4-2-23 PM Worship Folder

April 2, 2023

Evening

Order of Worship

Greeting 

Call to Worship                                                                         Psalm 89:1

I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

Invocation 

* Hymn # 521                                     “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”

Affirmation of Faith:                  Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q&A 86

Q. What is faith in Jesus Christ?

A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation as he is offered to us in the gospel.

* Scripture Reading

Old Testament:

Genesis 9:12-17 (God’s Covenant with Noah) 

New Testament:

John 19:16-18 (Jesus Carries the Cross)

Ephesians 2:8-10 (By Grace, through Faith)

1 Timothy 6:11-12 (Fight the Good Fight of the Faith)

* Elder: This is the Word of our God.

* Congregation: The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever. 

Pastoral Prayer 

* Hymn Supplement 10                                     “The Power of the Cross” 

* Prayer for Illumination 

* Exhortation Text                                                                     Genesis 15

* Elder: Thus far the reading of God’s holy Word. And may God add His blessing to the reading of His Word.

* Congregation: Thanks be to God!

Exhortation Title: “Trusting in the God Who Keeps the Covenant”       RE Johnny Surles

Exhortation Outline: Below

Prayer for Transformation 

* Hymn # 264                                          “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross” 

* Closing Prayer 

* Departing Hymn # 740                                                “Threefold Amen”

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Exhortation Outline:

Genesis 15      “Trusting in the God Who Keeps the Covenant”

The object of our faith, not the quality of our faith, ensures the effectiveness of God’s covenant in the lives of believers.

Turning Faith into Work

Noah as office of prophet.

Noah’s children believed and were saved.

Belief resulted in entering the ark.  Entering the ark saved them from the flood.

Did obedience save Noah’s family?

Justification by faith alone.

What is faith?

Turning Work into Sacrifice

Isaac as type of sacrifice.

Abraham and Isaac’s faith laid hold of the effectiveness of the sacrifice.

Sola scriptura.

Did sacrifice save Abram? Did circumcision?

Suzerain-vassal treaty understanding.

Turning Sacrifice into Merit

Moses/Aaron as Priest.

Faulty, sinful priests offered sacrifices by faith in accordance with God’s plan.

Uncircumcised were brought in as adults because of sincere faith.

Did obedience save Israel?

They trusted in knowledge and traditions handed down.

Turning Merit into Self-Righteousness

Kings of Israel as office of King.

God’s faithful people obeyed a wicked king, at times.

Many kings trusted in their own merits, leading to self-righteousness.

Was Israel secure because of the King’s merits?

Repentance of Self-Righteousness for Christ’s Righteousness

Jesus as prophet, priest, king, and sacrifice.

All OT looked forward to Christ, and all NT looks back to it.

Christ keeps the covenant.

Application: Christ’s covenant fulfillment gives hope to sinners.  Christ’s perfection as the object of our faith gives hope to believers who don’t believe well.  Well-known believers such as Peter and Gideon faced overwhelming doubt.  Mustard seed faith starts small but becomes something important.  Believers should not respond with despair or disgust.  Believers should trust in Jesus as the King.