We Mourn the Reality of sin
Hymn of Confession - O Come, All You Unfaithful
O come, all you unfaithful, Come, weak and unstable
Come, know you are not alone
O come, barren and waiting ones, Weary of praying, come
See what your God has done
Chorus:
Christ is born, Christ is born, Christ is born for you
O come, bitter and broken, Come with fears unspoken
Come, taste of His perfect love
O come, guilty and hiding ones, There is no need to run
See what your God has done - Chorus
Bridge:
He’s the Lamb who was given, Slain for our pardon
His promise is peace, For those who believe [2x]
So come, though you have nothing, Come, He is the offering
Come, see what your God has done - Chorus
Confession and Assurance of Pardon: ADVENT Week #1: “PEACE”
Father God: thank you for sending your Son Jesus into the world to take on human flesh, to live for us, to die for us, and to rise for us. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit who has opened our eyes to the salvation that is available in Him alone! Today, we pray for several things:
1. We pray for the 83% of our county’s population who is seemingly uninterested in Jesus, or unconvinced that his salvation is necessary for them. Please open their eyes to see Jesus in his glory, and open their hearts to surrender to him in faith.
2. We also pray for the BILLIONS of people around the world who don’t follow Jesus – many of whom have no access to Christian friends, or Bible translations, or other resources which might point them in the right direction. Please lead them to salvation in Jesus Christ, Father – for their good, and for his great glory
3. Finally, we pray that you would send laborers into the world to speak of Jesus, and to train disciples to follow Jesus. Please use us, in our community, to do just that. And use our cross-cultural missions partners around the world to accomplish your purposes where we cannot easily go ourselves.
We pray these things in the name of the ONE who made peace between you and us – Jesus. Amen
Hymn of Redemption: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!”
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King:
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King."
Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come, Offspring of the Virgin's womb:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King."
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, Born that we no more may die,
Born to raise us from the earth, Born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King.”
In addition to taking children to Ridge Kids & Blaze classes and using the restroom, take time to meet/greet one another.
Scripture Reading: “Titus 2:11-14”
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Sermon: “Advent, Week #1: PEACE (between God and People)”
Davis Lacey - Titus 2:11
Main point: INCARNATION makes SALVATION possible.
- Who is the grace of God?
- How did the grace of God appear?
- How did the grace of God bring salvation?
- Who does the grace of God save?
Titus 3:4-7: 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Hebrews 4:15: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
St. Athanasius, On the Incarnation (4th Century Apologetic Literature)
The Lord came not to be put on display but to heal and to teach those who were suffering.
The death of all was completed in the lordly body, and also death and corruption were destroyed by the Word in it. For there was need of death, and death on behalf of all had to take place, that what was required by all might occur. Therefore…the Word, since he was not able to die – for he was immortal – took to himself a body able to die, that he might offer it as his own on behalf of all and as himself suffering for all…
