Service Based on Romans 11:33–36
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Opening Scripture
Leader: Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
Congregation: How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
Leader: “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”
Congregation: “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?
Leader: For from him and through him and to him are all things.
Congregation: To him be glory forever. Amen.
Possible Transition Statement: The Apostle Paul expresses this incredible hymn of praise after 11 chapters of Holy Spirit-breathed, perfectly written Christian doctrine. His hymn is a beautiful example of how right theology always leads to doxology! Let’s give our Triune God all our praise…for from him and through him and to him are all things!
Song: Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise or Behold Our God
Possible Transition: As Paul’s letter to the Romans guides our worship, listen to what follows the expressions of praise we heard earlier:
Scripture (Romans 12:1-2)
Reader 1: Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.
Reader 2: Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Reader 3: For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.
Possible Transition: Those verses are wonderfully written to guide us through a time of prayer:
Praise:
- We praise God that we are connected to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, sons and daughters of the Triune God of the universe.
- We praise God for his mercies…new every morning.
Confession:
- We realize that we have fallen short of presenting our lives and bodies as living sacrifices – holy and pleasing to God.
- We also realize that we have too often placed ourselves on the thrones of our hearts and misplaced our worship away from our merciful Savior, Jesus Christ.
- We also confess that we have been conformed to the world.
- We confess that we think more highly of ourselves than we should.
Petition:
- We ask that the Holy Spirit transform our minds and hearts and lives.
- We ask that God would give us discernment in living our lives in a manner worthy of the gospel.
- We ask that God would develop in us more humility and less focus on self.
- We continue to pray for those whose health and families have been impacted by COVID 19.
- We pray for strength for the health care workers as this pandemic drags on.
- We pray for opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who desperately need to hear.
Song: I Am Thine, O Lord or O Great God
Possible Transition: The hymn writer, Fanny Crosby, certainly wanted to encourage us with the reality that the children of God have an incredibly close relationship with Jesus because of his sacrifice for us. The writer of Hebrews gives us the assurance of our close relationship when he writes:
Scripture: Hebrews 10:21-25
Reader 1: And since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.
Reader 2: Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering since he who promised is faithful.
Reader 3: And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”
Possible Transition: We can draw near because we have a Great High Priest who ever intercedes on our behalf.
Song: Before the Throne of God Above
Scripture Benediction: Romans 12:9-19
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. 10 Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. 11 Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit;[c] serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. 13 Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.