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Woship Resources 2007-2008 — Year A: Passionate for Peace
Return to Year A: 2007-2008
Resource Index
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Hope for the Unseen
Ordinary Time (Proper 11)
Scriptures:
Genesis 28:10–19a; Psalm 139:1–12, 23–24;
Romans 8:12–25;
Matthew 13:24–30,
36–43/13:22–29, 35–45 IV; II Nephi 8:7–14; Doctrine and Covenants 18:2n–o
Sharing Christ’s Peace
Prepare new generations of disciples to bring fresh visions
to bear on the perplexing problems of poverty, disease, war, and
environmental deterioration. Their contributions will be multiplied if their
hearts are focused on God’s will for creation. —Doctrine
and Covenants 163:4c
Prelude
*Hymn
“I Will Sing, I Will Sing”
NS
19
OR “O God of Every Nation”
HS
175
*Invocation
Call to Worship: Psalm 139:1–6
Focus Moment
Tell or read Around
the Pond: Who’s Been Here?
by Lindsay Barnett George, (Greenwillow
Books, 1996). ISBN 0-688-14376-8. Talk about how God is present in things we
cannot see.
Hymn
“I Know Not What the Future Hath”
HS
126
OR “He Leadeth Me” HS
123
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:12–25
Morning Message
Based on Romans 8:12–25
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.
Prayer
Receiving of Mission Tithes
*Hymn
“Your Cause Be Mine, Great Lord Divine”
HS
420
OR “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”
HS
134
*Benediction
*Sending Forth: Doctrine and Covenants 18:2n
*Response
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Genesis
28:10–19a; Psalm 139:1–12, 23–24;
Romans 8:12–25;
Matthew 13:24–30,
36–43/13:22–29, 35–45 IV; II Nephi 8:7–14; Doctrine and Covenants 18:2n–o
Exploring the Scriptures
Paul continues his discussion started two Sundays ago regarding life in
Christ. He writes, “So then, we are debtors” (v. 12). By putting to death the
deeds of the body, that is, life according to the flesh (v. 5), the Christian
experiences a claim to live a life worthy of the leadership of Jesus Christ.
Paul therefore announces a moral obligation to live before the Triune God (vv.
13–17). To be led by the Spirit of God suggests that there has been a change of
our future from death to life, from rebellion to obedience, from rebellious
enemy to a beloved daughter or son—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
The second part of today’s text builds on the first part. “Suffering” (v. 18)
is contrasted with the glory that is yet to be revealed. The present sufferings
of the Christian life because of the rejection of the worlds that are opposed to
life in Christ are to be expected. However, “the sufferings of this present
time” (v. 8) present the Christian with the opportunity to respond to the
Spirit’s leading. Suffering in a world dominated by “flesh” is a sign that we no
longer belong to that world, but have become members of a different family, the
“children of God.”
Although both the creation and the Christian groan with birth pains, those
who have experienced the fruits of the Spirit resulting from life in Christ
anticipate and live in hope. And it is awaited with patience.
Central Ideas
1. By the activity of the Triune God we have been led from being a
rebellious enemy to becoming a beloved child of God.
2. The Christian experience is not devoid of suffering. To the contrary,
suffering in the world is to be contrasted with the glory that is yet to be
revealed.
3. Although the children of God and the whole creation groans with birth
pains in anticipation redemption, they live patiently in hope.
Questions for the Speaker
1. How would you describe life as a “debtor before God”?
2. Discuss how sufferings of the present can be a doorway toward
understanding God’s care?
3. How does suffering lead to hope? Give illustrations of living in hope
that overcome the vicissitudes of life.
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