Preparing For The Lord's Day

preparing

Preparing for the Lord's Day

Thy Kingdom Come:   “The Beloved Son and His Kingdom

Giving thanks to God for His goodness to us in all things is always appropriate for Thanksgiving and Advent.  Pastor Shane will be taking up the theme of "All the Benefits of Knowing the Lord" from Psalm 103:1-5. The Thanksgiving Day devotional will be posted to our website early on Thanksgiving morning—click here for direct access.  May we look to the Lord with thankful hearts.          

As we look to this coming Lord’s Day, we enter the Advent Season, praising God for the blessing of our hope in Christ. And yet we realize that the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons are not always easy. We navigate family relationships and remember those whom we have lost. We embrace the beauty of the coming of Christ yet couple His birth with the reality of His life and death for our salvation.  Biblical contrasts demonstrate how the advent of God’s Son into this world speaks hope and joy for abundant life, while recognizing the great cost to our Savior for our wholeness.   

This Sunday, in our sermon entitled, “The Beloved Son and His Kingdom,” we’ll examine Matthew 21:33-46 and see how it directs us to Jesus Christ as loving Savior and almighty King.   To come prepared for worship, please be in prayer!  Meditate upon Matthew 21:33-46  and note the transitions from the description of God’s vineyard to the blessing of the beloved Son as the Cornerstone.  Read Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 118:22-23 as Jesus uses these Old Testament passages in our sermon text.  Consider Hebrews 11:36-38 in pondering the servants of the landowner,  the prophets of God sent to speak truth and restoration. Reflect upon Ephesians 2:19-20 and 1 Peter 2:4-5 for kingdom life founded upon Jesus Christ. In celebrating the Advent theme of hope, please also read 1 Peter 1:3-5.

The hopeful expectation and anticipation of the Advent of the Lord Jesus is captured in our singing the Hymn of Praise “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” the Acclamation of Praise “Joy to the World! The Lord is Come,”  and the Hymn of Response ““Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” Come this Lord’s Day, ready to have the hope of the gospel poured into your lives.

Sermon Title:  “The Beloved Son and His Kingdom

Sermon Text: Matthew 21:33-46

Sermon Outline

  1. God's Goodness
  2. God's Grace
  3. God's Glory

Conclusion - Grateful Hearts

Sunday's bulletin