08-04-2013 Sunday Evening Bulletin.pub


[PDF]08-04-2013 Sunday Evening Bulletin.pub - Rackcdn.comc8db749e636509544338-7e1d3e0c3b4b0250c538ec322cc2fd31.r29.cf2.rackcdn.co...

0 downloads 67 Views 63KB Size

The Lord’s Day Evening

Grace Moment ................................................................... Cody Laun

August 4, 2013 Six O’clock

Hymn 94 .......................................................... How Firm a Foundation

Welcome and Announcements

Reading of the Word ...................................................Matthew 14:22-36

Prelude

Prayer for Illumination

Sovereign Commander of the universe, I am sadly harassed by doubts, fears, unbelief, in a felt spiritual darkness. My heart is full of evil surmising and disquietude, and I cannot act faith at all. My heavenly pilot has disappeared, and I have lost my hold on the rock of ages; I sink in deep mire beneath storms and waves, in horror and distress unutterable.

Sermon ............................................................. Dr. Sean Michael Lucas Faith and Doubt Songbook 48 ...................................................... Jesus, Lover of My Soul

Help me, O Lord, to throw myself absolutely and wholly on thee, for better, for worse, without comfort, and all but hopeless. Give me peace of soul, confidence, enlargement of mind, morning joy that comes after night heaviness. Water my soul richly with divine blessings; grant that I may welcome thy humbling in private so that I might enjoy thee in public. Give me a mountain top as high as the valley is low.

Benediction

Thy grace can melt the worst sinner, and I am as vile as he, yet thou hast made me a monument of mercy, a trophy of redeeming power; in my distress let me not forget this. All-wise God, thy neverfailing providence orders every event, sweetens every fear, reveals evil’s presence lurking in seeming good, brings real good out of seeming evil, makes unsatisfactory what I set my heart upon, to show me what a short-sighted creature I am, and to teach me to live by faith upon thy blessed self.

Most (or maybe all) Christians have their doubts. Suddenly the message of the gospel seems quite implausible. Or painful suffering causes us to question the goodness of God. Or an awareness of our sin leads us to doubt whether God could ever love someone like us. Our faith is shaken--or, more accurately, the assurance of our faith is shaken, at least for a season…

Out of my sorrow and night give me the name Naphtali – “satisfied with favour” – help me to love thee as thy child, and to walk worthy of my heavenly pedigree. (The Valley of Vision)

Yet our faith will prevail. God has put his seed within us--the seed of faith. Thus, even in our doubts we still have at least some small measure of faith in the gospel, some trust in Christ, some love for the church, and some sense of our duty. In time, this seed will sprout again, and grow, so that our lives may flower with the fruit of the assurance of faith.

Call to Worship .............................................................. Isaiah 43:1-3a Invocation Songbook 41 ......................................................................... Isaiah 43

***************************

Ultimately, what renews our assurance is the Holy Spirit, who is always working within us to call us to Christ. Once again, the Confession showcases the Third Person of the Trinity--this time by showing us the work of God the Holy Spirit in reviving the assurance of our faith. Knowing the power of God's Spirit to grant assurance to our faith guards our hearts against absolute despair. When our faith starts to feel shaky, we should not give in to our doubts and fears, but believe that the Holy Spirit has the power to restore the full assurance of our faith. (Phil Ryken)

Sermon Notes Title: Faith and Doubt Text: Matthew 14:22-36

1. Fear: See who Jesus is

2. Risk: Obey what Jesus says

August 4, 2013 6:00 p.m. 3. Doubt: Worship Jesus because of who he is

Presbyterian Church in America Hattiesburg, Mississippi