Description
Matthew 5:21-37
In this Scripture Matthew records Jesus’ teaching on four actions prohibited in the Torah: murder, adultery, divorce, and oaths. In addressing these issues, Jesus not only addresses certain behaviors and actions, but the heart behind each of them. Thus, He brings to light a difficult truth – sin starts in the heart. I might be innocent of murder – but what about hatred or angry outbursts? Jesus is challenging us to look beyond outward appearances of piety, and to look honestly at our hearts before God without justification or excuse. When we do this, we realize there is no way to serve God in our own strength, our hearts are tainted with sin and at best we bring mixed motives to our relationship with Him. His standards are higher than ours, but so is His love and mercy. That is the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven – it is a Kingdom of love that Jesus Christ builds in our hearts instead of death and corruption.
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! Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Today we gather to hear God’s word and to invite His Spirit to lead us into closer communion with Himself and one another.
Worshipers
Lord, have your way in us this morning.
Time of Praise and Worship
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
Matt Redman & Jonas Myrin, ©2011 Thankyou Music, Said And Done Music, sixsteps Music, SHOUT! Publishing (Admin EMI CMG Publishing)
Only A Holy God
Michael Farren, Dustin Smith, Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson
2016 Farren Love And War Publishing, Integrity’s Alleluia! Music, Integrity’s Praise! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, CityAlight Music (Admin. by CityAlight Music)
Way Maker
Osinachi Okoro, 2016 Integrity Music Europe (Admin by Capitol CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Renew Me O Eternal Light
LBW 511; LSB 704; LW 373
How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
BH 75 464; BH 91 453; CH 123; EH 644; ELW 620; HWC 94; HFG 229; HLC 88; LBW 345; LSB 524; LW 279; WC 102; WHM 12; WIS 111
I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb
LSB 740; LW 517
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Today, Lord, open our hearts to receive your truth. Hold us steadily in the light of your Word so that we might encounter Your awesome Presence and be transformed into your likeness.
Worshipers
Transform our hearts, O God, and make us new creations according to Your work in us.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Jesus, you know our hearts and minds. There is nothing about us that is hidden from you. Keep us from merely being religious. Help us to be changed in our hearts, to follow and serve you from the core of our being.
Worshipers
May our lives be a reflection of our transformed hearts, through the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, we confess that we have, at times, become focused on religious externals instead of our inward relationship with you. We have tried to serve you in our own strength – to no avail. Teach us what it means to love and serve you with our whole hearts.
Worshipers
Jesus, forgive us for all of our unseen, unheard, and unnoticed sins. Draw us near to you and let us be transformed and renewed by your love and presence. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Deuteronomy 30:15-20
It would seem that God has given His people an obvious choice to make – life or death. He even tells them how to carry out this choice in their lives – love, obey, and walk with God and you will live; turn away from God to serve idols, and you will die. God wants them to choose life – He wants to be in right relationship with His people, that has always been His plan for His children. There can be no life or blessing apart from God, and when we try to find it outside of Him, we chose death.
See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the LORD your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the LORD swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
