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 2: “Facing Opposition” Mark 3:20-35
Theme: If you are walking in God’s will, sooner or later you will face opposition. We expect this from the world, but what happens when your strongest critics are those you love, or those sitting beside you in the pew on Sunday morning? Jesus shows us how to stay on mission with God in the midst of controversy.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Pre-service options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Time of Praise and Worship
In The Hands of God
Peter Furler, Jeff Frankenstein, Steve Taylor, ©2009 FB Holden Music (Admin. by 21 Songs LLC)First Company Publishing (Admin. by 21 Songs LLC) Oinchtech Music (Admin. by 21 Songs LLC) Don’t Chase Music (Admin. by 21 Songs LLC) Soylent Tunes (Admin. by Integrated Copyright Group, Inc.)
If We Are The Body
Mark Hall, ©2003 My Refuge Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Songs LLC)
Father Spirit Jesus
Chad Cates, Dave Hunt, Mark Hall, © © 2005 New Spring | Modine Gunch Music | Upper Cates Music | My Refuge Music | Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) | | (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by Sony/ATV Songs LLC)
[Traditional Options]
Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus
BH75 391; BH91 485; CH 730; CHH 613; EH 561; HWC 477; HFG 616; HLC 466; HGP 412; HSP 157; LBW 389; LSB 660; LW 305; RH 618; STTL 646; WC 663; UMH 514; WAR 513; WHM 596; WIS 320
Lift High The Cross
BH 91 594; CH 450; CHH 108; EH 473; ELW 660; HWC 304; HLC 141; LBW 377; LSB 837; LW 311; NCH 198; PH 371; STTL 237; WC 229; UMH 159; WAR 28; WHM 22
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
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor: We come in the name above all names, the one eternal God.
ALL: Fathers, Son, and Spirit – our Creator, our Redeemer, our Peace.
Pastor: We commit this time to You, O Lord.
ALL: Open our hearts to receive Your word.
Teach us and change us, for Your Glory. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER: [This prayer is offered as an idea] —
Our Eternal Father, You have redeemed us and given us a place in Your kingdom, and we joyfully await the time when You will call us to Your side. Now, Father, as we remain in the world, teach us to rely on the strength of Your Spirit. Show us that You are our defender and shield. Grow us in the likeness of Your Son, so that we may accept suffering as well as blessing, for the sake of Your heavenly kingdom. Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor: Today is about facing opposition. As a disciple of Christ, opposition is certain. The love of God, and the strength of His Spirit are also certain. When we sin, however, we grieve the Holy Spirit, and His strong flame within us dwindles to but an ember. Let us confess our sin so that the Spirit will fill us again, giving us power to face the world.
ALL: God, you are eternal. Forgive us for striving for temporal things more eagerly than we work for that which is eternal.
God, you are faithful. Forgive us for trusting in ourselves when we should have trusted in You. Forgive us for times when we have doubted Your faithfulness.
God, you are righteous. Forgive us for accepting worldly standards of right and wrong instead of striving for righteousness in Your eyes.
Father, forgive us. Fill us anew with the power of Your Holy Spirit, and give us strength for serving You.
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 Genesis 3:8-15
In this familiar passage, sin enters the world. Yet even in God’s chastisement, there is a plan of redemption. God foretells that the serpent – the deceiver – will strike the heel of Eve’s offspring. This attack, while painful, is not fatal. Eve’s offspring, however, will crush the serpent in the most deadly of places – its head. Until that final blow is delivered, the enmity continues.
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 14 So the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals!
You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
