Introduction
The 23rd chapter of the Baptist Confession of Faith deals with “Lawful Oaths and Vows.” At first glance, the topic seems to have little current relevance. However, on closer examination, it has profound significance. Jesus even devoted a portion of his famous Sermon on the Mount to this topic, placing it alongside such topics as adultery and murder. The core issue is truth. How should God’s people reflect the character of the God of truth in the way we conduct our lives?
The hymns selected for the worship service this Lord’s Day will offer praise to the God whose nature is truth and will pray for his aid as we try to be truthful in all we do and say.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
Prelude
Call to Worship: Numbers 23:19
Invocation
PROCLAMATION
Hymn Insert (vv. 1-3) A Lord’s Day Anthem
Note: This hymn expresses our desire to hear the Word of God and our longing for its transforming work within us to make us like Christ. These desires rest upon our faith in the risen Christ, remembered each Lord’s Day.
Hymn 13 Rejoice, the Lord is King!
Note: The theme of the message rests on the fact that Jesus is the “God of truth and love.” This Jesus “purged our stains” of sin and secures our “glorious hope” by his present session, interceding for us. Therefore, our words must reflect salvation and continuing union with Christ that we enjoy.
Worship through Giving
Hymn (Insert) The Lord is Faithful
Note: This hymn is part of a collection of hymns that extol various attributes of God. Each has three verses. The first verse declares the doctrine of the attribute (“The Lord is”). The second verse connects the attribute with the gospel of Christ (“The Lord has”). And the third verse explains the relevance of the attribute to the Christian’s life (“The Lord will”). Our Lord is utterly dependable because he is “the source of truth” and “cannot lie.” Therefore, let us “keep our word.”
This hymn is sung to the tune of A Mighty Fortress is Our God.
Scripture Reading Psalm 139:1-24
Note: This song of David focuses on God’s ubiquitous presence—wherever we are, he is there. At first David resented his inability to hide from God. But in the second half of the Psalm, he delighted in the knowledge of God’s presence. Those who use their speech to hide the truth should learn the lesson that David learned—there is no way to hide from God. And we all should learn to delight in God’s presence.
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn 476 May the Mind of Christ My Savior
Notes: Together we sing as a prayer, “May the mind of Christ, my Saviour, Live in me from day to day.” This is a prayer that the Spirit of God would make “the Word of God dwell richly In my heart from hour to hour.” Thus, we will be able to fulfill the teachings of Jesus in the sermon text.
Message: Let Your Yes be Yes
Text: Matthew 5:33-37
Pastor Steven Thomas
RESPONSE
Choir Search Me, O God
Note: The choir will sing a beautiful paraphrase of Psalm 139, leading us to pray that the Lord will search our hearts and reveal to us what we really are. Thus, we may learn to love Him more.
Prayer Response: David Snoeberger
Hymn Insert (vv. 4-6) A Lord’s Day Anthem
Note: The final verses of this hymn make a fitting lyrical benediction. They convey joy at God’s self-revelation in his word and express our determination to live worthy of our new life as God’s children.
Benediction: John Miles