THE END OF LONGING

In the same way the Israelites longed for the coming Messiah, we, as the Church of God, long for our returning Savior and King, Jesus Christ. Not only do we look back in the pages of the Bible and see God's faithfulness, but we also look forward and wait for the
consummation of the Kingdom of God. Until then, we must press on in faith knowing that "he who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23b).

Let us praise our Lord Jesus Christ.
At Christmas Jesus Christ came as a baby.
He came to be like us because he loves us.
He came to save us from our sin.
He died, rose from the dead, and lives in heaven.
He will come again because he loves us.
We praise Jesus, who came as a baby
and will come again at the end of time.
(TWS D.1.2.13)


Come Lord Jesus, come
Come Lord Jesus, come
Come again to claim your own
Come to reap what you have sown
All creation weeps and groans for you
It's to you that we belong
It's to you we lift our song
How our spirits look and long for you
Like a thief in dead of night
Come, our everlasting light
Let your brilliance shame the brightest day
With your voice like endless seas
Wielding swords and stars and keys
Bring the nations to their knees, we pray
For though fitful is our flame
You're from age to age the same
Jesus, faithful is your name and true
So until the sun does rise
Till your trumpets rend the skies
Help us keep our restless eyes on you
Help us keep our restless eyes on you


Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. (James 5:7-11)

In the psalms of David,
In the words of the prophets,
Your promise is spoken, eternal God,
And takes flesh at last
In the womb of the Virgin.
May Immanuel find welcome in our hearts,
Take flesh in our lives, and be for all people
The welcome advent of redemption and grace.
We ask this through him whose coming is certain,
Whose day draws near;
Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever. Amen.
(from TWS D.1.4.14)


Should nothing of our efforts stand
No legacy survive
Unless the Lord does raise the house
In vain its builders strive
To you who boast tomorrow’s gain
Tell me what is your life
A mist that vanishes at dawn
All glory be to Christ!
All glory be to Christ our king!
All glory be to Christ!
His rule and reign we'll ever sing,
All glory be to Christ!
His will be done
His kingdom come
On earth as is above
Who is Himself our daily bread
Praise Him the Lord of love
Let living water satisfy
The thirsty without price
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
All glory be to Christ!
When on the day the great I Am
The faithful and the true
The Lamb who was for sinners slain
Is making all things new.
Behold our God shall live with us
And be our steadfast light
And we shall ere his people be
All glory be to Christ!


As you journey on from here, listen to the words of Jesus, our returning king, from Revelation 22:

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.”
And let the one who hears say, “Come.”

And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.




Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Call to Worship
Calvin Institute for Christian Worship
Licensed as Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0.

Come Lord Jesus
Words and music by Dustin Kensrue
Some rights reserved under the
Creative Commons Attribution
Non-Commercial 3.0 License

Prayer of Longing
Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
Licensed as Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0.

All Glory Be to Christ
Words and music by Dustin Kensrue
Musical Arrangement by King's Kaleidoscope
2012 Mars Hill Music.
Some rights reserved under the
Creative Commons Attribution
Non-Commercial 3.0 License