March 3, 2019
Before We Worship
The Christian Bible is made up of the Old Testament (which we also share with the Jews) and the New Testament (which is unique to the people of Jesus Christ). We can see the unity of the Old and the New Testaments in a particularly powerful way when we trace out how God carries out his “eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.” In Genesis 2 we read about God’s lavish gifts to Adam and Eve. God gave them the entire paradise and its delicacies. There were two trees in the middle of the paradise: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life. These two trees stood side by side, together communicating to Adam and Eve that there was a greater blessing than what they currently possessed in Paradise, and that greater blessing would come by their obedience to God’s command. But as we know, Adam and Eve disobeyed and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. For this they were expelled from Paradise. They never got to eat from the tree of life.
So it is not surprising that God’s gracious work of redemption and restoration would bring mankind back to the blessing that was lost through sin. In Revelation 2:1–7 the Lord promises “To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” Then, when God’s work of redemption and restoration are complete, we read in Revelation 22 that God keeps his word. The glorified saints eat from the tree of life!
This is such an encouragement. The blessings symbolized in the tree of life encourage us to press on and persevere. Whatever cost we pay to follow Christ now will pale in comparison to the glory and joy that will be ours. And, as the book of Revelation (really, the whole Bible!) teaches us, God will accomplish this for us in his faithful strength. We are not strong or good enough to receive this blessing. But God will do it for us!
And in view of this glory to come, we take the instructions of Revelation 2:1–7 to heart. Have you abandoned the love you had at first? Have you stopped doing the works you did at first? Let us press on. Let us win the prize. Let us set our hearts on God and love him passionately.
Call to Worship
‡ Genesis 2:8–9, 15–17 (p. 2)
‡ Trinity Hymnal #648 “My Jesus, I Love Thee”
‡ Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”
Prayer of Invocation
The Shorter Catechism Q. 12
The Reading and Exposition of the Law
Revelation 2:1–7 (p. 1028)
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 22:1–5 ESV)
Trinity Hymnal #546 “The Sands of Time Are Sinking”
Presentation of Gifts and Offering
Pastoral Prayer
The Proclamation of God’s Word
Luke 20:1–18 (p. 879)
The Authority of the Son
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 #607 “Thy Loving-kindness, Lord, Is Good and Free”
Benediction
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Growth Resources
Family Devotion for the Week
The February 24, 2019 sermon, Luke 19:41–48. “Savior and Lord.” 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. 67–69.
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 March we will read Rosaria Butterfield’s “The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World.”
March 3 (Lord’s Day): There will be a brief time of church update and an opportunity for questions and answers following the worship service.
March 3: (Lord’s Day): The Children’s Catechism Lessons (Qs. 1–2) and Shorter Catechism (Qs. 67–69) lessons will meet.
March 24 (Lord’s Day): Join us as we discuss Rosaria Butterfield’s “The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World.”
Nursery Volunteers
(Nursery meets in the Conference Room)
March 3: Michelle Kay
March 10: Yoori Han