Welcome to the Sunday Gathering recap (songs, hymns, liturgy and sermon). This blog gives you an opportunity to reflect on what you heard in the gathering or catch up if you weren’t able to be with us.
EZEKIEL - A Picture of Idolatry
CALL TO WORSHIP
Praise be to you, Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
You are a great God who has power and glory and majesty and splendour. Everything in heaven and earth is yours and you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honour come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
(Based on 1 Chronicles 29:11-13)
Song: Doxology
Song: 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
Song: Indescribable
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
God tells us in his word that we've worshipped and served created things rather than him, our creator God. The truth is that if we look to these things to give us meaning, hope and happiness, they will ultimately fail us. God himself, is the only one who can satisfy. But we forget this and end up creating idols in our hearts, that take our worship and attention away from God. In his word, God describes himself as being a jealous God. He is deserving of all our worship, yet we take the worship that belongs to him and give to other things. Take a moment to reflect on that now, to confess to God the idols that take your attention away from him. Ask that God would take away your idols and help you turn back to him. The truth of the Gospel is that Jesus died to save us from our idolatry. Even though we have turned from him, time and time again, in Jesus, God has not turned away from us. The next song is a new one to us at Redeemer, it reminds us that through the blood of Christ, we are forgiven from our idolatry.
Song: Forgiven
PASSING OF THE PEACE
PREACHING OF THE WORD
Tom Thrower preached to us on the picture of idolatry in Ezekiel from chapters 8-10. Click here to listen to that sermon.
COMMUNION
Every week we want to respond to what God has done for us in Jesus. One of the great ways he has provided for us to remember the truth of the gospel is giving us communion. As we take the bread and wine we remember what Jesus has done for us.
POST COMMUNION READING
Jesus’ death brings us life and this meal reminds us that we are fed by Jesus and forgiven because of Jesus.
We rejoice that You have died, rose again, and are now with the Father advocating for us. Amen.
With our money, time, and talent we give generously, knowing that through Your Son, Jesus, You have generously given to us.
We rejoice that You have given everything and we joyfully give everything back to Your care. Amen.
Song: How Deep the Father's Love
Song: There is a Fountain
COMMITMENT READING
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things
that are on earth.
We ask, Father God, that you would help us to put idolatry to death and what is earthly is in us. Having put off the old self, give us all that we need to put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of you our creator. Amen.
(Based on Colossians 3:1-10)
Song: Christ is Risen
BENEDICTION
May the God of peace guard your hearts from the false and fading comforts of idols and may he lead you on to find true satisfaction in the blessings that only He can provide. Go now in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
Amen.