Note: While this Sunday is Father’s Day in the USA, we follow the Lectionary rather than the Holiday calendar. If you need a Father’s Day Sermon we suggest you check out our Holiday Collection or our Father’s Day Sermons.
Lectionary Readings — Fourth Sunday after Pentecost — June 16, 2024
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13; Psalm 20; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10,14-17; Mark 4:26-34
Call to Worship (based on 2 Corinthians 5:6-10,14-17)
Leader: So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—
People: For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Leader: Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
People: So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
Leader: For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.
People: For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died.
Leader: And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.
People: From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way.
Leader: So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
All Together: Praise be to God, who makes us new in Christ. Amen.
Opening Prayer (based on Psalm 20)
Gracious and Almighty God,
We gather before You today with hearts full of gratitude and reverence. We come seeking Your presence, Your guidance, and Your blessings. As we reflect on the themes of Psalm 20, we are reminded of Your unwavering faithfulness and love.
Lord, in our times of trouble, we turn to You, knowing that You are our refuge and strength. When challenges arise, we trust that You hear our cries and respond with compassion and power. Help us to rely on You fully, finding peace in Your protection and comfort in Your care.
Heavenly Father, grant us the support we need from Your holy presence. Lift us up with Your mighty hand and sustain us with Your Spirit. In moments of weakness, be our strength; in times of doubt, be our guide. Fill us with the confidence that comes from knowing You are always with us.
We offer our lives to You, Lord, as living sacrifices. Accept our praise, our worship, and our service. May our actions and our words reflect Your love and grace. Shape our desires so that they align with Your will, and help us to seek first Your kingdom in all that we do.
Grant us the desires of our hearts, Lord, as they align with Your purposes. Fulfill our plans that are according to Your will, and guide us in paths of righteousness. May we find joy and fulfillment in serving You and walking in Your ways.
We rejoice in Your salvation and the victories You bring into our lives. Let our hearts be filled with joy and our voices with praise as we celebrate Your goodness. May our lives be a testament to Your grace and power, drawing others to the hope we have in You.
In a world that often trusts in power and possessions, help us to place our trust solely in You. Remind us that true security and peace come not from earthly things, but from Your eternal love and faithfulness. Strengthen our faith, Lord, so we may stand firm in the face of trials and temptations.
As we lift up this prayer, we ask for Your blessing on our community, our leaders, and our world. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Grant us the wisdom, courage, and strength to live as Your faithful servants.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
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: Living as New Creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17)
Introduction:
Introduce the context of 2 Corinthians, where Paul addresses the church in Corinth, emphasizing the transformative power of Christ's love.
Highlight the themes of confidence in Christ, commitment to pleasing Him, being compelled by His love, and conversion to a new creation.
I. Confidence in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)
Scripture: "So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord."
Point:
Assurance in Faith: Discuss the assurance we have in Christ, knowing that while we live in the body, we walk by faith and not by sight.
Eternal Perspective: Explain the importance of maintaining an eternal perspective, recognizing that our true home is with the Lord.
Living with Purpose: Encourage living with purpose and confidence, trusting in God's plan and presence.
Application:
Encourage the congregation to live with confidence in their faith, knowing that their ultimate home is with the Lord.
Reflect on how living with an eternal perspective can transform daily decisions and actions.
II. Commitment to Please Him (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)
Scripture: "So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil."
Point:
Devotion to God: Highlight the call to live lives that are pleasing to God, whether we are in our earthly bodies or with Him in eternity.
Accountability: Reflect on the reality that we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, underscoring the importance of living righteously.
Holiness in Action: Provide practical ways to live a life that is pleasing to God, focusing on holiness and obedience.
Application:
Encourage the congregation to examine their lives and commit to living in a way that pleases God.
Reflect on practical actions that demonstrate holiness and obedience in daily life.
III. Compelled by Christ's Love (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
Scripture: "For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them."
Point:
Motivation by Love: Discuss how Christ’s sacrificial love compels us to live for Him rather than for ourselves.
Transformation through Sacrifice: Explain the transformative power of understanding and accepting Christ’s sacrifice.
Living for Others: Encourage the congregation to live selflessly, serving others as an expression of Christ’s love.
Application:
Encourage the congregation to let Christ's love motivate their actions and relationships.
Reflect on how living for Christ can transform their approach to serving others and living selflessly.
IV. Conversion to a New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:16-17)
Scripture: "From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!"
Point:
New Perspective: Explain the shift in perspective that comes with being in Christ, no longer viewing people from a worldly standpoint.
Identity in Christ: Emphasize the identity of believers as new creations in Christ, with the old self passed away.
Renewed Purpose: Highlight the renewed purpose and mission that comes with being a new creation, focusing on spreading the message of reconciliation.
Application:
Encourage the congregation to embrace their new identity in Christ and to view others through the lens of Christ's love.
Reflect on how being a new creation impacts their purpose and mission in life.
Conclusion:
Summary: Recap the main points: Confidence in Christ, Commitment to Please Him, Compelled by Christ's Love, Conversion to a New Creation.
Call to Action: Encourage the congregation to embrace their identity as new creations and to live out their faith with confidence, commitment, and love.
Closing Prayer:
Thank God: Thank God for the transformation He brings through Christ, making us new creations.
Ask for Strength: Ask for strength to live with confidence, commitment, and love, reflecting Christ in all we do.
Seek Guidance: Seek God’s guidance to live out our renewed purpose, spreading His message of reconciliation and love.
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