Introduction
The sermon text we considered last week (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) weighed today’s suffering against eternity’s glory. We might compare that text to a hinge that connects two parts of Paul’s theology of ministry. The first part described the “light momentary affliction” he endured (4:7-13). The text for the sermon this Lord’s Day looks at the “eternal weight of glory” that he longed for (5:1-10). Knowledge of his future hope fueled Paul’s singular desire: “whether we are at home (life) or away (death), we make it our aim to please him.”
Our hymn selection reflects the themes of this text: faithful service today and future reward at the Judgment seat of Christ (5:10).
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalm 84:8-12
Invocation
PROCLAMATION
Hymn HBC 4 Mighty God, While Angels Bless Thee
Notes: This hymn begins with amazement that we mortals have the privilege of joining the angels to proclaim the praise of our mighty God. We are not only eager to hear God’s message but, in view of Christ’s “free redemption,” we resolve to engage the mission by breaking our “guilty silence” and declaring His glory to others. “Silent I can never be, for salvation’s wondrous story . . . .”
Worship through Giving
Congregational Response: Hymn HBC 8 Something for Thee
Hymn HBC 20 A Charge to Keep I Have
Notes: Our calling is to “serve the present age” and so we resolve to invest all our powers “to do the Master’s will.” We pray in song, asking him to help us to live in his sight and, thus, “prepare a strict account to give.”
Scripture Reading 1 Corinthians 3:1-15
Notes: The sermon text mentions the judgment seat of Christ as a motivation for full-hearted service in this life. First Corinthians 3:1-15 describes the evaluation Christ will make of our Christian service on that Day.
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn 4 Praise Ye Jehovah
Notes: This hymn of praise acknowledges the fact that we stand in a line of Christian “heroes” who have served faithfully in the past: “battle-scarred victors at rest from the fray.” And it declares our determination to take our place with them, “praying, contending, proclaiming, defending” the faith of our fathers. We praise Jehovah for “glories awaiting, prizes He giveth and crowns to be won!”
Message Take Steady Aim
2 Corinthians 5:1-10
Pastor Steven Thomas
RESPONSE
Hymn HBC 16 Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
Notes: Paul set his hope on the return of Christ to set all things right and reward his servants. These themes were never far from Paul’s thoughts because they order the Christian’s priorities. Charles Wesley helps us imagine the joyous fulfillment of that hope: “All His saints, by man rejected, Now shall meet Him in the air. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! See the day of God appear!”
Prayer Response Mark Buhr
Benediction John Miles