February 3, 2019
It’s week two of Exodus. The book of Exodus is all about God’s mission to redeem a people for His Kingdom in this world. Here’s how you can prepare this week:
1. Read through our text, Exodus 1:7–22.
A new Pharaoh rises to power in Egypt who didn’t know the story of Joseph’s deliverance of Egypt. He saw the people of Israel as a growing threat to His own Kingdom. Because of this fear, the new Pharaoh enslaved the people of Israel and subjected them to oppressive burdens. But the the more the Hebrews were oppressed, the more they multiplied. Pharaoh then escalated his oppressive treatment of the Hebrews, commanding their midwives to kill Hebrew sons as soon as they were born. When this plan was foiled by the faithful midwives, he commanded all of the Egyptians to take every son that was born to the Hebrews and throw them in the Nile. Far from a thriving Kingdom, the people of God are enslaved to overwhelming burdens and surrounded by death—they are desperate for deliverance.
2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:
CALL TO WORSHIP: Isaiah 41:10
Oh God (Zach Bolen)
How Firm A Foundation (Author Unknown)
CONFESSION OF SIN: From The Worship Sourcebook:
God of refuge and help,
hear us now as we make our confession to You.
In times of temptation
we forget what You have done for us.
You give us everything we need,
yet we often remain unsatisfied;
You trust us to care for creation,
yet we often abuse that trust
and spoil what we have been given.
You show us the way we are to follow,
yet we often continue on the path
of self-indulgence and self-centeredness.
Forgive us, we pray.
We ask for Your direction, Your patience, Your love, in the name of Jesus Christ,
who, in spite of His temptations,
was faithful to Your saving Word. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: From Isaiah 43:1–3
Blessed Be Your Name (Beth Redman, Matt Redman)
GREETING, SERMON, RESPONSE, & COMMUNION
In Tenderness (Garvey, Gordon, Walton arr. Brian Eichelberger)
Living Hope (Brian Johnson, Phil Wickham)