October 28, 2018
Before We Worship
Our reflection this week focuses on the Apostles’ Creed’s “I believe in Jesus Christ…born of the virgin Mary”. Jesus is both, therefore, the Son of God and the Son of Man. And just as Jesus, as the Son of God, possesses the fullest divinity in its true essence, Jesus as the Son of Man possesses the fullest humanity in its true essence.
We often hear that “to err is human.” We should restate this as “to err is human, in sin.” Even though we cannot now understand or imagine what it means to be a human being without sin, that was not always the case. Sin, and along with it its corrupting influence and misery, was not part of God’s original creation of man. Humanity, in its truest essence, is holy, for God created Adam and Eve after his glorious and holy image.
Jesus, by his conception through the Holy Spirit and by his birth by a virgin, is both like us and unlike us. He is unlike us in that in Jesus we see what man was meant to be, holy, righteous, wise, and totally devoted to God. Because Jesus was born without a human father, both his covenantal and physical links with Adam are severed. Remember, Paul tells us in Romans 5 that everyone in Adam (i.e. descending from Adam) is born in sin and heading to death. But in Jesus God begins a new humanity, so that (again, Romans 5), all those who covenantally relate to Jesus are counted righteous and are headed for eternal life. Jesus, through his virgin birth, was so utterly unlike us, and is therefore uniquely qualified to be our Savior. The doctrine of virgin birth, in other words, is crucial to the message of the gospel.
However, Jesus was like us in that he experienced the travails of life. Just like us, he knows what it means to suffer, to be in need, to feel lonely, to cry. That is why Jesus is able to be merciful to us when we are weak.
Jesus is no longer frail or weak. He rose with power from the dead and now sits at God’s right hand with authority over everything. And that is a tremendously comforting news. For Jesus in his power does not forget us in our weakness. But he defends us with all his power, rules over all the affairs of our lives with might, and strengthens us with invincible help. Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Man! He is everything we need, and worthy of all our praise.
Call to Worship
‡ Hebrews 4:14–16 (p. 1033)
‡ Trinity Hymnal #87 “The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want”
‡ Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”
Prayer of Invocation
The Reading and Exposition of the Law
Exodus 20:15 (p. 61)
The Heidelberg Catechism (1563) — Lord’s Day 42
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isaiah 57:15 ESV)
4 “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place”
Presentation of Gifts and Offering
Pastoral Prayer
The Proclamation of God’s Word
Luke 16:19–31 (p. 876)
Who Is Truly Blessed?
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 #3 “Here Is Love” stanzas 1–2, and stanzas 3–4 during the distribution of the cup.
Trinity Hymnal #605 “All the Way My Savior Leads Me”
Benediction
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Growth Resources
Family Devotion for the Week
The October 21, 2018 sermon, Luke 16:14–18. “God Knows Your Hearts” is available on our church website. You can also catch up on older sermons from our Sermon page and subscribe to sermon podcast here.
The Shorter Catechism lesson of the week is posted here: Qs. 43–44.
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.
Join us for “12 for 18” as we read 12 great books in the year 2018. For November we will read Jared Wilson’s “The Imperfect Disciple: Grace for People Who Can’t Get Their Act Together.”
October 28: The children’s catechism lesson (Qs. 126–129), and the Shorter Catechism lessons (Qs. 43–44) will follow after the worship service.
October 28: Please join us as we discuss Robert Godfrey’s “Learning to Love the Psalms.”
Nursery Volunteers
(Nursery meets in the Conference Room)
October 28: Kelly Rogers
November 4: Liza Beede