Pastor Joel E. Wood 
Stephen’s Biblical Theology, Part 7: Heaven 
Acts 7:54-60
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Choral Introit

CALL TO WORSHIP – Psalm 136:1-4
Leader: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
People: Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Leader: Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever.
People: To him who alone does great wonders.
All: For his steadfast love endures forever!

PRAYER OF ADORATION

TH #92 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” 
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and pow'r are great;
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing;
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he,
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly pow'rs,
no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever.

REFLECTION ON GOD’S LAW (see online worship guide)

SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Song “Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor”
Christ the sure and steady anchor
In the fury of the storm,
When the winds of doubt blow through me
And my sails have all been torn.
In the suff’ring, in the sorrow,
When my sinking hopes are few,
I will hold fast to the anchor;
It shall never be removed.

Christ the sure and steady anchor
While the tempest rages on,
When temptation claims the battle
And it seems the night has won.

Deeper still then, goes the anchor
Though I justly stand accused.
I will hold fast to the anchor;
It shall never be removed.

Christ the sure and steady anchor
Through the floods of unbelief.
Hopeless, somehow, O my soul now,
Lift your eyes to Calvary.

This my ballast of assurance – 
See His love forever proved.
I will hold fast to the anchor;
It shall never be removed.

Christ the sure and steady anchor
As we face the wave of death,
When these trials give way to glory,
And we draw our final breath.

We will cross that great horizon,
Clouds behind, and life secured,
And the calm will be the better
For the storms that we endured.

Christ the shore of our salvation,
Ever faithful, ever true.
We will hold fast to the anchor;
It shall never be removed.

Matthew Boswell | Matthew Papa
© 2015 Getty Music Hymns and Songs; Getty Music Publishing; Love Your Enemies Publishing; Messenger Hymns

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH – Elder Dean Abbott

Psalm 51:9-12 “O Hide Your Face”
O hide Your face from all my sin,
And wipe my guilt from view.
A clean heart make for me, O God;
My spirit’s strength renew.
O from Your presence cast me not,
Your face no more to see;
Your Holy Spirit then, I pray,
Take not away from me.

(see online worship guide for verses 2, 3 & 4)

With loving favor by You shown
Make Zion’s goodness sure.
The walls of Your Jerusalem
Build up to heights secure.
Then You’ll delight in sacrifice,
Burnt off’rings day by day,
With whole burnt off’rings and young bulls,
Which on Your altar lay.

SERMON TEXT – Acts 7:54-60
SERMON – “Stephen’s Biblical Theology, Part 7: Heaven” 
by Pastor Joel E. Wood

PRAYER OF APPLICATION & THE LORD’S PRAYER

TH #524  “Thy Works, Not Mine, O Christ”
Thy works, not mine, O Christ,
speak gladness to this heart;
they tell me all is done;
they bid my fear depart.
Refrain:
To whom, save thee, who canst alone
for sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?

Thy pains, not mine, O Christ,
upon the shameful tree,
have paid the law's full price
and purchased peace for me. [Refrain]

Thy cross, not mine, O Christ,
has borne the awful load
of sins that none in heav'n
or earth could bear but God. [Refrain]

Thy righteousness, O Christ,
alone can cover me:
no righteousness avails
save that which is of thee. [Refrain]

Apostles’ Creed

WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Minister: The Lord be with you;
People: And also with you.

Minister: Lift up your hearts;
People: We lift them up to the Lord.

Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God;
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

COMMUNION

Song “Jesus, Name above All Names”
Jesus, name above all names,
Beautiful Savior, glorious Lord.
Emmanuel, God is with us,
Blessed Redeemer, living Word.

Naida Hearn
© 1974, 1978 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing

DOXOLOGY

BENEDICTION