Worship: July 19th, 2020

Editors Note: Due to the current Coronavirus situation, the Session decided, as part of a continued ramp up to our familiar worship format, that there were two services: one outdoor and one indoor (please refer to the guidelines we will be following)  for July 19.  

 

On Sunday, July 19th, Pastor Tony continued his sermon series in Ephesians: Grace to You. He reminded us that Christ has created a new human race, characterized by reconciliation and unity.

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

 

Text: Ephesians 2:11-22

[11] Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— [12] remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [14] For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility [15] by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, [16] and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. [17] And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. [18] For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. [19] So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [20] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, [21] in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. [22] In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Worship Hymns:
Hymn of Adoration: # 73 Rejoice, All People, Homage Give
Hymn or Spiritual Songs: # 499 Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
Hymn of Response: # 347 The Church’s One Foundation
Dismissal Hymn: # 469 How Sweet and Awesome is the Place (6)

Additional Readings: The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XXV, Sections 1-6

I. The catholic or universal church, which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. 

II. The visible church, which is also catholic or universal under the gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion; and of their children: and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.

III. Unto this catholic visible church Christ hath given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world: and doth, by his own presence and Spirit, according to his promise, make them effectual thereunto.

IV. This catholic church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less visible. And particular churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the gospel is taught and embraced, ordinances administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them. 

V. The purest churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error; and some have so degenerated, as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan. Nevertheless, there shall be always a church on earth, to worship God according to his will. 

VI. There is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus Christ. Nor can the pope of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof.

Full Liturgy for July 19th, 2020 (PDF)

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

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