Worship Service for April 10, 2022
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our community Easter Egg Hunt will be on Saturday. Please pray that we have good weather, that the kids of the community will come out for it, and that they will leave with a better understanding of what Easter is really all about.
There will be an Easter breakfast of pancakes and sausage served at 9 am. Please make your reservation by calling Randy or Gail no later than Wednesday.
Our leaders decided to have one worship service on Easter, hoping that that would be the day that some folks will begin attending worship again. And they wanted all of us to be together for that special worship service. Please let me remind you again that it will be especially important to fill up the back parking lot first. Thank you.
Today is Palm Sunday, called that, of course, because as Jesus made His last entrance into the city of Jerusalem, His followers laid down palm branches on the road ahead of him.
A couple of years ago, it was Palm Sunday but because 5-year-old Sammy came down with a bad cold, he stayed home from church with a babysitter. When the family returned home, they were carrying several palm fronds. Sammy inquired as to what they were for.
His sister said, “People waved them at Jesus as He walked by.”
“Wouldn’t you just know it?” Sammy complained, “The one Sunday I don’t go to church and He shows up.”
Which just goes to remind you that when you miss worship, you never know what you’re going to miss.
CALL TO WORSHIP
After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of His disciples. As He came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, He sent two disciples ahead. “Go into that village over there,” He told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?”
And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for Him to ride on. As He rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of Him. When He reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of His followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”
He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”
Luke 19:28-40
OPENING WORSHIP SONGS
Sing
Sorensen, Taylor
I rise up in the morning
Joy is there in the morning
I stay awake through the midnight
Hope is there in the midnight
Sing, sing, sing hosanna
Sing, sing, sing hosannaWhen the mountains sing their praises
I will sing all the louder
Hear the tree as its voice raises
I will lift my voice higher
Sing, sing, sing hosanna
Sing, sing, sing hosanna
Sing, sing, sing hosanna
Sing, sing, sing hosannaOr the rocks will get to sing hosanna
Or the rocks will get to sing hosanna
Or the trees will get to sing hosanna
Or the rocks will get to sing hosanna
All the earth will get to sing
Sing, sing, sing hosanna
Sing, sing, sing hosanna
Sing, sing, sing hosanna
Sing, sing, sing hosannaOr the rocks will get to sing hosanna
©Lil’ Yella House Music, Couchboy Style Company Publishing,
Or the rocks will get to sing hosanna
Or the trees will get to sing hosanna
Or the rocks will get to sing hosanna
All the earth will get to sing
Sing, sing, sing hosanna
Sing, sing, sing hosanna
Sing, sing, sing hosanna
Sing, sing, sing hosanna
Or the rocks will get to sing.
Clumsy Fly Music, Dayspring Music LLC CCLI License No. 1843349
Beautiful One
Hughes, Tim
Wonderful, so wonderful is Your unfailing love,
Your cross has spoken mercy over me.
No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
No heart could fully know.
How glorious, how beautiful You are.Beautiful One I love,
Beautiful One I a-dore
Beautiful One my soul must sing.Powerful, so powerful
Your glory fills the skies,
Your mighty works dis-played for all to see.
The beauty of Your majesty awakes my heart to sing
How marvelous, how wonderful You are.Beautiful One I love,
Beautiful One I a-dore
Beautiful One my soul must sing.Beautiful One I love,
Beautiful One I a-dore
Beautiful One my soul must sing.You’ve opened my eyes to Your wonders anew.
You’ve captured my heart with this love,
‘Cause nothing on earth is as beautiful as You.You’ve opened my eyes to Your wonders anew.
You’ve captured my heart with this love,
‘Cause nothing on earth is as beautiful as You.Beautiful One I love,
Beautiful One I a-dore
Beautiful One my soul must sing.My soul, my soul must sing,
My soul, my soul must sing,
My soul, my soul must sing, Beautiful One.My soul, my soul must sing,
My soul, my soul must sing,
My soul, my soul must sing, Beautiful One.Beautiful One I love,
© 2002 Thankyou Music
Beautiful One I a-dore
Beautiful One my soul must sing.
CCLI License No. 1843349
As We Seek Your Face
Bilbrough, Dave
As we seek Your face,
May we know Your heart,
Feel Your presence, acceptance,
As we seek Your face.Move among us now.
Come reveal Your power.
Show Your presence, acceptance,
Move among us now.At Your feet we fall,
©1990 Kingway’s Thankyou Music
Sov’reign Lord.
We cry, ‘Holy, holy’.
At Your feet we fall.
(admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
CCLI License No. 1843349
OPENING PRAYER
We are thankful for the memory of what has become known as Holy Week, which began with Your last entry into the Holy city of Jerusalem. Although the people celebrated Your presence with great fanfare, thinking that this would herald Your coming-out party as King of Israel, You knew where things were headed; that in four days things would be dramatically different, that the cries of hosanna would become cries to crucify. We have gathered here to remember these things and to give You thanks that it was all part of Your plan from the very beginning. At the foot of the cross, we fall in worship for who You are and what You have accomplished on our behalf, praying in Jesus’ name that You would accept what we offer You, amen.
OFFERING
If you would like to send your offering through the mail, our mailing address is:
CrossPointe Community Church
P O Box 126
Chippewa Lake, OH 44215
PRAYER SONG
O Mighty Cross
Chisum, John
O mighty cross
Love lifted high
The Lord of life
Raised there to dieHis sacrifice
On Calvary
Has made the mighty cross
A tree of life to meO mighty cross
What throne of grace
He knew no sin
Yet took my placeHis sacrifice
On Calvary
Has made the mighty cross
A tree of life to meO mighty cross
Oh Christ so pure
Love held him there
Such shame enduredHis sacrifice
On Calvary
Has made the mighty cross
A tree of life to meO mighty cross
My soul’s release
The stripes He bore
Has brought me peaceHis sacrifice
© Integrity’s Praise Music, Integrity’s Praise! Music, Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
On Calvary
Has made the mighty cross
A tree of life to me.
CCLI License No. 1843349
MORNING PRAYER
O Lord Jesus Christ, we come before you with thanksgiving as we celebrate Palm Sunday. It’s the day we commemorate Your entry into Jerusalem on a mission to pay for our sins and to give us eternal life. You knew the anguish awaiting you and You still proceeded so that Your Father’s will would be fulfilled. Your love and obedience saved us, and now we are Your children.
O Lord, we thank you for Your love. You loved us when we were sinners, hopeless and condemned. Let our hearts meditate on your sacrifice on the cross to set us free, and the promise of your second coming to take us to your Father.
We pray for humility; the kind of humility you displayed when you rode on a donkey on your way to Jerusalem. Crush the pride in our hearts. Let our hearts be filled with gratitude for all you have done for us.
You are the prince of peace. We adore you. Your love has set us free. Let the gospel of your grace settle in our hearts as we look up to you for all our needs.
[Use this time to pray for your needs].
We pray, as always, in the name of Jesus, the Christ, amen.
SCRIPTURE
Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with Him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed Him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on His right and one on His left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for His clothes by throwing dice. The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let Him save Himself if He is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked Him, too, by offering Him a drink of sour wine. They called out to Him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened above Him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 22:32-43
The word ‘remember’ is a word that has been found on ancient gravestones forming a prayer petition requesting that the person be remembered on the future day of resurrection.
But notice that the promise is ‘today,’ not some far off, future oriented event, but today. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul informs us that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (5:8). Perhaps the apostle derived his theology from this scene played out on the cross.
William Barclay tells us this word translated ‘paradise’ is a Persian word for ‘a walled garden’ and thus pictures the restoration of the Garden of Eden where God’s original intention was to live with His creation forever.
But something spoiled paradise. When Adam and Eve chose to become lawbreakers, sin was born into the family of humanity and eternal life was taken off the table until Jesus gave His life so people could be made right with God through faith in Christ, rather than by earning their way to heaven.
That’s what Paul is talking about in Romans 4:1-8.
Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it:
Romans 4:1-8
“Oh, what joy for those
whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sins are put out of sight.
Yes, what joy for those
whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.”
MESSAGE
The First Follower
Randy K’Meyer
As we consider the story of the ‘thief on the cross,’ we have an extremely dramatic story embedded within the greatest story ever told. The greatest story ever told has to do with the fact that the Son of the Living God is willingly dying a most excruciating and horrible death so that human beings can be made right with God.
The story within that greater story concerns the very first human being to be made right with God. We don’t want to miss the fact that as He hangs upon the cross, Jesus is completely focused on fulfilling His self-proclaimed mission as given just four chapters earlier in this same gospel: “For the Son of man came to seek and save those who are lost” (19:10). And isn’t it poetic that Jesus actually has the opportunity to see the results of His effort played out before His every eyes?!
And speaking of high drama, don’t you find it surprising that the first human being to enter heaven was not one of Jesus’ disciples or some other pious person as we might expect. No, the very first follower to enter heaven through the gates of grace was a convicted felon who was sentenced to die on a Roman cross. Would you have chosen him to be the first? I bet even the angels were shocked and perhaps even a little dismayed, as they witnessed a criminal waltz right though the pearly gates. “Really Jesus, don’t you think that you could have chosen more wisely?”
Think of it; a low-life ex-con asking the son of God for eternal life! The only thing more surprising than the request was that it was granted. “Today, you shall be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42).
This turn of events is not only shocking, it offends our religious sensibilities. Why in the world would God allow one who was an admitted lawbreaker to be the first person to receive the blessing wrought by the suffering and death of the Son of God?
Think of it; there he hangs upon a cross, a convicted felon, the hinge of death’s door is squeaking and just before the door slams shut for good, “Jesus, remember me,” and he is heaven bound. “Hey Jesus, how’s about putting in a good word for me?” And he who probably never said grace, much less did anything to deserve it, received it!
Certainly this story serves as a poignant illustration of Paul’s words to the Romans: “When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners” (4:4-5).
Think about it; this thief wasn’t baptized. He didn’t participate in a confirmation class. He never observed the sacrament Holy Communion. He wasn’t a member of any church. Never attended a Christian worship service, never attended a Bible study, never served a meal to the homeless. He couldn’t even promise to change his life for the better, for he was dying. If anybody needed God’s help, this was the guy.
And that give us hope doesn’t it? For according to the Bible, all of us are lawbreakers too. Or have you forgotten that James 2:10 says, “Whoever keeps the whole Law and yet stumbles in one minute point, is guilty of breaking the entire law!” So, if we have ever sinned by telling a lie, for example, it’s the same as being guilty of stealing or murder or any other odious sin. It may not seem fair, but God wants us to know that all humanity stands in the same line-up with this criminal.
And if Jesus offered the hope of heaven to this one who hung next to Him then He offers the same to us.
Then there’s irony in the fact that this criminal models for us the way to follow him into heaven. His last words spoken on earth are instructive.
He addresses first his partner in crime. “Don’t you fear God even when you’re dying? We deserve to die for our evil deeds” (Luke 23:40-41).
There it is; the prerequisite to faith, an admission of guilt. He has come to that point in his life that many never do; he admits before God that he is a sinner. He knows that he is getting what he deserves for the crimes he committed. He’s not ashamed to admit he has no one to blame but himself; not his parents, not his upbringing, not his teachers, not society. He doesn’t offer any excuses or make any defense or try to hide. Before God and men he declares, “I did it, I made a mess of my life. I did wrong, I lived my life my way. I’m guilty and deserve punishment.”
Then he turns to Jesus, “Jesus, remember me” (Luke 23:42). This man quits playing God . . . and turns to God for help. I know I have sinned and deserve to die. So please Jesus, “Remember me, when You come into Your Kingdom.”
How ironic that this dying criminal is not only the first to receive the blessing of all blessings, but also the one who shows you and I the way to receive it by acknowledging his wrongdoing and casting himself upon the mercy of Christ.
About 35 years ago, I met a man whose story was meant for this hour. His name was Bill. By his own admission, Bill lived a hard life, in defiance of God. He had been a heavy drinker for his entire adult life. He had been married briefly twice; both wives left him. He had been arrested countless times for public intoxication, driving while intoxicated, fighting, even assault with a deadly weapon when he pulled a knife on somebody that got in his way. He wasn’t a thief, as far as anyone in town knew, but everyone knew he was a gambler, a cheat and a liar. He took great pride in being called “wild Bill,” and he worked hard at maintaining his reputation as the town’s most despicable person. And to make matters worse, he boasted that he never had nor ever would darken the door of either one of the two churches in town.
I never had the pleasure of meeting this character until one day I received a phone call from his daughter asking me to go to Fisher Titus Hospital in Norwalk to visit her father, who was lying on his death bed. I was a rookie pastor, but I went armed to the teeth with Luke 23. He angrily said, “Preacher, get out of here, you’re wasting your time with me.”
I said, “Just listen to this” and since he didn’t have any choice I read Luke 23 and when I looked up after I finished, I could tell the story softened him. We talked for a few minutes about grace. I took a deep breath, gulped, and asked Him if he wanted to pray. And to my surprise he said, “Yes.”
A week later, he darkened the door of one of those two churches for the first time in his life; in a coffin. The church was full, with a few of his friends, but mostly with church people and other of the town’s curiosity seekers who wondered what the this preacher was going to say about the man they had known for all of their lives as “Wild Bill.”
And I told them, as I told him, that his and their only hope was to follow the lead of the thief on the cross, confessing and casting themselves on the Lord’s mercy.
So what are the takeaways today?
First, this scene reminds us that Jesus will not give up on people; including us. No matter who you are, no matter what you have done, regardless of how unforgivable a sin you think you have committed, God can and will forgive you.
Second, we should drop any pretense about earning our way into God’s good graces.
Third, this story of grace should give us a renewed hope for our loved ones who have not yet come to Christ by faith. This truth ought to spur us on in our attempts to help our parents and grandparents and elderly friends to get right with God through faith in Christ. Many are laboring under the illusion that it’s too late for them; that because they have lived their lives apart from Christ for so long that He would not accept them now.
The last time before Friday that I talked to an old railroad colleague, Earl Reeves, was about 39 years ago. Earl told me, “Randy, would you believe I got saved? You remember what a despicable character I was, but three years ago I met the Lord at the age of 74.”
This story reminds us that it’s not too late, not as long as there is breathe.
Fourth, this story reminds us of how grateful we should be. Jesus was not fastened to the cross for His sins, He hung there for ours! This story demands not only our applause, but our allegiance not our only our compliments, but our capitulation, not only our wonder, but our worship.
You know the Book of Revelation describes heaven as a place where, among other things, God’s people will worship by singing, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain” (Revelation 5:12). Think of it, this pardoned thief has the singular privilege of soloing for about three months until Stephen, the first martyr, joins him in a duet. Since then countless multitudes have joined the heavenly choir. And one of these days, we will too! But until that day when we will see Him face to face, at His feet we fall in grateful worship.
And last but certainly not least, this story is speaking loudly to any person here who for whatever reason has not yet responded to the invitation to have our name cleared forever and at the same time to receive the hope of heaven.
What a blessed hope; that you and I can come empty handed to the cross of Christ and receive that precious word of grace!
Norman Vincent Peale was the greatly loved preacher of Marblegate Collegiate Church in NYC. One Sunday morning he was preaching a message about how one could only find salvation at the foot of the cross where all stand on level ground. He invited anyone who wished to make a decision of faith for Christ to come to the front of that glorious old sanctuary and kneel to pray. One was a former NYC Judge, who now sat on the State Supreme Court. Peale was surprised that he came forward since this judge had been attending for ten years and had heard the message of salvation preached many times.
On Monday, the Judge called Peale to set up a lunch appointment for later that week. When the two got together, the Judge asked Peale if he had noticed the man who had knelt down beside him at the altar. Peale said he had noticed, but he had never seen the man before. The Judge told Peale that the man was a former convict, who had been recently released from prison after serving an eight-year sentence, a sentence that he, that very Judge, had handed down.
As Peale was marveling at the irony, the Judge said, “What a miracle of grace.”
Peale agreed, “Yes, what a marvelous miracle of grace.”
Then the Judge said, “To whom do you refer?”
And Norman Peale said, “Why to the conversion of that ex-con.”
And the Judge responded, “I wasn’t talking about him. I was thinking of myself.”
Peale says, “I don’t get it.”
The Judge said, “Well, it didn’t take that burglar much to get right with God. Much of his life was a history of crime you didn’t have to say too much to convince him he was a sinner. When he came to understand that Jesus could forgive him, he was ready. But look at me Norman. All my life I was taught to be good, to keep my word as my bond, that I was to say my prayers every night and go to church every Sunday. I went to Harvard, got my law degree, was accepted as a member of the Bar, and eventually became a respected Judge. Pastor, nothing but the grace of God could have caused me to admit that I was a sinner on the same level with that con who knelt next to me.” 1
I love the way Max Lucado writes: “It makes me smile to think there’s a grinning ex-con who is walking the golden streets who knows more about grace than a 1,000 theologians. No one else would have given him a prayer. But in the end that’s all he had. And in the end that’s all it took.” 1
How about you?
PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO THE MESSAGE
[I encourage you to pray as you feel led by the Spirit of God].
CLOSING SONGS
O Mighty Cross
Baroni, David/Chisum, John
O mighty cross
Love lifted high
The Lord of life
Raised there to die
His sacrifice
On Calvary
Has made the mighty cross
A tree of life to meO mighty cross
What throne of grace
He knew no sin
Yet took my place
His sacrifice
On Calvary
Has made the mighty cross
A tree of life to meO mighty cross
Oh Christ so pure
Love held him there
Such shame endured
His sacrifice
On Calvary
Has made the mighty cross
A tree of life to meO mighty cross
©1994 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
My soul’s release
The stripes He bore
Have brought me peace
His sacrifice
On Calvary
Has made the mighty cross
A tree of life to me
Integrity’s Praise! Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
CCLI License No. 1843349
Worthy is the Lamb
Zschech, Darlene
Thank You for the cross, Lord.
Thank You for the price You paid.
Bearing all my sin and shame,
In love You came
And gave amazing grace.
Thank You for this love, Lord.
Thank You for the nail-pierced hands.
Washed me in Your cleansing flow,
Now all I know,
Your forgiveness and embraceWorthy is the Lamb,
Seated on the throne.
Crown You now with many crowns,
You reign victorious.
High and lifted up,
Jesus, Son of God.
The Darling of heaven, crucified.Worthy is the Lamb.
Worthy is the Lamb.Thank You for the cross, Lord.
Thank You for the price You paid.
Bearing all my sin and shame,
In love You came
And gave amazing grace.Thank You for this love, Lord.
Thank You for the nail-pierced hands.
Washed me in Your cleansing flow,
Now all I know,
Your forgiveness and embraceWorthy is the Lamb,
Seated on the throne.
Crown You now with many crowns,
You reign victorious.
High and lifted up,
Jesus, Son of God.
The Darling of heaven, crucified.Worthy is the Lamb.
Worthy is the Lamb.
Worthy is the Lamb.
Worthy is the Lamb.Worthy is the Lamb,
Seated on the throne.
Crown You now with many crowns,
You reign victorious.
High and lifted up,
Jesus, Son of God.
The Darling of heaven, crucified.Worthy is the Lamb.
©2000 Darlene Zschech/Hillsong Publishing
Worthy is the Lamb.
Worthy is the Lamb.
Worthy is the Lamb.
CCLI License No. 1843349
BENEDICTION
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
II Thessalonians 2:16-17
1 Max Lucado, No Wonder They Call Him Savior, [Portland, Oregon: Multnomah Press, © 1986]. Page 37.