Preparing Your Heart for Worship - April 9, 2017

So the past couple of weeks have been busier than normal (or maybe busy just is normal) and I haven’t done this blog - we’re back today and I pray that you come tomorrow morning with your heart prepared to pursue intense, focused exaltation of God, As we’re back in Romans, and even preparing for both the Lord’s Table in the morning as well as Resurrection Sunday next week, tomorrow promises to be a great Lord’s Day Worship Gathering.  

It’s truly been a joy to worship together during this time of looking deeper into who we are as a church and all that God has laid out in His Word to guide us in how we are to worship Him in our time together. 

We’re beginning our time this week singing the song “Come, Now is the Time to Worship”

Hosannah (Praise Is Rising)

It’s always such a blessing when our children are involved in the service. The energy they bring is fantastic. As we begin our time together this week, we’ll sing about our praises rising to the Lord and turning our hearts to Him. What a great song to sing together!

Prayer of Praise

What a joy it is to join together in prayer as we’re led by someone in praise to our great God. 

Meditating on God’s Word

As we look to God’s Word to hear from Him, our Scripture Reading will be from 2 Peter 1:3-11. It’s a great reminder of the need to strive toward spiritual growth in some very specific ways. 

Worship through Giving

As we worship the Lord through giving back to Him from the abundant resources He has given us stewardship over, take time to meditate on the many blessings He has poured out on you. Read James 1:17 – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

The Solid Rock

Just the opening phrase of this song is such a wonderful reminder of the fact that Christ has accomplished our redemption. Even in our sanctification, we should always look to Christ for everything. He not only saved us, but He also graciously maintains our salvation. (This version is a little different, but I love it)

He Will Hold Me Fast

Ever since I first heard this song a couple of years ago, it’s been such a wonderful expression of the security of my salvation in Him. The sinful “flesh suit” that I live in will often distract me, and even occasionally win the battle, but no matter how much my strength wavers - Christ will hold me fast!

Sermon: The Struggle Is Real, part 2

As we’re back in Romans, we’ll look at the struggle every mature believer faces in the daily battle against sin. There really is only one solution. Read Romans 7:14-25 a couple of times in preparation for our time digging into God’s Word. 

Let Me Be

We’ll conclude our study of God’s Word a little differently tomorrow. Instead of singing a song, then spending time in contemplation, we’re going to watch a video/prayer/meditation as we think through how to respond to what God is saying to us in Romans 7:14-25.  (this isn't the video we're watching in the morning  - pay attention to the lyrics, not the video - it's the only one I could find.)

The Lord’s Table

We’ll conclude our gathering by coming to the Lord’s Table to celebrate the Gospel. In preparation, we’ll sing This is Our Freedom, a wonderful song that turns our thoughts to this ordinance given to us by Christ. We’ll also sing Nothing But the Blood, a beautiful song written in 1876 that expresses our reliance on the sacrifice of Christ as what we place our hope in. I could sing this song every week!!

Wonderful, Merciful Savior

While this song was only written a few years ago (1989), it’s a beautiful expression of adoring our Savior. As we conclude our time together - what a great song to sing celebrating the both attributes of God and what He has done for us.. I love the chorus:

You are the One that we praise

You are the One we adore

You give the healing and grace

Our hearts always hunger for

Healing and grace is exactly what God has done in our hearts. And he continues to pour out His grace continually. What a wonderful merciful God we serve! What a joy and privilege it is to gather to worship Him!!!

Don’t forget to come back at 6:00 for “The Risen Christ” - a celebration of the resurrection of Christ presented by our music ministry. 

As always, be in prayer for:

• Rex and all those who lead the music in our time together.

• Pray that we all come together on Sunday with hearts prepared to engage in intense, focused exaltation of God. 

• Pray that we demonstrate holiness, unity, and love in both our personal lives as well as together as the Body.

• Pray for me as I finish preparing to preach tomorrow.

As always, I can’t wait to gather with y’all this Sunday and celebrate our great God!

Rob