Your January 7th, Sermon & Ministry Resources

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Lectionary Readings — Epiphany Sunday, January 7, 2024

Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11

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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 29)

Leader: "Come, let us gather and celebrate the Lord's incredible power and glorious strength."

People: "With hearts full of awe, we worship You, O Lord, marveling at Your majestic splendor."

Leader: "Listen to the voice of the Lord above the mighty waters, thundering with grandeur and authority."

People: "Your voice, O God, is powerful and filled with majesty, resounding through the earth and skies."

Leader: "The Lord's command shatters the great cedars, causing mountains to leap like young animals."

People: "In Your presence, O Lord, the wilderness quakes and the forests stand in awe of Your might."

Leader: "The voice of the Lord is a spectacle of power, making the oak trees whirl and stripping forests bare."

People: "Together, in Your temple, we all proclaim, 'Glory to the Lord on high!'"

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Opening Prayer (based on Genesis 1:1-5)

Almighty and Everlasting God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, as we stand at the threshold of this new year, we are reminded of the profound truth of Genesis 1: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." In Your infinite wisdom, You spoke light into darkness, bringing forth order from chaos, and igniting the first dawn of creation.

Lord, as we embark on this fresh journey of a new year, we are inspired by the newness of Your creation. Just as You separated light from darkness and brought forth a new day, we ask for Your guiding hand to lead us out of the shadows of the past and into the light of new beginnings. May this year be a testament to Your continual act of creation, renewing our spirits and refreshing our purpose.

We pray for Your wisdom to guide our decisions, Your love to fill our hearts, and Your peace to calm our minds. Grant us the courage to face the challenges ahead and the strength to embrace the opportunities that arise. As You brought order to the formless void, bring order to our lives, aligning our paths with Your will.

In this season of new beginnings, we ask for Your blessings upon our community, our loved ones, and all those seeking a fresh start. May the light of Your love shine brightly in our lives, guiding us in paths of righteousness and peace.

Lord, in this new year, let us mirror Your creative work by building, renewing, and nurturing the world around us. Help us to be creators of hope, architects of peace, and agents of love in a world that so deeply yearns for Your touch.

With hearts full of gratitude and hope, we offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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

Purpose: To illuminate the theme of new beginnings in Christ, guiding the congregation through a journey of spiritual renewal and transformation. By examining the baptism of Jesus and John the Baptist's preparatory role, the sermon aims to highlight the transition from the old to the new — a shift from repentance to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This narrative serves as a metaphor for the Christian experience, underscoring the idea that, in Christ, believers are offered a fresh start, a purification from past sins, and a new identity as children of God.

Title: New Beginnings (Mark 1:4-11)

Introduction:

• Contextual Setting: Begin with a brief description of John the Baptist at the Jordan River, setting the scene for Jesus' baptism and introducing the historical and spiritual backdrop of the passage.

• Introducing the Theme: Announce the sermon's theme of new beginnings in Christ, linking it to the symbolism of baptism and the relevance of this message in the lives of the congregation.

• Engaging the Congregation: Quickly engage the congregation with a rhetorical question or a short reflection on the theme of new beginnings, encouraging them to consider their own experiences of renewal and change.

1. Preparation for New Beginnings (Mark 1:4-6)

• Highlight John the Baptist's role in preparing the way for Jesus, symbolizing the preparation necessary for new spiritual beginnings.

• Discuss how John's message of repentance sets the stage for transformation and renewal in Christ.

2. Proclamation of a New Era (Mark 1:7-8)

• Focus on John’s announcement of one more powerful than him, signaling the arrival of a new era in Jesus Christ.

• Emphasize the transition from John's baptism of repentance to the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire that Jesus brings.

3. Purification through Baptism (Mark 1:9-10)

• Describe Jesus' baptism as a model for our own, symbolizing purification from sin and the start of a new life.

• Reflect on the significance of Jesus choosing to be baptized, demonstrating humility and identifying with humanity's need for new beginnings.

4. Promise of Divine Sonship (Mark 1:11)

• Focus on the heavenly affirmation of Jesus as God’s beloved Son, marking the divine approval and support for His mission.

• Draw parallels between Jesus' divine sonship and our own status as children of God, emphasizing the new identity and relationship we gain with God through Christ.

Conclusion:

• Recapitulate the journey of new beginnings offered in Christ, from preparation and proclamation to purification and promise.

• Encourage the congregation to embrace the new life in Christ, leaving behind the old and stepping into a fresh start with God's guidance and blessing.

Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers