2024 Sep 29th St Paul's Presbyterian Church

Sunday Service

Entrance We stand as the Word of God is brought into the Church - Be seated directly after.

Welcome If you are new please fill in the visitors book on the table at the entrance to the church. Introduce yourself to George, the minister.

Prayer The Minister begins the service with prayer

Heavenly Father, As we gather in this meeting, we come humbly before You, asking for Your wisdom and understanding to guide us. Your Word tells us in James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” So today, we seek that wisdom, Lord, trusting that You will grant us the insight we need to navigate the decisions ahead.

Help us to approach each discussion with humility, open hearts, and clear minds. Fill us with the spirit of discernment, as Proverbs 2:6 reminds us, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” We acknowledge that true wisdom comes only from You, and we rely on You to guide our thoughts and actions.

Grant us the patience to listen to one another, and the grace to understand different perspectives. Let Your truth be the foundation of our decisions, and may everything we do be done in love and unity, always striving to reflect Your will. As we move forward, give us peace, knowing that Your hand is upon us and that You are directing our steps.

We thank You for Your constant presence and for the wisdom You so freely offer. Lead us today and always, that everything we do may bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Chorus ♫ SHINE, JESUS SHINE BIG SING at ROYAL ALBERT HALL,LONDON 30 12 2012

Chorus ♫ The Love of God is Greater Far (Gaither) 1

Confession of sin

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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. Amen.

Jenny

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 19”

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

Congregation: “Thanks be to God”

Carol

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 Mark 9:38–43, 45, 47–48”

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

Congregation: “Thanks be to God”.

Hymn

Sermon By Rev. G.H. van der Westhuizen

47. Revelation and Conversion - 

Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

Trees are known by their fruit, and books by their effect upon the mind. It is not the elegance of its diction but the excellence of its influence by which a book is to be estimated.

By "the law of the Lord" David means the whole revelation of God, as far as it had been given in his day; but his remark is equally true of all that God has since been pleased to speak by his Spirit. This holy law may be judged of by its effect upon our own selves; It touches man's very soul, with the best conceivable result; and hence the Psalmist speaks of it in the most eulogistic manner as both perfect and sure. Its effects prove it to be complete and certain.

I. THE WORK OF THE WORD OF GOD IN CONVERSION.

Not apart from the Spirit, but as it is used by the Spirit for diverse ends, all needful to salvation.

1. To convince men of sin: they see what perfection is, that God demands it, and that they are far from it.

2. To drive men from false methods of seeking salvation, to bring them to self-despair, and to shut them up to God's method of saving them.

3. To reveal the way of salvation, by grace, through Christ, by faith.

4. To enable the soul to embrace Christ as its all in all. By setting forth promises and invitations, which are opened up to the understanding and sealed to the heart, etc.

5. To bring the heart nearer and nearer to God. Emotions of love, desires for holiness, devotion, self-searching, love to men, humility, etc. — these are all excited, sustained, and perfected in the heart by the Word of God.

6. To restore the soul when it has wandered. Renewing tenderness, hope, love, joy, etc., by its gentle reminders.

7. To perfect the nature. The highest flights of holy enjoyment are not above or beyond the Word.

Nothing is purer or more elevated than Holy Scripture. The Word also slays all sin, promotes every virtue, prepares for every duty, etc.

II. THE EXCELLENCE OF THIS WORK DONE BY THE WORD.

The operations of grace by the Word are altogether good and not evil; and they are timed and balanced with infinite discretion.

The Word of the Lord works marvelously, perfectly, and surely.

1. It removes despair without quenching repentance.

2. Gives pardon, but does not create presumption.

3. Gives rest, but excites the soul to progress.

4. Breathes security, but engenders watchfulness.

5. Bestows strength and holiness, but begets no boasting.

6. Gives harmony to duties, emotions, hopes, and enjoyments.

7. Brings the man to live for God, before God. and with God; and yet makes him none the less fitted for the daily duties of life.

III. THE CONSEQUENT EXCELLENCE OF THE WORD.

1. We need not add to it if we would secure conversion in any special case, or on the largest scale.

2. We need not keep back any doctrine for fear of damping the flame of a true revival.

3. We need not extraordinary gifts with which to preach it: the Word will do its own work.

4. We have but to follow the Word to be converted. It would be useless to run after new doctrine in the hope of being more powerfully affected. The old is better, and nothing better than the old Gospel can be imagined. It fits a man's needs as a key fits a lock.

5. We have but to keep to it to become truly wise: wise as the aged, wise as necessity requires, wise as the age, wise as eternity demands, wise with the wisdom of Christ.

Cling to the Scripture.

Study the whole revelation of God.

Use it as your chief instrument in all holy service.

Spurgeon, Charles H.. My Sermon Notes: Complete - Genesis to Revelation (pp. 244-249). Jawbone Digital. Kindle Edition.

Amen

Notices Mr. John Oberholzer - Session Clerk

Collection As the collection is brought forward we stand and sing “Praise God from whom all blessings flow”

Prayer for collection

Hymn

Benediction

Numbers 6:24 The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Doxology Let us all hold hands as we sing “Now unto Him”

Now Unto Him Who Is Able To Keep You From Falling

Give the minister a moment to get to the door then please join us for refreshments