‘The scandal of the Cross’ by Martyn Lloyd-Jones

There was a time when it was true to say of the masses of the people that . . . they recognized the truth of the Gospel . . . but failed to put it into practice. They may have gone further and objected to its stringent ethical and moral demands. But even then they were paying tribute to it, and merely putting up defenses for their own sin and weaknesses. The gospel in those days was recognized as presenting the highest and the best way of life. . . . That was once the position. But it is no longer so. . . . The general attitude towards the gospel has changed completely . . . today it is being actively attacked and opposed. Indeed, we have even reached a stage beyond that; it is being ridiculed and dismissed. The claim today is that it is something which no educated, reasonable person can possibly accept and believe. It is placed in the category of folk-lore and superstition. . . . All this can be proved, it is contended, by the advance of knowledge, the result of scientific discovery, and the light which psychology has thrown on human nature and its strange behavior. Certain aspects of the moral teaching of the gospel are accepted and praised, though some would even reject that, but as for the central claims of the gospel . . . all these things are rejected with contempt and sarcasm. . . . Salvation is to be found, according to the modern man, in the full use of the human capacities and powers which can be trained by knowledge and education. Man must save himself; man can save himself. . . . And if anyone ventures . . . to say that the gospel is the only hope for mankind . . . he would be roared at as a lunatic or a fool. Nevertheless, that is precisely and exactly what we assert today, as Paul did so long ago. . . . We do not hesitate to state that the only hope for men is to believe the gospel of Christ. Reprinted with permission from A First Book of Daily Readings from the Works of Martyn Lloyd-Jones by Martyn Lloyd-Jones, selected by Frank Cumbers (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan; www.eerdmans.com; December 1983; ISBN 0-8028-1354-2) pg. 77.

-16-

First Church of Merrimack, NH A Member Congregation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church

Founded 1771

June 28, 2020 6:00 pm Worship Service

7 Baboosic Lake Road / P.O. Box 507 Merrimack, New Hampshire 03054

603-424-3947 / 603-424-3133 www.firstchurchofmerrimack.org

Rev. Dr. Allen C. Tomlinson, Pastor pastorallen@firstchurchofmerrimack.org

Apostolic Greeting Pastor Allen Tomlinson

Call to Worship Psalm 96:1-3

“Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. 3 Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.”

Prayer of Invocation

*Psalm #27 A (Pages 12 & 13) “The LORD’S My Light”

*Confessional Reading (Below) Shorter Catechism Q&A 104-107

Question 104: What do we pray for in the fourth petition?

Answer 104: In the fourth petition, which is, Give us this day our daily bread, we pray that of God's free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy his blessing with them.1

1Proverbs 30:8-9; Matthew 6:31-34; Philippians 4:11, 19; I Timothy 6:6-8

Question 105: What do we pray for in the fifth petition?

Answer 105: In the fifth petition, which is, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, we pray that God, for Christ's sake, would freely pardon all our sins;1 which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.2

1Psalm 51:1-2, 7, 9; Daniel 9:17-19; I John 1:7; 2Matthew 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13

Question 106: What do we pray for in the sixth petition?

Answer 106: In the sixth petition, which is, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin,1 or support and deliver us when we are tempted.2

1Psalm 19:13; Matthew 26:41; John 17:15; 2Luke 22:31-32; I Corinthians 10:13; II Corinthians 12:7-9; Hebrews 2:18

*Please stand, if able

-2-

Question 107: What doth the conclusion of the Lord's prayer teach us?

Answer 107: The conclusion of the Lord's prayer, which is, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen, teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only,1 and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power and glory to him.2 And in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.3

1Daniel 9:4, 7-9, 16-19; Luke 18:1, 7-8; 2I Chronicles 29:10-13; I Timothy 1:17; Revelation 5:11-13; 3I Corinthians 14:16; Revelation 22:20

*Hymn #221 (Page 14) “O Light That Knew No Dawn”

Prayer of Illumination

Old Testament Reading (Below) Ezekiel Chapter 1

1Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the River Chebar, that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. 2 On the fifth day of the month, which was in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, 3 the word of the LORD came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was upon him there. 4 Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire. 5 Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. 6 Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. 7 Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves’ feet. They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze.

-3-

8 The hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four had faces and wings. 9 Their wings touched one another. The creatures did not turn when they went, but each one went straight forward. 10 As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle. 11 Thus were their faces. Their wings stretched upward; two wings of each one touched one another, and two covered their bodies. 12 And each one went straight forward; they went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went. 13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches going back and forth among the living creatures. The fire was bright, and out of the fire went lightning. 14 And the living creatures ran back and forth, in appearance like a flash of lightning. 15 Now as I looked at the living creatures, behold, a wheel was on the earth beside each living creature with its four faces. 16 The appearance of the wheels and their workings was like the color of beryl, and all four had the same likeness. The appearance of their workings was, as it were, a wheel in the middle of a wheel. 17 When they moved, they went toward any one of four directions; they did not turn aside when they went. 18 As for their rims, they were so high they were awesome; and their rims were full of eyes, all around the four of them. 19 When the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.

-4-

20 Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, because there the spirit went; and the wheels were lifted together with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21 When those went, these went; when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up together with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 22 The likeness of the firmament above the heads of the living creatures was like the color of an awesome crystal, stretched out over their heads. 23 And under the firmament their wings spread out straight, one toward another. Each one had two which covered one side, and each one had two which covered the other side of the body. 24 When they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a tumult like the noise of an army; and when they stood still, they let down their wings. 25 A voice came from above the firmament that was over their heads; whenever they stood, they let down their wings. 26 And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. 27 Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.

-5-

New Testament Reading (Below) John 8:1-12; 12:27-47; I John 1:5—2:2

John 8:1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 12:27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.

-6-

28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.” 30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die. 34 The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them. 37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.” 41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.

-7-

42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. 44 Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. I John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and 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 Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that 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 that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

Congregational “Amen!”

-8-

Sermon “Stay in the Light” Ministerial Intern Damon Young, Exhorting

Prayer of Application

*Hymn #531 (pg 15) “Nearer, Still Nearer”

Prayer of Confession of Sin (Below)

Our loving Heavenly Father, Who sent forth Your own beloved Son into this world, that we might be redeemed by His sacrifice. We give thanks to You for that sacrifice, made once and for all on the Cross in His death. We come confessing our wonder at the greatness of Your eternal love, and our amazement at the infinite love of our Savior. Who loved us so much, that He took the full guilt and burden of our sin upon Himself, as He hung upon that accursed Tree. We confess our failure to love You with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, even though this is what You deserve from us, both as our Creator and as our Redeemer. We have failed to love You every time we have broken Your moral Law, which is truly the law of love. We have also sinned against You every time we have sinned against one another, for we daily fail to love our neighbor as ourselves. Please have mercy upon us for Christ’s sake only, pardon our sins by His atoning sacrifice, grant us fresh assurance of Your love for us in Him, and renew us to holy obedience, by pouring out within our hearts and lives Your love. Enable us to love You first and foremost, and then to love one another for Christ’s sake. In the Name of the one and only Mediator we pray. Amen.

-9-

Assurance of Pardon (Below) Numbers 21:7-9

7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Prayer

*The Benediction

*The Doxology

-10-

“STAY IN THE LIGHT” John 8:1-12; 12:27-47; I John 1:5—2:2

Ministerial Intern Damon Young, Exhorting

-11-

-12-

The LORD’S My Light (continued)

-13-

-14-

-15-