Description
Matthew 21:23-32
Jesus is teaching in the temple courts. He had already overturned the tables of the money changers. The chief priests were questioning him-wanting to know by who’s authority he is doing these things. Jesus responds with questions they cannot answer without trapping themselves. Jesus then relates a parable of two sons. This parable clearly condemns the chief priests and elders, while lifting up sinners like tax collectors and prostitutes who have repented.
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
A Thousand Hallelujahs
Brooke Ligertwood | Phil Wickham | Scott Ligertwood © 2022 City and Vine Music Publishing International; Phil Wickham Music; Simply Global Songs
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)
My Savior My God
Aaron Shust & Dorothy Dora Greenwell, ©2005 Bridge Building Music, Inc. (Admin. By Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Cool Springs Blvd., Franklin TN 37067
[Traditional Options]
Lord, Whose Love Through/In Humble Service
CHH 461; EH 610; ELW 712; HS98 882; HLC 512; LBW 423; LSB 848; UMH 581; WAR 575
You Are the Way, To You Alone
ELW 758; LBW 464; LSB 526; LW 283; NCH 40
All Who Believe and Are Baptized
EH 298; ELW 442; LBW194; LSB 601; LW 225
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
We lift up our souls to you, Holy God.
Worshipers
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Worshipers
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore, he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
Pastor / Worship Leader
The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.
Worshipers
Jesus, King, and Lord of all, we worship and adore you.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Amen.
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Heavenly Father, You are a God of compassion and love. Time after time we have experienced your care and provision. Time after time You’ve answered our prayers and met our needs—often in ways we could never have dreamed possible. We praise You for Your faithful love toward us. Because we have known Your love, we come to You with confidence, offering our prayers for the world that You love. Merciful God,
You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to show us a different way to live—the way of deep humility and obedience. You’ve called us to love one another, and to work together with one heart and mind, balancing our needs with the needs of those around us. Give us courage to follow faithfully, and with integrity—with actions that bear witness to the words we speak, and worship that overflows into our daily tasks and relationships—so that our lives will bring glory and honor to You, our Redeemer and Lord. Amen.
Worshipers
Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, we confess.
Worshipers
We confess that we don’t always recognize your authority in our lives. We prefer our own way, our own decisions. We trust ourselves and act in the ways of the world and not in obedience to the way you have prescribed.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We confess that we have said, yes, we will follow you, and then turned right around and did the opposite.
Worshipers
We confess that we do not always acknowledge You as Lord, trusting in our own abilities and following our own goals rather than submitting ourselves to Your will and Your call. Lord, in Your mercy, hear and forgive.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore, he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. For the sake of your name, Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
Worshipers
Have mercy on us Lord.
Pastor / Worship Leader
In Jesus’ name, amen!
Worshipers
Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
The Prophet Ezekiel receives the word of the Lord. This word for the Israelites is that the Lord’s ways are just! The Israelites ways are unjust. They are to turn away from wickedness. They are to repent and receive a new heart, a new spirit. And thereby live! The Lord says, Repent and live!
The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: “‘The parents eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? 3 “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. 4 For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.
25 “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust? Is it, not your ways that are unjust? 26 If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. 27 But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life. 28 Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die. 29 Yet the Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, people of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust? 30 “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!
