:: Download the 7.3.2016 Worship Study Guide and Sermon Notes
:: Download the 7.3.2016 Bulletin
:: Download the 7.3.2016 Sermon Audio
image :: The Angelus, Jean-François Millet (1859, French)
Preparation for Worship :: God Reveals
“The broad sweep of God’s wordless revelation in the universe…and the clarity of His written Word…to which heart-searching is the worshipper’s response.” (Derek Kidner, commentary on Psalm 19)
“We know Him by two means: First, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe; which is before our eyes as a most elegant book, wherein all creatures, great and small, are as so many characters leading us to see clearly the invisible things of God, even his everlasting power and divinity, as the apostle Paul says in Romans 1:20. All which things are sufficient to convince men and leave them without excuse. Second, He makes Himself more clearly and fully known to us by His holy and divine Word, that is to say, as far as is necessary for us to know in this life, to His glory and our salvation.” (The Belgic Confession,1561)
Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Sunday July 3 include ::
:: Doxology (Thomas Ken, 1709) CHART [bandcamp track=2257784892 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: All Creatures of Our God and King (Francis of Assisi, 1225) CHART [bandcamp track=3110760989 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Give Me Jesus (African-American Spiritual) CHART [bandcamp track=893825801 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Love’s Redeeming Work Is Done (Charles Wesley, 1739) CHART [bandcamp track=135949962 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: All Things New (Horatius Bonar, 1846) CHART [bandcamp track=503053927 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) (John Newton, 1779; Tomlin & Giglio, 2006) CHART [bandcamp track=3958547232 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: The Heavens Declare Thy Glory Lord (Psalm 19) (Isaac Watts,1807)
Call to Worship :: Hebrews 1:1-2
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways. But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.
Confession of Sin
Heavenly Father, You have not left us in the dark. You have blessed us by Your creation, Your Word, Your Spirit and Your Son. And so, You have given us powerful promises of redemption and a future hope. You have given us good commandments to walk in. Forgive our heard-hearted cynicism, pride, and frantic self-dependence. Forgive us for doubting You and fleeing from You. Forgive us for when we have rebelled against Your guidance and keep Your servants from willful sins; may they not rule over us. May these words of our mouths and this meditation of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.
Words of Encouragement :: Titus 3:3-7
We ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Sermon :: Psalm 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.