Approach with Boldness

Good Morning and Welcome to Worship! Worship is often the first place that new people come into contact with this growing community of faith. And so, if you are joining us for the first time, I say to you what is said every Sunday: You are welcome here. Here is a place where all are welcome. For such is the love of God for God’s Very Good Creation.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye Heav'nly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kindom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kindom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Sometimes the troubles of the world seem impossible to address, and the burdens of our lives seem too much for us to bear. Yet we trust that, for God, all things are possible. Therefore, in love, we pray for God’s holy boldness to work through us.

We pray for peace among the nations, food for the hungry, justice for the poor, and a life of dignity for all people.

We pray for new life in the church, fresh energy in mission, faithfulness in ministry, and reconciliation in the body of Christ.

We pray for the welfare of this community, safe streets and homes, good schools and jobs, and the spirit of love among neighbors.

We pray for the healing of all who suffer, comfort for the afflicted, hope for the despairing, and strength for those who care for them.

Loving God, in whom all things are possible, we commend these prayers to you and commit our lives to seek your will; through Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Reveal to us your Word, O God, living and active in our world by the power of the Holy Spirit. Let your Word work within our hearts and open our minds, dividing good from evil, truth from falsehood, life from death; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¹²Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. ¹⁴Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

¹⁷As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. ¹⁹You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” ²⁰He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” ²¹Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” ²²When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. ²³Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” ²⁸Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” ²⁹Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, ³⁰who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. ³¹But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

For the prophet Amos, the city gate is a place of judgement: a place to discern and decide between good and evil, justice and injustice, loving- kindness and self-centeredness. Jesus has similar things to say about entrance into the kin-dom of God: a difficult choice is required — letting go of privilege, power, and possessions. What have you left behind to follow Jesus?

All that we have — our lives, our possessions — comes from God, to whom we owe everything. Come then, let us give for the Scripture tells us that in giving, we will have treasure in heaven. Come! Give!

Gracious God, we present these gifts and renew our commitment to leave everything behind and follow you. Give us the courage to fulfill your will so that with everything we do and say we can become a living offering worthy of being called your disciples. Amen.

May God bless you, providing you with a listening ear. May Christ bless you, giving you the will you need to truly follow in his way. May the Holy Spirit bless you, instilling in you the boldness to seek God’s direction for your life. May the triune God bless you and give you peace. Amen.