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:: Download the 2.28.2016 Bulletin
:: Download the 2.28.2016 Sermon Audio
image :: The Moment, James Ward (1831, British)
Preparation for Worship :: If You Should Suffer
“Christians are meant to have the same vocation as their King, that of cross-bearers.” (Richard Wurmbrand)
“How would the world be different if Jesus had come as a Superman figure, immune to all pain? What if he had not died, but merely ascended to heaven during his trial before Pilate? By not making himself exempt, but by deliberately taking on the worst the world has to offer, he gives us the hope that God can likewise transform the suffering each of us must face. Because of his death and resurrection, we can confidently assume that no trial—illness, divorce, unemployment, bankruptcy, grief—extends beyond the range of his transforming power.” (Philip Yancey)
Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Sunday February 28 include ::
:: Doxology (Thomas Ken, 1709) CHART [bandcamp track=2257784892 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: A Mighty Fortress (Martin Luther, 1529) CHART [bandcamp track=1521952589 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Jesus Whispers (Joseph Hart, 1759) CHART [bandcamp track=1346965301 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: By Thy Mercy (James Cummins, 1839) CHART [bandcamp track=3255248990 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: When I Survey The Wondrous Cross (Isaac Watts, 1707) CHART [bandcamp track=3207629541 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken (Henry Lyte, 1825) CHART [bandcamp track=1380076138 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]
Call to Worship :: Hebrews 12:2-3
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. Let us consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that we will not grow weary and lose heart.
Praying the Psalms :: Psalm 27; Psalm 22:19, refrain
Lord, do not be far from me; Come, quickly, to help me.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Prayer of Confession :: adapted from The Valley of Vision, “God and Myself”
Lord God Almighty, Your understanding is unsearchable and infinite, Your arm cannot be stayed. Holy is your wisdom, power, mercy, ways, works. How can I stand before You with my numberless offenses? I have often loved darkness, observed lying vanities, forsaken Your given mercies, trampled underfoot Your beloved Son, mocked Your providences, flattered You with my lips, broken Your covenant. It is only in light of Your compassion that I am not consumed. At the Cross may I contemplate the evil of sin, and abhor it. May I look on Him whom I pierced, as One slain for me, and by me. May I never despise His death by fearing its efficacy for my salvation. And whatever cross I am required to bear, let me see Jesus suffering mine. Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.
Words of Encouragement :: Romans 5:6,8
At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Sermon :: I Peter 3:13-22
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.