Colossians 1:15-23 February 1, 2009
First Place Sermon Series – Part 3
“Holding it Together”
Rev. Meagan M. Boozer
Let’s begin by reading together the first 3 verses of our Bible passage for today, which you will find on the front of your bulletin. We’ll read up to and including the words, “in him all things hold together.”
15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Last week, we considered what it meant for Jesus to be the image of the invisible God. We thought about how we can see someone out in the hallway even if there is a wall between us, if there is a mirror in the right place, and if we are in the right place. Remember from last week, that Paul is writing to a church that is being infiltrated by false teaching – good people were being influenced by teachers who were insisting that Jesus was not, and could not really be fully God because they believed that anything that was part of creation itself (including the body) was evil – and Jesus, though he claimed to be God, lived in human flesh (so he must be evil, not good and holy as God is good and holy). The false teachers taught that only the spirit was good – and so Jesus, God in the flesh, could not have truly been God. (This is similar in many ways to what Jehovah’s Witnesses believe today.)
Paul, in stating that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, is beginning his defense against the false teachers by stating that Jesus is the very substance of God’s good purposes and intentions for creation. Jesus is God’s pattern for human life; if we watch him, we’re watching God! Let me repeat: the Gnostics believed that all creation was evil – but not because of anything creation itself had done or not done. They believed creation was evil because they believed that all matter (anything created) was evil. Paul wants to strengthen the believers in Colosse by reminding them that creation began as an overflow of God’s goodness.
God created all things and pronounced all things good. In stating that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, Paul is reminding the believers in Colosse (and us) of that wonderful truth in Genesis 1:27, “so God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” But we blew it! When God’s creation of humanity (Adam and Eve) fell from grace by choosing their will and way over God’s will and way, all creation became not immediately sizzling evil, but apart from God’s loving discipline, we became completely broken and therefore heavily prone to evil ways – in desperate need of salvation and restoration.
Paul’s ultimate point in stating Jesus to be the image of the invisible God, according to Dr. Haddon Robinson’s commentary on Colossians, is that Jesus brings to historical expression the ultimate purpose of God’s creation of all human life. On the one hand, Jesus represents humanity’s faithful response to God; but on the other hand, he also disclosed God’s faithfulness to humankind – showing how far God will go to restore a fallen creation into his likeness.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
How many firstborns do we have here today? Did you know that research shows that overall, the IQ of the first-born child is higher than the second-born, which, in turn, is greater than that of children who had two or more older siblings. The order of birth can have a fundamental effect on diverse factors, affecting personality, achievement, and career, with first-borns being more academically successful and more likely to win Nobel prizes. However, eldest children are less likely to be radical and pioneering. Charles Darwin, for example, was the fifth child of six. Exactly why there should be such differences is not clear, and there are a number of theories, with many homing in on environmental influences on the child.
According to recent research, first-borns are . . . achievers, who are dominant, religious, conscientious and neurotic. They earn more, are more responsible, anxious and organized, and they stick to the rules.
Middle-borns are . . . rebellious, less religious, impulsive and open to new experiences. They perform worse at school and often procrastinate but act as peacemakers.
Last-borns are . . . agreeable, warm, sociable, extrovert and creative. They are the most favored child, often a joker and questioning of authority.
Now, I mention all that to get to this point: Paul’s use of the word ‘firstborn’ when referring Jesus in this passage “he is the firstborn of all creation,” has nothing to do with what most of us think about when we hear the word ‘firstborn.’
First of all, Jesus was not the first “person” to be born of the “Father.” If this was true, how could we possibly understand the words that begin the Gospel of John? Let me read for you an introduction to John’s Gospel by Eugene Peterson: “In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, God is presented as speaking the creation into existence. God speaks the word and it happens: heaven and earth, ocean and stream, trees and grass, birds and fish, animals and humans. Everything, seen and unseen, called into being by God’s spoken word. In deliberate parallel to the opening words of Genesis, John presents God as speaking salvation into existence. This time God’s word takes on human form and enters history in the person of Jesus. Jesus speaks the word and it happens: forgiveness and judgment, healing and illumination, mercy and grace, joy and love, freedom and resurrection. Everything broken and fallen, sinful and diseased, called into salvation by God’s spoken word. For, somewhere along the line things went wrong (Genesis tells that story, too) and are in desperate need of fixing. The fixing is all accomplished by speaking—God speaking salvation into being in the person of Jesus. Jesus, in this account, not only speaks the word of God; he is the Word of God.”
John’s Gospel begins: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.”
Jesus was not God the Father’s “firstborn” the way we think of being “firstborn.” Jesus is God – he has always been God – he did not come from God like a child comes from its mother – but he was sent to earth by God to show us the character and the purposes of our Creator. And so, how should we interpret, “the firstborn of all creation?”
Now, listen to this: Scripture refers to Israel as God’s firstborn child in Exodus 4:22 when God was instructing Moses to go back to Pharaoh to ask him to let the Israelite people go, “Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord: Israel is my firstborn son.” This verse expresses the Lord’s faithfulness to Israel, a faithfulness that ultimately ensures Israel’s salvation from the evil pharaoh. In this epistle to the Colossians, in Paul’s handling of this biblical ‘firstborn’ tradition, Jesus is cast as God’s firstborn son, and God’s faithfulness to Jesus ensures his resurrection and triumph over death, and in him a triumph over all those evil powers that keep this fallen creation captive to spiritual darkness and the consequences of human sin.
One other possible interpretation of the use of ‘firstborn’ here in this passage is the ancient idea of birthright – the idea which gave the firstborn a privileged status and responsibility within the family. Psalm 89:27 declares, “I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. Certainly we can see how Paul could use the idea of the birthright of the firstborn as a way to explain or understand Jesus’ unique role within the creation as the one representing its salvation.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Last month in Australia, new marine animals were uncovered in previously unexplored waters, along with a bizarre carnivorous sea squirt and ocean-dwelling spiders. Using a submersible car-sized robot named Jason, the researcher, Adam Subhas said the team witnessed some “cool biology” as they descended into a rift in the earth’s crust known as the Tasman Fracture Zone, a sheer 1.24 mile drop to 13,200 feet below the ocean’s surface. They described the sea squirt as “basically an underwater Venus fly trap, but much bigger.” The creature stands 50 centimeters tall on the sea floor. It traps prey in its funnel-like front section if they touch it when they swim past. Subhas said, “The geology was fascinating too – the sediment was incredibly fine and lightly packed; it made me think of powder snow.”
“All things have been created through him and for him.” All things are created as instruments of God’s praise and glory, even those creatures that have existed for thousands of years outside the knowledge of humankind.
Our little granddaughter Taylor, just turned one this past Thursday. She’s been walking since before Christmas, and several weeks ago she started a new dance. All of a sudden, when music would start playing, she would bend her knees in rhythm and raise her hands. It is so funny. I said, “she’s praising the Lord with her hands raised just like in the Bible – lifting up holy hands!”
Thinking about the new sea discoveries, in their own humble way, devoid of human attention, all this “cool biology” has been living as unique expressions of God’s glory, creativity, power, goodness, and yes often, God’s sense of humor. In their own little ways, these creatures have been little Hallelujahs tucked away in the remote corners of creation, waving and praising as the currents ebb and flow. For on the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem amidst the waving of the palms and the hosannas of the people (Luke 19), some of the Pharisees said to him, “order your disciples to stop.” And Jesus said, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” In Isaiah 55 we have these beautiful words, “For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” An everlasting sign of what? Of God’s ongoing, persistent, restorative work over all creation – including his ongoing, persistent, restorative work in your life and in my life.
And here’s an amazing truth that deserves a whole lot more attention than I am about to give it: “…whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Of all the things Paul could have mentioned that Christ made and that exist for his glory, he chose to mention, “thrones, dominions, rulers, and powers.” If we look over at Colossians 2:15 we read these words, “He (Jesus) disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it.” Do you remember the sermon series from this past summer on the Armor of God? Ephesians 6 declares, “For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” From the moment of the fall of all creation, supernatural evil powers have made it their singular aim to deceive and destroy the human race. Where do they come from? The book of Jude 6 declares, “And the angels who did not keep their own position, but left their proper dwelling…” indicating that there were angels (who are not people who have died, but a whole different kind of created being) who were created good and then rebelled against God – just like we can and do rebel against God. But at the cross of Christ, Jesus disarmed them from being able to steal, kill, and destroy our secure position wrapped in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. So therefore, when Paul says that all things have been created through him and for him, “thrones, dominions, rulers, and powers,” he is saying that God created these angels knowing what they would become, and also knowing that in that very evil existence, they would have to be part of fulfilling God’s purposes, because all things have been created through him and for him.
A classic example of this is in the book of Genesis where we read the wonderful story of Joseph and his family. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him (and understandably so, he definitely seemed to be the favored son) and they sold him to the Egyptians as a slave. In chapter 50 we read Joseph’s response to his brothers’ confession and deep regret over what they had done, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good in order to preserve a numerous people as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” (Gen. 50:19-21)
There is nothing that comes into our lives that God does not know about – that God does not allow – that God cannot use for good. This, in fact, is how God reveals himself to us – through the restoration of that which was utterly broken into that which is whole and new once more. We may not, and usually do not understand why God allows certain things to happen to us and to those we love. But, by the Holy Spirit living within us, we can claim this truth: 17He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
And so, when you get to that place from time to time where you think, “I don’t think I can hold it together anymore.” Remember: You don’t have to. For he has created all things visible and invisible – he knows what you are going through – he sees everything from beginning to end – when we put ourselves into his hands, he molds us like a potter molds clay - in order to bring forth God’s image within you.
Let us pray:
Holy God, Creating God, Restoring God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we come on our faces before you. You are pure and we are impure. You alone are good – such a contrast to our evil thoughts, words, and deeds. Forgive us for the many ways we mar your image – for the ocean full of unkind words we have spoken to others or about others – as if we were superior – as if our own sin didn’t loom so large. Forgive us for not trusting your plan and your purposes in all things, forgive us for giving up on you and giving in to the sin that clings so closely – O God, let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has now taken his seat at your right hand. Help us, O God, not to grow weary or lose heart. Thank you for your discipline over your children, for it is true that you discipline those whom you love. May we give you new hallelujahs today for all you are, for all you have done, and for all you will continue to do as we seek you and serve you and trust your restoring work in our lives, in our church community, today and every day. Amen.
Words of Assurance: Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation – the old is gone – the new has come! Know that you are forgiven – now walk in newness of life – walk forth in peace. Hebrews 12:28: Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe: for indeed our God is a consuming fire!
Let us stand and sing together, “How Great Thou Art!”
First Place Sermon Series – Part 3
“Holding it Together”
Rev. Meagan M. Boozer
Let’s begin by reading together the first 3 verses of our Bible passage for today, which you will find on the front of your bulletin. We’ll read up to and including the words, “in him all things hold together.”
15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Last week, we considered what it meant for Jesus to be the image of the invisible God. We thought about how we can see someone out in the hallway even if there is a wall between us, if there is a mirror in the right place, and if we are in the right place. Remember from last week, that Paul is writing to a church that is being infiltrated by false teaching – good people were being influenced by teachers who were insisting that Jesus was not, and could not really be fully God because they believed that anything that was part of creation itself (including the body) was evil – and Jesus, though he claimed to be God, lived in human flesh (so he must be evil, not good and holy as God is good and holy). The false teachers taught that only the spirit was good – and so Jesus, God in the flesh, could not have truly been God. (This is similar in many ways to what Jehovah’s Witnesses believe today.)
Paul, in stating that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, is beginning his defense against the false teachers by stating that Jesus is the very substance of God’s good purposes and intentions for creation. Jesus is God’s pattern for human life; if we watch him, we’re watching God! Let me repeat: the Gnostics believed that all creation was evil – but not because of anything creation itself had done or not done. They believed creation was evil because they believed that all matter (anything created) was evil. Paul wants to strengthen the believers in Colosse by reminding them that creation began as an overflow of God’s goodness.
God created all things and pronounced all things good. In stating that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, Paul is reminding the believers in Colosse (and us) of that wonderful truth in Genesis 1:27, “so God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” But we blew it! When God’s creation of humanity (Adam and Eve) fell from grace by choosing their will and way over God’s will and way, all creation became not immediately sizzling evil, but apart from God’s loving discipline, we became completely broken and therefore heavily prone to evil ways – in desperate need of salvation and restoration.
Paul’s ultimate point in stating Jesus to be the image of the invisible God, according to Dr. Haddon Robinson’s commentary on Colossians, is that Jesus brings to historical expression the ultimate purpose of God’s creation of all human life. On the one hand, Jesus represents humanity’s faithful response to God; but on the other hand, he also disclosed God’s faithfulness to humankind – showing how far God will go to restore a fallen creation into his likeness.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
How many firstborns do we have here today? Did you know that research shows that overall, the IQ of the first-born child is higher than the second-born, which, in turn, is greater than that of children who had two or more older siblings. The order of birth can have a fundamental effect on diverse factors, affecting personality, achievement, and career, with first-borns being more academically successful and more likely to win Nobel prizes. However, eldest children are less likely to be radical and pioneering. Charles Darwin, for example, was the fifth child of six. Exactly why there should be such differences is not clear, and there are a number of theories, with many homing in on environmental influences on the child.
According to recent research, first-borns are . . . achievers, who are dominant, religious, conscientious and neurotic. They earn more, are more responsible, anxious and organized, and they stick to the rules.
Middle-borns are . . . rebellious, less religious, impulsive and open to new experiences. They perform worse at school and often procrastinate but act as peacemakers.
Last-borns are . . . agreeable, warm, sociable, extrovert and creative. They are the most favored child, often a joker and questioning of authority.
Now, I mention all that to get to this point: Paul’s use of the word ‘firstborn’ when referring Jesus in this passage “he is the firstborn of all creation,” has nothing to do with what most of us think about when we hear the word ‘firstborn.’
First of all, Jesus was not the first “person” to be born of the “Father.” If this was true, how could we possibly understand the words that begin the Gospel of John? Let me read for you an introduction to John’s Gospel by Eugene Peterson: “In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, God is presented as speaking the creation into existence. God speaks the word and it happens: heaven and earth, ocean and stream, trees and grass, birds and fish, animals and humans. Everything, seen and unseen, called into being by God’s spoken word. In deliberate parallel to the opening words of Genesis, John presents God as speaking salvation into existence. This time God’s word takes on human form and enters history in the person of Jesus. Jesus speaks the word and it happens: forgiveness and judgment, healing and illumination, mercy and grace, joy and love, freedom and resurrection. Everything broken and fallen, sinful and diseased, called into salvation by God’s spoken word. For, somewhere along the line things went wrong (Genesis tells that story, too) and are in desperate need of fixing. The fixing is all accomplished by speaking—God speaking salvation into being in the person of Jesus. Jesus, in this account, not only speaks the word of God; he is the Word of God.”
John’s Gospel begins: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.”
Jesus was not God the Father’s “firstborn” the way we think of being “firstborn.” Jesus is God – he has always been God – he did not come from God like a child comes from its mother – but he was sent to earth by God to show us the character and the purposes of our Creator. And so, how should we interpret, “the firstborn of all creation?”
Now, listen to this: Scripture refers to Israel as God’s firstborn child in Exodus 4:22 when God was instructing Moses to go back to Pharaoh to ask him to let the Israelite people go, “Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord: Israel is my firstborn son.” This verse expresses the Lord’s faithfulness to Israel, a faithfulness that ultimately ensures Israel’s salvation from the evil pharaoh. In this epistle to the Colossians, in Paul’s handling of this biblical ‘firstborn’ tradition, Jesus is cast as God’s firstborn son, and God’s faithfulness to Jesus ensures his resurrection and triumph over death, and in him a triumph over all those evil powers that keep this fallen creation captive to spiritual darkness and the consequences of human sin.
One other possible interpretation of the use of ‘firstborn’ here in this passage is the ancient idea of birthright – the idea which gave the firstborn a privileged status and responsibility within the family. Psalm 89:27 declares, “I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. Certainly we can see how Paul could use the idea of the birthright of the firstborn as a way to explain or understand Jesus’ unique role within the creation as the one representing its salvation.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Last month in Australia, new marine animals were uncovered in previously unexplored waters, along with a bizarre carnivorous sea squirt and ocean-dwelling spiders. Using a submersible car-sized robot named Jason, the researcher, Adam Subhas said the team witnessed some “cool biology” as they descended into a rift in the earth’s crust known as the Tasman Fracture Zone, a sheer 1.24 mile drop to 13,200 feet below the ocean’s surface. They described the sea squirt as “basically an underwater Venus fly trap, but much bigger.” The creature stands 50 centimeters tall on the sea floor. It traps prey in its funnel-like front section if they touch it when they swim past. Subhas said, “The geology was fascinating too – the sediment was incredibly fine and lightly packed; it made me think of powder snow.”
“All things have been created through him and for him.” All things are created as instruments of God’s praise and glory, even those creatures that have existed for thousands of years outside the knowledge of humankind.
Our little granddaughter Taylor, just turned one this past Thursday. She’s been walking since before Christmas, and several weeks ago she started a new dance. All of a sudden, when music would start playing, she would bend her knees in rhythm and raise her hands. It is so funny. I said, “she’s praising the Lord with her hands raised just like in the Bible – lifting up holy hands!”
Thinking about the new sea discoveries, in their own humble way, devoid of human attention, all this “cool biology” has been living as unique expressions of God’s glory, creativity, power, goodness, and yes often, God’s sense of humor. In their own little ways, these creatures have been little Hallelujahs tucked away in the remote corners of creation, waving and praising as the currents ebb and flow. For on the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem amidst the waving of the palms and the hosannas of the people (Luke 19), some of the Pharisees said to him, “order your disciples to stop.” And Jesus said, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” In Isaiah 55 we have these beautiful words, “For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” An everlasting sign of what? Of God’s ongoing, persistent, restorative work over all creation – including his ongoing, persistent, restorative work in your life and in my life.
And here’s an amazing truth that deserves a whole lot more attention than I am about to give it: “…whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Of all the things Paul could have mentioned that Christ made and that exist for his glory, he chose to mention, “thrones, dominions, rulers, and powers.” If we look over at Colossians 2:15 we read these words, “He (Jesus) disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it.” Do you remember the sermon series from this past summer on the Armor of God? Ephesians 6 declares, “For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” From the moment of the fall of all creation, supernatural evil powers have made it their singular aim to deceive and destroy the human race. Where do they come from? The book of Jude 6 declares, “And the angels who did not keep their own position, but left their proper dwelling…” indicating that there were angels (who are not people who have died, but a whole different kind of created being) who were created good and then rebelled against God – just like we can and do rebel against God. But at the cross of Christ, Jesus disarmed them from being able to steal, kill, and destroy our secure position wrapped in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. So therefore, when Paul says that all things have been created through him and for him, “thrones, dominions, rulers, and powers,” he is saying that God created these angels knowing what they would become, and also knowing that in that very evil existence, they would have to be part of fulfilling God’s purposes, because all things have been created through him and for him.
A classic example of this is in the book of Genesis where we read the wonderful story of Joseph and his family. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him (and understandably so, he definitely seemed to be the favored son) and they sold him to the Egyptians as a slave. In chapter 50 we read Joseph’s response to his brothers’ confession and deep regret over what they had done, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good in order to preserve a numerous people as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” (Gen. 50:19-21)
There is nothing that comes into our lives that God does not know about – that God does not allow – that God cannot use for good. This, in fact, is how God reveals himself to us – through the restoration of that which was utterly broken into that which is whole and new once more. We may not, and usually do not understand why God allows certain things to happen to us and to those we love. But, by the Holy Spirit living within us, we can claim this truth: 17He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
And so, when you get to that place from time to time where you think, “I don’t think I can hold it together anymore.” Remember: You don’t have to. For he has created all things visible and invisible – he knows what you are going through – he sees everything from beginning to end – when we put ourselves into his hands, he molds us like a potter molds clay - in order to bring forth God’s image within you.
Let us pray:
Holy God, Creating God, Restoring God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we come on our faces before you. You are pure and we are impure. You alone are good – such a contrast to our evil thoughts, words, and deeds. Forgive us for the many ways we mar your image – for the ocean full of unkind words we have spoken to others or about others – as if we were superior – as if our own sin didn’t loom so large. Forgive us for not trusting your plan and your purposes in all things, forgive us for giving up on you and giving in to the sin that clings so closely – O God, let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has now taken his seat at your right hand. Help us, O God, not to grow weary or lose heart. Thank you for your discipline over your children, for it is true that you discipline those whom you love. May we give you new hallelujahs today for all you are, for all you have done, and for all you will continue to do as we seek you and serve you and trust your restoring work in our lives, in our church community, today and every day. Amen.
Words of Assurance: Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation – the old is gone – the new has come! Know that you are forgiven – now walk in newness of life – walk forth in peace. Hebrews 12:28: Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe: for indeed our God is a consuming fire!
Let us stand and sing together, “How Great Thou Art!”
