Welcome to our online church service! You can follow this worship service on your phone, computer or cast it to your TV. If you are gathering with others, we suggest you ask different people to lead the various parts of the service, such as the Bible reading, prayer and benediction. If you are blessed to have musically gifted people among you, invite them to play a musical instrument during the songs! You are also welcome to modify this service as you see fit. We hope you and those with you are blessed by this time together.
Resources
Kids Church: Kids Church Online – March 28/29
Youth Church: Youth Church Online – March 28/29
Step 1. Worship
Let us begin by worshiping the Lord together. Here are some songs that speak about the amazing character of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Behold Our God | Jonathan Baird, Meghan Baird, Ryan Baird, Stephen Altrogge | Music by Sovereign Grace Worship (used with permission) | CCLI Song #5937510
Cornerstone | Edward Mote, Eric Liljero, Jonas Myrin, Reuben Morgan, William Batchelder Bradbury | Music by Hillsong Worship (used with permission) | CCLI Song #61589276158927
Step 2: Bible Reading
Now let us open up the word and read today’s passage together.
Mark 13 New International Version (NIV)
The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times
13 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”
2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”
5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
14 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19 because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again.
20 “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
24 “But in those days, following that distress,
“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
25 the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
The Day and Hour Unknown
32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
Taken from: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark+13&version=NIV
Step 3: Sermon
Now we will hear from Pastor Ray as he preaches to us on this passage. May our ears be open to what the Spirit is saying to us today.
For further reading: Tyndale Mark 13 Commentary
Step 4: Closing Prayer
Let us now pray together. Here is an example prayer you can use or simply pray as you are led by the Holy Spirit.
Dear Father, we thank you for your encouraging Word from Mark 13 today. Despite the challenges that our world is facing at this time, we know and believe that you are still in control and that you love us and have a plan for us. In this time, help us to guard against all kinds of deception, help us to patiently wait for Christ and inspire us to keep faithfully serving. May we as your church stand up at this time and make a difference in this world and may all that we do be for your praise and glory!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Step 5: Benediction
Pray this benediction upon your loved ones and those around you now:
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Additional Resources
Here are some resources that we hope will be encouraging and uplifting for you to use during the week:
- Fill your home with songs of praise: https://iview.abc.net.au/collection/2016 (Thanks Helen!)
- Great hymns of the faith on 98.5FM from 6am to 6:40am Sunday morning
- Listen to the Bible each day with the Daily Bible App. Available here: https://dailyaudiobible.com
May the Lord bless you all and keep you safe.
Love from the East Freo staff, Council and ministry coordinators.