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Mini-Worship
April 16-21, 2024
1. Center yourself (take a few deep breaths and quiet down)
2. Enter the Presence of God
(M) Is there a way, truth, and life for our existence?
(W) Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life."
(M) How do we get to God Father?
(W) Jesus said, "If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
(All) Praise you, Jesus.
3. Confession:
God our Savior, in our disturbed world, we come to you to receive the comfort and hope which is inspired and instilled by the cross and the resurrection of your son Jesus. Please set us in your presence. Take fear out of our hearts. Lift up our downcast souls. Send forth your light and truth. Direct us with your love. We will move on again with confidence and with your songs. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
4. Scripture Reading:
Colossians 2: 2-3; 6-7; 9-10; (NIV)
My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ..So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness...For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
Thoughts to share and to ponder
Being a follower of Christ in the world has not been easy since the first generation of Christians. Paul in this Scripture was talking to a group of followers in a city where was known as the culture center in that area. Anyone who would like to become famous would go there to express his/her mind and show his/her talents. For example, how to make life happier in a world obviously not pretty? Some people said that deny yourself and take control of your lusts. Others said that angels governed the natural order. And so you were to worship the one who was for you. One group believed that heavenly bodies control our fates and really nothing you could do. Other group believed in using the mystic intuition outside body. How would Christ be different from these cultural ideas? The first generation of Christians were challenged.
As a matter fact, there are good reasons for anyone to become confused. We humans tend to ask many questions. Who governs the order and operation of our world and life chance? Besides our humans, is there any other forces- spirits? angels? aliens? …What do we know about those forces? In what way do we handle them? After all, what or who really satisfy our most inner quest of our lives? Where and who is our lives originated? Who or what really has the knowledge and discernment on all things of our world that lead us peace, life and wholeness? All these questions are normal questions to ask in our broken and wandering existence in a fragile and divided world. Indeed, they have been asked by every generation of people. And they have been answered by every generation in different ways.
In our digital century, our knowledge of the cultural trends and ideas has been greatly increased and expanded. We are in the sea of trends and ideas. Compared to the old gospel we know, they indeed are instantly attractive, useful, and enjoyable to us. Very much like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, we are confronted a choice: which to take in? Which not to take in? Do we take in all of them? How to discern? Are there any guidelines?
Who has that kind of clear discernment, rich knowledge and understanding to answer our quests? Here we heard that "... the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge... in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. And in Christ you have been brought to fullness..."
Here Paul reminds us of one thing- both traditions and new cultural trends are needed to be brought under the lens of cross to expose its hollowness and deception, to break its darkness and illusion, to stop its manipulating and controlling to our minds, hearts, bodies and life expressions. We need let the blood of Jesus and the rich knowledge of God to exam, cleanse, transform and renew them.
The first foundation of our believers' lives is to die, to burry, and to resurrect with Jesus Christ. What is to die? What is to be crucified on the cross? What challenges are our cultural ideas upon our lives? Can we discern? Do we have courage to name them? Can we evaluate them and weigh their places in our lives in the light of the saving work of Jesus? Do we have the power to change or transform them?
The Easter season reminds us that it is essential to continue live our lives in Christ, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith. The simple reason of doing so is that the blessings of life, peace and wholeness which we desire so much are flowing from him only.
Prayer:
Our Lord, the most high with all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom, we confess that besides you, who can be like you? Thank you that you have circumcised our hearts. We are given the promises of sharing your fullness. Help us to fix our eyes on your cross and resurrection of your son so that we will be able to discern all currents and trends around us. We will look up to you in our quests and dwell in your peace, fullness, and sovereignty. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
5. Benedictions
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. May the LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.
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