Sunday Meditation, April 26
Jesus, the Savior of the World
‘Come, see a man which told me all things that ever I did.’ She had left her home for the express purpose of drawing water. She had carried a large vessel to the well, intending to bring it back filled. But she found at the well a new heart, and new object of interest. She became a new creature. Old things passed away. All things became new. At once everything else was forgotten for the time. She could think of nothing but the truths she had heard, and the Savior she had found. In the fullness of her heart she “left her water-pot,” and hastened away to tell others.
— J. C. Ryle
Scripture for Meditation: John 4:39-42
Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.*
Hymn of Salvation: Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners
Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.Refrain:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him.
Tempted, tried, and often failing,
He, my Strength, my victory wins.Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!
While the billows over me roll,
Even when my heart is breaking,
He, my Comfort, helps my soul.Jesus! I do now receive Him,
More than all in Him I find.
He has granted me forgiveness,
I am His, and He is mine.— John Wilbur Chapman, 1859-1918
Hymn of Salvation: Mighty to Save
Everyone needs compassion
A love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
A kindness of a Savior
The hope of nationsChorus:
Savior, He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever, Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the graveSo take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender
Yes, I surrenderChorus
Bridge:
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King
Jesus Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen KingChorus
Final Chorus:
You're my savior
You can move the mountains
God, You are Mighty to save
You are Mighty to save
Forever, Author of salvation
You rose and conquered the grave
Yes, You conquered the grave
You are Mighty to save— Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan © 2006 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Arr. Laura Story Used by permission. CCLI #2783020
Prayer of Blessing
Responsive Reading: Genesis 12:1-3
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Hymn of Confession: Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul
Prayer of Corporate Confession
Silence for Personal Confession
Assurance of Pardon: John 1:29
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Response: Thanks be to God.
Hymn of Testimony: All I Have Is Christ
I once was lost in darkest night, yet thought I knew the way;
The sin that promised joy and life had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own a rebel to Your will,
And if You had not loved me first I would refuse You still.But as I ran my hell-bound race indifferent to the cost,
You looked upon my helpless state and led me to the cross,
And I beheld God’s love displayed; You suffered in my place;
You bore the wrath reserved for me; now all I know is grace.Chorus:
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ!
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life!Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone and live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands could never come from me.
O Father, use my ransomed life in any way You choose,
And let my song forever be: “My only boast is You!”Chorus
— Music and words by Jordan Kauflin © 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI) CCLI #2783020
Hymn of Harvest: O Church, Arise
O church, arise and put your armor on;
Hear the call of Christ our captain;
For now the weak can say that they are strong
In the strength that God has given.With shield of faith and belt of truth
We'll stand against the devil's lies;
An army bold whose battle cry is "Love!"
Reaching out to those in darkness.Our call to war, to love the captive soul,
But to rage against the captor;
And with the sword that makes the wounded whole
We will fight with faith and valor.When faced with trials on ev'ry side,
We know the outcome is secure,
And Christ will have the prize for which He died—
An inheritance of nations.Come, see the cross where love and mercy meet,
As the Son of God is stricken;
Then see His foes lie crushed beneath His feet,
For the Conqueror has risen!And as the stone is rolled away,
And Christ emerges from the grave,
This vict'ry march continues till the day
Ev'ry eye and heart shall see Him.So Spirit, come, put strength in ev'ry stride,
Give grace for ev'ry hurdle,
That we may run with faith to win the prize
Of a servant good and faithful.As saints of old still line the way,
Retelling triumphs of His grace,
We hear their calls and hunger for the day
When, with Christ, we stand in glory.— Words and music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music Used by permission. CCLI #2783020
Ministry of the Word
*All Scripture, English Standard Version. © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission.