Your July 21st, Sermon & Ministry Resources

Unity and Peace in Christ

Lectionary Readings — Ninth Sunday after Pentecost — July 21, 2024

2 Samuel 7:1-14a; Psalm 89:20-37; Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34,53-56

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Call to Worship (based on Ephesians 2:11-22)

Leader: Brothers and sisters, we gather today to celebrate the unity and peace we have in Christ. Once we were far off, strangers to the promises of God.

People: But now, in Christ Jesus, we who once were far off have been brought near by His blood.

Leader: He is our peace, breaking down the walls of hostility and creating in Himself one new humanity.

People: We are no longer strangers and aliens, but citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.

Leader: Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.

People: In Him, the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Leader: In Christ, we are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

All: Let us worship our God, who has reconciled us through Christ, making us one and dwelling among us in peace and unity. Amen.

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Opening Prayer (based on Mark 6:30-34;53-56)

Let us pray.

Gracious and Loving God, we come before You this morning with hearts open to Your presence and minds eager to hear Your word. As we gather, we reflect on the compassion and care that Jesus showed in the scriptures we’ve read today.

Lord, we remember how Jesus, seeing the crowds, had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. We are reminded of Your endless compassion for us, Your children. In moments of weariness, confusion, and need, You see us, You understand us, and You reach out to us with love and care.

Heavenly Father, just as Jesus invited His disciples to come away and rest, we ask that You provide us with rest and renewal. In the busyness and demands of our lives, help us find moments of peace in Your presence. Let Your Word refresh our spirits and guide us as we seek to follow You more closely.

We also recall how Jesus continued His ministry of healing and teaching wherever He went. Lord, we bring before You those in our community and beyond who are in need of Your healing touch. For those who are sick, grant them health and recovery. For those who are grieving, bring comfort and peace. For those who feel lost or hopeless, may they find direction and hope in You.

Lord, as we worship today, fill us with the same compassion that moved Jesus to act. Open our eyes to see the needs around us and empower us to respond with love and kindness. May we be Your hands and feet in the world, sharing Your healing and hope with those we encounter.

Bless our time together, Lord. May our worship be pleasing to You, and may Your Spirit move among us, transforming our hearts and lives. We ask all of this in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Shepherd and Savior. Amen.

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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: Unity and Peace in Christ

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22 (NRSV)

Introduction

• Share a personal or contemporary story about reconciliation and unity.

• Briefly introduce the passage from Ephesians 2:11-22, setting the context of Paul addressing the unity between Jews and Gentiles through Christ.

I. REMEMBER YOUR PAST

• Separated and Strangers: Discuss the former state of Gentiles before knowing Christ.

• Scripture Reference: Ephesians 2:11-12 "So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called 'the uncircumcision' by those who are called 'the circumcision'—a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands—remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world."

• Explanation:

  • Emphasize the separation of Gentiles from the promises and covenants of Israel.

  • Discuss the feelings of alienation and hopelessness that accompanied this separation.

• Application: Encourage the congregation to reflect on their own lives before coming to Christ and the transformation that has occurred since.

II. RECONCILED THROUGH CHRIST

• Peace and Proximity: Explain how Christ has brought peace and reconciled both Jews and Gentiles.

• Scripture Reference: Ephesians 2:13-14 "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us."

• Explanation:

  • Highlight how the blood of Christ has brought those who were far off near to God.

  • Explain how Christ's sacrifice has broken down the dividing wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles.

• Application: Challenge the congregation to consider how Christ’s peace can break down modern-day walls of hostility and division in their own lives and communities.

III. RENEWED AS ONE NEW HUMANITY

• Unity and Union: Discuss how Christ has created one new humanity out of the two groups.

• Scripture Reference: Ephesians 2:15-16 "He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it."

• Explanation:

  • Explain the concept of creating one new humanity, transcending previous divisions.

  • Discuss how the abolition of the law’s divisive ordinances contributed to this unity.

• Application: Encourage the congregation to embrace their identity as part of the new humanity in Christ, promoting unity and peace in all relationships.

IV. RECONSTRUCTED AS GOD’S HOUSEHOLD

• Foundation and Family: Highlight the metaphor of believers being built into a holy temple.

• Scripture Reference: Ephesians 2:19-22 "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God."

• Explanation:

  • Discuss the transition from strangers and aliens to citizens and members of God’s household.

  • Explain the significance of being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone.

  • Describe how believers are being joined together to form a holy temple and dwelling place for God.

• Application: Motivate the congregation to see themselves as integral parts of God’s spiritual house, contributing to the unity and growth of the church.

Conclusion

• Summarize the main points: Remembering our past separation, being reconciled through Christ, renewed as one new humanity, and reconstructed as God’s household.

• Encourage the congregation to live out these truths in their daily lives, promoting peace, unity, and reconciliation in all their interactions.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the incredible truths we have explored today. Thank You for reminding us of our past and for the reconciliation and renewal we have in Christ. Help us to live as one unified body, reflecting Your love and peace in all we do. May we continually build up Your household, guided by Your Spirit, to be a dwelling place for Your glory. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers