Worship Preparation Guide for Sunday, March 2

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, 

“If you abide in my word,

you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, 

and the truth will set you free.”

They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham 

and have never been enslaved to anyone.

How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, 

everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.

The slave does not remain in the house forever; 

the son remains forever.

So if the Son sets you free, 

you will be free indeed.  

(John 8:31-36)

Here at Westwood our corporate worship centers on the reading, praying, singing, proclamation and response to the Word of God.  We plan and pray toward the worshipper encountering God through the One who is the living Word of God – Jesus Christ.  Our desire is for people to get a glimpse of God's nature and character through interaction with his written Word so that believers grow in their knowledge, love and adoration of God, and non-believers can hear the gospel and receive a clear invitation to come to Christ. 

To prepare for worship as we should, to understand and apply the truths of this week’s focal passage as we should, we first need this reminder: God’s Word is timeless.  It is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) 

Because of this truth, and because Jesus Himself is timeless and unchanging, and because in our natures we are no different from those people who stood with Jesus and heard him speak in the Temple courts, what Jesus said to them He is saying to us. 

And here is what He is saying: “If you abide in my word,  you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (Jn 8:31)  The consistent presence of Christ-like actions and attitudes in my life stands as confirmation of my confession of Jesus as Lord over my life.  D.A. Carson puts it this way:  “A genuine believer remains in Jesus’ “word” (logos) – his teaching; such a person obeys it, seeks to understand it better, and finds it more precious, more controlling, precisely when other forces flatly oppose it.  Jesus indicates what genuine faith does: it perseveres, it holds tight to Jesus’ teaching, with some glorious consequences.” (D.A Carson, The Gospel According to John, p. 348) 

Continuing (abiding) in Jesus’ teaching confirms our faith, causes us to grow deeper in our knowledge of Christ, and allows us to experience the true freedom that is found only in Christ.  “Holding onto Jesus’ teaching  not only establishes the genuineness of faith, it also has its own authenticating power.” (Carson)

And what freedom it is!!  It is not the freedom to do as we would choose.  That’s not liberty, that’s license.  Jesus sets us from the penalty if sin, from the guilt of sin, from the loneliness and separation sin brings, and from the love of sin and the bondage of a sinful heart and lifestyle.  Jesus frees us to serve Him - to be what God created us to be, and love God and others as He created us to love.  What a great Savior!  What amazing grace! 

Please take some time before this Sunday to read through John 8.  I would encourage you to also read Romans chapter 6 and consider what Paul says about the freedom from sin we have in Christ.   

This Sunday we will sing the great hymn by Charles Wesley “And Can It Be”.  In the 3rd verse we will sing: 

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,


fast bound in sin and nature’s night;


Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—


I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;


My chains fell off, my heart was free,


I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Amazing love?  How can it be? 

That Thou my God shouldst die for me.