Description
Matthew 16:21-28
Jesus foretold of His death and resurrection to His disciples, thus revealing His Messianic nature. Peter tried resisting that His Lord had to suffer, but Jesus recognized and rebuked Satan’s plot to tempt Him from completing God’s plan. As Christ followers we must answer the call to take up our crosses, dying to our own wills, and follow God’s will, no matter the cost.
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
I Will Follow
Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, & Reuben Morgan, ©2010 SHOUT! Publishing | sixsteps Music | worshiptogether.com songs | Vamos Publishing | Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC)
No Longer Slaves
Jonathan David Helser / Brian Johnson / Joel Case, © 2014 Bethel Music Publishing (ASCAP)
Good Grace
Joel Houston © 2018 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Take Up Your Cross, The Savior Said
BH 91 494; EH 675; ELW 667; HLC 357; LBW 398; LW 382; NCH 204; PH 393; WC655; WAR 351
Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus
ELW 802; LSB 685; LBW 487; LW 381
The Only Son From Heaven
ELW 309; LBW 86; LSB 402; LW 72
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Come follow Jesus and leave behind the nets.
Worshipers
Come pick up your cross and follow Jesus today.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Jesus calls us from death into His eternal life.
Worshipers
Come follow Jesus starting now.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Loving Lord, You call us to turn away from own selfish desires, to take up our cross, and to follow hard after you. It’s only by surrendering our lives to You that we find our greater purpose. So, we come before You today with open hearts and hands. We are eager to hear Your Word and know Your will. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, we ask that You’d move within our Church and among us as we worship in surrender. In the name of our blessed Redeemer and Lord we pray,
Worshipers
Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Gracious God full of mercy
Worshipers
You call us to follow Jesus
Pastor / Worship Leader
You ask us to turn away from our own selfish desires, to pick up our crosses, and follow You.
Worshipers
But what if we can’t see the path or the direction is scary and unknown?
Pastor / Worship Leader
Forgive us for being so quick to hesitate and resistant to following You.
Worshipers
Help us to see with eyes of faith rather than human eyes that encourage fear.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Teach us to obediently follow with faith over fear, knowing You are always with us.
Worshipers
You’ve led the way and paved the path. We repent and follow You. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Jeremiah 15:15-21
In a dialogue with God, Jeremiah accuses God of failing to protect him. God rebukes Jeremiah and urges him to repent and remain faithful and true in speech.
Lord, you understand; remember me and care for me. Avenge me on my persecutors. You are long-suffering—do not take me away; think of how I suffer reproach for your sake. 16 When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty. 17 I never sat in the company of revelers, never made merry with them; I sat alone because your hand was on me and you had filled me with indignation. 18 Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? You are to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails. 19 Therefore this is what the Lord says: “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them. 20 I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you,” declares the Lord. 21 “I will save you from the hands of the wicked and deliver you from the grasp of the cruel.”
