Second Sunday after Pentecost
Video:
Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9; Psalm 33:1-8; Romans 4:13-25
Reverend Dr. Desi Larson
- Prelude: “I Shall Not Want,” by Gene Clark; Pauline Olsen, organ
© 2005 Lorenz Publishing Co.
ONE LICENSE A-741127 - Introit: Hymn 3156: “One is the Body,” by John Bell; Trinity Singers
© 1997, 2002 The Iona Community (Scotland), admin. by GIA Publcations, Inc.
ONE LICENSE A-741127 - Hymn 71: “Glory Be to the Father (Gloria Patri),” by Henry W. Greatorex
- Hymn 519: “Lift Every Voice and Sing,”, arr. by James Weldon Johnson
- Hymn 508: “Faith While Trees are Still in Blossom,” music by V. Earle Copes, words by Anders Frostenson, trans. by Fred Kaan
Music © 1960, renewed 1988 Hope Publishing Co., words © Ansgar Film & Bokproduktion, trans. © 1976 Hope Publishing Co.
ONE LICENSE A-741127 - Offertory: “The Healing Hand of God,” by Franklin Ritter; Pauline Olsen, organ
© 2004 Lorenz Publishing Co.
ONE LICENSE A-741127 - Hymn 95: “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow,” words by Thomas Ken, music attr. to Louis Bourgeois
- Special Music: “Wonderful Day, Wonderful Life,” music and words by MiaTanya Curran; MiaTanya Curran, vocal and guitar
Used by permission - Readings from Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9; Psalm 33:1-8; Romans 4:13-25; Nancy Baer
- Sermon: “Hope Against Hope,” Pastor Desi Larson
- Hymn 467: “Trust and Obey,”, music by Dainiel B. Towner, words by John H. Sammis
Public Domain - Benediction Hymn 431: “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” music and words by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson, harm. by Charles H. Webb
© 1955. Assigned to Jan-Lee Music, © renewed 1983
ONE LICENSE A-741127 - Postlude: “Let Praise Ring Forth,” music by Edward Broughton
© 2004 Lorenz Publishing Co.
ONE LICENSE A-741127
Sermon Outline June 11, 2023
Readings: Genesis 12:1-9 God calls Abram
Psalm 33:1-12 The Lord …frustrates the plans of the peoples
Romans 4:13-25 About Abraham and Sarah, “hope against hope”
Hope Against Hope
I. Abraham – Pilgrim to the City of God
• Spiritual pilgrim v. spiritual tourist
• Abraham’s pilgrimage from the city of mankind to the city of God
• Abraham: “… was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:8-16)
• Pilgrim: “a person who makes a trip, often a long and difficult one, to a special place for religious reasons” (Cambridge Dictionary)
• John Bunyan’s The Pilgrims Progress
II. Call to a New Life
• Hearing God’s call: a personal encounter with the living God
• Abraham in Babylon, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1)
III. Response by Faith
• הנני (Hineni) Here I am!
• Genesis – Abraham’s call, Abraham and Isaac
• Peter, Andrew, James, and John – “at once they left their nets and followed him.” (Matthew 4: 20)
IV. Courageous Commitment and Persistence in Difficulty
• “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 23:18)
• “Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up.” – Anne Lamott
V. Our Pilgrimage
• Isaiah 43:1 – God calls us by name – our response?
• Kingdom of God, His people, the Church of Christ, not a denomination, but all who have come to Christ for salvation by faith in Him (Revelation 21:1-3).
• “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
“Hope” is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops—at all
– Emily Dickenson
