disappointment. It has been an arduous hike with God during this season. I have even asked, “What is the point of following a God whose ways I don’t like?” (But to whom will we go? He has the words of eternal life….—from John 6:68) He has patiently walked with me through these issues, helping me examine each piece of debris I shoved into those closets. Sometimes he has asked me to let go, to simplify, to return some things to him, and to be at peace with the mystery of his ways. I will never fully understand God or why he orders the universe as he does, and he wants me to come to grips with that. It is a hard truth.

As God has helped me “clean house,” he has also drawn me time and again to Scripture (and testimonies) about worship. Psalm 13: 1-2 states, “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? … How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long?” The psalmist in verses 5 and 6 then provides the antidote to this distress: “But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.” The antidote for despair is worship and thanksgiving. Easy? No. But I appreciate the psalmist’s openness and vulnerability, which has given me a sense of safety and license to do the same. In a testimony, a man recently widowed was advised to worship by a friend. It was the last thing he felt like doing. However, some months later he noted that it had helped lift his moods (not immediately, but eventually). He had been a worship leader in his church.

We see this also in Psalm 77: “I cry aloud to God, aloud to God that he may hear me. In the day of trouble I seek the LORD; … my soul refuses to be comforted. I think of God and I moan; I meditate and my spirit faints.” What medicine is prescribed? “I will call to mind the deeds of the LORD; I will remember your wonders of old. …Your way, O God, is holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who works wonders.” The medicine is worship and remembering all of the things God has already done in your life to bless you. This humbles me, because God has answered so many of my prayers in spectacular ways. When I finished my Ph.D., I bought myself a guitar to celebrate (the store was having a one day 50% off sale!), because I wanted to praise God with it for helping me through graduate school. My prayer was that someday I would plug that guitar in and play “electric” with a church worship team. Every time I play at Rez I am living that answered prayer.

So how have these revelations about worship as medicine changed me? Now I am able to look at the debris lying on the floor of these opened closets in my soul less emotionally. I see less of a mess, more order, and fewer items (because I have let some go). There is also a greater sense of smallness in the presence of a mighty God. I feel humbled, convicted about my pride, that God did not plan my life or the world as I think he should have. God is holy; I am not. Worship, though it has been tasteless or bitter oftentimes, has been healing for me. When I worship through playing guitar and singing at church, it ministers to me as much as it ministers to the congregation. I am proclaiming truths that I want to believe 100 percent. As we know from Romans 10:17, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” When we worship, we speak (or sing), we also hear ourselves say these things. God created with words, and we also create when we use words. When we worship, we are speaking out what we want to exist, even if it does not yet exist (i.e. “His praise shall continually be on my lips”). When we praise, we prophesy over ourselves, that we may become that which God created us to be.

This Sunday and next, at 7.30pm after our service, we will have two seminars with an expert on Islam, Christianity, and the Middle East.  Ziya has spoken at Rez several times before, and is with us as a guest of our Religious Freedom Group.  In session one (Jan 24), he will present an overview of Islam and current issues and trends. In the second one (Jan 31), he will speak on Islamic views of Christianity and questions or challenges Muslims often pose against the Christian faith.

Please join us for what should be a really good way to get a deeper understanding of Islam from someone with first hand knowledge and experience.

There will be food provided; please come prepared to make a contribution towards the cost

Aaron Damiani’s sermon on Genesis 39 is available for streaming or download here.

From congregant Pete Howard:

Haiti Earthquake: Please consider getting involved in supporting the relief efforts in Haiti.  Several reputable organizations to give to include: Food for the Hungry (www.fh.org), Salvation Army (www.salvationarmyusa.org), World Vision (www.worldvision.org), World Relief (www.worldrelief.org), World Hope (www.worldhope.org), etc.  Right now organizations need money more than people.  If you would like to volunteer, please be patient and understand that getting volunteers on the ground in the early days of a disaster is very difficult, inefficient and dangerous.  There will be opportunities in the coming weeks and months for volunteers. Right now it is best to give financially and let experienced responders from the above organizations steward your financial resources in these early and chaotic days.

Today’s post highlights a great local ministry that Rez’ Urban Ministry Council supports.  Several Rez member volunteer with The Porch each week, and Raj and Daniel agreed to share their testimonies with us.

Are you interested in learning more about this ministry and how you could be involved?

Contact Raj at 202.640.9909 or rajandkie@sbcglobal.net.

Raj Parikh

The Porch is a multi-church youth ministry that a number of Rezzers* have been a part of since the Fall of 2007. We have weekly gatherings and various special events with the youth.

We meet every Wednesday at Washington Community Fellowship from 7pm-9pm for worship, prayer, and small group Bible study. Over the past year, the Porch youth enjoyed a Christmas dinner at Old Ebbitt’s Grill, a lock-in, a Shrove Tuesday breakfast, and summer retreats.

As a small group leader, I have had the privilege to share God’s truth and love with 10^th-12^th grade guys. They have opened up to reveal a number of strongholds of sin in their lives, and we have all had the opportunity to “sharpen” one another. Getting the chance to introduce the gospel to some and encourage others in their walks has been an incredible experience!

We would ask for your prayer as each of the students face new challenges to their faith with a deeper walk with the Lord.   Specifically, I ask that you pray for our focus this year to “dig deep” as we challenge students to look at how sin has affected their life so they might further embrace the freedom of Christ and deepen their relationship with God.

Daniel Son

I’ve really enjoyed the time I’ve had at the Porch. It is a unique ministry in that it brings together several churches in the Washington DC metro area as well as urban youth who live in the surrounding neighborhoods. The vision of the Porch to desire not only that these suburban and urban youth grow in Christ, but in relationship to one another is one that I resonate with very deeply. The hope for the youth of this city and our nation rests in community: with one another, and with Christ. The Porch aims to achieve this through worship, Bible study, small group teaching, games, retreats and extended times of fellowship, prayer and conversation - it seeks to engage youth at very formative and often vulnerable times in their lives. It has been a pleasure to participate in a small way to support and administer this vision for ministry in DC.

On January 10, 2010, Frog Orr-Ewing visited Rez and preached for us.  You may download or listen to his sermon here.

“Courageous Christian Engagement in a Complex World” with special guests Frog & Amy Orr-Ewing

On Sunday, January 10, Resurrection welcomes the Rev. Francis “Frog” and Amy Orr-Ewing from London, who will share their experiences as Christian heralds in cross-cultural settings around the world.

• 3:30 pm Courageous Answers for Difficult Questions Coffee & Dessert Discussion with Amy Orr-Ewing
• 5:00 pm Seeking Wisdom in 2010? Worship and communion, with Frog Orr-Ewing preaching.
• 7:15 pm Courageous Faith in Cross-Cultural Settings Potluck Dinner and Dialogue with Frog & Amy. Last names A-P please bring a main dish; Q-Z please bring a side dish or dessert.

The Rev. Francis “Frog” Orr-Ewing is the vicar of All Saints Peckham in central London, where he has served for the past six years, following ministry at St. Aldate’s in Oxford. Peckham is one of the Europe’s most challenging neighborhoods, renowned for gang culture and deprivation, yet in this context the church has added people from all walks of life and cultures, especially young adults. Frog is a passionate missionary pastor who values thoughtful responses to the challenges presented by our culture. The Lord has opened doors for he and his wife, Amy, to share the gospel with the Taliban in Afghanistan, as well as in Europe, the USA and Africa. He is currently completing a doctorate at King’s College in historical theology.

Amy Orr-Ewing is Training Director of the Zacharias Trust for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, and Program Director for the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. She has degrees in theology from Oxford and King’s College. Amy speaks and lectures on Christian apologetics worldwide, at events such as the Keswick Convention UK, Veritas Forums internationally, and the European Leadership Forum in Hungary. She is the author of several books, including ‘Holy Warriors: A Fresh Look at the Face of Extreme Islam’(2003), ‘Is the Bible Intolerant’ (2006), ‘Is Believing in God Irrational’ (2008), ‘Deep’ (2008) and ‘Why Trust the Bible?’ (2009). Amy and Frog are married and have three sons, Zachary, Elijah and Benjamin.

Please join us on Sunday (Jan 10), immediately following the service for a discussion and potluck with Frog & Amy Orr-Ewing (bios below). Frog & Amy will be discussing sharing the Gospel with people of other faith traditions.

For Potluck, please bring the following:
Last Name A-P: Main Dish
Last Name Q-Z: Side Dish or a Dessert
**note, if you plan to stay and eat, please bring something to contribute.

Bios
The Rev. Francis “Frog” Orr-Ewing is the vicar of All Saints Peckham in central London, where he has served for the past six years, following ministry at St. Aldate’s in Oxford (Christian & Helen Hofreiter’s church). Peckham is one of the Europe’s most challenging neighborhoods, renowned for gang culture and deprivation, yet in this context the church has added people from all walks of life and cultures, especially young adults. Frog is a passionate missionary pastor who values thoughtful responses to the challenges presented by our culture. The Lord has opened doors for he and his wife, Amy, to share the gospel with the Taliban in Afghanistan, as well as in Europe, the USA and Africa. He is currently completing a doctorate at King’s College in historical theology.

Amy Orr-Ewing is Training Director of the Zacharias Trust for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, and Program Director for the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. She has degrees in theology from Oxford and King’s College. Amy speaks and lectures on Christian apologetics worldwide, at events such as the Keswick Convention UK, Veritas Forums internationally, and the European Leadership Forum in Hungary. She is the author of several books, including ‘Holy Warriors: A Fresh Look at the Face of Extreme Islam’(2003), ‘Is the Bible Intolerant’ (2006), ‘Is Believing in God Irrational’ (2008), and ‘Deep’ (2008). Amy and Frog are married and have three sons, Zachary, Elijah and Benjamin.

Matthew preached tonight on Genesis 37:1-28. You may listen to or download the sermon here.