Preparing for Gathered Worship 1/31

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The Sermon

This week, Pastor John finishes the series “It’s All About Jesus.”  Over the past 8 weeks he has looked at Jesus’ I AM statements from the Gospel of John.  The passage for Sunday is John 15:1-7, where the focus is Jesus as the true vine.  Spend some time reading the passage, reflecting on what Jesus is saying about the life of his disciples.

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The Music

The songs we will sing this morning focus on Jesus Christ–his perfect work on the cross which secures the salvation of his people, and his status as the Risen King who reigns over all things.  The themes of the entire sermon series comes to a climax in the final song, “Be Thou My Vision” which points to Jesus as the complete satisfaction of our souls. You can follow the links to read the lyrics of this week’s songs to think about what you will be proclaiming in praise and thanksgiving to the living God.

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The Prayer

The SBC President Johnny Hunt has called for all SBC churches to unite in prayer for one another this Sunday.  We will do this as part of our service, but we also encourage you to do this as part of your person prayer time, and in your community groups.  Here is what Pastor Hunt asks that we pray for:

  • A spirit of repentance to fall on our churches corporately and personally for individuals, and for genuine revival of first love for Jesus (Matt 4:17; Rev 2:4).
  • A great spiritual awakening across our land so that the lost will be drawn to a personal relationship with Jesus ( John 6:44; Rom 1:19; 2 Cor 2:14).
  • A sweet spirit of reconciliation among any Southern Baptists who are at odds with each other, or other works of God. Love for one another in the body of Christ to grow and blossom (Prov 28:13; 1 Cor 12:25-27; John 13:34-35).
  • Wisdom for the members of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force as they prepare their report in February (Jer 33:3; James 1:5).
  • Guidance for the search committees for presidents of the Executive Committee, the International Mission Board, and the North American Mission Board (Prov 3:5-6, 13, 15:22, 27:17; Acts 1:21-26).

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The Fellowship

This week, we also welcome back Pastor Joe, who has been serving in Iraq!  We are thankful to God for the work he has done in the Blaylock family over the past year and how he has used Pastor Joe in Iraq.  Be sure to spend some time fellowshipping with with them, thanking God for his grace and the safe return of Pastor Joe.

See you Sunday!

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Category : Preparing for Worship