Download: Readings and Song Lyrics for August 22
Reflection
Gospel growth always brings blessing, problems, and opportunities . . . [so] . . .
Let’s celebrate gospel-centered growth. Let’s have realistic expectations of one another and leaders.
Let’s show grace to one another. Let’s remember that there’s a difference between sin and
human limitation. Let’s play as a team; if you’re a Christian, you are a player, not a fan, so participate in the mission. Let’s say thanks to people who serve. Let’s pray that each local church will effectively care for the needs of people and also faithfully proclaim the good news. And through it all, let’s remember that Jesus is building his church and we are wonderfully privileged to be part of it.
Tony Merida
Call To Worship
We confess the supremacy of God in Christ through both responsive reading and song.
Our Spoken Call to Worship
Adapted from Psalm 135:1-4
Praise the Lord!
Praise the name of the Lord!
You who stand in the house of the Lord,
In the courts of the house of our God,
Praise the Lord!
For the Lord is good!
Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.
For the Lord has chosen a people for Himself
To be His special treasure.
Praise the name of the Lord!
Our Sung Call to Worship
The Romans Doxology
Verse 1
Oh, the depth of the riches, the wisdom of God,
How unsearchable are His ways.
How profound are His judgments,
So high above our thoughts,
And His pathways no man can trace. (Chorus)
Chorus
For from Him and through Him,
And to Him are all things.
To Him be glory for-ever-more.
To Him be glory for-ev-er
A-men! A-men! A—men!
Verse 2
Oh, the depth of the riches, the wisdom of God,
How magnificent are His ways.
Who has been His advisor
And who has counseled Him,
All He gives us who can repay? (Chorus)
Verse 3
Oh, the depth of the riches, the wisdom of God,
How immeasurable is His grace.
How unfailing His kindness,
So far removed His wrath,
And His mercies are new each day. (Chorus)
Words and Music by John Elliott
©1987 Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing, Charlie Monk Music
Confession
We confess our need for mercy through both responsive reading and song.
Our Spoken Confession
The true Christian daily pleads guilty before God,and seeks forgiveness through the blood of Christ. Take a few moments to humble yourself before God. Ask Him where you have been guilty even today. Confess it to Him and ask for His forgiveness, endeavoring to put on Christ where once you put on the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life.
Time of silent confession.
Our Sung Confession
Have Mercy On Me (Just the Chorus)
Have mercy on me, Oh God;
According to Your steadfast love;
According to Your great compassion,
Blot out my many transgressions,
And wash away all my iniquity, cleanse me from sin.
Words and Music by Steve & Annie Chapman
©2007 Steve & Annie Chapman
He Will Hold Me Fast
Verse 1
When I fear my faith will fail,
Christ will hold me fast;
When the tempter would prevail,
He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold
Through life’s fearful path;
For my love is often cold;
He must hold me fast. (Chorus)
Chorus
He will hold me fast,
He will hold me fast;
For my Savior loves me so,
He will hold me fast.
Verse 2
Those He saves are His delight,
Christ will hold me fast;
Precious in His holy sight,
He will hold me fast.
He’ll not let my soul be lost;
His promises shall last;
Bought by Him at such a cost,
He will hold me fast. (Chorus)
Verse 3
For my life He bled and died,
Christ will hold me fast;
Justice has been satisfied;
He will hold me fast.
Raised with Him to endless life,
He will hold me fast
‘Till our faith is turned to sight,
When He comes at last! (Chorus)
Words and Music by Ada Ruth Habeshon and Matthew Merker
©2013 Getty Music Publishing, Matthew Merker Music
Assurance and Peace
We profess our assurance of salvation and peace in Christ through both responsive reading and song.
Remember the Gospel
Friends, the gospel of salvation is so free,
that the poorest is not shut out;
and so full, that the most burdened conscience
may find relief.
We behold and wonder at Christ’s love,
in that He was content to be made a sin-offering for us
and so purchase our pardon
for our continual sins and failings.
Hence, we have pardon, and not only pardon,
but power also, against sin.
Thanks be to Jesus, to whom belong the glory
and the honor forever and ever. Amen!
The Lord’s Supper
In setting forth the bread and wine to eat and drink, Jesus confirms and seals His promise to us and communion with Him; that we shall be partakers with Him in His kingdom. He also gives to us Himself, to be received with faith that we may be refreshed and renewed through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Distribution of the elements
Singing of All I Have Is Christ
This is Christ’s body, broken for you.
This is Christ’s blood, shed for you.
We eat this bread and drink this cup until He comes.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Our Sung Profession of Assurance
All I Have Is Christ
Verse 1
I once was lost in darkest night,
Yet thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will.
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still.
Verse 2
But as I ran my hell-bound race,
Indifferent to the cost.
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross.
And I beheld God’s love displayed,
You suffered in my place.
You bore the wrath reserved for me,
Now all I know is grace. (Chorus)
Chorus
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ.
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life.
Verse 3
Now Lord I would be Yours alone,
And live so all might see.
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me.
O Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose,
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You. (Chorus 2 X’s)
Words and music by Jordan Kauflin
©2008 Sovereign Grace Praise
We Will Feast in the House of Zion
Chorus
We will feast in the house of Zion.
We will sing with our hearts restored.
“He has done great things,”
We will say together.
We will feast and weep no more.
Verse 1
We will not be burned by the fire,
He is the Lord our God.
We are not consumed by the flood—
Upheld, protected, gathered up. (Chorus)
Verse 2
In the dark of night before the dawn,
My soul be not afraid.
For the promised morning, o how long!
O God of Jacob be my strength. (Chorus)
Verse 3
Every vow we’ve broken and betrayed—
You are the faithful one.
And from the garden to the grave
Bind us together, bring shalom. (Chorus)
Words and Music by Sandra McCracken and Joshua Moore
©2015 Integrity Worship Music, Paper News Publishing, joshmooreownsthismusic
Thanksgiving and Petition
We Give Thanks in Prayer and Offer Petitions to God
We express our gratitude to God our Father for Christ’s work on the cross for us and bring our requests before him. In bringing our requests, we confess that we believe God truly is a good father, who cares about our needs and gives us what he knows is best.
We Give Thanks by Giving
We give financial offerings to support the work of the church because of our gratitude to God. By giving we confess we are trusting in God’s provision for us as well.
On the first Sunday of each month we have two offerings—one for the general fund and a second one for the benevolence ministry of our church.
You may give electronically at gabcames.org/giving/ or place your offering in the boxes at the back of the sanctuary or send a check in the mail.
Scripture Reading
Acts 6:1-7 (ESV)
1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.
4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.
6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
Sermon
Acts 6:1-7 – Gospel Growth Pains – Pastor Michael Felkins
Sermon Discipleship Questions
1. What encouraged you?
2. What convicted you?
3. Is there anything in your life that needs to change?
Sending
Having heard and confessed the Gospel, we are sent into the world on mission in Christ, which we express in spoken word.
Blessing
Adapted from Matthew Henry’s commentary on Numbers 15
May your memories be refreshed
with the truths of God’s Word,
to strengthen and quicken your obedience,
and to arm your minds against temptation.
Live holy unto God; cleansed from sin
and sincerely devoted to His service.
Amen.
Next week’s scripture passage: Acts 6:8-8:3