PRAYER: Thematic
God of all who wander in the wilderness,
you go before us as beacon and guide.
Lead us through all danger,
sustain us through all desolation,
and bring us home to the land
you have prepared for us. Amen.
Intercessory
Friends in Christ,
God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers
as dear to us as our own needs.
Loving our neighbors as ourselves,
we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions
on behalf of the church and the world.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Hear our prayers, God of power,
and through the ministry of your Son
free us from the grip of the tomb,
that we may desire you as the fullness of life
and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.
OR
As you heard the prayer of Isaac and Rebekah, O God,
and guided them in the way of your love,
so listen now to those who call upon you.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Move us to praise your gracious will,
for in Christ Jesus you have saved us from the deeds of death
and opened for us the hidden ways of your love.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OR
Lord God, friend of those in need,
your Son Jesus has untied our burdens
and healed our spirits.
We lift up the prayers of our hearts for those still burdened,
those seeking healing,
those in need within the church and the world.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Hear our prayers
that we may love you with our whole being
and willingly share the concerns of our neighbors. Amen.
OR
Creator God,
you call us to love and serve you
with body, mind, and spirit
through loving your creation
and our sisters and brothers.
Open our hearts in compassion
and receive these petitions
on behalf of the needs of the church and the world.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Holy One,
hear our prayers and make us faithful stewards
of the fragile bounty of this earth
so that we may be entrusted with the riches of heaven. Amen.
OR
We praise your abiding guidance, O God,
for you sent us Jesus, our Teacher and Messiah,
to model for us the way of love for the whole universe.
We offer these prayers of love
on behalf of ourselves and our neighbors,
on behalf of your creation and our fellow creatures.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Loving God,
open our ears to hear your word
and draw us closer to you,
that the whole world may be one with you
as you are one with us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OR
God of mercy and healing,
you who hear the cries of those in need,
receive these petitions of your people
that all who are troubled
may know peace, comfort, and courage.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Life-giving God,
heal our lives,
that we may acknowledge your wonderful deeds
and offer you thanks from generation to generation
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OR
God of salvation,
who sent your Son to seek out and save what is lost,
hear our prayers
on behalf of those who are lost in our day,
receiving these petitions and thanksgivings
with your unending compassion.
Prayers of the People, concluding with:
Redeeming Sustainer,
visit your people
and pour out your strength and courage upon us,
that we may hurry to make you welcome
not only in our concern for others,
but by serving them
generously and faithfully in your name. Amen.
Scripture (Series 1)
God of Aaron, Miriam, and Moses,
you stayed the hand of your wrath
when we fell into idolatry and discord;
and when we forgot our deliverance,
your love for us remained unchanging.
Transform us and our world
into a place of justice, love, and peace.
Welcome us to your wedding feast
where all are invited to be gathered in. Amen.
Scripture (Series 2)
Lord of the feast,
you have prepared a table before all peoples
and poured out life with such abundance
that death cannot claim the triumph over your universe.
Call us again to your banquet where we may receive your holy food,
and strengthened by what is honorable, just, and pure,
be transformed into a people of righteousness and peace. Amen.
Lectionary Scriptures:
Exodus 32:1-14
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
Isaiah 25:1-9
Psalm 23
Philippians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-14
Scripture Texts:
Exodus 32: “Make Gods for Us”
1 When the people realized that Moses was taking forever in coming down off the mountain, they rallied around Aaron and said, “Do something. Make gods for us who will lead us. That Moses, the man who got us out of Egypt—who knows what’s happened to him?”
2-4 So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters and bring them to me.” They all did it; they removed the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from their hands and cast it in the form of a calf, shaping it with an engraving tool.
The people responded with enthusiasm: “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up from Egypt!”
5 Aaron, taking in the situation, built an altar before the calf.
Aaron then announced, “Tomorrow is a feast day to God!”
6 Early the next morning, the people got up and offered Whole-Burnt-Offerings and brought Peace-Offerings. The people sat down to eat and drink and then began to party. It turned into a wild party!
7-8 God spoke to Moses, “Go! Get down there! Your people whom you brought up from the land of Egypt have fallen to pieces. In no time at all they’ve turned away from the way I commanded them: They made a molten calf and worshiped it. They’ve sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are the gods, O Israel, that brought you up from the land of Egypt!’”
9-10 God said to Moses, “I look at this people—oh! what a stubborn, hard-headed people! Let me alone now, give my anger free reign to burst into flames and incinerate them. But I’ll make a great nation out of you.”
11-13 Moses tried to calm his God down. He said, “Why, God, would you lose your temper with your people? Why, you brought them out of Egypt in a tremendous demonstration of power and strength. Why let the Egyptians say, ‘He had it in for them—he brought them out so he could kill them in the mountains, wipe them right off the face of the Earth.’ Stop your anger. Think twice about bringing evil against your people! Think of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants to whom you gave your word, telling them ‘I will give you many children, as many as the stars in the sky, and I’ll give this land to your children as their land forever.’”
14 And God did think twice. He decided not to do the evil he had threatened against his people.
Psalm 106:1-3 Hallelujah!
Thank God! And why?
Because he’s good, because his love lasts.
But who on earth can do it—
declaim God’s mighty acts, broadcast all his praises?
You’re one happy man when you do what’s right,
one happy woman when you form the habit of justice.
4-5 Remember me, God, when you enjoy your people;
include me when you save them;
I want to see your chosen succeed,
celebrate with your celebrating nation,
join the Hallelujahs of your pride and joy!
6-12 We’ve sinned a lot, both we and our parents;
We’ve fallen short, hurt a lot of people.
After our parents left Egypt,
they took your wonders for granted,
forgot your great and wonderful love.
They were barely beyond the Red Sea
when they defied the High God
—the very place he saved them!
—the place he revealed his amazing power!
He rebuked the Red Sea so that it dried up on the spot
—he paraded them right through!
—no one so much as got wet feet!
He saved them from a life of oppression,
pried them loose from the grip of the enemy.
Then the waters flowed back on their oppressors;
there wasn’t a single survivor.
Then they believed his words were true
and broke out in songs of praise.
19-22 They cast in metal a bull calf at Horeb
and worshiped the statue they’d made.
They traded the Glory
for a cheap piece of sculpture—a grass-chewing bull!
They forgot God, their very own Savior,
who turned things around in Egypt,
Who created a world of wonders in the Land of Ham,
who gave that stunning performance at the Red Sea.
23-27 Fed up, God decided to get rid of them—
and except for Moses, his chosen, he would have.
But Moses stood in the gap and deflected God’s anger,
prevented it from destroying them utterly.
They went on to reject the Blessed Land,
didn’t believe a word of what God promised.
They found fault with the life they had
and turned a deaf ear to God’s voice.
Exasperated, God swore
that he’d lay them low in the desert,
Scattering their children hither and yon,
strewing them all over the earth.
Isaiah 25: God’s Hand Rests on This Mountain
1-5 God, you are my God.
I celebrate you. I praise you.
You’ve done your share of miracle-wonders,
well-thought-out plans, solid and sure.
Here you’ve reduced the city to rubble,
the strong city to a pile of stones.
The enemy Big City is a non-city,
never to be a city again.
Superpowers will see it and honor you,
brutal oppressors bow in worshipful reverence.
They’ll see that you take care of the poor,
that you take care of poor people in trouble,
Provide a warm, dry place in bad weather,
provide a cool place when it’s hot.
Brutal oppressors are like a winter blizzard
and vicious foreigners like high noon in the desert.
But you, shelter from the storm and shade from the sun,
shut the mouths of the big-mouthed bullies.
6-8 But here on this mountain, God-of-the-Angel-Armies
will throw a feast for all the people of the world,
A feast of the finest foods, a feast with vintage wines,
a feast of seven courses, a feast lavish with gourmet desserts.
And here on this mountain, God will banish
the pall of doom hanging over all peoples,
The shadow of doom darkening all nations.
Yes, he’ll banish death forever.
And God will wipe the tears from every face.
He’ll remove every sign of disgrace
From his people, wherever they are.
Yes! God says so!
9-10 Also at that time, people will say,
“Look at what’s happened! This is our God!
We waited for him and he showed up and saved us!
This God, the one we waited for!
Let’s celebrate, sing the joys of his salvation.
God’s hand rests on this mountain!”
Psalm 23: A David Psalm
1-3 God, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.
Philippians 4:1 My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don’t waver. Stay on track, steady in God.
Pray About Everything
2 I urge Euodia and Syntyche to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn’t want his children holding grudges.
3 And, oh, yes, Syzygus, since you’re right there to help them work things out, do your best with them. These women worked for the Message hand in hand with Clement and me, and with the other veterans—worked as hard as any of us. Remember, their names are also in the Book of Life.
4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Matthew 22: The Story of the Wedding Banquet
1-3 Jesus responded by telling still more stories. “God’s kingdom,” he said, “is like a king who threw a wedding banquet for his son. He sent out servants to call in all the invited guests. And they wouldn’t come!
4 “He sent out another round of servants, instructing them to tell the guests, ‘Look, everything is on the table, the prime rib is ready for carving. Come to the feast!’
5-7 “They only shrugged their shoulders and went off, one to weed his garden, another to work in his shop. The rest, with nothing better to do, beat up on the messengers and then killed them. The king was outraged and sent his soldiers to destroy those thugs and level their city.
8-10 “Then he told his servants, ‘We have a wedding banquet all prepared but no guests. The ones I invited weren’t up to it. Go out into the busiest intersections in town and invite anyone you find to the banquet.’ The servants went out on the streets and rounded up everyone they laid eyes on, good and bad, regardless. And so the banquet was on—every place filled.
11-13 “When the king entered and looked over the scene, he spotted a man who wasn’t properly dressed. He said to him, ‘Friend, how dare you come in here looking like that!’ The man was speechless. Then the king told his servants, ‘Get him out of here—fast. Tie him up and ship him to hell. And make sure he doesn’t get back in.’
14 “That’s what I mean when I say, ‘Many get invited; only a few make it.’”
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary:
Exodus 32:1-14
Verse 1
[1] And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
Up, make us gods which shall go before us. They were weary of waiting for the promised land. They thought themselves detained too long at mount Sinai. They had a God that stayed with them, but they must have a God to go before them to the land flowing with milk and honey. They were weary of waiting for the return of Moses: As for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of Egypt, we know not what is become of him - Observe how slightly they speak of his person, this Moses: And how suspiciously of his delay, we know not what is become of him. And they were weary of waiting for a divine institution of religious worship among them, so they would have a worship of their own invention, probably such as they had seen among the Egyptians. They say, make us gods which shall go before us. Gods! How many would they have? Is not one sufficient? And what good would gods of their own making do them? They must have such Gods to go before them as could not go themselves farther than they were carried!
Verse 2
[2] And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.
And Aaron said break off the golden ear-rings — We do not find that he said one word to discountenance their proposal. Some suppose, that when Aaron bid them break off their ear-rings, he did it with design to crush the proposal, believing that, though their covetousness would have let them do it, yet their pride would not have suffered them to part with them.
Verse 3
[3] And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.
And all the people brake off their ear-rings — Which Aaron melted down, and, having a mold prepared, poured the melted gold into it, and then produced it in the shape of an ox or calf, giving it some finishing strokes with a graving tool.
Verse 5
[5] And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.
And Aaron built an altar before it, and proclaimed a feast — A feast of dedication; yet he calls it a feast to Jehovah; for, as brutish as they were, they did not design to terminate their adoration in the image; but they made it for a representation of the true God, whom they intended to worship in and through this image. And yet this did not excuse them from gross idolatry, no more than it will excuse the Papists, whose plea it is, that they do not worship the image, but God by the image; so making themselves just such idolaters as the worshippers of the golden calf, whose feast was a feast to Jehovah, and proclaimed to be so, that the most ignorant and unthinking might not mistake it.
Verse 6
[6] And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.
And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered sacrifice to this new made deity. And the people sat down to eat and drink of the remainder of what was sacrificed, and then rose up to play - To play the fool, to play the wanton. It was strange that any of the people, especially so great a number of them, should do such a thing. Had they not, but the other day, in this very place, heard the voice of the Lord God speaking to them out of the midst of the fire, Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image? - Yet They made a calf in Horeb, the very place where the law was given It was especially strange that Aaron should be so deeply concerned, should make the calf and proclaim the feast! Is this Aaron the saint of the Lord! Is this he that had not only seen, but had been employed in summoning the plagues of Egypt, and the judgments executed upon the gods of the Egyptians? What! And yet himself copying out the abandoned idolatries of Egypt? How true is it, that the law made them priests which had infirmity, and needed first to offer for their own sins?
Verse 8
[8] They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
They have turned aside quickly — Quickly after the law was given them, and they had promised to obey it; quickly after God had done such great things for them, and declared his kind intentions to do greater.
Verse 9
[9] And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:
It is a stiff-necked people — Unapt to come under the yoke of the divine law, averse to all good, and prone to evil, obstinate to the methods of cure.
Verse 10
[10] Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.
Let me alone — What did Moses, or what could he do, to hinder God from consuming them? When God resolves to abandon a people, and the decree is gone forth, no intercession can prevent it. But God would thus express the greatness of his displeasure, after the manner of men, who would have none to interceed for those they resolve to be severe with. Thus also he would put an honour upon prayer, intimating, that nothing but the intercession of Moses could save them from ruin, that he might be a type of Christ, by whose mediation alone God would reconcile the world unto himself.
Verse 11
[11] And Moses besought the LORD #1# his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?
And Moses besought the Lord his God — If God would not be called the God of Israel, yet he hoped he might address him as his own God. Now Moses is standing in the gap to turn away the wrath of God. Psalms 106:23. He took the hint which God gave him when he said, Let me alone, which, though it seemed to forbid his interceding, did really encourage it, by shewing what power the prayer of faith hath with God.
Verse 12
[12] Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
Turn from thy fierce wrath — Not as if he thought God were not justly angry, but he begs that he would not be so greatly angry as to consume them. Let mercy rejoice against judgment; repent of this evil - Change the sentence of destruction into that of correction, against thy people which thou broughtest up out of Egypt - For whom thou hast done so great things? Wherefore should the Egyptians say, For mischief did he bring them out - Israel is dear to Moses, as his kindred, as his charge; but it is the glory of God that he is most concerned for. If Israel could perish without any reproach to God's name, Moses could persuade himself to sit down contented; but he cannot bear to hear God reflected on; and therefore this he insists upon, Lord, What will the Egyptians say? They will say, God was either weak, and could not, or fickle, and would not compleat the salvation he begun.
Verse 13
[13] Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.
Remember Abraham — Lord, if Israel be cut off, what will become of the promise?
Verse 14
[14] And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
And the Lord repented of the evil he thought to do — Though he designed to punish them, yet he would not ruin them. See here, the power of prayer, God suffers himself to be prevailed with by humble believing importunity. And see the compassion of God towards poor sinners, and how ready he is to forgive.
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
Verse 4
[4] Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;
Me — He speaks here in the name, and on the behalf of the whole nation. With-With those favours which thou dost usually and peculiarly give to thy people.
Verse 5
[5] That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.
See — Enjoy.
Chosen — Of thy chosen people; such as are Israelites indeed.
Gladness — Such joy as thou hast formerly afforded unto thy beloved nation.
Glory — That we may have occasion to glory in God's goodness towards us.
Inheritance — In the congregation of thy people.
Verse 6
[6] We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.
Glory — As our fathers did.
Verse 19
[19] They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.
A calf — When they were but just brought out of Egypt by such wonders, and had seen the plagues of God upon the Egyptian idolaters, and when the law of God was but newly delivered to them in such a tremendous manner.
Verse 20
[20] Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.
Their glory — God, who was indeed their glory.
Into — Into the golden image of an ox or calf, which is so far from feeding his people, as the true God did the Israelites, that he must be fed by them.
Verse 23
[23] Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
Breach — God had made a wall about them; but they had made a breach in it by their sins, at which the Lord, who was now justly become their enemy, might enter to destroy them; which he had certainly done, if Moses by his prevailing intercession had not hindered him.
Isaiah 25:1-9
Verse 1
[1] O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
O Lord — The prophet reflecting upon those great and glorious prophecies which he had delivered, interrupts the course of his prophecies, and breaks forth into a solemn celebration of God's wonderful works.
Thy counsels — From which all thy works proceed, and which thou hast from time to time revealed to thy prophets and people, which were of old, being conceived from all eternity, are true and firm, and shall certainly be accomplished.
Verse 2
[2] For thou hast made of a city an heap; of a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.
A city — Which is put for cities: or of enemies of God and his people. And under the name cities he comprehends their countries and kingdoms.
Strangers — The royal cities, in which were the palaces of strangers, of Gentiles.
No city — Their cities and palaces have been or shall be utterly and irrecoverably destroyed.
Verse 3
[3] Therefore shall the strong people glorify thee, the city of the terrible nations shall fear thee.
Shall fear — Thy stoutest enemies observing thy wonderful works, shall be converted, or at least forced to tremble before thee.
Verse 4
[4] For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.
For — For thou hast defended thy poor and helpless people.
As a storm — Makes a great noise, but without any effect.
Verse 5
[5] Thou shalt bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat in a dry place; even the heat with the shadow of a cloud: the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low.
The noise — The tumultuous noise, as the word properly signifies; the rage and furious attempts of those Heathen nations that fought against God's people.
As the heat — With as much ease as thou dost allay the heat of a dry place, by the shadow of thy clouds, or by the rain which falls from black and shadowy clouds.
The branch — The arm or power, as a branch is the arm of a tree.
Verse 6
[6] And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
And — In mount Zion, in God's church.
All people — Both Jews and Gentiles.
A feast — A feast made up of the most delicate provisions, which is manifestly meant of the ordinances, graces, and comforts given by God in his church.
Of wines — Which have continued upon the lees a competent time, whereby they gain strength, and are afterwards drawn off, and refined.
Verse 7
[7] And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.
The face — The covering of the face.
The veil — The ignorance of God, and of the true religion, which then was upon the Gentiles, and now is upon the Jews.
Verse 8
[8] He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
He — Christ will by his death destroy the power of death, take away the sting of the first death, and prevent the second.
In victory — Heb. unto victory; so as to overcome it perfectly; which complete victory Christ hath already purchased for, and will in due time actually confer upon his people.
Rebuke — The reproach and contempt cast upon his faithful people by the ungodly world.
Verse 9
[9] And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Our God — Our Messiah, long since promised, and for whom we have waited long, is come into the world, bringing salvation with him.
Psalm 23
Verse 2
[2] He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Lie down — To repose myself at noon, as the manner was in those hot countries.
Green — Where there is both delight and plenty of provisions.
Verse 3
[3] He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Restoreth — Heb. He bringeth it back; from its errors and wandering.
For — Not for any worth in me, but for the glory of his justice, and faithfulness, and goodness.
Verse 4
[4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thy rod and thy staff — Two words denoting the same thing, and both designing God's pastoral care over him.
Verse 5
[5] Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
A table — Thou furnishest me with plenty of provisions and comforts.
Oil — With aromatic ointments, which were then used at great feasts; thy comforts delight my soul.
Runneth over — Thou hast given me a plentiful portions, signified by the cup, given to the guests by the master of the feast.
Philippians 4:1-9
Verse 1
[1] Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
So stand — As ye have done hitherto.
Verse 2
[2] I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
I beseech — He repeats this twice, as if speaking to each face to face, and that with the utmost tenderness.
Verse 3
[3] And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow — St. Paul had many fellowlabourers, but not many yokefellows. In this number was Barnabas first, and then Silas, whom he probably addresses here; for Silas had been his yokefellow at the very place, Acts 16:19.
Help those women who laboured together with me — Literally, who wrestled. The Greek word doth not imply preaching, or anything of that kind; but danger and toil endured for the sake of the gospel, which was also endured at the same time, probably at Philippi, by Clement and my other fellowlabourers - This is a different word from the former, and does properly imply fellowpreachers. Whose names, although not set down here, are in the book of life - As are those of all believers. An allusion to the wrestlers in the Olympic games, whose names were all enrolled in a book. Reader, is thy name there? Then walk circumspectly, lest the Lord blot thee out of his book!
Verse 5
[5] Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Let your gentleness — Yieldingness, sweetness of temper, the result of joy in the Lord.
Be known — By your whole behaviour.
To all men — Good and bad, gentle and froward. Those of the roughest tempers are good natured to some, from natural sympathy and various motives; a Christian, to all.
The Lord — The judge, the rewarder, the avenger.
Is at hand — Standeth at the door.
Verse 6
[6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Be anxiously careful for nothing - If men are not gentle towards you, yet neither on this, nor any other account, be careful, but pray. Carefulness and prayer cannot stand together.
In every thing — Great and small.
Let your requests be made known — They who by a preposterous shame or distrustful modesty, cover, stifle, or keep in their desires, as if they were either too small or too great, must be racked with care; from which they are entirely delivered, who pour them out with a free and filial confidence.
To God — It is not always proper to disclose them to men.
By supplication — Which is the enlarging upon and pressing our petition.
With thanksgiving — The surest mark of a soul free from care, and of prayer joined with true resignation. This is always followed by peace. Peace and thanksgiving are both coupled together, Colossians 3:15.
Verse 7
[7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
And the peace of God — That calm, heavenly repose, that tranquility of spirit, which God only can give.
Which surpasseth all understanding — Which none can comprehend, save he that receiveth it.
Shall keep — Shall guard, as a garrison does a city.
Your hearts — Your affections.
Your minds — Your understandings, and all the various workings of them; through the Spirit and power of Christ Jesus, in the knowledge and love of God. Without a guard set on these likewise, the purity and vigour of our affections cannot long be preserved.
Verse 8
[8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Finally — To sum up all.
Whatsoever things are true — Here are eight particulars placed in two fourfold rows; the former containing their duty; the latter, the commendation of it. The first word in the former row answers the first in the latter; the second word, the second and so on.
True — In speech.
Honest — In action.
Just — With regard to others.
Pure — With regard to yourselves.
Lovely — And what more lovely than truth? Of good report - As is honesty, even where it is not practised.
If there be any virtue — And all virtues are contained in justice.
If there be any praise — In those things which relate rather to ourselves than to our neighbour.
Think on these things — That ye may both practise them yourselves, and recommend them to others.
Verse 9
[9] Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
The things which ye have learned — As catechumens.
And received — By continual instructions.
And heard and seen — In my life and conversation.
These do, and the God of peace shall be with you — Not only the peace of God, but God himself, the fountain of peace.
Matthew 22:1-14
Verse 2
[2] The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
A king, who made a marriage feast for his son — So did God, when he brought his first - begotten into the world.
Verse 3
[3] And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
Them that were invited — Namely, the Jews.
Verse 4
[4] Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
Fatlings — Fatted beasts and fowls.
Verse 5
[5] But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
One to his farm, another to his merchandise — One must mind what he has; another, gain what he wants. How many perish by misusing lawful things!
Verse 7
[7] But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
The king sending forth his troops — The Roman armies employed of God for that purpose.
Destroyed those murderers — Primarily the Jews.
Verse 8
[8] Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
Go into the highways — The word properly signifies, the by-ways, or turnings of the road.
Verse 10
[10] So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
They gathered all — By preaching every where.
Verse 11
[11] And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
The guest — The members of the visible Church.
Verse 12
[12] And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
A wedding garment — The righteousness of Christ, first imputed, then implanted. It may easily be observed, this has no relation to the Lord's Supper, but to God's proceeding at the last day.
Verse 14
[14] For many are called, but few are chosen.
Many are called; few chosen — Many hear; few believe. Yea, many are members of the visible, but few of the invisible Church. Matthew 20:16.
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Sermon Outline with Story by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 12 October 2014
Title: Pray Always
Scripture: Philippians 4:1 My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don’t waver. Stay on track, steady in God.
Pray About Everything
2 I urge Euodia and Syntyche to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn’t want his children holding grudges.
3 And, oh, yes, Syzygus, since you’re right there to help them work things out, do your best with them. These women worked for the Message hand in hand with Clement and me, and with the other veterans—worked as hard as any of us. Remember, their names are also in the Book of Life.
4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Theme: In whatever circumstances we are in, we should always pray and dwell upon all the good and beautiful things of God.
Purpose: The learning not to worry, but pray instead.
Introduction: As the Apsotle Paul continues his letter to the Messianic Community at Philippi, he tells them first that he loves each and every one of them. How do you love the people in your church? He goes on to share about how two women are having a dispute over something and that a third would be able to help them settle the dispute by the Holy Spirit's power. Paul goes onto say that all three women have been a great help for him and even Clement in serving with them and maybe even preaching God's message to other people He goes on to say that they need to receive all the assistance they can as the community develops more into being a Christlike community. He continues to say that if you worry that you should turn your worry into prayers and God will continue to take care of you as He watches over you. Keep up the teachings that we taught you of Jesus and His way to grow in your faith and grace. What characters in this story do you relate to or not relate to? How will you turn your worries into prayers?
I. Paul tells them he loves each of them.
A. He prays for them.
B. He thanks them.
C. He encourages them.
II. Paul speaks of the two women who have a little dispute.
A. Christians should get along.
B. A third woman will assist them in solving the issue in dispute.
C. The Messianic Community should support all three women in their ministry in building up God's Kingdom.
III. Turn worries into prayers.
A. Worries downplay God's worth.
B. Prayers uplift God and each other.
C. Do not give up in more pursuit of God.
Conclusiion: We come to realize that too often we let disputes separate us from working together for God's Kingdom mission. We seek God's forgiveness and guide us to mend our little diputes.
Invitation: We come to receive more of God's Grace and love as we take and eat the Body of Jesus which is the bread and drink His blood which is the juice or wine in the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. We come to receive His power singing the Hymn "God Will Make A Way" by Shirley Caesar:
God will make a way
I know that He will.. I've seen it and He will
Oh....
God will bring you, bring you out
I know that He will, I've seen it and I know He will
if you just let Him make a way.
God will (God will) make a way,
I know that He will, (I know He will)
I've seen it and He will yes
God will make a way, I know that He will, (I know He will)
I've seen it and He will, make a way.
God will yes, He'll make a way, yeah, yes
He knows exactly what you've been feeling now
So don't you doubt, and don't you give up now no
For the God I'm serving is already working it out, Hallelujah
yeah, yeah, yeah
God will, (God will) bring you out
(For He knows the way) I know that He will ( He knows a way out of your problems)
I've seen it and He will (He knows a way out of your situation, God will)
God will (God will, God will) bring you out, (yes He will)
I know that He will (Oh I've seen it and I know He will all you gotta do is let Him, let Him)
make a way
So you see I tried Him, He made a way for me.
I understand just what you've been going through...listen
It is now the time for you to give up now, you've been praying and you miracle is on the way, is on
the way, on the way..hallelujah
Repeat Chorus:
He'll make a way, yes He will
He'll make a way, I know he will
Benediction: May we go from this place and refuse to have disputes that draws us away from the unity of the Body of Jesus, the Church.____________________________
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