February 26, 2017

Preparing for the Lord's Day Worship

What is the Bible to you? If you are a believer, you might say, "It is God's Word." Yes, it is that. But that is not a complete answer. We ought to say, "It is God's Word to me."

But how can we say that the Bible is God's Word to us? We are not the historically intended recipients of the prophecies, sermons, letters, as all of the Bible was written to a particular historical people in a particular time and place. The Bible's original recipients were certain Hebrews (Old Testament) who lived at a particular point in history, as well as some gentiles living in the Roman Empire during the first century (New Testament). So what gives us the right to claim, in the 21st century in America, that the Bible is God's Word for us? Are we stealing a letter sent to somebody else and pretending it is sent to us?

This is actually an important question, because unless we can answer this question, we have no right to claim any promises of the Bible as ours. Nor can we have any reason to expect God's blessing if we live by it. Thankfully, the Bible is not silent about this very important question.

Ps 65 was written a long time after the Exodus. But notice v.6. "He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in him." The psalmist says "we rejoiced in him." He finds solidarity with Israel of the Exodus because what God did for them at the Red Sea, he did for all his covenant people. What God spoke to them in the wilderness of Sinai, he spoke to all of his covenant people. We can see the same point made by Paul, addressing the gentile believers about the Exodus, that "our fathers were all under the cloud" (1 Cor 10:1) and "these things took place as examples for us" (1 Cor 10:6). The gentiles are the children of Israel ("our fathers") and these things are meant to teach them ("examples for us"). Hebrews 1:2 makes the same point: "in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son." Jesus did not speak only to his disciples, but "to us" who live in the remotest places of the world with faith in him. Because we are God's covenant people, all of God's Word is to us and for us. The promises are ours as well as the blessings. The warnings and exhortations are ours as well.

In particular, Ps 66 exhorts us to praise God who delivered us from Egypt. God rescued us from Egypt. Do you understand what this means? Can you praise God for it? If we do understand, how can our praise to God be anything but glorious? Indeed, "sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!"

Call to Worship

Psalm 66 (reading responsively from TH p. 807)

"Hallelujah Praise Jehovah" (bulletin p. 4)

Trinity Hymnal 731 "Doxology"

Prayer of Invocation

The Reading and Exposition of the Law

Hebrews 13:7 (p. 1009)

Prayer of Confession

The Proclamation of the Gospel

"By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything." (1 John 3:19-20)

"Greater Than Our Hearts" (Bulletin p. 10)

Confession of Faith - The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Presentation of Gifts and Offering

Pastoral Prayer

The Proclamation of God's Word

Jonah 3:6-10 (p. 775)

The God Who Relents

Rev. Ken Han

The Sacrament of The Lord's Supper

We participate in the Lord's Supper weekly. We welcome to the Lord's Table all baptized believers who have sincere faith in Jesus Christ, and regularly worship in a Reformed or evangelical church.

The Lord's Supper is a sign and a seal of the new covenant blessings. When we participate in the Lord's Supper with faith, it strengthens our bond with our covenant Lord, Jesus Christ. Thus we participate properly when we come to our Savior with faith and repentance as we renew our resolve to forsake sin and live for his glory.

The Lord's Supper also renews our bonds with God's covenant community, the body of believers in the local church. As we receive the Lord's Supper, we renew our pledge to give ourselves away in loving service.

During the distribution of the bread we will sing Trinity Hymnal #507 "Approach, My Soul, the Mercy Seat" stanzas 1-3, and stanzas 4-6 during the distribution of the cup.

Trinity Hymnal #521 "My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less"

Benediction

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Growth Resources

Family Devotion for the Week

Sunday sermons are posted online here. We encourage you to make use of it.

We have some new resources for you at the information table, including several new CCEF mini books, as well as other edifying books. Be sure to check them out!

Upcoming Events and Notices

Every Lord's Day 10:15 AM: Please join us for Hymnsing, a time of preparing our hearts for worship in praise, and for learning new hymns for worship.

February 19 (Lord's Day): The Children's Bible lesson (First Catechism Qs. 14-15) and adult Catechism (Shorter Catechism Q. 6) lessons will meet.

March 5 (Lord's Day): Membership class will meet after the worship service. Please join us if you are interested in becoming a member, or interested in learning biblical ecclesiology (the doctrine of the Church). Everyone is welcome! Also March 19. Additional dated will be announced soon.

Nursery Volunteers

February 26: Michelle Kay

March 5: Yoori Han