Description
Luke 6:20-31
In this passage, Jesus teaches his disciples the difference between Kingdom living and worldly living. He calls the poor, hungry, mourning, and persecuted blessed and promises a great reward for them in heaven. The rich, well fed, scoffers, and highly favored he warns of woes to come. Jesus also encourages his disciples to love their enemies well, even when they have been mistreated. The best way to summarize His words is to remember the Golden Rule: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). To speak these words is easy, but to actually live them out can be very difficult. Rely on the Holy Spirit, our helper, when you are weak and don’t have the strength to live a Kingdom lifestyle in this evil world.
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
Our God
Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Jonas Myrin, & Matt Redman, ©2010 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Said And Done Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Vamos Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) SHOUT! Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Dancing Generation
Matt Redman, ©2004 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Your Are Good
Israel Houghton, 2001 Integrity’s Praise! Music
[Traditional Options]
For All The Saints
BH75 144; BH91 355; CH 767; CHH 637; EH 287; ELW 422; HWC 546; HFG 614; HLC 533; HGP 25; LBW 174; LSB 677; LW 191; NCH 299; PH 526; RH 667; STTL 685; TFWS 2283; WC 751; UMH 711; WAR 529; WHM 597; WIS 310
Son of God, Eternal Savior
ELW 655; LBW 364; LSB 842; LW 394; NCH 542
Victory In Jesus
BH 75 475; BH 91 426; CH 353; HWC 473; HFG 82; HGP 240; HSP 182; RH 31; STTL 352; UMH 370; WHM 430; WIS 434
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor Praise be to God, our Father, His Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit!
ALL Praise the Lord!
Pastor He blesses those who are obedient to Him.
ALL We desire to be your obedient, humble servants, Father.
Pastor As we strive to live lives of righteousness, humility, and obedience, Lord, give us strength. In Your Holy name we pray,
ALL Amen.
Opening Prayer
Pastor Blessed Lord, it’s so easy to shift our focus from you to the things of this world. It’s easy to be seduced by power, money, and indulgences. It’s easy to go with the flow and do whatever is in the style of our culture. But God, you have called us to a much higher standard. You have called us to be a people of righteousness, mercy, humility, love, and obedience. You have also promised us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and to help us strive toward holiness. This righteous road is not an easy one. You’ve warned us of the persecution that comes with being your followers, but you’ve also promised a great reward! Lord, we want to be your blessed followers. Give us the endurance to run this race.
ALL Give us your strength, Lord. Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Darkness plagues our hearts and lures us toward sin.
ALL We need a Savior!
Pastor Jesus Christ, our Lord and King, has saved us from our sins! He has forgiven us our
trespasses!
ALL We accept your forgiveness and thank you, Jesus, for your relentless love.
Pastor His love never fails and His mercies are new every single morning!
ALL We thank you for your many blessings, Lord.
Pastor Praise Him for His goodness and His mighty grace!
ALL We praise you, Lord, for your goodness and grace! Amen and Hallelujah!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Daniel has a troubling dream about four beasts coming up out of the sea. The Lord interprets the dream for Daniel.
1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream. 2 Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. 3 Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.
15 “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me. 16 I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this. “So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth. 18 But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.’
