Description
Luke 13:31-35
Jerusalem was the political and religious center of the nation Israel. Yet, Jesus lamented that many Israelites would be excluded from the Kingdom. Although Herod was motivated to kill Him, Jesus was committed to finishing His mission on the earth. Living in a country where we have easy access to all things religious is much like Jerusalem of that day. Religion does not guarantee our salvation. Only confession and faith in Jesus Christ is our way to salvation. Next comes following Jesus daily by denying ourselves and imitating Christ. Assess your life- are you committed to the mission of Jesus on this earth now or are you living in a religious world with yourself on the throne?
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
Your Grace Finds Me
Jonas Myrin & Matt Redman, © 2013 Said And Done Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), SHOUT! Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Crown Him (Majesty)
Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, George Job Elvey, Godfrey Thring, Matt Maher, & Matthew Bridges, © 2013 A Thousand Generations Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Valley Of Songs Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Alletrop Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
Everlasting God
Brenton Brown & Ken Riley, ©2006 Thankyou Music
[Traditional Options]
O Love, How Deep
EH 448/449; ELW 322; LBW 88; LSB 544; LW 275; NCH 209; PH 83; WC 193; UMH 267; WR 244
Glory Be To Jesus
EH 479; HLC 143; LBW 95; LSB 433; LW 98
Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus
EH 495; HLC 95; UMH 325
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
The earth and everything in it belong to Creator God. We belong to Him as well. We are His Creation, made to worship and adore the Lord.
Worshipers
We rejoice in the Lord who is our song. He has brought us together, let us be of one mind. Praise the Lord!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father in Heaven, we turn away from the distractions and the pressures of this world and toward You. We are reminded that we are not citizens of this fallen world, but we have citizenship in Heaven, our eternal home. Therefore, we are committed to advancing Your kingdom here on this earth through the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit who enables us to preach the Gospel.
Worshipers
We commit to the Great Commission. We are Yours. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
We must confess and be grateful for the opportunity.
Worshipers
What God forgives our sins and wipes our slates clean? He is the Lord Most High.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We confess with humbled hearts, acknowledging our place as sinners before the sinless Son, Jesus.
Worshipers
What we deserve is the punishment of death. What we have been given is eternal life.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Let us lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving as we receive Christ’s forgiveness and grace.
Worshipers
Great is the Lord, the God of mercy! Worship belongs to Him! We are Your people, Lord, forgiven by You and grafted into Your family. We boast in the faithful Son, Jesus! Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Abram had no heir as his wife was childless. But the Lord made a covenant with Abram and promised him an heir as many as the stars.
After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:
“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”2 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” 4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring] be.” 6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. 7 He also said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it.” 8 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?” 9 So the Lord said to him, “Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.” 10 Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. 11 Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. 12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. 17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates—
