Sunday 12th August 2007

Morning Service

Jesus – THE EARLY YEARS GOD IN OUR COMPANY: The Son of Man has authority

Luke 5:12-26 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Ps 46.1

CALL TO WORSHIP

Please see the back page of today’s news-sheet for the words of a scriptural call to worship God

CALL TO WORSHIP - Psalm 47:5-8

MINISTER: God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.

PEOPLE: Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.

CALL TO WORSHIP - Psalm 47:5-8

MINISTER: For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.

ALL: God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.

PSALM 46a:1-7* (p. 59)

1 God is our refuge and our strength,

our ever-present aid;2 And therefore, though the

earth gives way,we will not be afraid.

PSALM 46a:1-7* (2/6)

Though mountains fall into the sea,

3 though waters foam and roar,We will not fear, though

mountains quake

as waves engulf the shore.

PSALM 46a:1-7* (3/6)

4 A river flows, whose streams delight

the city of our God—The holy place, in which the

LORDMost High has his abode.

PSALM 46a:1-7* (4/6)

5 God is within his holy place;the city will not yield,For God will come at break

of dayto be her help and shield.

PSALM 46a:1-7* (5/6)

6 The nations are in disarray;the kingdoms disappear.God speaks, and at his

mighty voicethe whole earth melts with

fear.

PSALM 46a:1-7* (6/6)

7 The LORD Almighty is with us

to strengthen and sustain;For Jacob’s God our strong

defenceand fortress will remain.

Prayer of Approach to God

Scripture Reading

Luke 5:12-26

Jesus – THE EARLY YEARS GOD IN OUR COMPANY: The Son of Man has authority

Luke 5:12-26 (p. 1032)

12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."

13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him.

Luke 5:12-26 (p. 1032) 14 Then Jesus ordered him, "Don't tell

anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."

15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.

16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Luke 5:12-26 (p. 1032)

17 One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick.

18 Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus.

Luke 5:12-26 (p. 1032)

19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

Luke 5:12-26 (p. 1032)

21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?

Luke 5:12-26 (p. 1032)

23 Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?

24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home."

Luke 5:12-26 (p. 1032)

25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.

26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today.

PSALM 6:1-10* (p. 6) (LM)

1 LORD, in your wrath rebuke me not;

In anger do not chasten me.

2 Have mercy, LORD, for I am faint;

LORD, heal me in my agony.

PSALM 6:1-10* (2/5)

3 My soul with anguish is distressed.

O LORD, how long will you delay?

4 Turn to me, LORD, and free my soul;

In steadfast love save me, I pray.

PSALM 6:1-10* (3/5)

5 No one in death remembers you;

Who from the grave can give you praise?

6 My groaning weakens me; at night

My bed is drenched with tears always.

PSALM 6:1-10* (4/5)

7 My eyes grow weak with tears of grief;

They fail because of all my foes.

8 Away from me, you evil crowd!

The LORD has listened to my woes.

PSALM 6:1-10* (5/5)

9 The LORD has heard my prayer for help;

The LORD has listened to my plea.

10 My enemies, disgraced and shamed,

Will turn back from me suddenly.

Prayer of Confessionfollowed by Sermon

Unison Prayer Please see the back pageof today’s news-sheet

Prayer of Confession (Unison)

Eternal God, in whom we live, move and have our being,

We forget Your mercy in the blindness of our hearts,

And Your face is hidden from us by our sins.

Prayer of Confession (Unison)

Cleanse us from all in our hearts that offends You;

Deliver us from our proud thoughts and our vain desires,

So that with reverent and humble hearts we may draw near to You;

Prayer of Confession (Unison)

We come confessing our faults, confident in Your grace,

And finding in You our refuge and our strength;

Through Jesus Christ, Your Son and Our Lord, Amen.

Sermon

Jesus – THE EARLY YEARS GOD IN OUR COMPANY: The Son of Man has authority

Reading: Luke 5:12-26 (p. 1032)

God’s Assurance of Pardon

Jesus said:

“…the Son of Man has authority on earth

to forgive sins.”

GOD IN OUR COMPANY (Luke 5)

The Son of Man has authority

Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today." (26)

Reactions to Jesus today: mild indifference, or open hostility?

Intolerance, Ignorance,

Indifference

God in Our Company – 1 (verses 12-14)

God in the Presence of PAIN An UNCLEAN suffering

man (12) Why were people so

afraid of leprosy? 1 - Horror: The look and

smell; 2 - Contagion; 3 – isolation, Ceremonial quarantine.

Would Jesus help? (13) PAIN

God in Our Company – 1 (verses 12-14)

God in the Presence of PAIN How was it OK for Jesus to

touch the leper? NORMAL rules do not apply,

as cleansing flows to the man!

Only two lepers were healed in the OT – both by God’s direct action

Now: testify to the priests, Jesus is God in the presence of pain!!! PAIN

God in Our Company – 2 (verses 17-26)

God in the Presence of GUILT 17-26: evidence of

authority not just to heal, but to forgive!

Why did the crowd come? (17)

No one minded a healing - but this man needed more that “new” legs! DESPERATION

God in Our Company – 2 (verses 17-26)

God in the Presence of GUILT JESUS PRIORITY: NOT to

heal, but to forgive! Sin is against God. 21b – who but God

can forgive…? Jesus is the one we

offend, and the one who can forgive. Jesus is God in the presence of our guilt.

DESPERATION

God in Our Company – 3 (verses 15-16)

Man in the Presence of GOD The paradox of JESUS:

Our God, yet… Jesus is also a man

drawing near to God! He is God with us, yet also one with us seeking out God’s fellowship.

He too got overwhelmed! Jesus often withdrew to

lonely places and prayed

God in Our Company – 3 (verses 15-16)

Man in the Presence of GOD So what should we

do? With our pain, with guilt, and with longing?

Jesus knows the path into God’s presence: in His great humility, he has opened it up for you.

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed

Psalm 116:4-8 (p. 396)

4 Upon the name of God the LORD

then did I call, and say,Deliver thou my soul, O

LORD,I do thee humbly pray.

Psalm 116:4-8 (2/4)

5 GOD merciful and righteous is,

yea, gracious is our LORD.6 GOD saves the meek: I

was brought low,he did me help afford.

Psalm 116:4-8 (3/4)

7 O thou my soul, do thou return

unto thy quiet rest;For largely, lo, the LORD

to theehis bounty hath

expressed.

Psalm 116:4-8 (4/4)

8 For my distressèd soul from death

delivered was by thee:Thou didst my mourning

eyes from tears,my feet from falling, free.

God Calls Us to delight in

Christ and to Share His

Hope.

Join us for

Tea & Coffee

Served now in the church

hall.

People to Pray for