All in the Name of Jesus

- CALL TO WORSHIP -

And all God’s people said: Amen. Let us rise and worship the triune God!

ADORATION

Minister: Grace, mercy, and peace to you, from God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Congregation: And also to you.

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 33:1–3 “Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. Praise the Lord with the harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.”

Minister: Lift up your hearts! Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord!

PRAYER

Our Father,

We thank You that we have been called out of darkness and into Your marvellous light. You have turned our death into life and our ignorance into truth. You have taken our vices and our virtues and crucified them on the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ so that we might die to ourselves completely and reckon all the good in us to our union with Him. Thank you for calling us Your people, the sheep of Your pasture. You have made us and not we ourselves. And now our greatest delight is to draw near Your presence with singing as we do this morning.

Lord, please bring to Your people, encouragement, exhortation and admonishment. Restore unto us the joy of our salvation. Help us sing our lungs out in praise of You and to instruct each other in the Gospel. Sanctify us in Your truth and cause all these things to bring about reformation and revival.

Almighty God, we worship you now through Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with You, and the Holy Spirit, One God, world without end, and Amen.

HYMN

Jesus Shall Reign 137

- CONFESSION -

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” (Ps 103:2)

How quick are we to forget all that the Lord has done for us! Consider with me the benefits of God. Firstly, the fact that you are here, breathing and alive, having your being in Him all the days that He has been kind to show you.

Second, as one of the old divines has said, “God will never stop loving you because He never started. He has loved you with an everlasting love.” Not only has He given you rain, sunshine and life, He has poured out His lovingkindness on you, which the Scriptures teach us, is better than life. Look, it is lovingkindness and not mere pity. He delights in you, He likes you. You are not merely a nuisance that He manages to put up with. God wanted you to be part of His family. How did you merit such favour? If you have any sense of your own sin and guilt, you know that you don’t deserve this. He has loved you and given you Jesus Chris, His Beloved.

Thirdly, He has given you His Holy Spirit, who shows to you your sin that you may turn from it. How the world around you languors in confusion and despair, depraved and darkened, not knowing what hit it and unable and unwilling to shake off its sinfulness. What a blessing to be shown the right path and to be given the ability to walk in it.

What is more? He has baptized you into His body. Look around you. Each of these saints belongs to you. They are God’s fingertips, God’s eyes, God’s image shining on you for your good. They are God’s gift. Think of the times when a saint has encouraged you, exhorted you, rebuked you. Think of your parents, physical and spiritual, whom the Lord has used to grow you up into the faith. Think of your children, physical and spiritual, who are your joy and crown.

The deeper your wells of gratitude, the higher your fountain of joy, thanksgiving and praise. This is your high calling: to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Can you think of anything better? Ask Him for forgiveness for neglecting so great a salvation. And remembering all that the Lord has done, give Him thanks. Bless the Lord and forget not all His benefits.

Minister: This reminds us of our need to confess our sins. So let us meditate on these things as we sing:

O God of Earth and Altar (364)

CONFESSION OF SIN

M: So as you are able, please kneel before the LORD your God.

1 Corinthians 10:7–9“And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;” Father, forgive us for we have been slow to look on Your Son Jesus, we have laboured long in our vain self-sufficiencies. We have not drawn on the power of Your promises, we have forgotten that You actually like us. And so we have been led away into anxiety, despair, lust, vainglory and all manner of self-indulgence. Forgive us and open our eyes to all the blessings that are ours in Christ. Show us our abundant wealth and teach us to live like kings and queens under Your Lordship.

You have called Your church to truth in the inward parts, so we now confess our individual sins to You. Selah.

[Pause and kneel]

We do this in the strong name of Jesus, and Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Please rise for the assurance of pardon.

Hebrews 9:13–14 “For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

Christian, you may enter in the glorious rest of God for..

Minister: Your sins are forgiven through Christ.

Congregation: Thanks be to God!

CONFESSION OF FAITH

Minister: Having confessed our sins, let us now confess our common faith using the Apostles Creed. Christians, what do you believe?

Congregation: We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the virgin, Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hades. On the third day He rose again from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Amen.

HEIDELBERG CATECHISM

Q124. Minister: What is the third petition? Congregation: Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven; that is, grant that we and all men renounce our own will, and without gainsaying obey Thy will, which alone is good; so that every one may fulfill his office and calling as willingly and faithfully as the angels do in heaven.

HYMN

God is Our Refuge and Our Strength (91a)

- CONSECRATION -

SCRIPTURE READING

(Leon LaFerriere) Nahum 1:1-13 ; Matthew 11:20-30 Reader: The Word of the Lord. Congregation: Thanks be to God!

Matthew 11:20–30 NKJV

Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.” At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Nahum 1:1–13 NKJV

The burden against Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; The Lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies; The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The Lord has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, And dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, And the flower of Lebanon wilts. The mountains quake before Him, The hills melt, And the earth heaves at His presence, Yes, the world and all who dwell in it. Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him. The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, And darkness will pursue His enemies. What do you conspire against the Lord? He will make an utter end of it. Affliction will not rise up a second time. For while tangled like thorns, And while drunken like drunkards, They shall be devoured like stubble fully dried. From you comes forth one Who plots evil against the Lord, A wicked counselor. Thus says the Lord: “Though they are safe, and likewise many, Yet in this manner they will be cut down When he passes through. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more; For now I will break off his yoke from you, And burst your bonds apart.”

HYMN

Please sit.

God is Our Refuge and Our Strength (91b)

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

(Eric Robinson) Opening: Malachi 4:5-6 Thanksgiving: Psalm 96: 4-5 Petitions: James 5:17-18

HYMN

Please stand.

Praise the Savior, Now and Ever (439)

Sermon

Colossians 3:12–17“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

As we continue with our study of Paul's letter to the Colossians, remember that this letter is the Word of God to you. It teaches you how to walk with God. God Himself is speaking to you through this. As we consider this text, receive it as God's Word. May our hearts turn towards Him. Lord, I pray, Heavenly Father, that You would use these words to enrich Your people, despite the weakness of the vessel. In Jesus' name, Amen.

In the preceding verses, as you know, Paul transitions from the doctrinal part of the Epistle to the application part. In the previous passage, verses 1 to 11 of Chapter 3, the Apostle tells us to put to death our members, which are on the earth—the sin of our flesh—and to set our minds on things above, where Christ is. Just as Christ ascended on high after His death and resurrection, so must our thoughts ascend with Him. After our death and resurrection in Him, we must also ascend with Christ.

What does that ascension look like? There are some imperatives given to His people.

Why and Who Says?

Now whenever anyone is told to do anything in this life, two valid questions can and often are raised. Why and who says? This passage gives us the commandments of God that we are to do and also gives us the why (gratitude) and the who says (in the name of Jesus).

a) put on: tender mercies, kindness, meekness, longsuffering, love. b). Bear and forgive. c) Let the peace of God rule d) Be thankful e) Let the word of Christ dwell: teaching, admonishing and singing. f) Do all in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through Him.

In the name of Jesus. “In the name of” 49 times. “In the name of the Lord Jesus” 5 times in NT. 3 times in Paul. On account of Jesus. (Name represents his whole person and life! By His authority, work, person. Through CHrist.) Paul explains in verse 12:

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering."

That is what it means to be raised with Christ. Let’s examine these words individually. We are set apart for God, and as Leviticus 11:44 declares, we are to be holy because the Lord our God is holy. And we are called beloved.

Three descriptions stand out in this passage: “elect of God,” “holy,” and “beloved.” These descriptions apply to God’s people throughout the Old Testament. Let’s turn to Deuteronomy 7:6-8:

"For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the Earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more numerous than any other people, for you were the least of all people. But because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of bondage."

The language used here is also used to describe God’s people in the New Testament—the Colossians, and by extension, you and me. The people of God are chosen by Him, set apart as holy, and belong to God’s family. There is a family resemblance between God and His children. God’s people are to be holy like Him because they are His children, chosen to be His. This is the foundation of all the other imperatives given to us in this passage.

Whatever You Do: in Deed

Because of this reality—being the elect of God, holy and beloved—we are to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and long-suffering.

The clothing metaphor used here “to put on” is related to holiness throughout the Bible and invokes imagery of clean and dirty robes, unstained garments, and priestly attire. Holiness is often portrayed through garments in scripture, from the special clothing of priests in the Old Testament to the mention of unstained garments in Jude and Revelation. Dirty garments are to be cast off, and clean garments are to be put on. We died in Christ, rose again, and part of being ascended in Christ’s ascension and coronation means that we cast off our rags and wear royal clothing. (Zech 3:1-10)

It’s important to note that, in verse 5, five sins related to sexual immorality are mentioned, and in verse 8, five sins related to hatred are addressed. Now, in verse 12, we are called to clothe ourselves with five virtues. We put off five and vices and put on five virtues.

The first of these, tender mercies, refers to a heart of compassion—a concern for others' bad circumstances. Humility and meekness are related, with meekness meaning not thinking of oneself more highly than one should. Long-suffering is a good translation. Going far with a burden.

Notice the emphasis on humility, which contrasts with the false humility of the false prophets mentioned in Chapter 2, verses 18 and 23. Christians are called to true humility because they are constituted as God's chosen, beloved, and holy people.

Finally, all of these virtues—tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and long-suffering—are relational. They relate to how we treat others. Verse 13 goes on to say:

"Bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do."

Tender mercies mean being concerned for others, especially those in bad situations. Kindness, humility, meekness, and long-suffering all relate to our interactions with others, particularly in how we bear with and forgive one another.

Humility, long-suffering, meekness—these virtues are not abstract qualities to be admired from afar. They are meant to be exercised in the context of relationships with other people. One-anothering is required. We are to be involved in each other's lives, and we cannot fulfill this command without the presence of others. We need each other to obey this command. We need to be woven together as one people to keep this command.

Another thing this verse (13) assumes the presence of sin. This does not imply that we will never sin; rather, we are called to forgive when we do sin. This shows just how practical and feasible it is to follow this command. It's possible to live this out rightly—that's why it has been commanded. It wouldn’t be commanded if we weren’t able to follow it. These aren’t cute suggestions being made to us. This is something we are meant to actually live out, and we can and must live this out in the Christian life in the church. These are not platitudes or a good-to-have, lofty ideals; this is the practical, day-to-day, on the ground, existence of Christians in the church as people who have been redeemed.

The command to forgive one another echoes the teaching of Christ Jesus, who said that if we do not forgive one another, our Heavenly Father will not forgive us (Matthew 6:14-15). In Matthew 18, we also see the parable of the unmerciful servant, who is forgiven a great debt by his king but is then unwilling to forgive someone who owes him money, and as a result, he is punished. We are to be forgiving because we have been forgiven.

All of this must flow from gratitude. As the elect of God, holy and beloved, - since that is your position - be thankful. Bear with one another and love one another, because God has loved you. Therefore, you must love each other.

This is what Paul emphasizes in the next verse, which serves as the capstone of all of this:

"But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection" (Colossians 3:14).

Let’s examine this verse closely. Paul says, "above all these things put on love." What does that mean? Love is the main thing people will see as you wear these virtues.kindness; love is the most visible and important part of this attire. It's like the outer garment—the most beautiful, eye-catching piece of clothing that people will notice. Just as an overcoat caps an outfit, love caps all these virtues. Love is what we want to reflect, what we want to display as part of being a holy, beloved, and elect people of God. That is how Christ said that the world will know we are Christ’s disciples by our love. (John 13:35)

Behold How Good and Pleasant It is

Paul says love is the "bond of perfection." What does that mean? It means that love is what holds or binds everything together. It is like a belt or an overcoat that ties all these virtues together and keeps them in place. The word for "perfection" could also be translated as "completion." Love brings all these virtues to their end—not that they cease to exist, but that they are brought to their appropriate and final expression.

The word for "bond" is the same word used in Colossians 2:19 to describe being "ligaments." Just as ligaments hold a body together, love holds us together in unity. As we obey the commands to be kind, to be meek, to forgive and bear each other, we are knit together as one body, united in love. This is perfection, the end goal of God’s work in redeeming us. He desires to bring together a holy people, united in love, constituted as a new humanity, willing and able to live the eternal life that God vouchsafed for them in God.

This idea of being knit together in love is also mentioned in Colossians 2:2, where Paul prays that their hearts may be knit together in love. The goal, as stated in Colossians 1:28, is to present every person mature in Christ—not sinless, but operating in a manner of forgiving, reconciling, and truly loving one another. This is the glory of the church, not that the church will be sinless, this side of history, but that true and lasting forgiveness between each of us will exist wherever sin may raise its ugly head. So, how can bitterness exist in our midst?

Paul continues in verse 15:

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body."

This echoes what we’ve discussed so far. The goal of all of this is for God's peace to rule in our hearts—not just internally but corporately, in the amidst of people. God's peace, accomplished through Christ’s blood (Colossians 1:20), must govern our relationships with one another. There again the focus on what God has done for us, driving the peace between us. We are called to live in this peace as one body.

In verse 14, love binds us together in unity, and in verse 15, we see this unity again, as we are called to be united in one body. Love, forgiveness, and unity, this one-anothering, this give and take are meant to create bonds between us, fostering deep loyalty and commitment to one another.

Gratitude underpins all of this. As one body, one people, holy, beloved, and elect of God, we are to love one another and grow in that unity.

Whatever You Do: in Word

Paul then gives another command in verse 16:

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, (how?) teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

This refers to worship, centered around the Psalms. The word of Christ is to dwell in us richly through teaching and admonishing one another, and one of the chief ways we do this is through singing.

Wisdom, after all, is found in Christ. Colossians 2:3 says that in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. We must let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom. True wisdom, the source of all knowledge, is found in Christ. How can you escape the wickedness and false doctrine of the world. Now, here’s something very interesting about the phrase "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs." The word for "psalms" in the original Greek is psalmos. "Hymns" comes from hymnos, and the word for "spiritual songs" comes from ode (from which we get "ode").

This combination of the three words together shows up in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament). Though maybe not always in this order, the three words appear together in Psalm 67. The Greek translation of the Old Testament gives this heading:

"With stringed instruments, a psalm, a song."

These are the three words we see. The only other place these three words appear together is Psalm 76. So remember Psalms 67 and 76, where it says:

"To the Chief Musician on stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph, a song."

This combination of "psalm," "hymn," and "song" is significant.

Psalm 67 declares that all nations will be glad and sing for joy, which is what’s happening in Colossians: the Gentiles (the nations) are being called to sing. Perhaps Psalm 67 itself is in view here. The blessing of God is invoked, the graciousness of God is invoked—just as it is in Colossians 3:16, where Paul writes about "singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Psalm 76 mentions God saving all the humble of the earth and dwelling in Zion, where His abode is established in Salem. Similarly, Colossians 3:16 speaks of God's word dwelling in His people. Just as in the Old Testament, God’s presence dwelt in His Temple, now God's Word dwells in His new Temple—His people.

In Colossians 1:19, we see that the fullness of God dwells in Christ. Colossians 2:9 continues this theme: the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Christ.

Ephesians 2:19-22 talks about God's people being built up as a temple:

19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

1 Peter 2:5 "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Just as God dwelt in Zion in the Old Testament, He now takes residence through His Word in His new Temple—the people of God—who offer Him sacrifices of thanks and praise. (John 4:24)

It’s important to note that the Apostle Paul is clearly invoking the Book of Psalms. He is calling Christians to read and sing the Psalms, calling them "the word of Christ." This shows that the Psalms point to Christ. As God's people, we are to sing these Psalms as our own because they are our own, they belong to us as much as our brothers in ancient Israel. One of the chief ways we teach and admonish one another in the Word of Christ is through singing. The Psalms are the word of Christ, as Jesus Himself taught that the Psalms point to Him (Luke 24:44). This word of Christ is what saved them initially (Col 1:5) and this is what continues to build them up.

Throughout history, singing has prevented the church from falling into heresy. Martin Luther, during the Reformation, communicated much of the teaching of the Reformation through song. Songs are a powerful way to one-another each other in fellowship.

Paul broadens the scope of these commandments in verse 17:

"Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Here, Paul summarizes both actions (tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering, bearing with one another, forgiving) and words (teaching, admonishing, singing). In all things—whether in word or deed—everything should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, with gratitude to God.

Gratitude undergirds all of this. We are to be thankful for God's salvation. While gratitude can be commanded (as it is here), it is the organic response to the perceived goodness of God.

How Then Shall We Live?

Have you tasted God's goodness? Have you seen Christ die for you? Have you felt the glory of God in your life?

As Christ died and rose again, as He made you His own, as He loved and forgave you, do you see the goodness of God? Do you see who God is—your Father, who loves and cares for you, Do you see Jesus - who died for you, who has made you His own, who has shown you grace, elected you, and chosen you as His child?

When you recognize these truths, what does it make you want to do? I cannot but make you want to do these things.

Do you want to grow in meekness and wisdom? Do you want the Word of Christ to dwell in you richly? Look to Christ and His gospel. Look at what He has done for you. The deeper your well of gratitude, the higher your fountain of love towards your brother.

This is the only way to live the Christian life. It’s not possible to simply "do church" without experiencing Christ's love. The more you walk with God, the deeper this gratitude should grow as you witness His faithfulness throughout your life.

This is why it is important to record your prayers and give thanks—so you do not forget what God has done for you. If I were to summarize the imperatives of this text, it would be: Remember. Remember God's goodness. Do not forget His benefits, as Psalm 103:2 urges.

We are too quick to forget. We don’t remember what God has done for us, and that’s what Peter warns against in 2 Peter 1:9 “For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.”

So, to grow in godliness, remember the wonderful works of God.

We must remember what God has done. As holy, beloved, and elect of God, pursue these things with hearts full of gratitude.

Remember that Christ died for you. Remember what God has done. That is the center, and it will always be the center, as this Temple is built up in love. There is no other way.

Do you want to kill that festering bitterness that you seem to be wrestling with in your heart? Look to Christ. See Him crucified.

Hast thou heard Him, seen Him, known Him? Is not thine a captured heart? Chief among ten thousand own Him; Joyful choose the better part.

What has stripped the seeming beauty From the idols of the earth? Not a sense of right or duty But the sight of peerless worth.

Not the crushing of those idols, With its bitter void and smart; But the beaming of His beauty, The unveiling of His heart.

’Tis that look that melted Peter, ’Tis that face that Stephen saw, ’Tis that heart that wept with Mary, Can alone from idols draw:

Captivated by His beauty, Worthy tribute haste to bring; Let His peerless worth constrain thee, Crown Him now unrivaled King.

Prayer .. Ending with The Lord’s Prayer (725)

OFFERTORY

Please stand

Doxology 734

Yours, O God is the greatness, power, glory, victory and majesty: for all that is in heaven and on earth is Yours, Yours is the kingdom and You are exalted as head over all. Of Your own have we given You. Accept these tithes and offerings for the work of Your kingdom as a token of our total devotion and allegiance to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

- COMMUNION -

God made us to enjoy and to glorify Him. But we have fallen into a state of rebellion and discord. Our first parents sinned against God by not acknowledging Him for His goodness and righteousness and sought out goodness on our own terms.

But God, who is rich in mercy, sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into this world with the view to save us from our sins. He did this by having His sinless Son hang on a tree, wrongly accused and executed, willingly surrendering Himself to the bent justice of man. And yet, the greatest rebellion, the attempted bending of the highest good could not thwart the good purposes of God. As when a fuguing tune seems discordant at first and yet, by the skillful ordaining of the hymn writer, it resolves itself, cascading down beautifully, so Jesus Christ rose from the dead. The Lord Jesus has revealed God’s goodness in a way that is now manifestly unstoppable.

Just as a parent will never acquire good things for his child and then never give them to him, so God is not content to just make this salvation available. He applies it to you with effectual power. The Word has been proclaimed and now the Word is being presented to be received and tasted by faith. This table is a means by which God is giving you Christ. This table is God’s love towards you and an abiding assurance of Christ’s intercession on your behalf before God. This table is God the Father's nurture and admonition to you.

So come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ. Let’s pray.

O Lord God,

We thank you for your lovingkindness towards us. We thank you that we are saved neither by our wisdom, strength or riches but that we are redeemed only by the sacrifice of your Son, accomplished once and for all upon the cross and applied now to our hearts by this bread wine. Strengthen us by Your body and blood that we may serve You with gladness. Amen.

THE BREAD

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he broke it,

Fairest Lord Jesus (348, vs. 1-2)

And when Jesus had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

THE WINE

Fairest Lord Jesus (348, vs. 3-4)

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

CLOSING DOXOLOGY

The congregation may raise hands.

Gloria Patri (735)

CHARGE & BENEDICTION

Numbers 6:24–26 ““The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’”