Your April 21st, Sermon & Ministry Resources

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Lectionary Readings — Fourth Sunday of Easter — April 21, 2024

Acts 4:5-12; Psalm 23; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18

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Call to Worship (based on Acts 4:1-12)

Leader: Gathered here, we draw inspiration from the boldness of the apostles, who fearlessly proclaimed the risen Lord.

People: Their courage, rooted in the truth of Christ's resurrection, challenges us to speak with the same conviction.

Leader: They stood firm, asserting, "This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.”

People: In His resurrection, we find not just a cornerstone, but the very essence of our hope and salvation.

Leader: “There is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”

People: Empowered by this truth, we worship Jesus Christ, risen and reigning, the basis of our faith and our proclamation.

Leader: Let our voices rise in praise of the One who was raised from the dead, emboldening us to declare the wonders of His love.

People: In the power of His name, we stand together, bold and resolute, to celebrate the life and victory of our risen Lord!

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Opening Prayer (based on 1 John 3:16-24)

Let us pray,

Loving God, we come before You in the spirit of the words from 1 John 3, where we are taught about the depth of Your love, a love so profound that Jesus laid down His life for us. This scripture not only defines love in the ultimate sense but also calls us to embody that love in our actions and truths.

We acknowledge, O Lord, that Your love is not merely in word or speech but in truth and action. As we reflect on the sacrificial love of Christ, help us to grasp the breadth and length, the height and depth of such love, and inspire us to love one another earnestly, following Jesus’ example.

Guide us, Father, to put our faith into action, caring for those in need and being bearers of Your peace and love in every aspect of our lives. Help us to live in the assurance that comes from abiding in You and You in us, through the Spirit You have given us.

We pray for the courage to face the challenges of living out this love in a world that often rejects selfless acts and sacrificial living. Strengthen us to be Your hands and feet, showing love not only in words but through our deeds and truth.

In our worship today, may we be reminded of the confidence we have before You—that if our hearts condemn us, You are greater than our hearts, and You know everything. Help us to rely not on our understanding but on Your vast, unfathomable love that transcends our doubts and fears.

As we continue to walk in the commandments of love and faith, as Jesus taught us, let our hearts be reassured in Your presence, knowing that we belong to the truth, and ensure our hearts in Your sight.

We ask all these things in the name of Jesus, who showed us the greatest love of all, laying down His life for us, that we might live through Him. Amen.

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Sermon Outline: [NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon].

Sermon Outline: Standing Firm in Faith — Acts 4:1-12

Introduction:

Set the scene in Jerusalem following the healing of the lame man, where Peter and John face the Sanhedrin after performing this miraculous sign in the name of Jesus.

I. Courageous Confrontation (Acts 4:1-3)

Point: Peter and John, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly address the religious leaders, despite the threat of persecution.

Application: Reflect on how the Holy Spirit empowers us to face opposition with courage, standing firm in our faith even when confronted by challenges.

II. Christ-Centered Confession (Acts 4:4-11)

Point: In the face of interrogation, Peter proclaims the crucified and risen Jesus as the cornerstone of salvation.

Application: Consider the centrality of Christ in our testimony and the importance of confessing Him as Lord, especially in situations that demand a defense of our faith.

III. Cornerstone Claim (Acts 4:11-12)

Point: Peter asserts that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus, emphasizing His unique role in God’s redemptive plan.

Application: Explore the exclusivity of Christ as the cornerstone of our salvation and the implications of this truth for our witness and ministry.

Conclusion:

Emphasize the transformative impact of Peter and John's courageous witness and the timeless message of Jesus as the cornerstone of salvation. Encourage the congregation to embody this courage and clarity in proclaiming Christ in their own lives.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the inspiring example of Peter and John, who stood boldly before the Sanhedrin, proclaiming Jesus as the cornerstone of our faith. Grant us the same courage and conviction to declare the truth of Christ in our lives. May we rely on the strength of the Holy Spirit to face opposition with grace and to speak Your word with clarity and love. Help us to hold fast to the truth that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. Empower us to be steadfast witnesses to Your redemptive work in the world. In the name of Jesus, our Savior and cornerstone, we pray. Amen.

Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers