PREPARING FOR WORSHIP

Call to Worship

1 Thessalonians 4:18

I Believe

Theme: Belief, Adoration

Purpose for Singing: To declare what we believe about God and give Him the praise and honor for everything.

In Christ Alone

Theme: Hope, Gospel

Purpose for Singing: to confess our belief that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone, giving him the glory by singing the truth of his sacrifice. 

Congregational Scripture Reading

Matthew 7:24-29

Firm Foundation

Theme: Faithfulness, Foundation

Purpose for Singing: to proclaim that our foundation is Christ, and we find our hope in nothing else. Be reminded that he has never failed you.

Come Thou Fount (Above All Else)

Theme: Faithfulness, Confession, Adoration

Purpose for Singing: to confess our longing for Jesus to return and declare our commitment to him while we wait.

 

PREPARING FOR THE SERMON

March 17, 2024

James 1:19-25

Context:

            Repeatedly in the book of James the author uses the phrase “my brothers” or “my dear brothers.” The CSB adds “and sisters” to the occurrences in which James is addressing men and women to make clear the wider audience. The addition of “dear” before many of the instances emphasizes James’ affection for the people. The Greek word has a root in agape, the famous word for love. James speaks many difficult to accept and difficult to live out concepts, but he does so out of a heart of love for their well being.

 

Structure:

            The two paragraphs progress from receiving the word to living the word. Each paragraph contains both a negative example of what should not and cannot occur as well as the positively worded admonition to be desired.

19-21 “humbly receive the implanted word” v 21

22-26 “be doers of the word and not hearers only” v 22

 

 Theology: Scripture, righteousness, authenticity

 

Some things to think about:

  • How well do you listen to God rather than instructing God?
  • In what ways do your forget the Word of God? Do you memorize it? Can you recall it when you need to recall it? Do you understand how to apply the Word? How often do you actually apply the Word in life?