Prepare For Sunday
Don't just show up on Sunday. Be prepared to meet with God.
Our desire for each worship service is for you to enter into the presence of the living God through Christ by His Spirit with His people.
The goal of this entry is to help prepare you to do that.
To The Ends of Asia
This summer we're doing something simple: we are going on a trip! Summer is the time to travel and we are going to follow the Word as it travels through out Asia. Luke wrote Acts as a journey — the message of the risen Christ moving outward from Jerusalem, through Antioch, and west into Asia Minor, the territory we now call Turkey.
To the Ends of Asia walks those same roads with him, Sunday by Sunday. We'll sit in Antioch as a church lays hands on its missionaries and sends them away. We'll plant churches across Galatia, hear the Spirit redirect Paul westward, arrive at Ephesus, and stand in the theater when the city erupts.
And we'll finish where Revelation begins — with the risen Christ walking among the seven golden lampstands of the very region Acts has just toured.
A few of us are heading to Turkey to see these places firsthand. But the journey is for all of us, right here, in the Book of Acts.
For our first Sunday we have the privilege to hear from Ben Wood.
Ben and Mandi Wood and their children Elliana, Jonathan and Noah have been with Trinity Church for the last 4 years. Originally from Ohio, they served as missionaries in the Middle East before coming to Orlando. Ben serves on the theological development team with Cru and Mandi cares for staff as part of the HR team.
Our journey to the ends of Asia begins this week with a message to the church in Ephesus. Apollos and Paul had been part of establishing this church 40 years before. The Gospel message had gone out powerfully from it, creating quite a stir in the region.
How is it doing now?
What message did God have for them about their works and motivation?
Through both encouragement and rebuke God had a message for them and has one for us today.
Here is our outline:
To the Church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7)
How are we to go about the good work God has given us?
In recognition of Jesus’ authority and presence (1)
Knowing that He sees us (2-3, 6)
Do you feel seen by God?
Is He calling you to service?
In love of God and others (4-5)
What do you need to remember?
Do you need to repent?
In hope of eternal life (7)
Do you have this hope?
Songs of Worship
1. Call Upon the Lord
2. Fall Afresh
3. Lord I Need You
4. Abide
Call to Worship: Revelation 1:12-18
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
Confession of Sin
Leader: Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior walks among the lampstands. He knows our works, our labor, our endurance, and all that is hidden from human eyes. He sees not only what we do, but why we do it. Let us come before Him with humble and honest hearts.
All: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the One who walks among Your churches, and nothing is hidden from Your sight.
You know our works, yet we confess that our hearts are often divided.
Leader: We have been busy in service, but slow in devotion.
We have guarded truth, yet failed to love as we ought.
All: We have labored for Your name, while neglecting communion with You. We confess that our love for You is often weaker than it should be. Other loves have crowded You out. Other concerns have captured our attention. Other pursuits have cooled our affection.
Leader: Forgive us for serving without delight, obeying without joy, and working without wonder.
Bring to our minds the grace we have forgotten, the mercies we have overlooked, and the love that first drew us to Yourself.
All: Grant us true repentance. Renew our hearts. Restore to us the joy of Your salvation.
For the sake of Your great name,
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news of the gospel:
Lift up your heads and hear the good news.
The One who calls His church to repent is the same One who gave Himself to save sinners.
When John fell before the risen Christ as though dead, Jesus laid His right hand upon him and said:
“Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”
The Christ who rebukes His church is also the Christ who loves His church.
The Christ who calls us to return is the Christ who welcomes returning sinners.
Therefore hear this promise:
“He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
In Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven.
His mercy is greater than your failures.
His love is stronger than your wandering heart.
