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Sunday, February 17, 2008

Trust God’s Promises for All

Second Sunday in Lent

Scriptures: Genesis 12:1–4a/12:1–3 IV; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1–5, 13–17; John 3:1–17; Alma 5:23–28; Doctrine and Covenants 155:7–8

Sharing Christ’s Peace

Do not turn away in pride, fear, or guilt from the One who seeks only the best for you and your loved ones.—Doctrine and Covenants 163:10b

Prelude

Opening Activity

“Comfort-Zone Connections” found in Bore No More!, 2, Mike Nappa, ed. (Loveland, Colorado: Vital Ministry, 1998), 30.

*Opening Hymn

“Standing on the Promises” R-2
OR “Rise Up, O Saints of God” HS 378

*Opening Prayer

*Response

Call to Worship: Doctrine and Covenants 155:7–8

Children’s Ministry: Based on Genesis 12:1–4a/12:1–3 IV, share the story of Abram becoming the father of many.

Lenten Confession: Read in unison.

Dear God, we acknowledge that sometimes like the children of Israel and the sons of Lehi, we look back to the familiar past and reject your call to move in faith into the future. Like many others who live under your claim, we crucify Christ daily. Lord, forgive us for putting our trust in material things and hoped-for events and for neglecting you as the sole object of our faith. Help us to be more responsive to your call and follow you as have the faithful in former years. Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.—Prayers and Readings for Worship, Judy Judd, ed. (Independence, Missouri: Herald Publishing House, 1987), 41.

Hymn

“Unto God, Who Knows Our Every Weakness” HS 472
OR “My Life Flows On in Endless Song” HS 157

Sermon

Based on Genesis 12:1–4a/12:1–3 IV and/or Doctrine and Covenants 155:7–8

Meditative Music

Disciples’ Generous Response

Each Sunday, as part of the Disciples’ Generous Response, we ask you to integrate the message of “share equally” between Local and World Ministries Mission Tithes. Offertory stories are provided to keep the church in touch with how contributions to Mission Tithes spread the peace of Jesus Christ. Please use the stories, testimonies, and up-to-date contribution information as part of your offertory ministry. Visit www.CofChrist.org/offertory to print a copy, or contact your pastor, congregational financial officer, or worship coordinator for a copy.

Scripture: Psalm 121

Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes

*Hymn

“O Church of God, Arise” HS 451
OR “Christ Has Called Us to New Visions” SP 38

*Sending Forth Reading: John 3:16

*Response

“This God Is the God We Adore” HS 481
OR “Peace I Leave You” SP 35

*Postlude

Sermon Helps

Scriptures: Genesis 12:1–4a/12:1–3 IV; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1–5, 13–17; John 3:1–17; Alma 5:23–28; Doctrine and Covenants 155:7–8

Exploring the Scriptures

Today’s lectionary scripture from Genesis focuses on God’s call to Abram, an event that opened a new era in biblical history. Suddenly, the very broad view of God’s interaction with humankind takes a very personal approach, focusing the reader on one man and his family of descendants, chosen by God to bless all the families of earth. God commands Abram to leave his nation, his people, and his family and go to a new land that God will eventually reveal. Abram is promised that he will father a great nation, he will be blessed, and those who bless him will also be blessed.

God’s call to Abram is an unusual construction of the ancient Hebrew scriptures, roughly translated “Go, you!” This abrupt and sharp command is found only one other place in the Bible when God commands Abraham (now called by a new name) to take his beloved child, Isaac, to a specific location to be sacrificed. “Go, you!” Both calls to Abraham involve risk and trust. Abraham must have been stunned to have been promised fatherhood of a great nation! He was an older fellow with a wife assumed to be barren. But God’s promise was fulfilled and Isaac entered their lives. The subsequent call to Abraham to sacrifice his “miracle child” must have seemed particularly bitter. But Abraham remained faithful to the call. Isaac was spared and God’s promises to Abraham in Genesis 12 were all eventually fulfilled.

In the call to leave his home, Abraham was effectively instructed to leave his past behind. In the call to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham was instructed to relinquish his hopes for the future. God called Abraham to live in the moment, in the present, in the here and now. God’s promises proved trustworthy, and Abraham was blessed through his acts of faithfulness.

In Doctrine and Covenants 155, we, as a people of God, are called—just as Abraham was—to trust in God’s promises. We are reassured that God’s Spirit will go with us into those places that may seem unsure. We are promised that we will be blessed as we have need. We are assured that our efforts to share the peace of Jesus Christ will be rewarded. We will never be alone as we toil to bring “the liberating truths of the gospel” to a world in need. God still calls, “Go, you!”

Central Ideas

1. God calls us to new places where, in trust, we must leave behind the baggage of our past and be free from worry about an uncertain future. God calls us now, in this moment in time.
2. Despite our human frailties and uncertainties, God’s Spirit will accompany us into all the places where we may be called and sent that God’s work on earth might be accomplished.
3. Just as God called Abraham in earlier days, God still calls today: “Go, you!”

Questions for the Speaker

1. When have you felt called by God to move out of your comfort zone?
2. Into what uncomfortable places might your congregation need to step to be the hands and feet of Christ?
3. How difficult is it to relinquish the past, even when your history may be full of pain and strife? Why do you cling to the past?
4. What is the nature of trust and faith that allows you to step willingly into an uncertain future, i.e., to go where God calls you to share the peace of Jesus Christ?

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