Description
Revelation 5:11-14
If Scripture presents us with the narrative of God’s redemption of His people, then Revelation is that story in microcosm. There are difficulties; there are enemies, but God triumphs. For all the attempts to interpret Revelation and plug its eschatological language into current events, the theme of the Revelation is the same, age to age. God is victorious. Those who are His children are victorious. And for all eternity, we will join the hymn of unending praise, as creation itself joyously sings before the throne. Hard as this life can be, the good news is, we have already won.
+ WE PREPARE TO WORSHIP +
[Worship Planners: A Worship CD and/or the praise team can play in the background 10-15 minutes before the service.]
TIME OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP
How Can I Keep From Singing
Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Matt Redman, ©2006 worshiptogether.com songs
Victory Chant
Joseph Vogele, ©1985 Scripture in Song
How Great Is Our God
Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, & Jesse Reeves ©2004 worshiiptogether.com songs/Sixsteps
Music/ASCAP
[Traditional Options]
Rejoice, Rejoice This Happy Morn
LBW 43; LSB 391; LW 520
God Himself is Present
LBW 249; LSB 907; LW 206; NCH 68
INVOCATION AND INTRODUCTION OF TODAY’S THEME
Pastor: We have much to celebrate. We are the people of God. We begin in His name.
People: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Pastor: On this day our celebration still focuses on the empty tomb, and the victory of Jesus.
People: He died to forgive our sins and rose again to give us new life.
Pastor: And we celebrate the victory that is ours in Jesus
People: He is the Lamb Who was slain.
Pastor: He is risen.
People: He is risen indeed.
Pastor: Blessing and honor and glory and might be to the Lamb,
People: Forever and ever. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER: [This prayer is offered as an idea] — Praise and glory belong to You, Lord, for You are the Lamb Who was slain. In Your sacrificial death we are forgiven, and in Your resurrection we are empowered to live for all eternity. We join in the great hymn of all creation – “Blessing and glory and honor and power, be to You, forever and ever. Amen.
TIME OF GREETING
TIME OF CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Pastor: We gather before the throne of the Lamb, rejoicing in His victory, even as we lay before Him our sins and our sinfulness.
People: These things we confess –
we live as if we have been defeated
we live as if we must still prove our worth
we live as if the empty tomb has no power in our lives
we withhold our praise, and take ourselves so seriously
Forgive us, and fill us with the wonder of the resurrection, inspiring us to live in victory and joy.
(A time of personal reflection and confession)
Pastor: The Lamb Who was slain has begun His reign. Jesus died for our sins, and rose again. He is the conquering Lamb, and in Him we are redeemed. Through His Spirit, we are empowered to live as the people of God, joining with all creation in the singing of praise unto our holy God:
People: Blessing and honor and glory and might be to the Lamb, forever and ever. Amen.
+ We Hear the Word of God +
[It is suggested that the introductions be read out loud as well as the Scripture itself]
FIRST READING Acts 20:17-35 (NIV)
Paul is about to leave for Jerusalem, and, knowing the danger he faces, says farewell to the leaders of the Church at Ephesus, encouraging them to preach the Gospel that was delivered to them.
17From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. 20You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. 22And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. 25“Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. 32“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
