The Lord’s Day Faith Community Baptist Church June 7, 2015
Silent Meditation and Prayer Upon Entering The King of saints, how fair His face; Adorned with majesty and grace! He comes with blessings from above, And wins the nations to His love. At His right hand our eyes behold The queen arrayed in purest gold; The world admires her heav’nly dress, Her robe of joy and righteousness. He forms her beauties like His own; He calls and seats her near His throne; Fair stranger, let thine heart forget The idols of thy native state. So shall the King the more rejoice In Thee, the favorite of His choice; Let Him be loved and yet adored, For He’s thy Maker and thy Lord. O happy hour, when thou shalt rise To His fair palace in the skies, And all thy sons (a numerous train) Each like a prince in glory reign! Let endless honors crown His head; Let every age His praises spread; While we with cheerful songs approve The condescensions of His love.
Isaac Watts Hymn of Psalm 45 (Part 2)
Prelude
The Worship of God: The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him (John 4:23 ESV).
The Worship of God Welcome of the Gospel "At that time, declares the LORD, I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people." Thus says the LORD: "The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant and shall enjoy the fruit. For there shall be a day when watchmen will call in the hill country of Ephraim: 'Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.'" [Welcome taken from Jeremiah 31:1-6 ESV]
Musical Interlude During this time we encourage you to spend a few moments in quiet and prayerful preparation before God seeking his gracious help approaching him in worship. You might consider silently praying something like the following: Fill our worship with grace, Lord Jesus Christ, that every thought, word, and deed may be acceptable to you, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. [Prayer based on Psalm 19:14]
God Calls Us to Worship and We Gather Together Scriptural Call to Worship [Reading taken from Jeremiah 31:7-9 ESV]
Worship Leader: Hear the word of the Lord from Jeremiah 31:7-9 For thus says the LORD: "Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, 'O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.' Behold, I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the 2
The Worship of God: The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him (John 4:23 ESV).
pregnant woman and she who is in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Musical Call to Worship
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The Worship of God: The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him (John 4:23 ESV).
Prayer of Invocation Musical Interlude [During this time we encourage you to spend a few moments reflecting on the wonder that the God of all creation summons you to His worship. He has called us to himself and he requires and deserves a fitting response from us in adoration for his self-revelation.]
God Reveals Who He Is and We Respond in Adoration [Reading for Adoration, Confession and Thanksgiving sections taken from Jeremiah 31 ESV]
Worship Leader: Hear the word of the Lord from Jeremiah 31:10-14 "Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.' For the LORD has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the LORD."
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The Worship of God: The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him (John 4:23 ESV).
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The Worship of God: The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him (John 4:23 ESV).
God Reveals Our Sin and We Offer Confession Worship Leader: Hear the Word of the Lord from Jeremiah 31:15-30 Thus says the LORD: "A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more." Thus says the LORD: "Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work, declares the LORD, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope for your future, declares the LORD, and your children shall come back to their own country. I have heard Ephraim grieving, 'You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for you are the LORD my God. For after I had turned away, I relented, and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh; I was ashamed, and I was confounded, because I bore the disgrace of my youth.' Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, declares the LORD. "Set up road markers for yourself; make yourself guideposts; consider well the highway, the road by which you went. Return, O virgin Israel, return to these your cities. How long will you waver, O faithless daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing on the earth: a woman encircles a man." Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Once more they shall use these words in the land of Judah and in its cities, when I restore their fortunes: "'The LORD bless you, O habitation of righteousness, O holy hill!' And Judah and all its cities shall dwell there together, and the farmers and those who wander with their flocks. For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish." At this I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me. "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and the seed of beast. And it shall come to pass that as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring harm, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, declares the LORD. In those days they shall no longer say: "'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.' But everyone shall die for his own iniquity. Each man who eats sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge. Prayer of Confession led by Paul Thomas 6
The Worship of God: The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him (John 4:23 ESV).
God Grants Forgiveness and We Offer Thanks Gospel Proclamation and Assurance of Pardon Worship Leader: Hear the Word of the Lord from Jer 31:31-37 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar-- the LORD of hosts is his name: "If this fixed order departs from before me, declares the LORD, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before me forever." Thus says the LORD: "If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the LORD." Offering of Thanksgiving for the Gospel Thanksgiving Expressed in Song Hymn: I Love Thy Kingdom Lord I love thy kingdom, Lord, the house of thine abode, the church our blest Redeemer saved with his own precious blood. I love thy church, O God! Her walls before thee stand dear as the apple of thine eye, and graven on thy hand. 7
The Worship of God: The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him (John 4:23 ESV).
For her my tears shall fall, for her my prayers ascend, to her my cares and toils be given, till toils and cares shall end. Beyond my highest joy I prize her heavenly ways, her sweet communion, solemn vows, her hymns of love and praise. Sure as thy truth shall last, to Zion shall be given the brightest glories earth can yield, and brighter bliss of heaven. Thanksgiving Expressed in the Giving of God’s Tithe Offertory Prayer Offertory
God Speaks His Word and We Submit to His Truth The Reading of the Word by Paul Thomas from Eph 5:22-33 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
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The Worship of God: The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him (John 4:23 ESV).
Response to the Reading of the Word Worship Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. All men are like grass and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. Congregation: The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of our God shall stand forever. Amen. Prayer for the Illumination of the Word The Preaching of the Word by Pastor Jason [Blank pages for more note taking are provided at the back of the bulletin.]
The End is Better than the Beginning Revelation 21-22 The Tasting of the Word by the Congregation The Invitation to Come to the Table of the Lord Worship Leader: Brothers and sisters in Christ, the gospels tell us that on the first day of the week, the day on which our Lord rose from the dead, he appeared to some of his disciples and was made known to them in the breaking of bread. Come, then, to the joyful feast of our Lord. Fencing of the Table of the Lord Worship Leader: This feast is for all who love him and who have come to him alone for salvation. All who are broken over their sin, who sincerely believe in the Lord Jesus as their Savior, and are humbled before him as the resurrected Lord. It is for all who have obediently received his other covenantal sign of baptism which he has appointed to be received by all who name his name. In short - it is a feast for his gathered church. His church is called to come and gather at the table of the feast with gladness of heart and eager expectation of satisfaction in his gifts. Gifts of God which are for the people of God. 9
The Worship of God: The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him (John 4:23 ESV).
Congregational Confession of the Faith: The Nicene Creed I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN. Prayers of Meditation for Communion: If you are not (or even if you are) participating in the Lord’s Table with us this morning, it is our hope that the following prayers may prove helpful for your prayerful meditation as the bread and cup are passed. Prayer for Those Searching for Truth: Lord Jesus, You claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following You as I consider the reasons for doing so. If what You claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and show me the reality of who You are. Amen.
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The Worship of God: The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him (John 4:23 ESV).
Prayer of Belief: Heavenly Father, I admit that I am more sinful than I ever before believed, but, through Your Son Jesus, I can be more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank You that He lived the life I should have lived, and paid the debt and punishment I deserved. Receive me now for His sake. I turn from my sins and receive Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. Amen. Prayer for Those Struggling with Sin: Lord Jesus, help me to look to You as the fulfillment of all my needs, and to turn from every false satisfaction to feed on You, the true and living bread. Enable me to lay aside the sin that clings so closely, and run with perseverance the race set before me, looking to You, the pioneer and perfecter of my faith. Amen. Prayer of Commitment: Lord Jesus, You have called us to follow You in a life of committed discipleship in Your church. Grant that I may take the necessary steps to be one with Your people, and live in the fullness of Your Spirit. Amen. The Service of the Table of the Lord The Ministry of the Loaf Worship Leader: The bread that we break is a sharing in the body of Christ. Congregation: We who are many are one body, for we all share the same loaf. Worship Leader: Brothers and Sisters the Apostle Paul has told us in the Scripture...that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread and gave thanks for it. Prayer for the Bread Worship Leader: And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples Distribution, Meditation and Taking of the Bread 11
The Worship of God: The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him (John 4:23 ESV).
*The following is taken from the Valley of Vision to assist you as you prepare to take the elements: While I gaze upon the emblems of my Saviour’s death, may I ponder why he died, and hear him say, ‘I gave my life to purchase yours, presented myself an offering to expiate your sin, shed my blood to blot out your guilt, opened my side to make you clean, endured your curses to set you free, bore your condemnation to satisfy divine justice.’ Worship Leader: When he had given the bread to his disciples he said to them: "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." The Body of Christ, given for you. Congregation: Thanks be to God The Ministry of the Cup Worship Leader: The cup for which we give thanks is a sharing in the blood of Christ. Congregation: The cup that we drink is our participation in the blood of Christ. Worship Leader: Paul further records for us that he took the cup and offered thanks. Prayer for the Cup Worship Leader: After he had given thanks for the cup, Jesus gave it to his disciples. Distribution, Meditation and Taking of the Cup *The following is taken from the Valley of Vision to assist you as you prepare to take the elements: While I gaze upon the emblems of my Saviour’s death, may I ponder why he died, and hear him say, ‘I gave my life to purchase yours, presented myself an offering to expiate your sin, shed my blood to blot out your guilt, opened my side to make you clean, endured your curses to set you free, bore your condemnation to satisfy divine justice.’ 12
The Worship of God: The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him (John 4:23 ESV).
Worship Leader: The Scripture tells us that having given the cup to his disciples said to them: "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." The Cup of the New Covenant. Congregation: Thanks be to God. Worship Leader: Remember Brothers and Sisters the words of the beloved Apostle Paul when he wrote the church: As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Prayer of Dedication Worship Leader: Let us come to our Father together in the dedication of ourselves to him in light of the glorious gift he has given us in the gospel after the manner in which he taught us to pray: Congregation: 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 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.
God Commissions Us and We Respond in Holy Living Musical Benediction Hymn: Bride of the Lamb, Awake, Awake By Sir Edward Denny, 1863 Sung to the tune of Jesus the Very Thought of Thee
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The Worship of God: The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him (John 4:23 ESV).
Bride of the Lamb, awake, awake! Why sleep for sorrow now? The hope of glory, Christ, is thine, A child of glory thou. Thy spirit, through the lonely night, From earthly joy apart, Hath sighed for One that’s far away—The Bridegroom of thy heart. But see! the night is waning fast, The breaking morn is near; And Jesus comes, with voice of love, Thy drooping heart to cheer. He comes—for oh, His yearning heart No more can bear delay— To scenes of full unmingled joy To call His bride away. This earth, the scene of all His woe, A homeless wild to thee, Full soon, upon His heavenly throne, Its rightful King shall see. Thou, too, shalt reign, - He will not wear His crown of joy alone; And earth His royal bride shall see Beside Him, on the throne. Then weep no more; ’tis all thine own His crown, His joy divine; And, sweeter far than all beside, He, He Himself is thine!
Scriptural Benediction Worship Leader: Receive church the Lord’s gospel benediction from Jeremiah 31:38-40 "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when the city shall be rebuilt for the LORD from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. And the measuring line shall go out farther, straight to the hill Gareb, and shall then turn to Goah. The whole valley of the dead bodies and the ashes, and all the fields as far as the brook Kidron, to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, shall be sacred to the LORD. It shall not be plucked up or overthrown anymore forever."
Postlude
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The Worship of God: The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him (John 4:23 ESV).
Bible Study Opportunities: Adult Study: Pastor Jason is leading us through a study entitled Behold Your God. Children’s Studies: High School Girls: Venus Thomas is currently teaching From Dust to Glory by R. C. Sproul for our High School girls. Older Elementary: The older elementary children are currently doing a study on the books of the Bible Matthew – John. This study will be taught by Janice Montgomery. Younger Elementary: This group is taught by Stephanie Troyer and Angie Jordan on the New Testament. Lord’s Day Worship Study: Pastor Jason is currently preaching through a series on Revelation 21-22. Weekly Location and Schedule: Meeting Location on the Lord’s Day: Covenant Classical School 1701 Wind Star Way Fort Worth, TX 76108 Meeting Times on the Lord’s Day: 10:30AM Worship 1:30PM Bible Study 12:30PM Fellowship Meal 3:30PM Nursing Home Membership Information: If you would like information regarding membership in our fellowship, please see Pastor Jason or one of our deacons after the service.
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The Worship of God: The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him (John 4:23 ESV).
A Scriptural Exposition of the Baptist Catechism By Benjamin Beddome Q10: What are the decrees of God? A10: The decrees of God are his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his own will, whereby for his own glory he hath fore-ordained whatsoever comes to pass. -Are God's decrees sovereign and free? Yes. They are according to the good pleasure of His will, Eph 1:5. -Are they eternal? Yes. For we are chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, Eph 1:4. -Are they infinitely wise? Yes. We read of the manifold wisdom of God according to his eternal purpose, Eph 3:10-11. -Are they most holy? Yes. Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth, Isa 25:1. -Are they impenetrable and unsearchable? Yes. ho hath known the mind of the Lord? Rom 11:34. -Are they absolute and unchangeable? Yes. He is in one mind, and who can turn him? Job 23:13. -Are they all calculated for his own glory? Yes. He hath made all things for himself, Pro 16:4. 16