GracePlace Worship, Feb 24 March 2, 2008

GracePlace

Worship Service

Feb 24, 2008, 6pm

Lighting of the Worship Candle

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
(James 1:17)

Songs of Worship

My Maker and My King

1 Chron 29:14, Eph 1:3

My Maker and my King, To Thee my all I owe;
Thy sovereign bounty is the spring Whence all my blessings flow;
Thy sovereign bounty is the spring Whence all my blessings flow.

________________

1
My Maker and my King, To You my all I owe;
Your sovereign bounty is the spring
where all my blessings flow;
2
The creature of Thy hand, On you alone I live;
My God, Your benefits demand More praise than I can give.
My God, Thy benefits demand More praise than I can give.
3
What can I give When all is Yours before?
Your love demands a thankful heart;
But my gift is so poor.
4
O! let Your grace inspire My soul with strength divine;
Let every word and each desire And all my days be yours

Fill Me

Words & Music – Jared Johnson

Be my vision and my sight, Be my reason be my light
Be my all consuming fire, Be the joy of my desire
Be a gentle falling rain Be the bearer of my pain
All you promised you would be I receive now faithfully

Fill me, fill me fill me with your holy spirit
Fill me, fill me fill me to overflowing
These doors are open wide
King Jesus come inside and fill me

Be a gentle falling rain, Be the bearer of my pain
All you promised you would be, I receive now faithfully
Awaken hope within me, rekindle the fire inside
As I receive your mercy heal me now.

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

(Isaac Watts/Chris Tomlin)

Amazing grace How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found Was blind, but now I see

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed

My chains are gone I’ve been set free. My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures

My chains are gone I’ve been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns Unending love, Amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below

Will be forever mine Will be forever mine. You are forever mine

Hearing Scripture

James 1: 2-4, 13-15, 12

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Time of Teaching – “Daniel and the Firey Furnace

Mr Mitchell – Daniel 1-6

1. The young man’s courage, wisdom and faith.
2. The peril of position – when faith is tested.
   1. Evil triumphs when good men do nothing – Although he is not mentioned as being there, as a chief advisor in the royal court, he certainly was there. Daniel worried more about his position as advisor to the king, and was willing to compromise by bowing to the statue.
   2. Our God will rescue, but even if not … – Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego were faithful to God, trusting Him to save them, but willing to die rather than even appear to put an idol in the place of God.
3. The God of second chances – the example of his three friends surely had an effect on Daniel’s life. His gift of prophesy was there in the next chapter, and when the hand wrote on the wall during Belshazzar’s feast, Daniel refused the promised wealth and power – “you can keep your money, or give it to someone else. Yet I will interpret for you what the LORD has written.” Speaking clearly the words of God were more important than fortunes or position.
4. The faith of a mature man. – when faced with a chance to worship the king or worship God, Daniel had learned his lesson. He continued to pray next to an open window, in full view of his accusers.
5. Has your God been able to rescue you? – Daniel’s faith was an inspiration to the king, and the king was worried all night. In the morning, he asked if Daniel was still there – “Did God rescue you?”

And that is my question to you. Have you let God rescue you? Did you fail God and think you can never be forgiven, or have you let the God of grace take control, forgive, forget, and restore you? Are you right now willing to let Him take first place in your life, before all else?

 

Time of Response and Worship

Before The Throne of God Above
Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love, Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands, My name is written on His heart.

I know that while in heaven He stands, No tongue can bid me thence depart.

 

When Satan tempts me to despair, And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died, My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied, to look on Him and pardon me.

 

Behold Him there the risen Lamb, My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM, King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die. My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high, With Christ my Savior and my God!

With Christ my Savior and my God!

Words and Music by Vikki Cook, Charitie Bancroft© 1997 PDI Worship (ASCAP) (Adm. by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music) All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. International Copyright Secured.

Closing Prayer