This is part of the worship series
"Lead More Like Jesus: Three Services for the Pentecost Season"
Series Introduction
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3
Fifth SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
AN AUTHENTIC DIFFERENCE
Matthew 10:34–42
In this gospel lesson we meet the Jesus who is wholly authentic and honest, and who invites us to follow in the path he has already walked and will walk with us. This gospel lesson calls for the tough-minded loyalty and commitment to Jesus that will give authenticity to our witness. It challenges us with the realities of the spiritual warfare we enter when we follow Jesus. It calls us to uncompromising obedience by putting Jesus first in our priorities. And it calls for courage: the gospel issues a challenge to "count the cost" that tells the truth about the life of any who would follow Jesus (v. 16). We are not above our master. If he suffered in this mission, who are we to think we will not? (v. 24).
However, the life of the follower is also the way of victory, the way of truly making a difference. It is a life of adventure and great promise—being the living presence of Christ himself, bringing life and healing to broken and searching people. The greatest blessings ever to be experienced, the blessings of harvest joy, are assured to those who will follow their captain, Jesus. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:2–3).
The passage begins with Jesus revealing his powerful kind of peace. It is not a cheap, sentimental, and compromising peace that does not make a difference. Rather it is a peace that destroys sin and all love of evil as it faces the truth of the brokenness and ugliness of sin's consequences. In doing so it divides. There is no room left for compromise. Either we are for or against.
The resulting separation cuts through all relationships. It roots out every sinful relationship. It calls us to ultimate loyalty to Jesus as Lord. The key expression in verse 37 is "more than me." There is obviously nothing wrong with loving our fathers and mothers or family members. We are in fact called to do so in the fourth commandment. It is a question of priority. All other loyalties must be defined by our loyalty to Jesus.
The point is, only in total surrender and "losing our lives" in the way of dying to our selfish and egocentric purposes will we enter into the abundance of life and wholeness that Jesus brings. The principle to emphasize in this section (vv. 37–39) is that grace alone—the grace of the cross (v. 38)—will keep us and sustain us. Finally, we hear the awesome promise of being so identified with Jesus and the coming of his kingdom that when we find receptive seekers who receive us and the good news we bring, they are receiving Christ himself. Even the smallest act of kindness (a cup of cold water) toward a follower of Jesus will be rewarded.
This lesson has a level of severity from which the preacher might shrink. However, it is an essential part of the good news that must be told with confidence (see ch. 10:24–33). We are not to be ashamed of the gospel. It is an empowered Word. We must have the confidence that the Lord of the harvest will accomplish his purpose through it. We may also be wonderfully surprised at how many are eager to hear about a no-nonsense Jesus who completely lived and practiced what he taught.
The great challenge, of course, is for the community of faith to be an authentic expression of identity with Christ. This is what the spiritually disoriented and hopeless ones are longing to discover and experience.
Worship Outline
Gathering Songs and Opening Prayer
Song
"Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" Robinson
Prayer
Father, we are here at your invitation,
and we long to know you better.
Thank you for your love and grace in our lives.
Transform us today through your Word and Spirit.
Break our hearts of stone and give us hearts for you alone.
Please grant us the ability and will to love you more dearly and to follow you more clearly.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Songs of Praise
"Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart" Smith
"It Is Good to Sing Your Praises" Psalter Hymnal
Service of Reconciliation
Call to Confession
2 Chronicles 7:14
Prayer of Repentance
"Lord, Listen to My Righteous Plea" Otte
Service of the Word
Scripture Readings
Old Testament: Genesis 22:1-14
Psalm 13: "How Long Will You Forget Me, Lord" Post
Epistle: Romans 6:12-23
Gospel: Matthew 10:34-42
Message: An Authentic Difference
Prayer of Application
Response and Sending Forth: Hymn Suggestions
"When I Needed a Neighbor" Carter
"Lord, Our Lives in Humble Service" Bayly
"The Servant Song" Gillard
"O Christians Haste" Thomson
Revised Common Lectionary
Year A: Season after Pentecost—Proper 8 (13)
