Description

Luke 12:49-56

 

When we reflect on what it means to be a Christian and our relationship with God in and through Jesus Christ, our initial thoughts point us to unconditional love, grace, forgiveness, peace, and hope. We don’t readily think of our faith in terms of conflict and division, or in terms of a sword or our faith as a stressor.  The gospel passage before us shows another side of Jesus that is starkly different from the mild, compassionate, loving Jesus we seem to dwell on more. Yes, we know Jesus can be stern and direct and was known to put people in their place, yet here he seems to be losing it.  How can he say that he has come not to bring peace, but rather division?  How can he speak of family division the way he does as if he wants this?  At first glance, it doesn’t make sense but the closer we come to Christ, the more we grasp it. Standing up for what we believe and living it out will have its affects. This caused stress for Jesus and it will cause stress for us.

 

 

… 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

 

Lifesong

Mark Hall, ©2005 My Refuge Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Songs LLC)

Counting on God

Jared Anderson, ©2007 Vertical Worship Songs

The Stand

Joel Houston, ©2005 Hillsong Publishing (Admin.by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

[Traditional Options]

Lord Jesus Christ, With Us Abide

LSB 585; LW 344

 

Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won         

ELW 621; LBW 133; LSB 490; LW 139

 

My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less

BH 75 337; CH 526; CHH 537; ELW 596; HFG 92; HLC 313; HSP 125; LBW 293,294; LSB 575; LW 368; NCH 403; PH 379; RH 419; UMH 368; WAR 405

 

 

Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme

 

Pastor              We join our hearts and voices today in worship in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

 

ALL                  Amen!

 

Opening Prayer

 

Pastor              Gracious and Merciful God, we come together as one in Christ giving thanks for your presence in our lives at all times.  We know that being a faithful follower of Christ means that we will be faced with opposition and difficulties. We know that you are a God of peace yet we also know that your Word is a sword for use in the midst of spiritual battles that we may find ourselves in. Deepen our faith and equip us with the power of your Holy Spirit so that we are prepared for the challenges we have on life’s journey. May the peace that surpasses our human understanding carry us through the stresses of life including those times when we are standing up for what we believe.

 

ALL                  In the strong and mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen

 

 

Time of Greeting

  

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

 

Pastor              Faithful and Loving God, your love for us is sometimes so hard to accept, for we know that many times we live contrary to your will and disappoint you. We have wandered so far away from our true home and our spiritual compass wavers. Our behaviors attest to the fact that we put more faith in things of the world rather than in Jesus. We are deeply sorry for turning away from you. We have not always remained true to our convictions. We need your strength so that we can be bold and courageous even though it may cause unrest. Your promise to walk with us at all times gives us hope.

 

(A time of personal reflection and confession)

 

All                    Lord God, we confess that we have missed the mark often. We admit that we have been timid in our faith in situations where your desire for us would be to stand firm on the rock of Jesus Christ. We confess that we have not shown our faith and have allowed the world’s influence to take precedence. Help our faith grow and help us surrender our lives to you so that we can withstand the pressures of conforming to society. Have mercy on us and forgive us.

 

Pastor              Have complete faith is these words: “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. As a called minister and servant of Christ, know fully that your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

 

… We Hear God’s Word …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

 

First Reading                      Jeremiah 23:16-29

 

In this passage from the prophet Jeremiah, we are reminded that God is right here and His word is very powerful and life-changing.

 

16 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. 17 They keep saying to those who despise me, ‘The Lord says: You will have peace.’ And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts they say, ‘No harm will come to you.’ 18 But which of them has stood in the council of the Lord to see or to hear his word? Who has listened and heard his word? 19 See, the storm of the Lord will burst out in wrath, a whirlwind swirling down on the heads of the wicked. 20 The anger of the Lord will not turn back until he fully accomplishes the purposes of his heart. In days to come
you will understand it clearly. 21 I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. 22 But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds. 23 “Am I only a God nearby,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away?  23 “Am I only a God nearby,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away? 24 Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord. 25 “I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ 26 How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? 27 They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name through Baal worship. 28 Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord. 29 “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?