This Week’s Theme
God Has Made Him Both Lord and Christ
Acts 2.29-36
On the day of the Feast of Pentecost, Peter declared without qualification the Messiahship and Lordship of Jesus Christ. After explaining the praises of the Spirit-filled disciples as a sign of the fulfilled Joel prophecy, Peter articulated how Jesus was alive, testified to through the patriarch David. Though he had already died and was buried, with his tomb well known in the nation, he was a prophet foreseeing the resurrection of Christ. David testified that Jesus would not be abandoned to Hades, nor would his flesh see corruption. In fact, Peter testified that this Jesus of Nazareth God had raised up, and of that truth he and the other apostles were eyewitnesses.
This risen Jesus has now therefore been exalted at the right hand of God, and he himself has received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit. This gift, Peter declared, Jesus poured out upon the company giving praise which the pilgrims in Jerusalem both saw and heard. Peter said that David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself said, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’” Peter ended his message with a powerful statement: “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Rather than being a blasphemer and a criminal, as the leaders supposed him to be, Jesus of Nazareth was in fact the Lord and Messiah, verified by his resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit on the believing company. The Gospel is anchored on the identity of Jesus; God has made him both Lord and Christ, the very one whom they crucified. Jesus is the Messiah, whom David foresaw, and the Lord, which the Spirit’s gifting revealed. The Gospel is the message of the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth, our Lord and King.
Preparing Our Hearts
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Eternal God, according to Peter on the day of Pentecost you have made Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified both Lord and Christ. He is our Savior and Lord, the Messiah predicted by David and other prophets, and the giver of the promise of the Spirit on the Church. Thank you for your gift of Christ to your Church. We are people of the Messiah, the people of Jesus. Make his presence felt among us, for his sake, amen.
Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.
Praising Our God
Te Deum Laudamus
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.
Listening to His Voice
Chronological Reading for the Day
Friday: Ezek. 32.17-33.20; Jer. 52.28-30; Ps. 137; 1 Chron. 4.24-5.17
Lectionary Readings for the Day
Psalm: Ps. 138
OT: Gen. 18.20-32
Gospel: Luke 11.1-13
NT: Col. 2.6-19
Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling
Responding in Faith
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).
Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.
Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.
Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)
Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Departing to Serve
Benediction
Lord Jesus, you are the Christ whom David foresaw, the one who must reign until all your enemies have been placed under your feet. You have granted us the promise of the Father in the Holy Spirit, and you have empowered us with the word of the Gospel, the word of life and reconciliation in you. We affirm you as you are: the Lord and Christ, our Redeemer and Lord. Receive our worship today, in your name, amen.
Affirmation for the Day
The apostles are eyewitnesses of the truth of our Lord’s resurrection and exaltation.
Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
One Mediator between God and Humankind
1 Timothy 2.3-7
Book Reading
Finley, Reformation in Foreign Missions
Our Corporate Disciplines
Book Discussion: Monday, July 29, 2019