Home Worship Guide for Sunday, April 5, 2020

Since it is unwise for us to gather as a church at the moment, we’ve compiled a worship guide for you to use at home. Set aside time on Sunday morning to worship through the readings, songs, prayer, and sermon below. ​

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I. SCRIPTURE READING

​Read: Romans 8:28-39

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
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What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

II. WORSHIP IN SONG

"Tis' So Sweet To Trust In Jesus"

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord!"

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

I'm so glad I learned to trust Him,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend
And I know that He is with me,
Will be with me to the end.

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood
And in simple faith to plunge me
'Neath the healing, cleansing flood!


"He Will Give the Weary Strength" (Isaiah 40)

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength
They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint
And like a flight upon an eagle's wings, He will give the weary strength

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength
They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint
And like a flight upon an eagle's wings, He will give the weary strength

So lift your eyes up to the sky
To the one who hears you when you cry

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength
They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint
Like a flight upon an eagle's wings, He will give, He will give
He will give the weary strength


"Christ Is Mine Forevermore"

Mine are days that God has numbered
I was made to walk with Him
Yet I look for worldly treasure
And forsake the King of kings
But mine is hope in my Redeemer
Though I fall, his love is sure
For Christ has paid for every failing
I am His forevermore

Mine are tears in times of sorrow
Darkness not yet understood
Through the valley I must travel
Where I see no earthly good
But mine is peace that flows from heaven
And the strength in times of need
I know my pain will not be wasted
Christ completes his work in me

Mine are days here as a stranger
Pilgrim on a narrow way
One with Christ I will encounter
Harm and hatred for his name
But mine is armor for this battle
Strong enough to last the war
And he has said he will deliver
Safely to the golden shore

And mine are keys to Zion city
Where beside the King I walk
For there my heart has found its treasure
Christ is mine forevermore

Come rejoice now, O my soul
For his love is my reward
Fear is gone and hope is sure
Christ is mine forevermore!

III. PRAYER OF CONFESSION & GOSPEL ASSURANCE

Read: 1 John 1:8-10

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Pray: Most holy and merciful Father,
     we confess to you and to one another,
     that we have sinned against you
     by what we have done
     and by what we have left undone
We have not loved you with our whole heart
     and mind and strength.
We have not fully loved our neighbors as ourselves. We
     have not always had in us the mind of Christ.
You alone know how often we have grieved you
     by wasting your gifts,
     and by wandering from your ways.
Forgive us, most merciful Father;
     and free us from our sin.
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Read: 1 John 2:1-2

But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

IV. KIDS LESSON

IV. SERMON

John 8:12-30, "Enjoying Jesus In John: The Light Of Life"


​I. Jesus’ invitation is to walk in the light by faith

     A.He gives a declaration of his power

     B. He shows the greatness of his power in giving us his presence

II. Jesus’ light will not be extinguished

     The work of the cross is the welcome into the light


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Application Questions

• The singular sin of unbelief (v. 21) gives way to the plural sins of rebellion (v. 24). As you think about particular temptations that you face, can you trace it back to unbelief? 
• Commenting on v. 28, DA Carson says, “One of the functions of the cross is to reveal who Jesus is.” How does Jesus’ work on the cross verify his claims and prove his identity? 
• Inviting people to follow Jesus is an invitation to the light, to walk in a new life of practical righteousness. As you pray for unbelieving family and friends this week, consider ways you can pray that they’ll hate sin and see the beauty of Jesus. 

V. PRAYER OF RESPONSE

​("Kept By God," from The Valley Of Vision, pgs. 106-107)

​JEHOVAH GOD,
​
Thou Creator, Upholder, Proprietor of all
      things,
I cannot escape from thy presence or control,
  nor do I desire to do so.
My privilege is to be under the agency of
  omnipotence, righteousness, wisdom,
  patience, mercy, grace.
Thou art love with more than parental affection;
I admire thy heart, adore thy wisdom,
  stand in awe of thy power, abase myself before
    thy purity.
It is the discovery of thy goodness alone that can
  banish my fear,
  allure me into thy presence,
  help me to bewail and confess my sins.
When I review my past guilt
  and am conscious of my present unworthiness
    I tremble to come to thee,
    I whose foundation is in the dust,
    I who have condemned thy goodness,
      defied thy power,
      trampled upon thy love,
      rendered myself worthy of eternal death.

But my recovery cannot spring from any cause
  in me,
  I can destroy but cannot save myself.
Yet thou hast laid help on One that is mighty,
  for there is mercy with thee,
  and exceeding riches in thy kindness
    through Jesus.
May I always feel my need of him.
Let thy restored joy be my strength;
May it keep me from lusting after the world,
  bear up heart and mind in loss of comforts,
  enliven me in the valley of death,
  work in me the image of the heavenly,
  and give me to enjoy the first fruits of spirituality,
    such as angels and departed saints know.

Arthur Bennet, ed. The Valley Of Vision: A Collection Of Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Edinburgh, UK: The Banner Of Truth Trust, 2013.