An ancient message, one that is still valid. A Bible text that has been set to music. And a prayer that was answered a long time ago. In a recent service, the Chief Apostle examined the clean heart and the steadfast spirit mentioned in the Psalms.
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Photo: Frank Schuldt
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Photo: Frank Schuldt
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Photo: Frank Schuldt
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Photo: Frank Schuldt
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Photo: Frank Schuldt
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Photo: Frank Schuldt
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Photo: Frank Schuldt
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Photo: Frank Schuldt
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Photo: Frank Schuldt
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Photo: Frank Schuldt
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Photo: Frank Schuldt
About 25,000 believers followed the divine service in Mönchengladbach (Germany) on 18 September 2016 either directly or by transmission. The sermon was based on Psalm 51: 10: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
The Creator
“Why should we still pray this today?” was the question. “In fact, God has already answered this prayer.” To begin with, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider gave only a single hint. With the words “create in me, God” the psalm proclaims the salvation engendered by the Creator. Therefore: “Let us take a look at the works of God.”
“Not only has Jesus Christ brought the gospel and given His life,” the Chief Apostle said. But God also made sure that this message and the baptism to cleanse the soul of original sin was kept alive over thousands of years despite all the wars, injustices, and human shortcomings.
The heart
“God has given a new heart,” the Chief Apostle said. In the Old Testament it was important that the law was fulfilled. With Jesus Christ the “heart of stone—the law on stone tablets—was replaced by the motivation of love”. He went on to say that God does not punish: “He loves mankind and lets them experience this constantly.”
“God created the possibility that our hearts are cleansed of everyday sins. We have the grace, the chance, to start over again, as though nothing had happened.” For this we need the absolutionas well as the proclamation of His will: “God made sure that we can hear His word and that we can act upon it.”
The Spirit
“God sent the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost, and He has been active on earth ever since. He has not left the earth, nor mankind,” the Chief Apostle emphasized. “The Holy Spirit is always with us. He always has advice and comfort to give and refers us to Jesus Christ.”
“A new and steadfast spirit.” That is not only a reference to the sending but also to the gift of the Holy Spirit. “This is also an act of creation by the Creator, who has given us new life. We received this new life on the day of our sealing. It is a spirit of power who always gives us the strength to overcome our old nature.”
The answer
“See, that is how God works. That is how He answered the prayer of that believing man at the time,” the Chief Apostle said. “Why should we still pray this today?” His answer: “Because we can express so much with it.”
Let us first of all thank God for His saving activity and then bring our longing to expression. And then our prayer should continue as follows: “Lord, grant me Your grace, cleanse me, give me Your word and Your forgiveness, and help me. I want to become a new creation in Christ. Help me. I cannot do it without you.”