Song 1 – Blessed Be Your Name

Psalm 27:4 ‭‭
One thing have I asked of the Lord,
   that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
   all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
   and to inquire in his temple.

Song 2 – All My Days (Beautiful Saviour)

Song 3 – Day For Singing

Song 4 – We Will Feast in the House of Zion 

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

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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

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!

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

Our Scripture reading today is 2 Corinthians 4:1–6 (ESV). Hear the Word of God:

4:1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

This is the Word of the Lord.

The Light That Must Be Seen
“The gospel is shining, but only God can open blind eyes.”

I. A Ministry Without Deception vv 1–2
II. The Blindness That Only God Can Heal vv 3–4
III. The Light That Breaks Through vv 5–6

Song 5 – On That Day

Song 6 – In Christ Alone

“‘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

1. Have you ever struggled to see something clearly, physically or in understanding, only to later realize it was right in front of you? How did that experience change the way you saw things?

2. Read vv 1-4. Paul says the gospel is shining, but some remain blind. How does this passage challenge the way we think about those who reject Christ? What does it teach us about the real cause of unbelief?
3. Read vv 5-6. Paul says that God alone gives light to the blind. How does this change our approach to evangelism? How should it shape both our prayers and our confidence in sharing the gospel?
4. Paul contrasts proclaiming Christ with proclaiming ourselves. Why is it dangerous to make the gospel about personal experience, moral improvement, or self-help rather than about Christ as Lord?

5. Paul remained faithful in preaching the gospel, even when people rejected it. Who in your life have you become discouraged in praying for or sharing with? How does this passage encourage you to keep praying and proclaiming the truth?
6. Paul says in verse 1 that “we do not lose heart.” What is one specific area where you feel discouraged in your faith or ministry? How does this passage help you press on with confidence in God’s power rather than your own?