Heavenly Father,
We thank you for your grace, we thank you for your power, we thank you for the love you have for your creation, to pursue us, your creation even before we responded to your sacrifice.
In the beginning, you created us in your image, with self-determination[2] and the gift of free-will.
We fell from grace and have brought separation between creation and the creator.
This morning as we gather in this place we sing your praise, we worship your name through song. We sing of your glory and your love.
As we continue in this worship service we ask that you would continue to transform us, that our lives would not be content with mere salvation. Instead we ask for your continued transformation of our lives, we ask that you make us more like you. We pray that you would bring our human nature into relationship with your perfect nature.
No matter how we entered this space today, if we entered as a beginner or a child in the faith we ask that you would continue to pursue us and make us bring us to yourself.[4] For those in our midst who are growing in their faith may you continue to aid them in taking their next step in faith, a step toward full union through love toward others and love toward you.[5]
As we continue to worship through the giving of our tithes and offerings, we ask that you take those gifts and use them to glorify yourself. May they be a tool of your grace, used to reach lost people before they even know what you are up to, used to build the faith and disciple those who have already received you as their savior. May you become Lord of our lives. God as we give our treasures may you transform our obedient hearts. May you bless each gift and multiply it, but may you also transform the heart of our congregation as we sacrifice a portion of what you have granted us to steward for your eternal kingdom.
Father, through the sacrifice of your Son and the power of your Holy Spirit we pray for you to touch lives and transform hearts and minds for you during the reading of the Scriptures and the preaching of the Word. We pray that we would not only clearly hear your voice but that we would also act upon it.[6] God bless us and direct our steps.
We pray that at the conclusion of the service as we go from this place that we would not simply forget your teaching but be eternally changed as a result of it. May we live our lives like you.
May our nature reflect your nature. May we become selfless, loving, and grace-filled.
We place this in your hands and ask for your continued guidance.
It is in the name of your Son we pray because of his great sacrifice he made that destroyed the works of the devil[8], and because of the power of you Holy Spirit that we can be in the presence of a Holy God.
And all God’s people said…
AMEN
Sermon
Below is the sermon outline for the sermon that would accompany the pray above. This sermon highlights the relationship between the Son and the Holy Spirit, while calling listeners to respond to the truth of the gospel. This is a simple call to Christ, salvation message. Further, the nature of God is on display as it reveals the power of the Holy Spirit glorifying the son, Jesus.
Disciple Maker Series
Truth of the Disciple / Week 6
Three Deadly Errors // The Spirit Brings Truth
John 16[9]
- The Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin. (v. 9)
Implication: A refusal to believe in the power of Jesus is the sin that blocks forgiveness for all other sins.
- The Holy Spirit brings forth the opportunity to see the righteousness of Jesus. (v. 10)
Implication: We only experience salvation through the power of the true righteous one, JESUS.
3. The Holy Spirit would conclude that the prince of this world now stands condemned. (v. 11)
Implication: Jesus’ crucifixion has toppled the power of the prince of this world. We can experience freedom!
Response to the Truth
“I told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33
Declare with your mouth and believe in your heart. (Romans 10:9-13)[10]
Implication: The truth sheds light on authentic joy. The disciple experiences authentic joy.
Bibliography
“Amazon.com: EuroGraphics Creation of Adam by Michaelangelo Puzzle (1000-Piece): Toys & Games.” Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & More. Accessed February 2, 2020. https://www.amazon.com/EuroGraphics-Creation-Michaelangelo-Puzzle-1000-Piece/dp/B0019N32PM.
“Art and the Empty Tomb: 3 Lessons for Our Creative Lives from Luke 24.” Lexham Press. Last modified April 22, 2019. https://blog.lexhampress.com/2019/04/22/art-and-the-empty-tomb-3-lessons-for-our-creative-lives-from-luke-24/.
Brandyberry, Joni. February 1, 2020. https://brightspace.indwes.edu/d2l/le/content/99073/viewContent/1613438/View.
Goggin, Jamin & Strobel, Kyle. Reading the Christian Spiritual Classics: A Guide for Evangelicals. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2013.
Maddox, Randy L. Responsible Grace: John Wesley’s Practical Theology. Kingswood Series, 1994.
Version, Bible E., and International B. Staff. Holy Bible. NIV, 2010.
“Wesley Center Online.” The Wesley Center Online: Home. Accessed January 28, 2020. http://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley-1872-edition/sermon-62-the-end-of-christs-coming/.
“YouTube.” YouTube. Accessed February 2, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drICCe7PN48.
[1] “Amazon.com: EuroGraphics Creation of Adam by Michaelangelo Puzzle (1000-Piece): Toys & Games,” Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & More, accessed February 2, 2020, https://www.amazon.com/EuroGraphics-Creation-Michaelangelo-Puzzle-1000-Piece/dp/B0019N32PM.
[2] Randy L. Maddox, Responsible Grace: John Wesley’s Practical Theology (Kingswood Series, 1994), 66.
[3] “YouTube,” YouTube, accessed February 2, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drICCe7PN48.
[4] Jamin Goggin and Kyle C. Strobel, Reading the Christian Spiritual Classics: A Guide for Evangelicals (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2013), 83.
[5] Jamin Goggin and Kyle C. Strobel, Reading the Christian Spiritual Classics: A Guide for Evangelicals (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2013), 83.
[6] Joni Brandyberry, , February 1, 2020, https://brightspace.indwes.edu/d2l/le/content/99073/viewContent/1613438/View
[7] “Art and the Empty Tomb: 3 Lessons for Our Creative Lives from Luke 24,” Lexham Press, last modified April 22, 2019, https://blog.lexhampress.com/2019/04/22/art-and-the-empty-tomb-3-lessons-for-our-creative-lives-from-luke-24/.
[8] “Wesley Center Online,” The Wesley Center Online: Home, accessed January 28, 2020, http://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley-1872-edition/sermon-62-the-end-of-christs-coming/.
[9] Bible E. Version and International B. Staff, Holy Bible (NIV, 2010), 901.
[10] Bible E. Version and International B. Staff, Holy Bible (NIV, 2010), 944.
Congregational Spiritual Formation 