Description
Luke 14:25-35
A builder knows to count the cost of his project before he begins so that he can complete the job thoroughly. Being a disciple of Jesus comes with a cost- to give up one’s own life for the sake of following Him as Jesus explained in this parable. Will you surrender every aspect of your life to Christ and be His disciple until the end, or will you turn away, incomplete, because the cost of committing is too much?
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Time of Praise and Worship
My Jesus
Anne Wilson | Jeff Pardo | Matthew West, © 2021 BrentHood Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Jacobs Story Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Meaux Mercy (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)Remaining portion is unaffiliated
The Stand
Joel Houston, ©2005 Hillsong Publishing (Admin.by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Here I Am To Worship
Tim Hughes, ©2001 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music
[Traditional Options]
The God of Abraham Praise
BH 75 25; BH 91 34; CH 23; CHH 24; EH 401; ELW 831; HWC 34; HFG 332; HLC 36; LBW 544; LSB 798; LW 450; NCH 24; PH 488; RS 685; STTL 73; WC 66; UMH 116; WAR 16; WHM 26
Come, Your Hearts And Voices Raising
LSB 375; LW 48
May We Your Precepts, Lord, Fulfill
LBW 353; LSB 698; LW 389
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Every day of our lives, whether we realize it or not, we are building something. Perhaps it’s a home, a legacy, a memory, or a special project that we are building. In our spiritual journeys, we are building faith, trust, and hope. We are building a relationship with Jesus and with one another. But building materials always cost, just as building our lives as disciples of Jesus costs us our own lives. It’s the most rewarding thing we will ever do, and definitely the hardest, but eternity awaits us. Let us set our minds on things above, and not on earthly things. Pray with me.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Faithful and True Father, we ask that You would engage our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit’s power to align with Your heart and will. We ask for Your help in surrendering ourselves to You, as this is the most difficult aspect as fleshly humans. You are worth living for; You are worth giving up our own lives to follow You. Lead us into worship, Lord. We want to be living vessels who worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Breathe Your life into us now.
Worshipers
We worship You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, You laid before the Israelites both blessing and cursing- a path toward obedience and blessing or disobedience and curses. Lord, we want to choose the path of blessing, but we are plagued with sin.
Worshipers
Our sin leads to cursing and death, and we fail to obey. Forgive us, Lord- we need You.
Pastor / Worship Leader
How desperately we need you! Just like the Israelites needed Your provision and Your discipline, so do we.
Worshipers
Father, You are rich in mercy and love. You are gracious in Your forgiveness and endless in Your grace. Forgive us of our waywardness, and lead us into righteousness. We desire Your hand of blessing, Lord.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We offer thanksgiving and praise to the forgiver of our sins- Jesus Christ, Son of God, who is rich in mercy and grace!
Worshipers
Thank You, Lord. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Deuteronomy 30:15-20
The Lord laid out clear boundaries for the Israelites to obey. If they chose obedience, they would experience prosperity, life, and blessings. If they chose to disobey, they would face consequences leading to curses, death, and destruction.
15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
