Description
John 3:1-17
In this passage we read about an “after hours” meeting between Jesus and Nicodemus. Although Nicodemus, a high-ranking religious leader, recognizes Jesus power as coming from God – he completely misses the deeper action of God working his plan of salvation and inaugurating his kingdom through Jesus. Nicodemus was not looking for a personal “rebirth” or spiritual transformation but was looking for the coming reign of the Messiah and exaltation of the Jewish people on earth. But, the kingdom of God has nothing to do with race, spiritual pedigree, or even the religious observance of pious people. Instead, in order to be a part of and to see this kingdom, one needs to be “born from above”, remade from the inside out by the Spirit of God. If ever we mistakenly think that this work of God is offered to only a select few, this passage reminds us that God loves the whole world (including those opposed to God) so much that he gave his one and only Son for them. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed. But, instead, by believing in Jesus, the Son of God, anyone can have a whole and ever-lasting life starting now.
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
It is my joy to welcome you this morning as we gather together to celebrate God’s love shown to us through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that we might be born again to a new and eternal life with Him!
Time of Praise and Worship
The Wonderful Cross
Hymn by Isaac Watts; Arr. by, Chris Tomlin, J.D. Walt, Jesse Reeves, & Lowell Mason, ©2000 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)songs
Awakening
Chris Tomlin & Reuben Morgan, ©2010 worshiptogether.com Songs/sixsteps Music / Vamos Publishing / Hillsong Publishing (ASCAP) (admin by EMI CMG Publishing)
Your Love Awakens
Chris Quilala & Phil Wickham, © Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Jesus Culture Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Seems Like Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Sing My Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
[Traditional Options]
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 221
There Is A Redeemer
CH 308; HWC 206; LSB 971; RH 211; STTL 246; WAR 117
Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
BH75 163; BH91 342; CH 342; CHH 214; EH 685; ELW 623; HWC 204; HFG 108; HLC 149; HGP 336; HSP 9; LBW 327; LSB 761; LW 361; NCH 596; RH 277; STTL 445; WC 227; UMH 361; WAR 384; WHM 507; WIS 47
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
God of the living, through baptism we pass from the shadow of death to the light of the resurrection. Remain with us and give us hope that, rejoicing in the gift of the Spirit who gives life to our mortal flesh,
we may be clothed with the garment of immortality, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Worshipers
Amen.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord Jesus, Son of God, we ask for the blessing and illumination of your presence today as we explore the mystery of the new spiritual life you give us through Your Spirit. It is because of your love, sacrifice, and mercy that we are here.
Worshipers
All praise be to Jesus, we look to you alone for healing, hope, and salvation. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
God of the covenant, in the glory of the cross your Son embraced the power of death and broke its hold over your people. In this time of repentance, draw all people to yourself, that we who confess Jesus as Lord may put aside the deeds of death and accept the life of your kingdom.
Worshipers
We confess to you, Lord Jesus, that we have sinned and are in need of your forgiveness and mercy. It is by your stripes that we are healed. We submit ourselves to you that we may love and serve you by the strength you give through your Holy Spirit. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Genesis 12:1-9
Abram (which means Father of Height, or Exalted Father), before God renamed him Abraham (which means Father of Many Nations), received a call from God to leave the secure and familiar surroundings of his family home to an unknown land. God did not tell him where this land was, or as far as we know even how to get there ahead of time (perhaps he led Abram there as he led his descendants hundreds of years later through the desert). Imagine God told you to pack up everything and just move! God gives him nothing to go on but a promise of blessing and prosperity. And Abram went – he willingly surrendered the seen for the unseen at the Word of the Lord.
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” 4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. 6 Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 8 From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. 9 Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.
