Jesus is so gracious that He not only performs the perfect life, death, and resurrection for us, He also gives us the freedom to get to participate in His abundant life of sharing and giving His grace to others.
Key Question: Who or what am I demanding of, and when (including myself)? How does God's grace warm my heart for mercy and peace instead?
+ Substitute Idol: I am my performance manager, which means I need to perform in life at a certain level to feel worthy of being accepted by myself, and others need to perform for me to accept them.
+ Worship Response: If people don't thank me for what I do, I can emotionally manipulate them to make them feel guilty. I don't take criticism and failure well; in fact, these often crush me and/or make me defensive. You won't find me restful or relaxed when there's always something more I could be doing. And I'm either proud of my recent success or envious of others' which results in me being distant from those who have inexpressible joy.
+ Jesus: Jesus was sent by His Gracious Father to perform every aspect of life perfectly for me, and His work on my behalf to reconcile me to God is completely finished so I can join Him in sharing His grace with others.
+ Worship Response: God is more worthy of my worship because of His grace, which means I don't have to live to prove myself to others (or myself) anymore; I get to freely give grace from His overflow for me.
Soma Video: Greg's Story | God is Gracious (3:54 minutes)
"I had always felt life first as a story: and if there is a story there is a story-teller (G.K. Chesterton)." We invite you to the history-altering, world-restoring, personally-transforming Story of God found in the Gospel: the Good News that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, come to redeem and restore what we have broken; heal us; and bring His Kingdom of justice, mercy, and peace to our world. Check out the Story of God.
Questions as You Consider Jesus
Are you curious? Consider asking someone a question or two about Jesus and Christian spirituality even if you don't believe.
Are you open? Consider your emotional and spiritual needs, and step into asking if Jesus can meet them and help you.
Are you searching? Consider exploring more about Jesus even if you are not sure who He is; example: "If I could ask Jesus one honest question that would help me trust Him, what would I ask?"
Are you beginning to believe? Consider how your life would be transformed if you followed Jesus. Ask God to help you understand the Good News that through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, He is restoring everything sin has ruined in your life and in the world.
Homily Scriptures | Psalm 145:2, 8, 13
Humble Thyself | Amazing Grace Gospel Medley
Bob Hudson, John Newton, 1978 A.D., 1779 A.D.
Humble thyself in the sight of the LORD
And He will lift you up.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now I'm found.
I was blind but now I see.
When we've been yhere ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Then when we've first begun.
This Glorious Grace
Austin Stone Worship, 2013 A.D.
God, I need You, I need You, I need You,
With every breath, every pulse of my heart.
Christ have mercy, have mercy,
Let mercy abound,
I need You, I need You now.
God, pour out Your grace, glorious grace
That I would be held by Your perfect embrace!
I am undeserving, You are high and worthy,
All of my praise for this glorious grace!
God we're longing, we're longing to see You,
In Your presence all darkness will fade.
Shine Your glory, Your glory,
Let glory surround,
We're longing to see You now.
God, pour out Your grace, glorious grace
That we would be held by Your perfect embrace!
We are undeserving, You are high and worthy,
All of our praise for this glorious grace!
God, Your grace like rising seas
Has swallowed death and sin in me!
Glory to our God who saves,
Jesus Christ, our glorious grace!
(Chorus)
God we worship, we worship, we worship You
For Your glory, our all in all.
You are worthy, You’re worthy, You’re worthy,
We worship, we worship You.
God we need You, we need You now.
Jesus Paid It All
Elvina Hall, 1865 A.D.
I hear the Savior say,
"Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray
Find in Me thine all in all."
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone
Can change the leper's spots
And melt the heart of stone.
(Chorus)
And when before the throne,
I stand in Him complete.
"Jesus died, my soul to save!"
My lips shall still repeat.
(Chorus)
O praise the One who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead!
Grace Alone
The Modern Post, 2013 A.D.
I was an orphan lost at the Fall,
Running away when I'd hear Your 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 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,
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.
At Your touch my sleeping spirit was awakened,
On my darkened heart the light of Christ has shone.
Called into Your 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!
Are you curious? Consider asking someone a question or two about Jesus and Christian spirituality even if you don't believe.
Are you open? Consider your emotional and spiritual needs, and step into asking if Jesus can meet them and help you.
Are you searching? Consider exploring more about Jesus even if you are not sure who He is; example: "If I could ask Jesus one honest question that would help me trust Him, what would I ask?"
Are you beginning to believe? Consider how your life would be transformed if you followed Jesus. Ask God to help you understand the Good News that through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, He is restoring everything sin has ruined in your life and in the world.
Homily Scriptures | Psalm 145:2, 8, 13
Humble Thyself | Amazing Grace Gospel Medley
Bob Hudson, John Newton, 1978 A.D., 1779 A.D.
Humble thyself in the sight of the LORD
And He will lift you up.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now I'm found.
I was blind but now I see.
When we've been yhere ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Then when we've first begun.
This Glorious Grace
Austin Stone Worship, 2013 A.D.
God, I need You, I need You, I need You,
With every breath, every pulse of my heart.
Christ have mercy, have mercy,
Let mercy abound,
I need You, I need You now.
God, pour out Your grace, glorious grace
That I would be held by Your perfect embrace!
I am undeserving, You are high and worthy,
All of my praise for this glorious grace!
God we're longing, we're longing to see You,
In Your presence all darkness will fade.
Shine Your glory, Your glory,
Let glory surround,
We're longing to see You now.
God, pour out Your grace, glorious grace
That we would be held by Your perfect embrace!
We are undeserving, You are high and worthy,
All of our praise for this glorious grace!
God, Your grace like rising seas
Has swallowed death and sin in me!
Glory to our God who saves,
Jesus Christ, our glorious grace!
(Chorus)
God we worship, we worship, we worship You
For Your glory, our all in all.
You are worthy, You’re worthy, You’re worthy,
We worship, we worship You.
God we need You, we need You now.
Jesus Paid It All
Elvina Hall, 1865 A.D.
I hear the Savior say,
"Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray
Find in Me thine all in all."
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone
Can change the leper's spots
And melt the heart of stone.
(Chorus)
And when before the throne,
I stand in Him complete.
"Jesus died, my soul to save!"
My lips shall still repeat.
(Chorus)
O praise the One who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead!
Grace Alone
The Modern Post, 2013 A.D.
I was an orphan lost at the Fall,
Running away when I'd hear Your 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 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,
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.
At Your touch my sleeping spirit was awakened,
On my darkened heart the light of Christ has shone.
Called into Your 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!
Prayers of Preparation for Eucharist
Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Prayer seeking more from Jesus
Jesus, You claim to be the Way,
the Truth and the Life.
If what You claim is true,
please reveal to me who You are.
Give me an understanding of You
that is clear and convincing. Amen.
Prayer for Communion with Jesus
Jesus, grant that we may be filled
by You, the true Bread and Vine.
Be present with us, strengthen us,
and empower us to be Your witnesses
together as we seek first Your Kingdom
until You return and make all things new. Amen.
Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Prayer seeking more from Jesus
Jesus, You claim to be the Way,
the Truth and the Life.
If what You claim is true,
please reveal to me who You are.
Give me an understanding of You
that is clear and convincing. Amen.
Prayer for Communion with Jesus
Jesus, grant that we may be filled
by You, the true Bread and Vine.
Be present with us, strengthen us,
and empower us to be Your witnesses
together as we seek first Your Kingdom
until You return and make all things new. Amen.
Eucharist | Thanking God for Communion with Christ and His Church
Homily Prayer of Response
Isaiah 6:5-8; Daniel 9:4-19; Nehemiah 1:5-10; Luke 23:34
Call: LORD, You are gracious and compassionate,
and Your Kingdom is the only one that will last
forever because of Your everlasting love.
Response: Forgive us for our unfaithfulness, for
trying to rebel against You and Your Kingdom, or for
trying to perform for Your love and Your reward.
Silent Personal Reflection and Confession
Call: Thank You, Jesus, for all You have graciously
performed on our behalf through Your holy
life, death, resurrection, ascension, and sending
of Your Holy Spirit. Until You return, we pray:
Response: Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil for Thine is the
Kingdom and the power and the glory
now and forever. Amen.
Homily Prayer of Response
Isaiah 6:5-8; Daniel 9:4-19; Nehemiah 1:5-10; Luke 23:34
Call: LORD, You are gracious and compassionate,
and Your Kingdom is the only one that will last
forever because of Your everlasting love.
Response: Forgive us for our unfaithfulness, for
trying to rebel against You and Your Kingdom, or for
trying to perform for Your love and Your reward.
Silent Personal Reflection and Confession
Call: Thank You, Jesus, for all You have graciously
performed on our behalf through Your holy
life, death, resurrection, ascension, and sending
of Your Holy Spirit. Until You return, we pray:
Response: Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil for Thine is the
Kingdom and the power and the glory
now and forever. Amen.
Benediction
As Jesus said, "You will receive power
when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be My witnesses ... "
So you are sent out in the strength
and peace of the Holy Spirit of God to
welcome, witness, and worship so
the Gospel Story of God will be heard,
believed, and revealed to many more.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God the Father,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be My witnesses ... "
So you are sent out in the strength
and peace of the Holy Spirit of God to
welcome, witness, and worship so
the Gospel Story of God will be heard,
believed, and revealed to many more.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God the Father,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Christ is all,
Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan
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