What is an Ebenezer?
Hymns, more often that not, are constructed with wonderfully written lyrics that portray the many attributes of God. They help us focus on God’s glory and explain many theological truths in ways that are not often heard these days. Every once in a while there will be a word or phrase that we sing that is foreign to our modern vocabulary. In the hymn “Come thou Fount of Every Blessing”, Robert Robinson explains the gospel very clearly. He says that we are a people “prone to wander”, but as a persevering Christ follower we should daily say “here’s my heart Lord, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.” Now these might not be the words you choose to pray on a daily basis, but I know when I hear these lyrics it sends a chill down my spine. That fact that God knows how sinful I am but still allows me to say “here’s my heart Lord” is an amazing truth that is profoundly communicated by this hymn.
Every once in a while a solid theological hymn will use a word so foreign that it might be a distraction for us in worship. The word Ebenezer used in “Come thou fount of every Blessing” is one of those words. The song proclaims, “here I raise my ebenezer, hither by thy help I come”, which bring forth the question; why are we picking up Scrooge? The word Ebenezer has a much greater theological meaning but unless we dig deep it might come off as weird or comical in a hymn used for worship. Literally speaking an Ebenezer is a “stone of help” that reminded the Israelites of God’s real, holy presence and divine aid. So what is your Ebenezer? Where were you this week when God showed up and helped you in a time of need? When was the last time you thanked him for the undeserved aid that he gives you?
As we sing the hymn “Come thou Fount of Every Blessing” this Sunday, I hope the word Ebenezer creates for you an awareness of the Lord’s presence and the power of His gospel!
Ben
Notes from Chuck
Hi Everybody!
The last few Sundays have been such sweet but meaty times worshipping and learning from God’s word. I hope you have been encouraged this week by His word to us Sunday; “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure”. (Philippians 2:13) I hope you will take time this week personally or with your Community Group to celebrate and rest in our God that is working!
I want to make you aware of few things coming up on the calendar!
Next Saturday is Halloween. Don’t be afraid of this day. In fact why not use this as an opportunity to serve our city. In the years past Community Groups have thrown block parties on Halloween night to show their neighbors God’s love in a practical way. Let me encourage you Crossbridge to be a light on this night. Turn your front porch light on and give away the best candy on the street. I try to give our full size candy bars to the kids the come by. We’re not endorsing witches and all the junk about Halloween; we are endorsing loving the people that come to your door. So how can you love your neighbors this Halloween? Full size candy bars, grill and give away free Hot Dogs, rent a bounce house for the neighborhood kids or throw a block party with your group? Be creative and have fun loving people.
November 1st is also time change Sunday! Set your clocks back one hour and enjoy the gift of sleep!
Please mark your calendars for November 15th. We will be having our second “On the Patio” Sunday. This summer we did “Floats on the Patio” and on November 15th we will have “Hot Dogs on the Patio”. Following each service will have free Hot Dogs and drinks for the whole family on the patio of 1049 Eldridge.
These Sundays are designed to introduce your friends and family who don’t have a church home or are outside the faith to Crossbridge. We will have our normal Sunday worship service and continue through Philippians but we will use this little social event to as an opportunity to invite someone who God has put on your heart to Crossbridge. Start praying now that God will open a door for you to invite someone to this special day and that He might do a work in their heart.
I know this might seem a little cheesy to do but let me tell you God uses these specials Sundays in people’s lives. One of the men that will be helping roast the dogs that Sunday was invited by a Crossbridger to our “Floats on the Patio” Sunday. That was his and his wife’s first Sunday with us and now they are regular attendees, going through our Gospel Class and will be serving up some good Hot Dogs on our next Patio Sunday!
I am always blessed by your commitment to advance the gospel Crossbridge.
Thanks for making it a joy to be your pastor!
Chuck
PS – Please remember to join us for First Tuesday – November 3rd!
The Call for Godly Men
This Sunday: “The Call for Godly Men” – Philippians 2:17-30
Crossbridge Men, this Sunday’s message will be aimed at encouraging us to take the next step in living God-Centered lives for the sake of our families, city and world. I would like to ask you to make every effort to be here this Sunday, for our time of worship. Whether you are married or single, you will be encouraged by God’s word this Sunday.
Ladies, there will be a lot for you too in this passage, but I will be specifically addressing our men and encouraging them to take the next step in being all Jesus is calling them to be. Let me encourage you married ladies, to make every effort to get your man (or men if you have teenage sons) here for this service. If you are a single lady, please encourage the men in your life to be here and be praying for the men in our church.
See ya Sunday!
