Tag: Worship

Saturday Morning: 02 Feb 2019 – John 8:48-59 ~ Who do you think you are?

Saturday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 8:48-59 (NLT)

The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?”

“No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”

The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, ‘Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!’ Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’ but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”

The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.
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Morning Reflection:

In yesterday’s reading, Jesus accused his detractors of being children of their father the devil. And today, his detractors respond – Back at you! “Who do you think you are?”

At the center of the controversy is Jesus’ authority to promise eternal life.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”
– John 8:54

So, who does Jesus say he is? Steven J. Cole (Retired Pastor, Flagstaff Christian Fellowship) makes five observations –

  1. Jesus claims to honor His Father and seek His glory. (John 8:49-50)
  2. Jesus claims that the Father seeks His glory. (John 8:54)
  3. Jesus claims to know the Father and keep His word. (John 8:55)
  4. Jesus claims that Abraham rejoiced to see His day. (John 8:56)
  5. Jesus claims to be God. (John 8:58)

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!”
– John 8:58

That was their breaking point – blasphemy! – and they picked up stones to throw at him!

Why the violent reaction? Because Jesus’ claims “nuked” their entire worldview – everything they thought they knew about God, themselves, their religion, and the society that was built around their beliefs. It was a paradigm shift of seismic proportion.

And so it is today, in an increasingly secular world void of Biblical understanding, the claims of Jesus destroy the order of the unbelieving world – designed by, and for the benefit of, the father of lies.

Questions for consideration:

  • How do you respond to the claims of Jesus listed above? How do any or all of them affect your life? Please explain?
  • What do you think is the relationship between faith, obedience, and eternal life? Please explain?
  • Can you think of examples where the claims of Jesus have provoked a violent response? Please explain.
  • What effect has the potential for a violent, or even negative, response had on your Christian witness? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Almighty God – I AM WHO I AM – you have sent your Son, Jesus Christ, into the world with the gift of eternal life for all who believe in him. Fill me with a sense of wonder and amazement that you would include me among your children – saved by grace through faith. And write your Word on my heart that I might faithfully love and serve you, and bear witness to your name – whether it’s the popular thing to do or not. In Jesus’ name I ask it. Amen.
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“Great I Am” – New Life Worship

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Friday Morning: 01 Feb 2019 – John 8:31-47 ~ Why can’t you understand what I am saying?

Friday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 8:31-47 (NLT)

Jesus and Abraham

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

“But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”

“Our father is Abraham!” they declared.

“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. No, you are imitating your real father.”

They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”

Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”
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Morning Reflection:

Why can’t you understand what I am saying?
It’s because you can’t even hear me!
For you are the children of your father the devil,
and you love to do the evil things he does. – John 8:43-44

Only the children of God can understand what Jesus is saying – those who believe in him, and remain faithful to [Jesus’] teachings…. They will know the truth, and the truth will set [them] free.

But freedom from what? The bondage to sin and death, the bondage to false religion, the bondage to false prophets, the bondage to false ideologies, the bondage to their father the devil.

What does this bondage look like? Jesus gives us some signs to watch out for –

+ Relying on religion, instead of a relationship with Jesus to make them right with God.

+ Following the evil desires of their sinful nature, instead of the desires of a new nature formed by God’s Word and Spirit.

+ Following the deceitful teachings of this world, instead of the truthful teachings of Jesus who is not of this world.

+ Attacking anyone or anything that exposes their sin, instead of repenting and seeking forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

To whom do you belong? Unless you are born again, of water and the Spirit, you are in bondage to your father the devil.

Questions for consideration:

  • Have you been born again? Do you belong to God? Please explain what that means to you. Not sure? Click here.
  • How has the “father of lies” influenced your life? How has the truth of God set you free? Please explain.
  • What steps can you take to increase your understanding and faithfulness to the teachings of Jesus?

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Morning Prayer:  Renewal of Baptismal vows (Anglican Church in North America)
[Please respond as God’s Word and Spirit leads you.]

  • Do you, here in the presence of God and the Church, renew the solemn promises and vows made at your Baptism and commit yourself to keep them?
  • Do you renounce the Devil and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
  • Do you renounce the empty promises and deadly deceits of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
  • Do you renounce the sinful desires of the flesh that draw you from the love of God?
  • Do you turn to Jesus Christ and confess him as your Lord and Savior?
  • Do you joyfully receive the Christian Faith, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?
  • Will you obediently keep God’s holy will and commandments, and walk in them all the days of your life?

Almighty God: I do and I will, with your help. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“Born Again” – Austin French

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Thursday Morning: 31 Jan 2019 – John 8:12-30 ~ the light that leads to life

Thursday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 8:12-30 (NLT)

Jesus, the Light of the World

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid.”

Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me. You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me. Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.”

“Where is your father?” they asked.

Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.” Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time had not yet come.

The Unbelieving People Warned

Later Jesus said to them again, “I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going.”

The people asked, “Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, ‘You cannot come where I am going’?”

Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”

“Who are you?” they demanded.

Jesus replied, “The one I have always claimed to be. I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won’t. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful.” But they still didn’t understand that he was talking about his Father.

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world.
If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness,
because you will have the light that leads to life.”
– John 8:12
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Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above.
You belong to this world; I do not.
That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe
that I am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”
– John 8:23-24

Jesus’ claim to be “the light of the world” demands a response – follow him, and live forever in his light; or reject him, and die forever in sin’s darkness. Jesus leaves us no middle ground. How we respond is a matter of life and death – ours!

What can we learn from this reading about following Jesus? To follow Jesus means –

+ We believe Jesus comes from God and is God.

+ We believe he reveals the truth about God and the truth about us.

+ We believe that, apart from Jesus, the world remains in spiritual darkness.

+ We believe that Jesus will lead us out of spiritual darkness into his marvelous light – now and forever.

To follow Jesus – the light of the world – means to trust Him as Savior and obey Him as Lord.

Questions for consideration:

  • What do you think Jesus means – belong to this world? Please explain.
  • What do you think Jesus means – those who belong to this world are walking in darkness? How does this relate to your life experience? Please explain.
  • Have you decided to follow Jesus? Do you belong to Jesus? Please explain what that means for you and how that has worked out in your life.

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Morning Prayer:

Creator God: You spoke light into a world of darkness through your Son, Jesus Christ, the Word of God. Speak that same light of life into all who follow him, that we may walk with him through this world of spiritual darkness to the world above and into the glorious light of your presence. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“Light Of The World” – Lauren Daigle

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Wednesday Morning: 30 Jan 2019 – John 7:53-8:11 ~ caught in the act

Wednesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 7:53-8:11 (NLT)

Then the meeting broke up, and everybody went home.

A Woman Caught in Adultery

Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.

“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

“No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
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Morning Reflection:

Truth and Grace

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
– Jesus Prayer–

Whether publicly or privately, we’ve all been caught in the act of sin – be it hardness of heart, base desires, or shameful secrets. The humiliation that this woman faced is our humiliation before a righteous God. So what can we learn from this story?

+ Truth: There is no difference between the irreligious (the woman) and the religious (the Pharisees), we are all condemned sinners – under the judgement of God.

+ Truth: Jesus does not condone or excuse our sin – we are without excuse, solely at the mercy of God.

+ Grace: Jesus offers forgiveness to guilty sinners through faith and repentance.

+ Grace through Faith: Made available only through Jesus’ death on the Cross – (1 Corinthians 5:21) – but we’re jumping ahead in the story.

+ Grace and Repentance: The appropriate response to God’s grace and mercy is a changed life – “Go and sin no more.“

+ Truth and Grace: Jesus offers sinners a fresh start.

Questions for consideration:

  • How do you view yourself – as an irreligious sinner, or as a religious sinner? What’s the difference? Please explain.
  • How do you understand God’s grace? What role does grace play in your life?
  • How do you understand God’s forgiveness? What role does faith in Christ play in forgiveness?
  • How do you understand confession and repentance? What role do they play in your life?
  • What is your one takeaway after reflecting on this story?

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Morning Prayer:

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
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“No Condemnation” – Anthony Evans

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Tuesday Morning: 29 Jan 2019 – John 7:37-52 ~ The promise of living water.

Tuesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 7:37-52 (NLT)

Jesus Promises Living Water

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

Division and Unbelief

When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, “Surely this man is the Prophet we’ve been expecting.” Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others said, “But he can’t be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee? For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born.” So the crowd was divided about him. Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him.

When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”

“We have never heard anyone speak like this!” the guards responded.

“Have you been led astray, too?” the Pharisees mocked. “Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him? This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God’s curse is on them!”

Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up. “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked.

They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself—no prophet ever comes from Galilee!”
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Morning Reflection:

“The crowd was divided about him. Some even wanted him arrested,
but no one laid a hand on him.” – John 7:43-44

Once again, the crowd is divided on Jesus’ identity and consequently his authority and power to deliver on his promises. And at this point, John explains why – as yet, they have not received the promised “rivers of living water.”

(When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit,
who would be given to everyone believing in him.
But the Spirit had not yet been given,
because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.) – John 7:39

Later on, Jesus will explain more about the gift of the Holy Spirit, but in this reading a few things stand out –

+ The Holy Spirit satisfies the deep longing (thirst) of human hearts to know God.

+ The blessing of the Holy Spirit was apportioned to those chosen by the Father at this point in the story.

+ The blessing of the Holy Spirit was given as a wellspring (river) to every believer in Jesus after his death, resurrection and ascension (entered into his glory).

Questions for consideration:

  • Do you consider yourself a believer in Jesus Christ? Please explain.
  • Does “Rivers of living water will flow from his heart” describe you?
  • How have you experienced the blessing of the Holy Spirit in your life?
  • How has the blessing of the Holy Spirit you received been a blessing to others?

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Morning Prayer:

Sovereign God: Send your Spirit into our unbelieving world to call people in every tribe and nation to faith in Jesus Christ, that all may confess him as Lord. And pour out your Spirit on your Church in all its shapes and forms, that we may be one in him – an ever-flowing source of healing, and a certain hope of eternal life. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
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“Living Water” – Gateway ft Lauren Dunn

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen