Christmas Service: December 15th at 10:30

Order of Worship

29th of September | 10:30 (Espoo) & 16:00 (Helsinki)

Song 1 – All Creatures of our God and King

Hear God call you to worship:

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!

Psalm 105:1–4

Let us worship the Lord!

Song 2 – He Will Keep You (Psalm 121)

Song 3 – Great is Thy Faithfulnes

Song 4 – Good Good Father 

 

Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 26

Q. What do you believe when you say: “I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?”

A. I believe that the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who out of nothing created heaven and earth
and everything in them,
who still upholds and rules them
by his eternal counsel and providence,
is my God and Father
because of Christ his Son.
I trust him so much that I do not doubt
he will provide whatever I need
for body and soul,and he will turn to my good
whatever adversity he sends me
in this sad and fallen world.
He is able to do this because he is almighty God;
he desires to do this because he is a faithful Father.

A warm welcome to all, and especially to any visitors joining us today – if you’d like to get connected or find out more about UCC, please see our digital visitors card or speak to us after the service!

 

Song 5 – At Your Feet

Our welcome team members will pass an offering basket during this song.

For information about giving online, please visit ucclife.fi/give or follow the QR code on the screen. You can also speak to our pastors or leaders for more information about giving and generosity. You can also ask the welcome team or any of our staff team members for more info on giving online.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Amen

If you have children and 3+, they are welcome to join our Sunday school classes! 

For more info, please contact an usher / welcome team member

Our Scripture reading today is 2 Samuel 7:1–17 (ESV). Hear the Word of God:

Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.”

But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you.16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’” 17 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

This is the Word of the Lord.

UCC ESPOO
God’s Greater Plan for David
2 Samuel 7:1–17

I. David’s Plan: Building a House for God (vv 1–7)
II. God’s Promise: Building An Eternal House for David (vv 8–17)


UCC HELSINKI
The Lord shall make you a house
2 Samuel 7:1-17

1. The Lord gives rest for David from all his enemies (vv 1–3)
2. ⁠The Lord is not in need of a house for His dwelling (vv 4–7)
3. ⁠The Lord promises David a house (vv 8–17)
4. ⁠Application

Song 6 – Lead On, O King Eternal

Song 7 – He Will Hold Me Fast

“‘The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’

– Numbers 6:24-26

For all church announcements, please see our digital announcements page: ucclife.fi/announcements

Getting Started: 
1. David trusted God through uncertain times. How does that challenge us today?   

 
Into the text: 
2. In 2 Samuel 7:1-3 and chapter 8 the Lord has given rest for David from all sides. How was the Lord’s faithfulness evident in David’s life through the difficult events following the book of Samuel? Would you testify the same through your difficult times? Do you see God’s sovereign hand over the times when you are in suffering?  

3. Read Acts 17:24 and Isaiah 66:1-2. Based on these scriptures, how is the Lord different from other gods (idols)? How does God respond regarding David’s desire to build God a house (2 Sam 7:4-7)?  

4. Jeremiah 23:23-24 reveals that the Lord is omnipresent. From the sermon, if God is omnipresent, what is the purpose of temples that God consecrated in the Old Testament? (to the leader, Deuteronomy 12:11, the purpose is to remind the people of Him and His redemption). What does God’s omnipresence teach you about Himself and about you? 

5. 2 Samuel 7:8-17 describes the everlasting covenant of the Lord with David. How do these covenantal promises unfold through history? Read 2 Timothy 2:9 and Acts 13:22-23; how does 2 Samuel 7:12 becomes Paul’s gospel (2 Timothy 2:9)? 

6. 2 Samuel 7:11b-12 is a promise of a house for David and kingdom for his offspring. How did this get fulfilled in Jesus (Acts 13:22-23)? Read Colossians 1:13-14; Jesus is the Davidic king who fulfilled and established the everlasting kingdom (2 Sam 7:16). How does this covenantal promise portray the unity of the Scripture (Genesis to Revelation, as one story which is about a holy & loving God saving wretched sinners through His grace)? 

 
Application:         
7. David responds with worship and awe to God’s covenantal promises. How should we respond today as we see their fulfilment in our lives through faith in Jesus? If worship is a way of life, what steps would you take, to make your worship intentional and worthy of the Lord? 

8. If 2 Sam 7:16 is fulfilled in Christ through the establishment of His Church, how thankful are you for your local Church? Are you a member and have you been serving in your local Church? What role does the local Church have for a believer’s discipleship? 

9. If we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19), how does that challenge our sanctification?