January 13, 2019
Before We Worship
Throughout the year 2019 we are following the Shorter Catechism to worship more thoughtfully. Last week the Shorter Catechism taught us that man’s chief end is the glorify God and to enjoy him forever. This week the Shorter Catechism follows up that important first question with just how we may actually go on about glorifying God. What the Shorter Catechism teaches us is at once utterly obvious and deeply controversial.
The Shorter Catechism teaches us “The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.” That is, God teaches us in his Word how we may please him. Obvious. Right? One would think so. However, we live in an age that is as foolish as it is rebellious. Today even many professing believers do not turn to Scripture in order to learn how to please God, but follow rather their whims and feelings, or turn to private “revelation” and “message” from God. But those that do not submit to the authority of Scripture will inevitably submit to the sway of foolishness and ignorance. And one may not claim “sincerity” as an excuse, as if being sincere about what they believe is all that matters. This is the Reformation conviction of Sola Scriptura (only Scripture).
But the Protestant Reformers did not invent Sola Scriptura. Moses addresses the Israelites in Deuteronomy 30. There he has instructed them the ways of God. But he knew that Israelites were quite willing and capable of missing the point, of intentionally getting themselves lost from the clear path. So he adds, “But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.” God in his kindness has made his Word near and clear to his people. All they needed to do was turn to it and live!
Of course, this teaching affirmed all over Scripture. So Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16–17, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” God has kindly made his Word near and clear to you. Will you turn to it and live? There is no other way to become useful or fruitful apart from it.
Call to Worship
‡ Deuteronomy 30:11–14 (p. 172)
‡ Trinity Hymnal #148 “How Shall the Young Direct Their Way”
‡ Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”
Prayer of Invocation
The Shorter Catechism Q. 2
The Reading and Exposition of the Law
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (p. 996)
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—” (Philippians 3:8–9 ESV)
Trinity Hymnal #463 “A Debtor to Mercy Alone”
Presentation of Gifts and Offering
Pastoral Prayer
The Proclamation of God’s Word
Luke 18:18–30 (p. 877)
All the Money in the World Won’t Do Any Good
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 #645 “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee” stanzas 1–3, and stanzas 4–5 during the distribution of the cup.
Trinity Hymnal #642 “Be Thou My Vision”
Benediction
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Growth Resources
Family Devotion for the Week
The January 6, 2019 sermon, Luke 18:15–17, “Let the Children Come” is available on our church website. You can also catch up on older sermons from our Sermon page and 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 19” as we read 12 great books in the year 2019. For January December we will read Dennis Johnson’s “Journeys with Jesus: Every Path in the Bible Leads Us to Christ.”
January 13 (Lord’s Day): Please join us for our monthly potluck fellowship lunch.
January 20 (Lord’s Day): The Children’s Catechism Lessons and the Shorter Catechism Lessons will resume.
January 27 (Lord’s Day): Join us as we discuss Dennis Johnson’s book “Journeys with Jesus: Every Path in the Bible Leads Us to Christ.”
Nursery Volunteers
(Nursery meets in the Conference Room)
January 13: Yoori Han
January 20: Kelly Rogers