April 7, 2019
Before We Worship
Is Jesus a cheerleader or a redeemer? A cheerleader stands off to the side, away from the field of action, and sings the praise of the athlete. “You’re doing great! Keep going! Woo-hoo!” A redeemer, on the other hand, enters into the place of hurt and pain, and shoulders the burden. Think of what Boaz was to Ruth. Boaz took on himself the burden of debt and the responsibility of caring for others. And, of course, think ultimately of Jesus. He entered into the world that chews up human souls and spits them out as garbage, reached out and loosened the chains that held people in bondage, and paid the price to freed them. Jesus did not stand on the sidelines cheering people, “Try harder! You can do it!” Indeed, no lifeguard stays at his tower when someone is drowning and simply yells, “Remember your swim lessons. Faster! You can do it!” God forbid that any drowning person has the misfortune of being watched over by such a lifeguard! Instead, a real lifeguard jumps in to save the dying who cannot help themselves. The lifeguard is a rescuer, and because he risks his precious life in order to rescue, he is also a redeemer.
The question, now, is whether we are athletes in need of a song, or the dead and the dying in need of a rescue. Many people simply refuse to see the true extent of their problem. We are by nature bound in sin, like an addict who cannot free himself from the very thing that will eventually kill him. This is why Jesus has come to be our redeemer.
Jesus entered into our place of hurt and pain. Through virgin birth he became man and lived our sorrow and felt our misery. He became king that with kingly authority he might declare the slaves free. He became priest that with his intercession he might make us no longer men and women who serve sin, but renewed saints who worship and serve God. He became prophet that he might show us the way that leads us home. In Jesus we have the most perfect redeemer.
Jesus is our redeemer. He has purchased us with his precious blood. That he was willing to pay such a high price is truly amazing. And it gives us a worth that is unlike any bargain or barter in this world. So Jesus exalts us when he claims us as his. For Jesus does not claim us as one might claim ownership over some cheap trinket. Rather, Jesus claims us as his what has cost him everything to purchase. We are precious in Jesus’ eyes. And it is only just to consider him most precious who considers us just so.
Call to Worship
‡ Psalm 2 (p. 449)
‡ Trinity Hymnal #347 “The Church’s One Foundation”
‡ Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”
Prayer of Invocation
The Shorter Catechism Qs. 22–23
The Reading and Exposition of the Law
Colossians 1:9–13 (p. 983)
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15–16 ESV)
Song # 10 “Upon a Life I have Not Lived”
Presentation of Gifts and Offering
Pastoral Prayer
The Proclamation of God’s Word
Luke 21:5–19 (p. 880)
What Makes the Temple Beautiful?
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 #252 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
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.”
April 7 (Lord’s Day): Children’s catechism lesson (Qs 11–13) will meet.
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.
April 19 (Friday 7PM): Please join us at the Ligtenberg home for our Good Friday meditations.
Nursery Volunteers
(Nursery meets in the Conference Room)
April 7: Yoori Han
April 14: Kelly Rogers