Are You Ready for God



God With UsAdvent Worship Series – Week 3Do You Want to be Delivered?December 11, 2011WORSHIP SERVICE OUTLINESEach worship outline contains all elements needed for your worship service. The order of each service presented is only a suggestion. No doubt changes will be needed to accommodate the flow and worship style of your corps. The outlines are flexible and allow opportunities to “cut and paste” as needed. If you are blessed with instrumental or vocal music resources, you may find there is more structured material here than needed. It is recommended that the headings of each section of the service be included in the bulletin.Call to WorshipDo you want to be delivered? That is the only really important and decisive question which Advent poses for us. Does there burn within us some lingering longing to know what deliverance really means?If not, what would Advent then mean to us? A bit of sentimentality. A little lifting of the spirit within us? A little kinder mood? But, if there is something in this word Advent which we have not yet known, that strangely warms our heart; if we suspect that it could, once more, mean a turning point in our life, a turning to God, to Christ—why then are we not simply obedient, listening and hearing in our ears the clear call: Your deliverance draws nigh! Wait, just one moment, wait, the knocking will grow louder, hour by hour, day by day, becoming ever more clear. And when Christmas comes and we are ready, God comes to us, to you and to me. Christ the Savior is here! CITATION Bon052 \p 20-27 \y \l 1033 (Bonhoeffer, pp. 20-27)SB#107 – Hark the glad sound! The Savior comes,TB-87 – Joy to the World!D4-T9 (3 vs.)Additional Optional SongsSB#82 – Hark! The herald angels singHC#270 Hark! The herald angels singTB-322 – sameHC-279HTD4-T5 (3 vs.)HC#280 – Angels from the realms of glorySB#100 – Angels, from the realms of gloryHC-280TB-398 – Come and Worship (Regent Sq.)HCD26-T20HTD4-T12 (4 vs.)Lighting of Advent CandleReader 1:This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Reader 2:Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Reader 1:But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Reader 2:She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:18-21) [Lighting of Advent candle]SB#122 – See, amid the winter’s snowTB-259 – sameHTD10-T12 (4 vs.)Additional Optional SongsSB#101 – As with gladness men of oldTB-276 – DixHTD11-T3SB#111 – It came upon the midnight clearTB-133 – same HTD9-T7Drama - FinallyYour Redemption is NearResponsive Reading:Leader:Our text makes two powerful demands clear, helping us to understand the true nature of Advent. It is not the miserable, weak, anxious Advent of popular "Christian" celebration, which we are so often contented with and which Christ deplores. All:At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. (Luke 21:27-28, NIV)Leader:The two demands are clear: "Look up. Raise your head." Advent makes people whole: new people. Stand up, look up, your view is too much down towards the earth, fixed upon the superficial changes and happenings of this earth. All:Look up…Leader:You who have turned away disappointed from heaven, see this Advent word. All:Look up…Leader:You whose eyes are heavy with tears and who mourn that the earth has snatched everything from you. All:Look up…Leader:You who are so heavy laden with guilt that you feel you cannot look up. All:Look up…Leader:Your salvation draws near. Be patient. Wait for a little while longer. Wait and something quite new will come over you. God will come. Jesus comes and takes up his abode with you and you become a redeemed people. All:Look up…Leader:Stand, and watch. Keep your eyes open, waiting for the approaching deliverance. All:Lift up your head…Leader:You army of men and women, bowed down with sorrow, demoralized, without hope, you defeated army of drooping heads. The battle is not yet lost. All:Lift up your heads. Leader:Yours is the victory. Take courage. Have no fear, no anxiety, no sorrow. Make the victory sure. Be strong, be able. Here there is no reason to droop your head, no more doubts, no uncertainty of the way. Freedom, salvation, and deliverance come. All:Look up; raise your heads. Be fearless and strong! Christ comes!HC#123 – Shine on UsHC-123HCD11-T13Additional Optional SongsHC#127 – How Deep the Father’s Love for usHC-127HCD11-T17HC#136 – We All Bow DownHC-136HCD12-T16SB#153 – Thou didst leave thy throne and thy kingly crown TB-94 – MargaretHTD10 –T6 (4 vs.)HC#219 – King of Kings, MajestySB#376 – King of kings, majestyHC-219TB-732 – same HCD20-T19HC#220 – IncarnateHC-220HCD20-T20HC#226 – I Worship YouHC-226HCD21-T16HC#45 – While We are Waiting, ComeHC-45HCD3-T15Additional Optional SongsHC#49 – Be Still, for the Presence of the LordHC-49HCD3-T19HC#123 – Shine on UsHC-123HCD11-T3HC#219 – King of Kings, MajestySB#376 – King of kings, majestyHC-219TB-732 – same HCD20-T19HC#220 – IncarnateHC-220HCD20-T20HC#226 – I Worship YouHC-226HCD21-T16Pastoral PrayerMessage – Special DeliverySB#153 – Thou didst leave thy throne and thy kingly crown TB-94 – MargaretHTD10 –T6 (4 vs.)Additional Optional SongsSB#528 – A light came out of darknessTB-215 – Ewing (no chorus needed)HTD9-T3 (4 vs.)HC#120 – In the MangerHC-120HCD10-T20HC#139 – There is a MessageHC-139HCD12-T19HC#49 – Be Still, for the Presence of the LordHC-49HCD3-T19HC#219 – King of Kings, MajestySB#376 – King of kings, majestyHC-219TB-732 – same HCD20-T19HC#220 – IncarnateHC-220HCD20-T20HC#226 – I Worship YouHC-226HCD21-T16Vocal Benediction:HC#180 – It was on a starry night SB#112 – It was on a starry nightHC-280TB-535 – sameHCD16-T20Vocal Benediction OptionsSB#73 – All hail the power HC#141 – All Hail the PowerTB-69 – DiademHC-141HTD6-T7 (4 vs.)HCD13 –T11HC#149 – In Christ AloneSB#861 – In Christ aloneHC-149TB-132HCD13-T19HC#61 – Crown Him King of KingsHC-61HCD5-T11HC#260 – Go, tell it on the mountain SB#106 – Go, tell it on the mountain,HC-260TB-631 – sameHCD24-T20HTD11-T4 (2 vs., start with chorus) BIBLIOGRAPHY \l 1033 Bonhoeffer, D. (2005). Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Christmas Sermons. (E. Robertson, Trans.) Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America: Zondervan.Week #3DRAMAFinallyBy Martyn Scott Thomas? Copyright 2010 by Martyn Scott Thomas. All rights reserved. Used by ic:Christmas – DeliveranceScripture:Matthew 1:19-25Synopsis:Joseph reflects on the birth of Jesus.Characters:JosephProps/Costumes:Modern or Biblical dress – wrinkled and dirty. A chair.Setting:The chair sits center stage.Running time:3 minutes[Joseph walks to center stage, looking very tired, and sits down.]Joseph:It’s been a long night. [thinking] No, it’s been a long week. [thinking again] Actually, it’s been a long nine months. But I guess that’s how it is with first time fathers. The anticipation makes the time go by quickly, then once the baby is born, you look back and it seems like a lifetime.The night I found out I was going to be a father seems like it was ages ago – so much has happened. I have to admit, I was in shock when I found out Mary was pregnant. It’s not that we didn’t want children – we had talked about it many times – but, usually couples are married before that happens. And the fact that we had never been together made it even more shocking.At first, I was furious – how could she have betrayed me? – but, then my love for her took over and I wanted to take care of the situation privately, to avoid harming her further. Before I could take any action, however, an angel appeared to me in a dream and explained that the child Mary carried was from the Holy Spirit – God had chosen her to bear his son.“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”So, I obeyed. What else could I do? When God speaks, you listen. For nine months, I have taken care of Mary and the child. We’ve kept ourselves secluded for the most part, to keep her safe from the ridicule and shame that accompanies a pregnancy outside of marriage.Oh, we did get married. It was a small, private ceremony with just a few family members. The celebration we had been planning just didn’t seem appropriate. And many of our friends wouldn’t have come anyway. So, for the most part, it’s just been the two of us. And now, three.When we were finally nearing the end, the call for the census went out. It was just another painful reminder of the control the Romans hold over us; another reminder that we need a Deliverer. As we made the dangerous trek to Bethlehem, my thoughts went back to the angel’s words, “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”For centuries, we Jews have looked forward to the Messiah to deliver us from our oppressors. We have longed to be a free people, but no help came. And now the promise is fulfilled.I don’t know how this baby will do it. I don’t know how this miniature Messiah will save his people; save them from the Romans and save them from their sins. But I do believe God will keep his promises.Yes, it’s been a long night, a long week, a long nine months; and I’ll sleep well tonight. But somehow, I feel that even longer days lie ahead of us. I’m just glad that Jesus is finally here.[Blackout]God With UsAdvent Sermon – Week 3December 11, 2011Special DeliveryBy Major Morag YoderSermon Text: Matthew 1:18-21?(NIV)Scripture: Matthew 1:1-25Chilean Mining Disaster media clipDid you watch the historic rescue of the Chilean miners on October 13? Is it any wonder rescuers, relatives and friends broke into cheers - and tears - as the miners emerged to breathe fresh air for the first time since the mine caved in on Aug 5! The miners spent a record 69 days amidst the heat and rubble and, for the first 17 days; they were all believed to be dead. Their story of survival captured global attention as the rescue operation was broadcast live around the world. Weeks earlier rescuers found the miners miraculously alive with aid of a bore hole the width of a grapefruit. The hole served as a lifeline to pass hydration gels, water and food, as well as bibles, letters from their families and soccer videos to keep their spirits up. But perhaps, most importantly, the hole provided a way for the miners to know they weren’t alone; enabling them to abandon thoughts of fear with hope.Eventually a shaft was dug in an attempt to reach the miners and brave rescuers themselves traveled via capsule bringing messages of hope and courage. The journey back to safety for each miner took about 15 minutes, but can you imagine what their wait felt like! This is the story that really caught my attention. Mario Sepulveda, the second miner rescued, emerged from the mine a changed man. This is what he said just hours after the rescue. "I buried 40 years of my life down there, and now I'm going to live to be a new person. In the mine I learned a lot of wonderful lessons about taking the good path in life."When questioned about what he meant, Sepulveda explained that during the time he was trapped inside the mine he saw both good and evil. "I was with God, and I was with the devil. The two of them fought, and God won." Sepulveda explained that while in the mine he grabbed God's hand and, from that moment, knew rescue was sure.One of the challenges of Advent is grasping the rich truth and life-changing message of Christmas in a fresh way each year. Having the Christmas story told by different gospel writers is a great benefit - it allows us to rethink and revisit the events of the coming of Jesus from unique perspectives. Open your Bibles to Matthew chapter 1 and look with me at the Christmas story from Matthew’s viewpoint. (I didn’t ask anyone to read all the names included in verses 1-17, because that would be just mean!) Matthew wrote his gospel with the Jewish people in mind, so naturally he begins in the most natural way a good Jew would tell the story of a man’s life – with his genealogy. He weaves the pedigree of Jesus through a total of 42 generations. He begins the story appropriately with Abraham – father of the nation of Israel – and moves to David – Israel’s greatest king. The second part of his generational story from Solomon to Josiah reminds us of Israel’s shame, tragedy and disaster; as we remember the Jewish nation’s exile to Babylon. Matthew’s third and final stage is a 14-generation record of liberation; culminating in the birth of Jesus. Why did Matthew include the names of so many ancestors? A long list of unpronounceable names seems rather meaningless. Maybe Matthew wanted to give the story a time-frame. He knew the Messiah’s birth demonstrated that Israel’s long-awaited rescue was at hand; a rescue leading to ultimate triumph. Maybe he hoped to make the Israelites sit up and take notice! The nation of Israel knew what it was like to be in bondage. It makes sense that the people who appreciate freedom most are those who have had it taken away! But the message is just as much for us - the names, extending from generation to generation, should fill us with hope and confirm within us a sense of purpose. God never abandon mankind – he didn’t allow us to destroy ourselves. No matter how bad things got, he didn’t allow his story to end in tragedy. Could the message be – hold on in hope – even when it seem like things will never change for your family from one generation to the next. God sent Jesus to us as part of an elaborate and detailed search and rescue mission. Let’s pick up Matthew’s account with verses 18-25 (read). According to vs 21, Jesus came to rescue us. Have you ever thought of Christmas as a rescue operation?While Luke’s account focuses more on Mary, Matthew tells the story of the incarnation from Joseph’s perspective. Joseph’s engagement was nothing like our modern day engagements. Engagements back then were legally binding; often arranged years in advance. The actual betrothal period lasted a year and, during this time, the couple was known as man and wife; although they didn’t have the full rights of husband and wife. Normally a Jewish man wouldn’t consider just walking away from his fiancé – but if she told you she was pregnant and the baby isn’t yours… Can you imagine Joseph’s panic? It’s not hard to imagine him feeling trapped, afraid and lonely with limited options. I can’t help but wonder what his mother had to say about her new daughter-in-law! Some of us despair and think we’re the only family to have problems and dysfunction! Well – think again! Scripture tells us Joseph did look for a way out – he had in mind to quietly divorce Mary. But then God makes his presence known – verse 20 tells us the angel of the Lord appears and enters Joseph’s inner turmoil. Isn’t it true the first thing anyone who feels trapped and abandoned needs to know is that they’re not alone! The angel comes alongside and gently tells Joseph to put aside his fear. In the simplest way he explains that the mystery of the incarnation is the miracle of his own Holy Spirit at work. God chose Mary to bear his son and this was accomplished through the power of his Holy Spirit. Now he chooses Joseph to bear the responsibility of naming the child.The name ‘Jesus’ is the Greek equivalent of Joshua, which means ‘Yahweh is salvation’ or ‘Jehovah saves’. Jesus literally means ‘he saves’ or ‘he delivers’. Joseph’s life was steeped in Jewish culture, tradition, belief and law. Like generations before, he waited his entire life for the OT prophecy to be fulfilled; for the Messiah to come. Now he hears from God himself that the child Mary carries – the child he will raise – will grow up to save God’s people from their sins. He learns first-hand that the long wait is soon to be over – deliverance is at hand. Suddenly I don’t think Joseph felt trapped anymore! In that moment he must have experienced God’s liberating power. God told Joseph that both he and Mary (and indeed the whole world) would receive a very special delivery when their child was born. Even though scripture doesn’t give us many more specific images of this godly man, we certainly know Joseph responded and acted. He moved forward with renewed purpose, courage and a sense of meaningful personal mission. Over the past two weeks we’ve talked a lot about waiting. We can’t possibly know what the waiting was like for the captive miners! Physically they were as good as chained and incarcerated deep in the earth; there was very little they could do to help themselves. They couldn’t dig their way out or climb to freedom. It took detailed planning and incredible skill to achieve their rescue. Before the bore hole, the miners couldn’t be sure help was on its way or if rescue was even remotely possible. So in those early days of captivity they must truly have felt abandoned and hopeless. The incarnation of Jesus was a daring rescue operation. There was fierce intention behind God’s efforts to redeem, restore and liberate his people. As amazing and inspiring as the rescue of the miners in Chile was, God’s grand rescue on our behalf in that stable in Bethlehem is an act of humility, love and sacrifice unparalleled in the history of the world!I’m going to suggest that there are people here today who have an overwhelming desire to be rescued and delivered from the circumstances they find themselves in. There may be others who have lost hope – you believe your situation is beyond any kind of help. Sadly there may be a few who wonder what on earth I’m talking about – they don’t even realize their lives are in peril. The reality is we all need a Savior – a deliverer. The remarkable truth of Advent is we have access to freedom. Jesus came to break down every barrier – every form of bondage. Liberation and victory belong to him. We might feel caged and stuck, but the lock on the outside of our prison door has already been obliterated. Rescue is within our reach because Jesus, who came as the baby in the manger and grew to be the man who died on the cross, accomplished what we could never do for ourselves.Imagine for a moment if the rescue shaft was dug and the capsule went down deep into the ground and none of those Chilean miners chose to open the door and make their way to freedom? What if none of them had the courage to act? What if victory was at hand, but they were no longer waiting to be rescued and had lost all hope? What if none of them expected deliverance to come, so they stayed where they were? We’d think they lost their minds! Who wouldn’t want to be delivered? Who would choose bondage when release is on offer? Jesus coming to earth reminds me of those rescuers who themselves traveled down the mine shaft. God didn’t save us at arm’s length – no – Jesus came to earth to enter our world. On that night in Bethlehem, the Son of God lowered himself to save, rescue and deliver us from our sin, our fear and our hopelessness. And today he still stoops and reaches out to us with the same love and mercy. In rescuing us, Jesus offers to guide us safely out of the rubble, darkness and loneliness of our personal prison. We are not alone! Whatever is holding you captive; God has the power to free you! In fact, God has already orchestrated your rescue! Do you want to be delivered? Come then with me and find freedom today. ................
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