Sunday, January 25
As stewards of God’s words and works, it is with delight that we have the opportunity to gather as His people in worship by way of a reminder of the truth, power, and goodness of the sacred Scriptures. May we gather in His name and for His glory as we endeavor to make much of Christ through scripture, prayer, song, and the preaching of His Word. We look forward to gathering together this Lord’s day – For Christ, to God’s Glory, and Man’s Joy!
Order of Service
Preservice
We Gather Together
Welcome/Announcements
Read the Word / Pray the Word
Acts 8:4-25
(Jeff Glass)
Sing the Word
Reading: Psalm 145:1–7
How Great (Psalm 145)
We Are Yours Forever
Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16
Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near
Reading: Hebrews 12:1–2
The King In All His Beauty
Preach the Word
Grace Versus Glory | Acts 8:4-13
(Manny Pereira)
Hymn of Response / Closing
Only A Holy God
Benediction
This Sunday’s Sermon
Grace Versus Glory | Acts 8:4-13 | Manny Pereira
Persecution leads to gospel promulgation. The good news of Christ breaks out beyond Jerusalem not with the noise of human greatness, but with the quiet thunder of divine grace. A city is flooded with joy as the result of receiving the grace of God in the gospel of Christ. The power of God that topples dark strongholds is contrasted to the empty fascination of spectacles for applause. A major contrast is presented between God’s grace and man’s self-glory. Grace bows low, repents, and rejoices in Christ; glory grasps, performs, and markets in sacred things. The passage exposes charlatan faith and calls us to cling to Christ, whose gospel cannot be bought, whose Spirit cannot be manipulated, and whose joy is found only when the self is dethroned and Jesus is treasured.
Featured Song
Today’s Song Lyrics
We Gather Together
Verse 1
We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing:
Sing praises to His name; He forgets not His own.
Verse 2
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
The Lord was at our side: all glory be Thine!
Verse 3
We all do extol Thee, Thou leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our defender wilt be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
(Additional Verse 4)
We praise Thee, O God, our Redeemer, Creator,
Who is and Who was, and Is to come!
Give thanks unto You, Lord, our God Almighty;
We bless Thy Holy Name, glad praises we sing!
Words: Adrianus Valerius, 1626; tr. Theodore Baker, 1894 | Music: Neder-landtsch Gedenck-Clank, 1626; harm. Eduard Kremser, 1877 © Public Domain
How Great (Psalm 145)
Verse 1
I’ll bless Your name, O God, each day that I awake
From dawn to setting sun, Your greatness I’ll proclaim
Your glory far exceeds all human thought
So with each breath I’ll bless Your name, O God
Verse 2
Your name will be revered by children yet to come
As generations sing of wonders You have done
Your strong and mighty deeds are always near
O God Most High, Your name will be revered
(Chorus)
How great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!
How great is the Lord our God
How great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!
Verse 3
Your gracious hand provides for all who live and breathe
Your mercy runs to find the helpless and the weak
When we call out to You, You hear our cries
And all our needs Your gracious hand provides
Verse 4
Forever without end, creation will rejoice
When works of wicked men, You finally destroy
Your power we’ll proclaim till Christ descends
And You will reign forever without end
Music & words: Bob Kauflin, Jordan Kauflin, and Nathan Stiff © 2022 Sovereign Grace Worship/ASCAP, Sovereign Grace Praise/BMI (administrated by Integrity Music). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Churches. All rights reserved.; UBP CCLI License #249042
We Are Yours Forever
Verse 1
God, when You spoke into darkness
And said, “Let there be,” and it was,
You made us the crown of creation
To share in Your love.
And when we rejected Your goodness
To follow our foolish desire,
You knew that one day You’d redeem us
Through one sacrifice.
(Chorus)
Oh, what a love You have lavished on us
To call us Your children, daughters and sons;
One with the Savior, bought by His blood,
We are Yours forever.
Verse 2
By grace, You have made us Your family;
We’re kept in Your kindness and care;
With boldness we know we can bring You
Each burden we bear.
And though we are longing to see You,
Your Spirit within testifies
That we are adopted and treasured
Till faith becomes sight.
(Repeat Chorus)
(Bridge)
What now can separate us from
The hope you gave us?
We will be like Christ our King,
We are Yours forever.
(Chorus 2)
Oh, what a love You have lavished on us
To call us Your children, daughters and sons;
One with the Savior, bought by His blood,
We are Yours forever.
Music & Words: Keaton Bunting, Bob Kauflin, and David Zimmer © 2024 Sovereign Grace Praise/BMI (adm. by Integrity Music). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Churches. All rights reserved. www.SovereignGraceMusic.org; UBP CCLI License #249042
Afflicted Saint, To Christ Draw Near
Verse 1
Afflicted saint, to Christ draw near,
Your Savior’s gracious promise hear,
His faithful Word, you can believe,
that as your days your strength shall be
Verse 2
Your faith is weak, your foes are strong,
And if the conflict should be long,
The Lord will make the tempter flee,
That as your days your strength shall be.
(Chorus)
So, sing with joy, afflicted one;
The battle’s fierce, but the victory’s won;
God shall supply all that you need.
Yes, as your days your strength shall be.
Verse 3
Should persecution rage and flame,
Still trust in your Redeemer’s name;
In fiery trials you shall see,
That as your days your strength shall be.
(Repeat Chorus)
Verse 4
When called to bear your weighty cross,
Or sore affliction, pain, or loss,
Or deep distress or poverty,
Still as your days your strength shall be.
(Repeat Chorus)
Original words: John Fawcett (1782), additional words: Constance Dever; Music: Constance Dever © 2018 Praise Factory Music (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP) Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Churches. All rights reserved; UBP CCLI License #249042
The King In All His Beauty
Verse 1
O lift your eyes to Heaven, see
The Holy One eternal.
Behold the Lord of Majesty,
Exalted in His temple.
As symphonies of angels’ praise
Now strain to sound His glory.
Come worship, fall before His grace,
The King in all His beauty.
(Chorus)
How worthy, how worthy,
How worthy,
The King in all His beauty.
Verse 2
Now see the King who wears a crown,
One made of shame and splinters.
The sacrifice for ruined man,
The substitute for sinners.
As earth is stained with royal blood,
And quakes with love and fury.
He breathes His last and bows His head,
The King in all His beauty.
(Repeat Chorus)
Verse 3
Now see the Savior lifted up,
The Lamb who reigns in splendor.
The hope of every tribe and tongue,
His kingdom is forever.
Bring praise and honor to His courts,
Bring wisdom, power, blessing.
For endless ages we’ll adore
The King in all His beauty.
(Repeat Chorus)
Words & Music: Matt Papa, Matt Boswell © 2015 Getty Music Hymns and Songs / Getty Music Publishing / Love Your Enemies Publishing / Messenger Hymns (Capitol CMG Publishing / www.capitolcmgpublishing.com); UBP CCLI License #249042
Only A Holy God
Verse 1
Who else commands all the hosts of heaven?
Who else could make every king bow down?
Who else can whisper and darkness trembles?
Only a Holy God
Verse 2
What other beauty demands such praises?
What other splendor outshines the sun?
What other majesty rules with justice?
Only a Holy God
(Chorus)
Come and behold Him,
The One and the Only.
Cry out, sing holy,
Forever a Holy God;
Come and worship the Holy God.
Verse 3
What other glory consumes like fire?
What other power can raise the dead?
What other name remains undefeated?
Only a Holy God.
(Repeat Chorus)
Verse 4
Who else could rescue me from my failing?
Who else could offer His only Son?
Who else invites me to call Him Father?
Only a Holy God.
Only my Holy God!
(Repeat Chorus)
Words & Music: Michael Farren, Jonny Robinson, Dustin Smith, Rich Thompson © 2016 CityAlight Music / Farren Love And War Publishing / Integrity's Alleluia! Music / Integrity's Praise! Music (Integrity Music / www.integratedrights.com); UBP CCLI License #249042
