January 20, 2019
Before We Worship
Some people say that following Christ is all about how we live, not about our theology. That is like saying we can walk without legs! Then there are some people who are only concerned with head knowledge, but not with how they live. That is like getting dressed up with no place to go. Instead, we ought to remember what Jesus said about marriage applies just as well here. In Matthew 19:6 Jesus says, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Indeed! Following Christ is not a matter of either doctrine or life. It is both doctrine and life. What we believe shapes our practice. Our practice, in its turn, validates what we believe. We can only follow Christ rightly when right doctrine gives birth to right life, and right life, in turn, makes our right doctrine beautiful.
Shorter Catechism Q. 3 summarizes this well: “The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe God, and what duty God requires of man.” In other words, God tells us in the Bible what we should believe about him and how we should live before him. This principle is clearly expressed in both the Old and the New Testaments. Micah asks (6:8), “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” What God has revealed to Israel requires the people of Israel to live in a certain way.
Paul also expresses the same thought. In Romans 12:1 he urges the believers, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Paul has explained God’s mercies in chapters 1 through 11, setting the right doctrine apart from the false doctrine. Then, he tells us, that that mercy must lead us to offering ourselves as a living sacrifice. Once again, right doctrine must produce right life. God has joined these two things together. We must not separate them.
Broadly speaking, then, the Bible gives us a two-pronged approach to the Christian discipleship. We study and we obey. We learn and we act. We think and we live. This is what God desires from us. So come into God’s presence to learn. And leave his presence to obey.
Call to Worship
‡ Micah 6:6–8 (p. 779)
‡ Trinity Hymnal #148 “How Shall the Young Direct Their Way”
‡ Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”
Prayer of Invocation
The Shorter Catechism Q. 3
The Reading and Exposition of the Law
Romans 12:1–2 (p. 947)
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. (Philippians 3:12 ESV)
Trinity Hymnal #672 “Trust and Obey”
Profession of Faith and Membership Vows
Naomi Rogers and Nathan Rogers
Presentation of Gifts and Offering
Pastoral Prayer
The Proclamation of God’s Word
Luke 18:31–43 (p. 878)
Jesus Fulfills the Prophets
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 #674 “I Need Thee Every Hour” stanzas 1–3, and stanzas 4–5 during the distribution of the cup.
Trinity Hymnal #520 “Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness”
Benediction
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Growth Resources
Family Devotion for the Week
The January 13, 2019 sermon, Luke 18:18–30. “All the Money in the World Won’t Do Any Good” 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. 53–56.
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 20 (Lord’s Day): The Children’s Catechism Lessons (Qs. 137–140) and the Shorter Catechism (Qs. 49–52) lessons will meet.
January 27 (Lord’s Day): We will celebrate God’s blessing to Wade and Naomi with the baptism of their covenant child, Danny.
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 20: Kelly Rogers
January 27: Liza Beede