Lectionary Readings — Eighth Sunday after Pentecost — July 14, 2024
2 Samuel 6:1-5; Psalm 24; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29
Call to Worship (based on Ephesians 1:3-14)
Leader: Come, let us gather in the presence of our gracious God, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
People: We come to praise God, who chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in love.
Leader: Let us lift our hearts in gratitude, for God has destined us for adoption as His children through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of His will.
People: We give thanks for the redemption and forgiveness we have received through the blood of Christ, according to the riches of His grace.
Leader: God has revealed to us the mystery of His will, a plan to unite all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
People: We rejoice in the assurance given by the Holy Spirit, who seals us and guarantees our inheritance until the day of redemption.
Leader: Together, let us worship our God, who has blessed us so abundantly in Christ, to the praise of His glorious grace.
All: With hearts full of thanksgiving and joy, we worship and adore You, O God, for Your boundless love and grace. Amen.
Opening Prayer (based on Psalm 24)
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, as we gather here today, we come before You with hearts full of reverence and awe. We echo the words of the psalmist in Psalm 24, acknowledging that "The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for He has founded it on the seas and established it on the rivers."
Lord, we recognize Your sovereignty over all creation. Everything we see, touch, and experience belongs to You. We are humbled by the knowledge that we, too, are Yours, created by Your hands and sustained by Your grace.
As we enter into this time of worship, we seek to approach You with clean hands and pure hearts. We confess our sins and ask for Your forgiveness, trusting in Your mercy and grace. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and renew within us a steadfast spirit.
Father, we ask that You open the gates of our hearts to receive the King of glory. May Your presence fill this place, and may Your Holy Spirit move among us, drawing us closer to You. We lift up our souls to You, O Lord, and seek Your face with all our hearts.
As we worship today, remind us that You are the Almighty God, strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Help us to trust in Your power and goodness, knowing that You are in control of all things.
We pray for Your blessing upon our time together. May our songs of praise, our prayers, and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing to You. Speak to us through Your Word, and transform us by Your Spirit, that we may leave this place changed and ready to serve You in the world.
We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Sermon Outline: [NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon].
[Note: All Scripture is taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.]
Sermon Outline: The Riches of Redemption in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14)
Introduction
Share a personal story or a contemporary illustration about experiencing unexpected blessings.
Briefly introduce the passage from Ephesians 1:3-14, highlighting Paul's opening praise for the spiritual blessings in Christ.
I. BLESSED WITH SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS
Focusing on Favor: Discuss how we are blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing.
Scripture Reference: Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places."
Explanation:
Emphasize that Paul begins with a doxology, praising God for the spiritual blessings bestowed upon believers.
Spiritual blessings refer to the blessings that pertain to our spiritual life and well-being.
Application: Encourage the congregation to recognize and appreciate the spiritual blessings in their lives.
II. CHOSEN IN CHRIST
Selected for Sanctity: Explain the concept of being chosen by God to be holy and blameless.
Scripture Reference: Ephesians 1:4-6 "just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved."
Explanation:
Discuss the concept of being chosen by God before the foundation of the world.
Explain the purpose of our choosing: to be holy and blameless in love.
Highlight the adoption as God's children through Jesus Christ, underscoring the love and grace involved.
Application: Encourage the congregation to live out their identity as chosen and beloved children of God.
III. REDEEMED BY HIS BLOOD
Purchased for Pardon: Discuss the redemption and forgiveness we receive through Jesus' sacrifice.
Scripture Reference: Ephesians 1:7-8 "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us."
Explanation:
Redemption means being bought back or delivered from bondage; in this context, it refers to our deliverance from sin through Jesus' sacrificial death.
Emphasize the forgiveness of sins as a central aspect of redemption, highlighting the abundance of God's grace.
Application: Challenge the congregation to embrace and live in the freedom and forgiveness provided through Christ's sacrifice.
IV. REVEALED MYSTERY OF HIS WILL
Disclosed Design: Explore the revelation of God's mysterious plan to unite all things in Christ.
Scripture Reference: Ephesians 1:9-10 "he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."
Explanation:
Discuss the concept of mystery in biblical terms, something that was hidden but is now revealed.
Explain that God's will is to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Application: Encourage the congregation to participate in God's unifying work by fostering peace and reconciliation in their communities.
V. GUARANTEED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
Sealed with Security: Highlight the role of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance.
Scripture Reference: Ephesians 1:13-14 "In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory."
Explanation:
Explain the role of the Holy Spirit as a seal and guarantee of our inheritance.
The Holy Spirit assures believers of their salvation and future redemption.
Application: Motivate the congregation to rely on the Holy Spirit's guidance and assurance in their daily walk with God.
Conclusion
Summarize the key points: Blessed with every spiritual blessing, chosen in Christ, redeemed by His blood, the revealed mystery of His will, and guaranteed by the Holy Spirit.
Encourage the congregation to reflect on these spiritual blessings and live in the light of these truths.
Close with a prayer, thanking God for His rich blessings and asking for His help to live out these truths daily.
Closing Prayer
"Gracious Heavenly Father, we thank You for the abundant spiritual blessings You have lavished upon us in Christ. Help us to live as Your chosen and redeemed children, walking in the freedom and forgiveness You have provided. Guide us by Your Holy Spirit to understand and fulfill Your will in our lives, uniting all things under Christ. May we continually rely on Your Spirit as our guarantee of the glorious inheritance to come. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."
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