October 6, 2019
It’s week five of Exodus at Park Church. 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 this series, and you can listen to sermons from Exodus Part One starting here.
Last week in Preparing for Sunday, we published a couple of things in error. First, we gave you the Scripture from the previous week, Exodus 21:1–23:9, in the email. By now you’ve probably realized that was supposed to be Exodus 23:10–17; 31:12–18. Second, last week we also gave you the title and intro for this week’s message, Instructions for Holiness. That was supposed to be Instructions for Freedom, Rest, & Celebration. We made that as confusing as possible. But now that we’re up to speed—here’s how you can prepare for this Sunday, which is actually called Instructions for Holiness:
1. Read through our text, 23:20-24:18.
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 99:1–5, 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!
Holy, Holy, Holy (Reginald Heber, John Bacchus Dykes)
In Tenderness (Garvey, Gordon, Walton)
CONFESSION OF SIN: From The Worship Sourcebook:
Almighty and merciful God,
we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much
the devices and desires of our own hearts.
We have offended against your holy laws.
We have left undone those things which we ought to have done;
and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.
O Lord, have mercy upon us.
Spare those who confess their faults.
Restore those who are penitent,
according to your promises declared to the world
in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
And grant, O merciful God, for his sake,
that we may live a holy, just, and humble life
to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: 1 Peter 2:9–10
King Of Kings (Jason Ingram, Brooke Ligertwood, Scott Ligertwood)
GREETING, SERMON, RESPONSE, & COMMUNION
Like Incense / Sometimes By Step (Brooke Ligertwood, David (Beaker) Strasser, Rich Mullins)
Build My Life (Barrett, Kable, Martin, Redman, Younker)