god's presence 1/4 - why do we gather as church?
DESCRIPTION
This is the first of 4 talks looking at why we gather together as church and what we are seeking to do when we gather. In this sermon Alastair focuses on the simply but profound importance of realising that we gather in God's presence and considers how we do this.TRANSCRIPT
Sunday 6th June 2010
10:00 Morning Praise
“Gathering in God’s Presence”
Led by Alastair MacDonald
(liturgy and sermon slides only)
LiturgyLiturgy- - OpeningOpening: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
- - Confession Confession & & AbsolutionAbsolution
- - WorshipWorship: SSalvation belongs to our God (992): SSalvation belongs to our God (992)
Agnus DeiAgnus Dei
- - Bible Readings Bible Readings & & SermonSermon
- - SongsSongs: Be Still, Lord you have my heart, Your Love O’Lord: Be Still, Lord you have my heart, Your Love O’Lord
- - CreedCreed
- - PrayersPrayers
- - Closing SongClosing Song: To God be the Glory: To God be the Glory
Bible ReadingsBible Readings
2 Chronicles 6:12- 21; 7:1-32 Chronicles 6:12- 21; 7:1-3
Hebrews 10:19-25Hebrews 10:19-25
This is the word of the Lord.This is the word of the Lord.
(All:) Thanks be to God.(All:) Thanks be to God.
Why do you come to church?Why do you come to church?
3% in Amsterdam3% in Amsterdam
We gather in God’s presence
Psalm 139:7-10Psalm 139:7-10Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.your right hand will hold me fast.
2 Chronicles 6 & 72 Chronicles 6 & 7
““The heavens, even the highest heavenThe heavens, even the highest heaven
cannot contain you. How much less this cannot contain you. How much less this
temple that I have built”. temple that I have built”.
““When Solomon finished praying, When Solomon finished praying,
fire came down from heaven andfire came down from heaven and
consumed the burnt offering and theconsumed the burnt offering and the
sacrifices, and the glory of the LORDsacrifices, and the glory of the LORD
filled the temple.”filled the temple.”
Hebrews 10:19-27Hebrews 10:19-27
With confidence enter With confidence enter
the Most Holy Place …. the Most Holy Place ….
Draw near to God.Draw near to God.
Enter into the presence of GodEnter into the presence of God
draw near to God.draw near to God. come confidently to God.come confidently to God. seek God’s forgiveness.seek God’s forgiveness. keep believing!keep believing! for he who promised is faithful!for he who promised is faithful!
God is good and his love endures forever.God is good and his love endures forever.
We gather in God’s presenceWe gather in God’s presence
The Lord is here.The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.His Spirit is with us.
We gather together:We gather together: to encourage and help each other.to encourage and help each other. to enter into the very presence of God.to enter into the very presence of God. to allow God’s presence to … to allow God’s presence to … help us live as God’s people the rest of help us live as God’s people the rest of
the week.the week. help others experience God’s presence help others experience God’s presence
and love and come to believe in Jesus.and love and come to believe in Jesus.
We gather in God’s presence
““Come near to God and Come near to God and
he will come near to you.”he will come near to you.”
James 4:8James 4:8