Month: September 2021

Wednesday, 15 Sep 2021: Psalm 73:21-28; Proverbs 29; John 7:25-36 ~ Jesus requires our trust.

Wednesday, 15 Sep 2021:

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

Opening:

O God, because without you we are not able to please you,
mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct
and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen.

“Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple,
“You know me, and you know where I come from.
But I have not come of my own accord.
He who sent me is true, and him you do not know.
I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.”
(John 7:28-29)

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Psalms: Psalm 73 – Sons of Korah

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OT Reading: Proverbs 29 (ESV)

29:1 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
will suddenly be broken beyond healing.

2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

4 By justice a king builds up the land,
but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

5 A man who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.

6 An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,
but a righteous man sings and rejoices.

7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;
a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.

8 Scoffers set a city aflame,
but the wise turn away wrath.

9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

10 Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless
and seek the life of the upright.

11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back.

12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,
all his officials will be wicked.

13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together;
the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

14 If a king faithfully judges the poor,
his throne will be established forever.

15 The rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
he will give delight to your heart.

18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
but blessed is he who keeps the law.

19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
for though he understands, he will not respond.

20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21 Whoever pampers his servant from childhood
will in the end find him his heir.

22 A man of wrath stirs up strife,
and one given to anger causes much transgression.

23 One’s pride will bring him low,
but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

24 The partner of a thief hates his own life;
he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.

25 The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

26 Many seek the face of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.

27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.

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Be Thou My Vision – Audrey Assad

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NT Reading: John 7:25-36 (ESV)

Can This Be the Christ?

7:25 Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”

Officers Sent to Arrest Jesus

The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him. Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.” The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? What does he mean by saying, ‘You will seek me and you will not find me,’ and, ‘Where I am you cannot come’?”

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I Will Trust – Red Rocks Worship

https://youtu.be/ISCutOEQokU?rel=0
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Prayer:

+ Increase, O God, the spirit of neighborliness among us, that in peril we may uphold one another, in suffering tend to one another, and in homelessness,  loneliness, or exile befriend one another. Grant us brave and enduring hearts that we may strengthen one another, until the disciplines and testing of these days are ended, and you again give peace in our time; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ O God, without whose beauty and goodness our souls are unfed, without whose truth our reason withers: Consecrate our lives to your will, giving us such purity of heart, such depth of faith, and such steadfastness of purpose, that in time we may come to think your own thoughts after you; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

+ Christ as a light, illumine and guide us. Christ as a shield, overshadow us. Christ under us; Christ over us; Christ beside us on our left and our right. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom we speak; in the mouth of each who speaks to us. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside us on our left and our right.

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Blessing

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

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

Tuesday, 14 Sep 2021: Psalm 73:21-28; Proverbs 25:1-28; Colossians 3:1-11 ~ Christ reveals our new selves.

Tuesday, 14 Sep 2021:

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

Opening:

O God, because without you we are not able to please you,
mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct
and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen.

“Set your minds on things that are above,
not on things that are on earth.
For you have died,
and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
(Colossians 3:2-3)

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Psalms: Psalm 73 – ForeverBeSure

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OT Reading: Proverbs 25:1-28 (ESV)

More Proverbs of Solomon

25:1  These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

2 It is the glory of God to conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to search things out.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver,
and the smith has material for a vessel;
5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence
or stand in the place of the great,
7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

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What your eyes have seen
8 do not hastily bring into court,
for what will you do in the end,
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
and do not reveal another’s secret,
10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute have no end.

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11 A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.

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15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
and a soft tongue will break a bone.

16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.

17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.

20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart
is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
and like vinegar on soda.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

22 for you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.

23 The north wind brings forth rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.

26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat much honey,
nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.

28 A man without self-control
is like a city broken into and left without walls.

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Call of Wisdom by Will Todd –
Nigel Short, Tenebrae & English Chamber Orchestra

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NT Reading: Colossians 3:1-11 (ESV)

Put On the New Self

3:1  If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

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Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me ~ CityAlight

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Prayer:

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood
of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash
me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me.
Within thy wounds hide me. Permit me not to be separated
from thee. From the wicked foe defend me. In the hour of my
death call me, and bid me come to thee, that with thy saints I
may praise thee for ever and ever. Amen.

+ Christ as a light, illumine and guide us. Christ as a shield, overshadow us. Christ under us; Christ over us; Christ beside us on our left and our right. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom we speak; in the mouth of each who speaks to us. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside us on our left and our right.

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Blessing

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

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

Monday, 13 Sep 2021: Psalm 73:21-28; Proverbs 22:1-21; Romans 3:9-20 ~ The Law reveals our sin.

Monday, 13 Sep 2021:

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

Opening:

O God, because without you we are not able to please you,
mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct
and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen.

“By works of the law
no human being will be justified in [God’s] sight,
since through the law comes knowledge of sin.”
(Romans 3:20)

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Psalms: Psalm 73 – Hangad

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OT Reading: Proverbs 22:1-21 (ESV)

22:1  A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
and favor is better than silver or gold.

2 The rich and the poor meet together;
the Lord is the Maker of them all.

3 The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
but the simple go on and suffer for it.

4 The reward for humility and fear of the Lord
is riches and honor and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;
whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.

7 The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

8 Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
and the rod of his fury will fail.

9 Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
for he shares his bread with the poor.

10 Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out,
and quarreling and abuse will cease.

11 He who loves purity of heart,
and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.

12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
but he overthrows the words of the traitor.

13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!
I shall be killed in the streets!”

14 The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit;
he with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

16 Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,
or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

Words of the Wise

17 Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,
and apply your heart to my knowledge,

18 for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
if all of them are ready on your lips.

19 That your trust may be in the Lord,
I have made them known to you today, even to you.

20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings
of counsel and knowledge,

21 to make you know what is right and true,
that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

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The Perfect Wisdom of Our God – Stuart Townend

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NT Reading: Romans 3:9-20 (ESV)

No One Is Righteous

3:9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin,
10 as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

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Confession Song – Crossroads Community Church

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Prayer:

+ Heavenly Father, in your great mercy, you have promised forgiveness of sins to all those who sincerely repent and with true faith turn to you, have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Christ as a light, illumine and guide us. Christ as a shield, overshadow us. Christ under us; Christ over us; Christ beside us on our left and our right. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom we speak; in the mouth of each who speaks to us. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside us on our left and our right.

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Blessing

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

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

16th Sunday after Pentecost: 12 Sep 2021 – Isaiah 50:4-9; Psalm 116; James 2:1-18; Mark 9:14-29 ~ Believe all things are possible.

16th Sunday after Pentecost: 12 Sep 2021

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

Opening:

O God, because without you we are not able to please you,
mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct
and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen.

“If you can do anything,
have compassion on us and help us.”
And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’!
All things are possible for one who believes.””
(Mark 9:22-23)

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Hope Of The Ages – Hillsong Worship & Cody Carnes

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OT Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9 (ESV)

50:4  The Lord God has given me
the tongue of those who are taught,
that I may know how to sustain with a word
him who is weary.
Morning by morning he awakens;
he awakens my ear
to hear as those who are taught.
5 The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious;
I turned not backward.
6 I gave my back to those who strike,
and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;
I hid not my face
from disgrace and spitting.

7 But the Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like a flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame.

8 He who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who is my adversary?
Let him come near to me.
9 Behold, the Lord God helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment;
the moth will eat them up.

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Psalm: Psalm 116 (I Love You, Lord)
Mission House (featuring Jess Ray & Taylor Leonhardt)
https://youtu.be/evpccnlRTgM?rel=0
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NT Reading: James 2:1-18 (ESV)

The Sin of Partiality

2:1  My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Faith Without Works Is Dead

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

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Mercy // Amanda Cook // Brave New World

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Gospel Reading: Mark 9:14-29 (ESV)

Jesus Heals a Boy with an Unclean Spirit

9:14  And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

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Too Good To Not Believe – Cody Carnes

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Prayer:

+ Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Church around the world. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.

+ Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: Kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all people the true love of peace, and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the
knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Almighty God, our heavenly Father, send down on those who hold public office the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice; that with steadfast purpose they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ O God, the Creator of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you in Jesus Christ; in whose Name we pray. Amen.

+ Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

+ O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, into your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessing:

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us, and remain with us always. Amen.

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

Saturday, 11 Sep 2021: Psalm 19; Proverbs 21:1-17; Matthew 21:23-32 ~ By faith: believe in Jesus Christ.

Saturday, 11 Sep 2021:

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

Opening:

O Lord God, grant your people grace to withstand the
temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure
hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you,
the tax collectors and the prostitutes
go into the kingdom of God before you.
For John came to you in the way of righteousness,
and you did not believe him,
but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him.
And even when you saw it,
you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.”
(Matthew 21:31-32)

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Psalms: Psalm 19 – Sons of Korah

The Law of the Lord Is Perfect
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

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OT Reading: Proverbs 21:1-17 (ESV)

21:1  The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
he turns it wherever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the heart.

3 To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
the lamp of the wicked, are sin.

5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,
but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.

7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
because they refuse to do what is just.

8 The way of the guilty is crooked,
but the conduct of the pure is upright.

9 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;
when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;
he throws the wicked down to ruin.

13 Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
will himself call out and not be answered.

14 A gift in secret averts anger,
and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.

15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers.

16 One who wanders from the way of good sense
will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17 Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;
he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

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Rejoice // Brad & Rebekah

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NT Reading: Matthew 21:23-32 (ESV)

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

21:23  And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

21:28  “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

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Big Daddy Weave – Jesus I Believe

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Prayer:

Profession of Faith – The Nicene Creed
[On Jesus Christ]

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

+ Christ as a light, illumine and guide us. Christ as a shield, overshadow us. Christ under us; Christ over us; Christ beside us on our left and our right. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom we speak; in the mouth of each who speaks to us. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside us on our left and our right.

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Blessing

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

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