PRELUDE Prelude on Wondrous Love (Click the link to listen!)
CALL TO WORSHIP AND LORD’S PRAYER (Pray in unison)
Heavenly Father,
We ask for Your wisdom, because we do not always understand the good You want for us.
We ask for Your grace, because we do not always do the good You want for us.
We ask for Your Holy Spirit to empower us to do the good You prepared for us.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
(Pray in unison the Lord’s Prayer)
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
HYMN Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days (Click the link to listen!)
PRAYER OF CONFESSION & ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS (Pray in unison)
Heavenly Father,
You alone are gracious, full of compassion, slow to anger, and abounding with mercy. There is always forgiveness with You!
Restore to us the joy of Your salvation and forgive us our sins.
Heal in us Lord, that which is broken; shine Your light in our minds, give strength to our wills and peace in our souls.
In Jesus Name! Amen
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE “Gloria Patri” (Sung in Unison)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost! As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be! World without end, Amen, Amen!
SPECIAL MUSIC When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Click the link to listen!)
SERMON RECAP: Abraham’s Obedience (Genesis 22:3-10)
Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him (Genesis 22:3).
The early hour may reflect the resolve of Abraham to do God’s will, it may contain some human factors also. First, its easy to imagine that sleep completely evaded Abraham on that night, especially after God had clearly commanded the sacrifice of Isaac. Some people rise early because all hope of sleep is gone.
After a heart-breaking three-day journey the mountain of sacrifice was in view. At this point Abraham left his servants behind and went on alone with Isaac:
And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go yonder; and we will worship and return to you.” And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together (Genesis 22:5-6).
In the midst of great anguish of soul there is a beautiful expression of hope and faith in verse 5:
“Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you” (NIV; emphasis added).
I do not believe these words were idly spoken but that they reflected a deep inner trust in God and His promises. The God Who had commanded the sacrifice of Isaac had also promised to produce a nation through him (17:15-19; 21:12).
As the two went on alone climbing the mountain to the place of sacrifice, Isaac put a question to his father which must have broken his heart: “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” (verse 7)
The answer was painfully evident to Abraham, and yet there is in his answer not only a deliberate vagueness but also an element of hope: “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son” (verse 8).
At every step Abraham must have hoped for some change of plans, some alternative course of action. The place was reached, the altar built, and the wood arranged. At last there was nothing left but to bind Isaac and place him upon the wood and plunge the knife into his heart. (Bible.org)
SERMON REFLECTION
Do you believe God’s promises? Would you still believe God if it took over 100 years to fulfill His promises?
Abraham followed God’s commands and had faith in His words. Do you? If not, how can you learn to trust God more? Will you be able to turn over the most precious things to God if He asks?
GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERINGS
Please mail your offering to P.O. Box 249, Newton, KS or if you would like to enroll in automatic withdraw, please call our Treasurer, Marsha Swander at 316-283-3509. Thank you for keeping your church in your thoughts and prayers.
OFFERTORY My Song Is Love Unknown (Click on link to listen!)
DOXOLOGY & PRAYER OF DEDICATION
(Sung in Unison) Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him,
all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
HYMN O Jesus, I have Promised (Click on link to listen!)
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Nothing But the Blood (Click on link to listen!)
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Please contact the FPC Church Office at 316-283-0504 should you have any questions.
God Bless you and your family!
