:: Download the 3.6.2016 Worship Study Guide and Sermon Notes
:: Download the 3.6.2016 Bulletin
:: Download the 3.6.2016 Sermon Audio
image :: The Court, Honore Daumier (d.1879, French)
Preparation for Worship :: The Living & The Dead
How does Christ’s return “to judge the living and the dead” comfort you? In all my distress and persecution I turn my eyes to the heavens and confidently await as judge the very One who has already stood trial in my place before God and so has removed the whole curse from me. All his enemies and mine he will condemn to everlasting punishment: but me and all his chosen ones he will take along with him into the joy and the glory of heaven. (Heidelberg Catechism, 52)
Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Sunday March 6 include ::
:: Give Me Jesus (African-American Spiritual) CHART [bandcamp track=893825801 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: In the Name of the Father (Henry Allon, c.1850) CHART [bandcamp track=1335283037 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Before the Throne of God Above (Charitie Lees Bancroft, 1863) CHART [bandcamp track=4120787669 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: How Great Thou Art (Carl Boberg, 1885) CHART [bandcamp track=4153898077 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: We Will Sing In the House of Zion (Sandra McCracken, 2015) CHART [bandcamp track=3987551429 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Doxology (Thomas Ken, 1709) CHART [bandcamp track=2257784892 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Psalm 130:2 Refrain (Tim Toy, 2016) CHART / AUDIO
Call to Worship :: Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. We look to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Praying the Psalms :: Psalm 130; Psalm 130:2, refrain
O Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, Holy Father, We confess that we have sinned against You in our thoughts, words, and deeds. We have resisted being led by You. We have followed the spirit of our age into self-reliance, self-worship, and autonomy. We have acted as if the Cross has no power. We have lived as if You did not dwell in us by Your Holy Spirit convicting, encouraging, and helping us. Forgive us, and grant that we might walk in the Spirit and not in our self-directed paths. Amen. Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.
Words of Encouragement :: John 5:24
Jesus said “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
Sermon :: I Peter 4:1-6
1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.