Your October 29th, Sermon & Ministry Resources

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Lectionary Readings — 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, October 29, 2023

Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Psalm 90:1-6,13-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 22:34-46.

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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 90:1-6,13-17)

Leader: God, our eternal refuge, throughout all generations, you've sheltered us. People: Before the mountains rose, before the world began, you have always been, and forever you will be.

Leader: Our days, like morning grass, may be fleeting and momentary. People: Yet, every sunrise is a reminder of your unchanging love and new mercies.

Leader: Turn to us, O Lord, with compassion in times of distress and uncertainty. People: Fill our days with joy and gladness, reflecting the time we've faced hardships.

Leader: Show us the wonders of your deeds and the hopes of your promise. People: Guide our actions, Lord, and bless our efforts for your glory.

All: May the enduring love of our eternal God be our foundation, today and always, as we gather in worship.

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Opening Prayer (based on Matthew 22:34-46)

Gracious and loving God, whose wisdom and understanding is beyond all human comprehension, we gather before You, drawn together by Your love which surpasses all understanding.

As the Pharisees questioned Jesus, seeking to test His wisdom, we are reminded of Your command to love You with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Help us, O Lord, to genuinely embrace this command, making it the foundation of our lives. Let our actions, our words, and our very thoughts reflect this great love.

We acknowledge that our understanding is limited, and often we are challenged by the teachings of Your Word. As Jesus stumped those who thought they knew everything, let us always approach Your Word with humility, seeking to learn and grow, rather than to justify our preconceptions.

In a world divided by countless differences, help us to be ambassadors of Your love, reminding all that before You, we are all equal. As we navigate the complexities of our daily lives, let the two greatest commands be our guiding light.

And Lord, as we lift up our joys and concerns, may our prayers always find their foundation in love. Whether we are praying for guidance, healing, comfort, or gratitude, let our love for You and for one another be the thread that ties our hearts together.

In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of our faith, we pray. Amen.

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

Purpose: To guide listeners through Moses' transformative journey, emphasizing how God's power and faithfulness turned an ordinary man into an extraordinary leader. Drawing inspiration from Moses' life, the sermon seeks to motivate believers to recognize and embrace God's purpose in their own lives, emphasizing that, like Moses, they too can be instruments of God's mighty works, even amid challenges and detours. This narrative serves as a testament to the continuity of God's plan, illustrating how the conclusion of one's mission can sow the seeds for another's beginning..

Title: Mighty Moses: God's Instrument, Our Inspiration (Deuteronomy 34:1-12)

Introduction:

• The profound moment: Moses atop Mount Nebo, looking into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 34:1-4).

• An end to a grand journey: Moses, the liberator, lawgiver, and leader.

• The enduring legacy of Moses: a testament to how God can work through us when we yield to Him.

I. A Life Worth Remembering

• Moses' Final Moments (Deuteronomy 34:5-7)

  • The significance of Moses' death and the divine plan.

  • The transition: Just as Moses was used by God, now it's Joshua's turn, and ours.

II. From the Palace to the Desert

• Royal Beginnings and Unexpected Turns

  • A Hebrew child in Pharaoh's palace: A design of divine intervention.

  • Fleeing to Midian: An unexpected detour that God would use for preparation.

  • Application: Our beginnings and detours are all part of God's plan to shape us for His purpose.

• The Burning Bush: A Defining Moment (Exodus 3:1-10)

  • A holy encounter that transformed Moses' life.

  • God's specific calling for Moses: liberate His people.

  • Application: God's call might come in unexpected moments; are we tuned in?

III. Leading with God's Power

• Miraculous Signs and the Exodus

  • Demonstrating God's might through plagues and wonders (Exodus 7-12).

  • The triumphant crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14).

  • Application: As God worked through Moses, He seeks to showcase His power through us in our situations.

• Receiving the Commandments and Guiding a Nation

  • A mountaintop experience: Moses receives God's laws (Exodus 20).

  • The challenge and joy of leading a newly-freed people.

  • Application: God has given us His Word and principles, equipping us to guide and influence those in our spheres.

IV. Triumphs, Trials, and Trust

• Waters, Manna, and God's Sustenance

  • Miracles in the wilderness: quenching thirst and hunger.

  • Navigating challenges with God's daily provision.

  • Application: In our deserts, God remains our unwavering provider.

• Standing in the Gap: Intercessor for the People

  • Moses' heartbreak and hope during the Golden Calf incident (Exodus 32).

  • Application: We too can be intercessors, advocating and praying for those God places on our heart.

Conclusion:

• The cycle of life: Moses' end becomes Joshua's beginning.

• Reflecting on Moses: A life wholly dedicated to God's purpose, filled with accomplishments.

• Our challenge: To walk in Moses' footsteps, ever-aware of how God wants to work through us, turning our stories into testimonies.

Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers