This is part of the worship series,
"Good News!”
Introduction
Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4
Lent 5 | Palm Sunday | Good Friday | Easter Sunday
tHIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
Call to Worship
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy set before him endured the cross,
scorning its shame, and sat down
at the right hand of God.
Let us consider him who endured such opposition from sinful people,
so that we will not grow weary and lose heart.
—Hebrews 12:2–3 NIV
God’s Greeting
Worship Song
“The Wonderful Cross” Walt, Reeves, and Tomlin
Call to Confession
This is the third Sunday in Lent, the season leading up to Good Friday and Easter. It’s a time when Christians have traditionally reflected upon the cross and the price that Jesus paid for our sin. It’s also a time of repentance and renewal, a time of turning away from sin and toward Jesus Christ. In a moment I’m going to invite you to join me in a time of silent prayer in which we’ll confess our sins before God. Before that, though, hear these words from Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Silent Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Jesus said: “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness
but will have the light of life.”
—John 8:12 NIV
Children’s Message
Children’s Song
“Oh, qué bueno es Jesús / Oh, How Good Is Christ the Lord” Puerto Rican
Congregational Prayer
Good News Café
An interview with a missionary who returned from overseas and trusted God to help him find work.
Scripture Reading
John 2:13–22
Sermon
“Good News: The Temple is Rebuilt!”
Sermon Notes
There are a few things we would do well to understand as we approach this passage. The first is the fierce and holy passion behind Jesus’ extreme actions. The second is how spiritually dysfunctional the Jerusalem temple had become. Jesus came into our fallen world as the true temple that would link heaven and earth. This temple would be destroyed and rebuilt in three days, just as he said. This is the good news of the gospel! And we who believe are the assembled body of Christ on earth who will proclaim his kingship until his return.
Prayer of Application
Holy God and heavenly Father, we give you thanks that you sent Jesus into the world to be the gate that links heaven and earth. We thank you that, through the temple of his body that was broken and the blood that was poured out for many, he reconciled us to you. We thank you that we don’t have to go to a particular place or building to have our sins forgiven, but that we have the opportunity as Christians to gather and together be the body of Christ in this world. We pray that you will fill our hearts with gratitude for all that is ours in Christ Jesus and that we would bear fruit by your Holy Spirit. Give us courage and opportunities to share with excitement the good news of the gospel to those who need to hear it so they would experience with us the joy of salvation. We pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Worship Song
“In Christ Alone” Getty and Townend
Blessing
Closing Song
“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” Newton, Tomlin
Revised Common Lectionary
Year B: Lent—Third Sunday in Lent
