1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,

5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of

the truth, the gospel,

6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it

also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,

7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of

Christ on your behalf

8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

Colossians 1:1-8 ESV

The Lord’s Day January 10, 2021

9:00 AM

God’s People Gather for Worship

By God’s grace alone and to his glory alone, we exist to worship God in his greatness and his holiness with Gospel-drive passion and integrity…” (excerpted from FPC Rome Mission Statement)

Preparing our Hearts Prelude

Invocation

Declaring God’s Praise

Call to Worship Psalm 95:1-2

Hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty”

NICAEA

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning

Our song shall rise to Thee. Holy, holy, holy!

Merciful and mighty! God in three Persons,

Blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,

Casting down their golden crowns Around the glassy sea.

Cherubim and seraphim Falling down before Thee, Which wert, and art, and

Evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! Tho’ the darkness hide Thee,

Tho’ the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see. Only Thou art holy—

There is none beside Thee, Perfect in pow’r, in love, in purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All thy works shall praise Thy name In earth, and sky, and sea.

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three Persons,

Blessed Trinity!

Affirming Our Faith John 1:1-5, 9-10; Colossians 1:16-17

Leader: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All: He was with God in the beginning. Leader: Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. All: In him was life, and that life was the light of men. Leader: The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. All: This was the true light that gives light to every man who comes into the world. Leader: He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. All: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible. Leader: For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. All: He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Confessing Our Sin and Embracing Our Forgiveness

Call to Confession

Corporate Prayer of Confession

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you, in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart, mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Hymn of Reflection “How Firm a Foundation”

FOUNDATION

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!

What more can He say than to you He hath said, To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not! I am with thee; O be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

“The soul that on Jesus hath learned for repose. I will not, I will not dessert to his foes.

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!”

Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts to God

Welcome and Announcements

Offering Our Gifts

Presentation of Tithes and Offerings “The Weaver” David Schwoebel

Chancel Choir Dr. Aaron Rice, director Ms. Grace Garnett, piano

Hearing God’s Word

Scripture Reading Colossians 1:1-8

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. ALL: Thanks be to God!

Sermon “Gospel Vitality” Rev. Bill Pardue

Scattering as Christ’s Church

Hymn “The Servant Song” THE SERVANT SONG

Brother, sister, let me serve you, Let me be as Christ to you;

Pray that I may have the grace to Let you be my servant too.

We are pilgrims on a journey; We’re together on this road.

We are here to help each other Walk the mile and bear the load.

I will hold the Christ-light for you In the night time of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you,

Speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping; When you laugh, I'll laugh with you.

I will share your joy and sorrow Till we've seen this journey thro’.

When we sing to God in heaven, We shall find such harmony,

Born of all we've known together Of Christ's love and agony.

Brother, sister, let me serve you, Let me be as Christ to you;

Pray that I might have the grace to Let you be my servant too.

Commissioning and Benediction

Postlude

God’s People Scatter to Live as Faithful, Fruitful Followers of Jesus Christ

GospelVitality

I. ScriptureLessonColossians1:1-8(ESV)Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

II. BigIdeaIf the Gospel yields such virtuous vitality with all peoples, let us look to hear and receive it alone for fullness and fruitfulness in life. Jesus alone can fill my heart and make me shine! ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

III. GospelVitality: verses2-5,8

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

IV. GospelMethod: verses5b-7____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

V. GospelFullness: verses5b-7____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

VI. DiscussionQuestions1. WhathasfaithinJesusChristlookedlikeforyoulately?

2. Howhas/canyourloveforthepeopleofGodleadyoutoservesacrificially?

3. Howhas/canthehopeofheavenimpactthewayyoulive?

4. Howhas/cantheworld/culturedeceiveustobelieveweneedsomethingotherthan

Jesusforfullnessinlife?

5. Howhas/shouldthispassagehelpyoutogrowinyourpraiseofChrist?

6. Howhas/shouldthispassageleadyoutorepentance?7. Howhas/shouldthispassageleadyoutolivedifferently?

Next step: On Sunday mornings, through Colossians, our Church Family will be spending the next few months thinking through the reality that Jesus Christ is “Above ALL!” Well, what does that mean for us on Monday, or Tuesday, or the rest of the week? Suggestions for group study during the week: Plan time each day this week individually or with your small group of beloveds (whoever and wherever they may be) to spend time thinking about what the Big Idea Pastor Bill preached means. The Big Idea is, “If the Gospel yields such virtuous vitality with all peoples, let us look to hear and receive it alone for fullness and fruitfulness in life.” Remember, in the digital age - small groups can happen in all kinds of ways. However, we hope to provide a resource for family and friends to come together around a meal table to share food and faith face to face. Try this: Monday: Read the passage Colossians 1:1-8 together. Pray for the Lord to reveal his intentions for this passage to you or your group. Study; what does the passage say? (discuss together) what does the passage teach? (discuss together). Invite the group to review the discussion questions from the sermon outline. Choose one or two from the list to discuss and apply. (If you have time, why not read the whole Colossians letter?) Pray & Practice: Ask the Lord to guide you as you or your group attempt to practice what the Word teaches. Tuesday: Share & Care – Take some time to share a concern or two. Be other-oriented, avoid dominating the time, and then spend some time praying for one another. Re-read the passage, Colossian 1:1-8. Review the points from the sermon outline. Invite the group to review the discussion questions; choose one or two from the list to discuss and apply. Wednesday: Wednesday Night Family Supper at FPC for Christ & Culture Part 2 with Dr. Jonathan Schwartz. Our topic is Thursday: Share & Care – Take some time to share a concern or two (be careful to avoid dominating sharing time) and then spend some time praying for one another. Re-read the passage, Colossian 1:1-8. Review the points from the sermon outline. Invite the group to review the discussion questions; choose one or two from the list to discuss and apply. Friday: Read Colossians 1:8. Anything new? Consider spending time reflecting on how your time in Colossians has impacted you this week? Share triumphs and failures. Celebrate authenticity. Praise the Lord for his work in your life this week! Saturday: Prepare for Sunday worship. Pray for the Lord to prepare your heart for worship on Sunday. Read Colossians 1:9-14. Consider setting out those clothes for the morning. Want to be part of a group? Reach out to Rob Davis – robd@fpcrome.org 706-252-5216

mailto:robd@fpcrome.org

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