Dominic Smart on 1 Corinthians 1; Romans 11 – Theology and Doxology

Last Sunday we had a beautiful and moving service in the morning at which Dominic Smart preached….Highly recommended.

It is a powerful word.

• Praise

1. Song – Come O Fount
2. Call to Worship – Let us lift our voices and exclaim that “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing”
3. Song – All My Days

• Community:

1. Confession of Sin – God of everlasting love,

We confess that we have been unfaithful

to our covenant with you and with one another.

We have worshipped other gods: money, power, greed, and convenience.

We have served our own self interest

instead of serving you and your people.

We have not loved our neighbour as you commanded,

nor have we rightly loved ourselves.

Forgive us, gracious God,

and bring us back into the fullness

of our covenant with you and one another.

Through Christ, our Lord.

1. Assurance of Pardon – Who is a God like you, who pardons sins and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18-19
2. New Testament Reading: Acts 20:1-12
3. Notices
4. Childrens
5. Song and Collection – Ps 23 (Townend)
6. Children leave for Sunday School and Creche – Notices
7. Pastoral Prayer

• Mission:

1. Old Testament Reading – Ps 119:81-88
2. Song – Ps 119:81-88

• Sermon: 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 – “Seeing What We Don’t See”

• Response:

1. Prayer
2. Song – In Christ Alone
3. Benediction – May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14

In the evening we continued to look at Romans and finished chapter 11

Order of Service:

• Praise

1. Call to Worship and Prayer – Our Help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Let us exalt his name together –
2. Song – Indescribable

• Community:

1. Reading – Numbers 1
2. Notices
3. Prayer
4. Song and Collection – Behold Our God

• Mission:

1. Missions Spot
2. Missions Prayer
3. Song – Ps 92(a); 1-7

• Sermon: Romans 11:5-36 – All Israel Will Be Saved – O the Depth!

• Response:

1. Prayer
2. Song – To God Be The Glory
3. Benediction – Now may the Son who redeems us,

The Spirit who renews us,

And the Father who receives us,

For so great is his love,

Be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us.

Amen.

“Whenever then we enter on a discourse respecting the eternal counsels of God, let a bridle be always set on our thoughts and tongue, so that after having spoken soberly and within the limits of God’s word, our reasoning may at last end in admiration” Calvin

Ministers Monday Message

Yesterday we had the real privilege and joy of Dominic Smart returning to preach the Word to us. I was not there but I have heard great reports and will listen when it is online. Given Dominic’s current serious illness it was especially poignant to have him with us. Please continue to pray for him.

I was preaching at the Redeemed Church of God Open Heavens – on Graham Street. This is a largely Nigerian Church – apart from Guy and Ruth Walker (ex St Petes) who were also visiting I was the only white face. And I felt completely at home. There were, as you might expect differences in style and praise – but essentially it was the same. The same love for Jesus, the same focus on the Word and the same centrality of Christ. I love the fact that God has brought these brothers and sisters to his Church in our city. I pray that we would be able to continue to work together for his glory.

Meanwhile at night we looked at the wonderful end to Romans 11. One of the main things that comes across is that theology that does not lead to doxology is a theology that is dry and dead. Praise without theology leads to idolatry. Our praise should be a response to our great God as he reveals himself to us. We don’t praise in order to feel good. We praise because God is good.

May you experience and know that in everything this week. On Sunday we are looking forward to having Bob Akroyd in the morning and Sinclair back in the evening. Pray that both will lead to Christ-exalting praise!