Making Peace Inside and Out

Speaker: Pastor Daniel Severson

January 23, 2021

The Third Sunday after Epiphany – January 24, 2021

Summary: Self examination is hard work, because it forces us to examine issues we don’t want to deal with. Jesus reveals that the things that alienate us from God are issues with the matter of the heart. These are things that defile us. A person who nurtures negative feelings, such as hatred, jealousy, and resentment, cannot receive God’s love, because these things act like a dam. Eventually this feelings will cause destructive behaviors. The good news is that God wants to show us goodness and mercy. When God’s love penetrates our hearts and transforms our “malfunction”, serving others becomes a desire and a joy. We strive to make life better for those in need. This divine love will heal us when we are broken hearted, lift us up when we are defeated, and free us from being captive to idols. When Christ lives in us, so too does our destiny and our salvation.

Order of Worship

Prelude: “Rock of Ages”, Jon Spong and John Carter

Greeting

Opening Hymn: “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me”

Prayer of the Day

Old Testament Reading: Jonah 3:1-5,10

Gospel Reading: Mark 1:14-20

Children’s Message

Anthem: “They Cast Their Nets in Galilee”, by David McK. Williams, 1941

Sermon

Sermon Hymn: “Word of God, Come Down to Earth”

Prayers & The Lord’s Prayer