July 7, 2023
Last week I had the privilege of chaperoning our Middle School RYM trip, along with Ashley Benton, Corrie Lee, and David Howie. Since we are searching for a full time Director of Youth Ministries, and both Sam Thoman (our Interim Youth Ministry Director) and Marcus Smith (our male Youth Ministry Intern) are currently in Summer Hebrew at RTS, David and I were able to go as parents/chaperones.
RYM (Reformed Youth Ministries) is the ministry with which Dr. John Perritt works, and their Florida youth retreats are always at the Laguna Beach Christian Retreat in Panama City Beach. I've spent many weeks there as a college student in RUF, as an RUF Intern, and as a youth intern at FPC-Jackson during seminary, but I was last there in 2002, so last week was a blast from the past. The most special memory of all for me is that Laguna Beach is where I first met my wife Elizabeth - we were providentially placed in a small group together at an RUF Summer Conference. Though that encounter didn't immediately lead to a dating relationship, when we did develop an attraction for one another, we were able to trace the beginning of our relationship to Laguna Beach. So it was a joy to revisit our meeting spot!
It was a great week on many levels - spending time with David, Ashley (our Youth Ministry Coordinator) and Corrie (our Youth Ministry Summer Intern), spending time with twenty-seven of our 7th-9th graders (though four nights in a bunk bed trying to get a bunch of 12-14 year olds to go to sleep wasn't a highlight), spending time with the youth leaders from other churches, and spending time on the beach. Honestly, I don't love the beach, primarily because sunscreen + sand = a sticky mess. But I do enjoy wearing flip-flops, seeing the ocean, swimming in the ocean (though that was unfortunately restricted last week due to the dangerous rip currents in FL), and playing sports in the sand (like volleyball, soccer, and Ultimate Frisbee).
God was at work, through His word and through the fellowship of the saints. Large group teaching, elective classes, small group discussions, 1-1 conversations - the week was filled with the gospel of grace and the study of the Bible. It was a joy to watch our youth relate to one another, and to hear them take what they were learning and apply it to their current situations. Please be in prayer for the ongoing fruit of the word, and for the remaining weeks of RYM in Florida and other states this summer.
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This coming Lord's Day we celebrate the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. When we come to the table Jesus has set for us, we are living in the past, the present, and the future - the Lord's Supper is commemoration, communion, and anticipation. We remember what Jesus did for us in the past on the cross to deliver us out of the clutches of Satan, sin, and death. We fellowship with our Savior and with the family of God around a covenant meal. And we look forward to His soon return to fully and finally deliver us from all our sin and sorrow.
We are commanded to come to the table with prepared hearts. Our Westminster Larger Catechism helps us understand how to prepare ourselves: "They that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining themselves of their being in Christ, of their sins and wants; of the truth and measure of their knowledge, faith, repentance; love to God and the brethren, charity to all men, forgiving those that have done them wrong; of their desires after Christ, and of their new obedience; and by renewing the exercise of these graces, by serious meditation, and fervent prayer" (WLC #171).
While eating and drinking, what are we to be doing and thinking? Again, the Larger Catechism comes to our aid: "It is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, that, during the time of the administration of it, with all holy reverence and attention they wait upon God in that ordinance, diligently observe the sacramental elements and actions, heedfully discern the Lord’s body, and affectionately meditate on his death and sufferings, and thereby stir up themselves to a vigorous exercise of their graces; in judging themselves, and sorrowing for sin; in earnest hungering and thirsting after Christ, feeding on him by faith, receiving of his fulness, trusting in his merits, rejoicing in his love, giving thanks for his grace; in renewing of their covenant with God, and love to all the saints" (WLC #174).
Prepare your hearts and come with eagerness to feed upon our Savior and all His benefits!
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Unfortunately I won't be with you this Sunday morning, as I will be preaching down at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson. Dr. David Strain is on sabbatical this summer, and he has lined up several guest preachers to fill the pulpit while he is away. Please be praying that the Lord would use His word from 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 to encourage the hearts of the saints there. I look forward to preaching to you from Joshua 21 in our Sunday evening service. I hope to see you there!