Preparing For Worship: May 2, 2010

"Worship is the gift of participating by the power of the Spirit in the incarnate Son's communion with the Father." ~ James Torrance

This quote is a great summation of understanding the role that each member of the Trinity plays in our redemption and our worship. How amazing that Christ's redemptive work for us on the cross is done, but that even now he sits at the right hand of the Father forever proclaiming us as justified! "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin, but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous." 1 Jn 2:1

The Spirit is alive in the hearts of the redeemed and on a daily basis directs us in righteousness, convicts us of sin, illumines the truth of Scripture, and helps us know how to apply it to our lives. In the corporate worship setting, he molds our hearts together in biblical unity, and gifts us to encourage each other in the Lord. It is a privilege to be a part of the supernatural sculpting and crafting of the body of Christ by the Spirit, and I hope it's a privilege for you as well.

It's with this view of the Spirit's power and work that we'll invite his active presence and submit ourselves to his leading and purpose by singing "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" which asks the Spirit to:
-tune our hearts to sing of God's grace
-teach us the melodious sonnets of the angels
-lead us safely to our heavenly home
-bind our wandering hearts to God
-seal our hearts for the courts of heaven above!

That's a pretty hefty list! I think of the lists that my wife will leave for me, and in comparison I have it EASY. As you practice this tune in preparation for Sunday, consider what the Spirit may want to do in your heart and ask him to go to town!

Then Pastor Todd will come and echo that song's sentiment as we pray for our morning that God would be honored by our time and that he'd teach us and mold us a little more into the image of his Son.

Next we'll sing the new song I posted earlier this week called "Eternal Praise" and go right into "How Great is Our God." Check out the video for Eternal Praise so you can practice it and be able to sing it with us Sunday; plus I made the video myself!

Then Pastor Todd will continue to teach from his mini-series "The Haustafel" as we steadily plow through the remainder of Ephesians. He's on part four this week and it's the section that addresses slaves and their masters. Since slavery is illegal in our day and age, many have found it helpful to apply the principles taught here to the employee/employer relationship. CLICK HERE to read the passage this week and ask Pastor Todd why the Bible never condemns slavery...

After the sermon we'll share the Lord's Supper together, remembering the sacrifice of Christ on the cross; how he offered us a new covenant in his blood! This is sort of a solemn and meditative portion of the service, but it's also very meaningful as we consider that he was put to death for the sins of each of us. During communion we'll sing "Once Again" to help us connect heart and mind as we thank Christ for the cross.

We'll close with "The Stand" recalling our new life and freedom because of the cross, and we'll commit to stand, arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the one who gave it all for us. Announcements and a prayer of blessing as we give our tithes and offerings and we'll call it a day! That's what's going on, so happy prep!