Preaching Commentary

Sermon Resources

Key Quote

• View

  God will use whatever he wants to display his glory. Heavens and stars. History and nations. People and problems.

  Max Lucado

Key Illustration

• View

  Who Said That?

  During his years as premier of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev denounced many of the policies and atrocities of Joseph Stalin. Once, as he censured Stalin in a public meeting, Khrushchev was interrupted by a shout from a heckler in the audience. “You were one of Stalin’s colleagues. Why didn’t you stop him?” “Who said that?” roared Khrushchev. An agonizing silence followed as nobody in the room dared move a muscle. Then Khrushchev replied quietly, “Now you know why.”

  Unknown

  Today in the Word, July 13, 1993.

Liturgical Resources

Call to Worship

• Adapted from Psalm 121:1-4
  View

  I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
  My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
  He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
  Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

  Dustin Ray

  Adapted for liturgical use.

  Bible Translation: ESV English Standard Version Crossway Publishing

  Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Prayer of Confession

• View

  Heavenly Father, we confess that in our pursuit of good, we often miss opportunities to bring you honor and glory. We try to address our shortcomings by compensating for them, rather than by orienting around your will. We seek what seems higher to us rather than what is holy to you. Help us to first seek your Kingdom, and to put your glory ahead of our own. Hear our prayers as we continue our confession in silence…

  Allen Thompson

Assurance of Pardon

• Adapted from Psalm 121:5-8
  View

  The Lord is your keeper. The Lord is your shade on your right hand.
  The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
  The Lord will keep you from all evil. He will keep your soul.
  The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in, from this time forward, and forever more.
  Friends, rejoice at the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ, God-with-us, we are forgiven.
  Thanks be to God.

  Adapted for liturgical use.

  Bible Translation: WEB World English Bible eBible.org

  Scripture quotations marked (WEB) are from the World English Bible. The World English Bible is in the public domain.

Benediction

• View

  May the Lord who watches over you be the light ahead of you and the shade that protects you.  May He keep you from all harm and watch over your life.  Let Him watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.

  Allen Thompson