Your February 25th, Sermon & Ministry Resources

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Lectionary Readings — Second Sunday in Lent — February 25, 2024

Genesis 17:1-7,15-16; Psalm 22:23-31; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38

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Call to Worship (based on Mark 8:31-38)

Leader: Jesus shared with His disciples the path He must walk: one of suffering, rejection, and resurrection.

People: We are called to follow, not shying away from the challenges, but embracing His way of sacrifice.

Leader: When we are tempted to choose ease over faithfulness, may we hear Christ’s call to set our minds on divine, not human concerns.

People: We seek to follow Jesus, denying our own desires, carrying our burdens with grace, and walking in His footsteps.

Leader: For in losing ourselves for His sake, we discover true life, life abundant and eternal.

People: What do we gain from the world’s riches if we lose the essence of our being, the soul fashioned by God?

Leader: Let us not be counted among those who shrink back, but among those who stand firm in faith, looking forward to His return in glory.

All: Gathered in His name, we deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and worship the One who calls us to the life that truly is life.

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Opening Prayer (based on Psalm 22:23-31)

Heavenly Father, Lord of all creation, we come before You on this second Sunday in Lent, our hearts joined in worship and adoration. In the spirit of the Psalmist, we proclaim Your name to our brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation, we praise You.

Lord, You have not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; You have not hidden Your face from us, but when we cried to You for help, You heard. Your faithfulness extends to every corner of the earth, calling all who fear You to worship and stand in awe.

From the greatest to the least, from the ends of the earth to the heart of our community, Your righteousness is proclaimed to a people yet unborn, declaring that You have done it. You, O Lord, who bring kings to their knees and feed the hungry, who remember the poor and the suffering, who give us a reason to sing even in our darkest hour, guide us to live in a way that Your justice and love are known by all.

As we journey through this season of reflection and repentance, remind us of Your enduring mercy and steadfast love. Help us to trust in Your promises, to proclaim Your deliverance and salvation, not keeping it to ourselves but sharing it with the world You came to save.

We pray for those among us who feel forsaken, who cry out in distress. May they feel Your presence near, may they see Your light in their darkness. Use us, Lord, to be bearers of Your comfort and peace, to share the hope that comes from knowing You.

Strengthen us in this worship service to glorify You with all our hearts, souls, and minds. May our praises echo the faithfulness of those who have gone before us, and may our lives reflect Your glory to a future generation.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

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

Purpose: To illuminate the profound journey of discipleship as depicted in Mark 8:31-38, guiding the congregation through a deep reflection on the true cost and ultimate reward of following Jesus. It aims to challenge believers to consider the significance of self-denial, the eternal value of their souls, and the importance of living unashamedly for Christ in a world that often opposes His teachings.

Title: Embracing the Path of Discipleship - Mark 8:31-38

Introduction:

• Lent is a season for reflection, sacrifice, and drawing closer to the heart of God as we prepare for Easter.

• Focus on Mark 8:31-38 to explore the profound implications of following Jesus.

I. The Path Foretold (Mark 8:31)

• Point: Jesus openly shares the destiny awaiting Him—suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection.

• Scripture: Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

• Application: Reflect on the magnitude of Jesus' sacrifice for us, acknowledging that discipleship is rooted in understanding and appreciating this foundational truth.

II. The Call to Self-Denial (Mark 8:34-35)

• Point: Jesus invites anyone who wishes to follow Him to deny themselves, take up their cross, and embrace the journey of discipleship.

• Scripture: He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it."

• Application: Challenge believers to consider what self-denial means in their lives. How does this principle affect daily decisions, priorities, and pursuits?

III. The Value of the Soul (Mark 8:36-37)

• Point: Jesus questions the worth of gaining the world at the expense of one's soul, urging a reevaluation of our values and pursuits.

• Scripture: "For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?"

• Application: Encourage contemplation on the eternal perspective Jesus offers. Discuss the true value of the soul compared to worldly success and material gain.

IV. The Promise of Glory (Mark 8:38)

• Point: Jesus highlights the eternal significance of allegiance to Him, contrasting worldly shame with the glory of God’s kingdom.

• Scripture: "Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

• Application: Motivate the congregation to live unashamedly for Christ, bearing witness to His truth and grace, even in the face of societal pressures or personal costs.

Conclusion:

• Sum up the call to discipleship as a journey of deep commitment, marked by self-denial, a reoriented value system, and the courage to stand for Christ.

• Offer an opportunity for personal commitment or recommitment to walking this path with Jesus, especially during the reflective season of Lent.

• Close in prayer, seeking God’s strength and guidance to live out these truths in our lives, embodying the love and sacrifice of Jesus.

Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers