Every Sunday it’s a joy to gather with the Body of Christ to Exalt our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I look forward to our time together and pray for it all week. There really isn’t any other meeting, gathering, or event that compares to the weekly gathering of believers in a local church. What a foretaste of glory divine it is when we meet each Sunday morning.
As we prepare our hearts for our time together, take some time to read and pray through what will be happening this Sunday so that you can make the most of the time. If you read the Scripture passages, listen to the songs (maybe a few times for any that you’re not familiar with), and pray that your brothers and sisters will be edified as we “exalt His name together” our time will, I believe, be even more God-honoring and joyous!
Call to Worship - Revelation 5:11-14
Come thou Fount of Every Blessing
What a great song to begin our time - we gather to collectively tune our hearts to sing Thy praise and worship Him!
Prayer - Paul Harrington will be leading us in a prayer of adoration.
Choir Anthem - Alleluia (Glory, Honor, and Majesty)
Our choir always does a great job of leading us to praise our Lord and this song points to some of God’s Attributes in a wonderful way.
Meditating on God’s Word
Scripture Reading - Ephesians 2:1-10
Fighter Verse - Romans 5:1-11
Keep working on memorzing Romans 5:1-11. What a rich passage to have always at the ready for meditation!
The Giving of Tithes and Offerings
What a privilege it is to give back to the Lord, who has so abundantly blessed us in countless ways.
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
The rich lyrics of this song are such a beautiful expression of the gospel truths we see not only in Romans 5, but in the entire letter.
Amazing Grace
John Newton wrote this amazing expression of God’s grace because he had experienced on a deeply personal level, “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” The lyrics to this song will never grow old.
He Will Hold Me Fast
(there’s a new album, which includes this song, being released on Friday. You should get it! http://sovereigngracemusic.org/Albums/Together_for_the_Gospel_Live_III )
As we continue to meditate on Romans 5:1-11 and live lives that (let’s be honest) don’t always honor Christ as we wish they would, these words are so comforting and encouraging in reminding us that HE holds us FIRMLY in His hands!! What a joy it is to sing this song!! (this is my personal favorite song right now - I can’t stop singing it)
Sermon: Walking in Christ: Romans 6:1-4
Read Romans 6:1-14 several times this week. We’re turning another corner in Romans this week as we get to the section where Paul turns to discuss the results of our salvation: sanctification. Romans is just getting better and better!
All I Have is Christ
As we consider the depth of the sin that we all lived in before we knew Christ, our new life in Him will result in living a life of good works. Ephesians 2:10 summarizes it well – we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Silent Contemplation
We’re going to end our service a little different than we typically do this week. After singing together in response to His Word, we’ll sit back down for a few moments of silent contemplation to let all that we have heard and sung about “settle in” before we’re dismissed. I would encourage you to linger a few minutes and talk to others about what God taught you this morning before heading out.
Prayer of Consecration
Ed Willoughby will dismiss us with a prayer of consecration, reminding us that we are to live lives that are consecrated to him in every detail!
The Take Home
As you leave the worship center, be sure and pick up a “Take Home” Card. This card will have some thoughts, questions, and suggestions for putting all that you learned this morning into practice throughout the week (maybe starting with a discussion over lunch?).
