We encourage you to read and reflect on these scriptures, songs, notes, and prayers as we look forward to our time of worship together this coming Sunday.

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Please print this guide or have it handy in digital format for use during the service.

And don’t forget to join us Sunday immediately following the service in our virtual foyer for a group video chat! It’s easy to join! Just click here.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Brothers and sisters, the extravagant love of God has called us together.
For long before we were even aware of it, God knew us.

He has chosen us to be part of His family—the children of God!
And having chosen us, he calls us;
and having called us, he restores us;
and having restored us, he gave us his holiness!

Come, family of God, let us worship together!

MUSIC: LIVING HOPE

CCLI #7106807 | Brian Johnson and Phil Wickham
Performed by Emmaus Road Worship Team

CONFESSIONAL PRAYER

Please join in on the bolded lines.

Lord Jesus Christ, we call you Lord, 

Yet it is too easy for us to worship other things. Other activities, other relationships, other gods.

You tell us we cannot serve two masters, yet we spend more time focusing our energies elsewhere, diverting our time, our energy, our money, our attention away from you.

Forgive us, gracious Lord, when our hearts are led astray, chasing selfish desires and worldly pursuits.

We turn away from our distractions and sin.

Strengthen us to set our eyes upon your Kingdom and to take up our cross and follow you.

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who may accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself.

All: Thanks be to God

MUSIC: COME HOLY ONE

CCLI #6291516 | Eric J. Marshall © 2011
Performed by Emmaus Road Worship Team

WORD

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God At Work

Sermon Scriptures:
Romans 8:28-30 (NTE)

INTRODUCTION

When suffering hits, it is natural to start asking questions about God. 
-Where is God? 
-What is God doing? 

These are important questions. One of the scriptures that people often turn to for answers is Romans 8:28 which says, “We know, in fact, that God works all things together for good to those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” (NTE) 

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to explore Romans 8. We’ll start with the crescendo in 8:28 and then work our way back to the beginning of the chapter. 

Our goal is that this series will connect us to important truths as we navigate these days together. 

GOD AT WORK

The life of Jesus shows us that God weeps with us.
The cross of Jesus shows us that God suffers with us. 
Romans reveals that God is also at work in our suffering.
“God works all things together for good….”  

There is a temptation to hear this verse and take it to mean that God causes all things.  

The point of Romans 8:28 is NOT that God causes all things, but that God is able to work in the midst of all things! 

Listen to how the NIV puts it, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  

This morning, I want us to rest in the confidence that God is working in the midst of this pandemic.  

IMAGE-BEARERS

Romans 8:29, “Those he foreknew, you see, he also marked out in advance to be shaped according to the model of the image of his son, so that he might be the firstborn of a large family.” (NTE)

Paul goes directly into the purpose of God’s work, which he describes as being shaped into the model of the image of his son.  

Sonship language is significant in Romans and points us to this truth: to be called a “son of God” was to be God’s representative and co-ruler on the earth. (Don’t get hung up on the gendered language; this calling is for everyone!) 

God is at work in the midst of all things to bring about his new creation AND clarify God’s image in us so that we can operate as representatives of new creation in the world.  

GLORIFIED

Our passage ends with God’s activity in our lives to call, justify, and glorify. What does it mean to be glorified anyway? 

Glory, when it refers to humanity, refers to an elevation in status or authority as God’s co-rulers over the earth.  

The narrative arch of our story is that we have rejected that glory. This is tragic, but in all things God works for the good of those who love him…and so God is faithful to call and then justify (or set right), and then glorify; or re-instate our status and authority as God’s co-rulers.  

Romans 8:28 (RSV), “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.”

“God has promised throughout scripture to put the world right. In the present time he puts people right by the gospel and the Spirit so that they can then be part of his ‘putting-right purpose for the world, both as models (‘This is what it’s going to be like!’) and as agents (‘You’ve got a job to do!’). So justification and justice belong together.” — N. T. Wright 

“Where is God? He is in the midst of all things…working with you…for good.” -Glenn Packiam

TABLE

Prepare the elements of “bread” and “wine” for use as we gather around The Lord’s Table. These can be any items convenient around the home that symbolize these for you. 

CONFESSION OF THE MYSTERY OF FAITH

Christ has died.
Christ is risen. 
Christ will come again.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

As we pray together, we invite you to share your own requests and testimonies with us this week. If you have a request you can share it live in our video stream chat, or you may email us at emmausroadfc@gmail.com

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven,
        hallowed be your Name,
        your kingdom come,
        your will be done,
        on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins
        as we forgive those
        who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, 
        and deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, 
        and the power,
        and the glory for ever and ever.
Amen.

BENEDICTION

Please join in on the bolded lines.

As we go from here, never forget:
We do not go alone.
God’s own Spirit goes with us,
always ready to help in our weakness.
So let’s go in confidence and joy,
knowing that wherever we go,
we are surrounded by the love and mercy of God.
Amen.