Sermon: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (Habakkuk 2:20)

Pastor Tony Felich

December 18, 2005

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I. The Hymn Story
- Origin of the words: The Liturgy of St. James (4th Cent.)
- Translated by Gerard Moultrie 1864, set to "Picardy" tune in 1906
- "Communion" Hymn as well as Advent Hymn

II. Lyrical Content and Biblical Depth
Verse 1 (Habakkuk 2:20, Psalm 110) - CHRIST OUR LORD
Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in his hand, Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.

Verse 2 (John 6, 1 Corinthians 11) - CHRIST OUR SPIRITUAL FOOD
King of kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth he stood, Lord of lords, in human vesture, in the body and the blood, he will give to all the faithful his own self for heavenly food.

Verse 3 (John 1:5,9) - CHRIST OUR LIGHT
Rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way, as the Light of light descendeth from the realms on endless day, that the powers of hell may vanish as the darkness clears away.

Verse 4 ( Isaiah 6:1-3, Revelation 4:8, 19:1-6) - CHRIST OUR GOD
At his feet the six-winged seraph; cherubim, with sleepless eye, veil their faces to the presence, as with ceaseless voice they cry, "Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Lord Most High!"

III. Application For Us
- Liturgy can be a valuable aid in the right worship of God
- Christ came to demand homage, not beg people to accept Him
- The Lord's Supper is more than a memorial
- We must look to Christ for the truth
- Worship Christ, He is God