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May 10, 2020

Prayer and Gospel Witness

Passage: Colossians 4:2-6

Preacher: Pastor Tony Phelps

Series: Colossians: Christ Supreme & Sufficient

Category: Colossians

Summary:

Main Text - Colossians 4:2-6 (ESV), OT Reading - Proverbs 15:1-33 (ESV), NT Reading - Colossians 4:2-6 (ESV)

Detail:

LIVING HOPE OPC WORSHIP ORDER - Sunday, 5/10/2020 at 10:45 AM

Prelude

Announcements – See Below

Gospel Greeting – Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Call to Worship Song – NTH 717 – Blest the Man That Fears Jehovah (Psalm 128)

Call to Worship – Jesus said: “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24

Prayer of Adoration & Invocation

Opening Hymn – NTH 98 – Now Thank We All Our God

Reading of Law – Exodus 20:1-21

Confession of Sin

Lord God, eternal and almighty Father: We acknowledge before your holy majesty that we are poor sinners, conceived and born in guilt and in corruption, prone to do evil, unable of our own power to do good. Because of our sin, we endlessly violate your holy commandments. But, O Lord, with heartfelt sorrow we repent and turn away from all our offenses. We condemn ourselves and our evil ways, with true sorrow asking that your grace will relieve our distress. Have compassion on us, most gracious God, Father of mercies, for the sake of your son Jesus Christ our Lord. And in removing our guilt, also grant us daily increase of the grace of your Holy Spirit, and produce in us the fruits of holiness and of righteousness pleasing in your sight: Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Declaration of Pardon

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6

Song of Response – My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness

Confession of Faith (Heidelberg Catechism 21)

Christian, what is true faith?

True faith is not only a sure knowledge by which I hold as true all that God has revealed to us in his Word; it is also a wholehearted trust, which the Holy Spirit works in me by the gospel, that God has freely granted, not only to others but to me also, forgiveness of sins, eternal righteousness, and salvation. These gifts are purely of grace, only because of Christ’s merit.

Exhortation to Give – Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High. Ps. 50:14

Doxology – NTH 732

Prayer for Collection & Pastoral Prayer

Scripture Readings – OT: Proverbs 15:1-33 / NT: Colossians 4:2-6

Proverbs 15 (ESV)

1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. 3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. 4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. 5 A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. 6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. 7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness. 10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. 11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man! 12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. 13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. 14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast. 16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. 18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. 19 The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. 20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother. 21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead. 22 Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. 23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! 24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath. 25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries. 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure. 27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live. 28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. 29 The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones. 31 The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. 32 Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. 33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Colossians 4:2–6 (ESV)

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Song of Preparation – Speak Oh Lord

Prayer for Illumination

Sermon – An Exposition of Colossians 4:2-6: “Prayer and Gospel Witness”

The Gospel mystery of Christ shapes our prayer and witness.

  1. He lifts our minds in prayer to things above – with thanksgiving. (Col 4:2)
  2. He causes us to pray for the mission and messengers of the Gospel. (Col 4:3-4)
  3. He grants us wisdom with outsiders for timely witness and gracious words. (Col 4:5-6)

Prayer of Application

Closing Song – NTH 141 – God, in the Gospel of His Son

Benediction – Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. – 2 Thess. 2:16-17

 

Announcements - Ministry opportunities: Week of 5/10/2020

 

1. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all the mother’s out there. We pray that this proves to be a special day for you.

2. THANK YOU to all who filled out the Survey we sent out last week. We had a wonderful response. The information gathered, will help us as we move forward with our proposed time table and preparations to reopen for public worship.

3. This Sunday evening 5/10, the Scott’s will host a “Potluck Dinner Gathering” over Zoom at 5:30pm. This will be a time for fellowship as folks gather around their tables and have a nibble or beverage. There might even be another “fun Isolation Video”. Look for the Zoom invitation by 3:00pm on Sunday afternoon.

 4. A reminder that on Tuesday, Pastor Tony’s Office Hours will be 9 AM-12 PM and Thursday, 12 PM-3 PM or by appointment. Please call Pastor Tony at (401) 932-1732 for prayer or pastoral needs.

5. Wednesday evening we will again be having our Bible Study, Prayer and Fellowship time starting at 7:00pm. Look for your Zoom invitation on Wednesday afternoon.

6. The Session does want to remind everyone that while we are not meeting physically yet, we do still have financial needs. Please continue to either mail your gifts to the Church using the PO Box or by using the Secure Online Giving Platform.

7. Also, look for an exciting announcement via email by Tuesday, (maybe earlier).

8. And finally, a reminder to pray for the Session as we meet this Thursday evening at 7:00pm for our monthly meeting.