:: Download the 9.20.2015 Worship Study Guide and Sermon Notes
:: Download the 9.20.2015 Bulletin
:: Download the 9.20.2015 Sermon Audio
image :: Study for The Pilgrim of the Cross at the End of His Journey, Thomas Cole (1846, American)
Preparation for Worship :: Preservation & Perseverance
“We are not called to build the kingdom of glory, but to carry a cross in the kingdom of grace.” (Edmund Clowney)
“That doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints is, I believe, as thoroughly bound up with the standing or falling of the gospel as is the article of justification by faith. Give that up, and I see no gospel left.” (Charles Spurgeon)
Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Sunday September 20 include ::
:: Doxology (Thomas Ken, 1709) CHART [bandcamp track=2257784892 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Before the Throne of God Above (Charitie Lees Bancroft, 1863) CHART [bandcamp track=3844385493 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Gloria Patri (2nd century hymn; Henry W. Greatorex, 1851) CHART [bandcamp track=3887420126 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Gather Them In (Peter La Grand 2009) CHART [bandcamp track=1336227612 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: We Are Not Overcome (Heiskell & Wardell, 2013) CHART [bandcamp track=3830598251 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923) CHART [bandcamp track=3717975761 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]
Call to Worship :: Psalm 116:5-9
Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, He saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
Old Testament Reading :: Jeremiah 32:37-40
Behold, I will gather them from all the countries to which I drove them in my anger and my wrath and in great indignation. I will bring them back to this place, and I will make them dwell in safety. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.
Prayer of Confession
Pardon our sins, merciful Lord. We have been slow and superstitious in prayer, this sin leads to so many others. Keep us from withholding true worship from You, which Your glory is due, and which our hearts so urgently need. Wipe out our sins, known and unknown, felt and unfelt, remembered and forgotten. Grant us power to believe Your blood cleanses us from all sin, Your Spirit leads us in all prayer, Your grace overwhelms all evil, and Your Good News is our sole life and message, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Words of Encouragement :: Hebrews 7:25
He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Sermon :: I Peter 1:2-9
2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.