Faith Alone in Christ Alone

Preparing Your Heart for Worship - September 24, 2017

This Sunday, we’ll conclude Romans 9. Paul’s conclusion is fantastic! We’ll see the first part of his conclusion this week, and the full picture when we begin Romans 10. 

Call to Worship

Our Choir will be calling us to worship with the song “Blessing and Honor.” What a great way to begin our time together - declaring that we are here to bless and honor our Great God and lift up the name of Jesus!  

Come People of the Risen King

We come together, united to sing praises to our King! While this version is different than how we'll do it, I've always been a big fan of the Melodica (the strange mouth blown keyboard instrument in the beginning). But pay attention mostly to the great lyrics!

Rejoice the Lord is King

As verse 4 of this song says, we rejoice in the glorious hope that Christ is returning! This hope is a settled assurance - knowing that He will come for His children! 

Prayer of Praise

As we continue worshiping together, and are led in praising God through prayer, join in praising God with the one leading this time - and when we conclude - we all say “AMEN!” to affirm that this is our prayer. Even though we’re hearing the words of one person as they lead us, we’re all coming to God together in praise of His glory and grace.  

Worship through Giving

This month, we’re collecting an over and above offering for Missouri Missions. This offering goes to support various gospel efforts here in the state of Missouri. If you were with us a couple of weeks ago, we heard from Jason and Matt, pastors at The Church @ Affton. They have benefitted from this offering more than once. We have set a goal of $3,500 this year. Pray about what God would have you give to this offering over and above your tithe.

Meditating on God’s Word

In 1 Timothy 4:13, we’re exhorted to ...devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture. This time in our worship gathering is intended to do just that. When we hear God’s Word read, we are hearing directly from Him. We also meditate on His Word through memorizing it, and hearing from others as they have memorized it. What a joy it is to hear others quoting the Word that they have hidden in their heart. 

In Christ Alone, My Hope is Found

This modern hymn, declares the whole life of Christ and what it means. It teaches us the foundations of what we believe in Christ – the God who changed all of history and who wants a relationship us. 

Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied -

For every sin on Him was laid;

Here in the death of Christ I live

The author of the hymn writes: “No matter how many times I hear that verse, I get chills up my spine. The picture of Christ standing in victory, the image of sin’s grip being broken and the promise that I am his and knowing that he in fact is mine brings him incredibly close to me.”

Show Us Christ

This song is a wonderful declaration for the congregation to make together as we prepare to hear from God’s Word. Every word on every page of the Bible is about Christ - who He is and what He came to do. The challenge to the preacher is always to bring the weight of that to bear in the sermon. When God’s Word is planted deep in our hearts, it will always bear fruit.

Sermon: By Faith, Romans 9:24-33

This week, we’ll be looking at a larger section of Scripture than we usually do, but this section stands together as a “whole” and a sort of conclusion to Romans 9. In verse 30, Paul says (as he often does), “what shall we say then?” - and draws us to the conclusion of what he’s been teaching. 

As you read through this passage a few times, consider the following questions to help you make the most of our time together on Sunday:

  • who is the “us” that are called?

  • what is the back story in Hosea?

  • who are the “sons of Israel” in v. 27?

  • who did not pursue righteousness?

  • how did Israel pursue righteousness?

  • who attained righteousness?

  • how did they attain it?

  • who is the “stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense?”

  • who will not be put to shame?

By Faith

You just can't argue with bagpipes for the opening of a song now, can you? 
While we have sang this song before, it’s certainly going to be unfamiliar to many. As we consider one of the main things that this Sunday’s passage teaches - righteousness is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ - this song is a great summary and conclusion, as well as a call to proclaim the gospel of Christ to all. 

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 prepare to preach God’s inspired, inerrant, sufficient, authoritative Word.

Rob