Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: punish, blame, condemn, hold to

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1. Justification Leads to Reconciliation with God

Romans 5:1-11

Bulletin Aid

Carl Hoefler

Call to Worship Pastor: God gives us faith that we may be justified through his Son. People: That means forgiveness of sin is possible through Christ Jesus, our Lord. Pastor: Amen! And not only are we forgiven, but we are also at peace with God, restored in our fellowship with him. People: Praise God for our reconciliation that transforms even our troubles into reasons to rejoice! Collect Loving God, our heavenly Father, who has given your Son to redeem us, and who also gives us faith to believe in him: ...

2. Justification By Faith

Romans 4:1-25

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call To Worship Leader: Come, let us enter the house of the Lord to sing and give praise! People: But we are not worthy under the Law to enter the house of God. Leader: We are righteous not under the Law but in Jesus who died for our sins. People: Are we then welcome before the Lord God of Hosts? Leader: Through faith in Christ, all who believe are welcome in God's house. All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, just as You honored the faith of Abraham and Sarah and made of them a new nation, ...

3. Justification by Faith

Romans 5:1-11

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call To Worship Leader: Come, all who have faith in the risen Christ, and let us worship. People: For life places before us many trials and tribulations. Leader: Yet for those who love the Lord even life's stresses lead to gain. People: As we witness for Christ each victory belongs to the Lord. Leader: Then let us come together as one as we sing and give praise to God! All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, the Almighty One, You have granted Your Grace and Mercy to all who would be true to ...

4. Proper 4

Romans 3:21-31

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... theology: (1) all have sinned; (2) God alone is righteous; (3) God manifested that righteousness in Christ Jesus rather than the Law; (4) God justifies believers by grace (a gift) through (5) the redemption/expiation effected. The "bottom line" is that self-justification doesn't work and true justification requires God's agency. Call to Worship (based on Psalm 33) Leader: Let our souls wait upon God! People: GOD IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD! Leader: Let our hearts be glad in God! People: LET US TRUST IN GOD'S ...

5. The Season Of The Holy Spirit

Mark 8:27-30

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... . Response Any of the "Lord, Have Mercy" responses. Sing it four or five times, until the people integrate it at the feeling and commitment level. Introduction to the Act of Pardon We have asked for God's mercy for our justifications. Repentance means to rethink and to reorient our lives in the power of the risen Christ. So, in this coming week, and from now on, are we willing to take responsibility for our thoughts, words, feelings, and actions? Write down how you will do that. And does this also ...

6. Epiphany 3

1 Corinthians 1:10-17, Isaiah 9:1-7, Psalm 27:1-14, Matthew 4:12-17

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... , in which all of us are involved daily. Continue the confession with these words: Pastor: If we say that we never justify our behavior or actions we deceive ourselves and are not telling the truth. Ministers: If we confess our self-justifications, God is faithful and will forgive us our self-justifications and cleanse us from all of our self-centeredness. If we say we have not justified ourselves on many occasions, we make God a liar, and God's word is not in us. (my translation) (Follow with a few moments ...

7. Lent 3

Romans 5:1-11

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... in the first few verses of this passage, Paul returns in vv. 6ff. to talk about justification itself in terms of the image of reconciliation, which presupposes that the state of sin is one of estrangement. Paul makes it clear in v. 10 that it is we who are reconciled to God by virtue of the Christ, rather than vice versa (as certain later theories of atonement ...

8. Lent 2

Genesis 17:1-27, Romans 4:1-25, Mark 8:31--9:1

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Paul A. Laughlin

... us both trust and trustworthiness. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen Second Lesson: Romans 4:16-25 Theme: Abraham, the father of faith Exegetical note: This passage culminates a chapter that presents Abraham as a model for justification by grace through faith (as opposed to justification by merit through works). Abraham is, accordingly, "father of us all" and "father of many nations" in that his faith was "reckoned to him as righteousness." The theological "trick" here, of course, is to present faith in ...

9. Lent 5

John 12:20-36

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... , we are engaged in the stewardship of choice, between what I want, and what God wants for me. Response Invite your musicians to create a song about growing seeds. Charge to the Congregation We, Lenten observers, have one of two choices: By our own justifications, we can keep regurgitating those attitudes we need to keep buried; or, in the Spirit of the Christ, we can allow God to provide new crops. Which do you prefer? Which will you act upon? Meditation The church, at best, is God's greenhouse. MUSICAL ...

10. The Season Of The Holy Spirit

Mark 10:46-52

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... and Ministers) Despite our society which makes victims out of persecutors (that is, "It wasn't my fault; I couldn't help it; the Devil made me do it" -- all a bunch of lies), we know when we're setting ourselves up to disobey God, with our favorite justification, excuse. When we are tempted, we have a choice: we can do what we want, which the Bible calls "sin," or we can seek the energizing, forgiving power of Christ's Spirit, which causes us to see and to respond to the truth. What choice will you make ...

11. Proper 25

Luke 18:9-14

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

... is an object-lesson in God's grace. Apparently, trying to achieve divine acceptance with one's own righteousness is a fruitless exercise in self-confidence and pride, while acknowledging one's own unworthiness in humility and relying on God's mercy yields justification and even exaltation. Liturgical Color Green Suggested Hymns Lord, Teach Us How To Pray Aright Oh, That The Lord Would Guide My Ways Oh, Praise The Lord, My Soul Proper 25 -- Pentecost 23 -- OT 30 Lord God, Creator of the universe, we praise ...

12. Lent 2

Luke 13:31-35

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Jack Brownlee

... A Foundation" Prayer Of Confession Unto thee, O Lord do I lift up my soul. I put my trust in thee, O God. Show thy paths, teach thy ways, lead in thy truth; remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies. Do not remember my sin. Take from me my self justification. Center me in thy will. Open me to thy spirit. Amen. Assurance Of Pardon The path of the Lord is mercy and truth to those who keep the covenant. Pardon shall be granted from thy iniquity. Deliverance shall keep thy soul, shame shall be kept from thy house ...

13. Advent 3

James 5:7-12

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... HUNGRY! Collect Magnificent God, you have set before us the hope that one will come to establish your holy Rule over a troubled world. Remind us that he brings more than just "sweetness and light": that, made aware that the Christ event means not only justification for the righteous but judgment for the unjust, we may consciously side as he did with the poor and the meek. Amen Prayer of Confession Merciful God, we confess that we continually lose sight of your bias toward the poor, the oppressed, the needy ...

14. Lent 2

Romans 4:1-25

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Theme: Sharing the faith of Abraham Exegetical note Paul here substantiates his key notion of justification by faith (i.e., trust in God's grace) by appealing to Abraham as one who was justified, not by virtue of his works of obedience to the law, but because God graciously "reckoned" righteousness to him. That Paul regards Abraham as a model is obvious in v. 16, in ...

15. Proper 12

Romans 8:1-17

Bulletin Aid

... in the high court of your holy justice. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession Most gracious God, we confess that we consistently try to justify ourselves with explanations, excuses, rationalizations, and other empty words of self-justification, when in fact we know that we are guilty of sin and deserving of your divine retribution. Forgive us, we pray, and teach us to rely upon the advocacy of your own Holy Spirit, whose gracious intercession alone can bring us unmerited righteousness ...

16. Proper 4

1 Samuel 16:1-13, 2 Corinthians 4:1-18, Mark 2:23-3:6

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Paul A. Laughlin

... its terms, but by suffering at its hands. In him we pray. Amen Gospel: Mark 2:23--3:6 Theme: Restrictive religion versus redemptive righteousness Exegetical Note In the two incidents recorded here, both related to Sabbath-keeping, Jesus’ justifications for the alleged violations on his and his disciples’ part are varied: Davidic precedence, creational order, personal (Christological) authority, and even latitude within the law itself for extraordinary cases of human need. Throughout, the message is that ...

17. Proper 6

Galatians 2:11-21, 1 Kings 21:1-29, Psalm 5:1-12, Luke 7:36-50

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 5:1-8 First Lesson—Divine judgment is promised by the prophet Elijah against the greedy and unjust rulers who prey on the weak. 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) Second Lesson—Paul confesses that his justification is through Christ and not the law that was his heritage as a Jew. Galatians 2:15-21 Gospel—In the house of a Pharisee Jesus receives the attention of a sinner and uses the occasion to tell a parable and issue a pardon. Luke 7:36--8:3 CALL ...

18. Proper 4

Genesis 6:11-22, Psalm 46:1-11, Matthew 7:21-29, Romans 1:16-17, 3:22b-28 (29-31)

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... in the person of Christ Jesus. People: For God designed him to be the means of expiating sin by his sacrificial death, effective through faith. Pastor: Friends, believe the Good News! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Do not brag about keeping the commandments. Justification by faith excludes such pride. PRAYER OF THE DAY Lord Jesus Christ, let us not call you Lord in vain but both hear and act on the words you speak so that our lives may be firmly founded on the rock of God's will and ...

19. A Responsive Prayer for Christmas Day

John 1:1-14 · Isaiah 52:7-10 · Psalm 98 · Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12)

Bulletin Aid

Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

... . We praise and glorify you, O Christ, and celebrate your incarnation. God of Christmas: C: Hear our prayer. P: We are gratified and astounded by your oceanic mercy, Jesus our redeemer. Forgive us when we fall into the trap of self-righteousness and self-justification; grant us your Holy Spirit that we may live under and be justified by your all-sufficient grace. Help us also to be more gracious in our attitude toward one another. God of Christmas: C: Hear our prayer. P: As we celebrate your birth ...

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