Worship Next Sunday
April 24, 2011
Preaching: Pastor Magee
Sermon text: Matthew 27:57-28:15
Sermon title: “The Resurrection of Jesus”
Music:
Opening – Christ the Lord Is Risen Today 277
Preparation – Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies 398
Response – None Other Lamb, None Other Name 157
Closing – Worship Christ the Risen King 286
Confession of Faith: Nicene Creed
OT Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Preparation Guide
Sunday: Review morning sermon (evening service @ 5pm)
Monday: Matthew 27:57-28:15
Tuesday: 1 Samuel 31:1-7
Wednesday: 1 Samuel 31:8-13
Thursday: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Friday: Exodus 20:4-6
Saturday: Acts 4
Suggested Bible Study and Prayers
(Passages that we will refer to in next Sunday's worship)
1 Samuel 31
Eternal Father, when great men of consequence die, it is a day of mourning. Though they may have been afflicted by evil spirits, and moved in grossly unprofitable ways, yet we honor them for what they once were, and especially because You are their Maker, and even their Redeemer. The wicked would want to expose them, showing brutal disrespect, but we honor the departed, and care for their bodies. We believe in the resurrection, and we trust in Your mercy for Your people. We belong to You, even in the greatest weakness and sin.
Ezekiel 37
Great Lord and King, You have displayed to us the reality of the resurrection to come in the vision of prophets, in the words of the Scriptures, and especially in the firstfruits of that resurrection in Jesus Christ our Lord. Only You could create the world. Only You could bring spiritual life to souls that were dead in sin. Only You can bring physical resurrection to bodies that have been resting in the graves for centuries. Only You can bring immortal souls together again with resurrection bodies. This You have promised to do, and this You will do. In that day there will be one people of God. This community of redemption will be gathered together in Jesus Christ. We shall rejoice in Him in the new Jerusalem. We thank You for this best of all promises. Your Son will be King over us. We will be imitators of You in that place. We will be participants in an everlasting covenant of peace. You sanctify Your people. Your sanctuary will be in our midst forevermore.
Matthew 27 & 28
Lord God, the events of the cross are overwhelming. Who killed our Lord? Was it the Romans? Was it the chief priests and elders? Was it Judas? Was it Pilate? Was it the crowd? Was it the soldiers? Was it not me? It was our sins that brought Him to this atoning death. It was Your will to save us. There was no other way. Be glorified, O Lord. We cannot claim to be innocent of the blood of Jesus. What is left for us to do? We will carry His cross, for He is our King. Father God, remember us. Your Son died for us. We have been delivered from death and hell. He was forsaken that we might live forever. He yielded up His Spirit that we might have the gift of Your Spirit. He is most certainly Your eternal Son. Yet He was buried in a tomb for us. What wondrous love is this!
Lord of Hosts, Your Son is risen! The stone is rolled away and the tomb is empty. More than this, our Risen Savior has met with His disciples. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. We must go forth and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Triune Name. We will teach and do what He has commanded. Our confidence is in His presence, for He is with us always, even to the end of the age. Cast far away from us all doubt. Strengthen us by Your Spirit that we might stand firm in the face of every foe, for Jesus is Lord, forever and ever.
