January 5, 2020

Worship

Before We Worship

The new year is here. Unfortunately, that means the same thing will happen to me again that happens to me at the beginning of every new year. It is now 2020. But out of habit I will write 2019 on checks. And who knows how many checks it will take for me to finally get with the program? Every January I end up wasting a number of checks because I am out of step with the reality. I have to force myself to remember until the truth becomes a part of me.

Our life in Christ happens much the same way. What God has made us by grace and how we live are not always in sync. For example, what do we do when we are ashamed of sin? Many of us instinctively tell ourselves “I am going to be and do better.” We make resolutions. The problem is that we need to keep reminding ourselves the truth so that we would instinctively turn to God when we are burdened with guilt.

In Zechariah 3:1–10 the high priest Joshua is standing in filthy garments before God. Joshua’s defiled garments are symbolic of how the entire nation of Israel was defiled in the aftermath of the exile. The reality and evidence of their failure were all around them. They could not sweep them away and hope no one notices. The turmoils and the destruction of the exile could not be denied or ignored. Thus Joshua cannot hide his defilement. And the defiling of the holiest man in all of Israel indicates there is no hope for the ordinary people.

But Joshua is not alone. Satan stands ready to do what he does best. The name Satan means “Accuser,” and he is “standing at Joshua’s right hand to accuse him.” Joshua doesn’t have a prayer. He knows his sins. He is absolutely silent. But notice who else is also silent. The Accuser cannot get a word of accusation out. For the Lord impatiently cuts him off!

“The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?” What a surprise! We expected the LORD to rebuke Joshua for his defilement. But the LORD does not rebuke Joshua, but his would be accuser, Satan! And what follows is an unforgettable scene: “And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.”” As we continue to read on we begin to realize how God will do this. His servant, “the Branch,” will “remove the iniquity of this land in a single day.” This was a promise of what Jesus would do. Sinners will be clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and the Accuser will be silenced. Paul will declare in Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

When we are caught in sin’s snare and shame, we need to remind the truth until it becomes our second nature. Jesus has silenced the Accuser, and we are dressed in his righteousness! Jesus did it all.

Call to Worship

‡ Zechariah 3:1–10 (p. 794)

‡ Bulletin Insert #1“Before the Throne of God Above”

‡ Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”

Prayer of Invocation

The Reading and Exposition of the Law

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (p. 988)

Prayer of Confession

The Proclamation of the Gospel

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20–21 ESV)

Trinity Hymnal #251 “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”

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

Matthew 2:13–23 (p. 808)

Homecoming for the Exiles

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 Bulletin Insert #2 “Behold the Lamb” stanzas 1–2, and stanzas 3–4 during the distribution of the cup.

Trinity Hymnal #67 “Not unto Us, O Lord of Heaven”

Benediction

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Growth Resources

Family Devotion for the Week

The December 29, 2019 sermon, Matthew 2:13–23. "Homecoming for the Exiles" 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 12 (Lord’s Day): Please join us for our monthly fellowship meal after the worship service.

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 5: Yoori Han

January 12: Kelly Rogers