Can you imagine running away from a big scary bully who’s been chasing you for 5 blocks? Think about when you’ve been running away from a bully and you see your father on the street and you run to him, grab his leg and swing around behind him for protection and you know you are safe and you know this punk is going to get what’s coming to him, you cry out, “Thanks be to God.” When we gather we remember together that we have found safety in the cleft of the true rock. So we say, “Thanks be to God!” in a similar way to Israel when they see Him declare that justice is coming to Edom through the message of Obadiah. So you may be running away. You may be living in defeat. You may be living in fear. But thanks be to God he has called us to this place. Now, let us run to him…
Our God is King—Psalm 82
God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.” Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!
Behold Our God
© 2011 Sovereign Grace (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Praise Jonathan Baird, Meghan Baird, Ryan Baird, and Stephen Altrogge
Who has held the oceans in His hands?
Who has numbered every grain of sand?
Kings and nations tremble at His voice
All creation rises to rejoice
Behold our God seated on His throne
Come, let us adore Him
Behold our King—nothing can compare
Come, let us adore Him
Who has given counsel to the Lord?
Who can question any of His words?
Who can teach the One who knows all things?
Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds?
Who has felt the nails upon His hands?
Bearing all the guilt of sinful man
God eternal, humbled to the grave
Jesus, Savior, risen now to reign
You will reign forever!
(Let Your glory fill the earth)
Our Mighty Savior—Luke 8:22-33
One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
Our Helpless State—
Almighty Father, we are people full of fear, doubt, hatred and loathing because sin and death seem to be crouching around every corner of our lives. We are weak, tired and full of guilt and shame, for we have sought after sin and rejected your grace.
We have depended on ourselves rather than Christ for all that is necessary for life. Forgive us as we return to you. Let us hide in the cleft of the True Rock of Our Salvation, for you are mighty and you are good. Amen.
Rock of Ages
Public Domain / Augustus Montague Toplady CCLI#1888005
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure, save from wrath and make me pure
Not the labor of my hands can fulfill thy law's demands;
could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone; thou must save, and thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling;
naked come to thee for dress, helpless look to thee for grace;
foul I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath, when my eyelids close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.
Unto Christ Victorious!—Revelation 19:11-16
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
And Can It Be
Public Domain / C. Wesley & T. Campbell / CCLI#1888005
And can it be that I should gain an int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died he for me, who caused his pain?
For me, who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
He left his Father’s throne above (so free, so infinite his grace!),
humbled himself (so great his love!), and bled for all his chosen race.
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free; for, O my God, it found out me.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray; I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in him, is mine!
Alive in him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach the eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Joyful Song of Sending
The Father’s Love
© 2009 Sovereign Grace Worship. Music & words: Joel Sczebel. CCLI#1888005
How has the sinner been forgiven?
How has the rebel been made clean
Or blinded eyes been made to see?
How have the orphans been adopted
Who hated Your love and ran from grace
Despised and rejected all Your ways
How wonderful the Father’s love, the Father’s love for us!
That He would send His only Son to come and rescue us!
He has saved us, called us blameless
Guides us now and will sustain us
Oh how wonderful the Father’s love!
Your mercy floods our lives with kindness
Your grace has colored all we see
And You have promised not to leave
You freely give Your Spirit to us
So we can be sure we’re sons of God
And rest in the hope of what’s to come
Though sufferings may fill our lives
We’re confident we’re heirs with Christ
And so we cry, “Abba, Father”
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