Description
John 3:14-21
What a strange rescue God provided the Israelites. Bitten by snakes, they were told to look up to a snake in order to be healed. God used the very thing that had cursed them as a means to save them. So too with Jesus. The cross is a strange rescue as well. Who would expect a dying Savior? Who would believe that a curse (the cross) could be the means of our deliverance. God used the very thing that cursed us (a tree – in the Garden) as the instrument of our salvation. Who would believe such a Gospel? Those who do are drawn to God. Those who don’t are left to themselves.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor In the name of God the Father, holy and perfect in all His ways.
ALL In the name of God the Son, Jesus Christ, Whose passion led Him to a cross, and to death as the sacrifice for the sins of the world.
Pastor In the name of the God the Holy Spirit, Who gathers us as the people of God, and empowers us as we continue on our Lenten journey
ALL Amen
Opening Prayer
Pastor Almighty Father, during this Lenten season we gather as Your people, the Body of Christ, to hear again the message of His passion. Inspire us, we pray, that we might not only be hearers of Jesus’ passion, but that we might live unto Him in all we do and are. Fill us during this time with such a measure of Your Holy Spirit, that these Lenten days may be for us a time of even deeper devotion and sacrifice. We count it all joy to be followers of Jesus, Who was lifted up in order to draw us to You. Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor During this season of Lent, we acknowledge our sinfulness, for which Jesus suffered and died.
(silence)
Pastor In humility we bow before You, holy Father.
ALL We are sinful, and make no excuse before You.
You call us to holiness, and we choose sin.
You call us to love, and we choose fear.
You call us to serve, and we choose entitlements.
You call us to give, and we choose to take.
You call us to go, and we choose to stay.
You call us to speak of Your love, and we choose to remain silent.
You call us to surrender, and we choose pride.
You call us to come to You, and we choose to hide.
Forgive us, we pray, and empower us to live in joyful obedience to You.
Pastor It’s been called the Gospel in a nutshell, and it is placarded at all kinds of events – John 3:16. Hear the words now. We’ve heard them before, but today marvel at what the words proclaim: “For God so loved the world He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Jesus was lifted on the tree that we might be restored as the children of God. The tree in the Garden was the cause of our curse, and the tree on Calvary is the instrument of our salvation. Look up. Look to the cross. Look and believe, and be saved.
ALL Amen.
Time of Praise and Worship
How Great Is Our God
Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, & Jesse Reeves ©2004 worshiiptogether.com songs/Sixsteps
Save Me
Mary Elizabeth Miller & Thomas Miller, ©2008 Gateway Create Publishing (Admin. by Integrity’s Praise! Music)
Everything Glorious
Lisa Gungor & Michael Gungor, © 2006 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
God of Grace and God of Glory
BH 75 265; BH 91 395; CH 435; CHH 464; EH 594,595; ELW 705; HWC 292; WFG 528; HLC 466; LBW 415; LSB 850; LW 398; NCH 436; PH 420; STTL 720;; WC 669; UMH 577; WAR 569; WHM 332
Jesus Refuge of the Weary
LSB 423; LBW 93; LW 90
We Sing The Praise of Him Who Died
EH 471; LBW 344; LSB 329; LW 118
We Hear God’s Word
First Reading: Numbers 21:4-9
The people of Israel, bitten by snakes, are told to look at a bronze serpent to be healed.
4 They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; 5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” 6 Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.
