Call
to Worship Psalm
96: A declaration of God's greatness and the command to all to acknowledge
that. It seems a strongly worded passage but it's really the most gracious
invitation to walk in liberty, with the obvious result of remaining in darkness
if we do not accept that invitation.
Hymn:
TIS 209 "And can it be that I should
gain?" "My chains fell off, my heart was free". This will
resonate with so many people. We live burdened with stuff we often can't
identify but then because God, in his grace reaches out to us, those burdens
are lifted and we walk out to freedom. "Bold I approach the eternal
throne, and claim the crown, through Christ, my own." YES!
Prayer
of Adoration, Confession and Assurance of Forgiveness
On our
behalf Mark prayed, thanking God for his holiness and greatness, who had by his
word brought everything into being. Mark gave praise that God was holy and pure
and prayed that we could also be holy and pure. Mark thanked God that he is
gracious and merciful and that Christ embodied that reality, asking that we be
taught how to adore God and live in awe
of his holiness and mercy. Mark thanked God that we can know him and live for
him, acknowledging him as Father and holy. Mark asked for God's help each day
that we should take account of our lives, which are littered with mistakes and
deliberate sins. Mark asked that as we came in repentance, God would allow us
to know his forgiveness and restore our relationship with him. Mark then assured
us of our pardon.
Hymn:
TIS 147 "To God be the Glory"
Because all that is good comes from him. This world is marred by the evil
people do but God's goodness shines through and gives us hope that that
goodness will prevail.
Offering
and dedication Mark
prayed that the offering which is from God's blessings to us will be used to further his kingdom. We often
think we have earned the good things we have, but they are God's gift to us. Be
thankful.
Bible
words for today
Ruth and Oliver: "Well done, my
good and trusty servant." The words we will all hear after living
according to God's will.
Hymn:
TIS 609 "May the mind of Christ my
Saviour" May the mind, word, peace and love of God dwell in us. If only
our fears, insecurities and selfishness didn't get in the way, what people we
would be!
Bible
Readings:
Val read to us from:1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Paul is talking to a group who are
worried about when Jesus will return and how the timing of that return will
affect their salvation. He says that they should not concern themselves about
that but continue to live in the light which is our salvation and that they
should support each other in their endeavours to do so. Matthew 25:14-30 The parable of the servants
who were entrusted with the master's money while he was away. Most used the
money to make more for the master but one hid it, in fear he would not have it
to return to his master. Did he get into trouble!! The lesson is that we have been
given talents, gifts and skills and that we should use them to further God's
kingdom. We weren't given these gifts to feel good about ourselves. We are to
use them for God's work.
Sermon: “Be Prepared”
As spoken of in the section above on the Bible Readings, Mark explained the
worry the Thessalonians were having in regard to their salvation and how that fitted in with Jesus coming again, which
they were expecting at any time. They were concerned that anyone who died
before Jesus returned would miss out but Paul assured them that they need not
worry about anyone who had gone before - that shouldn't be their concern. In
any case, nobody would have any idea when Jesus would return, so it was
pointless spending time thinking about it. The thing they (and we) should
attend to is ourselves and the way we live. Mark referred to people who had
famously lived in darkness - Christopher Skase, Alan Bond, and Rene Rivkin -
and who were all found out and disgraced before the whole world - with Skase
and Rivkin dying badly. But then the point was made that we don't have to be
concerned about that because we are living in the light.
Mark spoke of
churches, cults and books that focus on the second coming but again, we won't
know when that will happen so all the time and effort these people devote to their
speculations is wasted. Our focus should be the main message - God's redeeming
grace. The world is full of distractions: mindless television programs,
advertisements offering everything to give us fulfilling lives - forget the
lot. We are assured that if we persist in the light and do not live in darkness
we will be ready. And we are obliged to help each other and give support to
each other. Focus on those two messages.
Prayers
of the People & Lord’s Prayer
Mark prayed for the concerns around the world causing suffering to so
many, asking for peace to bring comfort to those people. He remembered the sick
and suffering and their carers, asking for strength for all. Thanks was given
for the rain that has brought relief from the bushfires. He prayed for God's
support for all those living and preaching His word, that they will be
faithful. Mark prayed for all those who are sick, that their treatment will be
effective and also thanked God for answered prayers, continuing his
intercession by naming those known to the congregation. We then joined in the
Lord's Prayer, itself a way of grounding us in our chief concerns for ourselves
and to each other.
Hymn:
TIS 276 "There’s a light upon the mountains" An expression of the sure hope that God's
kingdom will prevail. If we look around we can see glimpses of it leaking into the darkness of this world.
Benediction
Mark sent
us out, reminding us that we are redeemed because of God's graciousness and
mercy and to live in the light in the world so that God's greatness will be
revealed.
Retiring
hymn TIS 779
"May the feet of God walk with you." We blessed each other
with prayers that God will walk with each individual one of us throughout the
week. That is the support Paul was talking about.
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