June 25, 2023: A Matter of Life or Death

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Video:

Scripture: Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39

Reverend Dr. Desi Larson

  • Prelude: “Walking with the Savior,” music by Richard Blake; Pauline Olsen, organ
    © 2008 Lorenz Publishing Company
    ONE LICENSE A-741127
  • Introit: Hymn 3156: “One is the Body,” music and words 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, 1851
  • Hymn 2149: “Living for Jesus,” music by C. Harold Lowden, words by T. O. Chisolm 1917
  • Hymn 2145: “I’ve Got Peace Like a River,” African American Spiritual
  • Offertory: “How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings,” music by Samuel Liddle, arr. by Gerald Peterson; Pauline Olsen, organ
    © 2008 Lorenz Publishing Company
    ONE LICENSE A-741127
  • Hymn 95: “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow,” words by Thomas Ken, 1674, music attributed to Louis Bourgeois, 1551
  • Special Music: “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” music by Charles H. Gabriel, words by Civilla Martin, 1905; Cynthia Zenner, Kathy Wraith, vocals
  • Readings from Scripture: Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39; Lou O’Hara
  • Sermon: “A Matter of Life and Death,” Pastor Desi Larson
  • Hymn 338: “Where He Leads Me,” music by John S. Norri, words by E. W. Blandy, 1890
  • 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
  • Postlude: “Recessional,” music by Robert J. Hughes; Pauline Olsen, organ
    © 1988 Lorenz Publishing Company
    ONE LICENSE A-741127

A Matter of Life or Death

Sermon Outline, June 25, 2023

Key scripture verses:

Be dead to sin and alive to God in Christ. (Romans 6:11)
“Even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. . . Those who find their life will lose it, and those who love their life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:30-31; 39)

I. WORD OF GOD: Difficult words and tough truths

  1. Jefferson’s Bible
  2. “As diamonds in a dunghill . . . “

II. CONTEXT: We are called

  1.  God calls us, “Here I am, send me!”
  2. Call requires action, proclaiming the Good News
  3. Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves

III. CHALLENGE: It won’t be easy, but . . .

  1. Costly Discipleship: Dietrich Bonhoeffer
  2. Martyrs/Witnesses
    i. “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Corrie ten Boom
    ii. Brother Yun, “The Heavenly Man” “The world can do nothing to a Christian who has no fear of man.”

IV. CALLED WITH ASSURANCE: . . . God is with us!

  1. Costly Grace “Only the suffering God can help.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer
  2. A matter of life and death
Matthew 10:24-39
Matthew 10:24-39 www.agnusday.org