Description

Luke 13:22-30 

On Saturday mornings, as we flip through though the channels on our TVs, we see that many stations are advertising exercise programs, work-out equipment, supplements, and diet programs – infomercials galore. Getting our physical bodies in shape and keeping them in shape takes effort, determination, and discipline. In our gospel lesson for today, Jesus teaches about getting in shape for entry to the Kingdom of God. He states that we must put forth effort now as we follow life’s path toward the door to heaven. The entryway will be narrow, thus it will take some work to get through. Getting in spiritual shape and maintaining it will be vital when the time comes to receive the great reward.  As there are benefits to being in healthy physical condition, there will be life-giving benefits for those who are spiritually in shape.

 

… 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

 

Our God

Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Jonas Myrin, & Matt Redman, ©2010 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)  Said And Done Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Vamos Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) SHOUT! Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

 

Open The Eyes Of My Heart

Paul Baloche, ©1997 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music

Shout To The North

Martin Smith, ©1995 Curious? Music UK (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

[Traditional Options]

I Will Sing My Maker’s Praises

LSB 977; LW 439 

From God Can Nothing Move Me                                                                                                       

LBW 468; LSB 713; LW 409

The Man is Ever Blessed

LSB 705

  

Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme

Pastor              We are here as the Church – the body of Christ, to worship our Lord Who is worthy of our adoration and praise, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

 

ALL                  Amen.

 

 

Opening Prayer

Pastor              Gracious and loving God, we are delighted to be here today, and it is our desire to show our love and gratitude for all You have done in our lives. You are a God Who loves all people unconditionally, and Your grace abounds everywhere we turn. As we worship today, give us the inspiration to be obedient and give us the determination to seek a deeper walk with You. May the power of Your Holy Spirit and the light of Christ do a mighty work in us as we sing, pray, and hear Your Word.       

         

ALL                  In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

 

 

Time of Greeting

 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

 

Pastor              We have been given this time now to do some self-reflection. We need to ask ourselves, “How am I doing inside?” We all have areas of our lives that seek to lead us astray or drive a wedge between us and God. Now is the time to be honest with ourselves and admit our shortcomings, the behaviors, the habits, the actions, the omissions, that have prevented us from being the whole person God desires us to be in Christ. Let’s name those areas now in silence and come to repentance.

 

(A time of personal reflection and confession)

 

All                    We confess to You that we have not lived our lives in accordance with Your Word and Your desires for us.  We have only given You a part of us in service and worship and have let the world take our attention away from that which is most important. Help us Lord, to get in shape for Your Kingdom by studying Your Word, serving others, and displaying Your love and grace wherever we go. We know that one day we will be at the gates of heaven, and we yearn to be equipped and ready to meet You face to face. Forgive us, Lord, for not always exercising and strengthening ourselves toward a higher level of Christian maturity. Forgive us, Lord, for not letting Your light take precedence over the darkness of this world.

 

Pastor              Brothers and sisters in Christ, be confident in the promise from our Lord that your sins are forgiven. This gift of grace is given as an inclusive gift which was made manifest on the cross when Christ shed his blood for the world. As the church, it is our duty to make this message known so that others may come to know Him as Savior and Lord.

 

 

… We Hear God’s Word …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

 

First Reading                      Isaiah 66:18-23

 

The prophet Isaiah brings us a portrayal of judgment for those without faith in God.  On the other hand, he portrays a glorious picture of reward to those who bow down and have faith in the Lord.

 

“And I, because of what they have planned and done, am about to come and gather the people of all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory. 19 “I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations—to Tarshish, to the Libyans and Lydians (famous as archers), to Tubal and Greece, and to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations. 20 And they will bring all your people, from all the nations, to my holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the Lord—on horses, in chariots and wagons, and on mules and camels,” says the Lord. “They will bring them, as the Israelites bring their grain offerings, to the temple of the Lord in ceremonially clean vessels. 21 And I will select some of them also to be priests and Levites,” says the Lord. 22 “As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. 23 From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord.