God Calls the Church to Repentance (Psalm 50, Part 2)

Formalism in the Church (verses 7-15)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2050:7-15&version=NIV

In our formalism we like the nouns of our Christian faith: joy, peace, faith, redemption, salvation, justification. But we have trouble with the verbs: loving, forgiving, healing, restoring. May we recognize the futility of external worship when faith in God is absent. God asks us to believe Him, receive His mercy, and then praise and glorify Him. We can then confidently call on Him in our times of trouble and experience His deliverance.

Speak to us, Lord our God; help us to listen. Forgive us for our self-reliance. We praise You, Lord God, for who You are. We ask You to give us a true attitude of worship.

Hypocrisy in the Church (verses 16-21)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2050:16-21&version=NIV

In our churches we seem to have forgotten God and have paid little attention to His Word. We want our own way, and resent any form of restraint. We try to make God’s Word mean something less convicting. In hypocrisy we call ourselves “people of God.”

Forgive our hypocrisy, Lord God, and purify Your church. May the body of Christ in Jefferson County remember You and follow Your Word. We pray that You will rid Your church of sin and hypocrisy.