January 19, 2020
Worship
Before We Worship
If you are parched in a desert where there is no water, then you deserve pity. Likewise, if you are starving in a famine where food is scarce, once again, you deserve pity. But what about the person who is dying of thirst sitting next to an abundant stream of clean water? And what if they are wasting away with hunger in a banquet hall with tables laden with sumptuous delicacies? The person who would rather die of thirst rather than drink, and the person who would rather die of hunger rather than eat rightly evokes in us not pity as before, but a deep sense of frustration. What is wrong with you? How can I get this through to you that there is water and food? Why do you keep on refusing?
Surely that is the tragedy of Isaiah 55. “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do yo spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live…”. Isaiah 55 is Israel’s tragedy in a nutshell. The Lord spread before them a feast, but they refused to eat and complained there was no food. And they wasted their lives and money chasing after the things that can never give them life. This was their story.
And maybe it is our story also. How often do we refuse to come to the Lord’s feast? The Lord invites us to his banquet hall, and the price of admission is free. We may come and eat and drink without any money. But we will not come. For there is actually a price to be paid before we can come to the feast. That price we have to pay is to acknowledge and renounce all our efforts to satisfy ourselves is futile. Sadly, we are not willing to forsake and renounce the things that cannot save us. We do not want to pay this price. But that is the only way we can come to the Lord’s feast.
But thanks be to God. He takes pity on us. Isaiah 55:3 continues: “and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.” Whenever the Scriptures speak of God’s everlasting covenant with David, our gaze is directed to the One in whom God’s covenant with David is fulfilled, Jesus Christ. God’s pity and compassion for us are in Jesus Christ, the bread from heaven and the living water.
Where are you searching for life? What are you chasing after? Will you not come to Jesus? The table is set. Your place is reserved. Come to Jesus and live.
Call to Worship
‡ Isaiah 55:1–5 (p. 615)
‡ Trinity Hymnal #304 “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”
‡ Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”
Prayer of Invocation
The Reading and Exposition of the Law
Matthew 5:13–16 (p. 810)
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Trinity Hymnal #507 “Approach, My Soul, the Mercy Seat”
Confession of Faith — The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty; Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who, for us and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets; and we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church; we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Presentation of Gifts and Offering
Pastoral Prayer
The Proclamation of God’s Word
1 Peter 2:13–17 (p. 1015)
When God Asks the Impossible
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 #252 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” stanzas 1–2, and stanzas 3–4 during the distribution of the cup.
Trinity Hymnal #520 “Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness”
Benediction
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Growth Resources
Basics of the Christian Life
A wonderful 12-part video / audio lecture series by Sinclair Ferguson is available for free. Please take advantage of this free resource.
Family Devotion for the Week
The January 5, 2020 sermon, 1 Corinthians 10:31-33. "All Things to God's Glory" 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 20” as we read 12 great books in the year 2020. In January we will read “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” by C. S. Lewis.
The catechism lessons for children and adults will resume on January 19.
January 19 (Lord’s Day): Children’s catechism lesson and adult Sunday school on covenant theology will meet after the service.
January 19 (Lord’s Day): Come and join us for membership class at the home of Gulfield and Ashlie Jones after the service. Lunch will be provided. This is a great time to learn about the church.
January 25 (Saturday 10:30 AM): All men are invited to Men’s Brunch. Please come join us for a time of fellowship, food, and prayer. If you would like to host this meeting, please let pastor Ken know.
January 26 (Lord’s Day): Please join us as we discuss C.S. Lewis’ book, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.”
Nursery Volunteers
January 19: Michelle Kay
January 26: Yoori Han