Audlem Baptist Church Online Service for the 13^th April 2025 Stay Strong and Carry On This is the fourth service in this series.
The Final Command
	Welcome and Introduction This week we continue with our series for Lent and Easter. The messages all come from Twin Lakes Church in California. They formed their Lent series in 2024. These are also the same sermons that we are using for the in-person services that I am leading on several Sundays this year. The online services are now ahead of the in-person ones. Today, of course, is Palm Sunday. While you listen to today’s words spoken by Jesus in the Upper Room, you can be mindful that only a few days beforehand Jesus had ridden into Jerusalem to huge acclaim.
	Optional PDF Message Notes This is completely optional. Click here to open the message notes in a new tab. Select that tab to either view or print the notes on your home printer. If you choose to print the notes, you will gradually build up a complete set that will remind you of the things you have learnt during the series. If you want to do this, print the notes now, before we start.
	Bonus Song for Palm Sunday: Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest! If you would like to start with a Palm Sunday theme, this is one of my favourite Palm Sunday YouTube videos. It is filmed in Jerusalem with huge crowds and is so full of joy. Click here to watch the video.
	Song: No Greater Love This was a new song to me, but the words fit beautifully with our theme today. Click here to watch the video.
	Bible Reading from Matthew chapter 22 verses 34 to 40 No Old Testament reading today, but Click here to read this short passage about the two greatest commandments.
	The Message: The final command The link has been set to skip the first 3 minutes of the video when Mark Spurlock talks about the new centre they were hoping to build in 2024. Then he introduces today’s message with a prayer. Click here and the press ‘play’ to watch the video. You can alter the Vimeo settings using the controls at the bottom right of the screen. The gear wheel on the left adjusts the quality (480 may be enough) and the four arrows on the right shows the video full screen. Vimeo will display Subtitles by toggling the control indicated by the CC box and choosing ‘English’ as the language.
	Song: Love Each Other This Graham Kendrick song is based on the passage we have been reading today. Click here to watch the video.
	Our Own Prayers As you watched the message today was there a moment when you sensed the Holy Spirit speaking directly to you? Then tell Jesus about it. Or maybe you simply had a ‘lightbulb’ moment which you would like to thank God for. Spend a few moments to thank God for all his goodness to you in the last week. Spend a few minutes in confession. Take a few minutes to pray for others who you feel burdened for. If you have received the Church Email, it will give you some suggestions. Now spend a few moments praying for the fellowship of the church to which we belong and its witness to friends, family, neighbours, the young and the old, and to the wider world.
	A Closing Prayer Lord Jesus, We have listened to your challenging words, which somehow sound not too hard, yet we cannot find it in us to meet the challenge. We pray that with the help of the Holy Spirit, you would help us to live out your commandment to love one another as you have loved us. Lord, fill us with your love and compassion so that we may extend grace, mercy, and kindness to those around us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.