Hear the Warning and Then Be Reassured
Sunday, January 16. Let’s prepare our hearts and minds for the 9:30 AM In-person, 11:00 AM In-person/Livestream Worship Service, and the sermon by reviewing the bible readings, confession, and reflection.
Bible Reading 1: 1 John 1:5-2:5 (ESV)
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him.
Confession/Creed: Heidelberg Catechism, Question 21
Q. What is true faith?
A. True faith is not only a sure knowledge by which I hold as true all that God has revealed to us in Scripture; it is also a wholehearted trust, which the Holy Spirit creates in me by the gospel, that God has freely granted, not only to others but to me also, forgiveness of sins, eternal righteousness, and salvation. These are gifts of sheer grace, granted solely by Christ’s merit.
Bible Reading 2: Hebrews 6:4-12 (ESV)
4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. 7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. 9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Reflection
Do not look to yourself, to the strength of your faith, to the protection of various spiritual disciplines or methodologies, however useful they may be. It is not yourself or any regimen that depends on human strength that assures your salvation, but God, who said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.”
– Richard Phillips
We hope you can join us on January 16 (In-Person at 9:30 AM or In-person/Livestream at 11:00 AM), as Pastor John speaks about these verses. Here are the complete details for Sunday’s Service. The link for Sunday’s 11:00 AM Livestream is below. Lastly, here are the songs for Sunday if you like to listen to Sunday’s song selection.
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January 16, Sermon by Pastor John Yenchko is at 9:30 AM In-Person and at 11:00 AM In-person and here via YouTube.
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