Preparing For Sunday, 9/15/13

Hey everybody!
It's been a little while since the last "Prep for Sunday" post. Hope you're planning on gathering with us tomorrow morning, as dive into the Gospel through singing, preaching, prayer, and fellowship. It's of utmost importance for us to meet as Christians, to remind one another by way of the actions above, of the great truths that have saved us, and define us as God's people. Again, Hebrews 10 tells us,

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (emphasis added).

Let us not neglect to meet together tomorrow, as we encourage each other in the truths of the Gospel, and as we look for that Day, when our King will return for us.

Jordan is preaching a part 3 sermon tomorrow on 1 Corinthians 15:29-34, entitled "Resurrection Reverberation: When Death Motivates." Definitely read the passage ahead of time, and come ready to dive into the significance of Christ's resurrection for the life and assurance of the Church. It's sort of a difficult passage too, so it'd pay for us to do a little homework on the front end. :)

Tomorrow we'll sing the following:
1. Indescribable
A tune that calls us to gaze on Creation with wide-eyed wonder, and see God everywhere in it. The last chorus reminds us that even in His majesty and holiness, God looks into the depths of the hearts of His people, and "loves us the same." And how is this possible? God has given us His Son, to bear our sins for us so we can draw near to Him as our Father.

2. Our Song From Age To Age
This song reminds us that our whole identity as Christians, is built on God and defined by the Gospel. That for the Church, God has been, and will be, and should be our song in every age. He is the cause and the object of our worship and praise.

3. Stronger
A song about the "Love that came for us" in Jesus Christ. As another hymn says, "From Heaven He came and sought her (His Church)." And Christ is a strong Savior, who will hold onto His people no matter what tries take us out of His hand.

4. Because Of Your Love
This one furthers our singing "into the Gospel." We'll remind one another in this song of the full payment that was made for our sin on the cross, the full cancellation of our debt to God, and the freedom and joy God calls us to live in as a result.

5. Near The Cross
Our final response in song tomorrow will be to sing "In the cross, in the cross/Be my glory ever!" That we would glory only in the cross of Christ, and in His risen life.

See you in the morning!

Josh