Round the Sphere Again: More Gospel

What Does It Mean?
Why the  “mystical” explanation of “in Christ” and “with Christ” can’t be right. (From Herman Ridderbos in Paul: An Outline of His Theology—a book that is a struggle to read but worth the effort if you can manage it—quoted at The Gospel-Driven Church.)

Where Is It?
An interview with Dane Ortlund in which he answers a few questions about the gospel, like “Where is the gospel in Leviticus?”

Leviticus is an elaborate accounting of the sacrificial system that God mercifully instituted for Israel, to atone for their sins. It is virtually impossible to plunk down into a random place in Leviticus and not see God’s gracious provision of a way out for filthy people.

And Jesus himself brought that entire sacrificial system to fulfillment. The New Testament tells us Jesus was not only the priest who offered the sacrifice, he was also the sacrifice itself, the lamb—and he was even the temple in which the priest offered the sacrifice. As we read Leviticus as Christians, then, we can be ever mindful of what all those bloody sacrifices were anticipating.

Read the whole thing.

What Were They Thinking?
What were Old Testament believers thinking when they offered animal sacrifices? (Head Heart Hand)

A Catechism for Girls and Boys

Part II: Questions about The Ten Commandments

42. Q. What is the first commandment?
       A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Ex 20:3; Deut 5:7).

(Click through to read scriptural proof.)

Click to read more ...

Sunday Hymn: Jesus, Priceless Treasure

Jesus, priceless treasure,
Source of purest pleasure,
Truest friend to me.
Ah, how long in anguish
Shall my spirit languish,
Yearning, Lord, for Thee?
Thou art mine, O Lamb divine!
I will suffer naught to hide Thee,
Naught I ask beside Thee.

In Thine arms I rest me;
Foes who would molest me
Cannot reach me here.
Though the earth be shaking,
Every heart be quaking,
Jesus calms my fear.
Lightnings flash and thunders crash;
Yet, though sin and hell assail me,
Jesus will not fail me.

Satan, I defy thee;
Death, I now decry thee;
Fear, I bid thee cease.
World, thou shalt not harm me
Nor thy threats alarm me
While I sing of peace.
God’s great power guards every hour;
Earth and all its depths adore Him,
Silent bow before Him.

Evil world, I leave thee;
Thou canst not deceive me,
Thine appeal is vain.
Sin that once did bind me,
Get thee far behind me,
Come not forth again.
Past thy hour, O pride and power;
Sinful life, thy bonds I sever,
Leave thee now forever.

Hence, all thought of sadness!
For the Lord of gladness,
Jesus, enters in.
Those who love the Father,
Though the storms may gather,
Still have peace within;
Yea, whatever we here must bear,
Still in Thee lies purest pleasure,
Jesus, priceless treasure!

— Johann Franck, translat­ed by Catherine Winkworth.

Other hymns, worship songs, sermons etc. posted today:

• Update: Praise the Saviour, Ye Who Know Him at Jam and Books
• And Can It Be That I Should Gain? at threegirldad
• All That Thrills My Soul Is Jesus at Whatever Things
• Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It at Rosemary at Home
• A Shelter in the Time of Storm at Fieldstone Cottage
• Beautiful Sunshine at The Happy Wonderer
• Righteousness to the Believer at Tried With Fire
• Lord’s Day 28, 2011 at The Thirsty Theologian
• Voices From the Past - July 10, 2011 at The Upward Call
• Eccentricity, Criticism, and Courage (Your weekly dose of Spurgeon) at Pyromaniacs
• Update: Psalm 96 at Daily On My Way to Heaven

Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by contacting me using the contact form linked above, and I’ll add your post to the list.