Sunday Meditation, June 7
The Witness of the Word
Scripture for Meditation: Luke 24:27
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Hymn of Assurance: How Firm a Foundation
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed.
For I am thy God; I will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'rflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.Words adapted from Rippon's Selection of Hymns, 1787
Prayer of Blessing
Responsive Reading: John 5:37-47
And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.
For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
Hymn of the Word: Laden with Guilt and Full of Fears
Laden with guilt and full of fears, I fly to Thee my Lord;
And not a glimpse of hope appears, but in Thy written Word.
The volumes of my Father’s grace does all my griefs assuage.
Here I behold my Savior’s face in every page.This is the field where hidden lies the pearl of price unknown,
That merchant is divinely wise, who makes the pearl his own;
Here consecrated water flows to quench my thirst of sin.
Here the fair tree of knowledge grows; no danger dwells within.This is the judge that ends the strife where wit and reason fail,
My guide to everlasting life through all this gloomy vale.
Oh may Thy counsels, mighty God, my roving feet command,
Nor I forsake the happy road that leads to Thy right hand.Words by Isaac Watts, alt. by Sandra McCracken Music by Sandra McCracken © 2001 Same Old Dress Music (ASCAP) Used by permission. All rights reserved. CCLI #2783020
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.
Hymn of Supplication: Speak, O Lord
Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory.Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility;
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow'r that can never fail—
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we'll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory."Speak, O Lord." 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.