Call to Worship Adapted from Joanna Harader
Though we may be inclined to brag,
let us come together with humility.
How good a thing it is when all of God’s people live together in unity.
Though we may be tempted to use harsh words,
let us come together with gentleness.
How good a thing it is when all of God’s people live together in unity.
Though we may want everything to happen quickly,
let us come together with patience.
How good a thing it is when all of God’s people live together in unity.
Though the world around often encourages hate,
let us come together in love.
How good a thing it is when all of God’s people live together in unity.
In humility, gentleness, patience, love, and unity,
Let us worship the God who has called us together.
Scripture Reading – Ephesians 4:1-6
Song – Is He Worthy? – Andrew Peterson
Scripture Reading – Ephesians 4:29-32
Confession of Faith – The Apostles Creed (Circa 5th Century)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Scripture Reading – Psalm 133 (NIV)
Video Sermon
Song – Even Unto Death – Audrey Assad
Prayer of the People Adapted from Joan Stott
Holy Spirit, help your fractured church to be of one heart and soul, that our proclamation will resonate with great power, and great grace may be upon us all.
Set our minds on heavenly things. Fill us with your joy.
Lord Jesus Christ, you prayed to Our Father that we would be one church. Help us receive you like Aaron, rejoicing with precious oil upon his head. Help us receive you like morning dew upon the mountains, valleys and prairies. Help us rely upon your precious promise of life forevermore.
Set our minds on heavenly things. Fill us with your joy.
Word of Life, eternal life, make our joy complete with the God of light, in whom there is no darkness at all.
Set our minds on heavenly things. Fill us with your joy.
Heavenly Father, forgiver of our every sin, help us look to Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, as our advocate and redeemer, not only for ourselves, but for your whole world.
Set our minds on heavenly things. Fill us with your joy.
Lord Jesus Christ, when we behave like Thomas, letting ourselves be filled with doubt, give us strength to constantly return to your church, with our doubt, until we confess “My Lord and My God” on the day of your visitation.
Set our minds on heavenly things. Fill us with your joy.
We bring before you people we know with special needs…burdens too heavy to bear alone, disease that will not be healed on this earth, and afflictions that can be healed by your precious touch.
Set our minds on heavenly things. Fill us with your joy.
Help us listen closely to your Word,
even as you listen closely to our prayers. Amen.
Song –Fairest Lord Jesus – Paul Baloche
Benediction
May we be a people of unity, consistently seated at the feet of the only one who deserves the throne, Jesus. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What triggers anger, pride, bitterness, or impatience in you?
When are you most merciful, patient, forbearing, and humble?
Is there ever a time when unity cannot or should not be maintained? How do justice and unity co-exist? Can they?
Are there scripture passages that you use as a mantra to remind you or encourage you to live faithfully? What are they?
As we spend time in the psalms over the next 5 weeks, do you have a favorite psalm? Which one(s)?
From the first day that I became a Christian in 1991 I had a hard time believing that God delighted in me. I still struggle with this concept because I know my own heart and thoughts. This is why I hold so tightly onto the message of God’s grace. I hold onto it like my life (afterlife) depends on it.
I understand that one way of explaining being in Hell is to be separated from God. So, when my ego elevates me I get a taste of what it’s like to be in Hell. A Hell that I brought onto myself.
David,
To answer your last question, my favorite Psalm is Psalm 100. Part of the reason that I like it is because it’s short. However, it’s jam-packed with how to come before God in worship. It also reminds me that God created me. I’ve done nothing to grow. Only God can fertilize me properly.
Thanks David
My (Becky) favorite Psalm is 139. Kelly’s favorite is Psalm 1. Thank you, David, for a very pertinent message!
Thanks for this powerful sermon!
You nailed it, David!
Those bad things (anger, pride, etc.) seem to come from a focus trying to defend my sense of self or exalt it — as you said. self-idolatry.
I think I am most of the things I should be when I find myself rejoicing in other people in some way or another.
I don’t think it is ever wrong to maintain the unity of the Spirit, since that will work justice (it being from God). However, sometimes (for some of the above bad reasons, especially insecurity) I find myself trying to be unified in some fleshly way.
Psalm 133 and the Ephesians 4 verses you used are among my favorites, and I refer to them a lot. Another scripture later in Eph 4 (v 13) helps put the perspective together. In v 3 we are to MAINTAIN the unity of the spirit (we already have it in Christ) … until (v 13) we all come to a unity of the faith (get our theology straight). We need to start and maintain the unity God gives us while in the process of figuring out spiritual things.
David – Thank you for your timely sermons and keeping the congregation together with your weekly messages. Thank you for blessing and unifying us.
Also for adding the Apostle’s Creed for all to read.