Your June 9th, Sermon & Ministry Resources

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Lectionary Readings — Third Sunday after Pentecost — June 9, 2024

1 Samuel 8:4-20; Psalm 138; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1; Mark 3:20-35

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Call to Worship (based on 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1)

Leader: We gather today with a spirit of faith, trusting in the promises of God.

People: We believe and so we speak, knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us into His presence.

Leader: Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.

People: For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure.

Leader: We do not lose heart, for we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen.

People: For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

Leader: We know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

People: With this hope, let us worship God with thankful hearts and steadfast faith.

Leader: Let us praise the God who renews our spirits and promises us eternal life through Jesus Christ.

People: We come with gratitude and joy, ready to worship the One who gives us strength and hope for today and tomorrow. Amen.

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Opening Prayer (based on Psalm 138)

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with hearts full of gratitude, lifting our voices to praise Your holy name. As Psalm 138 reminds us, we give You thanks, O Lord, with our whole heart. We sing Your praise and bow down toward Your holy temple, acknowledging Your steadfast love and faithfulness.

You have exalted Your name and Your word above everything, and on the day we called, You answered us, increasing the strength of our souls. Lord, we are in awe of Your wondrous works and Your perfect wisdom. May all the kings of the earth praise You, as they hear the words of Your mouth.

As we gather in Your presence, we seek Your guidance and blessing. Fill this place with Your Spirit, that we may be united in purpose and filled with Your peace. Grant us the courage to walk in the path You have set before us, trusting in Your promises and relying on Your unfailing love.

May our worship today be a fragrant offering to You. Open our hearts to receive Your word and transform our lives to reflect Your glory. In our moments of need and distress, remind us that You are near, that Your right hand delivers us, and that Your purpose for us will be fulfilled.

We dedicate this time to You, Lord, and pray that everything we do and say be for Your glory and honor. We ask this 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].

Sermon Outline: “Faith, Fortitude, and Future Glory” (2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1)

Introduction:

• Introduce the context of 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1, where Paul speaks about the challenges of ministry, the faith that sustains, and the hope of eternal glory.

• Emphasize the themes of enduring faith, inner renewal, and the assurance of a heavenly dwelling.

I. Proclaiming Faith (2 Corinthians 4:13-15)

Scripture: "But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—'I believed, and so I spoke'—we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God." (2 Corinthians 4:13-15, NRSV)

Point:

• Our faith compels us to speak and proclaim the truth of the Gospel. This faith is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus and the promise of our own resurrection.

• Paul’s ministry was driven by a deep conviction that his suffering and preaching would result in God’s grace reaching more people, bringing glory to God.

Application:

• Encourage the congregation to boldly proclaim their faith, trusting in the power of the resurrection.

• Reflect on how our testimonies and actions can extend God's grace to others, increasing thanksgiving and glorifying God.

II. Persevering Through Trials (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Scripture: "So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NRSV)

Point:

• Despite physical decay and external challenges, our inner self is continually being renewed. Our present sufferings are temporary and are producing an eternal glory that far outweighs them.

• Paul encourages believers to focus on the unseen, eternal realities rather than the temporary, visible difficulties.

Application:

• Encourage the congregation to find strength in God’s daily renewal of their spirits, even when facing hardships.

• Reflect on the eternal perspective, seeing our trials as opportunities to deepen our faith and prepare for future glory.

III. Promised Future (2 Corinthians 5:1)

Scripture: "For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (2 Corinthians 5:1, NRSV)

Point:

• Our earthly bodies are temporary and fragile, like tents. However, God has promised us an eternal, heavenly dwelling, secure and everlasting.

• Paul contrasts our current, perishable bodies with the imperishable, eternal home prepared for us by God.

Application:

• Encourage the congregation to find hope in the assurance of their eternal home with God.

• Reflect on the temporary nature of our earthly existence and the importance of living with the anticipation of our heavenly inheritance.

Conclusion:

• Recap the main points: Proclaiming faith, persevering through trials, and the promised future.

• Emphasize the hope and encouragement these truths provide in our daily walk with Christ.

Closing Prayer:

• Thank God for the faith that sustains us, the renewal of our inner being, and the assurance of our eternal home.

• Ask for the strength to proclaim our faith boldly, to persevere through trials with a heavenly perspective, and to live in the light of our promised future.

Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers