A Witnessing People

The focus this morning is the role of witness to which Christ calls us: we are to testify to the world those things that we have seen and heard—the redemptive work of Christ in our lives, the conquering of sin through the death and resurrection of our Lord, and the freedom of living in the light of the Gospel.

We begin with the Call to Worship from Psalm 96 and the instruction to tell of His salvation from day to day and to declare His glory among the nations. All Creatures of Our God and King is a litany of all of creation singing the praises of the Lord. With Jesus Shall Reign, we are reminded that His dominion and kingdom is everlasting and reaches over all.

The New Testament Reading from Luke 24 speaks directly of the role of witness such that repentance and forgiveness of sins can be proclaimed to the nations. The Prayer of Confession from I Timothy 1 confronts us with the fact that we have sometimes met the grace given to us with fear or in ways that bring shame to the Gospel.