Hear God call you to worship through his Word:

Romans 8:14–16 (ESV)

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as chil- dren, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

‭‭Let us worship the Lord!

Song 1 – His Mercy is More 

Song 2 – Your Love Never Fails

Song 3 – Refiner’s Fire (Purify My Heart)

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

The proof of God’s amazing love is this:
While we were sinners, Christ died for us.
We therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness,
trusting in God’s love, faithfulness and compassion,
we joyfully confess our sin before God and one another
by reading together the prayer on the screen.
—based on Romans 5:8; Hebrews 4:16, NRSV

Confession of Sin
Almighty and most merciful Father,
you hate nothing that you have made, 
nor desire the death of a sinner.
Look upon me with your lovingkindness and mercy, 
and grant that I may turn from my wickedness
and live.

Forgive the days and years
which I have passed in folly, idleness and sin.
Fill me with such sorrow for the time misspent,
that I may amend my life according to your holy Word;
strengthen me against habitual idleness,
and enable me to direct my thoughts
to the fulfillment of every duty;

that while I live, I may obey you,
serve you, love you, and worship you,
in the state to which you shall call me,
and at last by a holy and happy death
be delivered from the struggles and sorrows of this life,
and obtain eternal happiness by your mercy,
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

(– adapted from a prayer by Samuel Johnson)


Assurance of Forgiveness
1 John 2:1-2 says this: “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

In light of this good news, let’s pray.

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Hear the Word of the Lord:

“²⁸ And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. ²⁹ If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ² Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. ³ And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

⁴ Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. ⁵ You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. ⁶ No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. ⁷ Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.⁸ Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. ⁹ No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. ¹⁰ By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.”

This is the Word of God. 

Living in God’s Love
– 1 John 2:28–3:10 (ESV)

1. Remember, the astounding and transformative nature of God’s love for his children (vv 3:1-3)
2. Respond, to the call to righteousness and love (vv 3:4-10)

Compare the following parallel verses: 4 and 8a; 5 and 8b; 6 and 9.

          v 4: Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 
          v 8a: Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil

          v 5: You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
          v 8b: …for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

          v 6: No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 
          v 9: No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep sinning, because he has been born of God. 

During the next song we will be distributing the elements. Please hold them until all have received – we will partake together. 

Song 4 — Grace Alone

Song 5 — One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)

Our Father in heaven, 
hallowed be your name;
your kingdom come;
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread. 
And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. 
For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.

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