Ephesians 5 - The Great Mystery Chiasm

Ephesians 5 speaks about marriage, but it is not about marriage.  Ephesians 5 speaks about Christian living, but it is not about Christian living.  Ephesians 5 speaks about singing in Christian worship, but it is not about singing in Christian worship.  If it is not about these things, just what IS it about?

Ephesians 5 is about God's great mystery, the church of Christ.  It is illustrated here by Paul primarily by marriage and "clean" living which includes "singing to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs."

Ephesians 5 tells us primarily about Christ's relationship to the church which is a "great mystery."  Since Paul in several places reveals the mysterious church of Christ (the mystery is that the gospel is for all, not just the Jews) and makes sure by inspiration that the church of Christ remain a mystery no longer!

The Jews organized their writings (including Inspired Scripture) is a way unlike extant Westerners (shocking!).  Instead of lining up arguments in a line with a conclusion at the end, Hebraic literature would often have a thesis in the middle with arguments on the front end descending to the thesis and corresponding arguments ascending backwards to the thesis.  These "chiasms" rendered emphasis without repetition.  There also was an "internal tension" between the various top and bottom assertions.  For example, the "no uncleanness to be named among you" of Ephesian 5.3 - 5 is contrasted by Ephesians 5.31's "For this reason..."  It goes without saying that a faithful monogamous relationship will allow no uncleanness.  This "chiastic" outline gets its name from the Greek alphabet letter "X" (chi) as it looks like a cut in half letter "X."

Here is Ephesians 5 outlined chiastically.  As Paul did not leave us his outlines, this has been organized by me and me alone.  The Word is without error but my outline might not be!  Feel free to construct your own chiasm's to further your study of God's Word!

2        Walk as did Christ in love, sacrifice and offering

          3 – 5  No uncleanness to be named among you      

                   6        Be wary of deception

                             16      Redeem the time

                                      20 – 21        Submit to all with thanksgiving

                                           22 – 23 Christ is the head of the church – LEADER

                                                                     Christ is the Savior of the Body - SERVANT

                                      24a    The church is submissive to Christ    

                             24b    Wives are subject to husbands in everything

                   25 – 26   Husbands, love your wives AS Christ loved the church

          31      “For this reason a man should leave his father and mother and…

32      This is a great mystery BUT see Romans 16.25 – 26 & Colossians 1.26 - 29

This outline was presented to the Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210 on 11 April 2018 by Russell H McCullough

Believing Prayer

In the very biblical mode of prayer where we approach our Holy God, here is a prayer that emulates just how Christ taught us to pray.  It is thankful, hopeful, content, joyful, doctrinal and edifying to all!

http://believingprayer.com/you-are-god/

1984 - Shall I be Connected or Disconnected?

LISTEN! right now on SOUNDCLOUD!

https://soundcloud.com/archdale-church-of-christ/sermon-pm-020418-1984-romans-831-acoc-russ-mccullough

One can go to hell by oneself but Heaven is a group destination!  It's "if God is for us, who can be against us?" ...NOT...  "if God is for me, who can be against me?"

Finding Love in Leviticus

On Sunday evening, April 2, 2017, Greg Wanderman, gospel preacher for the Clover (SC) church of Christ spoke at the Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210 during the worship hour.

He very admirably spoke on the subject; "Finding Love in Leviticus."  Though many wrongly assume that the God of the Old Testament is an angry tyrant, Greg pointed out with proof after proof from the text that quite the opposite is true.  He showed that the eastern gate of the Tabernacle (the tent of meeting) was the only entry to the abode of God Himself as Christ is the only "true door."  He noted that the show bread reminds us that Christ is the bread of life.  It was illustrated that the candles are symbolic for the fact that Christ is the light of the world.  The brazen sea was used for the priest to ritually cleanse themselves before serving in the Tabernacle as Christ commands baptism in water for the remission of sins. The prayers of the saints are symbolized by the incense of the temple.  In both the Tabernacle and in baptism, atonement is made by the shedding of blood to blot out sin.  Mercy is extended to the poor as two measures of flour would substitute for a pigeon should one be too poor to possess one.   The flour would be poured by the priest onto the burning sacrifice of a bloody sacrifice thus combining the blood going up in smoke with the powdery flour.

No, far from being the "God of Wrath," there is nothing but love to be found in Leviticus because above all else, God wants to Tabernacle with us, now and forever.

Thanks, Greg, for a job well done as God gets all the glory for "loving us while we were yet sinners." 

The 2nd Greatest Blessing We Can Receive This Side of Heaven - Worship

“From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *

Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210

www.archdale.org / gospelcall.blogspot.com - Date:  26 February 2017

Text:  I Corinthians 11.17 - 34

Thesis:  “There is no remembrance of Christ outside of the assembly”

1           Introduction

A.   I would like to thank bro. Gene Austin for requesting this sermon to be preached. 

B.   We are not here to “preach to the choir so to speak,” we are here to reinforce the Mind of Christ regarding this subject so we can better defend the faith and encourage one another to always be faithful.

C.    There is a rapid decent in church attendance in America

D.   We could drone on and on about the reasons why.

E.    Vance Havner observed; “The church is so subnormal that if it ever got back to the New Testament, normal it would seem to people abnormal.”

F.    C. S. Lewis said:  “The perfect church service would be one we were almost unaware of.  Our attention would have been on God.”

G.   Many people have offered many excuses for neglecting the Lord’s memory:

1.      “Three letters…NFL!

2.     “I’m a good person and I don’t want to hear otherwise!”

3.    “When I want to feel guilty, I’ll just call my mother!”

4.    “Not going to church because of hypocrites is like not going to the gym because of all “those out of shape people!”

5.    “I was on my way to church this morning when I glanced down at my smart phone.  It said; “No Service.”  So I turned around and went back home.”

6.    And my personal favorite…”The preacher doesn’t respond to my remote control!”

7.     Often folks just go to “Bedside Baptist” where they will listen to Dr. Sheets attended to by brother Snooze Button and brother Tenmore Minutes.

8.    But SERIOUSLY…

H.   Thomas Paine the atheist sums it up best: “My own mind is my own church.”

I.       John Wesley observed; “The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.” 

J.     I have visited the woods many times over my life span and have yet to find someone holding a worship service!

K.   On the other hand I have most certainly heard the Lord’s Name being called out loudly on every golf course I ever played!

L.     Today We Will Go To God’s Word and Discover God’s Greatest Blessing This Side of Heaven

M.Worship Is For God, Worship is For Others and Worship is For Me.

2          Worship is for God

A.   John 4.19 – 24

1.      The Hour is now here for TRUE worshippers

a.    Those who neglect God become FALSE worshippers

2.     True worshippers worship Him in Spirit and in Truth

a.    Those who don’t worship Him in Spirit worship falsely

b.    Those who don’t worship Him in Truth worship falsely

3.    God is seeking such to worship Him

a.    Am I going to purposely avoid the God of the Universe who is seeking me out to worship Him?

B.   I Corinthians 11.17 – 34

1.      Vs. 18 – They are commanded to come together as a church, not as individuals

2.     Vs. 20 – They are commanded to come together to eat the Lord’s Supper

3.    Vs. 24 – Jesus commands us to remember Him when we eat the bread

4.    Vs . 25 – Jesus commands us to remember Him when we drink the fruit of the vine

5.    Vs. 26  - We are commanded to “proclaim the Lord’s Death” until He comes as an assembly

6.    Vs. 27 – An unworthy taking proclaims the opposite

7.     Vs. 28 – We are commanded to examine ourselves during the Lord’s Supper, something impossible for the absent as the examination is to be in the Assembly

8.    Vs. 29 – We are to discern the Lord’s Body during the Lord’s Supper, something impossible for the absent as this discernment is to be in the Assembly

9.    Vs. 30 – The neglect of the Lord’s Supper will cause a spiritual illness that is always fatal if not treated

C.    THERE IS NO REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST OUTSIDE OF THE ASSEMBLY

3          Worship is For Others

A.   Hebrews 10.19 – 25

1.      Vs. 22 – We can’t draw near if we aren’t there!

2.     Vs. 23 – A confession to myself is not a confession

3.    Vs. 24 – I can’t stir you up to love and good works if I’m not there at the assembly

4.    Vs. 24 – You can’t stir me up to love and good works if you are not there in the assembly

5.    Vs. 25 – Neglect of the assembly is bad habit especially since we are all closer to judgement today than ever before in all of history!

B.   THERE IS NO REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST OUTSIDE OF THE ASSEMBLY

4         Worship is For Me

A.   Matthew 16.18 – Jesus built His one and only church for me

1.      Worship allows me the opportunity to thank Him

B.   Acts 2.47 – God added me to His one and only church the day I was baptized

1.      Worship allows me to thank Him

C.    Ephesians 2.22 – Christ made me a part of God’s Dwelling Place

1.      Worship allows me to thank Him

D.   Hebrews 3.6 – We are His House if we hold fast

1.      Worship allows me to thank Him

E.    Romans 12.5 – We are individually members one of another

1.      Worship allows each of us to thank each other for what we mean to one another in Christ

F.    THERE IS NO REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST OUTSIDE OF THE ASSEMBLY

5          Conclusion:

A.   Do you want to be like Christ?  (I know you do)

1.      Luke 4.16 – It was Christ’s CUSTOM to worship weekly

2.     Matthew 26.26 – 29 – The ONLY way He commands us to remember Him takes place ONLY in worship

3.    Matthew 18.20 – Worship is where Jesus IS each and every time.  He’s here right now

4.    He longs to see you again tonight should time continue

6         The Challenge of the Text for Christians Today

A.   Are you sure time will continue until this evening for you?

7          “The Gospel Call”

·         My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book of his time; Gaston’s Collections.  It allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.”  Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died prematurely of the measles.  He is buried just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting House Cemetery.”   Uncle Hugh continues to inspire my ministry to this very day.  You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston

Ruins photo courtesy of: ballywillanpci.org.

The Peaks and Valleys of Abram's Faith Journey

Groups, Ghettos and the Mega Church

Public Domain Image via Bing Images via shadowwings.com

11 April 2016 (Mint Hill, NC)  The so-called "Mega Church" movement is accelerating here in America.  What appears to be growth, strength and progress is in reality, shrinkage, weakness and decline.  It is no more than a modern day version of "circling the wagons."

We live on a "different planet" that that which I grew up on.  "Back in the day," what was characterized as "church growth" was individual, sacrificial and organic.  Instead of "seeking out a church home" that would cater to one's own narcissism, people would jump at the chance to build something from the ground up to serve the needs of others.  Individuals would work to build a congregation by sacrificing their own wants, wishes and expectations for the sake of others.  These were the days when there was no need to call for "volunteers," the work would have to be shared because there were always more of the "willing" than could be accommodated.  In other words, there were growing churches with deep benches as opposed to swelling churches with nearly everyone "sitting in the recliners."  Worship was a very public participatory event and not a time when one would privately view "professionals" do it all.  In short, the church of yesterday was a place of service.  The "mega church" of today, however, is a place to be "served."

What has changed?  A number of things but primarily just three.  First of all, people today no longer see themselves as the sinners that they are.  Its society that needs changing not individuals.  Secondly, only accomplished professionals should preach, teach and lead in worship.  This false humility has led to only those with extreme talent being allowed to "perform."  Finally, the one change that has led more to the so-called "mega church" movement than the previous two is that people no longer identify as individuals, they identify themselves as part of a "group."  (By the way..."groups" aren't as guilty sin as much as individuals are!)  Not only groups per se but groups that deserve to have "church" catered to them in a very precise and targeted way.

Whereas individuals see deficiencies as challenges to be overcome, groups see deficiencies as evidence of discrimination...the kind of discrimination that demands special treatment in repreation.  This change has come about as society has come to elevate opinion, toleration and diversity as somehow being virtuous.  No longer do people look to the "good of others," they demand to "have it their way."  This, of course, leads to a very "mobile church."  A mobile church is one that is made up of extremely sensitive people threatening continually to leave.  Should their ever changing "felt needs" be not catered to, they're gone to the next "retail outlet."  Not only do they demand that their "felt needs" be catered to, they demand that they be catered to in an ever increasing upward way, "continuous improvement" if you please.  If you "bring them in with hamburger, you'll have to keep them with steak!"

Churches used to have events a number of times a year.  These events, such as outings, picnics, fellowships, etc. were always for EVERYONE.  From the tiny infant to the most elderly, everyone came, no one was left out and no one was catered too.  "God is no respecter of persons" and neither was the church.  Today, people afflicted with what we will call "groupism" would be insulted if they were invited to an event that did not reflect their own perceived demographic preference.  Just look at where we've come!  There's "Kids Church," "Pre - Teens," "Teens," "College Age," "Young Professionals," "Families With Children," "Singles," "Divorced," "Empty Nesters," "Senior Saints" and the list just keeps expanding!  Of course the most damning "groupism" is that which is institutionally imposed upon many congregations by their own elderships.  Many formerly faithful congregations have been purposely divided into the "instrument" and the "non-instrument" factions. As displeased as God is with divisions that "just happen," how much more is He displeased when His own shepherds divide the flock on purpose?  Each group demands, not only their own separate activities, often they demand their own "paid professional" to continually pander to their ever increasing selfishness. Individuals serving others makes a congregation of God's people.  A collection of self serving groups is nothing more than the world gathered under the roof of a building.  The "mega church" movement is the Balkinization of God's people.

So...what does this look like in reality?  It DOESN'T look like that for which Christ prayed for in the garden; "...may they all be one in Me as I am in Thee."  It looks, instead, like that which Paul so strongly taught against to the Corinthians and the Galatians!   "...let there be no divisions among you but..be united in the same mind and the same judgement." ((I Corinthians 1.10b)  "...If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed."  (Galatians 1.9b)

Here's the bottom line...when congregations Balkanize themselves along the lines of demographics and preferences, they create spiritual ghettos within the church.  Ghettos, by definition, are cut off from the rest of the world - AND THEN THEY DIE.  Whether the ghettoization is forced from the outside or is a result of the desire of the group inside...the end result is the same.  The Mega Church is killing off the Body of Christ one ghetto at a time. 

Let us return to the "old paths."  Let us serve others as did Christ and rebury the old man of sin and selfishness.

Christ or "Christ's Mass?"

 

Image Courtesy of: http://commons.wikipedia.org Courtesy U.S. Navy Public Domain Photo

 

Sermon Outline and Video Sermon

 

https://lnkd.in/bBmyV-K

 

1.       Christmas is a transliteration of “Christ’s Mass”

2.       The “Christ’s Mass” is NOT:

a.       A Celebration of Christ’s birth

b.       A Memorial of His birth

c.       A Remembrance of His birth

3.       What then, IS Christmas?

4.       It is a Trifold celebration of the MASS on a day arbitrarily called Christ’s birthday

5.       Any celebration of the birth of Christ

a.       Is extra-biblical and an addition to the Holy Writ

b.       The date is never mentioned in the Bible

c.       It was never commanded by Christ

d.       It was never observed by the Apostles

e.       It was never practiced by anyone for centuries after the Incarnation

1.       Irenaeus (ca. 130 – 200) - No mention whatsoever

2.       Tertullian (ca. 160 – 225) - No mention whatsoever

3.       Origen (ca. 185 – 264)

a)       Even the chief allegorist of the church mocks Roman birth anniversaries as pagan

4.       Clement of Alexandria (ca. 150 – 215) does speculate on the date of Christ’s birth BUT he dates it, not December 25, but either one of three spring dates; April 20, April 21 or May 20

5.       By the fourth century, the western (Roman) church recognizes the December 25 date while the eastern (Byzantine) church recognizes the January 6 date, the day of the Feast of the Epiphany, the visit of the Magi’s.  the intervening days became known as the “12 days of Xmas.”

6.       The jump between spring to winter took place primarily due to the influence of Augustine of Hippo’s extreme allegory.

1)      Ca. 200, Tertullian calculated the date of the crucifixion was on the 14^th of Nisan, March 25 in the Roman calendar.

2)      A contemporary anonymous author published a work entitled ON SOLSITICES AND EQUINOXES which says; “Therefore our Lord was conceived on (March 25) which is the day of the passion of the Lord and of His conception.  For on that day he was conceived on the same He suffered.”

3)      Augustine not only allegorized Scripture, he allegorized history!  This is what he says in ON THE TRINITY (ca. 399 – 419): “For Jesus is believed have been conceived on the 25^th of March, which day He also suffered; so the womb of the Virgin, in which He was conceived, where no one of mortals was begotten, corresponds to the new grave in which He was buried, wherein was never man laid, neither before Him or since.  But He was born, according to tradition, upon December the 25^th.”

6) Before we can understand Xmas, we must first understand the MASS.

                a. “Ite missa es” – To send out – The final “blessing”

7) Before we can understand the Mass, we must understand the most twisted doctrine ever associated with Xianity – TRANSUBSTANTIATION

                a. The Catholic Church allegorizes the literal and literalizes the metaphorical

                                1. John 6.47ff - The literal eisegesis of this passages is the foundational sand          

                                  of the doctrine of "transubstantiation." 

 

                b. Mark 16.6

                                1. He was crucified, He was dead, He was here, He was laid BUT now He’s Alive

                                2. RCC – He’s still crucified, He’s still dead, He’s still in the grave, He’s not risen.

                c. The Mass re-sacrifices Christ on the cross

                d. The Mass disembodies the Body of Christ

                e. The Priest cannibalizes the remains

                f. The Lord’s Supper – The Living Presence of a Risen Savior - as taught in the Bible

                g. The Mass – a re-sacrifice of the mutilated remains of a dead savior - Per Rome

                h. How?

                                1. The Essence of the bread and wine miraculously change into the literal

                                     body and blood of Christ.

                                2. The Accidents of the literal body and blood of Christ change back

                                     miraculously to appear as bread and wine.

                                3. Words change essence the bread and the wine to the body and blood

                                4. The same words immediately change the accidents of the body and blood into                                      what, by all appearances, is bread and wine.

Bible: I Corinthians 5.7 -8; Hebrews 9.23 - 28 Teach that re-sacrifice of Christ is impossible

Conclusion: Christmas is “Christ’s Mass”  “Christ’s Mass” is a twisted re-sacrifice of Christ, a Christ who is ever dead.   Mark 16.6 proclaims that Christ WAS crucified, dead, and laid in a grave BUT has RISEN and is very much ALIVE!    The "Christ Mass" has no place in the worship of Christ's church!

Sources consulted:

THE HOLY BIBLE

McGowan, Andrew, "How December 25 Became Christmas" in BIBLE REVIEW, December, 2002

Sproul, R. C., "The Mass and Christology" - Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals (on line) at Ligoneir.org. 





Worship the King in Public Prayer

We are studying through what the New Testament teaches regarding the congregant worship of the Lord’s church assembled each Lord’s Day.  We have established the fact that no one will engage in any activity this side of eternity more urgently important than worship to God Almighty.  We begin with prayer.  Congregant prayer is at the very core of worship, in fact every aspect of public worship involves prayer in some way or another.  We all pray – or should pray – during the Lord’s Supper, during the singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, during the giving of our means, during the reading of the Word and during the proclamation of that Word.

Daniel’s prayer in 2.19 – 23 is both inspirational and instructive.  Daniel’s faith is unwavering in this context of what “appears” to be a life ending crisis for both him and his companions.  Daniels faith expects an answer from the Lord and he receives it during the night in a vision.  God reveals to Daniel both the dream itself and it’s interpretation – just as the king demanded.  His prayer is iconic and powerful –

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might.  He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.  To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter.

This prayer has nine major components:

1.     Vs. 20 – Daniel ACKNOWLEDGES God for who He is -    14 times the Name of God is named either directly or indirectly in this very short yet very spiritual prayer.

2.     Vs. 20 – Daniel PRAISES God for His eternal existence.

3.     Vs. 20 – Daniel acknowledges God for His SUSTAINENCE.

4.     Vs. 21 – Daniel acknowledges God’s SOVERIENTY.

5.     Vs. 21 – Daniel acknowledges God’s POWER.

6.     Vs. 22 – Daniel praises God for His REVELATION.

7.     Vs. 22 – Daniel praises God for giving him KNOWLEDGE.

8.     Vs. 23 – Daniel gives THANKSGIVING to God.

9.     Vs. 23 – Daniel praises God for his BLESSING of being heard.

As we consider these components, we observe that congregant prayer in worship has seven focuses.  Prayer in worship is: Public, Private, Purposeful, Planned, Praiseworthy, Powerful and Pure.  Let’s observe these focuses.

THE CONGREGANT PRAYER IS PUBLIC:  Since public worship is, after all, public – the publically led prayer is very much a proclamation.  The publically led prayer proclaims that there is but one God – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  It proclaims, not only who God is, but who we are - sinners worthy only of death and damnation.  It also proclaims the Love the Mercy, the Grace AND the Judgment of God to surely come.

THE CONGREGANT PRAYER IS PRIVATE:  Ironically, public prayer is also intensely private as well.  When a man prays publically he reveals his private meditations, not only to God, but to all those assembled.  This is necessary for in order for the individual worshipper to pray in public worship, one must be led.  A public prayer is one man’s surrendering his private worship to God in a public forum, inviting all hearers to follow his lead.

THE CONGREGANT PRAYER IS PURPOSEFUL:  The public prayer is, more than most anything, an address to the King of the Universe.  The leader must be constantly aware that our public prayers must glorify God, His Majesty, His Awesomeness and His Perfection.  Secondary purposes should also be met as well.  The saint should be comforted and the sinner should be disturbed.  Finally, the public prayer is the purposeful place and time to petition the favor of Heaven for those known and loved by the congregation as well as to ask for blessings on the leaders of the land.

THE CONGREGANT PRAYER IS A PLANED PRAYER:  As one anticipates leading in public prayer it is a more than appropriate to plan what is to be said.  Planning for prayer begins with meditation upon what is needed to be said and how best to say it.  It therefore goes without saying that one should pray about his upcoming opportunity for spiritual leadership in prayer.  It is always appropriate to “pray the Scriptures” as well as much of the Word is either in prayer form already or suitable for prayer use.  As thoughts gather, taking notes about what one ones to say is very useful so that memory will not fail.  As  things come together, a written outline or even a complete text will fine tune what is needed for the real event.  It goes without saying that rehearsal is a good final touch in preparation.

THE CONGREGANT PRAYER IS FULL OF PRAISE:  As Daniel praised God, so should we.  The public prayer acknowledges Gods sovereignty, sustenance and total provision is all things.  Our public prayers, as did Daniel’s, should be in a mindset of total humiliation before God.

THE CONGREGANT PRAYER IS A POWERFUL PRAYER:  It is universally acknowledged that “prayer changes things.”  Why?  It is the simple fact that prayer is powerful.  The powerful prayer must come from a righteous man (James 5.16) or it will avail little or nothing.  Not only that, the man who leads the public prayer in worship must have a broken and contrite heart before God regarding both his own sins and the sins of the greater society as well.

THE CONGREGANT PRAYER IS A PURE PRAYER:  All the above is a mockery if the man leading in the public prayer does not have a pure motive.  The public prayer that leads the congregation in pure worship is one that prays from pure motive.  That pure motive?  The “mind of Christ” that says “not my will but thine be done.”

Our Most Kind and Loving Father in Heaven;

Blessed be your Name forever and ever.  You possess all wisdom and all might.  You change times and seasons throughout history.  You remove rulers and establish rulers.  You give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.  You reveal deep and hidden things to Your children.  You know what is in the darkness.  All light dwells within You.  To You, Oh God of our fathers, we give thanks and praise, for You have given us wisdom and might.  You have made known to us the plan and pathway to eternal life through Your Sacred Word.  Bless us all in You will, forgive us of our many and grievous sins.

In the Name of Jesus Christ we pray - AMEN