Preparing To Rejoice In Him // November 5, 2017

PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR WORSHIP ON NOVEMBER 5, 2017

Communion Sunday

We will come to the Table this Sunday to feast with our Lord. Christ, himself, invites us to come and sit with him. What makes this time so special from any other day in worship? It’s special because even though we are sinners, beggars, idolaters and rebels a King sets the table and makes a place for us – filth and all – and is pleased to dine with us, his family. Read these words from John Calvin’s Short Treatise on the Lords’ Supper to help you better prepare for this coming Sunday.

“Here, then, is the singular consolation which we derive from the Supper. It directs and leads us to the cross of Jesus Christ and to his resurrection, to certify us that whatever iniquity there may be in us, the Lord nevertheless recognises and accepts us as righteous—whatever materials of death may be in us, he nevertheless gives us life— whatever misery, may be in us, he nevertheless fills us with all felicity. Or to explain the matter more simply—as in ourselves we are devoid of all good, and have not one particle of what might help to procure salvation, the Supper is an attestation that, having been made partakers of the death and passion of Jesus Christ, we have every thing that is useful and salutary to us.”

WORSHIP IN SONG

Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus

This Sunday, we will take communion and we will sing this hymn, Nothing But The Blood of Jesus. There’s a reason we sing these types of hymns at Hope, and there’s a reason they are an important part of who we are as a community. We sing these hymns because they have withstood the test of time, proclaim the Good News of the gospel to us, and lead us closer to the heart of Jesus.

Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

For my cleansing this I see, nothing but the blood of Jesus
For my pardon this my plea, nothing but the blood of Jesus

Nothing can for sin atone, nothing but the blood of Jesus
Naught of good that I have done, nothing but the blood of Jesus

This is all my hope and peace, nothing but the blood of Jesus
This is all my righteousness, nothing but the blood of Jesus

GOD’S CALL TO COME WORSHIP AND DELIGHT IN HIM :: Revelation 5:9-13

[9] And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, [10] and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” [11] Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, [12] saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” [13] And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (ESV)

CONFESSING OUR SIN :: Confession of Sin & Assurance of Pardon

Leader: Almighty God, we acknowledge and confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed; we have not loved you with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

All: We have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. Deepen within us our sorrow for the wrong we have done, and the good we have left undone.

Leader: Lord, you are full of compassion and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy; there is always forgiveness with you!

All: Restore to us the joy of your salvation; bind up that which is broken, give light to our minds, strength to our wills, and rest to our souls.

Leader: Speak to each of us, O Lord.

All: And let your word abide with us until it has wrought in us your holy will. Amen.

Leader: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Beloved, if your faith is in Jesus Christ, then I can assure you, based on the sure promise of the Word of God, that all your sins – past, present and future – are forgiven!

All: Amen, Alleluia!

GOD’S WORD PREACHED ::

Luke 22:7-22 (OP & South End Sermon Text)

The Passover with the Disciples

[7] Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. [8] So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” [9] They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” [10] He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters [11] and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ [12] And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” [13] And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

[14] And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. [15] And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. [16] For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” [17] And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. [18] For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” [19] And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” [20] And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. [21] But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. [22] For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” [23] And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this. (ESV)