Spirit & Truth: 10/9/11

Centering & Call to Worship

Psalm 149:1-4 …For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. 


As we gather around God’s Word we will center on the truth that God delights in those who are His and adorns the humble with salvation.

Songs of Testimony

God Delights in You (Sovereign Grace)

In response to truth of our centering verses, we will sing this upbeat modern hymn that testifies to scripture that God takes delight in those who are his. As we reflect on God’s grace that makes us daughters and sons, may the truth that we are His through Christ cause us to delight in Him and…

Come and sing, come and dance!
The Father’s singing over you!
Come rejoice and be glad, for God delights in you!

O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (Words: Charles Wesley, Arrangement & Chorus: John Martin)


“I heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands.” (Revelation 5:11)

The great hymn writer Charles Wesley wrote more than 6,000 hymns. He wrote O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing in 1739, shortly after his conversion.

As we sing together this rich old hymn with a modern arrangement, may our faith be strengthened and hearts encouraged as we join with all of heaven in proclaiming our great redeemers praise! Sing the gospel to your soul as you meditate on the work of Christ: 

He breaks the power of cancelled sin He sets the prisoners free,

His blood can make the foulest clean
His blood availed for me!

Corporate Confession with Scriptural Assurance

Although we come before God boldly through Christ, we also come humbly, knowing that it is only through Christ and His righteous that we can even approach a holy God. Not unlike Israel in the Old Testament, we are a sinful rebellious people. Yet, God is a just, faithful and Holy God who’s love is from everlasting to everlasting. So, as a sinful people who find our complete dependence upon God’s grace in Christ, we join together in confessing our sins and trust in Christ.

Leader:
Almighty and merciful God, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have broken your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.

People:
O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare those who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to the world in Christ Jesus, our Lord. And grant, O merciful God, for his sake, that we may live a holy, just, and humble life to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

Let us find assurance in God’s Word that our sins are forgiven through Christ.

Leader: (Rom 8:1-2, 16-17a)

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…

Song of Testimony & Adoration

Precious Children (Sovereign Grace)

This song is a celebration of God’s sovereign work in initiating our salvation (justification in Christ). It is a declaration of our identity in Christ as seen in Ephesians 2:4-6:

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus… (ESV)

Come with praise and thanksgiving to the One who changed our status from straying rebels to precious children!

Preaching of The Word (Acts 2:42-47
)

Pastor Tony will preach at each gathering

Songs of Response

How Deep the Father’s Love (Stuart Townend)

As we respond to the Truth of God’s Word we gather around the Lord’s table and reflect on the depth of our Father’s love in the Gospel that brings us salvation. 

It was my sin that held him there until it was accomplished 
His dying breath has brought me life, I know that it is finished!

All I Have is Christ (Jordan Kauflin, Sovereign Grace)

We will sing this powerful new song that celebrates God’s amazing sovereign grace in saving sinners and declares that Christ alone is all sufficient!

Chorus
Hallelujah all I have is Christ! Hallelujah Jesus is my life!

Verse 1
I once was lost in darkest night Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own a rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first I would refuse You still

Verse 2
But as I ran my hell-bound race indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state and led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me now all I know is grace

Verse 3

Now Lord I would be Yours alone and live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands could never come from me
O Father use my ransomed life in any way You choose
And let my song forever be my only boast is You

Closing Chorus of Proclamation

Precious Children (Sovereign Grace
)

As we prepare to scatter as The Church we will declare our identity and assurance in the Gospel that not only saves us but sanctifies us as we live in community as children of God.

Hallelujah! We belong to You
You have washed our stains
And have raised us up with Christ
Precious children in Your eyes


Closing Scriptural Exhortation & Commission to “Go, be The Church”

We have gathered to worship God and now we scatter to do the same. Being the Church is about our identity in Christ. As disciples we know that a vital part of our mission happens outside of our corporate gatherings. We are missionaries who have been charged and sent by God to take the Gospel to the very ends of the earth.