March 31, 2019
Before We Worship
It is always far easier to talk about “the Christian view of this” or “the Christian view of that” than it is to talk about Christ. One does not really need to know Christ, or love him very much, for that matter, to talk philosophically about Christianity. There is certainly a time and a place to talk about the Christian faith philosophically, to think carefully about its teachings and implications. But we must never prattle on endlessly about Christianity as if that can be a substitute for Christ.
When we read the New Testament, it quickly becomes clear that there was no shortage of people talking authoritatively about Christianity. We know this from the enormous amount of time the New Testament authors spend to deal with false teachers and their teachings. But such people and their talks know nothing of the real thing.
In Philippians 3 Paul gives us the real thing. This former Pharisee was born into privilege. But to his great horror he had come to discover his deep-seated sinfulness. And then he found Jesus. Or, rather, Jesus took a hold of him. Then something changed in Paul. His irate arguments about the Law, which he employed with considerable skills in the service of his self-righteousness, became a love song about the Savior who saved him. All that he had considered his earthly advantage and privilege began to be seen in their true nature — as hindrances! So Paul wrote, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 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—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” Such is the cry of the man (and the woman) who has come to know, not Christianity as a substitute for Christ, but who has come to know Christ himself. They cry, “I want to know him.”
We want to know Christ. Our only Redeemer and friend. Our sure hope and the fountain of never-ceasing grace. Everything else is rubbish. Everything else can, and will, leave us. Christ is all that matters. Do you believe this?
Call to Worship
‡ Isaiah 42:1–9 (p. 602)
‡ Trinity Hymnal #512 “I Lay My Sins on Jesus”
‡ Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”
Prayer of Invocation
The Shorter Catechism Qs. 19–21
The Reading and Exposition of the Law
Romans 5:18–21 (p. 942)
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:18–19 ESV)
Song # 10 “Upon a Life I have Not Lived”
Presentation of Gifts and Offering
Pastoral Prayer
The Proclamation of God’s Word
Luke 20:45–21:4 (p. 880)
True Devotion
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 #648 “My Jesus, I Love Thee”
Benediction
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Growth Resources
Family Devotion for the Week
The March 24, 2019 sermon, Luke 20:41–44. “David’s Son and David’s 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. 70–72.
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 April we will read Paul Tripp’s “Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family.”
March 31 (Lord’s Day): Children’s (Qs 9–10).
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.
April 7 (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.”
April 14 (Lord’s Day): Please join us for the monthly fellowship potluck lunch.
Nursery Volunteers
(Nursery meets in the Conference Room)
March 24: Liza Beede
April 7: Yoori Han