Below is the second of Tom’s videos in our new Friday blog series Redeem your time. You can access the PDF of the book he is discussing for free here.
Good Friday 2020
On this Good Friday we want you to have this liturgy so that you can walk through and enter into the story of Good Friday again. We have tried to let the Bible speak for itself by giving you as much of God’s word as possible.
As you move through it why not talk with others or, if you are on your own, message someone from your City Group or DNA Group to share something that really struck you.
As you do this remember that we are still the church, whom Christ died for, even when we can’t gather together as the church as we normally would.
Scene 1: Garden of Gethsemane
Just after Jesus had shared the passover with his disciples he took Peter, James and John into the garden of Gethsemane with him to pray. Jesus prayed alone as all three disciples fell asleep.
“And going a little further he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
“And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for a third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them,”Sleep and take your rest later on. See the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see my betrayed is at hand.” (Matthew 26 vs 39, 43-46)
Scene 2: Peter disowns Jesus
From the garden, Jesus was taken to Caiaphas the high priest who heard the charges brought against him. Outside Peter sat in the courtyard listening on.
“And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know this man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a cure on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man”. And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26 vs 69-75)
SONG: Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy (Sojourn): A call to come to Jesus in repentance, weak and sinful, knowing that he saves us and meets us in our need.
CCLI Song # 7090498
Brooks Ritter | Joseph Hart
© Words: Public Domain
Music: 2012 Sojourn Community Church
Scene 3: Jesus before Pilate
From the high priest with verdicts set, Jesus was hurried to Pilate’s headquarters. The Jews refused to enter the headquarters so that they would not be defiled. They still wanted to be clean so that they could celebrate the Passover meal.
“So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusations do you bring against this man? They answered him, “If this man was not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.
Pilate said to them, “Take him yourself and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” This was to fulfil the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews? Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?
Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?”
Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my Kingdom is not of this world.
Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a King?”
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world -- to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.” But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber.” (John 18 vs 29-40)
SONG: Suffering Servant (The Modern Post): A song which paints a vivid picture of what Jesus went through leading up to, and on the cross, and reminds us of the victory he accomplished there.
CCLI Song # 7004665
Dustin Kensrue
© 2013 Dead Bird Theology (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
It's All About Jesus Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
We Are Younger We Are Faster Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
CONFESSION READING
Below are some words to guide your thoughts, take a few moments over each to prayerfully consider when you have principally done something similar to Judas, Peter and the crowds.
Oh, Holy One, we confess that like Judas we have betrayed you and each other.
While greeting you with a kiss, Lord, like Judas we secretly chase after other idols to bring us salvation.
--
We confess that like Peter we have denied you and each other.
While declaring that we will always be faithful, in fear we are more worried about the opinions of man than of God.
--
We confess that like the crowd we praise you when life is easy and judge you when life is hard.
While declaring you to be our King, Lord, in our self-righteousness we rebel against you and would have joined in the cries, “Crucify him, crucify him!”.
--
Perhaps an aspect of the story so far has struck you.
Peter’s adamance that he would follow Jesus to death really stands out to me, but his quickness to distance himself when trouble comes really strikes a cord. I know myself that the verdict of others can have such a significant pull on my life.
Take a moment and consider why the voice of others so often drowns out our desire to be faithful to God.
SONG: Jesus Paid it All (Kings Kaleidoscope): A hymn that centres on the price Jesus paid to save us from our sin and the new life we are raised to in Christ.
© Words: Public Domain
Scene 4: A Crown of Thorns for the King of the Jews
“Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews” and struck him with their hands…
So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw him they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him.” (John 19 vs 1-2, 5-6)
Scene 5: Jesus’ Death on the Cross
“So they took Jesus, and he went out bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews”...
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, you mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
After this, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the Scripture) “I thirst”. A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” and he bowed his head and gave up his breath.” (John 19 vs 16-19, 25-30)
MESSAGE
Are there areas of your life where you still consider yourself unclean even though Jesus has cleansed you?
The curtain torn is just one physical sign of the spiritual reality Jesus delivered on the cross. There is no limit to our access to God. Let’s take that truth and respond through the next two songs.
SONG: There is a Fountain: A song with graphic imagery that reminds us of the lengths Jesus went to save us from our sin, the blood that was shed on our behalf.
CCLI Song # 27707
Edwin Othello Excell | Lowell Mason | William Cowper
© Words: Public Domain
Music: Public Domain
SONG: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus: A song that reflects on the cleansing and purification from sins we can know because of the blood Jesus shed on our behalf.
CCLI Song # 21332
Robert Lowry
© Words: Public Domain
Music: Public Domain
Midweek Check-in
Below is the first video of Gary’s midweek check-in blog series. You can access ‘dwell’ - a fantastic audio bible resource - here.
SUNDAY GATHERING (April 05, 2020)
ROMANS 16:1-27 [Gospel greetings for the glory of God]
During this time where our public gatherings are not able to meet, each Sunday we are providing you with a liturgy that you can use at home.
You can use it in a number of ways: on your own, with your family, or with others from our church community via video conferencing.
Our suggestion is that you take time to move through each of the sections below, listening to the songs, reflecting on the liturgy and hearing the word preached exactly as we do on a Sunday.
As you move through it why not talk with others or, if you are on your own, message someone from your City Group or DNA Group to share something that really struck you.
As you do this remember that we are still the church even when we can’t gather together as the church.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Today is Palm Sunday where the church marks Jesus' triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem in the week before Easter. It was a day when he was honoured as a King who'd come to save his people from their sin. The crowds lined roads, waving palms branches and hailing him as Lord. Today we join those shouts of praise to Christ; the one who unites us, saves us and rules over our lives. Start your time of worship today with these words that declare the greatness of Jesus:
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey.
"Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"
(Based on Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:9)
SONG: Rejoice (Dustin Kensrue): A call to praise God and gaze upon His glory. A reminder that, even in the midst of our trials and suffering we still have reasons to rejoice in the Gospel.
CCLI Song # 7004663
Dustin Kensrue | Stuart Townend
© 2013 Dead Bird Theology (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
Townend Songs (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
We Are Younger We Are Faster Music (Admin. by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org)
SONG: Lion and the Lamb (Bethel Music): A celebration of Jesus, our saviour, who is both the lion of Judah and the lamb of God.
CCLI Song # 7038281
Brenton Brown | Brian Johnson | Leeland Mooring
© 2015 Meaux Mercy (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
The Devil Is A Liar! Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
Bethel Music Publishing (Admin. by Song Solutions)
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
The sad truth about Palm Sunday is that the same crowds who cried ‘Hosanna’ soon cried out ‘crucify’. It’s very easy to distance ourselves from that but, if we are honest, we see that same rebellion in our own hearts. Our lips say one thing but often our actions say something very different. We treat Jesus differently depending on our mood, our circumstances or our situation.Take time to pray this prayer of confession:
Lord, today we remember your entrance into the city of Jerusalem. The very crowds that praised you would soon turn and demand your death. We confess that our wills are as rebellious as the crowd's. Our faith is often more show than substance; our worship of you is often based more on our feelings than your glory. Our hearts are constantly dissatisfied, trusting in the things of this world to satisfy our needs, instead of following and trusting you, our Saviour.
Have mercy on us, O God. Help us to give to you all that we are and all that we have. Lead us to repentance, forgive what is sinful and to heal what is broken. We confess our need for you, our Saviour, and trust in the work you accomplished for us on the Cross.
Amen
The wonderful truth of the gospel is that because of Jesus we are not treated as our sins deserve. Jesus is a greater Saviour than we are sinners and he invites us to rest in his forgiveness and grace.
SONG: Lamb of God (Vertical Worship): A song that reflects on Jesus, the Lamb of God, slain for our sin.
CCLI Song # 7032328
Andi Rozier | Jason Ingram | Meredith Andrews
© 2014 Curb Word Music (Admin. by / Small Stone Media BV, Holland (Admin. in the UK/Eire by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org))
All Essential Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
HBC Worship Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Open Hands Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Because of Christ's work on the cross, his death and resurrection, we have been brought back into communion with our God and have been made righteous. We have peace with our creator, our heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit unties us together in Jesus.
We normally express that peace with one another in our gatherings by greeting those around us. In this time where we can’t do that take a moment to pray for someone who is part of our church family instead.
Why not also take time to pray for our NHS staff. Pray they would be protected, be given energy as they work long hours and that God would use their efforts to help stop the outbreak.
READING: Romans [16:1-27]
Take time to read the bible passage and pray that God would let you hear him speak in his Word.
SERMON Gospel greetings for the glory of God
RESPONSE
Take a few minutes to reflect on how God was speaking to you from his Word. Ask that the Holy Spirit would take the truth and use it to change and transform you.
SONG: Here is Love (Matt Redman): A reminder of the depth of love that has been shown to us as God sent his son to save us from our sin, this is the greatest demonstration of love.
CCLI Song # 3287884
Matt Redman | Robert Lowry | William Rees
© 2004 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
SONG: A Mighty Fortress (Heartsong): A reminder that God is our fortress and shield even in the midst of trial and difficulty. (Lyrics below)
LYRICS
A mighty fortress is our God
A bulwark never failing
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe
His craft and pow'r are great
And armed with cruel hate
On earth is not his equal
If we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing
Were not the right Man on our side
The Man of God's own choosing
You ask who that may be
Christ Jesus it is He
The Lord of Hosts His name
From age to age the same
And He must win the battle
And tho' this world with devils filled
Should threaten to undo us
We will not fear for God hath willed
His truth to triumph thru us
And tho' this world with devils filled
Should threaten to undo us
We will not fear for God hath willed
His truth to triumph thru us
A Mighty Fortress is our God
His kingdom is forever
His kingdom is forever
If we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing
CCLI Song # 2184098
Frederick Henry Hedge | Martin Luther | Tommy Walker
© Words: Public Domain
Music: 1997 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Songs (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)
COMMITMENT READING
Whilst so many things are changing rapidly around us it can be very easy to get disorientated. But even though things have changed in our lives, in our world and in our church, our great hope is that our Saviour is never changing. Read this this wonderful truth so full of comfort in times like this:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Heb 13:8
SONG: This I Believe (The Creed) (Hillsong): A song based on the Apostle’s creed that affirms the truths we believe as Christians.
CCLI Song # 7018338
Ben Fielding | Matt Crocker
© 2014 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Hillsong Music Publishing UK)
BENEDICTION
Finish by remembering the greatness and glory of God as you read from the very end of the book of Romans:
Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ!
Amen.
[Romans 16:25-27]
Peace be with you