Introduction
This Lord’s Day we begin to meet again for worship. Soli Deo Gloria!
We will continue to explore the life of Christ as told by Luke. The sermon text (Luke 6:27-36) is the second section of Luke’s account of Jesus’ kingdom message often called, the Sermon on the Mount. It focuses on a core element of ethical norms in the kingdom: love your enemies, thus following the example of your Father.
It is a timely message for the troubling days in which we live.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
Welcome and Call to Worship
Prelude
Invocation
PROCLAMATION
Hymn HBC 40 Give Praise to God
Note: We begin the service with a fitting call to praise. In Romans 11, Paul quoted Jeremiah 9:23-24 which encapsulates the difference between true Christian faith and all other religions. Those who follow other gods seek their own will, but we “boast” in the Lord who is worthy of all praise. Therefore, we sing “give praise to God alone.”
Hymn 288 I Hear the Words of Love
Notes: The “words of love” mentioned in this hymn are the words Christ uttered on the cross. God demonstrates his love for us most clearly in the death of Christ. This selfless sacrifice established the baseline for Christian ethics, so Christ calls us to mimic God by loving others—even those who hate us for our faith.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:8-18
Note: Peter’s instruction to believers in his day echoed the teaching of Jesus he heard in person (Luke 6). He made a clear connection between the behavior required of Christians and the example set by Christ.
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn HBC 36 Here is Love
Notes: This beautiful hymn extols goodness of God displayed in the cross-work of Christ. The third verse expresses the selfless devotion to Christ and his cause that Christians must cultivate: “Let me seek Thy kingdom only, And my life be to thy praise.” The fifth verse makes clear that God lavishes his love on us to display his own glory:
Here is love, displayed in glory,
To the heavenly hosts above;
All the Church, redeemed and holy,
Bless the Savior’s dying love.
Saints from every tribe and nation,
Called by grace, and saved by blood,
Praise forever their salvation:
“Hallelujah to our God!”
Message: Christ’s Kingdom Message, Part 2 – Love Your Enemies
Luke 6:27-36
Pastor Steven Thomas
RESPONSE
Hymn 342 When This Passing World is Done
Note: Robert Murray McCheyne draws us to contemplate the greatness of the debt we owe to our God. Thankfulness flows naturally from the hearts of those who realize that God’s grace has covered their unworthiness. The thankful heart prays:
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show
By my love how much I owe.
Prayer Response: Jon Lont
Benediction: John Miles
Concluding Hymn: Doxology