April 5th: This week we'll see everything Jesus does points to Him being the divine Son of God.
The purpose of this resource is to walk your family, Missional Community, or a few friends through a gospel liturgy in your home. It will feature some of the elements we would normally have when we gather in downtown Bellevue. Pick someone to do the readings or prayers or take turns...the main thing is to participate in, and be shaped by, all the elements below.
In today's passage, Jesus encounters an invalid of 38 years. Jesus asks the man if he would like to be healed, and the man responds with reasons that he is not able to be healed. Jesus tells him to take up his bed and walk and the man does.
Jesus has compassion for the physically and spiritually sick and desires to see us made well, even if we don't think it's possible, or if we have no desire to be well. He doesn't want us to become paralyzed physically, emotionally or even religiously. However, we must want to get well, realize that we cannot heal ourselves and turn to Jesus in faith for healing, and ultimately true rest.
OPENING PRAYER / CALL TO WORSHIP
Today our church continues to gather across Puget Sound in our homes. We pray for the continued healing and care for all those affected by the outbreak, for peace to come to those filled with anxiety and fear, and for God to use His church to be a burning light of hope and sacrificial love to the world around us.
We are reminded through this story that Jesus wants to heal those who are physically sick, but also those who are spiritually paralyzed. As most of us are working from home or are maybe new homeschooling parents, would we continue to come to Him for true rest in this season. The days may feel long and we might feel completely exhausted, but He can make our souls new and bring us rest right now.
(pick someone to read this out loud)
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalm 103:1-5
You recently voted on your favorite throwback worship songs from 1990 to 2010. As you sing today in your homes, be encouraged that the truths in some of our favorite songs from this era are still true today!
"REVELATION SONG"
VERSE 1
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Holy, holy is He
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat
CHORUS
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You
VERSE 2
Clothed in rainbows of living color
Flashes of lightning rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor strength and
Glory and power be
To You the only wise King
VERSE 3
Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name
Jesus, Your name is power, breath and living water
Such a marvelous mystery
(ASL version of all the videos below are now on the ASL Liturgy page here)
TIME OF RESPONSE
Take a few minutes of silence. Allow your own thoughts to quiet and be still. With courage and humility, answer these questions:
What parts of your life lack health?
Do you want to be made well?
Do you believe Jesus can and wants to make you well?
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what you have been using as a temporary cure for your spiritual sickness. Lay these things at the feet of Jesus.
Share what you sense the Spirit saying with those around you. Take a moment to pray over each other and invite the Spirit's work.
RESPOND BY GIVING
Giving is an act of worship, and right now, giving supports the ways we are recreating ministry for this unique time, and allows us to keep our team intact. Doxa exists to make disciples in the every day stuff of life, and that continues when we are unable to meet together in person. Giving is also an expression of faith that the Father will continue to provide for our every need. We encourage you to stop and thank God for all that He has provided for you in this season, and ask Him what you should give. You can give online here.
RESPOND BY SINGING
"OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD"
VERSE 1
When He rolls up His sleeves
He ain't just puttin' on the ritz
Our God is an awesome God
There is thunder in His footsteps
And lightning in His fists
Our God is an awesome God
Well the Lord He wasn't jokin'
When He kicked 'em out of Eden
It wasn't for no reason that He shed His blood
His return is very close and so You better be believin'
That our God is an awesome God
CHORUS
Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power and love
Our God is an awesome God
VERSE 2
When the sky was starless in the void of the night
Our God is an awesome God
He spoke into the darkness and created the light
Our God is an awesome God
Judgment and wrath He poured out on Sodom
Mercy and grace He gave us at the cross
I hope that we have not too quickly forgotten that
Our God is an awesome God
"SHOUT TO THE LORD"
VERSE 1
My Jesus, my Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days I want to praise
The wonders of Your might love
VERSE 2
My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You
CHORUS
Shout to the Lord all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You
BENEDICTION
Every person, whether they are a follower of Jesus or not, needs His rest and His healing. Would the long days at home give us even more opportunities to be alone with Him, quiet our hearts, and have Him heal us from the inside out. Would we give Him all the credit and glory, and would the people around us that don't know Him come to faith by witnessing the healing and rest that we are experiencing.
(read this aloud together)
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:29
NOT ENOUGH THROWBACK FOR YOU?
Us either. Here's a playlist of all the songs that were voted on.