19 Sep The Savior

Read: Mark 2:18-3:6

Last Sunday Pastor Ken preached the sermon, “Jesus Forgives Sin,” from Mark 2:1-18. This Sunday we will consider the rest of chapter two and the beginning of chapter three as we further consider the identity of Jesus as the Heavenly Bridegroom and Lord of the Sabbath. As our Bridegroom, Jesus ushered in a new covenant with us through his blood, one that is effectual for our righteousness before God in him! As Lord of the Sabbath, he proves greater than the traditions of the Pharisees and ushers us into the ultimate Sabbath rest that is in him through his finished work on the cross. As you prepare your heart for our corporate gathering, let this prayer from The Valley of Vision further encourage your thoughts toward our glorious Savior, Jesus Christ.

Heart Preparation

Thou God of all grace,

Thou hast given me a Saviour,

   produce in me a faith to live by him,

to make him all my desire,

   all my hope,

   all my glory.

May I enter him as my refuge,

build on him as my foundation,

walk in him as my way,

follow him as my guide,

conform to him as my example,

receive his instructions as my prophet,

rely on his intercession as my high priest,

obey him as my king.

May I never be ashamed of him or his words,

   but joyfully bear his reproach,

never displease him by unholy or imprudent

   conduct,

never count it a glory if I take it patiently

   when buffeted for a fault,

never make the multitude my model,

never delay when thy Word invites me to

   advance.

May thy dear Son preserve me from this present

   evil world,

so that its smiles never allure,

nor its frowns terrify,

nor its vices defile,

nor its errors delude me.

May I feel that I am a stranger and a pilgrim

   on earth,

declaring plainly that I seek a country,

my title to it becoming daily more clear,

my meetness for it more perfect,

my foretastes of it more abundant;

and whatsoever I do may it be done

   in the Saviour’s name.

“The Saviour,” in The Valley of Vision

Song List for Sunday

1. Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder, by Daniel Renstrom

2. Raise Up the Crown (All Hail the Power), by Chris Tomlin

3. Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery, by Matt Papa

4. Maranatha (We Long to See the Day), by Crosspoint Church Music

5. Reign in Us, by Shane and Shane