Sunday, June 26, 2022 - The Power of Being Honest with Yourself
Online Playlist
Pre Service Music
Welcome
Hymn 18 Hallelujah! Sing Praise to Your Creator (In Person Only)
Awakening to God’s Presence (In Person Only)
Prayer for God’s Guidance
Acts 4:32-35 Common English Bible Translation
The community of believers was one in heart and mind. None of them would say, “This is mine!” about any of their possessions, but held everything in common. The apostles continued to bear powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and an abundance of grace was at work among them all. There were no needy persons among them. Those who owned properties or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds from the sales, and place them in the care and under the authority of the apostles. Then it was distributed to anyone who was in need. (Question: How have you been inspired to help others?)
Hymn 475 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (In Person Only)
Acts 4:36-5:2
Joseph, whom the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (that is, “one who encourages”), was a Levite from Cyprus. He owned a field, sold it, brought the money, and placed it in the care and under the authority of the apostles. However, a man named Ananias, along with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. With his wife’s knowledge, he withheld some of the proceeds from the sale. He brought the rest and placed it in the care and under the authority of the apostles. (Question: What do you use to encourage people regularly?)
Acts 5:3-7
Peter asked, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has influenced you to lie to the Holy Spirit by withholding some of the proceeds from the sale of your land? Wasn’t that property yours to keep? After you sold it, wasn’t the money yours to do with whatever you wanted? What made you think of such a thing? You haven’t lied to other people but to God!” When Ananias heard these words, he dropped dead. Everyone who heard this conversation was terrified. Some young men stood up, wrapped up his body, carried him out, and buried him. About three hours later, his wife entered, but she didn’t know what had happened to her husband. Peter asked her, “Tell me, did you and your husband receive this price for the field?” She responded, “Yes, that’s the amount.” (Question: What do you struggle to be honest about with yourself?)
Acts 5:8-11
He replied, “How could you scheme with each other to challenge the Lord’s Spirit? Look! The feet of those who buried your husband are at the door. They will carry you out too.” At that very moment, she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men entered and found her dead, they carried her out and buried her with her husband. Trepidation and dread seized the whole church and all who heard what had happened. (Question: How have you been hurt by being dishonest with yourself?)
Hymn 729 Lord, I Want to Be a Christian (In Person Only)
Acts 5:12-16
The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people They would come together regularly at Solomon’s Porch. No one from outside the church dared to join them, even though the people spoke highly of them. Indeed, more and more believers in the Lord, large numbers of both men and women, were added to the church. As a result, they would even bring the sick out into the main streets and lay them on cots and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow could fall on some of them as he passed by. Even large numbers of persons from towns around Jerusalem would gather, bringing the sick and those harassed by unclean spirits. Everyone was healed. (Question: How have you experienced healing through being honest with yourself?)
Offering Ourselves to God
During this time let us reflect upon the words from the theologian Walter Brueggemann
As Paul speaks of the God of hope who gives new futures out of love, he knew about a world of despair that trafficked in brutality. And so do we. The world of despair believes that there are no new gifts, no fresh generosity, no possibility of newness or forgiveness, and so life becomes a zero-sum game to see who can stay the longest on top of the heap, all the while knowing that there will be no good outcome to the futile rat race. Well, here is the news. Out beyond that despair that sanctions road rage and violence against the poor and war and ruthless exploitation that leaves one exhausted if not half dead, there is an alternative world bodied in Jesus. It is a world of new gifts and fresh starts grounded in divine forgiveness and sustained by generosity.
Special Music (In Person Only)
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power
and the glory, forever. Amen
Benediction
Closing Hymn 697 Take My Life (In Person Only)
Hymn List
18 Hallelujah! Sing Praise to Your Creator
475 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
697 Take My Life
729 Lord, I Want to Be a Christian
Upcoming Themes for Sunday
July 3rd - TBD
July 10th – How to focus when your distractions keep coming?
July 17th – How do you find a way forward in life when so many barriers exist?
July 24th – TBD