Sunday Meditation, May 17
Honoring Christ, the Son of God
Scripture for Meditation: John 5:22, 23
For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
Hymn of Honor: His Be the Victor’s Name
Hymn of Belonging: 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: Psalm 2
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”
Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Hymn of Refuge: My Dwelling Place (Psalm 91)
Prayer of Corporate Confession
Silence for Personal Confession
Assurance of Pardon: John 5:24
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
Response: Thanks be to God.
Hymn of Pardon: And Can It Be
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:’Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
’Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Amazing love! How can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?— Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
Hymn of Honor: Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me
What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer;
There is no more for heaven now to give.
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom,
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace.To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus,
For my life is wholly bound to his.
Oh how strange and divine, I can sing: all is mine!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.The night is dark but I am not forsaken,
For by my side, the Saviour He will stay;
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing,
For in my need, His power is displayed.To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me;
Through the deepest valley He will lead.
Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven;
The future sure, the price it has been paid,
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon.
And He was raised to overthrow the grave.To this I hold, my sin has been defeated;
Jesus now and ever is my plea.
Oh the chains are released, I can sing: I am free!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.With every breath I long to follow Jesus,
For He has said that He will bring me home.
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne.To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus;
All the glory evermore to Him.
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat:
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat:
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Michael Farren © 2018 CityAlight Music. Used by permission. CCLI #2783020
Ministry of the Word
*All Scripture, English Standard Version. © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission.