“Holiness Pursues Sinners”
TEXT: Matthew 9:9–13
ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE (3.21.2021)
CALL TO WORSHIP:
As we gather for worship this morning, I’d like to call you to worship with David’s words in Psalm 103:1–5
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
OPENING WORSHIP:
“10,000 Reasons”
worship:
“His Mercy is More”
“O God of Our Salvation”
affirmation:
Ephesians 1:3-14
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
WORSHIP:
“Behold Our God”
Prayer:
Would you join me in praying David’s prayer in Psalm 51….
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it…. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalms 51)
And now Lord, as you come, would you find hearts that are broken over sin, hearts that are contrite and ready to receive your words! Fill us! Mend us! Rescue us! Pardon us!
Amen!
READ SERMON TEXT:
Matthew 9:9–13
SERMON:
Pastor Ryan Kirchoff
Title: “Holiness Pursues Sinners”
Main Point: Holiness pursues sinners, because holiness pursues God, and God is pursuing sinners!
Sermon Outline:
I. Jesus Calls a Sinner (Matt 9:9)
II. Jesus Eats with Sinners (Matt 9:10)
III. Jesus Defends Himself (Matt 9:11–13)
CLOSING WORSHIP:
“And Can it Be”