After Pentecost | Sunday 01 Oct 2023Â
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
O merciful Lord,
grant to your faithful people
pardon and peace,
that we may be cleansed from all our sins
and serve you with a quiet mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For God is working in you,
giving you the desire and the power
to do what pleases him.
(Philippians 2:13)
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Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty – Robin Mark | Chet Valley Churches
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From the Old Testament:Â Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 (NLT)
The Justice of a Righteous God
18:1 Then another message came to me from the Lord: âWhy do you quote this proverb concerning the land of Israel: âThe parents have eaten sour grapes, but their childrenâs mouths pucker at the tasteâ? As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, you will not quote this proverb anymore in Israel. For all people are mine to judgeâboth parents and children alike. And this is my rule: The person who sins is the one who will die.
18:25 âYet you say, âThe Lord isnât doing whatâs right!â Listen to me, O people of Israel. Am I the one not doing whatâs right, or is it you? When righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things, they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds. And if wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives. They will live because they thought it over and decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die. And yet the people of Israel keep saying, âThe Lord isnât doing whatâs right!â O people of Israel, it is you who are not doing whatâs right, not I.
âTherefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign Lord. Repent, and turn from your sins. Donât let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? I donât want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!
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From Psalms: Psalm 25 | Exodus Road Band
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From the Epistles: Philippians 2:1-13 (NLT)
Have the Attitude of Christ
2:1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Donât be selfish; donât try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Donât look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminalâs death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Shine Brightly for Christ
Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
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God Will Work It Out (feat. Naomi Raine & Israel Houghton) | Maverick City Music | TRIBL
Before I knew my name
Before I drew a breath
He was making ways for me
Now and everyday
In each and every step
He is making ways for me
When my heart is full of doubt
Feels like faith is running out
Iâve come too far to turn around
I know
God will work it out
God will work it out
One thing I know
One thing Iâve found
God will work it out
Pushing past the fear
Fighting to believe
He is making waves for me
He wonât let me down
Never ever leave
Heâs still making ways for me
Be still, my soul
Be still and know
Lean in, take hold
In God alone
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Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:23-32 (NLT)
The Authority of Jesus Challenged
21:23 When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to him. They demanded, âBy what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?â
âIâll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,â Jesus replied. âDid Johnâs authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?â
They talked it over among themselves. âIf we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didnât believe John. But if we say it was merely human, weâll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.â So they finally replied, âWe donât know.â
And Jesus responded, âThen I wonât tell you by what authority I do these things.
Parable of the Two Sons
21:28 âBut what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, âSon, go out and work in the vineyard today.â The son answered, âNo, I wonât go,â but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, âYou go,â and he said, âYes, sir, I will.â But he didnât go.
âWhich of the two obeyed his father?â
They replied, âThe first.â
Then Jesus explained his meaning: âI tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didnât believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.
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Lord Reign In Me – Vineyard Worship | Coastlands Family Church
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+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy thought can drag down; an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose can tempt aside. Bestow upon me understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and faithfulness that finally may embrace you. Amen. (Thomas Aquinas)
+ Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch
Be the Life I live
Be the Love I give
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Peanut Gallery 