No Regrets
Prelude
Ushers will collect Prayer cards during the first hymn.
Welcome
Call to Worship
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:2 NIV).
*Praise # 457 Lead On, I King Eternal
*Invocation (Lord’s Prayer) Father of all, as we enter worship we are reminded that we know you through others who came before us. Their faithfulness and love prepared the way. May we too be faithful and loving, that those who come after us will know you. And may we celebrate your presence in this place. Lord, meet us here.
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen
*Gloria Patri (Sung together) #575
*Psalm for Today Unison Psalm 84:1-7 NRSV
1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
4 Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise.
5 Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6 As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
Child Dedication
It is a wonderful privilege today to participate in the public dedication of Aiden Riley Parece, born December 17, 2006
Following the example of devout parents of the Bible Abigail Parece has expressed her desire to present her child to the Lord. It is a somber commitment to responsibly care for that which the God has given, and to be prepared to release them to His work when that time comes.
Jesus demonstrated His acceptance and love for little children when He said, “suffer the little children to come to me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.
Charge to the Parents:
The primary responsibility for the care of a child rests on the parents. The Scriptures say “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Abby, as you engage in this task may you earnestly seek the Lord daily for His wisdom – for all events that will occur, all the decisions to be made and all the needs to be met. For as the apostle James says “if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that gives to all people liberally, and doesn’t scold, and it shall be given them.
May you also daily give thanks to God for your child, Aiden and for the joy and love he brings to your home. As he grows, may you earnestly strive to spend adequate time with him, developing in him a strong moral foundation for life, and an awareness of the Lordship of Christ and His abiding presence.
God Parents
Nicole Lepucki and Michael Picard, you have been chosen as godparents by Abby. This designation gives you an extra relationship and responsibility for Aiden.
Charge to the Extended family:
Aiden also has the benefit of the influence provided by his extended family, who are being asked to provide backup support for his spiritual training. Extended family please stand to receive your charge.
It is your responsibility to provide a caring, supportive group for this family. I ask you to be faithful in prayer for them, and undergird their efforts to establish a strong Christian home built on Christian principles. I urge you to demonstrate a real interest in and concern for Aiden as he grows physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
Charge to the Church:
There is one other agent of influence represented here today – the church. Members of this congregation please stand to evidence the acceptance of your part of this responsibility. I charge you to do all that you can to provide and support a place of worship in this community where Aiden may hear the full counsel of God’s Word. I urge you to be faithful in providing programs for instruction in discipleship, and to demonstrate affectionate kindness towards all of your little ones. And I charge you to covenant before God to set an example by your lives and to maintain an atmosphere in your church that will inspire Aiden to desire the Christian way of life.
Commitments:
And now Abby in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses,
Do you solemnly undertake to bring up Aiden in the fear and admonition of the Lord?
Do you promise to seek to lead him to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and serve Him as Lord?
Do you pledge to make your home a “school” for Christian instruction?
Do you promise, as far as in you lies, to set before your child examples of consistent Godly living?
And now, on the authority of God’s Holy Word, and as a minister in Christ’s church, I dedicate you Aiden, to the Lord, and to His service, according to His will.
Our Offering to God Sirach 35:12-17 NRSV
12 Give to the Most High as he has given to you, and as generously as you can afford.
13 For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold.
14 Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it; 15 and do not rely on a dishonest sacrifice;
for the Lord is the judge, and with him there is no partiality. 16 He will not show partiality to the poor;
but he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged. 17 He will not ignore the supplication of the orphan, or the widow when she pours out her complaint.
*Doxology #572
*Prayer of Dedication Lord God, we give thanks that through tithes and offerings we may participate in the eternal work of your Kingdom. We dedicate our gifts as an opportunity to illuminate the future and to glorify your present work among us. May these gifts bring blessing to the One who is the light of the world.
Scripture Reading Luke 18:9-14 NRSV
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
*Hymn of Prayer # 437 I Must tell Jesus
Pastoral Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, we acknowledge you as the Son of God, the Savior of sinners, and the head of the Church. Triune God, we thank you that in your all-wise providence you have so directed history that Reformations occurred. Holy Spirit, fill our hearts and enable us to learn from the Bible—the Word
of God. Humble us so that we may understand the insufficiency of our own works and the total sufficiency of Jesus’ work for our salvation. And encourage us to use the way of prayer that has been opened to us through Jesus’ finished work. Quicken and strengthen faith in human hearts and unite your people around the truth of the gospel. Grant that the truths that we rediscovered at the time of the Protestant Reformation may find lodging in many hearts even today. Hear us, for Jesus’ sake.—Joel Nederhood
*Hymn of Praise # 456 Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
Scripture Text 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 4:16-18 NRSV
6 As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
16 At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Message No Regrets
The Apostle Paul writes as he looks out at the chopping block where the Roman guards will soon chop off his head. As much as anything Paul was saying to Timothy as he neared the end, “I HAVE NO REGRETS.” There was much that he regretted about his life as Saul:
1. His Persecution of the Church: He stood consenting to Stephen’s death, where the stoning mob cast their garments at his feet, I’ve read that putting the garments at one’s feet was a sign of tribute.
“He went everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. ”[1] Acts 8:3
“Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.”[2] Acts 9:1. “he persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison,5as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. He even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.[3]” Acts 22:4 “Even though he was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, he was shown mercy because he acted in ignorance and unbelief[4]” I Tim 1:13
2. Paul regrets his Pride in Himself: Paul declared “If others think they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.[5] ” Philippians 3:5-9
3. Paul regrets his Power With the Government: “All this time Saul was breathing down the necks of the Master’s disciples, out for the kill. He went to the Chief Priest and got arrest warrants to take to the meeting places in Damascus so that if he found anyone there belonging to the Way, whether men or women, he could arrest them and bring them to Jerusalem.[6] Acts 9:1-2
Paul said himself “The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the Christians from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.[7]” Acts 22:5
When standing before the court of King Agrippa Paul told about this and his regret over it, 10 Indeed, I did just that in Jerusalem. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. 11 Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus. I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities.
12 “One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests.[8]” Acts 26:10-12
How could a man with such a checkered past face the executioner and write to Timothy with a message of “No Regrets?”
It was because Paul was not dwelling on the past; he was looking at his life since the light shined down on him. As he examined what really mattered.... what he had done since he saw the light... he could readily declare even at the moment of death, “I HAVE NO REGRETS ”
Paul was not being executed for persecuting Christians... he was being executed for preaching the Gospel of the Christ which he had once hated. STILL HE COULD SAY, “I HAVE NO REGRETS”
Paul had no regrets about:
I. HIS CONVERSION: Acts 9, on the road to Damascus Paul was interrupted by the Lord. He later said in Acts 26:19, “And so, King Agrippa, I obeyed that vision from heaven[9].
One might say, Paul, all your trouble has been since you were converted and you’re about to die; Don’t you regret giving your life to Christ? But Paul said, “I am ready now to be offered.” I have no regrets.
Paul had no regrets about: HIS CALLING: Paul said in Acts 26:16- 18 that the Lord told him, “‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 16 Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. You are to tell the world what you have seen and what I will show you in the future. 17 And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles 18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’[10]”
It was because of that ministry and witness that Paul was about to be executed. We might ask Paul if he regrets being called into the ministry and being obedient to that calling. But he answered that in I Timothy 1:12,13 “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, 13 even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. 14 Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.[11]”
As a matter of fact in this chapter, his last written words, as he spends his time telling another minister the right way to carry out his calling, Paul is telling us, “I HAVE NO REGRETS ”
III. HIS COMMISSION: Paul had been given a specific commission. He was to preach to the Gentiles. “For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles.
9 In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. 10 Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do. ”[12] Gal 2:8-10
“When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles 2 assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles.[13]” Eph 3:1-2
“And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.* 7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.
8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.[14] Eph 3:6-8
” II Tim 1:11 “And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.[15]”
Paul do you regret preaching to the Gentiles? He answers when I stood all alone, the Lord stood with me - I have NO REGRETS
IV. HIS CONSTANCY: Paul, you stood when no one else stood. You preached in the far corners of the earth. You declared Christ to the heathen. You had troubles galore, chronicled in II Cor 11:23-30 “23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.[16]” /////
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Those are the words of a man with NO REGRETS
V. HIS CROWN AWAITING: v. 8, He was about to have his head cut off, but the thought of the crown made him quit worrying over his head. He finished his life with NO REGRETS.
Conclusion: What are your regrets? Many regret that they did not get right with God sooner. Do like Paul and only look at life since you saw the light. If you die in the will of God, you can leave with no regrets, but if you meet God in eternity without a turning to Him in life, you will regret every time you rejected his convicting spirit. Sinners... Saints... when you examine your life in light of eternity, can you say with Paul, “I HAVE NO REGRETS?”
*Hymn of Response I’d Rather Have Jesus (g Bev Shea)
*Sending forth
*Postlude
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[1]Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, S. Ac 8:3
[2] The Holy Bible : Today's New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI : Zondervan, 2005, S. Ac 9:1
q S Ac 8:3
s ver 19,20
v Ac 9:2
[3] The Holy Bible : Today's New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI : Zondervan, 2005, S. Ac 22:4-5
[4] The Holy Bible : Today's New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI : Zondervan, 2005, S. 1 Ti 1:13
o Ps 73:25
1 Or through the faithfulness of
[5] The Holy Bible : Today's New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI : Zondervan, 2005, S. Php 3:4-9
[6]Peterson, E. H. (2002). The Message : The Bible in contemporary language (Ac 9:1-2). Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress.
[7]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (Ac 22:5). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
[8]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (Ac 26:10-12). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
[9]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (Ac 26:19). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
[10]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (Ac 26:15-18). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
[11]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (1 Ti 1:12-14). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
[12]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (Ga 2:8-10). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
[13]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (Eph 3:1-2). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
* Or because they are united with Christ Jesus.
[14]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (Eph 3:6-8). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
[15]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (2 Ti 1:11). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
[16]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (2 Co 11:23-30). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.