Description
Luke 16:1-15
The parable of the rich man and the wasteful manager teaches us about our relationship with wealth. When we choose financial generosity over selfish gain, we choose to build relationships with people, opening doors of opportunity to share the Gospel and influence more souls for the Kingdom of God. Jesus said plainly, “You cannot serve both God and money.” Either money will become your god and your ruin, or you will choose to live generously for the Lord. Does your life reflect generosity?
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
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
Matt Redman & Jonas Myrin, ©2011 Thankyou Music, Said And Done Music, sixsteps Music, SHOUT! Publishing (Admin EMI CMG Publishing)
Great Things
Jonas Myrin, Phil Wickham, © Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Son of the Lion (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Phil Wickham Music (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Simply Global Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Sing My Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])
Who You Say I Am
Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan, © 2017 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Jesus, Priceless Treasure
CH 623; ELW 775; HWC 413; HFG 277; LBW 457,458; LSB 743; LW 270; NCH 480; PH 365; WC 119; UMH 532; WAR 431
What Is The World To Me
LSB 730; LW 418
O God, My Faithful God
ELW 806; LBW 504; LSB 696; LW 371; PH 277
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
We welcome the Lord in this place and in our hearts. We welcome you, whether you are a long-time member or it’s the first time you’ve walked through these doors. We welcome you, brothers and sisters in the Lord and also the observers in the room. Perhaps you came here today in search of hope, peace, or love. Perhaps this is the last place you want to be on earth. Maybe you came in bearing a heavy burden, a financial debt, a hidden sin that is eating at your soul. I encourage you in the name of the Lord to lay your burden at the feet of Jesus who invites you to let Him carry it. Our circumstances are changing, but the Lord is unchanging! Give your burdens to Him.
Worshipers
We lay our burdens at the feet of Jesus. Lord, pick them up and carry them. We trust You.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Generous and giving God, we turn our attention to You. We lock our eyes on Yours and our minds we focus on Yours. Teach us Your ways and help us to obey. We go our own way, but Yours is always better. You’ve created us to live in this world at this time- may we glorify You with everything You’ve blessed us with- it’s all Yours anyway.
Worshipers
All You’ve bestowed upon us is already Yours.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We worship You, God. In the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit we pray, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Before we continue, let us confess our sins to the forgiving Father.
Worshipers
He hears us and He loves us.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We admit that we are not without fault. We are guilty.
Worshipers
We are sinners and we confess our sins openly before Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Specifically, we repent of making money our master.
Worshipers
We have forsaken the needs of the poor, and we have indulged in monetary gains ourselves. Forgive us, Lord.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We know that this is not Your will for our lives. Teach us to be wise stewards of all you’ve entrusted to us.
Worshipers
We want to live generously for Your glory, not our own.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Thank You, Jesus, for all You’ve provided, especially for Your forgiveness.
Worshipers
In Jesus’ name, amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Amos 8:4-7
The Lord sees the mistreatment of the poor, needy, and the hearts of the prideful and selfish. He sees sin and will judge accordingly.
4 Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land, 5 saying, “When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?”— skimping on the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales, 6 buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the sweepings with the wheat. 7 The Lord has sworn by himself, the Pride of Jacob: “I will never forget anything they have done.
