This is Part of the Worship Series
Hard Sayings
Series Introduction
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4
WEEK FOUR
Many are Called, But Few are Chosen
Call to Worship
Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious.
—Psalm 66:1–2 NIV
Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
You who answer prayer,
to you all people will come.
You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,
God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call forth songs of joy.
—Psalm 65:1–2, 5, 8 NIV
Praise the Lord, all the earth.
I will praise his name forever.
Text
Matthew 22:1–14; Revelation 19:7–8
Sermon Summary
Let's say a couple was married last year. The usual vows were recited in a once-in-a-Iifetime event. Tears were shed, bouquets thrown, jokes told, skits endured, and all sealed with numerous kisses.
Now, a year later, with the once-fresh flowers losing their color and a piece of cake frozen in the refrigerator, the joy of getting married has faded, and the marriage vows seem frozen in time. After only one year, both the husband and wife feel cheated out of a love that doesn't envy, grow angry, or keep a record of wrong. Sadly, this couple came into the privilege of marriage and made many vows but did not carry them out.
This gospel reading is about privilege and responsibility. But it's less about the privilege of coming into the kingdom of heaven than about carrying out the responsibilities of being chosen.
Points to consider:
— If you feel like Christianity comes off as nothing more than a social club, put on the robe of Christ and visit a local shelter/soup kitchen. Be reminded that class made no difference to Jesus. — If you find yourself torn on the matter of immigration and deportation, put on a robe of brotherliness and volunteer to teach an English as a Second Language class. — If you feel like you're in a dead-end job, suit up and put your hands to work constructing low-income housing. — If you feel there's got to be more to life than 9 to 5, put on a garment of patient endurance and commit some vacation time to service projects or disaster relief. — If you think Christianity doesn't make much of a difference in people's lives, dress yourself in celebration and worship with a church plant of new Christians. — If you think the gospel isn't making much of an impact in the world, put on the whole armor of God and work with foreign missionaries for a summer or a year. These are just a few "robing" opportunities that let us persist in the kingdom of God. They help us celebrate the joy of our salvation. |
Link to Service
Gather information about service projects and volunteer organizations in your area and at large. Have material on display for people to take away.
Hymns
"Clothe Yourself, My Soul, with Gladness" Franck
"Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service" Bayly
"Sent by the Lord" Aguiar
"Let Me Be Your Servant, Jesus" Helms
"Christ for the World We Sing" Wolcott
Blessing
Go in peace,
be very courageous,
hold on to what is good,
do not return evil for evil,
strengthen the faint-hearted,
support the weak,
help the afflicted,
honor all people,
love and serve the Lord,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit;
and the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you always. Amen.
—adapt. 1 Thessalonians 5: 12–28
Revised Common Lectionary
Year A: Season after Pentecost—Proper 23 (28)
