Writing so that we may believe with certainty and confidence that Jesus of Nazareth is, in point of space-and-time fact, the Christ, the Son of God, and that by knowledge of this fact we may know Real Life in his name, John writes,

“… and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Paul, in his letter to Titus in which he intends to enCourage Titus with the facts of the Good News of God in Jesus Christ, fleshes out something of this “glory” that was made visible (and tangible) to human eyes:

“… when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.” (Titus 3:4-7)

Our place in Christ, our standing in Christ before the throne of God’s righteousness is established – not upon our ability, not upon our success (whatever that may be) nor upon our failure (whatever THAT may be) – but is fully and perfectly established by and upon the mercy of God himself that made its appearance in the birth, life, suffering, death, resurrection and present reign of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, the Son of God.

Since then, our standing before the God of righteousness is established by his mercy and built upon his mercy, let us respond in robust faith, worshipping and fellowshipping and serving together before the throne, together in Christ, with abandon by the mercy of his grace for the continuing display of his glory.

Order of Service for 12.28.08