John outlines the details regarding those who now can live in victory over sin and evil in this world. He declares that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah has in fact been born of God, and those who love the Father love the Father’s children as well. He says that in this we can know that we love God’s children: those who love God’s own also love God and keep his commandments. Truly, the love of God is keeping God’s commandments, which indeed are not burdensome.
Moreover, John declares that every person who has been born of God has also overcome the world. The actual victory which overcomes the world is our faith. The one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God is the very one who also overcomes the world. This Jesus Christ is the same who entered into the world “by water and blood,” and the Holy Spirit is he who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. We who have been born of God have overcome the world through our faith in Jesus, the Son of God.
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Thank you, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for giving us the victory through our Lord. He overcame the world through his sinless life and substitutionary death, and now through faith we overcome the world by his power. Show us daily how to live in victory, to cling to your truth and believe in your Word. You are our life and our victory. Through Jesus our Lord, amen.
Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.
Te Deum Laudamus
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, Is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, amen.
Lectionary Readings for the Day
Psalm: Ps. 98 Acts*: Acts 10.44-48 Gospel: John 15.9-17 NT: 1 John 5.1-6 * During Eastertide, a reading from Acts is often substituted for the lesson from the Hebrew Bible. Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling
*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).
Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.
Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.
Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord's Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
--Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)
Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Affirmation from the Psalms
Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! [2] For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth. [3] He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. [4] He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah [5] God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. [6] Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! [7] For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!
~ Psalm 47.1-7
Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
Thanks be to God who has enabled us to overcome the world through our faith in his Son.
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
Acts 2.1-21Our Corporate Disciplines
Book Discussion: Monday, May 7, 2018
Special Church Year Service
Ascension of the Lord: Thursday, May 10, 2018