September 29, 2019
We’re in week four of Exodus. The book of Exodus is about God’s mission to redeem a people for His Kingdom in the world. We’re in Part Two of the series, and you can listen to sermons from Part One starting here.
Here’s how you can prepare this week, Instructions for Holiness:
1. Read through our text, Exodus 23:10–19.
One of the key themes of the Mosaic Law is holiness. In the Law, the Holy God of Israel calls His people to conform their lives to His holiness. The word “holiness” has varying connotations for different people, but in the Bible it primarily refers to something’s “uniqueness” or “distinctiveness.” As the people live according the Lord’s instructions, they will be set apart from the other nations and set apart to the Lord. If they obey His instruction, they will be a holy nation, His treasured people who represent and spread His glory and righteousness to the world. However, three things will threaten their holiness: 1. Their own internal disposition to turn away from God; 2. Their own fear of the surrounding nations; and 3. Temptations from spiritual powers of darkness. The people of God are called to resist these threats, to draw near to God, and to trust in His word so that they will enjoy the blessings of life in His presence.
2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:
CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 62:5–8, 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 (Robert Robinson, John Wyeth arr. Charlie Hall)
Heart Won’t Stop (John Mark McMillan)
CONFESSION OF SIN: From Thou, Dear God: Prayers That Open Hearts and Spirits by Martin Luther King, Jr.
O Thou Eternal God,out of whose absolute power and infinite intelligencethe whole universe has come into being.We humbly confess that we have not loved Theewith our hearts, souls and minds,and we have not loved our neighbors as Christ loved us.We have all too often lived by our own selfish impulsesrather than by the life of sacrificial love as revealed by Christ.We often give in order to receive,we love our friends and hate our enemies,we go the first mile but dare not travel the second,we forgive but dare not forget.And so as we look within ourselveswe are confronted with the appalling factthat the history of our lives is the historyof an eternal revolt against Thee.But Thou, O God, have mercy upon us.Forgive us for what we could have been but failed to be.Give us the intelligence to know Thy will.Give us the courage to do Thy will.Give us the devotion to love Thy will.In the name and Spirit of Jesus we pray. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Romans 8:1–3
Man Of Sorrows (Matt Crocker, Brooke Ligertwood)
GREETING, SERMON, RESPONSE, & COMMUNION
King Of Kings (Jason Ingram, Brooke Ligertwood, Scott Ligertwood)
Great Are You Lord (Jason Ingram, Leslie Jordan, David Leonard)