Description
Matthew 5:13-20
Matthew has recorded the greatest sermon in history, the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus starts out with the beatitudes, showing how people in the Kingdom of God will be blessed. Now Jesus begins to tell how people in the Kingdom of God will act. They are salt. They are the light of the world and are to let it shine. Jesus also speaks clearly on the law- it is not abolished but fulfilled. And His people are to follow it.
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
A Thousand Hallelujahs
Brooke Ligertwood | Phil Wickham | Scott Ligertwood, © 2022 City and Vine Music Publishing International (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Phil Wickham Music (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Simply Global Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])
Shine A Light
Chris Brown | Jane Williams | Matthews Ntlele | Steven Furtick, © 2015 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC
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)
[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
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.
Worshipers
Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
Pastor / Worship Leader
The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.
Worshipers
Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?
Pastor / Worship Leader
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Worshipers
Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Amen!
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Heavenly Father, sometimes we may feel as if we are no more than one tiny candle in a world of darkness, a pitiful flicker in a malicious environment. But rather than allowing ill winds to extinguish our flame, we remember the word of Jesus to treat others as we want to be treated and we refuse to be stuffed out. Jesus, help us to shine like a lamp in a room of shadows, inspire us to become a beacon of light in a harsh climate. Help us to shine truth into places of injustice, revealing your will to a troubled world that has forgotten the path that leads to peace. Gracious God, we give thanks for the word of Jesus, the mission of Jesus, the call of Jesus, and the courage of Jesus that kindle our hope and challenge us to shine in your light-starved world. Amen
Worshipers
Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, we confess.
Worshipers
Lord, the great and awesome God, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from you.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We confess the sins we have committed against you.
Worshipers
We confess our iniquity; we are troubled by our sins.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We repent Lord. And we humbly ask of your forgiveness.
Worshipers
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Worshipers
Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 58-3-9a
God, speaking through the Prophet Isaiah lets his people know that he is not fooled by their fasting. He knows where their hearts are. When the Israelites complain that it seems God has not noticed their fasting, he answers with what is an acceptable fast to the Lord. It is more than sackcloth and ashes, more than bowing one’s head. It involves letting their light shine, helping the poor, and giving glory to God! Then God will answer!
‘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.
