Ardoch Parish Church
Sunday 25th October 2020
Welcome to our Service of Worship
Hymn: A mighty fortress is our God
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 power are great, and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
Did 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.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth, his name, from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours, thru him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
the body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever.
Lord’s Prayer
Signed in Makaton by Betty George
Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.
Reading
Our reader this morning is Sally Young and she is reading from 2 Timothy Chapter 3 v 14-17
New International Version
Hymn: Every Promise
Words & Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
Every Promise:
From the breaking of the dawn to the setting of the sun,
I will stand on every promise of Your word.
Words of power, strong to save, that will never pass away,
I will stand on every promise of Your word.
For Your covenant is sure, and on this I am secure,
I can stand on every promise of Your word.
When I stumble and I sin, condemnation pressing in,
I will stand on every promise of Your word.
You are faithful to forgive, that in freedom I might live,
So I stand on every promise of Your word.
Guilt to innocence restored: You remember sins no more!
So I’ll stand on every promise of Your word.
When I’m faced with anguished choice, I will listen for Your voice,
And I’ll stand on every promise of Your word.
Through this dark and troubled land You will guide me with your hand
As I stand on every promise of Your word.
And you’ve promised to complete Every work begun in me,
So I’ll stand on every promise of Your word.
Hope that lifts me from despair, love that casts out every fear,
As I stand on every promise of Your word.
Not forsaken, not alone, for the Comforter has come,
And I stand on every promise of Your word.
Grace sufficient, grace for me, grace for all who will believe,
We will stand on every promise of Your word.
Words & Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
© 2005 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
When we look at the Bible, we should see one big book, from first page to last page, one story not two different stories. It is the very same story from beginning to …well it has not ended yet has it, we still await that final section.
Did you know that there are 5 different genres in the bible, 5 very distinctive types of writing depending on whom has written it. Some of the Bible is ancient, over 4,0000 years old and other parts are relatively new having only been written some 40 years after Jesus was crucified. When we look through our Bible and see verses and chapters clearly defined, this is to help us read and understand it. It was never written like that. You might also ask about all the different translations and which is right, and we have to remember it was never written in English but in Hebrew originally and so much gets changed and lost in translation.
What we do know however is that all scripture is inspired by God. All scriptures come with the authority of God and all scriptures are the word of God.
The Bible remains relevant, important, and current today and it has an end purpose, that through diligent study we will be fully equipped to be active in God’s work.
But the Bible is not a coaching manual or a tool for living good lives and doing good works, the Bible points us to Jesus on whom our salvation depends. It is not about how well we know and can recite our Bibles, the Bible is not the prize, it is how well we know Jesus and have faith in him for our salvation.
The Bible is only the menu, telling us what we can expect. If we left a restaurant without tasting anything no matter how well the menu had been written, we would be very disappointed. Jesus is that meal that we leave wanting seconds.
In the words of psalm 34 v8
“taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the one who takes refuge in him”
Amen