Worship: January 18th, 2015

On Sunday, January 18th, Pastor Tony continued his sermon series in II Corinthians: Cultivating Ambassadors for Christ. The sermon focused on the principles around true repentence. Pastor Tony showed us that Godly affection leads to caring correction, in which correction aims to cause genuine repentance, and finally repentance brings joy and increases affection.

Preaching: Rev. Tony Felich (Sermon Audio Page| Other Sermons)

Text: II Corinthians 7:2-16

2 Corinthians 7:2 Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. [3] I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. [4] I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy. [5] For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. [6] But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, [7] and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. [8] For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. [9] As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. [10] For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. [11] For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. [12] So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. [13] Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. [14] For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. [15] And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. [16] I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.

Worship Hymns:

Hymn of Adoration: # 115 All Creatures of Our God and King
Hymn or Spiritual Songs: # 164 O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Hymn of Response: # 497 I Need Thee, Precious 
Dismissal Hymn: # 162 Of the Father’s Love Begotten (5)

Additional Readings:  Psalm 19

Psalms 19:1-14  To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.  [2]  Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.  [3]  There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.  [4]  Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,  [5]  which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.  [6]  Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.  [7]  The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;  [8]  the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;  [9]  the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.  [10]  More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.  [11]  Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.  [12]  Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.  [13]  Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.  [14]  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Full Liturgy for January 18th, 2015 (PDF)

Sermons from the Exposition of II Corinthians
(click on the link for the sermon page with audio) 

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