Sermon Details

Seeking a Perfect Church

April 18, 2021
Wabash Avenue Presbyterian Church in Crawfordsville, IN, invites you to join us as we worship in this time of SARS-CoV-2. Today's virtual service features Rev. Dr. Raymond Williams leading worship. The Scriptures for today are I Corinthians 1:1-9 and II Corinthians 4:5-7. Rev. Williams’ Sermon Is “Seeking a Perfect Church”. Jennie Swick sings “Christ is Risen! Shout Hosannah” and “I Love to Tell the Story”. We welcome back Alan White who plays the prelude on the piano and the postlude. May the blessings of Easter be with you.
First Reading I Corinthians 1:1-9
(1) Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, (2) To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: (3) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (4) I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, (5) for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— (6) just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— (7) so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. (8) He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9) God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Second Reading II Corinthians 4:5-7
(5) For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. (6) For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.
– I Corinthians 1:1-9 and II Corinthians 4:5-7

In reading this, your heart may be stirred. What you’re feeling is the Holy Spirit drawing you to Christ. To begin or renew a relationship with Jesus, just pray:

“Lord, help me receive your love. I regret the wrong I’ve done. Forgive me. Jesus, I believe you are God’s Son and the Savior of the world. Be my Savior. Save me from myself. Save me for yourself. Enter my heart. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Help me to serve you faithfully and well. Help me to love as you love. Lead me in your Way, Truth, and Life now and forever. Continue to show me who you are and who I am in you. Amen.”

If you pray this prayer, contact a pastor. They’ll show you how to live for Christ with purpose, peace, and joy. Jesus says: “Behold, I make all things new.” That definitely includes YOU!