Sunday 16 November 2014

Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 16 November 2014


 

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 & Lords 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 "Theres 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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