14th Sunday after Pentecost, 15 Sep 2019 -Luke 15:1-10 ~ rejoice when one sinner repents

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Prayer:

Undaunted You seek the lost, O God, exultant You bring home the found. Touch our hearts with grateful wonder at the tenderness of Your forbearing love. Grant us delight in the mercy that has found us and bring all to rejoice at the feast of forgiveness. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

“The Love of God Is Greater Far” – Deborah P. Kim

The love of God is greater far Than tongue or pen can ever tell, It goes beyond the highest star And reaches to the lowest hell.
The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win. His erring child He reconciled And pardoned from his sin.

O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure The saints’ and angels’ song

Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill And every man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole Though stretched from sky to sky

O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure The saints’ and angels’ song

Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1-10 (NLT)

Parable of the Lost Sheep

Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!

So Jesus told them this story: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?

And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

Parable of the Lost Coin

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
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Reckless Love – Cory Asbury

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Intercession:

Merciful God, in Your kindness, hear our prayer –

+ For peace and goodwill throughout the world, that Your people may be united in faith and live quietly….
+ For Your church leaders throughout the world, that they may lead by example….
+ For Your church throughout the world, that we might be a light to the nations….
+ For all who proclaim the Gospel and teach and disciple others throughout the world, that they may bear good fruit….
+ For our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted for their faith. that they might receive Your grace to endure injustice….
+ For world leaders and those in authority, that they may recognize their accountability to You and govern accordingly….
+ For all those who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity, that they may receive Your help and comfort….
+ That all believers may experience Your forgiveness and healing love, particularly when we fail….
+ That all those who believe they are beyond Your mercy may experience Your compassion and and forgiveness, and be reconciled to You….

Merciful God, in Your kindness, You blot out our sins and failings: hear our prayers for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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“Psalm 51” (Wisdom in the Secret Heart) – Shane and Shane
Behold I was brought forth in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceived me
Behold you delight in the truth and the inward me and you teach me, wisdom in the secret heart.

Our sins not far but right in front of me against you and you alone God I am guilty
Wash me thoroughly cleanse me from iniquity, and teach me, wisdom in the secret heart

Create in me a clean heart, oh God, Renew a right spirit within me, oh God
Cast me not away from Your presence, take not Your Holy Spirit
restore in me the joy of Your salvation. and teach me, wisdom in the secret heart

Send me the chief of sinners to proclaim, come be forgiven the sin of the lamb of God was slain
Open my lips and my mouth will declare your endless praise, and teach me, wisdom in the secret heart

Create in me a clean heart, oh God, Renew a right spirit within me, oh God
Cast me not away from Your presence, take not Your Holy Spirit
restore in me the joy of Your salvation, and teach me, wisdom in the secret heart
wisdom in the secret heart

The Lord is gracious. and slow to anger. Rich in love, He is good to all good to all

Closing: – 1 Timothy 1:14,15 –

Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled us with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”

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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning, 14 Sep 2019 – Matthew 10:24- 11:1 ~ Fear only God.

Saturday Morning

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening: (A Collect for Sabbath Rest – Saturday)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and set aside a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared to meet you in worship, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading: Matthew 10:24- 11:1 (NLT)

Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!

“But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!

“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.

“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.

‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!’

“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

“Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”

Jesus and John the Baptist

When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region.

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Morning Reflection:

“Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell”

Don’t be afraid of –

+ Those who threaten you
+ Those who want to kill you
+ Disturbing the peace
+ Enemies within your own household
+ Taking up your cross
+ Giving up your life
+ Professing your faith in Jesus Christ

Fear only God –

+ Only God has the power of life and death over your soul
+ Only God knows every detail about you, loves you, and highly values you
Only God will reward you in heaven for acknowledging your faith in Jesus Christ

Questions for consideration:

In polite society,e.g. in social settings or family gatherings – it’s a generally accepted rule that one should not disturb the peace by bring up the subjects of religion or politics.

Have you ever been accused of “disturbing the peace” by talking about your faith in Jesus Christ? Please explain.
Have you ever run into opposition to your faith in Christ within your own household? Please explain.
Have you ever remained silent regarding your faith in Christ because of real or implied threats at work or in your neighborhood? Please explain.
When you think of the cross God has given you to bear, what comes to mind? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: for trustfulness in times of worry and anxiety –

Most loving Father, you will us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on the One who cares for us. Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested unto us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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“You Are My Hiding Place” – Selah

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Friday Morning: 13 Sep 2019 – Matthew 10:1-23 ~ sent out as sheep among wolves

Friday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Endurance – Friday)

Almighty God, whose beloved Son first suffered pain and crucifixion before entering into glory: Mercifully grant that we, walking in his footsteps, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Matthew 10:1-23 (NLT)

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. Here are the names of the twelve apostles:

first, Simon (also called Peter),
then Andrew (Peter’s brother),
James (son of Zebedee),
John (James’s brother),
3 Philip,
Bartholomew,
Thomas,
Matthew (the tax collector),
James (son of Alphaeus),
Thaddaeus,
Simon (the zealot,
Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!

“Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.

“Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town. When you enter the home, give it your blessing. If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing. If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day.

“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me.[e] When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

“A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel.
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Morning Reflection:understandably

“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves.
– Matthew 10:16 –
So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.”

Jesus equipped his disciples with Kingdom authority over sickness and demonization, – it was a delegated authority, since all authority in heaven and on earth belonged to Jesus alone.. (Mt 28:18).

One might understandably think that with Kingdom authority such as this, the disciples would be readily welcomed wherever they went. But such was not the case any more than it was for Jesus. They were sent out as sheep among wolves seeking to devour them. And so Jesus instructed them accordingly – be wise(shrewd) and innocent (harmless), and trust in God’s provision on the journey. nevertheless, expect opposition and persecution along the way.

“But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.”

Questions for consideration:

Have you ever witnessed Kingdom signs and wonders performed in the name of Jesus? Please explain.
How would you describe the people involved? Did Jesus get the credit? Please explain.
Have you ever welcomed itinerant preachers/ministers into your home? Please explain.
When you think of facing opposition and/or persecution for expressing your faith, what comes to mind? Please explain.
Is there any fear of opposition and/or persecution that prevents you from expressing your faith now? Please explain.
How do you maintain the balance between wisdom and boldness? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: To Please God Rather Than Men (Thomas à Kempis)

Our God, in whom we trust: Strengthen us not to regard overmuch who is for us or who is against us, but to see to it that we be with you in everything we do. Amen.
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“Press On” -Selah

https://youtu.be/SrAMu3HMEks?rel=0
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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Thursday Morning: 12 Sep 2019 – Matthew 9:18-38 ~ “Lord, send more workers.”

Thursday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Guidance – Thursday)

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: Guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our lives we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Matthew 9:18-38 (NLT)

Jesus Heals in Response to Faith

As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.”

So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him. Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”

Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music. “Get out!” he told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him. After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside.

Jesus Heals the Blind

After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”

They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?”

“Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.”

Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Don’t tell anyone about this.” But instead, they went out and spread his fame all over the region.

When they left, a demon-possessed man who couldn’t speak was brought to Jesus. So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” they exclaimed.

But the Pharisees said, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons.”

The Need for Workers

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

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Morning Reflection:

“Lord, send more workers.”

_ Matthew 9:37-38 –
“The harvest is great, but the workers are few.
So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Once again Jesus confounds his onlookers by announcing the Good News about the Kingdom, and demonstrating its presence and power through healing every kind of disease and illness. And today, in particular, Jesus demonstrates his compassion and healing mercy in response to the faith of sick people – the rabbi’s daughter, the woman in the crowd, the blind men, and the demonized. To be clear, the faith expressed is in Jesus’ power and authority over all forms of sickness and disease.

But perhaps even more remarkable is Jesus’ appeal for more workers to do what he was doing – i.e. to harvest the crop that God had already planted and prepared. The ministry that Jesus wants to share with us is a ministry of compassion and faithfulness.

Questions for consideration:

Do you know people who believe that Jesus is their Savior and Lord, and want to receive his healing mercy? Please explain.
Do you know people who are living confused and helpless lives? Do you feel compassion for them, or something else? Please explain.
When you think of God using you as a worker in his fields ripe for harvest, what is your response? Please explain.
When you think of God using you as a worker in his fields ripe for harvest, where would you begin. Please explain.

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Morning Prayer –

Ministry to the Sick:

Savior of the world, by your Cross and precious blood you have redeemed us; Save us, and help us, we humbly pray.

Lord Jesus Christ, heal this your servant, sustain him/her with your presence, drive away all sickness of body, mind, and spirit, and give to him/her that victory of life and peace which will enable him/hr to serve you both now and for ever. Amen.

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“Rescue” – Lauren Daigle

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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Wednesday Morning: 11 Sep 2019 – Matthew 9:1-17 ~ “Be encouraged, my child!”

Wednesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Grace – Wednesday)

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Matthew 9:1-17 (NLT)

Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man

Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.”

But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?”

Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

And the man jumped up and went home! Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for giving humans such authority.

Jesus Calls Matthew

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.

Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”

When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’[d] For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

A Discussion about Fasting

One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked him, “Why don’t your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?”

Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

“Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before.

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.”
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Morning Reflection:

“Be encouraged, my child!
Your sins are forgiven.”
– Matthew 9:2 –

Jesus’ ministry and mission was predicated upon God’s mercy – not our merit, From Jesus’ perspective, no one is unredeemable, deplorable, or despicable enough by the standards of society to be outside Jesus’ concern and saving grace.

Questions for consideration:

Is there anything that you have said, thought or done that you consider unforgivable, i.e. outside the bounds of God’s saving grace? Please explain.
What would you prefer right now, healing for your sicknesses and diseases, or forgiveness for your sins? Please explain.
What would repentance and restoration be like in your life right now? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

O most loving Father, in your mercy you put away the sins of those who truly repent, and remember their sins no more. Restore and renew in us whatever has been corrupted by the fraud and malice of the devil, or by our own selfish will and weakness. Preserve and protect us within the fellowship of the Church; hear our prayers and relieve our pain; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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“Redeemed”” – Big Daddy Weave

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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

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