Redeem your time

Below is the eleventh of Tom’s videos in our new Friday blog series Redeem your time. You can find a copy of the book he is discussing here.

SUNDAY GATHERING (7th June 2020)

THE GOSPEL OF MARK [MARK 1:21-45]

During this time where our public gatherings are not able to meet, each Sunday we are providing you with a liturgy that you can use at home.

You can use it in a number of ways: on your own, with your family, or with others from our church community via video conferencing.

Our suggestion is that you take time to move through each of the sections below, listening to the songs, reflecting on the liturgy and hearing the word preached exactly as we do on a Sunday.

As you move  through it why not talk with others or, if you are on your own, message someone from your City Group or DNA Group to share something that really struck you.

As you do this remember that we are still the church even when we can’t gather together as the church. 

CALL TO WORSHIP

As Christians we are not short of things to be thankful for. We can cry out with David, who himself faced times of great joy and suffering, that “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised”. 

Let us read the beginning of this Psalm as we start our gathering today, 

I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. 

Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. 

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.

On the glorious splendour of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, I will declare your greatness. 

They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. 

The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. 

[Psalm 145 vs 1-9]

SONG: How Great Thou Art: A song of praise that celebrates the glory and beauty of God as seen throughout his creation.

LYRICS

O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hand hath made
I see the stars I hear the mighty thunder
Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art how great Thou art
Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art how great Thou art

And when I think that God His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die I scarce can take it in
That on the Cross my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin

Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art how great Thou art
Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art how great Thou art

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home what joy shall fill my heart
Then shall I bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim my God how great Thou art

Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art how great Thou art
Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art how great Thou art

CCLI Song # 14181

Stuart Wesley Keene Hine

© Copyright 1949 and 1953 Stuart Hine Trust CIO Stuart K. Hine Trust (Admin. by Integrity Music)

SONG: Grace Alone (Dustin Kensrue): A song celebrating the grace shown to us in Christ. A reminder that it is only by grace we're saved.

LYRICS

I was an orphan lost at the fall
Running away when I'd hear you call
But Father you worked your will
I had no righteousness of my own
I had no right to draw near your throne
But Father you loved me still

And in love before you laid the world's foundation
You predestined to adopt me as your own
You have raised me up so high above my station
I'm a child of God by grace and grace alone

You left your home to seek out the lost
You knew the great and terrible cost
But Jesus your face was set
I worked my fingers down to the bone
But nothing I did could ever atone
But Jesus you paid my debt

By Your blood I have redemption and salvation
Lord you died that I might reap what you have sown
And you rose that I might be a new creation
I am born again by grace and grace alone

I was in darkness all of my life
I never knew the day from the night
But Spirit you made me see
I swore I knew the way on my own
Head full of rocks a heart made of stone
But Spirit you moved in me

And at your touch my sleeping spirit was awakened
On my darkened heart the light of Christ has shone
Called into a kingdom that cannot be shaken
Heaven's citizen by grace and grace alone

So I'll stand in faith by grace and grace alone
I will run the race by grace and grace alone
I will slay my sin by grace and grace alone
I will reach the end by grace and grace alone

CCLI Song # 7004659

Dustin Kensrue

© 2013 Dead Bird Theology (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

It's All About Jesus Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

We Are Younger We Are Faster Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

In the passage today we see unmistakably Jesus’ power over sickness and the satanic forces. We read that those who witnessed Jesus’ power marvelled:

And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 

[Mark 1:27] 

Peter stresses in his second letter that they had not concocted clever stories about Jesus but reported what they saw with their own eyes, “we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power”. Paul in a slightly different vein would encourage believers that freed from the rule of sin Christians are liberated to live freely for God, how?, by the power of the Holy Spirit. He wrote, 

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

God empowers his children to live for him by dwelling with them. And yet, doesn’t the temptation to sin appear so alluring, powerful and near at times. To borrow an expression from the Old Testament, “sin is crouching at your door, it desires to have you.”   

Take some moments now to confess the ways in which we have failed to recognise God’s power in our lives, in weakness choosing sin over walking with the Spirit.

The joy of the gospel is that Jesus exercised his power as a servant, dying on the cross to overcome sin and death. We now take our place in his family, not through our own victorious battle against sin, but because of his.     

Rejoice in that truth as you sing the next song.

SONG: How Deep the Father’s Love: A reflection on the depth of  God’s love shown to us in the cross of Christ.

LYRICS

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts no pow’r no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

CCLI Song # 1558110

Stuart Townend

© 1995 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)

PASSING OF THE PEACE

Because of Christ's work on the cross, his death and resurrection, we have been brought back into communion with our God and have been made righteous. We have peace with our creator, our heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit unites us together in Jesus.

We normally express that peace with one another in our gatherings by greeting those around us. In this time where we can’t do that take a moment to pray for someone who is part of our church family instead. 

SERMON The Gospel Of Mark- [Mk 1:21-45] Watch the pre-sermon message and then the sermon.

This week we’re continuing our brand new series ‘The Gospel of Mark’. Click here where you will find this week’s sermon.

RESPONSE

Take a few minutes to reflect on how God was speaking to you from his Word. Ask that the Holy Spirit would take the truth and use it to change and transform you.

SONG: Christ is Risen (Matt Maher): A song that celebrates our risen saviour Jesus and his triumph over death.

CCLI Song # 5242683

Matt Maher | Mia Fieldes

© 2009 Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)

Upside Down Under (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)

spiritandsong.com (Admin. by Integrity Music)

Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)

SONG: Before the Throne of God Above: A reminder that we have a new identity in Christ. We can now approach God with confidence because of what Jesus has done for us.

CCLI Song # 990391

Charitie Lees Bancroft

Public Domain

COMMITMENT READING

For many the cross looked like weakness. Jesus had lost. What victory could possibly have been won through death? Hear the end of Philipians 2;

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

 Use this prayer for yourself and our church family today:

Father God, 

We want to respond to your Son, who did not hold onto power or prestige but humbled himself, giving his life up for us. We praise you Jesus for what you have done for us, for our brothers and sister in Redeemer and the immeasurable number around the world today. Victorious, risen Jesus, now seated in the heavens and we confess that your name is above every other name, in heaven, on earth and under the earth. 

May our service of others be an offering of worship to you.  

Amen.

(based on Phillipians 2 vs 8-11) 

SONG: O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (Zach Sprowls): A new take on the old hymn, reminding us of the hope we have in the Gospel, that one day the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory.

CCLI Song # 2647652

Charles Wesley

Public Domain

BENEDICTION 

Every week we close our times of worship with a benediction. A benediction is another word for a blessing. This reminds us of all the promises that we have just heard, sung and prayed. It's a sending into the world with a call to remember the gospel and to go forth with Jesus in our mission.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

(Ephesians 3:20-21)

Peace be with you

Redeem your time

Below is the tenth of Tom’s videos in our new Friday blog series Redeem your time. You can find a copy of the book he is discussing here.

SUNDAY GATHERING (31st May 2020)

THE GOSPEL OF MARK [MARK 1:14-20]

During this time where our public gatherings are not able to meet, each Sunday we are providing you with a liturgy that you can use at home. You can use it in a number of ways: on your own, with your family, or with others from our church community via video conferencing. Our suggestion is that you take time to move through each of the sections below, listening to the songs, reflecting on the liturgy and hearing the word preached exactly as we do on a Sunday. As you move through it why not talk with others or, if you are on your own, message someone from your City Group or DNA Group to share something that really struck you. 

As you do this remember that we are still the church even when we can’t gather together as the church. 

CALL TO WORSHIP 

Everything in this earth is constantly pouring out praise to God. Creation sings to his glory and today we can join that great chorus of praise. Start your time of worship today with the wonderful words of Psalm 8: 

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth 

(Psalm 8) 

SONG: 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) (Matt Redman): A song directing our hearts to God, reminding us of the endless reasons we have to offer all of our praise and worship to Him.  

CCLI Song # 6016351

Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman

© 2011 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)

Atlas Mountain Songs (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing UK)

SONG: How Great is our God (Chris Tomlin): A song of praise and worship to our God who is name above all other names and majestic in glory.

CCLI Song # 4348399

Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash | Jesse Reeves

© 2004 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)

worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Integrity Music)

Wondrously Made Songs (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE 

In the passage we will be thinking about today we see Jesus calling his first followers: 

Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men

(Mark 1:17)

We read that Simon and Andrew leave their nets and follow him. To be a Christian is to be a follower of Jesus still. It is to look to his lead and trust him in all he says and does. But we often find ourselves following after other things. Jesus fades in our view as other things capture our hearts. In the words of the hymn we find ourselves ‘prone to wander, prone to leave the God we love’. Take some moments now to confess the sinful ways that you have failed to follow Jesus this week. 

Jesus’ followers in Mark’s gospel all failed him and let him down. Every follower since has done the same. But the wonderful hope of the gospel is that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. There is forgiveness to be found in the gracious arms of our Good Shepherd. 

Rejoice in that truth as you sing the next song. 

SONG: Come Thou Fount: A song of  praise of the God who brings our wandering hearts back to himself.

CCLI Song # 7055916

Chad Gardner | Robert Robinson

© Words: Public Domain

Music: 2012 Asaphs Arrows (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

Moms Like Us Too (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

PASSING OF THE PEACE 

Because of Christ's work on the cross, his death and resurrection, we have been brought back into communion with our God and have been made righteous. We have peace with our creator, our heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit unites us together in Jesus. 

We normally express that peace with one another in our gatherings by greeting those around us. In this time where we can’t do that take a moment to pray for someone who is part of our church family instead. 

SERMON The Gospel Of Mark- [Mk 1:14-20] Watch the pre-sermon message and then the sermon. 

This week we’re continuing our brand new series ‘The Gospel of Mark’. Click here where you will find this week’s sermon.

RESPONSE 

Take a few minutes to reflect on how God was speaking to you from his Word. Ask that the Holy Spirit would take the truth and use it to change and transform you. 

SONG: Oh God (Dustin Kensrue): An assurance that God is present with us in our struggles, when we feel alone and far from Him he is with us. A wonderful reminder that nothing can separate us from the love of God. 

LYRICS

In the valley oh God You're near In the quiet oh God You're near
In the shadow oh God You're near
At my breaking oh God You're near

Oh God You never leave my side
Your love stands firm through all my life

In my searching oh God You're near
In my wandering oh God You're near
When I feel alone oh God You're near
At my lowest oh God You're near

Oh God You never leave my side
Your love stands firm through all my life

Height nor depth nor anything else
Could pull us apart
We are joined as one by Your blood
Hope will rise as we become more
Than conquerors through the One who loved the world

Oh God You never leave my side
Oh God Your love will stand firm through all my life

CCLI Song # 6534493

Zach Bolen

© It's All About Jesus Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

We Are Younger We Are Faster Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

SONG: In Tenderness (Citizens): A wonderful reminder that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

CCLI Song # 6536051

Nate Garvey | W. Spencer Walton

© Words: Public Domain

Music: 2013 It's All About Jesus Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

We Are Younger We Are Faster Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)

COMMITMENT READING 

Jesus showed his love for us at the cross, where he freed us from our sin. Jesus gave himself for us and he also gave us his Spirit, to help us and equip us for the christian life. Use this prayer for yourself and our church family today: 

Father God, help us to love you and obey your commandments as a response to the love you have shown to us in Jesus. Thank you that Jesus promises to be with us forever by his Spirit to help us in this. Help us Spirit, to love Jesus with all of our hearts, souls and minds and to be the kind of church community you desire us to be. Amen. 

(based on John 14:15-16) 

SONG: Hear the Call of the Kingdom (Stuart Townend, Keith & Kristyn Getty): A song which calls us to lift our eyes to God, and to go to all the world with his compassion.

CCLI Song # 4930752

Keith Getty | Kristyn Getty | Stuart Townend

© 2006 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)

BENEDICTION 

Every week we close our times of worship with a benediction. A benediction is another word for a blessing. This reminds us of all the promises that we have just heard, sung and prayed. It's a sending into the world with a call to remember the gospel and to go forth with Jesus in our mission. 

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 

(Ephesians 3:17-19) 

Peace be with you