Welcome
Thank you for joining us in gathered worship today! At Covenant, we believe that true hope, joy, meaning, and redemption is found in Jesus Christ. Therefore, we hope that you will be moved towards greater love for Jesus and one another as we pause to praise, pray, and ponder under God’s Word.
The emphasis throughout our Sunday service is that worship is all about God. We gather to worship Him. Our gathered worship is that it is foundationally and fundamentally about God. In our service, we will: worship our Heavenly Father for his miraculous deeds, bear witness to Jesus Christ the Son and the hope he brings through his death and resurrection, be moved to engage with the mission of God through the power of the Holy Spirit as we wait for the return of Christ. All of these activities of worshipping, witnessing, and waiting will be shaped and formed by God’s divine revelation as it is given to us in Holy Scripture.
Our understanding of Scripture, God’s divine action, and theology will shape the flow of our service. Therefore, our worship service is “liturgical” and what you hold before you is our weekly liturgical document. Originating from Greek, this word means, “work of the people”. This means our service is both corporate and communal in nature. We are not individual consumers of a product, but join others in community to participate together in engaging with God. At different points in the service, there will be opportunities to join the liturgy, and we encourage you to enthusiastically participate in these corporate moments of response.
We hope your time with us serves to encourage and fill you with hope and joy.
Call to Worship
“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.Romans 11:24-36
Songs of Invitation
Confession of Sin
Almighty God,
We confess that we all like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way. We have followed the passions and desires of our own hearts, we have broken you good and just laws, we have left undone those things we ought to have done, and we have done the very things we ought not to have done.
But we plead with you to have mercy upon all who confess their sins, restore those who truly repent, according to your promise declared to us through Jesus. Grant that for Jesus’ sake we may from now on live a godly, righteous and holy life, to the glory of your great name.
All: Amen!
Word of Assurance
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Congregational Prayer
Offering
Weekly Catechism
New City Catechism for Kids – Question 19
Q: Is there any way to escape punishment and be brought back into God’s favour?
A: Yes, God reconciles us to himself by a Redeemer.
Community News
Registrations now open for Covenant Big Day In 2025!
BDI is happening on Saturday 25 October 4pm to late and Sunday 26 October 9am to 3pm. Register now by clicking on this link:
Covenant Session summary reports
Covenant Session summary reports are available for meetings up to 24 Aug 2025. Please use this link to access: https://covenantchurch.com.au/aka/sessionsummary
Sunday school and Extreme teachers/helpers
Every parent wants the children and youth of Covenant to come to a saving relationship in Christ and to know God in his word. We need more members of the Covenant family to teach and help at Sunday school and Extreme. Please see Robyn, Gloria, Jayden, Caroline or Dan for more details.
Sunday service administration help
Each week, work happens in the background to ensure that everything is ready for the Sunday service. We are looking for additional helpers to assist with the work. If you are interested to help or would like to know more, please contact Chong or Michelle, or use the feedback form.
Important Dates
| October 5 | Covenant Prayer Corner 8:30am @ Christ College |
| October 5 | Covenant Session meeting 2pm @ Christ College |
| October 25 | Big Day In (Day 1) 4pm @ Christ College |
| October 26 | Big Day In (Day 2) 8am to 3pm @ Christ College |
Bible Reading
- Daniel 2:17-47 NIV
All: Thanks be to God.
Sermon Outline
Thy Kingdom Come
Daniel 2:17-47
Peter Barnes
Introduction
1. Prophecy is one of the great proofs for the authority of Scripture as the
Word of God. Only the sovereign God could reveal this.
2. We live in times which are discouraging and fearful, and so Christians need to have a rock to stand upon, to be sure of the King and His everlasting kingdom.
1. The Four Kingdoms
The dream concerned a great image (2:31-35). But what does it all
Mean?
1. The gold head represents the Babylonian empire (vv.36-38). It collapsed in
539 B.C.
2. The silver chest and arms represent the Medo-Persian empire (v.39a).
3. The bronze belly and thighs represent the Greek empire (v.39b).
Alexander the Great died in 323 B.C., and his empire broke into four parts.
4. The legs of iron and clay represent the Roman empire (vv.40-43). It appeared to be very strong but was divided between east and west.
2. The Kingdom of Christ
The fifth kingdom is portrayed as a little stone which would become a great
mountain – Dan. 2:34; Psalm 118:22; Matt.21:42-44; 1 Peter 2:6-8. The fifth
kingdom did come during the time of the Roman empire (see Luke 2:1 for
Caesar Augustus, 31 BC-AD 14); and Luke 3:1 for Tiberius, AD 14-37).
(1) This kingdom is divine (v 45)
The stone was cut out of the mountain without hands. It is no human achievement.
(2) This kingdom is world-wide (v 35)
Note Revelation 7:9-10 and 11:15. In 604 B.C. who could have foreseen it?
(3) This kingdom is everlasting (v 44)
So be it, Lord, Thy throne shall never,
Like earth’s proud empires, pass away,
Thy kingdom stands and grows forever,
Till all Thy creatures own Thy sway. – John Ellerton, 1826-93
(4) This kingdom is certain (v.45).
3. Some New Testament Applications
(a) Christ spoke of His mission in terms of repentance as the kingdom of
heaven is near – Matt.4:17;
(b) Christ’s kingdom is not of this world – John 18:36.
(c) We are not to fear – Luke 12:32.
The kingdom is divine, worldwide, everlasting and certain. This puts
everything into a gospel perspective.
Do you know the King?
Are you a member of the kingdom that the King has won?
Songs in Response
Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, dead, and buried;
He descended to the dead;
On the third day he rose from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit;
the holy catholic [universal] Church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting.
Amen
Benediction
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
2 Peter 3:18