Worship: June 23rd, 2019

On Sunday, June 23rd, Pastor Tony continued his sermon series in Acts: Witnesses for Christ. He reminded us that the gospel calls us to turn from our idols to the living God and to give He and His Son the glory due their name.

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

Text: Acts 17:16-34

[16] Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. [17] So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. [18] Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. [19] And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? [20] For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” [21] Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. [22] So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. [23] For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. [24] The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, [25] nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. [26] And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, [27] that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, [28] for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ [29] Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. [30] The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, [31] because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” [32] Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” [33] So Paul went out from their midst. [34] But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

Worship Hymns:
Hymn of Adoration: # 75 O Father, You Are Sovereign
Hymn or Spiritual Songs: # 307 Nothing but the Blood
Hymn of Response: # 316 The Mighty God, the Lord
Dismissal Hymn: # 286 Worship Christ, the Risen King! (1)

Additional Readings: Psalm 30

[1] I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. [2] O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. [3] O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. [4] Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. [5] For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. [6] As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” [7] By your favor, O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed. [8] To you, O Lord, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: [9] “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? [10] Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!” [11] You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, [12] that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

 Full Liturgy for June 23rd, 2019 (PDF)

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

[table id=35 /]