How long is it since the 10 Commandments were read, or even mentioned, in our worship services? At least eight years ago was suggested and it could be longer taking us back to when the Communion Services were closely aligned with the Liturgy of the Prayer Book (PB). The richness of the PB has been lost to a great degree as we have rushed to express ourselves in more contemporary language, in a quest for relevance in a changing world, and partly in seeking to shorten the actual service/worship times and fill them with other matters.
Have we reached the stage where we would do well to look again at the PB for some aspects of our liturgy?
Why did Thomas Cranmer and colleagues think it important to include the 10 Commandments in the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) in the first place? Copious words have been written on this aspect, but suffice it to say they wished to insert them as a reminder of the Law given by God to Moses and the terms under which the people were to conduct themselves. The coming of Jesus as Lord and Saviour did not cancel out the Law but pointed to the perfect sacrifice He was to offer on our behalf. In Matthew 22:36-37 Jesus was asked by the Pharisees (the Jewish elite) about the Commandments and he answered: “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ (NASB)
If it was good enough for Jesus to refer to the Commandments then where does that leave us? Many have forgotten that our Justice System to this very day is based on the principles contained in the Commandments. Some in our society would like other religious laws adopted while others think a combination would work. We have the perfect law from our Great God and when Enough is Enough?
– GEOFF KYNGDON
This Sunday we continue with our local guest speakers with Grahame Scarratt speaking on the topic “The people’s choice for a king” from 1 Samuel 10:17-27.
It’s also the right time for us to recognise many of the needs of our missionaries, so we’ll have a special report about what’s been happening in the lives of our partners in global, word ministry.
If you’re wanting to check out our church we’d really love you to pop your head in at either 10am or 5pm. Or if you can’t make it in person, jump online to www.oakflats.tv and watch our live stream.
See you at 10am or 5pm this Sunday, God willing!