We Come at His Call
(Service #1)
- PREPARING/THINKING ABOUT IT:
- Read Compass article: "God's Call"
A meditation on God's call in Scripture: "The Call"
Read "The Drafting Table"(#1) suggestions about choosing and using themes - OPENING: We Are Called to Worship
Introduction: - "The Father is seeking worshipers from every tribe and tongue and people and nation."
He has brought US to himself to worship him. He says, "I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself."(Exodus 19:4) - Call to Worship: John 4:23-24
- "Come and Rejoice" (by Don Moen & Gerrit Gustafson ©1989 Integrity's Hosanna! Music)
Integrity Hosanna! Book 3:280
Isaiah 2:1-3
"Come, We That Love the Lord"A psalm of praise: Psalm 96
Leader, or another reader: Psalm 95:6-7
"Come, Let Us Worship and Bow Down" (by Dave Dougherty ©1980 Maranatha! Music) (based on Psalm 95:6-7) Confess: we have not sought him. (Romans 3:11)
- "We Have Not Known Thee As We Ought" (vv.1-3) one or more verses, sung OR read [tune: Veni Emmanuel (or St.Chrysostom)]
Invitation & Pardon
We have not sought him with our whole hearts, but HE has sought us, and he calls out to us. Come. . . and hear his gracious call--to drink of the waters of life.- "Come Just As You Are" (by Joe Sabolick ©1993 Maranatha! Music) (based on Revelation 22:16-17) see also Isaiah 55:1
Not only does he call to us, he COMES to us, to the highways and byways (Luke 14:23) to the darkest recesses, the remotest corners of the earth, to those who are weak and hurting, to those who are trapped in their own selfishness and rebellion; he comes to seek & save the lost (Luke 19:10)
- (Read Matthew 11:28-30)
"I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say" (Bonar) -
(This may be a good opportunity for spending some time humbled before the cross, coming to him who has called us, and drinking deeply of the water of life.)
We remember that we do not come bringing anything. I must come - "Just As I Am"
"Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts"
(add hymns and songs of the Cross: "When I Survey," etc.) -
I come humbly, yet confidently, because he has CALLED me to come, and because
- "I Come By the Blood"(by Steve and Vikki Cook, ©1994 Word Music and PDI Music)
Celebration, Thanksgiving
Isaiah 65:1 : God says "I was found by those who did not seek me."- "(I'm) Forever Grateful" by Mark Altrogge ©1985 People of Destiny International (Admin. by Word, Inc.) Integrity Hosanna! Book 3:208
"I Will Come & Bow Down at your Feet" [ Psalm 16:11] (by Martin J. Nystrom ©1984 Integrity's Hosanna! Music)Integrity Hosanna! Book 1: 40 -
Not only is it our delight to worship him. The Father seeks our worship. He wants us to come. And so we can bring him pleasure as we sing his praises!
- "I Bow My Knee" (by Bonnie Deuschle, ©1988 Integrity's Hosanna! Music) Integrity Hosanna! Book 5:402
"I Extol You" (by Jennifer Randolph, ©1985 Integrity's Hosanna! Music)Integrity Hosanna! Book 1:35
**add several praise songs** -
(A Time of Prayer: free prayers of praise and thanks for the one who has called us and freed us to worship him.)
Offering
We give to the Father "from whom all blessings" flow, to the great King we give tribute, because he is great and worthy Psalm 96:7-9-
Our Lord has called us to be his own, to worship him, to love him with all our heart and soul and mind, to give back to him all we have and are.
- Jesus Calls Us O'er the Tumult
Time of Prayer (Intercession)
- that God will give us hearts to love and worship him
- that God will bring himself glory in his people, as he teaches us to serve and worship him.
- that God will bring himself glory as he rescues those in distress.
- that God will draw all men to worship him [add specific prayers for evangelism, missions] and his glory will fill heaven and earth.
- (The Lord's Prayer--to close, or open)
Sermon: The Great Invitation: COME! DRINK! EAT! LIVE! (Isaiah 55:1-3) (John Piper)
Communion: He Calls us TO FEAST with him!
When God brought his people to worship on his mountain, to make them his and give them his word, he sealed his covenant in blood and invited the representatives of the people--the 70 elders--to feast before him. (Exodus 24:8-11)Now God has sealed his new covenant in the blood of his Son, (Luke 22:20)and invited us to his banquet. Hear his invitation to come and dine! Luke 14:23-24
- "Taste and See"
Our Glorious Hope Revelation 7:15-17
Benediction/Blessing: Hebrews 13:20-21