Your May 26th, Sermon & Ministry Resources

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Lectionary Readings — Trinity Sunday — May 26, 2024

Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 29; Romans 8:12-17; John 3:1-17

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Call to Worship (based on John 3:1-17)

Leader: In the stillness of the night, Nicodemus sought out Jesus, yearning for understanding and truth.

People: We come to you, Lord, seeking wisdom and guidance, longing to be born anew in your Spirit.

Leader: Jesus declared, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

People: Your love for us is boundless, O God. You sent your Son to be our light and our salvation.

Leader: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

People: We stand in awe of your mercy and grace, Lord. You desire not our condemnation, but our redemption.

Leader: Just as the wind blows wherever it pleases, so it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

People: Breathe new life into us, Holy Spirit. Transform us from within.

Leader: Let us come to the light, that our deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in the sight of God.

All: We worship you, Almighty God, for your love that knows no bounds. May we be born again in your Spirit, and live as children of the light, now and forevermore. Amen.

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Opening Prayer (based on Psalm 29)

Let us pray,

Almighty God, we come before you today with hearts full of reverence and praise, for your voice thunders over the mighty waters, and your power and majesty are displayed in all the earth.

As we gather in this sacred place, we are reminded of your glory and strength. Your voice breaks the cedars, strikes with flashes of lightning, and shakes the wilderness. In the splendor of your holiness, all in your temple cry, "Glory!"

Lord, we acknowledge that you sit enthroned as King forever, ruling over the floodwaters and reigning supreme for all eternity. In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, we find comfort and peace in your unwavering presence and boundless love.

We pray, O God, that you would grant strength to your people, as the psalmist declares. Empower us to face the challenges and trials of life with courage and faith, knowing that our strength comes from you alone. Bless your people with your peace, that transcends all understanding, and guide us in your paths of righteousness.

As we lift our voices in worship and adoration, may we be filled with a deep sense of awe and wonder at your majesty. May our lives be a living testament to your goodness and grace, as we seek to glorify you in all that we say and do.

We ask all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

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

Sermon Outline: "Nighttime Visitor, New Birth, and Heavenly Hope" (John 3:1-17)

Introduction:

• Begin with the story of Nicodemus, a Pharisee, who comes to Jesus by night, intrigued yet cautious. This encounter, rich with spiritual symbolism and truth, reveals the depth of Jesus' teaching about rebirth and the kingdom of God.

I. Nighttime Inquiry

• Scripture: "Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night..." (John 3:1-2, NRSV)

• Point: Nicodemus, a respected Jewish leader, seeks Jesus under the cover of night, symbolizing both his curiosity and his caution. His approach reflects our own tentative steps towards understanding deeper spiritual truths.

• Application: Encourage the congregation to bring their questions and doubts to Jesus, just as Nicodemus did. Emphasize that seeking Jesus requires both humility and courage, regardless of one's status or prior knowledge.

II. Necessary New Birth

• Scripture: "Jesus answered him, 'Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.'" (John 3:3, NRSV)

• Point: Jesus introduces the concept of being "born again" or "born from above," highlighting it as essential for entering the kingdom of God. This spiritual rebirth transcends physical birth and opens a new realm of spiritual reality and relationship with God.

• Application: Discuss the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit in the process of new birth. Challenge the congregation to reflect on their own spiritual rebirth experiences and consider the profound changes this new birth has brought into their lives.

III. Natural vs. Supernatural

• Scripture: "Nicodemus said to him, 'How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?' Jesus answered, 'Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.'" (John 3:4, 5, NRSV)

• Point: Jesus contrasts natural birth with spiritual birth, clarifying that the latter involves both 'water and the Spirit.' This distinction underlines that spiritual birth is a divine act, wrought by God's Spirit, transcending natural processes.

• Application: Invite the congregation to explore the role of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives. How does the Spirit guide, convict, and comfort? Encourage personal and communal practices that nurture a deeper sensitivity to the Spirit's leading.

IV. Heavenly Hope Revealed

• Scripture: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." (John 3:16, NRSV)

• Point: The conversation culminates in one of the most profound declarations of the gospel—God's love manifested through the gift of His Son, ensuring eternal life for all who believe. This verse encapsulates the gospel's core and the hope it offers to humanity.

• Application: Reflect on the universal and inclusive nature of this promise. Encourage the congregation to embrace and share this hope, recognizing the vastness of God's love and the breadth of His offer of salvation. Discuss practical ways the church and individuals can communicate this hope to others both in word and deed.

Conclusion:

• Recap the key points of Jesus' dialogue with Nicodemus, emphasizing the life-changing journey from confusion to clarity, from questioning to understanding, and from doubt to faith. Encourage the congregation to continue seeking Jesus, to cherish their new birth, and to live in the hope of eternal life promised through faith in Christ.

Closing Prayer:

• Pray for the congregation's continual spiritual renewal and for the courage to share the message of new birth and eternal hope with a world in desperate need of God's love.

Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers