Description
Series: Surviving THRIVING in a Mixed Up World
The problems Jesus and His disciples experienced are no different than the problems we face today: family problems, social problems, church problems, relationship problems. Jesus taught His disciples how to rise above the problems of the world and not just survive – but thrive! This series looks at some timeless truths that make the difference between surviving and thriving in the mixed up world in which we live.
Part 1 Theme: Asking God the Right Questions – John 3:1-17
Theme: Nicodemus witnessed events that sent him into a head-on crisis of belief. “Is what I believe true?” It takes courage to challenge our own spiritual beliefs. It takes even more courage to accept the answers.
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
Come To The Cross
Leeland Mooring | Matt Bronleewe | Michael W. Smith, © 2006 Word Music, LLC | Smittyfly Music | Meaux Mercy | Woodland Creatures Need Music Too | Windswept Music (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) | (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) |
Friend Of God
Israel Houghton & Michael Gungor, ©2003 Integrity’s Praise! Music/Vertical Worship Songs
God With Us
Barry Graul / Bart Millard / Jim Bryson / Mike Scheuchzer / Nathan Cochran, © 2007 Simpleville Music (Admin. by Simpleville Music, Inc.) Wet As A Fish Music (Admin. by Simpleville Music, Inc.) Catalogs Simpleville Music
[Traditional Options]
Holy, Holy, Holy
BH 75 1; BH 91 2; CH 3; CHH 4; EH 362; ELW 413; HWC 262; HPW 2; HFG 323; HLC 1; HGP 51; HSP 12; LBW 165; LSB 507; LW 168; NCH 277; PH 580; RH 213; RS 624; STTL 2; WC 2; UMH 64; WAR 136; WHM 47; WIS 8
The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
BH 75 215; CH 683; EH 645/646; ELW 502; HWC 468; HLC 46; LBW 456; LSB 709; LW 412; NCH 248; PH 171/174; UMH 138; WIS 425
I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus
CH 582; HWC 346; HFG 73; HLC 330; LBW 460; LSB 729; LW 408; WC 524; WHM 451
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor: We begin in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – Our creator, sustainer, and deliverer.
ALL: Our God, the one True God, has given us everything we need for life – both now and for eternity. AMEN.
Opening Prayer
Pastor Mighty God, you are the Alpha and Omega – the beginning and the end. You have every answer for life and death and holiness. Lord, give us courage to ask the important questions about our faith, and give us the grace to receive Your truth. Change us forever, Lord, for Your glory.
ALL In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor: Some things are easy to say – I believe in Jesus, I believe Jesus died for my sins, I believe in heaven. But we also need to face the things that are hard to say – I was wrong, I repent, I want God to change me. Today is about asking the hard questions – the questions that matter for eternity. Let us examine ourselves before God so that we may begin this search with an honest heart.
ALL: God, you are holy. As I search myself, I find that there are things of earth I have treasured above You.
God, you are merciful. As I search myself, I find that I have not been merciful to others as you have been merciful to me.
God, you are righteous. As I search myself, I find that my thoughts and motives are not always in line with Your righteousness.
God, you are love. As I search myself, I see that I have been selfish instead of showing Your love to others.
Father, forgive my iniquity. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon me to lead me in Your way. Change my heart so that I desire to do Your will.
Pastor: It is with great joy that I can announce that your sins are forgiven! Not because I say it, and not because you said some magical words, but because Christ has taken the punishment for what you have just confessed, and God has accepted his sacrifice. Live in that grace. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading – Isaiah 6:1-8
When the prophet Isaiah encountered the LORD, his sin became evident and he feared that he would be ruined. Instead, he was cleansed and forgiven. When God required a volunteers, Isaiah was more than ready!
1In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” 6Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
