Sunday Meditation, January 24
The Grace of Leaders Who Care for God’s Church
Scripture for Meditation: I Timothy 3:1-5
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?
Prayer of Blessing
Responsive Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-15
For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.
As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.
And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land.
There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel.
I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God.
Prayer of Corporate Confession
Silence for Personal Confession
Assurance of Pardon: John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Response: Thanks be to God.
Ministry of the Word
Transition to Singing
Feel free to leave at this time or stay for the indoor singing.
Hymn of Care: The King of Love My Shepherd Is
The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never,
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.Where streams of living water flow
My ransomed soul He leadeth,
And where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love He sought me,
And on His shoulder gently laid,
And home, rejoicing, brought me.And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house forever.Henry W. Baker, 1821-1877
Arr. by Dan Forrest
CCLI #2783020
Hymn of Salvation: My Hope Is in the Lord
My hope is in the Lord who gave Himself for me,
And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary.
Refrain:
For me He died, for me He lives,
And everlasting life and light He freely gives.No merit of my own His anger to suppress.
My only hope is found in Jesus' righteousness.
And now for me He stands before the Father's throne.
He shows His wounded hands and names me as His own.
His grace has planned it all; 'tis mine but to believe,
And recognize His work of love and Christ receive.Norman J. Clayton, 1903-1992
Hymn of Praise: Christ, Our Hope in Life and Death
What is our hope in life and death?
Christ alone, Christ alone.
What is our only confidence?
That our souls to him belong.
Who holds our days within his hand?
What comes apart from his command?
And what will keep us to the end?
The love of Christ in which we stand.Chorus:
O sing hallelujah! Our hope springs eternal.
O sing hallelujah! Now and ever we confess:
Christ our hope in life and death.What truth can calm the troubled soul?
God is good, God is good.
Where is his grace and goodness known?
In our great Redeemer's blood
Who holds our faith when fears arise?
Who stands above the stormy trial?
Who sends the waves that bring us nigh unto the shore,
The rock of Christ?Chorus:
O sing hallelujah! Our hope springs eternal.
O sing hallelujah! Now and ever we confess:
Christ our hope in life and death.Unto the grave, what will we sing?
Christ, He lives! Christ, he lives!
And what reward will heaven bring?
Everlasting life with him.
There we will rise to meet the Lord;
Then sin and death will be destroyed.
And we will feast in endless joy,
When Christ is ours forevermore.Chorus:
O sing hallelujah! Our hope springs eternal.
O sing hallelujah! Now and ever we confess:
Christ our hope in life and death.
(repeat)Now and ever we confess:
Christ our hope in life and death
Keith Getty, Jordan Kauflin, Matt Papa, Matt Boswell, Matthew Merker
2020 Getty Music Publishing, Messenger Hymns, Love Your Enemies Publishing, Matthew Merker Music, Getty Music Hymns and Songs, Jordan Kauflin Music (Admin by Music Services)
CCLI #2783020
*All Scripture, English Standard Version. © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission.