:: Download the 4.24.2016 Worship Study Guide and Sermon Notes
:: Download the 4.24.2016 Bulletin
:: Download the 4.24.2016 Sermon Audio
image :: The Promise, Rene Magritte (1966, Belgium)
Preparation for Worship :: Power & Promises
“The purpose of the Gospel to make us sooner or later like God.” (John Calvin)
“The Son of God was made the Son of Man that the sons of men might be made sons of God.” (Augustine of Hippo)
“Since we are united to Christ, God regards us in the identical way He does Christ. The Father treats us in exactly the same way as He does His own eternal and beloved Son.” (Robert Letham)
Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Sunday April 24 include ::
:: 10,000 Reasons (Redman & Myrin, 2011) CHART [bandcamp track=2659759028 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing (Robert Robinson, 1758) CHART [bandcamp track=4015998502 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Doxology (Thomas Ken, 1709) CHART [bandcamp track=2257784892 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Jesus Whispers (Joseph Hart, 1759) CHART [bandcamp track=1346965301 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting (Jean S. Pigott, 1876) CHART [bandcamp track=104008922 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Before There Was Time CHART
Call to Worship :: Psalm 103:1-5,22
Bless the Lord, O my soul. All that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, Who forgives all your iniquity, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Old Testament Reading :: Isaiah 64:4
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
Confession of Sin
Almighty and merciful Father, You live in Your people by Your Holy Spirit and have sealed us for the day of redemption. Yet we have not lived like we are one with You and Your people. Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice have gripped us. We have not loved one another as You have loved us. We have been slow to forgive as You have forgiven us. We have not honored one another as those in whom Christ dwells. Forgive us for our offenses against You, and go on to subdue everything in us that is contrary to Your purposes. By the power of your Spirit make us a tenderhearted church, longing to be transformed into Your likeness, eager to live for Your glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Words of Encouragement :: from I John 3:1-2
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are… We know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.
Sermon :: II Peter 1:1-4
1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.