Sunday Meditation, September 20
The Christ Who Was Lifted Up
Scripture for Meditation: John 8:28
So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.
Hymn of the Cross: Hallelujah for the Cross
Up to the hill of Calvary
My Savior went courageously,
And there he bled and died for me.
Hallelujah for the cross!And on that day the world was changed;
A final, perfect lamb was slain.
Let earth and heaven now proclaim,
Hallelujah for the cross!Chorus:
Hallelujah for the war He fought;
Love has won, death has lost
Hallelujah for the souls He bought!
Hallelujah for the cross!What good I’ve done could never save;
My debt too great for deeds to pay,
But God, my Savior, made a way.
Hallelujah for the cross!A slave to sin, my life was bound,
But all my chains fell to the ground
When Jesus’ blood came flowing down
Hallelujah for the cross!Chorus
And when I breathe my final breath,
I’ll have no need to fear that rest.
This hope will guide me into death:
Hallelujah for the cross!Chorus x2
Hallelujah for the cross!
Hallelujah for the cross!Words and music by Ross King and Todd Wright © 2013 Simple Tense Songs (ASCAP) and Todd Wright Music (BMI) CCLI #2783020
Hymn of Salvation: Hallelujah! What a Savior!
"Man of sorrows," what a name for the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim! Hallelujah! What a Savior!Bearing shame and scoffing rude, in my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood! Hallelujah! What a Savior!Guilty, vile, and helpless, we; spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement! Can it be? Hallelujah! What a Savior!Lifted up was He to die, "It is finished," was His cry
Now in heav’n exalted high! Hallelujah! What a Savior!When He comes, our glorious King, all His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we’ll sing: Hallelujah! What a Savior!Philip P. Bliss, 1838-1876
Hymn of Pardon: Arise, My Soul, Arise
Arise, my soul, arise! Shake off your guilty fears.
The bleeding Sacrifice in my behalf appears.
Before the throne my Surety stands,
Before the throne my Surety stands
My name is written on His hands.Five bleeding wounds He bears, received on Calvary.
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
“Forgive him, O, forgive,” they cry,
“Forgive him, O, forgive,” they cry,
“Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”The Father hears Him pray, His dear Anointed One;
He cannot turn away the presence of His Son.
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.My God is reconciled; His pard’ning voice I hear.
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear;
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And, “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
Transition Inside
Scripture for Meditation: Numbers 21:7-9
And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.
Prayer of Blessing
Responsive Reading: John 1:1-5, 9-13
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. . . .
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Prayer of Corporate Confession
Silence for Personal Confession
Assurance of Pardon: John 3:14, 15
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Response: Thanks be to God.
Ministry of the Word
*All Scripture, English Standard Version. © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission.