Description
Mark 7:14-23
It is true that people all around us can impact our thinking and poison our thought lives. Even the Devil himself wants to derail the Christians and lead them into temptation. However, Jesus teaches that WE are not defiled by outside influences, but from within. Thoughts that come from an impure heart CAN lead to impure actions. The good news is: our sin sick souls have been redeemed by the blood of our Savior. Jesus! He has taken full responsibility for our wrongful thoughts and actions and we can now live in the full joy of our redemption.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Time of Praise and Worship
Forever Reign
Jason Ingram & Reuben Morgan, ©2009 SHOUT! Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC) Windsor Hill Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC) West Main Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC)
Happy Day
Ben Cantelon & Tim Hughes, ©2006 Thankyou Music (Admin by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Your Grace Is Enough
Matt Maher, ©2003 Spiritandsong.com; Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Soul, Adorn Yourself With Gladness
EH 339; ELW 488/489; LBW 224; LSB 636; LW 239; NCH 334; PH 506; UMH 612
O Bless The Lord My Soul
EH 411; LBW 538; LSB 814; LW 457; WC 71
Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness
HFG 268; HLC 241; HWC 193; HFG 268; HLC 241; LBW 302; LSB 563; LW 362; WC 481; WIS 126
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor Together in one accord, as one mind and one voice, we glorify the name of the Lord.
All Praise the Father, praise the Son, praise the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Co-Equal in glory and eternally three-in-one, we praise You, our one True God.
All Amen
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, according to Your great love You sent Your Son to be truth for us and gave us Your word and sent Your Holy Spirit to teach us Your ways. We desire to learn Your precepts and to walk in your ways, O Lord. Give us a teachable spirit, and guide us along the narrow path, that we may learn to delight in Your will and to bring glory and honor to Your Holy Name.
Amen.
Time of Greeting
[This would be a fitting time to share the peace of the Lord]
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor It is not the outward things by which we are defiled, said Jesus, but the things from within — from what is in our heart. So, let us shine the pure light of Christ’s love upon our hearts, and together with Him, examine our innermost being.
ALL For allowing impure thoughts to ruminate in our heart, causing us to sin in thought, word, and deed, Forgive us, dear Father.
For adding to or subtracting from Your perfect commandments, and for devising our own destructive paths, Forgive us, dear Lord.
For letting Your holy word fade from our hearts, forgive us dear God.
Help us to stand firmly against the devil’s schemes, and to find complete freedom and blessing in abiding in Your ways.
Pastor We are told that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. The penalty of your sin has been paid in full, and your sins are forgiven.
ALL Thanks be to Jesus, our Redeemer. Let us hold fast to the truths YOU HAVE placed in our hearts. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Through Moses, God gave the Israelites commands for living. The commands were for their good – to set them apart from other nations. The people are not to add to or subtract from what God tells them, and to let the meaning of His word not fade from their hearts.
1Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you. 6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” 7 What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? 8 And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? 9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
