Sunday Meditation, May 10
The Christ Who Heals Us and Calls Us to Turn from Sin
Jesus challenged the [paralyzed] man to get right with God lest he face divine judgment for sin, which is far worse than simple illness.... He had shown a glimmer of faith when he responded to Jesus’ command by getting up and carrying his mat. Now he had to make the second step and turn from sin to God. He had to choose between life and judgment. There was no middle ground....We must all make the same choice as this man, and that choice will determine whether we receive eternal life or face eternal death.
—Grant Obsorne
Scripture for Meditation: John 5:8, 9
Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.*
Hymn of Healing: Who Is He in Yonder Stall
Refrain
’Tis the Lord! O wondrous story!
’Tis the Lord! the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall,
Crown Him! Crown Him, Lord of all!Who is He in yonder stall
At Whose feet the shepherds fall?
Who is He in deep distress,
Fasting in the wilderness?Lo! at midnight, who is He
Prays in dark Gethsemane?
Who is He on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?Who is He that from the grave
Comes to heal and help and save?
Who is He that from His throne
Rules through all the world alone?— Benjamin R. Hanby, 1833-1867
Hymn of Turning: Not in Me
No list of sins I have not done,
No list of virtues I pursue,
No list of those I am not like
Can earn myself a place with You.
O God, be merciful to me–
I am a sinner through and through!
My only hope of righteousness
Is not in me, but only You.No humble dress, no fervent prayer,
No lifted hands, no tearful song,
No recitation of the truth
Can justify a single wrong.
My righteousness is Jesus' life,
My debt was paid by Jesus' death,
My weary load was borne by Him
And He alone can give me rest.No separation from the world,
No work I do, no gift I give
Can cleanse my conscience, cleanse my hands;
I cannot cause my soul to live.
But Jesus died and rose again–
The power of death is overthrown!
My God is merciful to me
And merciful in Christ alone.
Repeat:
My righteousness is Jesus’ life,
My debt was paid by Jesus' death,
My weary load was borne by Him
And He alone can give me rest.
Yes, He alone can give me rest.
— Words and music by Eric Schumacher and David L. Ward. Copyright 2012 ThousandTongues.orgCCLI #2783020
Prayer of Corporate Confession
Silence for Personal Confession
Assurance of Pardon: Isaiah 53:5
He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
Response: Thanks be to God.
Hymn of Pardon: Christ Is Mine Forevermore
Mine are days that God has numbered
I was made to walk with Him
Yet I look for worldly treasure
And forsake the King of kings.
But mine is hope in my Redeemer
Though I fall, his love is sure
For Christ has paid for every failing
I am His forevermore.
Mine are tears in times of sorrow
Darkness not yet understood
Through the valley I must travel
Where I see no earthly good.
But mine is peace that flows from heaven
And the strength in times of need
I know my pain will not be wasted
Christ completes his work in me.
Mine are days here as a stranger
Pilgrim on a narrow way
One with Christ I will encounter
Harm and hatred for his name.
But mine is armour for this battle
Strong enough to last the war
And he has said he will deliver
Safely to the golden shore.
And mine are keys to Zion city
Where beside the King I walk
For there my heart has found its treasure
Christ is mine forevermore.
Chorus:
Come rejoice now, O my soul
For his love is my reward
Fear is gone and hope is sure
Christ is mine forevermore!
Come rejoice now, O my soul
For his love is my reward
Fear is gone and hope is sure
Christ is mine forevermore!
Come rejoice now, O my soul
For his love is my reward
Fear is gone and hope is sure
Christ is mine forevermore!
And mine are keys to Zion city
Where beside the King I walk
For there my heart has found its treasure
Christ is mine forevermore.
Christ is mine forevermore.
Christ is mine forevermore!—Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson © 2016 CityAlight Music
CCLI #2783020
Prayer of Blessing
Responsive Reading: Isaiah 35:5-7, 10
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. . . .
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
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
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
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
Hymn of Healing: No Other Plea
My faith has found a resting place, not in device or creed;
I trust the Ever-Living One, His wounds for me shall plead.Refrain:
I need no other argument, I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me.Enough for me that Jesus saves, this ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him, He’ll never cast me out.
My great Physician heals the sick, the lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed, for me His life He gave.— Lidie H. Edmunds (pseudonym of Eliza E. Hewitt), 1851-1920
Ministry of the Word
*All Scripture, English Standard Version. © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission.