Worship – led by Brian Legg
We’ve come to worship our blessed Saviour, to tell him we love him, and to listen to what he has to say to us today.
A few verses from Psalm 103 to begin
Psalm 103: 1 – 2, and 8 – 12
The Psalmist encourages us to count our blessings, and reminds us that our God is forgiving, compassionate and loving towards us. Whereas we are only too ready to remember the sins of others, he has removed our sins from us by an infinite distance, and he remembers them no more. That has to be good news.
SONG: 210 I give you all the honour and praise
Prayer
Our next song just lifts up the name of Jesus, proclaiming him as King of our lives.
SONG: 1404 King of kings, majesty
“Brought this sinner near to your throne” – the amazing grace of our Lord.
As I was lying awake the other morning, after a somewhat sleepless night, and asking the Lord for some inspiration for this morning’s worship, the words that came and stuck with me were those from part of Stainer’s oratorio “The Crucifixion”, which he wrote in 1887.
One of the quietest parts is entitled “God so loved the world”, a quiet piece of music, with words based of course on the words of Jesus in John 3:16. It ends with just repeating those words a number of times.
The context for the well-known words of John 3:16 is some teaching Jesus was giving to Nicodemus, where He looks back to the time of Moses in the wilderness, when the Israelites were suffering from a plague of snakes. On that occasion, God provided a means of escape from death, by looking up to a bronze serpent on a pole. Now the Son of Man is to be lifted up – crucified – so that everyone who believes may have eternal life.
God so loved the world”, yes, everyone, whatever their language or the colour of their skin, all are within the reach of God’s love. He loved them – and us – so much, that he was willing for his one and only Son to die a cruel death on a cross. How eternally thankful we should be that the blood of Jesus has paid the price for our salvation.
SONG: 257 It’s your blood that cleanses me
“God so loved the world” – and John 3:16 also gives us some wonderful promises – especially salvation and the promise of eternal life for all who believe in the name of Jesus.
Let’s be reminded too of the cost of our salvation, and also of what we can look forward to in our next song
SONG: 544 There is a Redeemer
Continuing our thoughts about Jesus as our Redeemer,
Song: 937 My lips shall praise You
Our last song reminds us that Jesus is the Hope of the Nations – really the only hope in a world torn apart by discord, by selfish leaders seeking only their own well-being. What a dark place the world has sadly become. But in the midst of all this, the name of Jesus shines out, He is the light that can change the world, and by God’s grace He is living in us. May the Holy Spirit so work in our lives, that Jesus will be seen in us through our lives day by day, as we seek to bring glory to His wonderful name.
Remember too those words “God so loved the world”.
SONG: 1385 Jesus hope of the nations
Barry Lorimer’s Summary Notes on his message
Blessing
Blessing is a powerful word. Its opposite is cursing.
Galations 3: 13 – 14 tells us that we are blessed through the death of Jesus Christ.
Blessing is the action of God – to speak well, to praise, to make happy.
Numbers 6: 24 – 26 tells us that:
- God meets our needs
- God is our safety and refuge (See also Jude v24)
- God delights in us (see also 2 Corinthians 3:8)
- God is gracious to us
- God takes notice of us
- God gives us his “Shalom” peace - John 14: 27
Jesus brings extra meaning to the word blessing.
Matthew 5: 3 – 10
- The poor in spirit – blessings to all who acknowledge their need
- Those who mourn – blessings to those who repent.
- Those who are meek – blessings to not “I” but “You” Lord
- Those who hunger – blessings to those who want more of God
- Those who show mercy - blessings to those who love and care
- Those who are pure in heart - blessings to those who grow in holiness
- Those who are peacemakers – blessings to those who bring Shalom
- Those who are persecuted – blessings to those who are faithful unto death
Jesus offers blessings to our Christian walk.
The fruit of the Spirit are demonstrated through them.
They provide a window to worship.
Notices
- Wednesday at 10.30am – Coffee Morning
- Next Sunday – speaker will be Ken Cowell
- Churches for Horley Foodbank passed on their thanks for all the Harvest Gifts, and for the support they receive from this church.