Description
Mark 10:23-31
I have a hunch that upon reading this passage, many of us are apt to draw the quick conclusion that Jesus is talking to someone else. We are not rich like this man who was obsessed with his wealth and power. Now, granted, there are some rich people in the community and world, but I am far from their league of wealth. We have to be careful that we do not read more into the text than what is there. Jesus has a bigger and broader audience in mind and it includes you and me. Yes, we know that money and possessions can certainly preoccupy one’s attention and time and therefore hinder a solid relationship with God, yet that is not the main point here. Giving up wealth and possessions is not the answer, although for some, it might help. Jesus wants people – rich, middle-class, or poor — to give their whole lives to the Lord and to know that it all belongs to Him. Eternity awaits all those who surrender all.
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
The Only Name (Yours Will Be)
Benji Cowart, © 2011 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) HowieCowie Publishing (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.)
Better Is One Day
Matt Redman, ©1995 Thankyou Music
Nothing Is Impossible
Jonathan Hunt © 2008 Planet Shakers Ministries Int. Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
How Firm A Foundation
BH 75 383;BH 91 338; CH 408; CHH 618; EH 636,637; ELW 796; HWC 275; HPW 38; HFG 32; HLC 224; HGP 162; HSP 121; LWB 507; LSB 728; LW 411; NCH 407; PH 361; RH 221; STTL 689; WC 612; UMH 529; WAR 411; WHM 342; WIS 1
All Depends on Our Possessing
ELW 589; LBW 447; LSB 732; LW 415
We Walk By Faith And Not By Sight
BH75 357; EH 209; ELW 635; LSB 720; NCH 256; PH 399; TFWS 2196; WOV 675
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Them
Pastor Gracious God, you have given us our lives which are filled with hope so that we can live an abundant life on earth and live with you forever.
ALL Amen!
Opening Prayer
Pastor Almighty God, it is so easy to focus on the temporal things of life and lose sight of what is eternal. Help us to surrender our lives to you so that we focus on those things which have eternal value. Give us wisdom and discernment so that we devote our time and energy in areas that have eternal significance. We know that when we put you first in our lives, you accomplish tremendous work in us. Give us guidance so that we are wise stewards of our time and resources.
ALL In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
All God of love and forgiveness, we worship you and give thanks for all that you have done for us. We confess that our ambitions in life have gotten distorted at times and we have not put you first on the list. We confess that many times we put our worldly priorities over yours and neglect that which has eternal value. We confess that we haven’t surrendered our entire lives to you because we get so influenced by the values and lures of the world. We find ourselves surrounded by selfish desires and temptations on a daily basis and we cave in and commit sins for which we need forgiveness. We are guilty of not always making you the Lord of our lives. Please forgive us for allowing our own aims and desires get in the way.
(silence for personal reflection and confession)
Pastor It is a source of peace knowing that our sins are forgiven and that our Lord does not keep a record of them. In this time of confession we are able to repair the broken relationship that is caused by sin. It brings us joy to know that we are made new and our sins are forgiven!
ALL Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Ecclesiastes 5:10-20
Wise Solomon speaks here in this passage about the foolishness of wealth and possessions and that those who love money will never be fulfilled.
10 Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless. 11 As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them? 12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep. 13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, 14 or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit. 15 Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands. 16 This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind? 17 All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger. 18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. 20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
