WORSHIP THRU THE WORD

TEXT JOHN 4:4-42 http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/?q=John4&niv=yes

BREAKING BARRIERS 2 LIVING WATER

PARAPHRASE JOHN 4:4-42

In traveling from Judea to Galilee, Jesus went through Samaria an area Jews usually avoided. Coming to the town of Sychar, he walked near a plot of land Jacob had given his son Joseph and had dug a well. Tired from his journey, Jesus sat down by the well while his disciples went into town to buy food. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus asked her for a drink which shocked her because Jews believe they will become defiled if they come into contact with Samaritans. He tells her that if she knew of God’s gift of grace and who he really was, if instead she were to ask him, she would receive living water - eternal life.

Misunderstanding Jesus, she asks him where living water comes from and how he could be greater than Jacob who dug the well for them. He tells her that drinking from Jacob’s well only temporarily satisfies one’s thirst, while drinking his water satisfies one’s thirst forever - leading to eternal life. She then asks Jesus to give her some of his water so she will never be thirsty again and have to return to Jacob’s well.

Jesus then tells her to go and get her husband because it is improper for him to be talking to her alone, at which point she tells him she has no husband. Knowing this, Jesus tells her that she has had five husbands and that she is telling the truth when she says she is not married to the man she is now with. Recognizing Jesus knowledge of her personal life is a sign that he is a prophet, she diverts the discussion away from herself to a religious conflict between the Samaritans and Jews about where the proper place to worship God is - Mount Gerazim vs the Jerusalem Temple. Jesus tells her that a time is coming when the God will be worshipped in neither place because the Samaritans worship what they don’t know and the Jews worship what they do. He tells her that salvation comes from the Jews and that the time has come when true worshippers won’t worship God in a place but in spirit and truth - something God desires. He tells her that because God is spirit his worshippers must worship Him in spirit and truth. The woman responds that when the Messiah comes he will explain everything to them at which point Jesus reveals to her that he is the Messiah.

When the disciples return from town they are surprised to find Jesus talking to a woman because of the customs of the day. Simultaneously, the woman leaves her water jar and goes back to town and tells everyone to come with her to see a man who could be the Messiah because he knew everything about her. As the town’s people come out to see Jesus, the disciples urged Jesus to eat, but he tells them his food is to do the will of God. He also quotes to them the proverb, “Four months more and then the harvest”, telling them in so many words to open up their eyes so they can participate in harvesting the crop of souls who are coming their way. He reminds them of the truth of another saying, “One sows and another reaps” telling them they have been sent to reap what they have not sowed. Others such as the prophets and him had done the hard work of sowing with the town’s people of Sechar, while they (the disciples) will reap the benefits of their labor as the town’s people come out to see him (the Messiah) for themselves.

Many of the town’s people believed because the Samaritan woman testified that “He told me everything I ever did.” When the Samaritans came out to see Jesus they asked him to stay with them and so he did for two days. As a result of his words many more believed and they told the woman that they no longer believed solely because of her testimony, now that they had heard Jesus for themselves and knew he was the Savior of the world.


PRINCIPLES JOHN 4:4-42

CIT = Central Idea of the Text, INT = Interrogatory, ANS = Answer)

JOHN 4:4-42

A. First Century Readers

CIT: John tells his first century readers that Jesus was God’s gift of living water leading to eternal life.

INT: How does John tell his first century readers that Jesus was God’s gift of living water leading to eternal life.

ANS: John told his first century readers this through Jesus breaking down barriers:

I. He Went through Samaria

II. He Talked to a Woman

a. He Asked Her for a Drink

b. He Offered Her Living Water

c. He Talked to Her about Her Life

d. He Told Her about True Worship

e. He Told Her He was the Messiah

III. He Stayed with Her People


B. Readers Today

CIT: John tells us today that Jesus is God’s gift of living water leading to eternal life.

INT: How does John tell us today that Jesus is God’s gift of living water leading to eternal life.

ANS: John tells us this today through our breaking down barriers:

I. We Go to Forsaken Places

II. We Talk to Forsaken People

a. We Ask Them for a Drink

b. We Offer Them Living Water

c. We Talk to Them about Their Lives

d. We Tell Them about True Worship

e. We Tell Them about the Messiah

III. We Stay with Them


PRAYER

Our Father, we give You praise for Your gift of Living Water, of Eternal Life, in Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Our Father, we thank You that Your Son, the Messiah, broke down the barriers that existed in this world, offering His Living Water to all.

Our Father, we thank You that we also can break down barriers in proclaiming Your Son's Living Water to the world.

Our Father, embolden us to go wherever and to whomever You desire us to go with Your gift.

Our Father, forgive us in the past when we have not responded to Your call.

Our Father, may our worship be as You desire, in spirit and in truth and may we bring this worship with us wherever You might send us to do Your work.

Our Father, humble us to ask others for the drink that we need as we build the relationships necessary to talk with them about their lives and the Salvation the Messiah brings.

We ask all of this in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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CREED, PRAYER & THE WORD: “GREATER & LESSER”

THE NICENE CREED

We believe in one God, The Father, the maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, The only Son of God, Eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit He became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again In accordance with the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen

THE SERENITY PRAYER

God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.
Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.

TEXT: JOHN 3:22-36 http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/?q=John3&niv=yes

GREATER & LESSER

PARAPHRASE – John 3:22-36

After talking with Nicodemus, Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside where his disciples began baptizing, as John the Baptist was doing. This led to an argument between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew about ceremonial washing. They went to John asking him why the one whom he had testified about was now baptizing and why everyone was going to him.

John answered by telling them a man can only receive what he is given from heaven, reminding them that he had testified he was not the Christ but had been sent ahead of him. He also told them while the bride belongs to the bridegroom, his role has been like that of the best man to the bridegroom, waiting and listening for him and being filled with joy when he hears his voice. He told them now that the Christ has come his joy is compete and that the Christ must become greater and he must become less important.

John goes on to tell them the one from above, from heaven, is the Christ who is above all, while he is from the earth, belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. He tells them that even though the one from above testifies to what he has seen and heard, no one accepts his testimony, although those who do accept it certify God as truthful – having sent the one from above who speaks His words, He gives him the Spirit without limit. John ends by telling them the Father loves the Son and has placed all authority in his hands so that whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see eternal life because God’s wrath remains on him for his sin.

PRINCIPLES

CIT = Central Idea of the Text, INT = Interrogatory, ANS = Answer)

JOHN 3:22-36

A. First Century Readers

CIT: John told his first century readers that Jesus must become greater and John the Baptist less. vv 22-26

INT: Why did John tell his first century readers that Jesus must become greater and John the Baptist less?

ANS: John told his first century readers that Jesus must become greater and John the Baptist less because of:

I. Who John the Baptist was

A. A man who received only what he was given from heaven. v 27

B. A man who testified he was not the Christ v 28

C. A man who said he was like the friend of the bridegroom v 29

II. Who Jesus was

A. The One who was from above, from heaven v 31

B. The One who was above all v 31

C. The One who testified what he had seen and heard v 32

D. The One who spoke the words of God v 33

E. The One whom the Father loved and gave all authority to v 35

F. The One who brought eternal life v 36

B. Readers Today

CIT: John tells us today that Jesus had to become greater and John the Baptist less. vv 22-26

INT: Why does John tell us today that Jesus had to become greater and John the Baptist less?

ANS: John tells us today that Jesus had to become greater and John the Baptist less because of:

III. Who John the Baptist was

A. A man who received only what he was given from heaven. v 27

B. A man who testified he was not the Christ v 28

C. A man who said he was like the friend of the bridegroom v 29

IV. Who Jesus is

A. The One who is from above, from heaven v 31

B. The One who is above all v 31

C. The One who testifies what he has seen and heard v 32

D. The One who speaks the words of God v 33

E. The One whom the Father loves and has given all authority to v 35

F. The One who brings eternal life v 36

PRAYER

Our Father, we thank You for the friend of the bridegroom who waited for him and prepared his way.

Our Father, we praise You for the man from earth who testified he was not the Christ but was sent ahead of him.

Our Father, we thank You for the One from Heaven who testified about what he had seen and heard.

Our Father, we praise You for the One above all, who speaks Your words with the Spirit unlimited.

Our Father, we thank You for loving the Son and for giving him all authority.

Our Father, we give You praise for the eternal life He brings to all who believe in His Name.

Our Father, forgive us when we falter in our belief and for our failures in telling others the Good News of Your Son and what He has done on the Cross for the sake of all.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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WORSHIP THRU BLESSING, CONFESSION & PRAISE

BLESSING

The one who comes from heaven is above all,
The one whom God has sent speaks the words of God,
The Father loves the Son and placed everything in his hands,
May your joy be complete!
Amen.

Scripture Reference: John 3:22-36

CONFESSION

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

If we say we have no sin, we deceive myself, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9

TIME FOR SELF EXAMINATION

Create in me a clean heart, O God
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence;
and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;
and uphold me with thy free spirit. Psalm 51


Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against
thee in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved thee with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in thy will,
and walk in thy ways,
to the glory of thy Name. Amen.

FORGIVENESS

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon you, has given his only Son to die for you, and for his sake forgives you all your sins. To whoever believes in Jesus Christ, he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. Amen


THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
For ever and ever. Amen

PRAISE

• Eternal Life by John 3:16

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WORSHIP THRU THE BODY

PREPARATION

To participate in the Lord’s Supper you will need a piece of bread and a small cup of juice or wine.

The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 says, “Therefore, whoever eats and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO

Glory be to God on high.
And in earth peace towards men of good will.
We praise thee.
We bless thee.
We worship thee.
We glorify thee.
We give thanks to thee for thy great glory.
O Lord God, heavenly King
God the Father almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesus Christ.
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.
Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy upon us.
For thou only art Holy. Thou only art the Lord. Thou only art the Most High.
Thou only, O Jesus Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art Most High in the glory of God the Father. Amen.


LORD’S SUPPER

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed,
took bread, and when he had given thanks,
he broke it and said, “This is my body.
Which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way, after supper he took the cup,
saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood;
do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Cor 11:23-26


THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory.
For ever and ever.
Amen.


COMMUNION SCRIPTURES

Then he said to them all: “if anyone would
come after me, he must deny himself and take
up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind. Then you will be able to test and approve
what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect
will. Romans 12:2

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let
nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to
the work of the Lord because you know that your
labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

COMMUNION

The body of Christ, given for you. (take & eat the piece of bread)

The blood of Christ, shed for you. (take & drink the juice or wine)


CLOSING PRAYERS

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ's side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints
and with Thy angels
Forever and ever
Amen


We give you thanks,
almighty God, that you
have refreshed us
through the healing
power of this gift of
life, and we pray that
in your mercy you
would strengthen us,
through this gift,
in faith toward you and in
fervent love toward one
another; for the sake of
Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.


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WORSHIP THRU CREED, PRAYER & WORD

APOSTLE’S CREED

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by he Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. AMEN.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
For ever and ever. Amen

THE WORD

WATER & SPIRIT

TEXT: JOHN 3: http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/?q=John3&niv=yes


PARAPHRASE – John 3:1-21

Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling counsel, came to Jesus at night and calling him teacher, said that they knew he was from God because of the miraculous signs he was doing.

Jesus responded by saying, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again,” which confused Nicodemus who taking Jesus literally, asked him how this was physically possible.

Trying to move Nicodemus away from a literal understanding, Jesus told him that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and Spirit stating, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” He went on to tell him that he shouldn’t be surprised at being told “You must be born again.” Speaking of the wind, Jesus tells Nicodemus that it blows wherever it wants to and although he can’t see where it comes from or where it is going he can hear its sound - which is like those who are born of the Spirit.

Still in the dark, Jesus tells Nicodemus that as one of Israel’s teachers he should already know the things he is being told, but the truth is although he and his disciples have been testifying to what they know and have seen – his people haven’t accepted their testimony. Jesus tells Nicodemus that since he has not believed him about earthly things it is unlikely he will believe him about heavenly things. He tells him that as the Son of Man he knows about heavenly things because having come from heaven he has been in heaven. And as Moses lifted up a snake on a pole in the desert so that whoever looked up at it would be saved from sin and death, he too will be lifted up on a cross so that whoever looks to him and believes in him will have eternal life.

He goes on to tell Nicodemus that God loves the world so much that he has given his only Son so that whoever believes in him will not perish apart from God but live eternally with Him. God didn’t send his Son into the world to condemn it but to save it through him, i.e. whoever believes in the Son is not condemned but whoever doesn’t believe is condemned because he doesn’t believe in God’s Son. And the verdict is: the Son is the Light that has come into the world, but men love darkness instead because what they do is evil and therefore they hate the light because they are fearful their evil actions will be exposed. However, those who live by the truth come into the light where it is clearly seen what they do has been done through God.

PRINCIPLES

(CIT = Central Idea of the Text, INT = Interrogatory, ANS = Answer)

JOHN 3:1-21

A. First Century Readers

CIT: John tells his first century readers that God sent His Son into the world to save it.

INT: How did John tell them God was going to save the world through His Son?

ANS: John told them that:

I. They must be born again. v 3,7

II. They must be born of water & the Spirit. v 5,6,8

III. They must believe in the Cross. v 14,15

IV. They must believe in God’s Son. v 10-13,16-18

V. They must come into his Light. v 19-21

B. Readers Today

CIT: John tells us today that God sent His Son into the world to save it.

INT: How does John tell us that God saves the world through His Son?

ANS: John tells us that:

I. We must be born again. v 3,7

II. We must be born of water & the Spirit. v 5,6,8

III. We must believe in the Cross. v 14,15

IV. We must believe in His Son. v 10-13,16-18

V. We must come into his Light. v 19-21

PRAYER

Our Father, we thank You for sending Your Son into the world to save us.

Our Father, we ask you to forgive us when we hide in our darkness.

Our Father, we praise You for bringing us into Your Light.

Our Father, glory to You for the Cross we look up to.

Our Father, we thank You for the water & Spirit.

Our Father, glory to You for the birth it brings.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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WORSHIP THRU BLESSING, CONFESSION & PRAISE

BLESSING
For God loved the world so much
that he gave his only Son so that
anyone who believes in him shall
not perish but have eternal life.
Amen.
John 3:16

CONFESSION
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9

TIME FOR SELF EXAMINATION

Create in me a clean heart, O God
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence;
and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;
and uphold me with thy free spirit. Psalm 51


Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against
thee in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved thee with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in thy will,
and walk in thy ways,
to the glory of thy Name. Amen.



FORGIVENESS

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon you, has given his only Son to die for you, and for his sake forgives you all your sins. To whoever believes in Jesus Christ, he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. Amen


THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
For ever and ever. Amen

PRAISE

• Breathe On Me by Hillsongs Australia

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WORSHIP THROUGH THE BODY

PREPARATION

To participate in the Lord’s Supper you will need a piece of bread & a small cup of juice or wine.

The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 says, “Therefore, whoever eats and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.

PRAISE

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, God of power and might:
Heaven and Earth are full of you glory. Hosanna,
Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who
comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

LORD’S SUPPER

In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread,
and gave thanks; broke it,
and gave it to his disciples
saying: Take and eat;
this is my body, given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.

Again, after supper,
He took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink,
saying: This cup is
the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people
for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this in remembrance of me.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory.
For ever and ever. Amen


COMMUNION SCRIPTURES

We all like sheep, have gone astray, each of us
has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid
on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

Just as man is destined to die once, and after
that to face judgment. Hebrews 9:27

For Christ died for sinners once for all, the
righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
He was put to death in the body but made alive by
the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18

He saved us, not because of righteous things
we had done, but because of his mercy. He
saved us through the washing of rebirth and
renewal by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is
Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised
him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with
your heart that you believe and are justified, and it
is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10

I write these things to you who believe in the
name of the Son of God so that you may know
that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13


COMMUNION

The body of Christ, given for you. (take & eat the piece of bread)

The blood of Christ, shed for you. (take & drink the juice or wine)


CLOSING PRAYER

We give you thanks,
almighty God, that you
have refreshed us
through the healing
power of this gift of
life, and we pray that
in your mercy you
would strengthen us,
through this gift,
in faith toward you and in
fervent love toward one
another; for the sake of
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

WORSHIP THRU THE WORD

AUTHORITY TO CLEANSE

TEXT: JOHN 2:12-22 http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/?q=John2&niv=yes

PARAPHRASE – John 2:12-22

After attending the wedding banquet Jesus went to Capernaum with his mother, brothers and disciples where they all stayed for a few days.

Then when it was getting close to the time of the Passover he went to Jerusalem where he found that cattle, sheep and doves were being sold and money was being exchanged in the temple courts. Making a whip out of chords he drove the sheep and cattle from the temple courts, scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables – shouting to those who were selling doves, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!

As he did this, his disciples remembered that in the Psalms it says “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

In contrast, the Jews were demanding that Jesus perform a miraculous sign to prove he had authority to do what he had done.

Jesus responded to them by saying “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days.”

Taking him literally, the Jews asked Jesus since it had taken 46 years to build the temple, how was he going to rebuilt it in three days – not realizing the temple he spoke of was his body. After the resurrection his disciples remembered what he had said to the Jews and they believed the Scripture and the words he had spoken.

PRINCIPLES – John 2:12-22

I. John told his first century readers that Jesus had authority to cleanse the Temple.

II. How does John tell his first century readers that Jesus had authority to cleanse the Temple?

III. John tells his first century readers that Jesus had authority to cleanse the Temple because:

A. It was His Father’s house v 13-16

B. Scripture foretold it v 17

C. His resurrected body was the new Temple v 18-22


IV. John tells us today that Jesus has authority to cleanse the Church.

V. How does John tell us today that Jesus has authority to cleanse the Church?

VI. John tells us today that Jesus has authority to cleanse the Church because:

A. It’s His Father’s house v 13-16

B. Scripture foretells it v 17

C. His resurrected body is the Church v 17-22

PRAYER

Our Father, we thank You for Your Son’s Resurrection, for His Body the Church.

Our Father, forgive us when we desecrate His Body with materialism and privilege.

Our Father, we praise You for Your Word foretelling of Your Son’s cleansing.

Our Father, we praise You for Your Son’s authority to do what he does.

Our Father, help our faith to grow strong in Your Son for what he has done.

Our Father, we pray all of this in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Amen.

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WORSHIP THRU PRAYER

PSALM 2 - PRAYER

http://www.llpb.us/Canticles-Psalms-Ants.htm

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.


PSALM 3 - PRAYER

http://www.llpb.us/Canticles-Psalms-Ants.htm

LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.


THE LORD'S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
For ever and ever. Amen

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