Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

I hear the Savior say:
“Thy strength indeed is small”

Child of weakness,
watch and pray
Find in me thine all in all.

Chorus

Jesus paid it all!
All to Him I owe.

Sin had left a crimson stain;

He washed it white as snow.

Lord now indeed I find;
thy power and thine alone

Can change the leper’s spots,
and melt the heart of stone. - Chorus

And when before the throne,
I stand in Him complete

Jesus died my soul to save,
my lips shall still repeat. - Chorus



O praise the One
who paid my debt,

And raised this life
up from the dead! (REPEAT) - Chorus  

Man of Sorrows! what a name,
For the Son of God, who came

Ruined sinners to reclaim,
Hallelujah! What a Savior!                         



Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood

He sealed my pardon with His blood,
Hallelujah! What a Savior!


Guilty, vile, and helpless me;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;

Full atonement! can it be?
Hallelujah! What Savior!                                        
 
Lifted up was He to die;
"It is finished!" was His cry;

Now in Heaven exalted high,
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
 
When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,

Then anew this song we'll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lord, You are our faithful shepherd who walks beside us in green pastures and through the dark valley. You have promised to pursue us with your goodness and mercy all the days of our lives. But we confess we often doubt your compassion and care for us. When we feel helpless, instead of turning to you and trusting you to care for our needs and lead us in straight paths, we seek help in our idols and comfort in our sins. 

Jesus thank you for the compassion that brought you from heaven to live among us as the Good Shepherd. Thank you for entering life's trials and enduring death’s valley in our place. Thank you for drinking the bitter cup of suffering for us. Help us to trust you and teach us to find refuge in you when we feel helpless. Amen.

I would be hopeless without Your goodness
I would be desperate without Your love
Slave to the darkness if it wasn’t for the cross
You have won me with Your kindness
Chased me down when I was lost
Where would I be if it wasn’t for the cross

Chorus
Hallelujah, thank You Jesus, I was a prisoner, now I’m not
With Your blood, You bought my freedom, Hallelujah for the cross

All my shame was, met with mercy
Now Your mercy will be my song
And oh the glory, oh the power of the cross

By Your stripes I’m healed, by Your death I live
The power of sin is overcome, it is finished, it is done
By Your stripes I’m healed, by Your death I live
The power of sin is overcome, it is finished - Chorus

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

What does it take for a Christian to glow—to shine the light of truth and salvation in a dark culture?  Today we consider how we can shine the light of Christ to penetrate a murky world.

I.  The Condition of the World (v. 15)

• crooked—morally and spiritually bent and deformed.
• twisted—contorted and perverse.

II.  Your Position in the World (v. 15)

• Light must be seen to be useful.
• Light reveals what darkness hides.
• Light shows the way out of darkness.

III.  Your Vocation to the World (vv. 14, 16)

• By having the right attitude: "do all things without grumbling or disputing."
• By doing the right action: "holding fast the word of life."

Greek words:  (σκολιός) skoliós
Cross references:  Daniel 12:3; Matthew 5:14-16; John 8:12; 2 Timothy 4:6; Romans 8:28, 10:14

How deep the Father’s love for us

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure


How great the pain of searing loss

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the Chosen One

Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers


It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection


Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Chorus
Bless the Lord, oh my soul,
oh my soul, Worship His holy name
Sing like never before, oh my soul,
I’ll worship Your holy name

You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find - Chorus

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forever more - Chorus

Having been reminded of the future grace which is ours in Jesus Christ the Lord, may you now be refreshed by the grace which is yours already:Autumn Ridge Family - you are sent into the world to make disciples of all nations. Go, therefore: in the love of God the Father, in the resurrection of God the Son, and in the comfort of God the Spirit; now and forevermore. Amen.