:: Download the 5.4.2014 Worship Study Guide & Sermon Notes
:: Download the 5.4.2014 Bulletin
:: Download the 5.4.2014 Parent Bulletin
:: Download the 5.4.2014 Sermon Audio
image :: Michelangelo Buonarroti’s recording three meals sent to him by Bernardo Nicolini on 18 March 1518 while he was quarrying marble in Pietrasanta, Italy
Preparation for Worship and Communion :: Idolatry & Thanksgiving
“The only way to dispossess the heart of an old affection is by the expulsive power of a new one.” (Thomas Chalmers)
“If we see that we are guilty, we will understand that for the Gospel to be effective it must clear us of our guilt; if we are alienated from God, we must be reconciled to Him; if we stand under His judicial wrath, that wrath must be propitiated; if the entire created order lies under the curse, the curse must be lifted and the created order transformed; if we are dead, we must be made alive; if the heart of our idolatry is abysmal self-focus and the de-godding of God, God must be restored in our vision and life to His rightful glory. In other words, we gain clarity regarding the Gospel when we discern…what it fixes.” (D.A. Carson)
Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs for May 4
:: You Created (Josh Moore, 2003) chart // audio
:: The Church’s One Foundation (Samuel Stone, 1866) audio // chart
:: Here, O My Lord (Horatius Bonar, 1855) audio // chart
:: By Thy Mercy (James Cummins, 1839) audio // chart
:: Crown Him With Many Crowns (Matthew Bridges, 1851) chart // audio
Call to Worship :: Psalm 50:1-4, 23
The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes; He does not keep silence; before Him is a devouring fire, around Him a mighty tempest. He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that He may judge His people. “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”
Old Testament Reading :: Habakkuk 2:14, 18-20
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea… “Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’ Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it. But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.”
Sermon :: Ephesians 5:1-14
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
We Confess Our Sin Together
O Lord, we want to see You face to face, awed by Your majesty, greatness and glory, humbled and encouraged by Your great love. Yet there is a coldness in our hearts, a hardness toward You, an unwillingness to admit our sin and need for You. As soon as a good thing comes from Your hand we make an idol of it. As soon as we feel our lack, we craft the same. Forgive us, for Jesus’ sake. Come near and strengthen us until Christ reigns supreme within us, in every thought, word, and deed. Give us a faith that purifies the heart, overcomes the world, works by love, fastens us to You, and always clings to the Cross. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Words of Encouragement :: Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us.
Benediction