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Sunday, April 20, 2008

Live like Jesus

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Scriptures: Acts 7:55–60; Psalm 31:1–5, 15–16; I Peter 2:2–10; John 14:1–14; I Nephi 6:38–42; Doctrine and Covenants 158:11

Sharing Christ’s Peace

God is calling for a prophetic community to emerge, drawn from the nations of the world, that is characterized by uncommon devotion to the compassion and peace of God revealed in Jesus Christ.—Doctrine and Covenants 163:11a

As the congregation gathers, give each a cut-out footprint with the following scripture written on it: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”

Prelude

Welcome

During the welcome explain to the congregation that they may leave their footprint anywhere in the church when leaving the service setting. Ask them to imagine the things that can be accomplished during the coming week as they strive to live like Jesus, following in his steps.

*Hymn

“Mighty God, Transforming God!” NS 38
OR “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” HS 67

*Opening Prayer

*Response

Call to Worship: John 14:6–7

I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.

Reading: “Come Touch the Hem”

Hymn

“Breathe on Me, Breath of God” HS 179
OR “Lord, I Was Blind: I Could Not See” HS 178

Sermon:

Based on John 14:1–14

An effective way to present today’s message is to show the DVD, Nooma: Dust by Rob Bell, produced by Flannel, P.O. Box 3228, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501, distributed by Zondervan. It runs fourteen minutes and is suitable for all ages. The theme is “Believing in God is important, but what about God believing in us?” Can we believe that we can actually be the kind of people we were meant to be: People of love, compassion, peace, forgiveness, and hope? We can attempt to be people who try to do the right thing all of the time, who act on the endless opportunities around us every day for good, beauty, and truth. Preview the video and prepare to apply its message to your congregation by speaking briefly after it is played.

Hymn

“O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee” HS 462
OR “Lord Jesus, of You I Will Sing” SP 31

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: I Nephi 6:40

Blessing and Offering of Mission Tithes

Remind the congregation to leave their “footprints” when leaving the service.

*Hymn

“Here I Am, Lord” NS 12
OR “Send Me Forth, O Blessed Master” HS 424

*Benediction

*Sending Forth

And Jesus said, “I tell you the truth: anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.” So now we who have been commissioned by faith, go forth being transformed by his spirit. Go forth to live as Jesus did and to love as Jesus loved. —Adapted from John 14:12

*Postlude

Come Touch the Hem

Come touch the hem of Christ’s garment.
—It was our Lord who showed us a better way,
    Who gave us a sense of self-worth,
    Who brought us back to the presence of God,
    Who allowed himself to be sacrificed for us.

Come, touch the hem of Christ’s garment.
—It is Christ who is our strength;
    Feel his Spirit nudge us away from lives of sin;
    Feel him open our thoughts to truths of our God;
    Feel him comfort souls in times of doubt, grief, and commitment.

Come, touch the hem of Christ’s garment.
—You have come in response to those who gently led you;
    Those who nourished you in times of stress;
    Those who knelt with you at the foot of the cross;
    Those who opened the word of comfort, direction, and truth.

Come, touch the hem of Christ’s garment.
—It was our Lord who stood with outstretched arms beckoning;
    Come, before the sleepy apostles in the garden of Gethsemane;
    Come, before the faithful ancients in the Land Bountiful;
    Come, before a youth in the grove, giving each light and purpose.

Come, touch the hem of Christ’s garment.
—It encircled his body, much like his love encircles us;
    Christ is here to love us in our responses;
    Christ is here to bless us with joy and peace;
    Christ is here to bless us with examples and memories.

Daily he bids each of us to
Come, touch the hem of his garment.

—Ken Stubbart in Prayers and Readings for Worship, Vol. 2, Peter Judd, ed. (Independence, Missouri: Herald Publishing House, 1996), 46.

Sermon Helps

Scriptures: Acts 7:55–60; Psalm 31:1–5, 15–16; I Peter 2:2–10; John 14:1–14; I Nephi 6:38–42; Doctrine and Covenants 158:11

Exploring the Scriptures

In this often-quoted and important passage of scripture, the writer of John 14 urges the Christian disciple to do what seems impossible for many of us—to set aside all feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and worry. We are told to live in hope through the total commitment of our lives in a trust relationship with God. We are assured that any pain endured in the present will ultimately fade as permanent joy engulfs our lives. The source of that joy is Jesus himself. He is the path and the essence of God’s truth.
So what does it mean to live like Jesus as portrayed in this passage from John and as portrayed throughout the scriptures? The preacher is well advised to include specific, practical responses to this question. Some responses might be centered on the following:

1. Take special care of the poor, sick, vulnerable, and marginalized.

2. Use love as the proper foundation for all human relationships.

3. Live in high regard for all of God’s creation.

4. Use power and influence to help life flourish and not for selfish gain.

5. Spend time in personal reflection, study, and prayer.

6. Speak boldly against the forces of popular culture that promote violence and injustice.

Central Ideas

1. Jesus shows us the way to live. He is the path that leads us to God’s truth and to abundant life.

2. The revelation of God in the life of Jesus gives us specific examples of how to live today.

Questions for the Speaker

1. When have you experienced someone living like Jesus? What is it that he/she did?

2. How can your congregation choose to use its time and resources in ministries that reflect the life of Jesus?

3. Think of a circumstance in which you were not nervous, anxious, or worried. How can this be called the peace of Jesus Christ?

4. What would the world be like if all of the great religions held each other in high regard?

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