October 21, 2018
We’re in our seventh week of our fall series in Ephesians. As our society continues its trend toward self-centered and superficial worldviews, many have adopted a watered-down view of God that that leads us away from the glory we were made to enjoy. Ephesians shatters this diluted view of God by putting the weight of His glory in our faces in a way that is overwhelming and life-transforming.
Here’s how you can prepare for Sunday:
1. Read through our text, Ephesians 3:14–21.
At the close of his beautiful exposition of God’s grace, Paul turns again to prayer. He humbly pleads with God, the Father of all nations, to give his Ephesian friends strength to experience in their hearts—not merely their minds—the incomprehensible love of Christ. He doesn’t want them to know about the love of God just intellectually, he wants them to experience rich communion with Jesus and to sink their roots down deep into the riches of the boundless love of Christ. Paul prays with confidence knowing that God has the power to do far more than we could ever imagine. As he closes this celebration of God’s love and grace, it’s as if he can’t contain himself—he bursts into doxology, praising the God who is worth of all glory from all generations for all time.
2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:
CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 36:5, 7–9, Welcome (From Immanuel Nashville):
To all who are weary and need rest,
To all who mourn and long for comfort,
To all who feel worthless and wonder if God cares,
To all who fail and desire strength,
To all who sin and need a Savior,
This church opens wide her doors
with a welcome from Jesus Christ,
the Ally of His enemies, the Defender of the guilty,
the Justifier of the inexcusable, the Friend of sinners.
Welcome!
Come Thou Fount (Above All Else) (Shane Barnard, Robert Robinson, John Wyeth)
Here Is Love (William Edwards, Robert S. Lowry, William Rees)
CONFESSION OF SIN: Psalm 51:1–4a
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Romans 5:6–8
Reckless Love (Cory Asbury, Caleb Culver, Ran Jackson)
CHILD DEDICATIONS
GREETING, SERMON, & COMMUNION
RESPONSE: Song & Prayer
Good Good Father (Anthony Brown, Pat Barrett)
I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous) (Charles H. Gabriel, Chris Tomlin)