October 20, 2019
Worship
Before We Worship
Can you imagine making any progress as a musician without knowing what terms like “key” and “meter” means? In musical context “key” doesn’t open the lock on the door and “meter” does not measure distance. They have their specialized meaning in the context of music, and leads to a better enjoyment and understanding of music.
Every community develops its unique set of vocabularies and expressions. Scientists have theirs. Physicians and nurses have theirs. Baseball fans have theirs. This is what makes it so hard for novices to fully engage in the conversation in a meaningful way until they have gained a basic facility of the language unique to their community. But although the initial acquisition of necessary skills may be slow, it always leads to a deeper enjoyment and understanding of the matter.
It is no different for the community of faith that is built upon and around the Bible. We have our own language, which novice believers and guests will not get without help. But once we do, it helps us to comprehend and benefit much more deeply from what the Bible teaches. Isaiah 52:13–15 gives us an opportunity to consider three such items: the Lord’s “servant,” his being “lifted up,” and how he will “sprinkle” many nations.
The prophet Isaiah increasingly focuses on a person that he calls either the “servant” or the “servant of the Lord” in the book of Isaiah. This is a description of the Messiah from a particular angle. Whereas Israel thought lightly of her honored calling as the Lord’s servant, the Messiah will be a faithful servant, even though it will cost him his life. Thus calling the Messiah as “servant” speaks to his faithfulness.
This servant shall be “high and lifted up”. Normally that is a reason for celebration. But Isaiah goes to say how “his appearance was so marred”, indicating that his being “high and lifted up” is not what we first guessed it might be. Indeed, Jesus spoke in the same way in John 3:14. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” The serpent in the wilderness was a sign of judgment and death. Jesus would be lifted up in the same way, in judgment and death. Thus Isaiah’s prophecy serves both to foreshadow Jesus’ death on the cross which will disfigure him, and also that it is through his suffering death that he will be exalted.
The suffering servant will “sprinkle many nations.” In the Old Testament the priests sprinkled blood and water in order to purify and to make atonement. It was not that the sprinkled blood and water were magical. Rather, they were the signs pointing to the things signified in them — God’s grace which takes our sins away and makes us clean.
Do you see it? Jesus faithfully served God and us, suffered and died, and his blood sprinkled on us (symbolized in baptism) has made our souls clean. Now our souls are stirred greatly to worship such a worthy Savior!
Call to Worship
‡ Isaiah 52:13–15 (p. 613)
‡ Trinity Hymnal #252 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
‡ Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”
Prayer of Invocation
The Reading and Exposition of the Law
Matthew 28:16–20 (p. 835)
The Shorter Catechism Q. 94
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 ESV)
Trinity Hymnal #654 “O Jesus I Have Promised”
Presentation of Gifts and Offering
Pastoral Prayer
The Proclamation of God’s Word
1 Peter 1:10–12 (p. 1014)
Christ for You
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 TH #607 “Thy Loving-kindness, Lord, Is Good and Free” stanzas 1–2, and stanzas 3–4 during the distribution of the cup.
Trinity Hymnal #172 “Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder”
Benediction
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Growth Resources
Family Devotion for the Week
The October 13, 2019 sermon, 1 Peter 1:6–9. “Finding Joy in Unexpected Places” 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
Join us for “12 for 19” as we read 12 great books in the year 2019. In October we will read Barbara Duguid, “Extravagant Grace: God’s Glory Displayed in Our Weakness”.
October 20: Catechism lessons for adults (Q. 94) and children (Qs. 6–8) will meet after the worships service.
October 20 (Lord’s Day 6PM): Please join us for a time of devotion and fellowship at Han home. Also October 27 (Ligtenberg), November 3, 17, 24. Please let pastor Ken know if you are able to host one (or more) of the meetings.
October 26 (Saturday 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM): All men are invited for a time of fellowship and prayer at the Ligtenberg home.
October 27 (Lord’s Day): Please celebrate with us as we welcome Matthias Allan Tiso into God’s covenant family with his baptism.
Nursery Volunteers
October 20: Kelly Rogers
October 27: Michelle Kay