Good Friday Community Service.

Ask God to search your heart. When have you promised Him faithfulness, but been unfaithful?

Mark 14:10-38.

Peter promised to be faithful to Christ, even unto death. But he was not. He denied Christ. Likewise, all of us have promised to be faithful to Jesus and often been unfaithful. In this narrative, we are Peter. We have all gone astray. Isaiah 53:6 “6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way...” Follow the example of the Psalmist. Psalm 139:23 “23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” During this time, pray and ask God to search your heart.

Let us pray.

Ask God to show you your sin. It was your and my sin that placed Christ on the cross.

Mark 14:39-65.

Our sin is cosmic treason. We have sinned against the God of universe. When we think of what sin is, it is spitting in the face of a holy and righteous God. The high priest and the other priests in Mark’s narrative blasphemed Christ who is God almighty. In the same way, our sin is every bit as offensive to God. In our sin, it is as if we uttered these horrific words to Christ. We have prayed and asked God to search our hearts. Now let us take time and pray and ask God to show us our sin. We must remember that it was your and my sin that placed Jesus on the cross. He died for us, due to our sin.

Confess your sin to God. Our sin makes us guilty before God.

Mark 14:66-15:16.

As the crowd cried out “crucify Him,” if we listen closely we can hear our own voices. Our sin makes us guilty before God. Our sin damns us. We often think that if we had been there, we would have been faithful to Christ. But in our sin, we know that we were enemies of God. In our sin, we were friends of the world and enemies of God. Romans 8:7–8 “7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” And indeed James 4:4 “4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

1 John 1:8 says “8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” We have prayed tonight and asked God to search us. We have prayed and asked God to reveal our sin to us. We know we are sinners. So what do we do? John continues and God makes us this promise. 1 John 1:9 “9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Let us go now to God in prayer and confess the sin He has revealed to us.

Close time of prayer with Confession of sin from the BCP.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; We have erred, and strayed from Your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the plans and desires of our own hearts. We committed offense against Your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But You, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent; According to Your promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for His sake; That from here onward we may live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of Your holy Name. Amen.

Embrace the forgiveness found only in Christ. Christ died the death we deserve so that will be forgiven.

Mark 15:16-47.

We have strayed. But there is hope. Isaiah 53:6“6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” On the cross, forgiveness was won. Forgiveness was not merely made possible. It was actively given to all who have faith in Christ. Hold fast to these promises. 1 John 1:9 “9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Psalm 32:5“5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah” Proverbs 28:13“13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Ephesians 1:7“7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” These promises are yours.

From the BCP:

Grant to your faithful people, merciful Lord, pardon and peace; that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing song by pastor Jonathan during this prayer.

As we close out tonight, I am going to play and sing a song. As I do, meditate on this truth. Christ died for you. He died the death you and I deserve. Through His death, we have obtained forgiveness of all our sin. We are washed clean through His blood.

Sing: Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me.