:: Download the 8.3.2014 Worship Study Guide and Sermon Notes
:: Download the 8.3.2014 Worship Bulletin
:: Download the 8.3.2014 Parent Bulletin
:: Download the 8.3.2014 Sermon Audio
image :: Saint George and the Princess of Trebizond (detail), Antonio Pisanello (1395-1455, Italian)
Preparation for Worship :: Whole Armor
“My Saviour shall subdue
The powers of earth and hell;
Behold, He maketh all things new,
He doeth all things well.” (John Beaumont)
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. Take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for August 3
:: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (Walter C. Smith, 1867) audio // chart
:: O Church, Arise (Getty & Townend, 2005) audio // chart
:: Be Thou My Vision (8th Century Irish Hymn) chart // audio
:: All The Way My Savior Leads Me (Fanny Crosby, 1875) chart // audio
:: When Trials Come (Getty, 2005) chart // audio
:: How Firm a Foundation (R. Keen, c.1787) audio // chart
Call to Worship :: Psalm 144:1-2,5-6,9
Blessed be the Lord, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle. He is my steadfast Love and my Fortress, my Stronghold and my Deliverer, my Shield and He in whom I take refuge. Bow your heavens, O Lord, and come down! Touch the mountains so that they smoke! Flash forth the lightning and scatter them; send out Your arrows and rout them! I will sing a new song to You, O God
Old Testament Reading :: Jeremiah 20:11-13
The Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten. O Lord of hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause. Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers.
Sermon :: Ephesians 6:13-17
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
We Confess Our Sin Together :: The Valley of Vision, “The Servant In Battle”
O LORD, I bless You that the issue of the battle between Yourself and Satan has never been uncertain, and will end in victory. Calvary broke the dragon’s head, and I contend with a vanquished foe, who with all his subtlety and strength has already been overcome. When I feel the serpent at my heel may I remember Him whose heel was bruised, but who, when bruised, broke the devil’s head. My soul with inward joy extols the Mighty Conqueror. Heal me of any wounds received in the great conflict; If I have gathered filth, if my faith has suffered damage, if my hope is less than bright, if my love is not fervent, if some creature-comfort occupies my heart, if my soul sinks under pressure of the fight. O LORD, whose every promise is balm, every touch life, draw near to Your weary warrior, refresh me, that I may rise again to wage the strife, and never tire until my enemy is trodden down. Give me such fellowship with You that I may defy Satan, unbelief, the flesh, the world, with delight that comes not from a creature, and which a creature cannot mar. Give me a draught of the eternal fountain that lies in Your immutable, everlasting love and decree. Then shall my hand never weaken, my feet never stumble, my sword never rest, my shield never rust, my helmet never shatter, my breastplate never fall, as my strength rests in the power of Your might.
Words of Encouragement :: I Corinthians 15:56-57
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.