Introduction
This Lord’s Day we will honor mothers in the worship service in keeping with the national holiday. The sermon, however, will continue our study of the Gospel of Luke. Luke 13:1-9 is a passage that expands the final thought of chapter 12: “Settle accounts with God before it is too late” (Luke 12:57-59). The crowd asked Jesus a question about the problem of evil; his reply is startling (Luke 13:1-5). And to make sure no one failed to understand his point, Jesus followed it up with a parable (Luke 13:6-9).
The hymns selected for the worship service will declare praise for the God who forgives everyone who turns to Christ with repentant faith.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
Welcome
Prelude
Call to Worship: Micah 7:18-20
Invocation
PROCLAMATION
Hymn O God Beyond All Praising
Notes: We set the tone for the service with a hymn that reminds us of our ultimate focus in all things. God, alone, is worthy of our praise; we can never exhaust the praise that is due his name. Praise expresses our love for him, so we sing, “Then hear, O gracious Savior, the love we bring that we who know your favor may serve you as our King.”
Hymn: Hymn 141: Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed
Note: Isaac Watt’s timeless hymn begins with the humbling thought that the Lord of all would choose to die for “such a worm as I.” This language speaks of both the greatness of his love and the depth of our helplessness. We respond with an expression of unreserved love: “Here, Lord, I give myself away—‘Tis all that I can do.”
Scripture Reading: Psalm 32:1-11
Note: In Psalm 51 David cried out to the Lord for forgiveness when confronted about his sin with Bathsheba. In this psalm, he recounts his confession and rejoices in the forgiveness the Lord gives.
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn HBC 7 His Robes for Mine
Note: How is it that God can forgive sinners like us? By faith we are united with Christ. His righteousness is credited (imputed) to us and our sin was laid on him (imputed). Martin Luther called this a “marvelous exchange. This hymn describes the significance of this grand gospel truth. (We should view the line in the chorus “God estranged from God” as a poetic expression of the mystery of the incarnation that emerges at the cross. Technically, the eternal Son was never estranged from the Father).
Message: The Problem of Evil and the Patience of God
Text: Luke 13:1-9
Steven Thomas
RESPONSE
Hymn 174: Arise, My Soul, Arise
Notes: This hymn reminds us of the “five bleeding wounds he bears, received on Calvary” to secure our forgiveness. The guilt that separated us from God is gone! Christ’s continuing intercession sustains and keeps us. This is a hymn of joy over the forgiveness and security Christ gives. Thus our confident cry, “Arise, my soul, arise! Shake off thy guilty fears.”
Prayer Response: Eric Hicks, Jr.
Benediction: John Miles