Worship Guide for July 7 2013 :: Nahum, Who Is In Charge?

:::  Download the 7.7.2013 Heart Prep Guide

:::  Download the 7.7.2013 Bulletin

:::  Download the 7.7.2013 WepcKids Parent Bulletin

:::  Listen to the 7.7.2013 Sermon 

The Prophet Nahum predicts the destruction of Nineveh by the Lord, Romeyn de Hooghe (1705)

image  :: The Prophet Nahum predicts the destruction of Nineveh by the Lord, Romeyn de Hooghe (1705)

Preparation for Worship  :::  Nahum, Who Is In Charge?

Although in the Cross there is nothing but curse, this was nevertheless so swallowed up by the power of the Son of God, that the Cross has put on, as it were, a new nature. There is no tribunal so magnificent, no kingly throne so stately, no show of triumph so distinguished, no chariot so lofty, as the gallows on which Christ subdued death and the devil, the prince of death. Moreover, He has utterly trodden them under His feet.  (John Calvin)

Christ executes the office of a king, in subduing us to Himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies. (Westminster Shorter Catechism)

Jesus What A Friend For Sinners (J. Wilbur Chapman, 1910) [bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=3401631397 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 t=1]

Hold Thou My Hand (Fanny Crosby, 1879

Hast Thou Heard Him, Seen Him, Known Him (Ora Rowan,1834-79) [bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=2800896556 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 t=6]

Come To The Feast (Jeff Lawson, 2012) [bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=3077911556 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 t=9]

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Isaac Watts, 1707) [bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=3563716376 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 t=11]

Before the Throne of God Above (Charitie Lees Bancroft, 1841-1923) [bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=784345862 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 t=14]

Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder (John Newton, 1774) [bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=3957404521 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 t=11]

Call to Worship ::: Psalm 18:1-3

I love you, Lord, my Strength. The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer; my God is my Rock, in whom I take refuge, my Shield and the Horn of my salvation, my Stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.

New Testament Reading  :::  Colossians 2:13-15

You were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh. God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Sermon  :::  Nahum 1:1-15

An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh.

The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;
the Lord is avenging and wrathful;
the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries
and keeps wrath for his enemies.
The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.
His way is in whirlwind and storm,
and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
He rebukes the sea and makes it dry;
he dries up all the rivers;
Bashan and Carmel wither;
the bloom of Lebanon withers.
The mountains quake before him;
the hills melt;
the earth heaves before him,
the world and all who dwell in it.

Who can stand before his indignation?
Who can endure the heat of his anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire,
and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.
The Lord is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.
    But with an overflowing flood
he will make a complete end of the adversaries,
and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
What do you plot against the Lord?
He will make a complete end;
trouble will not rise up a second time.
10 For they are like entangled thorns,
like drunkards as they drink;
they are consumed like stubble fully dried.
11 From you came one
who plotted evil against the Lord,
a worthless counselor.

12 Thus says the Lord,
“Though they are at full strength and many,
they will be cut down and pass away.
Though I have afflicted you,
I will afflict you no more.
13 And now I will break his yoke from off you
and will burst your bonds apart.”

14 The Lord has given commandment about you:
“No more shall your name be perpetuated;
from the house of your gods I will cut off
the carved image and the metal image.
I will make your grave, for you are vile.”

15  Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him
who brings good news,
who publishes peace!
Keep your feasts, O Judah;
fulfill your vows,
for never again shall the worthless pass through you;
he is utterly cut off.

We Confess Our Sin Together :::  from The Valley of  Vision, “Love Shines at Calvary”

My Father, enlarge my heart, warm my affections, open my lips, supply words that proclaim “Love shines at Calvary.” There grace removes my burdens and heaps them on Your Son. made a transgressor, a curse, and sin for me; There the sword of your justice struck the God-man: There Your infinite attributes were magnified, and infinite atonement was made; There infinite punishment was due, and infinite punishment was endured. Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy, cast off that I might be brought in, trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed as a friend, surrendered to hell’s worst that I might attain heaven’s best,stripped that I might be clothed, wounded that I might be healed, thirsty that I might drink, tormented that I might be comforted, made a shame that I might inherit glory. My Savior wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes, groaned that that I might have endless song, endured all pain that I might have unfading health, bore a crown of thorns that I might have a glory-diadem. Bowed His head that I might uplift mine, experienced reproach that I might receive welcome, closed His eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness, expired that I might forever live. O Father, who did not spare Your only Son that You might spare me, All this action Your love designed and accomplished: Help me to adore You with my words and my life, O that my every breath might be ecstatic praise, my every step buoyant with delight, as I see my enemies crushed, Satan baffled, defeated, destroyed, sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood, Hell’s gates closed, heaven’s portal open. Go forth, O conquering God, and show me the Cross, mighty to subdue, comfort and save.

God Declares Our Forgiveness  :::  Romans 5:9-11

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Benediction