Welcome to our service of worship today. As you prepare for worship here is something upon which to meditate.

In Psalm 24 the psalmist asks, “Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?”

And he answers, “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation’”

Who of us can claim to have clean hands and a pure heart? Not one.

So, what is our hope to meeting with the LORD in worship?  

Listen to the answer, ‘Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.   Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!’

That is our only hope – the victorious King of glory who has defeated Satan, sin and death.

Paul puts it like this in chapter 5 of Romans:

”Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.   Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand…”