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| International Justice Mission Freedom Weekend 2018 |
A Call to Worship for Jesus to Make all Things New (Adapted from a Pastor Rich Villodas Prayer) for International Justice Mission Freedom Weekend 2018
One: Lord Jesus, Your Kingdom is Good News for a world caught in slavery, injustice, and hostility. We ask that You would give us grace for these deep challenges.
All: Oh Lord, only You can make all things new.
One: Lord Jesus, we confess our anger, our deep sadness, and our collective sense of weakness to see this world healed.
All: Oh Lord, only You can make all things new.
One: Lord Jesus, we confess that the Gospel is Good News for the oppressed and the oppressor. Both are raised up. Both are liberated, but in different ways. The oppressed are raised up from the harsh burden of inferiority. The oppressor from the destructive illusion of superiority.
All: Oh Lord, only You can make all things new.
One: Lord Jesus, we confess that the Gospel is Your power to form a new people not identified by dominance and superiority, but by unity in the Spirit.
All: Oh Lord, only You can make all things new.
One: Lord we commit our lives to You, believing that You are working in the world in spite of destructive powers and principalities. Bring healing to those who are hurt, peace to those who are anxious, love to those who are fearful, freedom to those in slavery. We wait for You, O Lord. Make haste to help us.
All: Oh Lord, only You can make all things new.
Homily Scriptures | Isaiah 58:1-12
Homily Christian Practice Questions:
Homily Christian Practice Questions:
+ What injustice is God asking you to enter into lament with Him about right now?
+ What actions with your City Group are a protest that Worcester is not the city she should be?
+ Would you begin to pray the "Our Father" or "Lord's Prayer" as a revolutionary prayer?
+ Will you take 6+ minutes to watch The Bible Project's video on Justice?
+ Consider learning how to write the Story of God through a justice lens.
Prayers of Preparation for Eucharist
Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Prayer seeking more from Jesus
Jesus, You claim to be the Way,
the Truth and the Life.
If what You claim is true,
please reveal to me who You are.
Give me an understanding of You
that is clear and convincing. Amen.
Prayer for Communion with Jesus
Jesus, grant that we may be filled
by You, the true Bread and Vine.
Be present with us, strengthen us,
and empower us to be Your witnesses
together as we seek first Your Kingdom
until You return and make all things new. Amen.
Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Prayer seeking more from Jesus
Jesus, You claim to be the Way,
the Truth and the Life.
If what You claim is true,
please reveal to me who You are.
Give me an understanding of You
that is clear and convincing. Amen.
Prayer for Communion with Jesus
Jesus, grant that we may be filled
by You, the true Bread and Vine.
Be present with us, strengthen us,
and empower us to be Your witnesses
together as we seek first Your Kingdom
until You return and make all things new. Amen.
Mission in Word & Deed, Evangelism & Justice
In the book of Acts, the mission of the early Church
involved verbal proclamation of the Good News of Christ:
Peter proclaims the Gospel again and again
(2:14-39; 3:12-26; 4:8-12); Stephen speaks (7:2-53);
Philip preaches (8:4-13); and Paul and Barnabas
are commissioned and sent out to share the Gospel
with Jews and then Gentiles (8:13-14).
The proclamation of the Gospel moves from Jerusalem
to Judea, Samaria, and out toward the ends of the earth.
The book of Acts also makes it clear that the mission
of the early Church involved attending to material needs.
In the earliest depiction of the Church after Pentecost,
meetings for prayer and worship flowed naturally into
making sure the material needs in their community
were met (2:43-47). Distributing food daily to widows
became a regular practice of these early Christians (6:1-6).
Paul returns to the church in Jerusalem from a missionary
journey in part to bring money for the poor in support of
the Church's mission (24:17). The Great Commission
was fulfilled not only as the disciples moved into
new geographic locations but also as they intentionally
addressed the social and economic realities at home
and abroad. Just as Jesus's mission manifested the many
layers of the Kingdom through His preaching and His acts
of justice and mercy, so should His Church's mission.
involved verbal proclamation of the Good News of Christ:
Peter proclaims the Gospel again and again
(2:14-39; 3:12-26; 4:8-12); Stephen speaks (7:2-53);
Philip preaches (8:4-13); and Paul and Barnabas
are commissioned and sent out to share the Gospel
with Jews and then Gentiles (8:13-14).
The proclamation of the Gospel moves from Jerusalem
to Judea, Samaria, and out toward the ends of the earth.
The book of Acts also makes it clear that the mission
of the early Church involved attending to material needs.
In the earliest depiction of the Church after Pentecost,
meetings for prayer and worship flowed naturally into
making sure the material needs in their community
were met (2:43-47). Distributing food daily to widows
became a regular practice of these early Christians (6:1-6).
Paul returns to the church in Jerusalem from a missionary
journey in part to bring money for the poor in support of
the Church's mission (24:17). The Great Commission
was fulfilled not only as the disciples moved into
new geographic locations but also as they intentionally
addressed the social and economic realities at home
and abroad. Just as Jesus's mission manifested the many
layers of the Kingdom through His preaching and His acts
of justice and mercy, so should His Church's mission.
+ Jim Martin, The Just Church: Becoming a Risk-Taking, Justice-Seeking, Disciple-Making Congregation
The Immigrants Apostles’ Creed
No Longer Slaves
Bethel Music, 2015 A.D.
You unravel me with a melody,
You surround me with a song
Of deliverance from my enemies
'Til all my fears are gone.
I'm no longer a slave to fear.
I am a child of God.
No, I'm no longer a slave to fear.
I am a child of God.
From my mothers womb,
You have chosen me.
Love has called my name.
I've been born again into Your family,
Your blood flows through my veins.
(Chorus)
Woah, Woah ...
You split the sea
So I could walk right through it!
My fears were drowned in perfect love!
You rescued me so I can stand and sing
"I am a child of God!"
Heal Us
William Cowper, 1779 A.D.
Heal us, Emmanuel, here we are.
We long to feel Thy touch.
Deep wounded souls to Thee we fly.
O Savior hear our cry!
Our faith is feeble, we confess.
We faintly trust Thy word.
But will You pity us the less?
Be that far from You, LORD!
(Chorus)
Remember him who once applied
With trembling for relief.
“Lord, I believe,” with tears he cried
“O help my unbelief!"
(Chorus)
She, too, who touched You in the press
And healing virtue stole
Was answered, “Daughter, go in peace
Thy faith has made thee whole.”
(Chorus)
Like her, with hopes and fears we come
To touch You if we may.
O send us not despairing home,
Send none unhealed away.
(Chorus)
You have chosen me.
Love has called my name.
I've been born again into Your family,
Your blood flows through my veins.
(Chorus)
Woah, Woah ...
You split the sea
So I could walk right through it!
My fears were drowned in perfect love!
You rescued me so I can stand and sing
"I am a child of God!"
Heal Us
William Cowper, 1779 A.D.
Heal us, Emmanuel, here we are.
We long to feel Thy touch.
Deep wounded souls to Thee we fly.
O Savior hear our cry!
Our faith is feeble, we confess.
We faintly trust Thy word.
But will You pity us the less?
Be that far from You, LORD!
(Chorus)
Remember him who once applied
With trembling for relief.
“Lord, I believe,” with tears he cried
“O help my unbelief!"
(Chorus)
She, too, who touched You in the press
And healing virtue stole
Was answered, “Daughter, go in peace
Thy faith has made thee whole.”
(Chorus)
Like her, with hopes and fears we come
To touch You if we may.
O send us not despairing home,
Send none unhealed away.
(Chorus)
All the Poor and Powerless
All Sons and Daughters, 2011 A.D.
All the poor and powerless,
And all the lost and lonely.
All the thieves will come confess,
And know that You are holy.
And know that You are holy.
And all will sing out, "Hallelujah!"
And we will cry out, "Hallelujah!'
All the hearts who are content,
And all who feel unworthy.
And all who hurt with nothing left
Will know that You are holy.
(Chorus)
Shout it, go on and scream it from the mountains,
Go on and tell it to the masses, that He is God!
(Chorus)
Let Justice Roll
Sojourn Worship, 2015 A.D.
Forgive us Lord, for passing by
When children cry for bread.
Forbid it Lord, that justice lies
In tatters, cold and dead.
Outside these walls run desperate streets
Where greed is law and life is cheap.
We bar the doors, refuse to see,
Or hear the words You said:
Let justice roll like a river,
Like a river, let it roll!
Let justice roll like a river,
Like a river, let it roll!
Convict us Lord, we dance and laugh
Ignoring those who weep.
Correct us Lord, our golden calf
Has lulled our hearts to sleep.
The gap between the rich and poor
Grows ever wider, shore to shore.
There’s racial hate, religious war
And wolves among the sheep.
(Chorus)
Indwell us Lord, and purify
Our hands to work for You.
Enlist us Lord, to serve nearby
And ʻcross the waters, too.
Your image-bearers on the earth
Will never know how much theyʼre worth
Unless we love and help them first
And show the way to You!
(Chorus)
Questions as You Consider Jesus
Are you curious? Consider asking someone a question or two about Jesus and Christian spirituality even if you don't believe.
Are you open? Consider your emotional and spiritual needs, and step into asking if Jesus can meet them and help you.
Are you searching? Consider exploring more about Jesus even if you are not sure who He is; example: "If I could ask Jesus one honest question that would help me trust Him, what would I ask?"
Are you beginning to believe? Consider how your life would be transformed if you followed Jesus. Ask God to help you understand the Good News that through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, He is restoring everything sin has ruined in your life and in the world.
For this reason I kneel before the Father
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory,
to be strengthened with power in your inner being through His Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love,
may be able to comprehend with all the saints
what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love,
and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge,
so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond
all that we ask or think according to the power
that works in us—to Him be glory in the Church
and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. + Ephesians 3:14-21
Next sermon audio and liturgy: Prayer | Deliver Us to Believe That Evil Is Crushed (Matt. 6:13)
Are you curious? Consider asking someone a question or two about Jesus and Christian spirituality even if you don't believe.
Are you open? Consider your emotional and spiritual needs, and step into asking if Jesus can meet them and help you.
Are you searching? Consider exploring more about Jesus even if you are not sure who He is; example: "If I could ask Jesus one honest question that would help me trust Him, what would I ask?"
Are you beginning to believe? Consider how your life would be transformed if you followed Jesus. Ask God to help you understand the Good News that through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, He is restoring everything sin has ruined in your life and in the world.
Benediction
For this reason I kneel before the Father
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory,
to be strengthened with power in your inner being through His Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love,
may be able to comprehend with all the saints
what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love,
and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge,
so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond
all that we ask or think according to the power
that works in us—to Him be glory in the Church
and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. + Ephesians 3:14-21
Next sermon audio and liturgy: Prayer | Deliver Us to Believe That Evil Is Crushed (Matt. 6:13)
Christ is all,
Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan
