September 15, 2019
We’re in Exodus part two, week two. The book of Exodus is about God’s mission to redeem a people for His Kingdom in the world.
Here’s how you can prepare for Sunday:
1. Read through our text, Exodus 20:1–26.
The opening of God’s instruction to Israel comes in the form of ten “words” from God to His redeemed people, often referred to as the “ten commandments.” These ten words give a summative and foundational expression of how God calls His redeemed people to act in relationship to Him and to one another. The instructions are given in a way that would remind the Israelites of the opening story of the Bible where God speaks to creation. When creation listens to His voice, the world flourishes. When the created humans reject His voice, they experience death and destruction. Here again, God’s newly created people are hearing the words that lead to a flourishing life with God.
In the first several words, God’s calls His people to show Him undivided love and allegiance. This is not an oppressive command, but a command from a God who rescued them from a kingdom of slavery and death, and has called them into a kingdom marked by rest and life. The next set of words flows from the first. God calls His covenant people to show love and justice toward one another. This is to be a kingdom where people respect the life and dignity of all of those whom God created.
2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:
CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 100, Welcome (From Immanuel Nashville):
To all who are weary and need rest,
To all who mourn and long for comfort,
To all who feel worthless and wonder if God cares,
To all who fail and desire strength,
To all who sin and need a Savior,
This church opens wide her doors
with a welcome from Jesus Christ,
the Ally of His enemies, the Defender of the guilty,
the Justifier of the inexcusable, the Friend of sinners,
Welcome!
Doxology (Amen) (Bourgeois, Ken, Owens, Wickham)
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us (Stuart Townend, Charlie Hall arr. Chichi Agorom, The Christian Year)
CONFESSION OF SIN: From Every Season Prayers by Scotty Smith
Heavenly Father, for your steadfast love, we bless You.
For your daily mercies, we trust you.
Forgive our sins, for they are real and many.
We confess loving relief from our pain more than change in our hearts.
We confess thinking too often of ourselves and too seldom of You.
We confess that it’s easier to be cynical than to be hopeful.
We confess under-trusting the Gospel and over-honoring our fears.
We confess seeking our kingdoms first and Your kingdom last.
Have mercy on us Lord; have mercy on me.
In Jesus’ name and for His glory, we offer our prayer and ask for forgiveness. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Colossians 2:13–14
Jesus We Love You (Kalley Heiligenthal, Hannah McClure, Paul McClure)
GREETING, SERMON, RESPONSE, & COMMUNION
Come Thou Fount (Above All Else) (Shane Barnard, Robert Robinson, John Wyeth)
The Lion And The Lamb (Brenton Brown, Brian Johnson, Leeland Mooring )