Description
Matthew 5:13-20
Salt in a shaker and light under a basket have no real value – their value comes as they are put to their appointed use -as a preservative and seasoning, to provide illumination and clarity. As Christians we are meant to let our faith shine through how we live our lives. But, lest we think this is to draw attention to ourselves, we must remember that we do this to lead others to God – who is the Father of Lights. We do not perform “acts of righteousness” in order to gain the approval of men, nor do we deny that living out God’s word is necessary for his people to fulfill their God-given calling. We are called to righteous living, but this righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees, who observed the letter of the law, while completely missing the spirit of the law. We follow Christ not to appear pious and superior to others by “doing it right,” but to shine His light of love and reconciliation through our redeemed lives. The Law was fulfilled by Christ on Calvary, so now we are free to follow Christ – and by freely submitting to His leading in obedience we shine His light.
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
Good morning. It is good to be in the house of the Lord together today. We come together this morning to worship God, hear His voice, and strengthen one another to follow Him. It is in His name we gather, and it is His presence for which we pray today.
Worshipers
We welcome you, Lord Jesus.
Time of Praise and Worship
Only King forever
Chris Brown | Mack Brock | Steven Furtick | Wade Joye, © 2013 Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Mighty to Save
Ben Fielding & Reuben Morgan, ©2006 Hillsong Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Open The Eyes Of My Heart
Paul Baloche, ©1997 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
[Traditional Options]
Spread the Reign of God The Lord
LBW 379; LSB 830; LW 321
The People That In Darkness Sat
LSB 412; LW 77
Christ Sits at God’s Right Hand
LSB 564
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
O God, you spoke your word and revealed your good news in Jesus, the Christ. Fill all creation with that word again, so that by proclaiming your joyful promises to all nations and singing of your glorious hope to all peoples, we may become one living body, your incarnate presence on the earth. Amen.
Worshipers
Amen.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Perfect Light of revelation, as you shone in the life of Jesus, whose presence we celebrate, so shine in us and through us, that we may become beacons of truth and compassion, enlightening all creation with deeds of justice and mercy. Amen.
Worshipers
Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, you placed us in the world to be its salt. We were afraid of committing ourselves, afraid of being stained by the world. We did not want to hear what ‘they’ might say, and our salt dissolved as if in water. Forgive us, Jesus.
Worshipers
Lord, have mercy.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, you placed us in the world to be its light. We were afraid of the shadows, afraid of the poverty of self-denial. We did not want to know ‘difficult’ people and our light slowly faded away. Forgive us, Jesus.
Worshipers
Lord, have mercy.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, you placed us in the world to live in community. Thus, you taught us to love, to share in life, to struggle for bread and for justice, You are truth incarnate in our lives.
Worshipers
So be it, Lord Jesus.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 58:1-9a [9b-12]
Through Isaiah God calls out the religious farce that His people had fallen into – where they played the part of righteous and observant followers of Yahweh, but in their interactions with their fellow man, showed themselves to cruel and harsh. Here, were too are reminded and warned to not fall into the same trap, thinking that religious observance will take the place of mercy and true humility that service and love require. When we follow God on this level, the level of true love that demands we take tight hold of His hand because it is beyond our natural ability, then the light He has bestowed on us will shine as it is meant to do – to the glory of God.
1“Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the descendants of Jacob their sins. 2 For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. 3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. 4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. 5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. 12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
