|
Woship Resources 2007-2008 — Year A: Passionate for Peace
Return to Year A: 2007-2008
Resource Index
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Nothing Separates Us from God’s Love
Ordinary Time (Proper 12)
Scriptures:
Genesis 29:15–28; Psalm 105:1–11, 45b;
Romans 8:26–39;
Matthew 13:31–33,
44–52/13:30–32, 46–53 IV; II Nephi 11:22–29; Doctrine and Covenants 18:4a–b
Sharing Christ’s Peace
There are subtle, yet powerful, influences in the world,
some even claiming to represent Christ, that seek to divide people and
nations to accomplish their destructive aims. —Doctrine
and Covenants 163:3c
Prelude
Welcome and Call to Worship: Psalm 105:1–6
*Opening Hymn
“Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service”
HS
17
OR “My God, How Wonderful Thou Art”
HS
193
*Opening Prayer
Hymn: “Can I Escape Your Faithful Love?”
Based on Psalm 139:7–12, Romans 8:35–39
Possible Tunes: “Vox Dilecti (HS
134), Forest Green (HS
370), or Resignation (HS
125)
Can I escape your faithful love?
Your mercy still pursues.
You find me when I soar above
Or down inside my blues.
Your awesome love fills up the sky.
Forgiveness is my air.
I know that I can never fly
Beyond your love and care.
If I should make my bed in hell
Or lie down in the dark,
You’ll show up in my prison cell
Within my question mark.
You’re present in my anxious dreams.
You meet me in my tears.
Your hand will guide me when it seems
All I have left are fears.
What separates me from your love?
What makes us come unglued?
Can enemies who push and shove?
Can my own darkened mood?
No, nothing can keep us apart,
Not death, nor things above.
Not evil, nor my broken heart,
Can keep me from your love.
—Lyrics by Steve Hollaway of Latonia Baptist Church,
Covington, Kentucky, August 28, 2005. © 2005 Stephen Hollaway. Used by
permission.
Focus Moment
Read or tell
Eddie’s Kingdom by D.B.
Johnson (Houghton Mifflin, 2005). ISBN 0-618-5629-90
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.
Hymn
“Brothers, Sisters, Let Us Gladly”
HS
403
OR “Here I Am, Lord”
NS 12
Prayer
Giving of Our Gifts
Morning Message
Based on Romans 8:26–29
*Hymn
“Children of the Heavenly Father”
HS
156
OR “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
HS
187
*Benediction
*Response
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Genesis
29:15–28; Psalm 105:1–11, 45b;
Romans 8:26–39;
Matthew 13:31–33,
44–52/13:30–32, 46–53 IV; II Nephi 11:22–29; Doctrine and Covenants 18:4a-b
Exploring the Scriptures
Paul leads to the climax of the first eight chapters of Romans—that nothing
“will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” in verses
31–39—by holding up three key concepts in this passage. After affirming the
Spirit calling us into closer relationship with God, verse 28 shares what is now
a foundational Christian principle: “that all things work together for good for
those who love God….” Paul does not say only good things will happen to Jesus’
followers. But followers, based on hope, will perceive the ultimate outcome as
good. Next, Paul describes followers as conformed to the image of Jesus. This is
to make the connection between Jesus (as firstborn) and his followers as
children of God. The outcome of this profound relationship is being called,
justified, and glorified. Our purpose is to reflect Jesus to the world around
us. With this relationship explained, Paul then sets up the climax with a series
of questions including, “If God is for us, who is against us?” Paul ends by
declaring that “we are more than conquerors,” and that “neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor
height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate
us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Central Ideas
1. All things work for good for those who love God for we are “prisoners
of hope.” (See question 3, which follows.)
2. As disciples in the Community of Christ, we are to reflect the image
of Jesus to the world.
3. Nothing separates us from the love of God, for this is our identity.
Questions for the Speaker
1. How has the Spirit drawn you into a closer relationship with God?
2. What blessings have come from life’s tragedies or happenings?
3. What kind of hope do you live? Can you say you are a “prisoner of
hope”? (President Veazey reported the testimony of many members of the
church who were affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He said they were
living each day with a strong sense of hope. Despite their circumstances,
they were blessed by the presence of Jesus Christ in their lives and could
not live otherwise.)
4. As a disciple, how has your relationship with Jesus expanded, so you
now reflect Jesus’ peace?
5. What are some examples from your life or others’ lives that have
called you to be instruments of Christ’s peace with the people around you?
6. What examples from life can you share that bring out the statement,
“Nothing can separate us from the love of God”?
7. How do you live out the principle that nothing can separate you from
the love of God as a disciple of Jesus Christ in the Community of Christ?
8. In a world that is going from “I think, therefore I am” to “I shop,
therefore I am,” the challenge is to find one’s human identity in being
loved: “I am loved, therefore I am.” How do you express this in your life?
Return to Year A: 2007-2008
Resource Index
|
