Living Worthy of God's Name by His Grace

Summary

This closing portion of the Sunday service is mostly prayer and blessing. The preacher urges believers to live rightly before God and before people, so that the name of God is never dishonored or mocked, because we carry the name of Christians. Without Jesus Christ we can do nothing; He is the One who changes us, and so the congregation calls on His name over their daily walk.

In thanksgiving the church remembers that Christ died and rose for our justification, and that He calls us to live for God and for one another, bearing with one another and shining as salt and light. They give thanks for the Holy Spirit who dwells in them, recalling that the body is His temple, and they ask for grace - the grace that saves and teaches us how to live in this present age, since apart from grace we can do nothing.

The service ends with the Lord's Prayer, the reading of prayer requests, and intercession: thanks for an answered prayer over a child's test, joy over a newborn son named Lemuel, and prayers for employment needs and for the healing of an ailing sister and those who care for her. The pastor reminds the people not to bury the truth they hear but to receive it, to be built up as a spiritual house, and sends them out with the apostolic blessing to greet and welcome one another.

Key Points

• Live rightly before God and people so that His name is honored, not mocked.
• Without Christ we can do nothing; He alone changes us as we call on His name.
• Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, so live to please Him in heart and body.
• We are saved and taught by grace; apart from grace we accomplish nothing.
• The Word renews and gives life every time we gather to receive it.
• Bring every need to God in prayer and give thanks for the mercy already shown.
• Do not bury the truth you hear - receive it, grow, and be built up as a spiritual house.