Preparing To Rejoice In Him // November 12, 2017

PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR WORSHIP ON NOVEMBER 12, 2017

The Great Commission is Jesus’ explanation of what happened in His resurrection. He had risen from the dead and was about to depart this earth and ascend back into heaven. But, before leaving, Jesus was teaching the men with whom he had spent the last three years how to experience intimacy with Him and each other in a post-resurrection world. Why is this important? Because if we are going to experience the full life Jesus died to give us, we must learn to apply the truths Jesus came to reveal about God and ourselves by living life the way Jesus taught us to live it.

ENCOURAGING WORDS

“A continual looking forward to the eternal world is not (as some modern people think) a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth “thrown in:” aim at earth and you will get neither.” – C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

“A number of years ago, I met a wise man who changed my life. In countless ways, large and small, I was always seeking the Lord’s blessing. I was saying, you know, I have a new song, look after it… I have a family, please look after them… I have this crazy idea… And this wise man said: stop. He said, stop asking God to bless what you’re doing. Get involved in what God is doing – because it’s already blessed.” – Bono

WORSHIP IN SONG

The Solid Rock (My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less)

My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus’ name

On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil

His oath, His covenant, His blood; support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay

When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne

GOD’S CALL TO COME WORSHIP AND DELIGHT IN HIM :: John 4:23-24

[23] But 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. [24] God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (ESV)

CONFESSING OUR FAITH :: Westminster Shorter Catechism, Questions 29-31

Q29. How are we made to take part in the redemption Christ bought?

We take part in the redemption Christ bought when the Holy Spirit effectively applies it to us.

Q30. How does the Holy Spirit apply to us the redemption Christ bought?

The Spirit applies to us the redemption Christ bought by producing faith in us and so uniting us to Christ in our effective calling.

Q31. What is effectual calling?

Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, Who convinces us that we are sinful and miserable, Who enlightens our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and Who renews our wills. This is how He persuades and makes us able to receive Jesus Christ, Who is freely offered to us in the gospel.

GOD’S WORD PREACHED ::

Matthew 28:16-20 (OP: The Mission Of Community)

Matthew 28:16–20

The Great Commission

[16] Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. [17] And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. [18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV)

Matthew 28:18-20 (SE: The Invitation To Community)

Matthew 28:18–20