March 17, 2019
Before We Worship
Sin is such a depressing topic. Actually, it’s worse than that. It is a detestable topic. The very idea of sin, so it is believed, is an affront to mankind’s innate goodness and potential. How can we ever be free if we have to live in fear of God’s judgment? We had best get over it!
But what have we done? We haven’t actually succeeded in getting rid of sin. We just have different names for it. For there are any number of unforgivable offenses in our society. But unlike God, there is no mercy for those found guilty of these “sins.” We have not actually gone past the idea of sin and judgment. We have simply redefined sin. Whereas we used to believe sin is a violation of God’s Law, we now define it as the violation of liberal and progressive ideas. The problem, however, is that God offers forgiveness and atonement for sinners. Man, on the other hand, does not show mercy against those who “sin” against “progress.” They are swiftly ridiculed and rejected. It is an ironic twist. Man has always accused God of being harsh. But it turns out man is infinitely harsher to sinners.
To be sure, the Bible treats sin with utmost seriousness. It is, after all, a violation of God’s holy and perfect law. Yet the seriousness with which the Bible deals with sin does not preclude or negate the expansive and amazing grace that God lavishes on sinners. Our guilt before God is certainly great. But God’s mercy is greater still!
It is certainly an awful thing to face God’s justice. But it is infinitely better than facing man’s wrath. For our God forgives and heals. For he has himself paid the price to restore us.
So, then, we should think this way. Sin is a serious topic. But it need not be a depressing or a detestable topic for those who know God. We have a Savior. We have hope.
Call to Worship
‡ Lamentations 3:20–23 (p. 688)
‡ Trinity Hymnal #32 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
‡ Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”
Prayer of Invocation
The Shorter Catechism Qs. 14–15
The Reading and Exposition of the Law
Romans 3:23 (p. 940)
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:11–12 ESV)
Song # 1 “Before the Throne of God Above”
Presentation of Gifts and Offering
Pastoral Prayer
The Proclamation of God’s Word
Luke 20:27–40 (p. 880)
The God of the Living
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 #546 “The Sands of Time Are Sinking”
Benediction
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Growth Resources
Family Devotion for the Week
The March 10, 2019 sermon, Luke 20:19–26. “Caesar and God” 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 17: Children’s (Qs 3–5) and Shorter Catechism (Qs. 67–69) lessons will meet after the worship service.
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.”
March 31 (Lord’s Day): All communicant members are requested to attend the congregational meeting for the purpose of presenting and adopting the budget for the fiscal year 2019–20.
Nursery Volunteers
(Nursery meets in the Conference Room)
March 17: Kelly Rogers
March 24: Liza Beede