In consideration of others and as guests of West High School . . .
- Please silence your phone and watch.
- Name tags are a great start to a meaningful connection. Thanks for wearing one.
- If you’d like to give an offering, there are two baskets in the back or you can use the “Giving” tab at the bottom-right corner of the mobile app.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.
Proverbs 18:30
For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye.
Zechariah 2:8
You wicked and slothful servant! … cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth…
Matthew 25:26, 30
… Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
Luke 12:48
…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
“By His glorious resurrection, ascension, and coronation He has become highly exalted, and from His place at the Father’s right hand sends out the Spirit to dwell in the hearts of His followers and to rule over the entire universe in the interest of the church, to the glory of God Triune.”
– William Hendriksen
“They hardened themselves in sin and unbelief; they turned aside after idols; they kept not God’s ordinances; they despised God’s temple; they refused to listen to His prophets; the ill-used those whom He sent to call them to repentance; and finally, they brought their wickedness to a height by killing the Son of God Himself…”
– JC Ryle
WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP
Isaiah 55:1-2
“Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
SONG
Lion and the Lamb
[Verse 1]
He’s coming on the clouds
kings and kingdoms will bow down
And every chain will break
as broken hearts declare His praise
for who can stop the Lord Almighty?
[Chorus]
Our God is the Lion, the Lion of Judah
He’s roaring with power and fighting our battles
And every knee will bow before Him
Our God is the Lamb
the Lamb that was slain
For the sins of the world
His blood breaks the chains
And every knee will bow
before the Lion and the Lamb
Oh every knee will bow before Him
[Verse 2]
So open up the gates
make way before the King of kings
The God who comes to save
is here to set the captives free
for who can stop the Lord Almighty?
[Chorus]
[Bridge] (x4)
Who can stop the Lord Almighty?
[Chorus]
SONG
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
[Verse 1]
How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
[Verse 2]
Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
[Verse 3]
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord
To the cross where Thou hast died
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord
To thy precious bleeding side
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 14:12-24
12 He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
15 When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” 16 But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17 And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ 20 And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ 22 And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ 23 And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’”
SONG
Only a Holy God
[Verse 1]
Who else commands all the hosts of heaven
Who else could make every king bow down
Who else could whisper and darkness trembles
Only a Holy God
[Verse 2]
What other beauty demands such praises
What other splendor outshines the sun
What other majesty rules with justice
Only a Holy God
[Chorus]
Come and behold Him
The One and the Only
Cry out, sing holy
Forever a Holy God
Come and worship the Holy God
[Verse 3]
What other glory consumes like fire
What other power can raise the dead
What other name remains undefeated
Only a Holy God
[Chorus]
[Verse 4]
Who else could rescue me from my failing
Who else would offer His only Son
Who else invites me to call Him Father
Only a Holy God
Only my Holy God
[Chorus]
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We’re so grateful that Rudy Rubio is with us today, to bring the message from God’s Word. He has a powerful testimony and a fruitful ministry all over LA. He is a church planter in both Lynwood and Wilmington, and a chaplain for the Dodgers. We partnered with Rudy’s ministry during the lockdown and are continuing to do so through our missions team. You can read more about Rudy here.
New Community Group Forming – A group for families with young children (but not exclusively) will begin meeting today. To start, they will use a book called Hope in Times of Fear by Tim Keller. You can register here and get more details about meeting frequency and childcare.
Meet King’s Cross Church! Next Sunday, April 23 after church. For newer people to get to know our church and some leaders. In-person at Joe Brown’s house. Lunch will be included! REGISTER here.
OFFERTORY
If you would like to give electronically, you may do so using the “Giving” tab at the bottom-right corner of the mobile app. There are also white baskets in the back of our worship space, where you can give via check, made out to King’s Cross Church, or cash.
SERMON
“Wasted Privilege Is Quite Costly”
Pastor Rudy Rubio from the Reformed Church of Los Angeles
Matthew 21:33-46 (ESV)
33 “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.”
42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
“‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?
43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.
SONG
[Verse 1]
The head that once was crowned with thorns
Is crowned with glory now
The Savior knelt to wash our feet
Now at His feet we bow
[Verse 2]
The One who wore our sin and shame
Now robed in majesty
The radiance of perfect love
Now shines for all to see
[Chorus]
Your name, Your name is victory
All praise, will rise to Christ our king
Your name, Your name is victory
All praise, will rise to Christ our king
[Verse 3]
The fear that held us now gives way
To Him who is our peace
His final breath upon the cross
Is now alive in me
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
By Your spirit I will rise
From the ashes of defeat
The resurrected King, is resurrecting me
In Your name I come alive
To declare Your victory
The resurrected King, is resurrecting me
[Verse 4]
The tomb where soldiers watched in vain
Was borrowed for three days
His body there would not remain
Our God has robbed the grave
Our God has robbed the grave
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
BENEDICTION
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21