Introduction
The subject for the Lord’s Day sermon this week comes from The Baptist Confession of Faith, Article Nine: “Free Will.” The Bible teaches that all people make free choices, but that does not mean that the human will is free in an absolute sense. The human will is subject to various constraints. We will see this clearly in Ephesians 2:1-10.
The hymns selected for the worship service focus on humanity’s inability to make God-honoring, soul-saving choices. Instead, we are utterly dependent on God to set us free from the sinful nature that constrains us.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalm 19:7-11
Invocation
PROCLAMATION
Hymn 70 O For a Heart to Praise My God
Notes: Charles Wesley’s hymn is a prayer based on Psalm 51:10: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” We will only do right things for right reasons after God gives us a new “heart,” one set free from sin.
Worship through Giving
Hymn 333 How Sad Our State
Note: Without the Word of God, the state of all humanity would be hopeless and helpless. But the voice of sovereign grace calls from the pages of Scripture calls us to saving, transforming faith.
Scripture Reading Romans 8:1-11
Note: In this passage, the apostle Paul provides the clearest statement regarding mankind’s inability to please God. Yet, this statement is woven into the larger explanation of the transforming, life-giving work of the Spirit of God. He sets us free from the constraints of our sinful nature.
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn (Insert) Not What These Hands Have Done
Notes: The cross exposes our inadequacy; we can never please God on our own. “Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul.” Where, then, is salvation found? “Thy work alone, O Christ . . . Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God.” We respond, “I praise the God of grace; I trust his truth and might.
Message “The Bondage of the Will”
Ephesians 2:1-10
Pastor Steven Thomas
RESPONSE
Hymn (Insert) What Wondrous Love Is This?
Notes: Set free from the constraints of sin! Can it really be? Yes! For over 200 years, believers have used the words of this hymn to express wonder at the selfless love of our Savior who freed us:
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul!
Prayer Response Col. Steve Eubank (retired)
Benediction John Miles