Heavenly Father,

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

The incarnation, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, reveal to us the things that are of supreme importance.

Our minds are occupied with many things; many problems both big and small. Yet – Christ’s mission reveals humanity’s biggest problem and provides a full and complete solution to it. He was born to die – for our sake. To bear our sin. And the resurrection; the fact that on a day in history the author of life destroyed death changes everything. Because of this fact, we live in hope. Sin and death no longer reign over us. Though we die – yet shall we live. Christ’s eternal Kingdom has been established. He will return and we will look forward to the day when we will enjoy him in a perfect sinless world.

We thank you that Christ entered our world to be our Saviour.

• He denied himself that we might be satisfied;
• he became poor that we might become rich, was insulted, miscreated, cursed that we might be blessed,
• he experienced injustice that we might be vindicated by the One who judges justly.

He willingly took up a Roman instrument of torture – a wooden cross and carried it toward the place of his own execution. He did not return the ridicule. He entrusted himself to his heavenly Father. Thank you, Lord.

You call us to follow in his footsteps. To take up our cross and follow you. To lose our lives – in order to find them again. This could not be farther from the messages of self fulfillment that we hear from the world around us. We confess this morning that our expectations and attitude towards our lives are often shaped more by the World than by Christ.

• Instead of thinking of our life as something to be spent in your service, so often, if we are honest, we spend it pursuing our own goals and desires.
• We often aspire to self actualization when you call us to become less that He might become greater.
• This week when we have been mistreated, we have often retaliated in our thoughts, words and even actions
• When insulted we have returned insult
• We have paid back evil for evil when you call us to do good and entrust ourselves to the one who judges justly.

Help us to evaluate our goals and aspirations clearly and carefully in light of your command to take up our cross and follow you. May we expect, and accept the prospect of suffering for your sake. Give us courage when we are fearful of where you might lead us. Give us confidence in your boundless love for us.

May the furrows of our daily lives increasingly follow Christlike paths:

• Increase our eagerness to serve one another for your sake
• Help us even this week find ways to bear each others burdens cheerfully.
• May we not retaliate but rather be kind peacemakers
• such good lives – that they may be a compelling testimony to the truth of the gospel

We pray for all those suffering/ impacted by the shutdown. Help us as a church to care for any in our midst who need help. We pray for resolution to this impass and that our government will be again funded to do the things that are necessary for safety and prosperity.

As the K’ return to the city where they serve you in Central Asia. Fill their hearts with a joyful expectation of the gospel transforming people and the formation of a BK church. May this city increasingly feel like home to them. Help us to partner with them effectively and in encouraging ways in 2019

We pray for discipling more relationships amongst us in 2019. Help us to prioritize spending time with one another for each other’s progress and joy in the faith. Help us to persevere in this and be deliberate. May your Spirit work amongst us and bring a harvest of good fruit.

We ask all these things in Christ’s name, Amen