2024 Aug 18th St Paul's Presbyterian Church

Welcome

Entrance

All stand as we enter the church with the bible

Prayer

Everlasting Father, Lord of lords and King of kings, we worship you and thank You for the grace to be here. We bow before Your presence this day to ask for your forgiveness and especially the sanctification of our hearts. Thank you for gathering us here for this service. The Bible says, where two are gathered, You are there with them. We pray that you may come down and fellowship with us. Come with the abundance of blessings and empower us to do exploits. We rebuke all the plans of the evil one during this service, and we pray that you may help us to listen to you. Fill us with your joy and make this service a success for your glory. In Jesus' name, we pray.

Amen. Read more: https://www.tuko.co.ke/423713-20-opening-prayers-worship-church-service-meetings.html

Chorus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbiydWv7NCY

Lidia will now read the Old Testament reading to us from the NIV pew bible.

She begins with “Hear the Word of God as it is written in Psalm 147

She ends with “This is the word of God”.

Congregation: “Thanks be to God”

Cathy will now read the New Testament reading to us from the NIV pew bible.

She begins with “Hear the Word of God as it is written in John 3:1-16

She ends with “This is the word of God”.

Congregation: “Thanks be to God”.

Hymn

Sermon

Series 58

NICODEMUS THE PHARISEE

TEN NEW TESTAMENT CONVERSIONS by Francis Dixon (Scripture Portion: John 3:1-16)

Three times in John’s Gospel we read that Nicodemus was the man who came to Jesus at night (3:2; 7:50; 19:39).

Why did he visit the Lord at night?

Was it an indication of cowardice?

Surely not!

Was it that he was a prominent man and did not wish to create a stir by seeking an interview with the Lord?

Possibly this is the answer.

Or, it could have been that Nicodemus knew that Jesus was very busy during the day and would be more likely to be free for an unhurried talk at night.

Whether men and women come to Jesus by night or by day, privately or publicly, the important thing is that they do come.

Thank God, anyone who comes can be sure of a royal welcome (John 6:37)!

Nicodemus soon found that Jesus was ready to receive him.

So, what kind of a man was Nicodemus?

1. His character

In the gospels we are told of many different kinds of people who came to the Lord;

for example, the rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-23);

Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10);

the woman at the well (John 4:5-30).

What about Nicodemus?

It’s easy to see from a careful reading of this man’s conversation that he was sincere, courteous, earnest, intelligent and influential – “a member of the Jewish ruling council” and a Pharisee (verse 1).

These facts tell us that he was a very religious man.

This member of the Sanhedrin was “Israel’s teacher” (verse 10).

We also know from the record that he was a moral man, that is, he lived a good and upright life.

There is nothing on record against Nicodemus.

This is the man who came to Jesus and who needed to be born again.

Good people need to be born again as well as bad people! – look at verse 3.

2. His curiosity

Perhaps the word should be ‘concern’ rather than curiosity, but there is an element of curiosity indicated in verse 2.

Nicodemus was an enquiring man. It was with a sense of wonder that he came for an interview with the Lord, and when he did so he got more than he bargained for – as we discover in verses 2 and 3.

Think of it – this religious, moral man was spiritually dead and needed to be born again!

How many people there are like that, many of whom are in churches!

They are God-fearing but have never been born again; they are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1);

they need to receive Christ and be born into God’s family (John 1:11-13).

But if it was only curiosity that made Nicodemus seek Jesus out, it is certain that before long his curiosity changed to concern – verses 4 and 9 assure us of this.

Tell about the Canadian couple in Swakopmund

It’s great when a man begins to feel really concerned about his soul’s salvation (Acts 16:30).

This concern is produced by the convicting, or convincing, work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-11).

Compare Acts 2:36-41 where we have an illustration of this very thing!

Acts 2:36–41 (NASB95)

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

It’s only when we know and feel we are lost that we seek the way of salvation.

3. His candour

When Jesus spoke about the new birth Nicodemus was puzzled, so he answered Jesus by saying – look at verse 4.

It’s interesting that he wasn’t afraid to admit his ignorance.

He didn’t pretend to know all the answers.

He was open in his conversation with the Lord Jesus; but notice that all he said and the questions he asked indicated that he was not only spiritually dead but he was blind too (1 Corinthians 2:14).

He just could not understand spiritual truth, any more than anyone can until he has been born again.

Nicodemus was honest enough to say so and his honesty led to the Lord making a fuller explanation of the necessity, the meaning and the method of the new birth (verse 5).

This doesn’t refer to baptism; “born of water” refers to the Word of God, the gospel, which is the agent the Holy Spirit uses in producing the miracle of the new birth.

Water is a symbol of the Word of God (Titus 3:5; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23).

Then Jesus went on – read verses 6-8.

Even Nicodemus could not fathom this great truth (verse 9);

notice what Jesus said (verse 10)!

How amazing!

Did Nicodemus leave the Lord unconverted, unsaved, not born again?

We cannot be absolutely sure about the answer to this question but we do know that later on he testified to his faith in Christ and to his devotion to the Lord.

4. His conversion

It is possible that he went home to think deeply upon all that he had heard, and that on that particular night he did not make any commitment of his soul to the Lord Jesus for salvation.

We cannot be sure.

What we are sure about, however, is that as a result of this interview with Him Nicodemus was born again, he was converted, he became a Christian, he really entered into a life of discipleship – look up and compare John 7:45-52 and John 19:38-42.

How can a man be sure that he has been born again?

In the only way that it is possible for anyone to be sure, Jesus made it quite clear (we read His words in John 3:14-16; compare Numbers 21:6-9), that anyone is born again by looking in simple faith to the Lord Jesus, who died on the Cross to save us, who rose again, and who lives now at God’s right hand to be the Saviour of all who will put their trust in Him.

Anyone who looks away from sin and from self, and looks to the Saviour for salvation, will experience His saving grace.

He will experience the grace of the Lord Jesus in salvation in a moment of time, as these verses and many other promises in the Bible teach us.

Think about this and ask yourself, “Where do I stand?”

“Have I been born again?”

“Have I looked away in simple faith to the Lord Jesus for salvation?”

Look up Isaiah 45:22. Is all my trust in Him for time and for eternity?

Isaiah 45:22 (NASB95)

22 “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.

AMEN PRAY

Communion

UPCSA - THIRD ORDER of worship with HOLY COMMUNION - Elders please come to the table

The Offering and the Peace

So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Matt.5:23-24

Before we offer our gifts and come to the Lord's table, let us share this peace with one another. Each person then shares the peace with the words:

Peace be with you.

And with you.

But this I say: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor.9:6-7

Let us worship God with our gifts. The offering is taken.

If the gifts of bread and wine are not already on the Table, they are brought up and laid on the Table.

The minister says:

This is the table of our Lord Jesus Christ. All those who have been baptized in his name are invited to share in this sacrament. As Jesus welcomed children and did not forbid them, so we welcome children, under the care and guidance of their parents. O God, who has consecrated for us a new and living way into the holiest of all, through the veil, that is, his flesh, grant us, we pray, the assurance of your mercy, and sanctify us with your heavenly grace; that we may be enabled to offer to you a sacrifice in righteousness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hear the words of the institution of the Lord’s Supper, according to the Apostle Paul:

The Lord Jesus, on the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of me.’

In the same manner he also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till he comes. 1 Cor.11:23-26

As the Lord Jesus, on the night of his arrest, took bread, so I take these elements of bread and wine to be set apart from all common use to this holy use and mystery.

The minister lifts the paten and then the chalice from the Table and lays his hands on the other vessels.

And as he gave thanks to God, let us draw near to offer our prayer of thanksgiving.

Let us pray.

The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Minister: Father of mercy and God of all comfort, we acknowledge you to be the Lord. At all times we honour your greatness and glory first, because you created us in your own image and likeness, but chiefly because you freed us from the enslavement of sin, through your only Son. You gave him in love to be made man, like us in all things except sin, that by his death and resurrection, he might bring life to the world. Lord, we are not able, in our dullness, to understand the breadth and length and height and depth of your love; but, as our Lord Jesus Christ commanded, we come to this table, which he has left to us to commemorate his death and resurrection until he comes again. Here we declare and witness before the world that by him alone we have received liberty and life, by him alone you claim us as children and heirs, by him alone we have access to your favour, freely shown, by him alone we are raised into your kingdom, there to eat and drink with you and the Son at the most joyful table of eternal life. In this present time we on earth have communion with you in heaven. But in the time to come we shall be raised to that endless joy prepared for us before the foundation of the world was laid. We acknowledge that we have received these gifts by your free mercy and grace through your only Son Jesus Christ. Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of our Lord and of his resurrection, that we who receive the Lord's body and blood may live to the praise of your glory and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light.

Holy Spirit You are welcome

Father, moved by your Holy Spirit, we, your church, give you all thanks, praise, and glory, for ever and ever.

Our Father, which art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive them that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever. Matt.6:9-13

Amen.

The minister says one of the following texts as an account of the institution of the Lord’s Supper.

While saying the words of institution he (slowly and deliberately) breaks the bread and pours the wine.

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ Then he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matt.26:26-28

The minister partakes of the bread, and without undue delay, the cup.

The body of Christ, broken (or given) for you. Matt.26.26

Amen.

The blood of Christ, shed for you. Matt.26.28

Amen.

The Elders partake of the bread and wine. John Oberholzer.

The Elders serve the congregation

When all have received Communion, the vessels are returned to the Table.

The minister concludes: Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Ps.103:1-5

Notices

Mr. John Oberholzer Session Clerk

Collection Praise God From whom all blessings flow

Hymn

Benediction

Doxology

Now unto Him