The Lord’s Day ~ July 28, 2024
The Preparation for Worship
For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)
Prelude and Silent Prayer
Welcome and Announcements
The Adoration of God
Call to Worship – Psalm 149:5-6
*Psalm of Praise – Psalm 149B, vv. 1, 3 (Psalter)
Speaker: The LORD is great and greatly to be praised;
All: He is to be feared above all gods. (Ps. 96:4)
*The Invocation and Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on 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, forever. Amen.
*The Hymn of Exaltation – Hymn 16, vv. 1-4
(Come, Let Us Sing unto the Lord)
The New Testament Reading – Matthew 4:1-11
*The Response of Praise (Like a River Glorious)
Like a river glorious, is God's perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect yet it floweth, fuller ev'ry day,
Perfect, yet it groweth, deeper all the way.
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest,
Finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest.
The Confession of Sin
The Call to Repentance – Colossians 1:12-14
Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
The Prayer of Confession (after silent confession)
Eternal God and merciful Father, we humble ourselves before your great Majesty, against which we have frequently and grievously sinned. We acknowledge that we deserve nothing less than eternal death. We confess our waywardness and are truly sorry for all our sins. Gracious Father, we come to you through the only Mediator, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us and wash us in the pure fountain of His blood, that we would become white as snow. Deliver us from future rebellion and disobedience. In Jesus' name. Amen.
The Assurance of Pardon – Romans 3:21-22 "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe."
*The Hymn of Gratitude – Hymn 500
(Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me)
The Means of Grace
The Pastoral Prayer
The Worship of Giving (An offering plate is in the back of the church)
*The Doxology 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.
*The Prayer of Dedication
The Scripture – Ephesians 6:17
The Sermon – The Sword of the Spirit
Response and Blessing
*The Hymn of Consecration – Hymn 578
(The Son of God Goes Forth to War)
*The Benediction
*Congregation Standing
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Announcements
We welcome all who are visiting with us today. The Pastor and elders are available after the service to pray with you and speak with you. Children are encouraged to remain in the worship service. A nursery is available if needed.
Join us for prayer meeting on Wednesday night @ 7:00 at the church.
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The sword of the Spirit. The sword is both an offensive and defensive weapon used by soldiers or warriors. In this case it is a weapon belonging to the Holy Spirit. Swords were used to protect oneself from harm or to attack the enemy to overcome or kill him. In both cases it was necessary for a soldier to get rigid training on the proper use of the sword to get maximum protection. All Christian soldiers need the same rigid training to know how to properly handle the Sword of the Spirit, “which is the word of God.” We know from 2 Timothy 3:16–17 that the word of God is from the Holy Spirit and written by men. Since every Christian is in a spiritual battle with the evil forces of this world, we need to know how to handle the Word properly. Only then will it be an effective defense against evil, but it will also be an offensive weapon we use to “demolish strongholds” of error and falsehood.' (2 Cor. 10:4–5)
God refers to His Word as a sword in Hebrews 4:12. Here the Word is described as living and active and sharper than a double-edged sword. The Roman sword was commonly made in this manner. The fact that it had two edges made it easier to penetrate, as well as to cut in every way. The idea is that of piercing, or penetrating; the Word of God reaches the “heart,” the very center of action, and lays open the motives and feelings of those it touches. (www.gotquestions.org)
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To be a Christian is to be a warrior. The good soldier of Jesus Christ must not expect to find ease in this world: it is a battle-field. Neither must he count on the friendship of the world; for that would be enmity against God. His occupation is war. As he puts on piece by piece of the armor provided for him, he may wisely say to himself, “This warns me of danger; this prepares me for warfare; this prophesies opposition.”
The one note that rings out from the text is this: — TAKE THE SWORD! TAKE THE SWORD! No longer is it, talk and debate! No longer is it, parley and compromise! The word of thunder is — Take the sword. The Captain’s voice is clear as a trumpet — Take the sword! No Christian man here will have been obedient to our text unless with clear, sharp, and decisive firmness, courage, and resolve, he takes the sword. We must go to heaven sword in hand, all the way. “TAKE THE SWORD.” (Charles Haddon Spurgeon)
The Preparation for Worship
For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)
Prelude and Silent Prayer
Welcome and Announcements
The Adoration of God
Call to Worship – Psalm 149:5-6
*Psalm of Praise – Psalm 149B, vv. 1, 3 (Psalter)
Speaker: The LORD is great and greatly to be praised;
All: He is to be feared above all gods. (Ps. 96:4)
*The Invocation and Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on 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, forever. Amen.
*The Hymn of Exaltation – Hymn 16, vv. 1-4
(Come, Let Us Sing unto the Lord)
The New Testament Reading – Matthew 4:1-11
*The Response of Praise (Like a River Glorious)
Like a river glorious, is God's perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect yet it floweth, fuller ev'ry day,
Perfect, yet it groweth, deeper all the way.
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest,
Finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest.
The Confession of Sin
The Call to Repentance – Colossians 1:12-14
Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
The Prayer of Confession (after silent confession)
Eternal God and merciful Father, we humble ourselves before your great Majesty, against which we have frequently and grievously sinned. We acknowledge that we deserve nothing less than eternal death. We confess our waywardness and are truly sorry for all our sins. Gracious Father, we come to you through the only Mediator, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us and wash us in the pure fountain of His blood, that we would become white as snow. Deliver us from future rebellion and disobedience. In Jesus' name. Amen.
The Assurance of Pardon – Romans 3:21-22 "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe."
*The Hymn of Gratitude – Hymn 500
(Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me)
The Means of Grace
The Pastoral Prayer
The Worship of Giving (An offering plate is in the back of the church)
*The Doxology 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.
*The Prayer of Dedication
The Scripture – Ephesians 6:17
The Sermon – The Sword of the Spirit
Response and Blessing
*The Hymn of Consecration – Hymn 578
(The Son of God Goes Forth to War)
*The Benediction
*Congregation Standing
----------------------------------
Announcements
We welcome all who are visiting with us today. The Pastor and elders are available after the service to pray with you and speak with you. Children are encouraged to remain in the worship service. A nursery is available if needed.
Join us for prayer meeting on Wednesday night @ 7:00 at the church.
-------------
The sword of the Spirit. The sword is both an offensive and defensive weapon used by soldiers or warriors. In this case it is a weapon belonging to the Holy Spirit. Swords were used to protect oneself from harm or to attack the enemy to overcome or kill him. In both cases it was necessary for a soldier to get rigid training on the proper use of the sword to get maximum protection. All Christian soldiers need the same rigid training to know how to properly handle the Sword of the Spirit, “which is the word of God.” We know from 2 Timothy 3:16–17 that the word of God is from the Holy Spirit and written by men. Since every Christian is in a spiritual battle with the evil forces of this world, we need to know how to handle the Word properly. Only then will it be an effective defense against evil, but it will also be an offensive weapon we use to “demolish strongholds” of error and falsehood.' (2 Cor. 10:4–5)
God refers to His Word as a sword in Hebrews 4:12. Here the Word is described as living and active and sharper than a double-edged sword. The Roman sword was commonly made in this manner. The fact that it had two edges made it easier to penetrate, as well as to cut in every way. The idea is that of piercing, or penetrating; the Word of God reaches the “heart,” the very center of action, and lays open the motives and feelings of those it touches. (www.gotquestions.org)
------------------------
To be a Christian is to be a warrior. The good soldier of Jesus Christ must not expect to find ease in this world: it is a battle-field. Neither must he count on the friendship of the world; for that would be enmity against God. His occupation is war. As he puts on piece by piece of the armor provided for him, he may wisely say to himself, “This warns me of danger; this prepares me for warfare; this prophesies opposition.”
The one note that rings out from the text is this: — TAKE THE SWORD! TAKE THE SWORD! No longer is it, talk and debate! No longer is it, parley and compromise! The word of thunder is — Take the sword. The Captain’s voice is clear as a trumpet — Take the sword! No Christian man here will have been obedient to our text unless with clear, sharp, and decisive firmness, courage, and resolve, he takes the sword. We must go to heaven sword in hand, all the way. “TAKE THE SWORD.” (Charles Haddon Spurgeon)
The ARP Church has published a Psalter in conjunction with Crown and Covenant Publications. Read here about the Preface and History of Psalm singing in the ARPC.