Description
Matthew 23:1-12
Jesus called out the religious leaders for their hypocrisy and pride. He encouraged the crowds and His disciples to be humble, serve while leading, and emphasized that the greatest among His followers will be the one who humbles himself. Where are you currently in your spiritual journey? Are you in a place that seeks title and self-glorification or are you leading with humility and sincere service?
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Pastor / Worship Leader
Welcome dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Take a moment now to greet those near you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Worshipers
(Take time to greet those around you.)
Time of Praise and Worship
Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)
Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, & Scott Cash, © 2012 Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) A Thousand Generations Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Alletrop Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
Build My Life
Brett Younker, Karl Martin, Kirby Elizabeth Kaple, Matt Redman, and Pat Barrett © 2016 Martin, Karl
Andrew, Kaple Music, Capitol CMG Genesis, Housefires Sounds, Said And Done Music, sixsteps Music, Thankyou Music, worshiptogether.com songs, Bethel Music Publishing
Open The Eyes Of My Heart
Paul Baloche, ©1997 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
[Traditional Options]
Come Down O Love Divine
ELW 804; LBW 508; LSB 501; LW 162; NCH 289; PH 313; RS 617; UMH 475; WC 304
Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray
LBW 225; LSB 623; LW 250Before You Lord We Bow
ELW 893; LBW 401; LSB 966; LW 500
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
As we begin, let us reflect on the words written by Paul in 1 Thessalonians- to share the Gospel of God and also our lives. Let us encourage one another in faith, seek humility, and follow the Lord wherever He leads us.
Worshipers
Lord, we call upon Your name. We keep our hearts open for you to move. We keep our eyes lifted toward the Heavens. We keep our ears open- may we hear Your voice.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Heavenly Father, where two or more are gathered in Your name, You are there. We seek Your guidance and Your grace. We ask for humility and sincerity in our faith. We pray that where hypocrisy is found that we would be moved by Your Holy Spirit to reject Pharisee living and instead follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
Worshipers
May we be Your salt and Your light on this earth. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
As we come before the Lord, let us humbly confess our ill choices, our guilt, shame- our sins. Let us be mindful that hypocrisy results in corruption. Corruption hardens the heart and produces pride. But the Lord honors humility.
Worshipers
Where we have pride, we have sin. Where we have hypocrisy, we have false humility. Where we have disobedience, we have bitterness. Forgive us, Jesus, for our sins.
Pastor / Worship Leader
By the blood of Jesus Christ, we are justified and cleansed into righteousness. We are made free by the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. We are forgiven!
Worshipers
We are forgiven! Let us turn away from sin and turn to Jesus. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Micah 3:5-12
Micah condemns the false prophets and corrupt leaders of Israel for leading the people astray. He warns them of coming judgment for their actions.
This is what the Lord says: “As for the prophets who lead my people astray, they proclaim ‘peace’ if they have something to eat, but prepare to wage war against anyone who refuses to feed them. 6 Therefore night will come over you, without visions, and darkness, without divination. The sun will set for the prophets, and the day will go dark for them. 7 The seers will be ashamed and the diviners disgraced. They will all cover their faces because there is no answer from God.” 8 But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin. 9 Hear this, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of Israel, who despise justice and distort all that is right; 10 who build Zion with bloodshed, and Jerusalem with wickedness. 11 Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they look for the Lord’s support and say, “Is not the Lord among us? No disaster will come upon us.” 12 Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.
