Scripture Reading:
#1. Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love. (2 John 1:3)
#2. This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD. (Psalm 118:24-26)
Prayer of Praise to God: Refer to the verses above and hymn below
Hymn: Amazing Grace
V1. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now can see.
V2. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
V3. Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
V4. And when we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ll have no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.
Reading of the Law: As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:14-16)
Silent Confession of Sin/Confession of Sin: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge that we were conceived and born in iniquity, and mourn our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against Your Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly Your wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For Your Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may hereafter Serve and please You In newness of life, To the honor and glory of Your name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reading of the Gospel: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Gal. 2:20)
Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 7
Question #20
Q. Are all people then saved through Christ just as they were lost through Adam?
A. No. Only those are saved who through true faith are grafted into Christ and accept all his benefits.
Question #21
Q. What is true faith?
A. True faith is not only a sure knowledge by which I hold as true all that God has revealed to us in Scripture; it is also a wholehearted trust, which the Holy Spirit creates in me3 by the gospel, that God has freely granted, not only to others but to me also, forgiveness of sins, eternal righteousness, and salvation. These are gifts of sheer grace, granted solely by Christ’s merit.
Question #22
Q. What then must a Christian believe?
A. All that is promised us in the gospel, a summary of which is taught us in the articles of our universal and undisputed Christian faith.
Question #23
Q. What are these articles?
A. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving: Give thanks to God for all the blessings he has given you.
Prayer of Supplication: Pray for the needs of those close to you and the church.
Bible reading and commentary:
Read: 1 Corinthians 4
In Chapter 4, Paul continues to describe the qualities of a true apostle, while at the same time defending his ministry and message among the Corinthians and exposing the spiritual pride of their false apostles. In this chapter we find important details as to the primary responsibilities of faithful Christian leaders. The truth is that ministers are servants, not lords, of Christ’s church. They are to proclaim the “mysteries of God”, which is considered to be not only the gospel message, but all of God’s revelation. Also they should exercise fatherly care over their “spiritual children”, providing guidance and correction with an attitude of gentleness and loving concern. Although the Apostle Paul suffered more intensely than most ministers will, all faithful ministers of the Word of God should expect to be treated with contempt by a world that celebrates human wisdom and eloquence and despises the simplicity of the gospel.
All Christians should heed these instructions through the example of Paul of the importance of being submissive to God’s Word, which has supreme authority in the church, possessing a character worthy of imitation, appraising their gifts in a spirit of humility and gratitude, and being attentive to the divine will in fulfilling their particular stations in life.
While the Apostle Paul said he knew nothing against himself that would conclude he was unfaithful, the Corinthians were guilty of glorying in themselves which contradicts the reality that all we are and have come from God. Paul describes the reality of life in the present age. While the Corinthians viewed themselves to have already arrived, Paul points to the present suffering that he faces as an apostle having been made a spectacle to the world. While the Corinthians considered themselves to be wise, strong and honorable, Paul says he and his fellow laborers were fools for Christ’s sake; weak and despised.
Paul loved the Corinthians enough to warn them. He considered them his children in the faith. The church boasted in spiritual guides like Apollos and Cephas. Yet Paul reminded them that they only had one father. He says that in Christ, he became their “father” through the gospel. They should therefore listen to his fatherly admonishing for their own benefit.
Some of the Corinthians sinfully thought Paul was too arrogant to come and visit them. He says he will come to them, God willing. It is always God that we should depend on. We can and should make plans but be ready for God’s will to be done.
We should always consider our daily need of grace to grow in godliness. We need to learn from Paul’s warning to the Corinthian church that we will not ever be at a place in this life where we can say, “I have fully arrived spiritually.” We are blessed by God in all things, our gifts, our blessings, and, yes, even our trials. The praise belongs to God only. All Christians will do well to heed these truths.
Lastly, what did Paul mean by the phrase “be imitators of me” (verse 16)? It was his final comments on the problem of factions in the church. The text reflects a cycle of gospel embrace (Paul’s passion for the gospel), leading to gospel transformation (Paul’s Christ-like character), and promoting gospel multiplication (Paul’s desire to help others grow in Christ).
Paul’s preaching of “Jesus Christ and him crucified” is not only a matter of recited words; it is a testimony of the Spirit’s transforming power. This power has made Paul an example of Christ-centered living for his spiritual children. Thus rather than viewing leaders like him through a lens of human accomplishment and boasting, believers are to imitate their “ways in Christ”, which include: (1) delighting not when others recognize our wealth and power, but when our foolishness, weakness, dishonor and desperate needs are put on display for all to see; and (2) enduring hardship with Christlike compassion, even praying for those who treat us like “scum” and “refuse”. In short, more mature believers should model, and less mature believers should learn, the ways of the cross. This will increase our dependence on Christ, as the faithfulness of any human ultimately reflects and results from the Savior’s faithfulness. Remember ultimately, it is the faithfulness of God that matters most. Great is thy faithfulness unto me!
Closing Hymn: The Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
Closing Scripture: Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (Romans 11:33)
The Lord’s Prayer (together): Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.