Henry Admiraal

This is part of the worship series,"On Our Way to the Celestial City"Series Introduction Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3  Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 WEEK 3Christian is Armed for Spiritual Battle Call to Worship:Psalm 46:10–11Scripture:Ephesians 6:10–18Sermon:"The Armor of God"Affirmation of Faith: Our World Belongs to God stanza 37Song Suggestions"Christian, Do You Struggle"Crete"Stand Up, Stand Up, for Jesus"Duffield"The Battle Belongs to the Lord"Owens-Collins"Lead On, O King Eternal"Shurtleff"Seek Ye First"Lafferty"Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing"RobinsonDramaNarrator:The past few weeks we have followed Christian from his departure from the City of Destruction through the Narrow Gate and down the path that leads to the Celestial City. Farly on in his journey Christian was relieved of his tremendous burden at the cross and was given new clothes and a scroll to guide him on the journey.Along the way Christian met Timorous and Mistrust, who urged him to turn back for fear of the ferocious lions ahead. But Christian could not be swayed. He hurried ahead to the Palace Beautiful in hopes of finding lodging there before nightfall. When he was so close to the palace that he could see the open doors, he suddenly found himself between two lions. They sprang at him with jaws open wide, claws fully extended, and ears laid flat. Christian was terrified and started back.Suddenly the moonlight filled the night and made the path glow. Christian heard the gatekeeper's voice. Watchful:Why are you so cowardly? Don't be afraid of the lions. They are chained and placed there to test your faith. Walk in the center of the path, and nothing will harm you. Narrator:Cautiously Christian approached as the lions roared and sprang at him. Watchful:[Walks towards Christian and helps him proceed into the palace] Narrator:Inside, Watchful introduced him to Discretion, a tall, dignified lady who listened intently to his purpose and the events of his journey. Then she introduced him to her three sisters, Prudence, Charity, and Piety. Together they enjoyed a delicious meal and talked long into the night about the Owner of the Palace Beautiful. Christian:I met him at the cross, and my burdens fell off. It was wonderful. I felt so relieved and at peace! What can you tell me about him? Discretion:He's a great warrior. He fought the dragon who holds the power of death and defeated him. Prudence:Yes, but this made the dragon very angry, and he has sent all his forces out to fight those who serve him. Charity:You, Christian, must be prepared at all times to defend yourself against his forces. Piety:The road can be very hard sometimes, but it's well worth the walk. Discretion:Come, it's getting late. Let us rest. Narrator:That night Christian slept in a chamber called Peace, and he slept more soundly than he had any night since he was a child. Little did he know what lay ahead. The next morning Christian met the sisters in the armory of the palace. Prudence:This breastplate is to protect you against the one who wields death. [Staps it on Christian] Piety:May you be strong in the battles before you with this helmet and these leg guards. [Puts them on Christian] Narrator:Charity gave him a broadsword, and Discretion brought a great round shield. Discretion:[Quietly] To avert the darts of the wicked one. Narrator:Christian was eager to set out on his journey again, having been refreshed at the Palace. With the armor in place, he made his way along the path into the Valley of Humiliation. He had not traveled far when suddenly a terrible creature blocked his path. His name was Apollyon. [Apollyon appears] His body was covered with scales like a fish. He had wings like a dragon and feet like a bear. He breathed fire and smoke.Christian was terrified and began to back away. But then he remembered the armor he was wearing and advanced to meet the creature. Christian:Monster, I come from the City of Destruction, and I'm on my way to the Celestial City, Stand back! Apollyon:I own the City of Destruction, so you are my subject. You will serve me! Christian:I was born into your kingdom and into your hard service, but now I am pledged to Emmanuel. I am his servant and will follow him. Narrator:These words angered Apollyon. In a rage, he threw fiery darts at Christian's chest, but the shield protected him. Christian quickly drew out the Sword of the Spirit and attacked.They struggled back and forth for half a day without either gaining ground. Christian's head and feet were wounded, and he could resist no longer. He fell to the ground.Apollyon flew into the air and came down with claws outstretched. But at that moment, Christian reached out and caught his sword. He thrust it deep into the monster. Christian:[Boldly] We are more than conquerors through him who loves us! Narrator:The monster jolted back and lunged away into the darkness in defeat. Christian used the leaves of the nearby Tree of Life to heal his wounds. He rested there for the night. The armor that had gleamed so brilliantly at the Palace Beautiful was now dented and stained. But Christian looked bigger, bolder, and more certain. His strides were longer and his head higher as he continued his way along the path. He was a man of intent.

This is part of the worship series,"On Our Way to the Celestial City"Series Introduction Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3  Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 WEEK 2 Burdens are Lifted at Calvary Call to WorshipMatthew 11:28–30ScriptureZechariah 3:1–5Sermon"A Change of Clothing"Affirmation of FaithOur World Belongs to God stanzas 15, 24, 27Song Suggestions"Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary" Moore "My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less" Mote "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" Scriven "Amazing Grace" Newton"Cast Your Burden on the Lord" "Through it All" Crouch DramaNarrator:Christian and his neighbor Pliable left their hometown, the City of Destruction, and began traveling toward the Narrow Gate that would eventually lead to eternal life.Soon after they set out, however, they found themselves in the Slough of Despond. Their feet began to sink deeper and deeper into the mud and murky water. Pliable didn't like it at all and decided to go back home. But Christian kept going. Eventually a man called Help pulled him out of the mud and the mire.Christian kept going all alone until he came to the Narrow Gate. He knocked on the door, and the gatekeeper opened it. "Go the house of the Interpreter," the gatekeeper said. After Christian got there, Interpreter showed him many things that he could expect to meet on his journey to the heavenly palace.When Christian was ready to leave, Interpreter said, "May the Comforter be with you." And Christian started on his way.The road was narrow. On either side was a wall called Salvation. On this road Christian traveled with great difficulty because the load on his back was very heavy. Christian:[Starts walking down the narrow road with his pack on his back, bent over] This bag is so heavy. I wish 1 hadn't done so many bad things. Evangelist told me that in the Bible these things are called sin. [He goes up an incline, then looks up ahead] What is that I see? [He looks at it with amazement and wonder, then says, as he keeps getting closer] A cross! [Suddenly the burden rolls off his back and tumbles down the incline. Christian reaches up to feel behind him. There is nothing there. He reaches up over his shoulders. Nothing.] My burden, my burden, it's gone! I'm not carrying it anymore. Hallelujah! Narrator:Just then, three Shining Ones appeared. Christian:[Reacts with surprise and awe] Angel 1:Peace be with you— Christian:And with you too. Angel 1:You have often made Jesus very sad by your sins. But I am here to tell you that the Lord has forgiven you. Angel 2:No longer will you need to wear those tattered clothes. I will put new clothes on you. [Proceeds to do so] Angel 3:[Handing Christian a scroll] You will need this as you continue on your way. Read this scroll and hand it in when you get to the door of the heavenly palace. Christian:[Opens scroll and reads it softly] For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [Turning to angels] Oh, thank you, thank you. You have all been so kind. Narrator:And so Christian went on his way, smiling and singing. 

This is part of the worship series,"On Our Way to the Celestial City"Series Introduction Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3  Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 WEEK 1Christian Leaves the City of Destruction Call to Worship:Nehemiah 9:5–6Scripture:Matthew 5:1–2; 7:13–14Sermon:"The Road Less Traveled"Affirmation of Faith:Our World Belongs to God stanzas 1–3Song Suggestions"I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" Marak"O Jesus, I Have Promised" Bode"I Want Jesus to Walk with Me" African-American Spiritual "Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer" Williams"Lead Me, Guide Me"AkersDramaNarrator: Many years ago—in fact more than three hundred years ago—a man was born in England. His name was John Bunyan. During his childhood and youth, he did not live a very godly life. But when he reached adulthood, his godly wife and church-going neighbors gradually nudged him toward change.At the age of twenty-three, John Bunyan accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. He later became a preacher. It wasn't easy to be a preacher in those days, especially if you preached the true gospel of salvation through faith in Jesus outside the rules of the Church of England—that is without a preaching license from the church. John Bunyan was put in prison for doing so—for twelve years. Three years after his release he was put in prison again—for one more year. During that year, 1678, he wrote the book The Pilgrim's Progress, based on an imaginary dream.In his dream he saw a man wearing tattered clothes with a heavy burden on his back and a book in his hand. The man's name was Christian, and he lived in the City of Destruction. Christian:[Talks slowly, bent over by his heavy burden. Holds a book—the Bible—in his hand, turning the pages slowly, deep in thought. As he reads, he is clearly distressed. He trembles and weeps, then breaks out in a cry of despair] What shall I do? Narrator:In his plight, Christian went home. He did not want his wife and children to notice his distress, but he could not be silent. Christian: [Facing his wife and children] My dear wife and children, I am in great trouble because of the heavy load on my back. The city in which we live will be burned with fire. It is the City of Destruction. Unless we escape, we will all perish. Child 1:Oh, Daddy, don't worry. It's OK. Child 2:You're just tired. You need some sleep. Child 3:Yeah! You'll feel better in the morning. Narrator:But Christian remained deeply troubled. He took long walks. One day he walked farther than usual. Christian:[Walking; he is reading his Bible again and continues to be in great distress. He falls to his knees because of the burden on his back and cries out] What must I do to be saved? Narrator:Just then, a man met him unexpectedly. His name was Evangelist, which means "Teller of Good News." Evangelist:What's the matter? Why are you troubled? Christian: [Bent over by the weight of sin, looks up and says] Sir, this book tells me that because of the great burden of sin on my back, 1 will die. I must get out of this place, but I do not know which way to go. Evangelist: [Hands Christian a scroll] Christian:[Unrolls the scroll and reads out loud] Flee from the wrath to come. Flee from the wrath to come. [Turning to Evangelist] But in what direction shall I go? Evangelist:[Points to a place in the distance] Do you see that gate over there—that narrow gate? Christian:[Straining his eyes] No. I can't see it. Evangelist:Do you see a light, a shining light? Christian:I think so. Evangelist:Keep your eye focused on that light. Walk straight toward it. When you get there, you will see a narrow gate. Knock on it, and you will be told what to do. Narrator:So Christian began walking toward the light. Before he had gone very far, his wife and children urged him to come back. Wife:Come back, dear. Child 1:Don't go, Daddy. Child 2:Please come back. Child 3:We want you to stay with us. Narrator:But Christian put his fingers in both ears and said: Christian:Life. Eternal life! Narrator:His neighbors too came out of their homes and saw him leave. Neighbors:[Laughing] Where does he think he is going? What a fool! [Pleading] Come back. Come back, Christian. [Mocking] Why are you running away? Scared, are you? Narrator:Two of the neighbors ran after him. Their names were Obstinate and Pliable. Obstinate:Come back with us to the city. Pliable:And let's talk about this madness of yours. Christian:No. Come with me instead. Obstinate:[Laughing] And leave the comforts of our homes? Pliable:And our friends? Christian:Yes. Leave them behind, and you will find joy you never knew before. There is a treasure safely stored away in heaven for us. That's what this book says. Obstinate:Away with your book! Come, Pliable. Let him be. He's crazy. Pliable:Don't make fun of him. Christian is a good man. I think I will go with him. Narrator:So Obstinate returned home. But Christian and Pliable walked on together. Along the way Christian told him about the place where they were going, the heavenly city. "The owner of that place will wipe away every tear from our eyes," Christian told Pliable. "We will live with the shining angels. And our lives will never end. Never!" 

If Palm Sunday occurred today, how might it be covered by the media? That was the question I found myself asking as I was preparing for Palm Sunday and thinking about the gospel reading. My answer to that question comes in the form of the following Palm Sunday “broadcast.”