:: Download the 9.25.2016 Worship Study Guide and Sermon Notes
:: Download the 9.25.2016 Bulletin
:: Download the 9.25.2016 Sermon Audio
image :: Interior with Wardrobe Mirror, Grace Cossington Smith (1955, Australian)
Preparation for Worship :: Is There a God?
“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” (Matthew 22:42)
“Don’t you know me…? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)
Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Sunday September 25 include ::
:: Behold Our God (Baird & Altrogge, 2011) CHART [bandcamp track=4160179747 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Jesus Paid It All (Elvina M.Hall, 1865) CHART [bandcamp track=3006749555 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Good, Good Father (Chris Tomlin, 2016) CHART [bandcamp track=2923985862 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Help My Unbelief (John Newton, 1791) CHART [bandcamp track=4060469677 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: None Other Lamb (Christina Rossetti, b.1830) CHART [bandcamp track=798046000 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Doxology (Thomas Ken, 1709) CHART [bandcamp track=2257784892 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]
Call to Worship :: Hebrews 1:1-3
In the past God spoke to our ancestorsthrough 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 :: Micah 7:18-19
Who is a God like our God, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot. He will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Gospel Reading :: John 8:52-59
They exclaimed…”Who do you think you are?” Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
Sermon :: Psalm 19 and Romans 1:16-23
Psalm 19:1-11; to the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts 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 forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Romans 1:16-23
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.