Canvey Methodist Church Bible Study - 9th June 2020- Jesus Is Worthy.
Introduction.
Last Wednesday’s Worship Academy presentation on the theme of Holiness as ‘God at work “within and through us” as a cleansing agent of change both to ourselves and others around us’, set me thinking about how incredible is the grace of God in Jesus and how it is only through His Holiness that our lives are changed. I liked the illustration given that Holiness is an active matter and that, like lighter fuel in a barbecue it brings about powerful change when encountered. One of the comments made in the Q and A session after Rev Calvins presentation concluded, did rather strike a chord with me though. It was the reminder that when Jesus applied His Holiness in dark situations he managed to do so, without becoming tainted by the sin he exposed. This sadly, may not always be our experience when living out our Christian Faith in practice. Indeed, the person commenting last Wednesday evening, made the point that we “are not Jesus”. We can only keep standing by keeping close to Jesus in our daily walk, by drawing upon the strength that there is in Him in Christian fellowship and by having confidence that Jesus in us is worthy; that it is His righteousness that we wear by the grace of God. The prophet Isaiah and the apostle paul both make helpful comments to encourage us in this walk
-Isaiah 61:10. "I will heartily rejoice in the LORD, my soul will delight in my God; for he has wrapped me in garments of salvation; he has arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, just like a bridegroom, like a priest with a garland, and like a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For just as the soil brings forth its shoots, and as a garden makes what is sown within it spring up, so the LORD God will make righteousness and praise spring up before all the nations for Zion's sake.
-Romans3v23- for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Feeling unworthy and not up to the task of serving God is a normal response for many. John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the earthly ministry of Jesus was, you might remember, struck by his own feelings of inadequacy when comparing himself with Jesys.
Matthew 3:11 New International Version (NIV)
11 “I baptize you with[a] water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire.
Footnotes:a.Matthew 3:11 Or in. b.Matthew 3:11 Or in
But John then went on to a mighty work for God and in Luke 7:28. Jesus says of him, “I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is”.
What encourages me is that Jesus, God's Son, is wholly worthy to accomplish in and through you and I things that we would not think possible. Here is a song based on verses throughout the bible that we used to sing. It conveys this truth, that Jesus is Worthy.
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Thou Art Worthy, Thou Art Worthy
Thou Art Worthy, Oh Lord
To Receive Glory, Glory And Honour
Glory And Honour And Power
For Thou Hast Created
Hast All Things Created
Thou Hast Created All Things
And For Thy Pleasures
They Are Created
Thou Art Worthy, Oh Lord
Thou Art Worthy, Thou Art Worthy,
Thou Art Worthy, O Lord.
Thou Art Worthy To Receive Glory,
Glory And Honor And Power.
For Thou Hast Created, Hast All Things Created,
For Thou Hast Created All Things.
And For Thy Pleasure They Are Created;
Thou Art Worthy, O Lord.
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A Prayer for today- Methodist Prayer Manual.
Jesus, by your wounded feet, direct our path. Jesus, by your nailed hands, move us to deeds of love. Jesus, by your pierced side, purify our desires. Jesus by your broken heart, knit ours to yours. Amen.
Richard Crashaw (1613-1649)
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Last Sunday we reflected upon the mystery of God as Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The song “Thou art worthy” was based upon the following bible verses all of which convey truths about how Jesus the Son in the Godhead, is Worthy of our praise:
1)He is above all things and has authority and integrity.
1 Chronicles 16:25 New International Version (NIV)
25 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
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2) He was instrumental in Creation
John 1:3 New International Version (NIV)
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
Colossians 1:15-16 New International Version (NIV)
The Supremacy of the Son of God
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him
Hebrews 1:2 New International Version (NIV)
2 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.
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3). His actions and life were Worthy
Hebrews 3:3 New International Version (NIV)
3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.
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4). He will be there as history is drawn to a close.
As the sacrificial lamb, given for the sins of the world, he is deemed worthy to open the seal on the end time scroll.
Revelation 4 New International Version (NIV)
The Throne in Heaven
4 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
“‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’[b] who was, and is, and is to come.”
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”
Footnotes:
a.Revelation 4:5 That is, the sevenfold Spirit
b.Revelation 4:8 Isaiah 6:3
Revelation 5:2 New International Version (NIV)
2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”
Revelation 5:9 New International Version (NIV)
9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Revelation 5:12 New International Version (NIV)
12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
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To close. We may feel today that our world and the lives of many around us are broken. That hope is in short supply. But the good news is that our creator continues to love and care. He is in the business of restoring that which was lost. To Him “every life matters”; Yours, mine, the people next door; black, white, yellow, brown; every culture; every nation, and to them God sends you and I with the good news that Jesus, the son of God, died and lives for them and reigns forever. Are we worthy of the task? Yes we are in Jesus, because He is Worthy.
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Another song by Andrew Peterson to finish:
He Is Worthy:
[Verse 1]
Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)
But do you know that all the dark won't stop the light from getting through? (We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)
[Verse 2]
Is all creation groaning? (It is)
Is a new creation coming? (It is)
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is)
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is)
[Chorus]
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
[Refrain 1]
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory
Is He worthy of this?
He is
[Verse 3]
Does the Father truly love us? (He does)
Does the Spirit move among us? (He does)
And does Jesus, our Messiah hold forever those He loves? (He does)
Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)
[Chorus]
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
[Bridge]
From every people and tribes
Every nation and tongue
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God
To reign with the Son
[Refrain 2]
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?
He is!
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
He is!
He is!
Andrew Peterson
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To Close- Methodist Prayer Manual.
Loving God, you call us to respond, to receive, and to let go, and invite us to trust your gospel call, your gospel way and your gospel life. Wherever life is full, joy is deep and grace abundant, or where these gifts are yet glimpsed and yearned for, help us to let go and to take up, to give and to receive and, in all our ventures and deliberations, to be inspired and guided by the dying and rising of your Son, our shepherd, Saviour and companion.
Thus, may we come to rest in your eternal self-giving love, glimpsed in beauty, received in kindness, made known in fellowship with you and one another, enduring forever in our hills, valleys and dwelling places. Amen.
James Tebbutt, Cumbria District Chair
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May God Bless us all.
In Christian Love
Colin