July 15, 2018
Before We Worship
God’s attributes (characteristics) are often described using various words that begin with the prefix “omni,” which comes from a Latin word that means “all.” So we say that God is omniscient. That is, he is all-knowing. God is also omnipresent. He is all-present, or, everywhere present. God is also omnipotent. He is all-powerful. When we say that God is all these omni-things, we are simply trying to find ways to express all the ways God shows himself in his perfect knowledge, benevolent care, and faithfulness.
Indeed, Psalm 139 is centered around God’s omni-attributes. There are different ways of responding to God’s perfections. Those alienated from God, and in rebellion against him, will find no comfort in God’s perfections, but only terror. For the omniscient God knows everything about us, including the dark corners of our hearts and its secret thoughts. Man may hide his fallenness before another man, but there is no fooling God. Nor is there any comfort in God’s omnipresence. Ancient pagans believed in localized gods. If the gods of the mountain were angry at them, all they needed to do was move to the plains. If the gods of the sea were angry at them, all they had to do was anchor their ships. But there is no escaping from God. There is not a corner of this universe where God is not present, searching, gazing, and, yes, judging. No shadow will ever darken God’s eyes. Nor is there any comfort in God’s omnipotence. There is no challenging his reign. Sinful men may rise up and shake their fist at God. But God laughs at them with derision (Ps 2). You cannot threaten God, much less hurt him. O, sinner, what will you do?
The godly respond very differently to God’s attributes. For the very same perfections that fill the rebels with terrible dread fill the saints with everlasting comfort. God knows everything about us, and yet he loves us. We do not have to hide our sin and failure from him. Why even try what is completely impossible, and, unnecessary? This is why David considers God’s omniscience, and concludes, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me.”
Furthermore, we are comforted by God’s omnipresence. We may deem ourselves utterly forsaken. But, as David says, “Where shall I go from your Spirit?…even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” Even when we have been abandoned by all man, and all other help has failed, God is with us.
And God is omnipotent, and that for us. He formed David (and all of us) with power, so that we can say we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” And with power he has ordained every moment of our lives, and that not for ill, but for good. So David says, “in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” And note how David responds to God’s sovereign power and control over our lives: “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!” Indeed, they are very precious. God is perfect, and his perfections secure our grace and hope. That is why we praise the Almighty God.
Call to Worship
‡ Psalm 139 (Trinity Hymnal p. 836)
‡ Trinity Hymnal #37 “All That I Am I Owe to Thee”
Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”
Prayer of Invocation
The Reading and Exposition of the Law
2 Timothy 3:10–13 (p. 996)
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:11–13 ESV)
9 “Thy Will Be Done”
The Heidelberg Catechism (1563) — Lord’s Day 28
Presentation of Gifts and Offering
Pastoral Prayer
The Proclamation of God’s Word
Amos 1:1–2:5 (p. 765)
The Prophet’s Burden
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 #647 “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds” stanzas 1–3, and stanzas 4–6 during the distribution of the cup.
Trinity Hymnal #304 “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”
Benediction
+++
Growth Resources
Family Devotion for the Week
The July 8, 2018 sermon, “The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit” is available on our church website. But you can catch up on older sermons from our Sermon page. You can also subscribe to sermon podcast here.
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 July we are reading Aimee Bird’s “No Little Women.” For August, Tim Keller’s “Every Good Endeavor.” Please let Janny Ligtenberg know if you would like to order a copy of the book.
July 29 (Lord’s Day): Join us as we discuss our July book, “Not Little Women” by Aimee Bird.
Nursery Volunteers
(Nursery meets in the Conference Room)
July 15: Michelle Kay
July 22: Yoori Han