Worship Preparation - May 21, 2023
Sunday, May 21, 2023
Read the sermon text: Romans 12:11
Read the sermon summary: How would you describe your current pursuit of the mission of Christ? Would you describe it as fervent, earnest, and energetic? Have you grown listless, apathetic, or hesitant? In Romans 12:11 Paul exhorts his readers to shake off slothfulness and to be fervent in the Spirit. Of course, fervency is a gift and fruit of the Spirit. It is a work of God. Yet, Paul’s command also shows us that it is something to be pursued, something to be nurtured within us. How does this nurturing of fervency take place? How can we return to the passion that we once had for the mission of Christ? It may be that Paul reminds us of our identity in the third command in this verse: “serving the Lord.” It’s easy to forget our purpose and identity. We are servants of the Lord, himself. The God of the universe has made us his children and servants and invites us into his work for his glory. Remembering this and resting in his love for us, we will be filled with fervency to serve the Lord and be about his mission in the world.
Read the following song lyrics in relation to the sermon:
O Church Arise
O church arise and put your armour on
Hear the call of Christ our Captain
For now the weak can say that they are strong
In the strength that God has given
With shield of faith and belt of truth
We'll stand against the devil's lies
An army bold whose battle cry is Love
Reaching out to those in darkness
Our call to war to love the captive soul
But to rage against the captor
And with the sword that makes the wounded whole
We will fight with faith and valour
When faced with trials on every side
We know the outcome is secure
And Christ will have the prize for which He died
An inheritance of nations
Come see the cross where love and mercy meet
As the Son of God is stricken
Then see His foes lie crushed beneath His feet
For the Conqueror has risen
And as the stone is rolled away
And Christ emerges from the grave
This victory march continues till the day
Every eye and heart shall see Him
So Spirit come put strength in every stride
Give grace for every hurdle
That we may run with faith to win the prize
Of a servant good and faithful
As saints of old still line the way
Retelling triumphs of His grace
We hear their calls and hunger for the day
When with Christ we stand in glory
CCLI Song # 4611992
Keith Getty | Stuart Townend
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