Worship Preparation Guide for Sunday, August 24

In the prologue to his gospel John writes,  “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.  He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  (John 1:9-14)

In preparation for this week’s worship service take a minute and read John 1: 1-18 and John 12.  The contrasts and struggle described in John’s prologue reaches a fever pitch in chapter twelve.  This is the final public discourse of Jesus, and eternity hangs in the balance for all who see him and hear what he says here in John 12.  Light or darkness, belief or unbelief; people are being forced to choose which side is theirs, and Jesus is passionately urging them to receive him while they still can:  “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” (Jn 12:38)

The Greeks came seeking and saying: “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”  Let this be our prayer as we gather for worship this Sunday: “Lord, as I gather with your people in worship this Sunday let me see Jesus”. 

But what are we asking when we make this request?  What does it mean for us to see Jesus?   To see Jesus is to see God (Jn. 1: 18, Jn. 10:30, Jn. 14:9), and to see God is to see His glory.  To see God’s glory is to see the life of Christ lived in full obedience to His Father.  In John 12: 23 Jesus says “the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified”.  This glory will be seen in Christ as he dies, lives again and bears the fruit of God’s glorious gospel through his disciples and his church. 

This is why we gather for worship.  This is the story we sing when we gather for worship.  This is the story we proclaim when we gather for worship.  

In this week’s passage we hear God speak from heaven.  This is one of only three occasions recorded in the Gospels when the Father spoke from heaven.  He spoke at Jesus' baptism: "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22).  He spoke at Jesus' transfiguration: "This is My beloved Son. Hear Hine" (Luke 9:35).

And He speaks here in response to Jesus’ prayer:  “Now is my soul troubled.  And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’?  But for this purpose I have come to this hour.  Father, glorify your name.”  Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”  (John 12:27-28)

When the people present heard the voice some thought it was an angel.  Some thought it was the thunder.  Some probably had not idea what they heard. 

What does the Word of God sounds like to you?  Can you hear Him when he speaks, or is it simply a dull roar, a distant rumble? 

As you prayerfully read these passages in John, ask God to prepare your heart for worship by opening your ears to hear him as he speaks to us through His Word this Sunday. 

In this Sunday’s service we will sing the following song.  The Greeks came asking to see Jesus.  

May this also be our prayer this Sunday:  Show Us Christ!

           

Prepare our hearts, O God; 

Help us to receive.

Break the hard and stony ground; 

Help our unbelief.

Plant Your Word down deep in us; 

Cause it to bear fruit.

Open up our ears to hear, 

lead us in Your truth.

Show us Christ, show us Christ.

O God, reveal Your glory 

through the preaching of Your Word

Until every heart confesses Christ is Lord.

Your Word is living light 

upon our darkened eyes;

Guards us through temptations; 

Makes the simple wise.

Your Word is food for famished ones, 

Freedom for the slave;

Riches for the needy soul; 

Come speak to us today.

Show us Christ, show us Christ.

O God, reveal Your glory 

through the preaching of Your Word

Until every heart confesses Christ is Lord.

Where else can we go, Lord?  

Where else can we go? 

You have the words of eternal life. (Repeat)

SShow us Christ, show us Christ.

O God, reveal Your glory 

through the preaching of Your Word

Until every heart confesses Christ is Lord.