DIY Sunday Service Kit 24/07/22 - 1 John 5:20b-21 - The True God and Eternal Life

 

Hello, and welcome to the DIY Sunday Service Kit for July 24th., 2022

The Bible ministry today takes a first look at 1 John 5:20b-21 and centres on the foundation John lays for his concluding punchline for 1 John ... the book we've been travelling through on and off since last September!

Next week we get to the punchline ... and what a punch it packs!

But for now we are looking at the foundation of that great concluding exhortation with which the book closes.

So let's worship the God Who speaks to us in and through His written and His Incarnate Word  ...

 

"In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 

but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."

Hebrews 1:1-3

I've been really helped and encouraged through the music in our service this week ... I hope it helps and encourages you too! 

First to lead our singing today are the Chet Valley Churches.

Let's sing ...

Here's this week's Word for the Week video

Sovereign Grace Music help us next to tune our hearts to be ready to PRAY, using the words of Psalm 13

Prayer Points

Today we pray for parts of the world where people are feeling real pressure to find food to feed themselves and their families, and for the situations that give rise to this physical famine.

Afghanistan

• The current drought is the worst that Afghanistan has seen in 27 years.
• The June 2022 earthquake is the deadliest to strike the region in two decades.
• More than 22 million people are facing severe hunger.
• Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their homes to conflict in the last year.
• Conflict and the coronavirus pandemic have overwhelmed the country’s healthcare system. And malnutrition is making people more vulnerable to viruses and diseases.

East Africa

People across East Africa are facing starvation. This situation affects Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. 

A series of crises have combined to leave more than 18 million people desperately short of food. Praying for such a vast crisis can feel overwhelming, but prayer is powerful and can be part of the solution.

The worst drought in 40 years has led to harvests withering away; the invasion of Ukraine has caused the price of food imports to skyrocket; local conflicts have forced millions of people from their homes; and flash floods have been washing away what little is left.

The upshot is that after four successive seasons of failed rains more than 18 million people have been left desperately short of food across the area. 

Local conflict, combined with skyrocketing food prices caused by the invasion of Ukraine, is making the situation even worse. 

Lives are at risk. 

Children are especially vulnerable.

‘All we know is hunger,’ a young girl aged 12 from Uganda, told Tearfund. ‘When we sleep our stomachs are growling because we have not eaten for days.’

• Pray for provision of nourishing food and clean water for those in need.
• Pray for healing for those who are suffering from malnutrition and hunger. Pray that they will feel God’s love and comfort surrounding them. Pray that there will be no long-term side effects or medical conditions due to hunger.
• Ask God to bring the rainfall that is needed to parts of Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. Pray that this will lead to abundant harvests and for water sources to spring up again closer to communities.
• The shortages of resources, including food, is making conflict worse in Ethiopia and leading to renewed conflict in other places. Pray for people’s safety and for peace to reign.
• Pray for an end to the conflict in Ukraine, which is having a huge effect on the price of essential food supplies such as flour and cooking oil.

Ukraine

There are five areas we can focus our prayers on: for people affected by the violence; for those in leadership positions; for God’s power and love to be revealed through the church; for the wider global impact; and for peace. 

That people still in Ukraine will be protected from the violence; that there will be provision of essential supplies, such as food and clean water. Pray for vulnerable people who cannot flee, for example those with disabilities or the elderly.

That refugees will find safe places to stay. Pray that host communities will welcome refugees with compassion, and that there will be support for all in need. 

For healing for people who are wounded or have experienced trauma; and comfort for those who are grieving.

That leaders on both sides will be miraculously filled with compassion, wisdom, calm and a desire for peace. 

That world leaders will seek ways to build bridges, de-escalate tensions, and restore global security.

That agreements entered into for free passage of people and (crucially) of grain to feed the developing world will be honoured

That the church in the Ukraine, Russia and across the wider region will be a voice for peace; and that they will have the resources they need to help people who are vulnerable.

That the church and other organisations around the world will have the courage and conviction to act practically and sacrificially to help people injured, sick and in need

That God’s power will be revealed through the church in this situation – bringing a message of love and hope in the midst of the darkness.

The crisis in Ukraine is already leading to a significant rise in the price of food and fuel. It is likely that this will get worse. Economically poorer countries are disproportionately affected by shocks such as this. 

• Pray that food and fuel prices will stabilise, and that provision will be made for countries in a vulnerable position. 

• That diplomatic solutions will be found that will lead to lasting peace in the region.
• That people who have fled will be able to return home, and that what has been destroyed will be rebuilt.
• For strength for individuals and organisations in Ukraine, Russia and the region who are working for peace at local, national and regional levels. 

Lord hear our prayers for those who sleep without eating in your world today.

Intervene we pray in your world.

May those of us whose souls are satisfied with Christ understand the part you have for us in reaching out in your compassion for those who go physically hungry in your world today.

Build gratitude in our hearts for every blessing we do receive.

And may those whose hunger gets relieved on the basis of your love understand that their Lord  is in Heaven, and that it is He Who intercedes at the throne of God for their daily needs to be met ... and rejoice.

We ask for Jesus' sake and Glory.

AMEN.

Here's the Videocam made during the recording of the sermon

Finally, City Alight lead our joyful response to God's Word ...

If you'd like to support the work of y GRWP by worshipping through giving, please click the Stewardship link below.

But now Jude bids us to walk in the light of the Gospel we have received, as we head off into another week in the Lord's service:

"you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 

keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

     Be merciful to those who doubt; 

     save others by snatching them from the fire; 

     to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh."

And so Jude carries us to the Doxology

"To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and 

to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 

to the only God our Savior be 

     glory, 

     majesty, 

     power and 

     authority, 

through Jesus Christ our Lord, 

          before all ages, now and forevermore! 

Amen."

If you would like to get in touch this week please feel free to use my mobile: 07748644958.

But please be aware that I have had problems with the SIM card and you might need to send a text or email until I get a new SIM card delivered ... it should be here by mid-week, they say(!) In any event, a bit of determination will get you there, no doubt.

Pob bendith i chi gyd!

God bless you all!