Please find below the notes from the Elder's Prayer this past Sunday.
The attributes of our "risen King" that we’ve been singing about this morning according to Colossians 1 - of Jesus it says:
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven… (Colossians 1:15-23)
14 in Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:14)
Father, it is to you, this morning, we pray. You are the Ancient of Days, eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, Holy and untouchable. And we thank you for making access to your holiness through the gracious and loving, sacrificial, inexplicable provision of your only Son, Jesus Christ. And you did so for your glory, you did so that your own word would be kept, that your justice and holiness would be vindicated, and that your love could be expressed.
Only by your perfect Son, Jesus, the perfect Sacrifice for our sin, made by the perfect Priest for our redemption, do we have forgiveness and restored relationship. We were created by him and for him. He is before us and in him we are held together. He is the head of this church. He is the beginning, and preeminent in everything. He is completely Deity, and by his blood peace is finally made between our determined rebellious character, and your own Holiness.
We look forward with great anticipation to being presented ourselves, holy, blameless, and above reproach before you and your eternal throne. We look forward to worshipping you in purity, without the scar of sin in our minds, with pure hearts and mouths. Keep us stable and steadfast in the faith of your Son, unto obedience and unto eternal life. For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." (Romans 14:11). Lord make us worthy worshippers of yourself for your glory alone! Let us not shift from the hope of the gospel that we have heard and which is preached in your word. For it is in Christ alone we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, community and acceptance with you.
Amen.