2022-JUN-12 3:00PM

Liturgy

  • Profession of Faith: Nicene Creed
  • Preservice Song: Ps. 121: 1, 3, 4
  • *Votum & Salutation
  • *Opening Song: Ps. 46: 1, 2, 5
  • Profession of Faith
  • Amen Song: Ps. 36: 1-3
  • Prayer
  • Reading of Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4
  • Song of Preparation: Hymn 23: 1-5
  • Reading: Lord's Day 25
  • Ministry of the Word: Our God is the Source of All Good things, Even Faith
    1. It is not Ours, but a Gift
    2. It is not Large, but Small
    3. It is not Strong, but Weak
  • *Song of Response: Hymn 50: 1-4
  • Thanksgiving Prayer
  • Offertory: Word & Deed
  • *Song of Closing: Ps. 124: 1-3
  • *Benediction

Ministry of the Word: Our God is the Source of All Good things, Even Faith

1. It is not Ours, but a Gift

  • We hear a lot about grace in our lives.
  • We know that grace is what we are saved by, and that grace is undeserved.
  • But do we really understand what it means?
  • Imagine a fountain, with water cascading down through the tiers. The sacraments are one tier. The preaching of the word is another.
  • Through the fall, we all became blind. The same God that created all things is responsible for the gift of grace that allows us to see the truth.

2. It is not Large, but Small

  • Our hearts are hard. We are jars of clay, and need daily prayer and weekly preaching to grow our minds and learn more of what God reveals to us.

3. It is not Strong, but Weak

  • The sacraments are lower in the hierarchy than the preaching of the word.
  • Remember that it is through God's voice that the world was created. The sacraments work through sight. Preaching works through speaking and listening.