Why Did Jesus Have To Be Both God

And Man In Order To Be My Savior?

During the summer months it is typically our practice at Grace Lutheran Church to focus our attention during our worship services and through our sermons on different (though) coordinated themes and series. In past years we’ve studied books of Bible, such as Genesis and Exodus, worked through the Ten Commandments and the Apostles’ Creed’, and considered Jesus’ Letters to the Seven Churches in Revelation….among other topics. This summer (2020) our services and sermons are directing our attention to various questions that others (and sometimes we, ourselves) ask concerning our Christian faith. Over recent Sundays we’ve asked (and answered) the questions: “Is the Bible Truly the Word of God?” “How Can I Know God Exists?” and “Why Do God’s People Have to Suffer?” This morning, as we stay within our series theme, we’ll take a bit of a different direction and ponder a question which sometimes even “Veteran” Christians ask: “Why did Jesus have to be both God and Man in order to be my Savior?” This question, its answer……and the Biblical truths that undergird it…… are at the very center of our Christian faith and teaching. The “crown jewel” of Biblical teaching – the doctrine of Justification – is inseparably and essentially tied to the necessity of the world’s (and our) Savior being both fully human and completely divine in order to satisfy God’s justice and to secure divine forgiveness for fallen mankind. A few of the portions of Scripture that affirm that fact will serve as the core of our worship service today. In our First Lesson, John reminds us that God’s justice demanded the payment of blood to make satisfaction for sin, and that’s precisely what the shed (and perfect) blood of Jesus Christ has done for us. Today’s Epistle Lesson/Sermon Text reminds us that Jesus fully shared in our humanity (that is, He became – and even now in glory He remains – fully human) in order that, as the ultimate Substitute for all mankind, He might overcome the Devil’s power over us and provide us with eternal deliverance from sin, death, and hell through faith in Him. Our Gospel Lesson is the account of Jesus’ baptism by John. Highlighted is that portion in which Jesus acknowledges that part of His mission was to fulfill all righteousness….in other words, to fully and perfectly keep God’s Law for us – again, as our Substitute – thereby releasing us from the condemning sentence which all deserve who fail to keep the Law. Finally, our Children’s Lesson will talk about Jesus’ role as our “Stand-In” or Substitute. He suffered God’s wrath against sin, so that we won’t ever have to…..provided we continue to trust in Him.

Grace Lutheran Church of Northwest Arkansas

is affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, a church body which spans the United States and Canada, and which also operates a number of foreign missions.

Our Vision: Extend God’s Kingdom through His Word, serving each Soul.

Our Mission: Share the Gospel, Encourage Faith, and Prepare Souls

through Worship, Education and Fellowship.

Pre-Service Prayer – O Lord God, Almighty Creator, from Whom every good and perfect gift comes, In Your mercy You have bountifully blessed me. You have preserved me in Your Word. You have provided for my bodily needs. You have protected me from spiritual harm and have kept me in the true faith. For your abundant goodness to me, I humbly praise and thank You. In the future, I implore You to bless me with Your continued presence, Your Fatherly protection, and Your divine guidance in all areas of my life. I submit myself to Your gracious will, with the confidence that You will use me, as Your humble servant, in whatever ways will serve to further Your glory and Your kingdom. Bless and enrich my faith as I hear Your Word today, and receive my heart-felt praises in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your Son, my Savior. It is in His name that I pray. Amen.

Pre-service prayer

Pre-worship music

Let Us Praise The Lord

The Greeting and Invitation to Worship

at the Pastor’s invitation the Congregation will rise for

The Invocation

Pastor “We begin this service in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The Preparatory Psalm Psalm 49, selected verses

P: Hear this, all you peoples. Pay attention, all you inhabitants of this world, all you children of Adam, all mankind, rich and poor alike.

C: My mouth will speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give understanding. I will listen carefully to wise teaching. With a lyre I will explain deep truths.

P: Why should I fear days of trouble, days when the wickedness of my pursuers surrounds me? They trust in their wealth. They place their confidence in the abundance of their riches.

But no one can by any means redeem himself – (Yes, the ransom for their souls is costly. Any payment would fall short) – so that he could live on forever and not see the pit.

The fool and the senseless alike perish, and they leave their wealth to others. They think their houses will remain forever, their dwellings for generation after generation because they named lands after themselves.

But man, though he has riches, does not even spend a night here. He is like the animals that perish. This way of theirs is foolishness, but their followers approve of what they say.

They are like a flock destined for the grave. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule over them in the morning. Their bodies will be consumed by the grave, far from their mansions.

But surely God will redeem my life from the power of the grave; Yes, He will take me to Himself.

after which the Congregation will be seated

The Opening Hymn “God Is Here Among His People”

sung to the melody of “‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus”

God is here among His people! As we join in praise and prayer,

May we find in fuller measure, Jesus’ grace which we all share.

Here, though in the world abiding, as God’s children set apart,

We rejoice to join together, one in faith, in love, in heart.

Here the Means of Grace remind us of our life-long need for grace.

Here are altar, font, and pulpit; here Christ’s cross has central place.

Here in faithful Bible preaching, here in silence and in songs,

Here the Spirit, edifying, heart-felt joy in us prolongs.

Here our children find in Baptism entry to the Shepherd’s fold;

Here, in Sacramental Union, Christ sustains us, young and old.

Here the servants of the Servant, seek in worship to explore

What it means in daily living, to believe and to adore.

Lord of all, the Church and Kingdom, in an age of change and doubt,

Keep us faithful to all Scripture; Help us work Your purpose out.

Here, in bringing praise and off’rings, all we have to give, receive;

We who cannot live without You, We adore You! We believe!” Amen.

After which the Congregation will rise as...

We Make Confession of Our Sins To God

Pastor God, our Heavenly Father, invites us to come into His presence and to worship Him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us now turn to Him, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His forgiveness for all our sins.

Congregation Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions; I have done what is evil in Your sight and have failed to do what is good. For this I know that I deserve Your punishment, both now and for eternity. But I am truly sorry for all my sins and trusting in the perfect life and innocent death of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I plead: God have mercy on me, a sinner.

(Sung) Lord have mercy on us;

Christ have mercy on us; Lord, have mercy on us.

Pastor Our gracious Lord and Master has shown us His mercy: He has given His one and only Son to save us from all our sins. And now, having

humbly and sincerely confessed your sins before Almighty God, be strengthened in your faith, mindful that our Lord is not willing that anyone should perish eternally, but that everyone should come to repentance, turning from their evil ways and receiving from Him everlasting life. God has commanded His ministers to declare His forgiveness of sins to all who are penitent. Therefore, addressing you as a called servant of Christ, and according to His command and under His authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

May the peace of God rest upon all of you. Amen.

(Sung) Glory be to God on high and on earth peace good will to me.

We praise You, we bless You, we worship You.

We glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.

O Lord God heavenly King, God the Father almighty.

O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ,

O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

You take away the sin of the world. Have mercy on us.

You take away the sin of the world. Receive our prayer.

You sit at the right hand of God the Father. Have mercy on us.

For You only are holy. You only are the Lord.

You only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit.

Are most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen

The Prayer For This Morning

Almighty and Everlasting God, + As our Heavenly Father + You knew from all eternity + that we were totally incapable of saving ourselves + and so you mercifully determined + to come to earth in the person of God the Son, + in order to become fully human + for the purpose of flawlessly living + the holy Law-abiding life + that we should have lived before You + and to die the agonizing death + that we deserved to die + because of our sinful character, thoughts, words, and actions. + Not only did You provide us with redemption and reconciliation, + You have also graciously come to us in the person of the Holy Spirit + not only working faith in our hearts + but empowering us to live lives of faith + devoted to serving and glorifying You. + For all You give and do for us each day – but especially for Your grace, love, and forgiveness, + we praise You this morning. + We ask that You would receive and honor + our worship of You today – inadequate as it is. + And that through our exposure to Your Word + You would increase our knowledge of Your will + and our faith in You. + All this we ask in the name + and for the sake + of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. + Amen.

after which the Congregation may be seated

Feed Us, Lord

The First Lesson 1 John 1:1-10

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have observed and our hands have touched regarding the Word of Life— 2 the life appeared, and we have seen it. We testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We are proclaiming what we have seen and heard also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us. Our fellowship is with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. 4 We write these things to you so that our joy may be complete.

5 This is the message we heard from Him and proclaim to you: God is Light. In Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with Him but still walk in darkness, we are lying and do not put the truth into practice. 7 But if we walk in the light, just as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His Word is not in us.

The Epistle Lesson Hebrews 2:1-18

Therefore, we need to pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message that was spoken through angels was valid, and every transgression and disobedient act received a just punishment, 3 how will we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? First the message was spoken by the Lord; then it was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. 4 God also testified to it with signs and wonders, various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His will.

5 For God did not place the coming world, about which we are speaking, under the control of angels. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified: What is man that You remember him, or the Son of Man that You look after Him? 7 You made Him lower than the angels for a little while. You crowned Him with glory and honor. 8 You put everything in subjection under His feet.

Indeed, in putting everything in subjection to Him, God left nothing that is not in

subjection to Him. At the present time, we do not yet see everything in subjection to Him. 9 But we look to Jesus (the One Who was made lower than the angels for a little while, so that by God’s grace He might taste death for everyone), now crowned with glory and honor, because He suffered death.

10 Certainly it was fitting for God (the One for Whom and through Whom everything exists), in leading many sons to glory, to bring the author of their salvation to His goal through sufferings. 11 For He Who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified all have one Father. For that reason, He is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12 He says: I will declare Your name to My brothers. Within the congregation I will sing Your praise. 13 And again: I will trust in Him. And again: Here I am and the children God has given Me.

14 Therefore, since the children share flesh and blood, He also shared the same flesh and blood, so that through death He could destroy the one who had the power of death (that is, the Devil) 15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. 16 For surely He was not concerned with helping angels but with helping Abraham’s offspring. 17 For this reason, He had to become like His brothers in every way, in order that He would be a merciful and faithful High Priest in the things pertaining to God, so that He could pay for the sins of the people. 18 Indeed, because He suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

The Gospel Lesson Matthew 3:1-17

In those days, John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, 2 “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven is near!” 3 Yes, this is he of whom this was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord. Make His paths straight.”

4 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan were going out to him. 6 They were baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore produce fruit in keeping with repentance! 9 Do not think of saying to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. 10 Already the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I baptize you with water for repentance. But the One Who comes after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor. He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to be baptized by John at the Jordan. 14 But John tried to stop Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me?”

15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, because it is proper for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John let Him. 16 After Jesus was baptized, He immediately went up out of the water. Suddenly, the heavens were opened for Him! He saw the Spirit of God, descending like a Dove and landing on Him, 17 and a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My Son, Whom I love. I am well pleased with Him.”

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; Born of the virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; And sitteth on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.

After which the Congregation will be seated

The Children’s Lesson II Corinthians 5:18-21

8 And all these things are from God, Who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 That is, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them. And He has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, inasmuch as God is making an appeal through us. We urge you, on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made Him, Who did not know sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

My Savior….My Substitute

The Hymn of the Day “Crown Him With Many Crowns”

1 Crown Him with many crowns, The Lamb upon His throne;

Hark how the heav’nly anthem drowns All music but its own.

Awake, my soul, and sing Of Him who died for thee,

And hail Him as thy matchless King Through all eternity.

2 Crown Him the virgin’s Son, The God incarnate born,

Whose arm those crimson trophies won Which now His brow adorn;

Fruit of the mystic rose, Yet of that rose the stem,

The root whence mercy ever flows, The babe of Bethlehem.

3 Crown Him the Lord of Love, Behold His hands and side,

Rich wounds, yet visible above, In beauty glorified.

No angels in the sky Can fully bear that sight,

But down-ward bends their wond’ring eyes At mysteries so bright.

4 Crown Him the Lord of Life, Who triumphed o’er the grave

And rose victorious in the strife For those He came to save.

His glories now we sing, Who died and rose on high,

Who died eternal life to bring And lives that death may die.

5 Crown Him the Lord of heav’n, Enthroned in worlds above,

Crown Him the King to whom is giv’n The wondrous name of Love.

Crown Him with many crowns As thrones before him fall;

Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, For He is King of all. Amen

after which the Congregation will rise for

The Greeting

Grace and peace be yours in abundance, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, our Lord. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer! Amen.

The Sermon Text Hebrews 2:14-17

How One Man’s Death Made An Eternal Difference

after which the Congregation will rise for

The Post-Sermon Blessing

May the God of peace, Who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, now equip you with everything good for doing His will! Amen.

The Offertory

(Sung) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from Your presence.

And take not Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation.

And uphold me with Your free Spirit. Amen.

We Bring Our Offerings and Prayers to the Lord

Our Offerings of Love to our Lord

Because we aren’t able to pass an offering plate today during today’s worship

service those in attendance may leave their offerings in the offering plates

by the exit door at the close of our service today.

For those watching today’s service, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:

1) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to the church address

(415 N. 6^th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)

2) You can go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com)

and use the giving option there.

Give Online

The Prayers for Today

Included in our Prayers this Morning…

A Prayer of Intercession on behalf of Bill Krizsan, as he continues

to undergo treatment for bladder cancer….that God might him with a successful recovery

and also

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for the following couples having anniversaries this week:

Mary and Phil Pudas (Wednesday); Andrea and Ed Bratton (Thursday);

Mary and Bill Book (Saturday_

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom 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 Kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Now Dismiss Us, Lord

The Benediction

Brothers and sisters, now go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. And serve the Lord in gladness.

The LORD bless you and keep you,

The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you,

The LORD look upon you with favor, and grant you His peace. Amen.

The Closing Hymn “Now the Hour of Worship’s Oe’r”

1 Now, the hour of worship o’er, Teaching, hearing, praying, singing,

Let us gladly God adore, For His Word our praises bringing;

For the rich repast He gave us Praise the Lord, Who deigned to save us.

2 Now the blessing cheers our heart, By His grace to us extended.

Let us joyfully depart; Be our souls to God commended.

May His Spirit ever guide us And with all good gifts provide us.

Bless our going out, we pray. Bless our entrance in like measure.

Bless our bread, O Lord, each day. Bless our toil, our rest, our pleasure.

Bless us when we reach death’s portal. Bless us then with life immortal. Amen.

Announcements

This Past Week At Grace Lutheran

Worship Attendance: 62 Communed: 52 Sunday Bible Class: 21 Tues Bible Class: 16

Budgetary Fund: $3580 Online Offerings….Church: $20; School: $20.91

Endowment Fund: $1000

Serving Us Next Sunday Elders: Tim Pfortmiller, Steve Stone, John Johnson

Altar Guild – Tina Wambold Ushers – Kent Mayer, Kelvin Johannes, John Luedtke

This Coming Week at Grace Lutheran Church

Today Worship at 9:30 a.m. Bible Class and Sunday School, 11:00 a.m.

Monday Secretary in the Office, 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Saturday Outreach Calling/Visitation, meet at church at 11:00 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 a.m. including the Lord’s Supper

Bible Class / Sunday School – 11:00 a.m.

This Week’s Birthdays and Anniversaries Aug 23 – Samuel Strackbein;

Aug 23 – Todd Schwartz; Aug 25 – Zak Ferguson; Aug 25 – Mary Pudas;

Aug 26 – Mary & Phil Pudas; Aug 26 – Allen Skogen; Aug 27 – Andrea & Ed Bratton; Aug 27 – Noah Harper; Aug 29 – Bill & Mary Book;

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Why Did Jesus Have To Be Both God

And Man In Order To Be My Savior?

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