Introduction
Titus brought news from Corinth to Paul. He reported that the Corinthians had responded to Paul’s admonitions. They had repented and declared their allegiance to Paul, and thus to the Lord. The key idea is that Paul’s correction brought them sorrow, but it was the right kind of sorrow, sorrow that produced repentance. And their repentance brought joy to all the community of faith.
The hymn selections in this service express the themes of the sermon text: joy, repentance, and forgiveness, as well as the work of Christ that makes forgiveness possible.
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalm 28:6-7
Invocation
PROCLAMATION
Hymn 13 Rejoice, the Lord is King!
Note: Our joy is great and overflows. The Lord is the One who “purged our stains” and now is our King.
Worship through Giving
Congregational Response 462 Be Thou My Vision
Hymn 141 Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed?
Note: Isaac Watts laments the depth of our sins and shows stunned amazement that Christ would die for us.
Was it for crimes that I have done,
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!
Regret is insufficient to deal with sin. Forgiveness required the death of “Christ, the mighty Maker . . . for man, the creature’s sin.
Scripture Reading Psalm 32
Note: Those whose sorry leads them to confess their sins receive forgiveness (v. 5). And those who receive forgiveness will be “glad in the Lord and rejoice” (v. 11).
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn Insert Depth of Mercy
Note: Charles Wesley’s hymn reflects the emotion of godly sorrow: “can my God his wrath forebear, me, the chief of sinners spare?” It also holds forth the amazing truth that God mercy is inexhaustible: “God is love, his grace so free. Depth of mercy there for me.”
Message Godly Sorrow, Repentance, and Joy
2 Corinthians 7:5-13
Pastor Steven Thomas
RESPONSE
Hymn Insert Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy
Note: We conclude this worship service with a hymn that gives voice to our gospel message. We summon “sinners, poor and needy,” to come to Jesus. The lost must come to him for saving forgiveness; believers must come to him for sanctifying forgiveness. Come to him! Why would you delay!
Prayer Response Mark Buhr
Benediction John Miles