Sunday Meditation, December 6

The King of Peace and His Kingdom Work

Scripture Meditation: Isaiah 9:6, 7

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Prayer of Blessing

Responsive Reading: Revelation 12:9-11

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying,

“Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

Prayer of Corporate Confession

Silence for Personal Confession

Assurance of Pardon: Romans 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 Triumph: Jesus Shall Reign

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
Doth his successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

Refrain:
He shall reign in glory, crowned with grace and might;
Bless His name and praise our sovereign King.
He shall reign forever with His chosen Bride,
And all the earth shall sing that Jesus is the King.

People and realms of every tongue
Dwell on His love with sweetest song;
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on His Name.

Let every creature rise and bring
Blessing and honor to our King;
Angels descend with songs again,
And earth repeat the loud amen!

Words by Isaac Watts. Music by John Hatton. Adapted by Ryan Foglesong.
© 2010 Resolved Music. All Rights Reserved. CCLI #2783020

Hymn of Emmanuel: Sing We the Song of Emmanuel 

Sing we the song of Emmanuel;
This the Christ who was long foretold.
Lo in the shadows of Bethlehem,
Promise of dawn now our eyes behold.
God Most High in a manger laid;
Lift your voices and now proclaim:
Great and glorious, Love has come to us;
Join now with the hosts of heaven.

Come we to welcome Emmanuel;
King who came with no crown or throne.
Helpless He lay, the Invincible,
Maker of Mary, now Mary’s son.
O what wisdom to save us all,
Shepherds, sages, before Him fall.
Grace and majesty, what humility;
Come on bended knee, adore Him.

Go spread the news of Emmanuel;
Joy and peace for the weary heart.
Lift up your heads, for your King has come;
Sing for the Light overwhelms the dark.
Glory shining for all to see,
Hope alive, let the gospel ring.
God has made a way, He will have the praise;
Tell the world His name is Jesus.

Words and Music by Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Stuart Townend, and Keith Getty
© 2015 Getty Music Publishing (BMI)/Messenger Humns (BMI)/Getty Music Hymns and Songs (ASCAP)/Love Your Enemies Publishing (ASCAP)/Townend Songs (PRS) (adm. by MusicServices.org in the US and Canada and by www.songsolutions.org elsewhere in the Word.)

Hymn of Worship: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing 

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Refrain:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth. 

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.
Adam’s likeness, now efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.

Charles Wesley, 1707-1788

*All Scripture, English Standard Version. © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission.