IJM + Route 1 Freedom Weekend | Matthew 9:27-38: Jesus' Compassionate Power to Send Us to See & Labor to Set Free + Saturday, September 21

“Do you believe I can do this?” Jesus is asking us. What are we saying, “Yes, Lord,” to that we haven’t seen? Salvation, healing, gifts of the Spirit, empowering for witness, justice, ending slavery one person at a time? What does Jesus do right now “according to our faith”? What might He do with more?

Sermon Audio | Jesus' Compassionate Power to Send Us to See & Labor to Set Free

Sermon Scriptures | Matthew 9:27-38

Freedom Weekend Partner Organizations + Links 

+ Awareness and Advocacy: Learning to Fight Sex Trafficking with Route One, Bags of Hope, and The Abolitionist Network  

+ International Justice Mission Freedom Weekend: Continuing the Fight to End Slavery

Freedom Weekend Prayer of Confession & Assurance
Adapted from a Pastor Rich Villodas Prayer

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
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.
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.

Call to Worship | 2 Chronicles 20:12

Our God, will You not bring Your justice?
For we are powerless before this vast number
that comes to fight against us.
We do not know what to do, but we look to You.

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)

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)

She 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)

Break Every Chain + Fill Me Up
T. Cobbs & W. Reagan, 2013 & 2015 A.D.

There is power
In the name of Jesus (x3) ...
To break every chain,
Break every chain,
Break every chain!

All sufficient sacrifice,
So freely given, such a price
Bought My redemption,
Heaven's gates swing wide.

There's an army rising up (x3) ...
To break every chain,
Break every chain,
Break every chain!

You provide the fire,
I'll provide the sacrifice.
You provide the Spirit,
I will open up inside.

Fill me up, God (x3) ...
Fill me up.

Love of God, overflow.
Permeate all my soul.

Fill me up until I overflow!
I want to run over,
I want to run over!

Surrounded (Fight My Battles)
Upper Room, 2018 A.D.

There’s a table that You’ve prepared for me
In the presence of my enemies.
It’s Your body and Your blood You shed for me.
This is how I fight my battles … (Repeat 1st Verse)

And I believe You’ve overcome
And I will lift my song of praise
For what You’ve done!
This is how I fight my battles,
This is how I fight my battles,
This is how I fight my battles,
This is how I ... (Repeat)

In the valley I know that You’re with me
And surely Your goodness and Your mercy follow me.
So my weapons are praise and thanksgiving.
This is how I fight my battles … (Chorus)

It may look like I'm surrounded

But I'm surrounded by You!

My victory's in Jesus' name!
My victory was on that third day!

The Kingdom Is Yours 
Common Hymnal, 2017 A.D.

Blessed are the ones who do not bury
All the broken pieces of their heart.
Blessed are the tears of all the weary
Pouring like a sky of falling stars.

Blessed are the wounded ones in mourning,
Brave enough to show the Lord their scars.
Blessed are the hurts that are not hidden,
Open to the healing touch of God.

The Kingdom is yours, the Kingdom is yours,
Hold on a little more, this is not the end.
Hope is in the Lord, keep your eyes on Him.

Blessed are the ones who walk in kindness
Even in the face of great abuse.
Blessed are the deeds that go unnoticed,
Serving with unguarded gratitude.

Blessed are the ones who fight for justice,
Longing for the coming day of peace.
Blessed is the soul that thirsts for righteousness,
Welcoming the last, the lost, the least. (Chorus)

Blessed are the ones who suffer violence
And still have strength to love their enemies.
Blessed is the faith of those who persevere.
Though they fall, they'll never know defeat.

Pass the Peace | In the Story of God, Jesus declared, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you" (John 14:26) during humanity's darkest, most tragic weekend of His death. And then after Jesus was crucified and resurrected, defeating evil and death, He said, "Peace be with you ... Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:21-22). Somehow, with Jesus, peace is possible even in our darkest moments. During this time, we desire to share with each other peace that passes understanding, empowered by the Spirit of Christ.

The peace of the Lord by always with you.

And also with you.

Prayers of Preparation for Eucharist

Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Prayer Asking for Jesus' Help
Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.
I want to see. Please reveal to me who You are.
Give me ears to hear You, and understanding for
the Good News You are saying to me today. Amen.

Prayer for Communion with Jesus and Each Other
Jesus, by Your Spirit, fill us with Yourself,
the true Bread and Vine. We turn to You now to
unite us, strengthen us, and empower us
to be Your Kingdom family of servants and witnesses
together until You return and make all things new. Amen. 

Eucharist | Thanking God for Communion with Christ and His Church

Our World Belongs to God Q&A 41
2008 A.D.

Q. How does Jesus' Church go with joy in doing justice?
A. Joining the mission of God,
the Church is sent with the Gospel of the Kingdom
to call everyone to know and follow Christ
and to proclaim to all the assurance that in the name of Jesus
there is forgiveness of sin and new life for all who repent and believe. The Spirit calls all members to embrace God’s mission
in their neighborhoods and in the world:
to feed the hungry, bring water to the thirsty,
welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick,
and free the prisoner. We repent of leaving this work to a few,
for this mission is central to our being.

Benediction Based on "The Kingdom Is Yours"
by Common Hymnal (Matthew 5:3-12)

Blessed are the wounded ones in mourning, brave enough
to show the Lord their scars. Blessed are the hurts that
are not hidden, open to the healing touch of God.
Blessed are the ones who fight for justice, longing for the
coming day of peace. Blessed is the soul that thirsts for
righteousness, welcoming the last, the lost, the least.
Blessed are the ones who suffer violence and still have
strength to love their enemies. Blessed is the faith of those
who persevere; though they fall, they'll never know defeat.
The Kingdom is yours, hold on a little more, this is not the end.
Hope is in the Lord; keep Your eyes on Him. You are loved.
Now go with the Prince of Peace to declare and demonstrate
Jesus' Good News of the Kingdom of heaven that is near.

Next sermon audio + liturgy notes post: Matthew 9:37-10:16: Jesus' Sending Power to Free Us to Be "Tumblers for God"

Emmaus City Church is a local church made up of City Groups.

A City Group (CG) is a group of 10-30 people – children, women, and men included – who are befriending, serving, and loving a community together in Jesus' name in Worcester. CGs are small enough that people can know you and value you, but large enough to make an impact in communities throughout Worcester. Each CG gets together throughout a month (i.e. dinners, times of prayer or learning from the Story of God in the Bible, acts of service, parties, etc.) to see Worcester become a city of neighbors and friends that showcase Jesus' love and compassion to all. Those who are cautious or curious to hear and see what it means to follow Jesus are just as welcome as those who believe Jesus is Lord and God and seek to follow Him in every area of life.

Current City Groups: Lincoln Street City Group | W.R.A.P. City Group

To connect with one of the City Groups above, please contact info@emmauscitychurch.com

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

Join Us Today, 9/21/19, for International Justice Mission Freedom Weekend: Continuing the Fight to End Slavery

Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public. + Cornel West

Join us this Saturday, September 21, 4-5:15 p.m. for our International Justice Mission Freedom Weekend Mass at the Fusion Center, 30 Tyler Prentice Rd. featuring welcome, homily on Matthew 9:27-38, Eucharist, and songs including All the Poor and Powerless, Heal Us, Break Every Chain | Fill Me Up Medley, Surrounded (Fight My Battles), and The Kingdom Is Yours 

I was introduced to International Justice Mission (IJM), the largest international anti-slavery organization in the world, back when I was in college nearly twenty years ago. I had friends that served as interns with IJM who went to Duke Law and UNC Law, and I have continued to follow the organization's development as the years go on.

Emmaus City Church is an IJM Freedom Partner church and we cannot speak highly enough for all that God has done through IJM to bring justice to countries around the world. Check out their How We Work and Where We Work pages for more of their story.

And their numbers speak for themselves.

Below are links to three videos, with the scripts below the videos, that provide an introduction to IJM.

I hope you join with me in beginning to see that justice is possible in our often bankrupt world, and that whatever part we play, it can be significant when one life is saved.

| 1 | International Justice Mission (IJM): Fighting to End Slavery (3:45 minutes) 

Video Script: We have operations all over the world, rescuing people from slavery. Because today there are criminals who abuse children, sell girls, and force families into slavery.

Criminals prey on the easiest target: the world's poor because they expect no one to defend them.

But today, there are thousands of people gathering to seek justice for those in slavery. We are a group of lawyers, counselors, activists, and supporters.

We are called International Justice Mission.

And together, we form the largest international anti-slavery organization in the world. 

But slavery won't come to an end until criminals know they can't get away with it. So we partner with local police to arrest and prosecute criminals. This sends a message to slave owners: we will not go away. 

We stay with the survivors until they are healed, until they are free. 

Each year we rescue thousands of slaves and protect millions around the world. We are transforming how justice systems protect their citizens. 

To those who are still enslaved, we promise to find you. We will get you home to your families so you can have the freedom you deserve.

Slavery still exists.

Together we can end slavery.

| 2 |  International Justice Mission (IJM) Spoken Word: Justice Video (2:51 minutes)

Video Script: In the beginning, God created people and gave them power to do good for others. To work, to create, to build. To make the whole earth good. To imagine new combinations of color and flavor and rhythm. To keep singing the song of creation. 

Until we made other plans. 

We ripped up God's song and replaced it with towers, cars, i-Phones, selfies, and organic kale. And when those weren't enough, we sold our own people to pay for more. We changed the song.

But the Creator had a new melody, a Musician to write the next verse. The first note was death, but the next line was freedom. A chorus of restoration and healing. 

Freedom from brokenness. Restoration to holiness. And the song continues to be sung by engineers, doctors, lawyers, managers, educators, artists, post-graduates and no graduates. 

People from every field, every nation, every race to lead God's melody and stand up for the broken.

Anyone will stand for a minute. But do you know what makes a leader? A leader keeps standing. A leader won't bend. She shows up to a meeting when only four people attend and keeps believing when people stop tweeting the trend. 

A leader pushes forward when everyone else pulls back. For the hill is steep and the path is lonely. But whatever it takes, she's running the race. When the lights go down and everyone is gone, she's still there.

She won't quit. She can't walk away. She is a leader and justice is her melody. 

And eventually a few notice. A few more start to believe. Two people become six who find eight more and the movement has begun. 

The work of justice is long, but the people who lead it are the ones who just won't quit. 

Together, we will raise our voice for the broken. We will join the music. We will sing the song of freedom. We will not be silent.

| 3 | International Justice Mission (IJM) The Lost Sheep Video (1:28 minute)

Video Script: He puts the ninety-nine in the pen and He goes after and searches for the lost sheep until He finds it.

As He's very particular with that language. He goes after the sheep until He finds it.

That just shows the relentlessness of our Father.

What we do at IJM is we go look for that lost sheep, that girl that's being abused. And we will search for her until we find her. 

That's how our Father has loved us. That's how we're called to love others. Not to search for them until we've satisfied ourselves. Not to search for them until it gets really hard. But to go after them until we find them.

To be relentless in our love for those who are abused, for those that are oppressed, for those that are being held down. 

There are over 35 million people lost to slavery. Together we can end slavery. 

P.S. Click on the pictures or links below to watch actual stories of those who have been rescued from slavery.

| 1 | IJM: Grace's Story (6:37 minutes)

| 2 | IJM: Operation Gideon (2:51 minutes)

| 3 | IJM: Griselda's Story (3:55 minutes)

| 4 | IJM: Joseph's Story (5:39 minutes)

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

Emmaus City Values Series | Justice & Joy (Is. 58:1-12) + Saturday, September 22

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:

+ 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.

Eucharist | Thanking God for Communion with Christ and His Church

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.

+ 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)

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.

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

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

James 1:9-11, 2:1-13, 5:1-6 | IJM Freedom Weekend w/ Route One | Pour Out Jesus' Generous Justice + September 23, 2017

Book cover for Luke Timothy Johnson's Brother of Jesus, Friend of God

Learn more about International Justice Mission's Freedom Weekend and Route One Ministry.

Bible Passages | James 1:9-11, 2:1-13, 5:1-6 

Scripture Readings: Job 37:23; Psalm 33:5, 89:14, 103:6, 146:7-9;

Proverbs 21:3

Previous sermons and liturgies in James

+ James 1:1-4, 12-18: Count It All Joy

+ James 1:5-8; 3:13-18: Ask for Jesus' Wisdom

Jesus' Church's Call is to Mission in Word and Deed, Evangelism and 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. As the Gospel is proclaimed and received, it connects directly with the social and economic realities of people's lives, which are intertwined with their spiritual needs. This seamless connection between the proclamation of the Gospel and concern for material realities – between word and deed – permeates the book of Acts. 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 and was considered so significant that seven disciples were commissioned to oversee this part of the church's mission and to ensure that no on was neglected (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. As they engaged those who were marginalized, impoverished, and neglected, they bore witness to the upside-down nature of God's Kingdom in Christ (Acts 17:6-7). The early Church did not designate separate categories for evangelism and justice. They seamlessly lived James's conviction that "faith without deeds is dead" (James 2:26).

What we today call evangelism and justice together make up the Kingdom mission of the Church. Biblically the pursuit of justice, righteousness, and shalom includes mission in word and deed. The mission of the Church is to be an extension of the mission of Jesus – that is, a manifestation of the kingdom of God, a new reality ushered in by Jesus Christ that "affects human life not only morally and spiritually but also physically and psychologically, materially and socially." Just as Jesus's mission manifested the many layers of the Kingdom through His preaching and His acts of justice and mercy, so should the Church's mission. Good works are not an optional add-on to the proclamation of the Gospel; only together can they point to the fullness of the Kingdom of God that Jesus Christ inaugurated.

+ Jim Martin, The Just Church: Becoming a Risk-Taking, Justice-Seeking, Disciple-Making Congregation

Lord's Prayer | Praying for Jesus' Kingdom Impact in Us and in Worcester

Eucharist | Thanking God for Communion with Christ and His Church

Prayer of Confession and Assurance

Leader: Merciful Father, we have gathered today in Your name, and with great freedom. Yet we acknowledge not all people are free. We confess our tendency to live comfortably with injustice; we confess our use of liberty for personal gain and self preservation; we confess our ignorance and apathy towards those who are vulnerable and abused. Forgive us, Lord Jesus, and transform us into people who share your heart for justice. 

Silent Personal Reflection and Confession

All: O God, our words cannot express what our minds can barely comprehend and our hearts feel when we hear of men, women and children deceived, transported to unknown places, forced into slavery of labor and sex for the financial gain of traffickers. Our hearts are saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights are transgressed through threats, deception, and force. We cry out against this degrading practice and pray for it to end. Deliver them, O God, from their perpetrators’ hands. And give us the courage and wisdom to stand in solidarity with them, that together we will find ways to provide them with the freedom that is Your offer to all of us.

Leader: God’s life-giving Word and Spirit conquer the powers of sin, slavery, injustice, and death. Thanks be to God for His Good News.

All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, redeemed, and set free, and He invites us to join Him in His fight to end sin, slavery, injustice, and death.

Adapted From “Modern Prayers for Africa and the World”, Missionaries of Africa, South Africa, by Fr. Michel Meunier

Great Are You Lord
By All Sons and Daughters
2013 A.D.

You give life, You are love,
You bring light to the darkness.
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken.
Great are You, Lord.

It's Your breath in our lungs,
So we pour out our praise,
We pour out our praise.
It's Your breath in our lungs,
So we pour out our praise to You only.

All the earth will shout Your praise,
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing,
“Great are You, Lord!”

Reckless Love

Bethel Music
2017 A.D.

Before I spoke a word,

You were singing over me.

You have been so, so good to me.

Before I took a breath,

You breathed Your life in me.

You have been so, so kind to me.

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending

Reckless love of God!

It chases me down,

Fights 'til I'm found,

Leaves the ninety-nine!

I couldn't earn it, and

I don't deserve it,

Still You give Yourself away!

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending

Reckless love of God!

When I was your foe,

Still Your love fought for me.

You have been so, so good to me.

When I felt no worth,

You paid it all for me.

You have been so, so kind to me.
(Chorus)

There's no shadow You won't light up,

Mountain You won't climb up,

Coming after me!

There's no wall You won't kick down,

Lie You won't tear down,

Coming after me!

(Chorus)

Let Justice Roll

By 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)

In Christ Alone

By Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
2001 A.D.

In Christ alone our hope is found
He is our light, our strength, our song.
This Cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
Our Comforter, our all in all,
Here in the love of Christ we stand.

In Christ alone who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
'Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied,
For every sin on Him was laid,
Here in the death of Christ we live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious Day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine,
Bought with the precious blood of Christ!

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me.
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands our destiny!
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand!
'Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand!

In Tenderness He Sought Me
By W. Spencer Walton
1894 A.D.

In tenderness He sought me
Weary and sick with sin. 
And on His shoulders brought me
Back to His fold again.
While angels in His presence sang,
Until the courts of heaven rang! 

Oh, the love that sought me!
Oh, the blood that bought me!
Oh the grace that brought me
To the fold of God!
Grace that brought me

To the fold of God!

He died for me while I was sinning,
Needy and poor and blind.
He whispered to assure me,
"I've found thee; thou art Mine."
I never heard a sweeter voice,
It made my aching heart rejoice!
(Repeat Chorus)

Upon His grace I'll daily ponder
And sing anew His praise.
With all adoring wonder,
His blessings I retrace.
It seems as if eternal days,
Are far too short to sing His praise!
(Repeat Chorus)

No Longer Slaves

By 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!"

Our World Belongs to God Q&A 41

2008 A.D.

Q 41: What is the mission of God’s people?

A: To join Him in the world as His Church, being sent with Jesus' Gospel of the Kingdom to call everyone to know and follow Christ and to proclaim to all the assurance that in the name of Jesus there is forgiveness of sin and new life for all who repent and believe. The Spirit calls all members to embrace God’s mission in their neighborhoods and in the world: to feed the hungry, bring water to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and free the prisoner. We repent of leaving this work to a few, for this mission is central to our being.

Benediction

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it. + 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Next post: James 1:19-27; 4:13-17: Be Quick to Hear and Slow to Speak in Light of Jesus 

+ Sully

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