I Have All That I Need (Psalm 23)? + Sunday, February 24 w/ Avery Street CRC

When you are in the middle of a story … it's confusion. It's darkness. It's a lingering ache in the gut … "Each step is like a candle burning in the night. It does not take the darkness away, but it guides us through the darkness … through many small steps of love, we discover that we have made a long and beautiful journey" (Fr. Henri Nouwen). + Lisa Fenn, Carry On

Sermon Audio | I Have All That I Need

Sermon Scriptures | Psalm 23

Sermon Points | 

I Have What I Need … When Life is Full of Delight + Ps. 23:1-3: 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake. 

I Have What I Need … When Life is Full of Disturbance + Ps. 23:4-5 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley (i.e. valley of the shadow of death, fear no evil), I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

I Have What I Need … When Life is Full of Deliverance + Ps. 23:6 6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

Charles Wesley, 1738 A.D.

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer's praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumph of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad,
The honors of Thy name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
'Tis music in the sinner's ears;
'Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin;
He sets the prisoner free.
His blood can make the foulest clean;
His blood avails for me.

Sing your praise to the Lord all the earth.
Sing your praise to the Lord all the earth.
Sing your praise to the Lord all the earth.
Sing your praise to the Lord all the earth.

Death Was Arrested
NP InsideOut, 2017 A.D.

Alone in my sorrow and dead in my sin,
Lost without hope with no place to begin.
Your love made a way to let mercy come in
When death was arrested and my life began.

Ash was redeemed, only beauty remains.
My orphan heart was given a name.
My mourning grew quiet, my feet rose to dance
When death was arrested and my life began!

Oh, Your grace so free washes over me,
You have made me new, now life begins with You!
It's your endless love pouring down on us
You have made us new, now life begins with You!

Released from my chains, I'm a prisoner no more.
My shame was a ransom He faithfully bore.
He cancelled my debt and He called me His friend
When death was arrested and my life began! (Chorus)

Our Savior displayed on a criminal's cross.
Darkness rejoiced as though heaven had lost.
But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand;
That's when death was arrested and my life began! (Chorus)

Oh, we're free, free, forever we're free!
Come join the song of all the redeemed!
Yes, we're free, free, forever, amen,
When death was arrested and my life began!
(Repeat Bridge)

Before the Throne of God Above
Charitie Lees Bancroft, 1860 A.D.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea,
A great high Priest whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands!
My name is written on His heart!
I know that while in heaven He stands,
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free!
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me,
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace.
One with Himself I cannot die,
My soul is purchased by His blood!
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God!
With Christ my Savior and my God!

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!

Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone)
People & Songs, 2018 A.D.

The Lord is my Shepherd.
He goes before me,
Defender behind me,
I won't fear.
I'm filled with anointing,
My cup's overflowing.
No weapon can harm me,
I won't fear.

Hallelujah, I am not alone!
He's my comfort, always holds me close!

He always guides me
Through mountains and valleys.
His joy is refreshing,
Restores my soul.
Mercy and goodness,
Give me assurance
That I'll see His glory
Face to face. (Chorus)

Your Spirit lives within me
So I will walk in Your peace!
Your Spirit lives within me,
My victory, my victory! (Repeat 3x)

My victory, my victory ...
(Chorus)

The Heidelberg Catechism 1&2

1563 A.D.

Call: What is your only comfort in life and in death?
Response: That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to Him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for Him.

Call: What must you know to live and die in the joy of this comfort?
Response: Three things: first, how great my sin and misery are; second, how I am set free from all my sins and misery; third, how I am to thank God for such deliverance.

Benediction 

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

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

Ecclesiastes Series | Turn Down for What (Me for We)?! (Eccles. 4) + Saturday, February 23

South African ubuntu: A person becomes a person through other people. In parts of Africa, “Hello” is replaced with “Sawu bona,” which means, “I see you.” The reply is, “Sikhona” – I am here. + Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Welcome! Bienvenido! Akwaaba! Mirë se vjen! خوش آمدید Bem-vindos! 歡迎光臨! Céad míle fáilte! You are known and you are loved by Jesus. We invite you to join with us as we remember together the history-altering, world-restoring, personally-transforming Gospel: the Good News that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, come to redeem and restore what we have broken; forgive us and heal us; and bring His Kingdom of justice, mercy, and whole-making peace to our world.

Sermon Audio | Ecclesiastes: Turn Down for What?!

Sermon Scriptures | Ecclesiastes 4

Sermon Question(s) | Turn down me for we? 

Turn down superiority for solidarity? 
Turn down arrogance for advice? 
Turn down cynicism for compassion? 
Turn down speaking for listening? 
Turn down authority for vulnerability?
Turn down selfish gain for communal giving?
Turn down apathy for action?
Turn down isolation for initiation?
Turn down entitlement for encouragement?
Turn down unholy trinity (me, myself, and I) for Holy Trinity?

The only freedom from oppression of others and oppression of self is to trust that there was a poor and wise youth who became King, who always received advice from His Father by the Spirit, who listened much and spoke little, who went from throne to prison for us, and who will continue to have more and more join His family who will rejoice in Him and the freedom He gives because He is Emmanuel, God with us.

Sermon Series Album | Beyond Control by Kings Kaleidoscope

All the Poor and Powerless
All Sons and Daughters, 2011 A.D.

All the poor and powerless,
And all the lost and lonely.
All the thieves will come confess,
And know that You are holy.
And know that You are holy.

And all will sing out, "Hallelujah!"
And we will cry out, "Hallelujah!'

All the hearts who are content,
And all who feel unworthy.
And all who hurt with nothing left
Will know that You are holy. (Chorus)

Shout it, go on and scream it from the mountains,
Go on and tell it to the masses, that He is God! (Chorus)

What Mercy Did for Me

People & Songs, 2017 A.D.

I was hopeless, I knew I was lost.
Death and darkness were my only songs.
I needed someone to come rescue me
Then mercy heard my plea ...

Lord, You found me, You healed me,
You called me from the grave!
You gave me Your real love,
I thank You, Jesus,
You washed my sins away!
Oh, now I'm living like I'm forgiven,
You came and set me free!
That's what Your mercy did for me!

You gave me beauty for my guilty stains
And now I'm living today by His grace.
So excuse me if I can't contain my praise
'Cause I know that I've been changed!
(Chorus)

Every morning mercy will restore me, I will proclaim!
And even if the world should fall before me, I will proclaim!
(Chorus)

The Rock Won't Move
Vertical Church Band, 2013 A.D.

When the ground beneath my feet gives way,
And I hear the sound of crashing waves,
All my world is washing out to sea.
I'm hidden safe in the God who never moves,
Holding fast to the promise of the Truth
That You are holding tighter still to me.

The Rock won't move and His word is strong,
The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone!
The Rock won't move and His word is strong,
The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone,
The Rock of our Salvation!

My hope is in the promise of Your blood,
My support within the raging flood,
Even in the tempest, I can sing!
I'm hidden safe in the God who never moves,
Holding fast to the promise of Your Truth
That You are holding tighter still to me!
(Chorus)

Woah, Woah, Woah, the Rock of our salvation!

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
The Rock won't move, the Rock won't move!
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace,
The Rock won't move, the Rock won't move!
(Chorus)

New Every Morning
Audrey Assad + Matt Maher, 2016 A.D.

In the beginning, You hovered over the water,
You broke an unbroken silence,
You spoke light into darkness and there was light.
In the beginning, we were made in Your image,
And we were naked without shame
Till we fell for the darkness and there was night.

Your mercies are new, Your mercies are new
New every morning.
Your mercies are new, Your mercies are new,
New every morning.

In the beginning, there was the Word and He was God,
And the Word was with God,
And He dwelt among us and there was life.
Oh, in the beginning, the Lamb of God was broken
And His life was poured out
For the sins of the world and there was life. (Chorus 2x)

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw Your light;
At the cross, at the cross, I received my sight.
At the cross, at the cross where You laid down Your life.
(Chorus 2x)

Wondrous Love
Anonymous, 1811 A.D.

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb, we will sing, we will sing;
To God and to the Lamb we will sing.
To God and to the Lamb who is the great “I Am”;
While millions join the theme, we will sing, we will sing;
While millions join the theme, we will sing.

Oh how high, oh how wide, oh how deep is Your love!
Oh my soul, set on fire by Your wondrous love for us! (Repeat)

And when from death we're free, we'll sing on, we’ll sing on;
And when from death we're free, we’ll sing on.
And when from death we're free, we’ll sing and joyful be,
And through eternity we’ll sing on, we’ll sing on,
And through eternity we’ll sing on. (Repeat Bridge)

Corporate Prayer of Confession and Assurance
Is. 6:5-8; Dan. 9:4-19; Neh. 1:5-10; Lk. 23:34

Congregational Prayer

Call: Jesus, thank You for lifting us up and bringing us into the family of God. Thank You for opening Your hands to us, toiling for us, dying for us, living for us. May we give to others from the mercy we have received from You as 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.

Prayers of Preparation for Eucharist

Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Prayer Asking for Jesus' Help
Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.
I want to see. Please reveal to me who You are.
Give me ears to hear You, and understanding for
the Good News You are saying to me today. Amen.

Prayer for Communion with Jesus and Each Other
Jesus, by Your Spirit, fill us with Yourself,
the true Bread and Vine. We turn to You now to
unite us, strengthen us, and empower us
to be Your Kingdom family of servants and witnesses
together until You return and make all things new. Amen. 

Eucharist | Thanking God for Communion with Christ and His Church

Benediction based on Psalm 130:5-7; Ecclesiastes 3:11a; Isaiah 33:17

Wait for the LORD and in His Word put your hope. God has made everything beautiful in its time. Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; they will see a land that stretches afar. Go with the grace and peace of Jesus, the King of kings.

Next sermon audio and liturgy: Ecclesiastes Series | Tower or Temple? (Eccles. 5:1-7) w/ Josh Austin 

Emmaus City Church is a local church made up of City Groups.

A City Group (CG) is a group of 10-30 people – children, women, and men included – who are befriending, serving, and loving a community together in Jesus' name in Worcester. CGs are small enough that people can know you and value you, but large enough to make an impact in communities throughout Worcester. Each CG gets together throughout a month (i.e. dinners, times of prayer or learning from the Story of God in the Bible, acts of service, parties, etc.) to see Worcester become a city of neighbors and friends that showcase Jesus' love and compassion to all. Those who are cautious or curious to hear and see what it means to follow Jesus are just as welcome as those who believe Jesus is Lord and God and seek to follow Him in every area of life.

Current City Groups: Lincoln Street City Group | W.R.A.P. City Group

To connect with one of the City Groups above, please contact info@emmauscitychurch.com

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

Ecclesiastes Series | What Time Is It or What Is Time For? (Eccles. 3) + Saturday, February 16

Chronos betrays us, always. It devours the beauty it creates, but sometimes chronos betrays itself: it stirs in us a longing for Something or Someone Else – something that the beauty of things in time evokes but cannot satisfy. Either we end up as the man in Ecclesiastes did: driven, driven, driven, racing hard against chronos, desperate to seize beauty but always grasping smoke, ashes, thorns. Seeking purpose and finding none, only emptiness. Or we learn to follow the scent of eternity in our hearts. + Mark Buchanan, The Rest of God

Welcome! Bienvenido! Akwaaba! Mirë se vjen! خوش آمدید Bem-vindos! 歡迎光臨! Céad míle fáilte! You are known and you are loved by Jesus. We invite you to join with us as we remember together the history-altering, world-restoring, personally-transforming Gospel: the Good News that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, come to redeem and restore what we have broken; forgive us and heal us; and bring His Kingdom of justice, mercy, and whole-making peace to our world.

Sermon Audio | Ecclesiastes: What Time Is It or What Is Time For?

Sermon Scriptures | Ecclesiastes 3
Sermon Church History Story | St. Valentine

Sermon Sports Scene | Cliff Levingston, Chicago Bulls "What Time Is It?!"
Sermon Reflection | Chronos or Kairos Time in 2019?

Purpose, even unsought, can take shape out of the smallest, simplest things: "I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil – this is the gift of God" (Eccl. 3:12-13). This is a gift of God: to experience the sacred amidst the commonplace.

Sermon Series Album | Beyond Control by Kings Kaleidoscope

Establish the Work of Our Hands
Porter's Gate Worship Project, 2017 A.D.

If You don't build it, we labor in vain.
Without Your Spirit, we stand with no strength.
I know my life is passing away,
But the works of Your hands are what will remain.

Let the favor of the LORD rest upon us.
Oh LORD, establish the work of our hands!
Oh LORD, establish the work of our hands!

Teach us to number the length of our days.
Pour out Your power, we'll pour out Your praise.
Teach us to run, to finish the race,
For only what's done in love will remain.
(Chorus)

The Everlasting God
William Murphy, 2016 A.D.

The Lord is my Light and salvation.
Whom shall I fear?
Of whom shall I be afraid? (x2)

I will wait on You, I will wait on You.
I will trust in You, I will trust in You.

I will remain confident in this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord. (x2)

We set our hope on You,
We set our hope on Your love,
We set our hope on the One
Who is the everlasting God!
You are the everlasting God!
You are the everlasting! (x3)

What Mercy Did for Me

People & Songs, 2017 A.D.

I was hopeless, I knew I was lost.
Death and darkness were my only songs.
I needed someone to come rescue me
Then mercy heard my plea ...

Lord, You found me, You healed me,
You called me from the grave!
You gave me Your real love,
I thank You, Jesus,
You washed my sins away!
Oh, now I'm living like I'm forgiven,
You came and set me free!
That's what Your mercy did for me!

You gave me beauty for my guilty stains
And now I'm living today by His grace.
So excuse me if I can't contain my praise
'Cause I know that I've been changed!
(Chorus)

Every morning mercy will restore me, I will proclaim!
And even if the world should fall before me, I will proclaim!
(Chorus)

Not in a Hurry
United Pursuit Music, 2017 A.D.

Lord, I don’t want to rush on ahead
In my own strength
When You’re right here. (Repeat)

I’m not in a hurry when it comes to Your Spirit,
When it comes to Your presence,
When it comes to Your voice.
I’m learning to listen, just to rest in Your nearness,
I’m starting to notice You are speaking.

Lord, I want to love like You,
I want to feel what You feel,
I want to see what You see.
(Repeat + Chorus 2x)

Open my eyes, I want to see You.
Open my ears, I want to hear You speak.
Tell me Your thoughts, what's on Your mind.
I’ll be Your friend, I want to see through Your eyes,
I want to see through Your eyes. (Chorus 2x)

In Christ Alone
Keith Getty + Stuart Townend, 2001 A.D.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my all in all,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
'Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied,
For every sin on Him was laid,
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious Day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine,
Bought with the precious blood of Christ!

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me.
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands our destiny!
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand!
'Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand!

Corporate Prayer of Confession and Assurance
Is. 6:5-8; Dan. 9:4-19; Neh. 1:5-10; Lk. 23:34

Congregational Prayer

Call: Jesus, would You invite us into the joy of the work You're doing. Help us to see more of what You have made beautiful. Help us to wait and watch with Your eyes as 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.

Prayers of Preparation for Eucharist

Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Prayer Asking for Jesus' Help
Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.
I want to see. Please reveal to me who You are.
Give me ears to hear You, and understanding for
the Good News You are saying to me today. Amen.

Prayer for Communion with Jesus and Each Other
Jesus, by Your Spirit, fill us with Yourself,
the true Bread and Vine. We turn to You now to
unite us, strengthen us, and empower us
to be Your Kingdom family of servants and witnesses
together until You return and make all things new. Amen. 

Eucharist | Thanking God for Communion with Christ and His Church

Benediction based on Psalm 130:5-7; Ecclesiastes 3:11a; Isaiah 33:17

Wait for the LORD and in His Word put your hope. God has made everything beautiful in its time. Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; they will see a land that stretches afar. Go with the grace and peace of Jesus, the King of kings.

Next sermon audio and liturgy notes: Ecclesiastes Series | Turn Down for What (Me for We)?! (Eccles. 4)

Emmaus City Church is a local church made up of City Groups.

A City Group (CG) is a group of 10-30 people – children, women, and men included – who are befriending, serving, and loving a community together in Jesus' name in Worcester. CGs are small enough that people can know you and value you, but large enough to make an impact in communities throughout Worcester. Each CG gets together throughout a month (i.e. dinners, times of prayer or learning from the Story of God in the Bible, acts of service, parties, etc.) to see Worcester become a city of neighbors and friends that showcase Jesus' love and compassion to all. Those who are cautious or curious to hear and see what it means to follow Jesus are just as welcome as those who believe Jesus is Lord and God and seek to follow Him in every area of life.

Current City Groups: Lincoln Street City Group | W.R.A.P. City Group

To connect with one of the City Groups above, please contact info@emmauscitychurch.com

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

Ecclesiastes Series | Better the Gifts or the Giver? (Eccles. 1:12-2:26) + Saturday, February 9

We spent the gold and traded it and frittered it away for drink and food and pleasurable company. The more we gave away, the more we came to realize the drink would not satisfy, food turned to ash in our mouths, and all the pleasurable company in the world could not slake our lust. We are cursed men. Compelled by greed, we were, but now we are consumed by it. ... For too long I've been parched for thirst and unable to quench it. Too long I've been starving to death and haven't died. I feel nothing, not the wind on my face, not the spray of the sea, not the warmth of a woman's flesh. + Captain Barbossa

Welcome! Bienvenido! Akwaaba! Mirë se vjen! خوش آمدید Bem-vindos! 歡迎光臨! Céad míle fáilte! You are known and you are loved by Jesus. We invite you to join with us as we remember together the history-altering, world-restoring, personally-transforming Gospel: the Good News that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, come to redeem and restore what we have broken; forgive us and heal us; and bring His Kingdom of justice, mercy, and whole-making peace to our world.

Sermon Audio | Ecclesiastes: Better the Gifts or the Giver?

Sermon Scriptures | Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26

Sermon Book Recommendation | 

The world cannot be leveraged to suit us. Life is meant to be enjoyed, not mastered. Life cannot be controlled. Life cannot be fixed. Not everything is a problem to be solved. Some things must be borne, must be suffered and endured. Wisdom does not teach us how to make life predictable according to our wishes. ... One of the striking features is how the language in Ecclesiastes 2:4-9 evokes the garden of Eden, as if the Preacher was trying to re-create God’s good and perfect world without Him. But we can’t without Him. 

+ David Gibson, Living Life Backward: How Ecclesiastes Teaches Us to Live in Light of the End 

What are nine gifts we settle for as insufficient substitutes for the Giver of abundant life?

1) Laughter (2:2): We receive this gift – not in mocking or diminishing value (vulgar) – but in laughing at ourselves knowing our Master Jesus offers a joy we can enter into forever (Matt. 25:21) 

2) Wine (2:3): We receive this gift when we drink it with a merry heart, not to intoxicate or numb an empty heart.
3) Arts & Entertainment: great works, houses, vineyards (2:4): We craft beauty for the benefit of others, not our rep.
4) Nature: gardens, parks, pools (2:5-6): We behold the beauty all around us when still in the midst of creation.
5) Money: possessions, silver, gold (2:7-8): We invest in the Kingdom when we set free instead of exploit
6) Music: singers (2:8): We are set free when we praise the God who is full of worth and gives us eternal worth
7) Sex (2:8): We enjoy intimacy within friendship, family, and/or marriage, but not to meet our individual lusts
8) Affirmation (2:9): We can be honored as great, but for the benefit of all who are before us.
9) Wise Work (2:11-12): We can gain wisdom more than folly, but to become fools who share Jesus as wisdom. 

How do we counter receiving life as a gift from the Giver and instead pursue gifts as things to consume?

Seven Deadly Sins Practiced in a Digital World

Sermon Story | "The Lord is ... nothing I shall want." 
Sermon Movie Scene | Pirates of the Caribbean: " ... food turned to ash in our mouths ... "
Sermon Series Song | DUST by Kings Kaleidoscope

Come Thou Fount
Robert Robinson, 1758. A.D.

Come Thou fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace.
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above.
I'll praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it;
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer
Hither by thy help I come.
And I hope by thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God.
He to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee!
Prone to wander Lord I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love!
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above!

Great Are You Lord
All Sons and Daughters, 2013 A.D.

You give life, You are love,
You bring light to the darkness.
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken.
Great are You, Lord.

It's Your breath in our lungs,
So we pour out our praise,
We pour out our praise.
It's Your breath in our lungs,
So we pour out our praise to You only.

All the earth will shout Your praise,
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing,
“Great are You, Lord!”

What Mercy Did for Me
People & Songs, 2017 A.D.

I was hopeless, I knew I was lost.
Death and darkness were my only songs.
I needed someone to come rescue me
Then mercy heard my plea ...

Lord, You found me, You healed me,
You called me from the grave!
You gave me Your real love,
I thank You, Jesus,
You washed my sins away!
Oh, now I'm living like I'm forgiven,
You came and set me free!
That's what Your mercy did for me!

You gave me beauty for my guilty stains
And now I'm living today by His grace.
So excuse me if I can't contain my praise
'Cause I know that I've been changed!
(Chorus)

Every morning mercy will restore me, I will proclaim!
And even if the world should fall before me, I will proclaim!
(Chorus)

Jesus is Better
Austin Stone Music, 2013 A.D.

There is no other so sure and steady.
My hope is held in Your hand.
When castles crumble and breath is fleeting,
Upon this Rock I will stand.
Upon this Rock I will stand!

Glory, glory, we have no other king
But Jesus Lord of all!
Raise the anthem, our loudest praises ring –
We crown Him Lord of all!

Your kindly rule has shattered and broken
The curse of sin's tyranny.
My life is hidden 'neath Heaven's shadow,
Your crimson flood covers me!
Your crimson flood covers me! (Chorus)

In all my sorrows, Jesus is better
– Make my heart believe!
In all my victories, Jesus is better
– Make my heart believe!
More than any comfort, Jesus is better
– Make my heart believe!
More than all riches, Jesus is better
– Make my heart believe!
Our souls declaring, Jesus is better
– Make my heart believe!
Our song eternal, Jesus is better
– Make my heart believe! (Chorus)

Death Was Arrested
NP InsideOut, 2017 A.D.

Alone in my sorrow and dead in my sin,
Lost without hope with no place to begin.
Your love made a way to let mercy come in
When death was arrested and my life began.

Ash was redeemed, only beauty remains.
My orphan heart was given a name.
My mourning grew quiet, my feet rose to dance
When death was arrested and my life began!

Oh, Your grace so free washes over me,
You have made me new, now life begins with You!
It's your endless love pouring down on us
You have made us new, now life begins with You!

Released from my chains, I'm a prisoner no more.
My shame was a ransom He faithfully bore.
He cancelled my debt and He called me His friend
When death was arrested and my life began! (Chorus)

Our Savior displayed on a criminal's cross.
Darkness rejoiced as though heaven had lost.
But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand;
That's when death was arrested and my life began! (Chorus)

Oh, we're free, free, forever we're free!
Come join the song of all the redeemed!
Yes, we're free, free, forever, amen,
When death was arrested and my life began!
(Repeat Bridge)

Doxology

Thomas Ken, 167 A.D.

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.

Missional Encouragement and Prayers for Partners 

+ The Neighborhood Church, South Providence, RI
+ The Table Church, Groveland, MA
+ Restoration Community Church, South Bronx, NY

Corporate Prayer of Confession and Assurance
Is. 6:5-8; Dan. 9:4-19; Neh. 1:5-10; Lk. 23:34

Congregational Prayer 

Call: Jesus, would You reveal the experiences and gifts we think will satisfy us more than You? Would you set us free to enjoy the Giver and the gifts rather than settling for what is vain. Help us, Holy Spirit, as You continue to teach us how to pray and live:

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.

Prayers of Preparation for Eucharist

Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Prayer Asking for Jesus' Help
Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.
I want to see. Please reveal to me who You are.
Give me ears to hear You, and understanding for
the Good News You are saying to me today. Amen.

Prayer for Communion with Jesus and Each Other
Jesus, by Your Spirit, fill us with Yourself,
the true Bread and Vine. We turn to You now to
unite us, strengthen us, and empower us
to be Your Kingdom family of servants and witnesses
together until You return and make all things new. Amen. 

Eucharist | Thanking God for Communion with Christ and His Church

Benediction based on Psalm 130:5-7; Ecclesiastes 3:11a; Isaiah 33:17

Wait for the LORD and in His Word put your hope. God has made everything beautiful in its time. Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; they will see a land that stretches afar. Go with the grace and peace of Jesus, the King of kings.

Next sermon audio and liturgy notes: Ecclesiastes Series | What Time Is It or What is Time For? (Eccles. 3)

Emmaus City Church is a local church made up of City Groups.

A City Group (CG) is a group of 10-30 people – children, women, and men included – who are befriending, serving, and loving a community together in Jesus' name in Worcester. CGs are small enough that people can know you and value you, but large enough to make an impact in communities throughout Worcester. Each CG gets together throughout a month (i.e. dinners, times of prayer or learning from the Story of God in the Bible, acts of service, parties, etc.) to see Worcester become a city of neighbors and friends that showcase Jesus' love and compassion to all. Those who are cautious or curious to hear and see what it means to follow Jesus are just as welcome as those who believe Jesus is Lord and God and seek to follow Him in every area of life.

Current City Groups: Lincoln Street City Group | W.R.A.P. City Group

To connect with one of the City Groups above, please contact info@emmauscitychurch.com

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

CN | Drop Stones So Rejection Becomes an Invitation

"I know why Amy loves so much: it's because she's been forgiven much."

Sometimes you read a book that you need to read at just the right moment. Drop the Stones: When Love Reaches the Unlovable by Carlos A. Rodríguez was that book for me.

Like the first chapter and the the fourth chapter, the eighteenth chapter also captured my attention in profound ways. There are many more chapters worth reading. If you resonate with what you've read so far, I encourage you to read the entire book. Also, Carlos Rodriguez is coming to Springfield, Massachusetts this Friday, February 15 for the Go Conference '19.

Chapter 18 | The Art of Judgmental Thinking

"If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself." + St. Augustine

Adultery is a major sin. It's a destructive malice that corrupts the sanctity of marriage. But it's just one of the 677 major sins in the Bible. It goes from selfishness, to fornication, to murder, to gossip, to being double-minded ... so it is clear that we are all sinful (and even more clear that we need redemption). The law proves we are imperfect; the gospel provides a perfect Savior.

Yes, we are God's children, a royal priesthood, adopted and beloved, the apple of His eye, but the apostle Paul carried a beautiful tension that we can all learn from. He went from calling himself "chief sinner" to telling people to "be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." He displayed his authority as a great missionary, while at the same time displaying the struggles of his human flesh. We could use a little bit of this tension. It's either too much about me and my greatness or too much about them and their wickedness. What would happen if we focused on the beauty of others while dealing with the transgressions of self? This is not about being soft on sin; this is more about the unbalance of being soft with our sins and tough on theirs.

What if the main thing we highlighted was our need for Jesus instead of the world's need for us?

I have a friend in Texas who throws the most extravagant baby showers for girls who have unplanned pregnancies. And when I say extravagant, I mean Texas extravagant. Her name is Amy Ford and her ministry, Embrace Grace, is now in hundreds of churches all across the United States. At nineteen years old, Amy went through the trauma of being rejected because of her unplanned pregnancy. She fainted moments before her abortion was to take place, and then she chose life ... and some friends still rejected her. The shame she carried was almost unbearable, yet she decided to trust God and raise her baby boy in love. Then she resolved to break the shame cycle and start a program in which young ladies could experience the joy of their miracle in ways she was never able to. 

Amy and her team have embraced the opportunity to celebrate new life and preach the story of redemption – one shower at a time.

I know why Amy loves so much: it's because she's been forgiven much. One time, Jesus was invited to a dinner party hosted by a Pharisee named Simon. A woman of the city, who was a known prostitute, fell to her knees and cried at the feet of the Holy Man. While everyone was looking, she poured out the most expensive oil, used her own hair as washcloth, and kissed the feet of Christ in adoration. Jesus knew people's inner thoughts, including Simon, and shared a short parable about two people who needed to be forgiven, one for a smaller debt and another for a greater debt (see Luke 7:36-50). He then asked Simon, "Which of the two will love the one who erased the debt more?" Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most." Jesus then told Simon to learn from the worshiping prostitute.

Jesus finishes His radical declaration with, "Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven – for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little."

I don't think Jesus was implying that the woman was more sinful (in quantity or quality) than the others in the room. It was only that her sins were more obvious, out in the open, and easier to define. We know from reading Matthew 23 that Jesus exposed and defined the sins of even religious leaders, too, and that would be the point. If you think you only struggle with a few things, then you will only be grateful for a few things. If you're aware of the many transgressions that consume you, then many will be your worship songs at the feet of Jesus the Savior.

There are 677 sins in the Bible. Whether you struggle with only one of them or 676 of them, "the wages of sin is death." Notice that "sins" is singular. Just one is enough. Judging a person who has three hundred visible sins does not deal with the three that you're hiding. That is why the art of judgmental thinking needs to be replaced with the beauty of awareness and gratitude, just like Amy Ford did in her life. She fell at the feet of Jesus, received His words of grace (for her life and child), and now lives that out for others.

Her story of rejection became the invitation. The love that she received became her motivation. What the enemy intended for evil, Jesus and Amy turned around for good.

Next CN post: Preemptive Love: A Guideline of Loving First & Asking Questions Later

Here are links to previous City Notes books: A Meal with Jesus; The Art of Neighboring; A Praying Life; Family on Mission; Encounters with Jesus; The Rest of God; Letters to a Birmingham Jail; Notes from a Failed Missionary on Rediscovering Faith; The Pursuing God; Yawning at Tigers; Gospel Fluency; Moving Towards Emmaus; Evangelical, Sacramental, and Pentecostal; Faith Without Illusions; The Eternal Current; Learning to Speak God; Tattoos on the Heart; Drop the Stones Part 1, Drop the Stones Part 2

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us