Morning Worship

Morning Worship: February 23, 2020

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Psalm 122:1

Announcements and Silent Prayer of Preparation

God’s Greeting of Grace, Mercy and Peace

*Call to Worship: Psalm 84:1-4, 10-12

*Prayer of Adoration

*Hymn of Adoration: RT 57 Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah, O My Soul

Confession of Sin: Psalm 14

Silent Prayer & Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 130:7-8

Confession of Faith: Westminster Confession of Faith

Ch. 25, Of the Church

1. The catholic or universal Church, which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all.^a a. Eph. 1:10, 22–23; 5:23-27; Col. 1:18.
2. The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the Gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion;^a and of their children:^b and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ,^c the house and family of God,^d out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.^e a. 1 Cor. 1:2; 12:12–13; Ps. 2:8; Rev. 7:9; Rom. 15:9–12. b. 1 Cor. 7:14; Acts 2:39; Ezek. 16:20–21; Rom. 11:16; Gen. 3:15; 17:7. c. Matt. 13:47; Isa. 9:7. d. Eph. 2:19; 3:15. e. Acts 2:47.

3. Unto this catholic visible Church Christ hath given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world: and does, by His own presence and Spirit, according to His promise, make them effectual thereunto.^a a. 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11–13; Matt. 28:19–20; Isa. 59:21.

Prayer of Dedication for renovation of sanctuary

*Songs of Celebration: RT 353 I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord

            RT 305 Arise, My Soul, Arise

Prayer of Supplication: (see insert)

Scripture Reading: Acts 20:17-38; Revelation 1:17-2:7

Sermon: Revelation 2:1-7 The Loveless Church

Theme: Jesus Christ calls the faithful church back to its first love.

1. The Person of Christ, v. 1

Numbers 21:9; John 3:14-15.

2. The Praise of Christ, vv. 2-3

Acts 20:29-30; Psalm 139:1-4, 17, 23-24; 1 Peter 2:9;

1 Corinthians 15:55.

3. The Plea of Christ, vv. 4-5

Revelation 5:6; Galatians 2:20; Amos 8:11.

4. The Promise of Christ, vv. 6-7

Psalm 11:5; Genesis 3:22; Revelation 22:1-5; Luke 23:43.

Prayer of Application

*Hymn of Commitment: RT 370 Revive Thy Work, O Lord

Prayer for Tithes and Offerings

*Doxology: RT 731

*Benediction: Jude 24-25

Closing Comment: “You are absolutely beautiful, My beloved! There is no spot in you!” Song of Solomon 4:7. The Lord’s admiration of His Church is very astonishing, and His description of her beauty is very glowing. She is not merely beautiful–but “absolutely beautiful.” He views her in Himself, washed in His sin-atoning blood, and clothed in His meritorious righteousness–thus He considers her to be full of loveliness and beauty. No wonder that such is the case–since it is but His own perfect excellency that He admires; for the holiness, glory, and perfection of His Church–are His own glorious garments on the back of His own well-beloved spouse! Nor is the Church barely lovely, she is superlatively so. Her Lord styles her the “most beautiful of women.” Song of Solomon 1:8. She has a real worth and excellence which cannot be rivaled by all the nobility and royalty of the world. If Jesus could exchange His elect bride for all the angels in Heaven–He would not, for He puts her first and foremost, “most beautiful of women.” She far outshines the stars! Nor is this an opinion which He is ashamed of, for He invites all men to hear it. He sets a “behold” before it, a special note of exclamation, inviting and arresting attention. “Behold! How beautiful you are, My beloved, how beautiful!” (Song of Solomon 4:1). His opinion He publishes abroad even now, and one day from the throne of His glory He will avow the truth of it before the assembled universe. “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with Me!” will be His solemn affirmation of the loveliness of His elect! “Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her  to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless!” Ephesians 5:25-27. “The king is enthralled by your beauty!” Psalm 45:11. (Charles Spurgeon)