Welcome!

The Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Praise Him all creatures here below

Praise Him above ye heav’nly host

Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost

O For A Thousand Tongues

O for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer’s praise

The glories of my God and King

The triumphs of His grace

Jesus the name that charms our fears

That bids our sorrows cease

‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears

‘Tis life and health and peace

He breaks the pow’r of canceled sin

He sets the pris’ner free

His blood can make the foulest clean

His blood availed for me

My gracious Master and my God

Assist me to proclaim

To spread thru all the earth abroad

The honors of Thy name

CCLI Song # 1369

Carl Gotthelf Glaser | Charles Wesley

CCLI License # 2015925

Prayer

Scripture – Ephesians 1:15-23

¹⁵ For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, ¹⁶ I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Sermon

“Model Prayer For Today”

Guest Preacher, Rev. Bob Reich

Prayer

Lord’s Prayer

May The Mind Of Christ My Saviour (St. Leonards)

May the mind of Christ my Saviour

Live in me from day to day

By His love and pow’r controlling

All I do and say

May the Word of God dwell richly

In my heart from hour to hour

So that all may see I triumph

Only through His pow’r

May the peace of God my Father

Rule my life in everything

That I may be calm to comfort

Sick and sorrowing

May the love of Jesus fill me

As the waters fill the sea

Him exalting self-abasing

This is victory

May I run the race before me

Strong and brave to face the foe

Looking only unto Jesus

As I onward go

May His beauty rest upon me

As I seek the lost to win

And may they forget the channel

Seeing only Him

CCLI Song # 40351

Arthur Cyril Barham-Gould | Kate Barclay Wilkinson | William Herbert Jude

CCLI License # 2015925

 FACEBOOK LIVE!

Immortal Invisible God Only Wise

Immortal invisible God only wise

In light inaccessible

Hid from our eyes

Most blessed most glorious

The Ancient of Days

Almighty victorious

Thy great name we praise

Unresting unhasting

And silent as light

Nor wanting nor wasting

Thou rulest in might

Thy justice like mountains

High soaring above

Thy clouds which are fountains

Of goodness and love

To all life thou givest

To both great and small

In all life thou livest

The true life of all

We blossom and flourish

As leaves on the tree

And wither and perish

But naught changeth thee

Great Father of glory

Pure Father of light

Thine angels adore thee

All veiling their sight

All praise we would render

O help us to see

‘Tis only the splendor

Of light hideth thee

CCLI Song # 124466

Walter Chalmers Smith

CCLI License # 2015925

Come set Your rule and reign
Build Your Kingdom Here

In our hearts again

Increase in us we pray

Unveil why we’re made

Come set our hearts ablaze with hope

Like wildfire in our very souls

Holy Spirit come invade us now

We are Your church

We need Your pow’r in us

We seek Your kingdom first

We hunger and we thirst

Refuse to waste our lives

For You’re our joy and prize

To see the captives’ hearts released

The hurt the sick the poor at peace

We lay down our lives for heaven’s cause

We are Your church

We pray revive this earth

Build Your kingdom here

Let the darkness fear

Show Your mighty hand

Heal our streets and land

Set Your church on fire

Win this nation back

Change the atmosphere

Build Your kingdom here we pray

Unleash Your kingdom’s pow’r

Reaching the near and far

No force of hell can stop

Your beauty changing hearts

You made us for much more than this

Awake the kingdom seed in us

Fill us with the strength and love of Christ

We are Your church

We are the hope on earth

CCLI Song # 6186078

Chris Llewellyn | Gareth Gilkeson

CCLI License # 2015925

James 5:13-20

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray.

Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.

Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over

you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.

Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well.

And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering

will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.

Sermon “This Is Where We’re Headed”

Prayer

Celebration of Communion

Announcements

The Church’s One Foundation (Aurelia)

The Church’s one foundation

Is Jesus Christ her Lord

She is His new creation

By water and the Word

From heav’n He came and sought her

To be His holy bride

With His own blood He bought her

And for her life He died

Elect from every nation

Yet one o’er all the earth

Her charter of salvation

One Lord one faith one birth

One holy name she blesses

Partakes one holy food

And to one hope she presses

With every grace endued

‘Mid toil and tribulation

And tumult of her war

She waits the consummation

Of peace forevermore

Till with the vision glorious

Her longing eyes are blest

And the great Church victorious

Shall be the Church at rest

Yet she on earth hath union

With God the Three in One

And mystic sweet communion

With those whose rest is won

O happy ones and holy

Lord give us grace that we

Like them the meek and lowly

On high may dwell with Thee

Though with a scornful wonder

Men see her sore oppressed

By schisms rent asunder

By heresies distressed

Yet saints their watch are keeping

Their cry goes up how long

And soon the night of weeping

Shall be the morn of song

CCLI Song # 55377

Samuel John Stone | Samuel Sebastian Wesley

CCLI License # 2015925

Benediction

Hymn Of The Ages

Verse 1

All history shall bow before Your throne

Time and space on bended knee shall come

Though kingdoms pass away

Your majesty remains

How great You are

How great must be Your song

Verse 2

The Alpha and Omega without end

The Everlasting makes this wretch His friend

The angels stand in awe

This beggar heart responds

How great You are

How great must be Your song

Chorus

You’re the hymn of the ages

The hope of all the world

You carried our redemption on Your shoulders

You’re the anthem of salvation

Jesus Lord of Lords

Your legacy will echo through the ages

Verse 3

Oh for a countless choir in my lungs

To sing Your praises with a thousand tongues

The purpose in my days

Is ever to proclaim

How great You are

How great must be Your song

Bridge

We raise the never-ending song

The greatest song we’ve ever known

The song of angels

The hymn of ages

Holy is the Lord

We praise the never-ending One

The greatest joy we’ve ever known

All hail King Jesus

Forever glorious

Holy is the Lord

CCLI Song # 7101177

Chris Llewellyn | Gareth Gilkeson

CCLI License # 2015925

Jesus What A Friend For Sinners (Hyfrydol)

Verse 1

Jesus what a friend for sinners

Jesus lover of my soul

Friends may fail me foes assail me

He my Savior makes me whole

Chorus

Hallelujah what a Savior

Hallelujah what a friend

Saving helping keeping loving

He is with me to the end

Verse 2

Jesus what a strength in weakness

Let me hide myself in Him

Tempted tried and often failing

He my strength my victory wins

Verse 3

Jesus what a help in sorrow

While the billows o’er me roll

Even when my heart is breaking

He my comfort helps my soul

Verse 4

Jesus I do now receive Him

More than all in Him I find

He hath granted me forgiveness

I am His and He is mine

CCLI Song # 4989686

John Wilbur Chapman | Matthew S. Smith | Rowland Hugh Prichard

CCLI License # 2015925

James 5:7-12

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return.

Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged.

For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the

 name of the Lord.  We give great honor to those who endure under suffering.

For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance.

You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.

But most of all, my brothers, and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else.

Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.

While We Are Waiting Come

Verse 1

While we are waiting come

While we are waiting come

Jesus our Lord Emmanuel

While we are waiting come

Verse 2

With pow’r and glory come

With pow’r and glory come

Jesus our Lord Emmanuel

While we are waiting come

Verse 3

Come Savior quickly come

Come Savior quickly come

Jesus our Lord Emmanuel

While we are waiting come

CCLI Song # 27525

Claire Cloninger | Don Cason

CCLI License # 2015925

Sermon: “What Are You Waiting For?”

Prayer

Announcements

Even So Come

Verse 1

All of creation all of the earth

Make straight a highway a path for the Lord

Jesus is coming soon

Verse 2

Call back the sinner wake up the saint

Let ev’ry nation shout of Your fame

Jesus is coming soon

Chorus 1

Like a bride waiting for her groom

We’ll be a Church ready for You

Ev’ry heart longing for our King we sing

Even so come Lord Jesus come

Even so come Lord Jesus come

Verse 3

There will be justice all will be new

Your name forever faithful and true

Jesus is coming soon

Bridge

So we wait we wait for You

God we wait You’re coming soon

So we wait we wait for You

God we wait You’re coming soon

Chorus 2

Like a bride waiting for her groom

We’ll be a Church ready for You

Ev’ry heart longing for our King we sing

Like a bride waiting for her groom

We’ll be a Church ready for You

Ev’ry heart longing for our King we sing

Even so come Lord Jesus come

Even so come Lord Jesus come

Bridge

God we wait we wait for You

God we wait You’re coming soon

(REPEAT)

God we wait we wait for You

Yes we wait You’re coming soon

God we wait You’re coming soon oh

CCLI Song # 7036288

Chris Tomlin | Jason Ingram | Jess Cates

CCLI License # 2015925

 Benediction

“A Firm Scolding”

How Great Is Our God

The splendor of the King

Clothed in majesty

Let all the earth rejoice

All the earth rejoice

He wraps Himself in light

And darkness tries to hide

And trembles at His voice

And trembles at His voice

How great is our God

Sing with me

How great is our God

And all will see how great

How great is our God

And age to age He stands

And time is in His hands

Beginning and the End

Beginning and the End

The Godhead three in one

Father Spirit Son

The Lion and the Lamb

The Lion and the Lamb

Name above all names

Worthy of all praise

My heart will sing

How great is our God

CCLI Song # 4348399

Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash | Jesse Reeves

www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 2015925

Holy God We Praise Thy Name

Holy God we praise Your name

Lord of all we bow before you

Saints on earth Your rule acclaim

All in heaven above adore you

Infinite Your vast domain

Everlasting is Your reign

Hark the glad celestial hymn

Angel choirs above are raising

Cherubim and seraphim

In unceasing chorus praising

Fill the heavens with sweet accord

Holy holy holy Lord

Holy Father holy Son

Holy Spirit three we name you

Though in essence only one

Undivided God we claim You

And adoring bend the knee

While we own the mystery

CCLI Song # 1215264

Clarence Augustus Walworth | Emily R. Brink | Ignaz Franz

CCLI License # 2015925

Affirmation of Faith

We believe in God the Father,

who reveals his love to us in Christ.

We believe in God the Son,

who pours out God’s Holy Spirit on us.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,

who teaches us God’s truth.

We believe in one God:

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

— written by Michael Perry. Posted on the Jubilate website.  

Invocation

Response:     How great is our God

                        Sing with me

                        How great is our God

                        And all will see how great

                        How great is our God

James 5:1-6

Look here, you rich people:

Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.

Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire.      This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. For listen!

Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay.

The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

            You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire.

            You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.

            You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.

Sermon “A Firm Scolding!”

Chorus

How Your kindness yet pursues me

How Your mercy never fails me

‘Til the day that death shall loose me

I will sing oh I will sing

Oh to grace how great a debtor

Daily I’m constrained to be

Let Thy goodness like a fetter

Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee

Prone to wander Lord I feel it

Prone to leave the God I love

Here’s my heart Lord take and seal it

Seal it for Thy courts above

Ending

Prone to wander Lord I feel it

Prone to leave the God I love

Here’s my heart Lord take and seal it

Seal it for Thy courts above

Here’s my heart Lord take and seal it

Seal it for Thy courts above

CCLI Song # 7072572

Chris Tomlin | Robert Robinson

CCLI License # 2015925

Faith in Recession? 

Immortal Invisible God Only Wise

Immortal invisible God only wise

In light inaccessible

Hid from our eyes

Most blessed most glorious

The Ancient of Days

Almighty victorious

Thy great name we praise

Unresting unhasting

And silent as light

Nor wanting nor wasting

Thou rulest in might

Thy justice like mountains

High soaring above

Thy clouds which are fountains

Of goodness and love

To all life thou givest

To both great and small

In all life thou livest

The true life of all

We blossom and flourish

As leaves on the tree

And wither and perish

But naught changeth thee

Great Father of glory

Pure Father of light

Thine angels adore thee

All veiling their sight

All praise we would render

O help us to see

‘Tis only the splendor

Of light hideth thee

Amen

CCLI Song # 124466

Walter Chalmers Smith

© Words: Public Domain   Music: Public Domain   For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 2015925

Every Move I Make

Every move I make I make in You

You make me move Jesus

Every breath I take I breathe in You

Every step I take I take in You

You are my way Jesus

Every breath I take I breathe in You

Waves of mercy waves of grace

Everywhere I look I see Your face

Your love has captured me

Oh my God this love how can it be

La la la la la la la

La la la la la la la la la

CCLI Song # 1595726

David Ruis

© 1996 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook)). Vineyard Songs Canada (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook)). For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 2015925

Invocation

Statement of Faith:  The Apostle’s Creed

Scripture Reading             James 4:13-17

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Sermon                                 Faith in Recession?

Prayers of the Church

The Lord’s Prayer

Announcements

I Surrender All

All to Jesus I surrender

All to Him I freely give

I will ever love and trust Him

In His presence daily live

I surrender all

I surrender all

All to Thee my blessed Savior

I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender

Humbly at His feet I bow

Worldly pleasures all forsaken

Take me Jesus take me now

All to Jesus I surrender

Make me Savior wholly Thine

Let me feel the Holy Spirit

Truly know that Thou art mine

All to Jesus I surrender

Lord I give myself to Thee

Fill me with Thy love and power

Let Thy blessing fall on me

All to Jesus I surrender

Now I feel the sacred flame

O the joy of full salvation

Glory glory to His name

CCLI Song # 23189

Judson Wheeler Van DeVenter | Winfield Scott Weeden

© Words: Public Domain

Music: Public Domain

For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 2015925

Benediction

“Let’s Get Ourselves Sorted”

Welcome!

Come People Of The Risen King

Come people of the Risen King

Who delight to bring Him praise

Come all and tune your hearts to sing

To the Morning Star of grace

From the shifting shadows of the earth

We will lift our eyes to Him

Where steady arms of mercy reach

To gather children in

Rejoice rejoice let ev’ry tongue rejoice

One heart one voice

O Church of Christ rejoice

Come those whose joy is morning sun

And those weeping through the night

Come those who tell of battles won

And those struggling in the fight

For His perfect love will never change

And His mercies never cease

But follow us through all our days

With the certain hope of peace

Come young and old from ev’ry land

Men and women of the faith

Come those with full or empty hands

Find the riches of His grace

Over all the world His people sing

Shore to shore we hear them call

The truth that cries through ev’ry age

Our God is all in all

CCLI Song # 5232617

Keith Getty | Kristyn Getty | Stuart Townend

© 2007 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com. CCLI License # 2015925

Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee (Ode To Joy)

Joyful joyful we adore Thee

God of glory Lord of love

Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee

Opening to the sun above

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness

Drive the dark of doubt away

Giver of immortal gladness

Fill us with the light of day

All Thy works with joy surround Thee

Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays

Stars and angels sing around Thee

Center of unbroken praise

Field and forest vale and mountain

Flowery meadow flashing sea

Chanting bird and flowing fountain

Call us to rejoice in Thee

Thou art giving and forgiving

Ever blessing ever blest

Wellspring of the joy of living

Ocean depth of happy rest

Thou our Father Christ our Brother

All who live in love are Thine

Teach us how to love each other

Lift us to the joy divine

Mortals join the mighty chorus

Which the morning stars began

Father love is reigning o’er us

Brother love binds man to man

Ever singing march we onward

Victors in the midst of strife

Joyful music lifts us sunward

In the triumph song of life

CCLI Song # 25321

Edward Hodges | Henry Van Dyke | Ludwig van Beethoven

© Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain  For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 2015925

Invocation – seeking the Spirit’s presence in our midst

God Of Wonders

Lord of all creation

Of water earth and sky

The heavens are Your tabernacle

Glory to the Lord on high

God of wonders beyond our galaxy

You are holy holy

The universe declares Your majesty

You are holy holy

Lord of heaven and earth

Lord of heaven and earth

Early in the morning

I will celebrate the light

When I stumble in the darkness

I will call Your name by night

God of wonders beyond our galaxy

You are holy holy

The universe declares Your majesty

You are holy holy

Lord of heaven and earth

Hallelujah (to the Lord of heaven and earth)

Hallelujah (to the Lord of heaven and earth)

Hallelujah (to the Lord of heaven and earth)

You are holy

God of wonders beyond our galaxy

You are holy holy

Precious Lord reveal Your heart to me

Father hold me hold me

The universe declares Your majesty

You are holy holy holy holy

Hallelujah (to the Lord of heaven and earth)

Hallelujah (to the Lord of heaven and earth)

Hallelujah (to the Lord of heaven and earth)

Hallelujah (to the Lord of heaven and earth)

CCLI Song # 3118757

Marc Byrd | Steve Hindalong

© 2000 Never Say Never Songs (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Meaux Mercy (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Storm Boy Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com.    CCLI License # 2015925

Scripture Reading                 James 4:1-12

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you?

Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?

2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it.

You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.

3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

4 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?

I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.

5 Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. 6 And he gives grace generously.

As the Scriptures say,

            “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you.                                                                                Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief.

Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

11 Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. 12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?

Sermon “Let’s Get Ourselves Sorted”

Prayer

            Thanksgiving

            Repentance

            Request

            The Lord’s Prayer

Make Us One

One with the Father one with the Spirit

One with the Son of God

One with our sister one with our brother

One fam’ly by the blood

Make us one make us one

Your will be done make us one

One heart with heaven one mind connected

One body unified

Bind us together now and forever

Jesus be glorified

Bridge

We confess all our offenses

We confess we’ve been afraid

We repent of all our pride

Let all the hurt be washed away

For all the wars and violence against our enemy

Come heal our land with Your great river

Restore the family and

Make us one make us one

Let Your kingdom come

Make us one make us one

CCLI Song # 7091349

Chris Quilala | Joshua Silverberg | Ran Jackson | Ricky Jackson

© Capitol CMG Amplifier (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Jesus Culture Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Jesus Culture Music SESAC Designee (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Red Red Pop (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Richmond Park Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)

Heavenly Junkie Music (Admin. by Ricky Jackson) For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 2015925

Announcements:

July 12-18 Work week at the church with Grace Ridge Team

Hymnals and Bibles from the sanctuary are available

We Are God’s People

We are God’s people the chosen of the Lord

Born of His Spirit established by His Word

Our cornerstone is Christ alone

And strong in Him we stand

O let us live transparently

And walk heart to heart and hand in hand

We are a temple the Spirit’s dwelling place

Formed in great weakness a cup to hold God’s grace

We die alone for on its own

Each ember loses fire

Yet joined in one the flame burns on

To give warmth and light and to inspire

CCLI Song # 13058

Bryan Jeffery Leech | Fred Bock | Johannes Brahms

© Words: 1976 Fred Bock Music Company  Music: 1976 Fred Bock Music Company  For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com  CCLI License # 2015925

Benediction:  May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you

                        May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm

                        May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.

                        May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

Excerpt From: The Northumbria Community. “Celtic Daily Prayer.” Apple Books. https://books.apple.com/us/book/celtic-daily-prayer/id1349538285

WELCOME!

 FACEBOOK LIVE!

Shout To The Lord

My Jesus my Saviour

Lord there is none like You

All of my days I want to praise

The wonders of Your mighty love

My comfort my shelter

Tower of refuge and strength

Let every breath all that I am

Never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord

All the earth let us sing

Power and majesty

Praise to the King

Mountains bow down

And the seas will roar

At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy

At the work of Your hands

Forever I’ll love You

Forever I’ll stand

Nothing compares to the promise

I have in You

CCLI Song # 1406918    Darlene Zschech

© 1993 Wondrous Worship (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com.  CCLI License # 2015925

Come Christians Join To Sing

Come Christians join to sing

Alleluia amen

Loud praise to Christ our King

Alleluia amen

Let all with heart and voice

Before His throne rejoice

Praise is His gracious choice

Alleluia amen

Come lift your hearts on high

Alleluia amen

Let praises fill the sky

Alleluia amen

He is our Guide and Friend

To us He’ll condescend

His love shall never end

Alleluia amen

Praise yet our Christ again

Alleluia amen

Life shall not end the strain

Alleluia amen

On heaven’s blissful shore

His goodness we’ll adore

Singing forevermore

Alleluia amen

CCLI Song # 83253

Christian Henry Bateman

© Words: Public Domain   Music: Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com  CCLI License # 2015925

Call To Worship (Adapted from Psalm 8)

Leader: O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

People:   You have set your glory above the heavens.

            From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.

Leader: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,

            which you have set in place…

People: Who are we that you are mindful of us?

Leader: Creator of Heaven and Earth,

            thank You for creating us and loving us in a way that knows no limits.

People: We acknowledge You as Lord and praise You for all of creation.

Leader: Holy Spirit, we welcome You in this time of praise and worship.

People: Please, Lord, shape us and mold us into the disciples of Jesus Christ that You are calling                          us to be.

Invocation

Scripture Reading                   James 3:13-18

            If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.

            But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

            But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

Sermon:  “What Kind of Wisdom?”

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Prayer of Repentance

Prayer of Intercession

Announcements

You Are My Vision

You are my vision O King of my heart

Nothing else satisfies only You Lord

You are my best thought by day or by night

Waking or sleeping Your presence my light

You are my wisdom You are my true word

I ever with You and You with me Lord

You’re my great Father and I’m Your true son

You dwell inside me together we’re one

You are my battle-shield sword for the fight

You are my dignity You’re my delight

You’re my soul’s shelter and You’re my high tower

Come raise me heavenward O Power of my power

I don’t want riches or man’s empty praise

You’re my inheritance now and always

You and You only the first in my heart

High King of heaven my treasure You are

High King of heaven when victory’s won

May I reach heaven’s joy O bright heaven’s Son

Heart of my own heart whatever befall

Still be my vision O Ruler of all

 CCLI Song # 6054533

Eleanor Henrietta Hull | Mary Elizabeth Byrne | Rend Collective

© 2011 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 2015925

Benediction

Welcome!

 FACEBOOK LIVE!

“Soul On Fire”

God I’m running for Your heart

I’m running for Your heart

‘Til I am a soul on fire

Lord I’m longing for Your ways

I’m waiting for the day

When I am a soul on fire

(‘Til I am a soul on fire)

Lord restore the joy I had

I have wandered bring me back

In this darkness lead me through

Until all I see is You yeah

Bridge

Lord let me burn for You again

Let me return to You again

And Lord let me burn for You again

And let me return to You again

CCLI Song # 7032679

Brenton Brown | David Carr | Mac Powell | Mark Lee | Matt Maher | Tai Anderson © Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) I Am A Pilgrim Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Kobalt Music Copyrights SARL (Admin. by Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc.) For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 2015925

“To God Be The Glory”

To God be the glory great things He has done

So loved He the world that He gave us His Son

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin

And opened the life gate that all may go in

Praise the Lord praise the Lord

Let the earth hear His voice

Praise the Lord praise the Lord

Let the people rejoice

O come to the Father through Jesus the Son

And give Him the glory great things He has done

O perfect redemption the purchase of blood

The vilest offender who truly believes

That moment from Jesus a pardon receives

Great things He has taught us

Great things He has done

And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son

But purer and higher and greater will be

Our wonder our transport when Jesus we see

CCLI Song # 23426

Fanny Jane Crosby | William Howard Doane

© Words: Public Domain

Music: Public Domain

For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 2015925

Invocation

Scripture Reading     James 3:1-12

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong.

In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same                       mouth.

Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.

Children’s Sermon/Object Lesson

Sermon: “Be Careful Little Tongue What You Say”

Prayer of Thanks

Prayer of Repentance (In Unison)

Convicting God, your word tells us that the tongue is a fire, and we admit that it’s true. We say things that we should not say:  words that tear down instead of building up; phrases that divide rather than unite. Our mouths can sing your praise, but too often we speak in ways that deny any faith in you at all. We are sorry for all of the times that our words drive people away from you, rather than encouraging

O Worship The King

O worship the King all glorious above

O gratefully sing His wonderful love

Our Shield and Defender

the Ancient of Days

Pavilioned in splendor

and girded with praise

O tell of His might O sing of His grace

Whose robe is the light and canopy space

His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form

And dark is His path

on the wings of the storm

Chorus

You alone are the matchless King

To You alone be all majesty

Your glories and wonders

What tongue can recite

You breathe in the air

You shine in the light

O measureless might ineffable love

While angels delight to worship above

Thy mercies how tender

how firm to the end

Our Maker Defender Redeemer and Friend

CCLI Song # 4255664

Chris Tomlin | Johann Michael Haydn | Robert Grant

© 2004 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 2015925

Hymn Of The Ages

All history shall bow before Your throne

Time and space on bended knee shall come

Though kingdoms pass away

Your majesty remains

How great You are

How great must be Your song

The Alpha and Omega without end

The Everlasting makes this wretch His friend

The angels stand in awe

This beggar heart responds

How great You are

How great must be Your song

Chorus

You’re the hymn of the ages

The hope of all the world

You carried our redemption on Your shoulders

You’re the anthem of salvation

Jesus Lord of Lords

Your legacy will echo through the ages

Oh for a countless choir in my lungs

To sing Your praises with a thousand tongues

The purpose in my days

Is ever to proclaim

How great You are

How great must be Your song

Bridge

We raise the never-ending song 

The greatest song we’ve ever known

The song of angels

The hymn of ages

Holy is the Lord

We praise the never-ending One

The greatest joy we’ve ever known

All hail King Jesus

Forever glorious

Holy is the Lord

CCLI Song # 7101177

Chris Llewellyn | Gareth Gilkeson

© Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Rend Family Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 2015925

Invocation

Statement of Faith “The Apostle’s Creed”

James 2:14-26

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions?

            Can that kind of faith save anyone?

Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing.

            What good does that do?

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.”

But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds?

            I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions

when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.  And so it happened just as the Scriptures say:

            “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”

            He was even called the friend of God.

So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road.

Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

Sermon “More Than Talking The Talk”

Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Shine Jesus Shine

Lord the light of Your love is shining

In the midst of the darkness shining

Jesus Light of the world shine upon us

Set us free by the truth You now bring us

Shine on me shine on me

Shine Jesus shine

Fill this land

With the Father’s glory

Blaze Spirit blaze

Set our hearts on fire

Flow river flow

Flood the nations

With grace and mercy

Send forth Your word Lord

And let there be light

Lord I come to Your awesome presence

From the shadows into Your radiance

By the blood I may enter Your brightness

Search me try me consume all my darkness

Shine on me shine on me

As we gaze on Your kingly brightness

So our faces display Your likeness

Ever changing from glory to glory

Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story

Shine on me shine on me

CCLI Song # 30426

Graham Kendrick

© 1987 Make Way Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 2015925

Benediction

Rome Presbyterian Church  Pentecost Sunday (In the Parking Lot!)

Shout To The North

Chorus

Shout to the north and the south

Sing to the east and the west

Jesus is Savior to all

Lord of heaven and earth

Men of faith rise up and sing

Of the great and glorious King

You are strong when you feel weak

In your brokenness complete

Rise up women of the truth

Stand and sing to broken hearts

Who can know the healing pow’r

Of our awesome King of love

Rise up church with broken wings

Fill this place with songs again

Of our God who reigns on high

By His grace again we’ll fly

Bridge

We’ve been through fire

We’ve been through rain

We’ve been refined

By the pow’r of His name

We’ve fallen deeper

In love with You

You’ve burned

The truth on our lips

CCLI Song # 1562261

Martin Smith

© 1995 Curious? Music UK (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 2015925

Call to Worship

Leader:  Jesus said, “And you will receive power, 

Response:  When the Holy Spirit Comes on you. 

Leader:  And you will be my witnesses. In Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

Response:  Holy Spirit, on this Pentecost Sunday, we claim your power. 

Submitted by Austin D. Hill

Your Name Is Power

You’re the only answer to the darkness

You’re the only right among the wrong

You’re the only hope among the chaos

You are the voice that calls me on

Louder than ev’ry lie

My sword in ev’ry fight

The truth will chase away the night

Chorus

Your name is power over darkness

Freedom for the captives

Mercy for the broken and the hopeless

Your name is faithful in the battle

Glory in the struggle

Mighty it won’t let us down or fail us

(Your name is power)

(Your name is power)

I know it is written hope is certain

I know that the Word will never fail

I know that in ev’ry situation

You speak the power to prevail

Louder than ev’ry lie

My sword in ev’ry fight

The truth will chase away the night

Bridge

When You speak You scatter darkness

Light arrives and heaven opens

Holy Spirit let us hear it

When You speak the church awakens

We believe the change is coming

Holy Spirit let us see it

Tag

Your name is power over darkness

Your name is power in the chaos

Your name is power

Chris Llewellyn | Gareth Gilkeson. CCLI License # 2015925

The Story of Pentecost

Acts 2:1-13 The Voice (VOICE)

The Comforter Has Come

O spread the tidings ’round

Wherever man is found

Wherever human hearts

And human woes abound

Let every Christian tongue

Proclaim the joyful sound

The Comforter has come

Chorus

The Comforter has come

The Comforter has come

The Holy Ghost from heav’n

The Father’s promise giv’n

O spread the tidings ’round

Wherever man is found

The Comforter has come

Lo the great King of kings

With healing in His wings

To every captive soul

A full deliv’rance brings

And through the vacant cells

The song of triumph rings

The Comforter has come

O boundless love divine

How shall this tongue of mine

To wond’ring mortals tell

The matchless grace divine

That I a child of hell

Should in His image shine

The Comforter has come

CCLI Song # 2795391

Francis Bottome

Public Domain

For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 2015925

Acts 2:14-41

Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit living Breath of God

Breathe new life into my willing soul

Let the presence of the risen Lord

Come renew my heart and make me whole

Cause Your word to come alive in me

Give me faith for what I cannot see

Give me passion for Your purity

Holy Spirit breathe new life in me

Holy Spirit come abide within

May Your joy be seen in all I do

Love enough to cover ev’ry sin

In each thought and deed and attitude

Kindness to the greatest and the least

Gentleness that sows the path of peace

Turn my strivings into works of grace

Breath of God show Christ in all I do

Holy Spirit from creation’s birth

Giving life to all that God has made

Show Your power once again on earth

Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways

Let the fragrance of our pray’rs arise

Lead us on the road of sacrifice

That in unity the face of Christ

May be clear for all the world to see

CCLI Song # 4779872

Keith Getty | Stuart Townend

© 2006 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 2015925

Acts 2:42-47

The Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;

who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,

born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried;
he descended into hell;
the third day he rose again from the dead;

he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins;

the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

Amen.

Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Build Your Kingdom Here

Come set Your rule and reign

In our hearts again

Increase in us we pray

Unveil why we’re made

Come set our hearts ablaze with hope

Like wildfire in our very souls

Holy Spirit come invade us now

We are Your church

We need Your pow’r in us

We seek Your kingdom first

We hunger and we thirst

Refuse to waste our lives

For You’re our joy and prize

To see the captives’ hearts released

The hurt the sick the poor at peace

We lay down our lives for heaven’s cause

We are Your church

We pray revive this earth

Chorus

Build Your kingdom here

Let the darkness fear

Show Your mighty hand

Heal our streets and land

Set Your church on fire

Win this nation back

Change the atmosphere

Build Your kingdom here we pray

Unleash Your kingdom’s pow’r

Reaching the near and far

No force of hell can stop

Your beauty changing hearts

You made us for much more than this

Awake the kingdom seed in us

Fill us with the strength and love of Christ

We are Your church

We are the hope on earth

CCLI Song # 6186078

Chris Llewellyn | Gareth Gilkeson

© 2011 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 2015925

Benediction

 FACEBOOK LIVE!

I Sing The Mighty Power Of God

I sing the mighty pow’r of God

That made the mountains rise

That spread the flowing seas abroad

And built the lofty skies

I sing the wisdom that ordained

The sun to rule the day

The moon shines full at His command

And all the stars obey

I sing the goodness of the Lord

That filled the earth with food

He formed the creatures with His word

And then pronounced them good

Lord how Thy wonders are displayed

Where’er I turn my eye

If I survey the ground I tread

Or gaze upon the sky

There’s not a plant or flow’r below

But makes Thy glories known

And clouds arise and tempests blow

By order from Thy throne

While all that borrows life from Thee

Is ever in Thy care

And everywhere that man can be

Thou God art present there

CCLI Song # 4046512

Isaac Watts | John E. Coates

© Words: Public Domain

Music: 2002 Curb Word Music (Admin. by WC Music Corp.)

For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 2015925

Hymn Of The Ages

All history shall bow before Your throne

Time and space on bended knee shall come

Though kingdoms pass away

Your majesty remains

How great You are

How great must be Your song

The Alpha and Omega without end

The Everlasting makes this wretch His friend

The angels stand in awe

This beggar heart responds

How great You are

How great must be Your song

Chorus

You’re the hymn of the ages

The hope of all the world

You carried our redemption on Your shoulders

You’re the anthem of salvation

Jesus Lord of Lords

Your legacy will echo through the ages

Oh for a countless choir in my lungs

To sing Your praises with a thousand tongues

The purpose in my days

Is ever to proclaim

How great You are

How great must be Your song

Bridge

We raise the never-ending song

The greatest song we’ve ever known

The song of angels

The hymn of ages

Holy is the Lord

We praise the never-ending One

The greatest joy we’ve ever known

All hail King Jesus

Forever glorious

Holy is the Lord

CCLI Song # 7101177

Chris Llewellyn | Gareth Gilkeson

© Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Rend Family Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 2015925

Invocation

Scripture        James 2:1-13

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?

2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes

and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes.

If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.

12 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

Intro:  I believe I’ve mentioned before that I learned how to judge others really well from a religious perspective, once I started attending “the right” church in high school.  I learned that there was only one right way to articulate your faith and when my Mom couldn’t use those words, I wrote her off as in need of saving.  It wasn’t until I was in my first call that I was able to see her as a follower of Jesus. Different from me, yes. But a fellow believer in Jesus. I’m grateful I was able to come to my senses before she died and that we had years to live in that truth together.

Judging.  Probably all guilty at some point in time.  If it’s not a faith, it might be politics or it might be vegans vs carnivores, or it might be those who vaccinate vs those who don’t. Homeschool vs public ed – although that might shift after this season where every household has had the chance to homeschool!  Judging comes naturally to us.

Here are what some notable folks have said about judging:

Sam Allberry – pastor/writer

If God did not send his Son to condemn the world, it’s a fair bet he doesn’t need you to.

Mother Teresa

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

Brennan Manning – author/speaker

As long as we continue to live as if we are what others think about us, we will remain filled with judgments, opinions, evaluations, and condemnations. We will remain addicted to the need to put people in their place.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer – pastor/martyr

Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is illuminating. By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.

Let’s continue this discussion by looking closely at what James wrote to the early church in chapter 2 of his letter.  Back to James 2:1 which we previously read.

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ

if you favor some people over others?

I bet that for some hearing this from James put up their dukes and said, “Them’s fightin’ words!”  “What does showing favoritism have to do with faith in Jesus?”

Let’s read on:

2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes

and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes.

3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—

well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

Hmm . . . what evil motives might that be? What are some evil motives that can make us treat people differently?  How about, “That person has money and opinions so I need to treat them extra special so I can get what I want.” Or, “That person has nothing and can do nothing for me so I really don’t need to pay them any attention.” 

What is the motive in this scenario?  SELF!

Our self-preservation/interest, can be a really evil motive.

But James goes on to flesh out this meaning:

5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. (I think we need to listen to this too.  Are you ready?)

Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor!

Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,”

also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.

Oh, yikes.  Busted.  Every sin is equal to every other sin when you put it on the scale of God’s judgement.  We can’t say, well I may have lied to my employer, but I never killed a man! Guilty.  Deserving of the same punishment as murder. 

And what is God’s decree about punishment for murder?   If we look at the Book of the Law, the first 5 books of the OT, written by Moses. Say them with me – it’s a good brain exercise. You go first, and if you get them all right let me know. Especially any kids watching!  Go! . . . Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deutoronomy.   In these books alone the law is clear that murdering another human comes with the punishment of being put to death.  Trafficking slaves has the same consequence as well as some other things you may be surprised at.  I think they could all be summarized like this: if something is holy to God and you mess with it, you deserve to die.  Sound harsh?  But don’t you have the right and responsibility to exercise over your property and children how they will be treated and used?  If God created all that is, he is the only one in place to make those rules and set those consequences, and he has.

Now remember who James is writing to – religious and devout Christians who grew up believing that God had created all that is.  They were the products of the OT Law being upheld for centuries.  They understood the gravity of sin, the animal sacrifices that had been made even for their sin so that didn’t have to pay the price of death themselves.  They understand the gravity of what sin costs maybe better than we do. 

In Romans 6:20-23, the Apostle Paul takes a different approach to say a similar thing.  The idea that no matter what the sin is, you’re guilty and guilt requires a judgement.  He is talking to Christians who perhaps worshiped other gods or had no religious affiliation at all before they were introduced to Jesus.  He says this:

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

So there are two ways to live out life.  First as a slave to sin.  We can do what we want without too much guilt because we don’t care what anyone thinks. Let alone God.  We don’t have to acknowledge Him.  The Second is as those who have experienced the freedom that a relationship with Christ and forgiveness brings.  There is a transformation involved there and a different consequence to be discovered at the end.  One leads to death and separation from God. The other leads to forgiveness and the free gift of God which is eternal life through Christ.  This also leads to holiness – which is something made possible when we come to faith in Jesus Christ.  It is the result of seeing all of our sin as something appalling to God and being transformed so that our desire to please Him increases as our self-centeredness dies.

While we walk the earth, our transformation will not be complete.  We will struggle to do the right thing.  We will fail. We will take back control of our lives and make decisions that benefit only ourselves.  We are sinners, every last stinking one of us.  We are all in need of God’s grace and mercy.  And once we have experienced the forgiveness and mercy of God, we should be willing and quick to exercise it with others.  James concludes his thought in vss 12-13.

12 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

I don’t always enjoy self-examination when I’m pretty sure I’m going to see something ugly.  But I think God is inviting us to do just that.  Think about where your prejudices lie.  Who do you tend to be against? Who are you too easily offended by? What in you needs to be humbled?  Where does your “self” need to be brought into submission to Christ?

I’m going to let you sit with those questions in a time of silence and listening and confessing, then I will conclude in prayer.

Prayer of Examen

Think about where your prejudices lie. 

Who do you tend to be against?

Who are you too easily offended by?

What in you needs to be humbled? 

Where does your “self” be brought into submission to Christ?

Create In Me A Clean Heart

by Keith Green

 Create in me a clean heart, O God

And renew a right spirit within me

And renew a right spirit within me

Cast me not away from Thy presence, O Lord

And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me

Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation

And renew a right spirit within me

Thanksgiving

Confession

Requests

The Lord’s Prayer

Announcements

Our God Has Made Us One

Our God has made us one

In Him our hearts unite

When we His children share His love

Our joy is His delight

Our God has made us one

His glory is displayed

For as we build each other up

Our love becomes praise

Our God has made us one

In sorrow and in joy

We share the cross of Christ our Lord

In Him we now rejoice

Our God has made us one

One church to bear His name

One body and one Bride of Christ

And with Him we shall reign

CCLI Song # 3007301

Niles Borop

© 1984 Niles Borop Music (Admin. by ClearBox Rights, LLC)

For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 2015925

Benediction

“Do It Already!”

Rome Presbyterian Church Worship

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Welcome