Worship for 15 May 2022

by Rev Neil Draper 15 May 2022

Call to worship

Welcome to worship today. Our call to worship is from Psalm 96
Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.

Hymn: Praise my soul the King of heaven

Opening Prayers 
Dear Lord and Father, Thank you that you promise us that where two or three are gathered you are there in the midst. Lord we welcome You amongst us today and celebrate the gift of life that you have lavished upon each of us. We ask that You would open our ears so that we may hear your voice. Open our minds so that we may receive Your eternal wisdom. Open our spirits so that we may know Your leading and guidance. And open our hearts so that we may receive Your wonderful love. We ask all this in the glorious name of Jesus. Amen.

Hymn: King of kings, majesty

Bible reading: Revelation 21:1-6

Hymn: Blessed assurance

Prayers including the Lord’s Prayer: 
God, we praise you for creating this world in all beauty. With adoring love, we acclaim your glory. All praise and glory be yours.

We thank you for our friends and families and for all you are doing in our lives.
Gentle and gracious God, we confess before you the evil of our hearts. We acknowledge that we are too inclined toward anger, jealousy, revenge and pride, which often give rise to unpleasant feelings between others and us. Forgive us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Sermon notes
Text: Revelation 7:17 (KJV) For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

This is set in the middle of the tribulation after the rapture and before Jesus return
Traditional view - Rapture, Tribulation, Armageddon, Return, 1000 year rule, new heaven & earth

Revelation is not about antichrist or trouble, but about Jesus Christ and his redemption

Revelation 1:1 (KJV) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

If the literal traditional view is correct, those serving Jesus will be gone when the tribulation takes place. Rev 7:17 describes the result of a revival right in the middle of this trouble. It can be seen in parallel with our main scripture of Rev 21:1-6 as both describe the redemption of our Lord for his people.

The grace & love of God so immense that his children are rescued and rescue goes on even while the devil tries to mess everything up.

Our role now is to do everything we can to rescue all we can before that day comes. Jesus is coming again very soon. 

This verse also informs us about the nature of God
God feeds the hungry (Jn 6:35)

God is light in darkness (Jn 8:12)

God leads in love as a shepherd (Ps 23)

God quenches thirst with fountains of water (Jn 4:14)

God removes sadness and replaces with joy (Jn 15:11)

Rev 21 speaks of a similar redemption by the grace of God
God will be with them and be their God 
God will wipe away tears
No more death
No sorrow
No crying
No more pain

Jesus gives fountain of water freely to the thirsty

John 4:13-14 (NKJV)  Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

John 15:11 (NKJV) “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

God’s love and grace goes out and speaks to all who will listen until the end of time

The lectionary misses out the rest of the passage that speaks of those who reject him

Revelation 21:8 (NKJV) But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

We don’t like to think about what eternity holds for unbelievers but this ought to provoke us to warn and the preach the love of God like never before, before its too late

The only hope for this world is Jesus.

Now he feeds the hungry, is light in darkness, leads as a shepherd, quenches the thirst of the dry spirit and fills with joy.

If you are experiencing these things now in your relationship with him then let your light shine before men and by your words and deeds win others to Christ before its too late

Be a witness, share your faith, let’s do the things Jesus commanded us to do and work while it is day, in Jesus name. Amen.

Song: Behold the lamb

Prayers for Others
Dear Lord thank you for your Word and especially for that part we are sharing today, we pray you will bless the reading and hearing of your Word today that we might know its truth for all the world and proclaim it. 

We bring our sin blighted world before you that it might be changed through the truth that alone brings hope. We pray for reconciliation, the easing of strife and tension and peace. Heal those who are ill, be with those who mourn and give strength to those who feel particularly lonely and isolated at this time. We give thanks for all who strive to help others, even when exhausted. Give them strength and peace we pray. We bring to you all our needs and prayers, no matter how great or small they may seem to us, as we know that Jesus is at your right hand in glory ever to pray and intercede for us. We pray for all in need of prayer at this time, those who are sick, those who are downcast, those who mourn, those housebound and we pray especially for those who do not yet know you. As we bring those in need of prayer before you, may they know your peace and strength with grace sufficient for all their needs. We ask our prayers in the precious name of Jesus.   Amen.

Song: These are the days of Elijah

The Grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Amen