“Giving our Sinful Pride Up For Lent,
for Life, and for our Lord”
People often commit themselves to giving something up for the season of Lent. Perhaps they promise to give up watching TV, or eating ice cream, or drinking coffee. Of course, none of those things are sinful, even if they are personal and enjoyable. Others make the pledge to give up certain sinful things, like complaining about any- and everything, being critical of others, or cursing. Giving up sinful behaviors is good….if it actually happens….and not just for Lent, but for good. And, sad to say, that’s often the problem with these personal pledges. As soon as Lent is over – if the commitment to be better even lasts that long – the affectation, or the bad behavior ends up being embraced again.
Actually the biggest “problem” with these promises to give something up for Lent (and beyond) – that is, as they pertain to sinful behavior – is that whatever the sin is, it’s usually given up only for temporary personal betterment, instead of being an on-going act of true Spiritual growth and for self-denial so that God might be glorified.
During this season of Lent 2025, here at Grace Lutheran Church we’re going to use, as the emphasis of our sermons and services, the customary concept of “giving something sinful up for Lent” by examining our hearts and lives in light of what God’s Word has to say about our giving up some very specific sinful attitudes and behaviors. Last week we talked about “giving up our enemies” on the basis of Matthew 5:38-48. This evening we’re going to focus on the danger of sinful pride. We’ll consider the personal benefit of our giving up our pride, exchanging it for humility. But we’ll especially focus on how our Savior-God is glorified when we follow in Christ’s footsteps of humility (Philippians 2:6-11) instead of letting our sinful pride get the better of us.
The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version, Copyright 2019, The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission
Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
The Pre-Service Prayer In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen I thank You, Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me throughout this day. Forgive me all my sins wherever I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. I commend my body and soul and all things into Your gracious hands. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Silent Prayer Pre-service Music
We Approach The Lord With Praise And Prayer
The Service Introduction and Invitation to Worship
The Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Opening Psalm: Psalm 32
P: Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
C: Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, + and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
P: For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
C: For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; + my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
P: I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity;
C: I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” + and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
P: Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to You at a time when You may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.
C: You are a hiding place for me; + You preserve me from trouble; + You surround me with shouts of deliverance.
P: I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
C: Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, + which must be curbed with bit and bridle, + or it will not stay near you.
P: Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
C: Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, + and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
After which the Congregation may be seated for
The Opening Hymn Hymn 108 “Jesus, Refuge of the Weary”
1 Jesus, Refuge of the weary,
Blest Redeemer, whom we love,
Fountain in life’s desert dreary,
Savior from the world above,
Oh, how oft your eyes, offended,
Gaze upon a sinner’s fall!
Yet, upon the cross extended,
You endured the pain of all.
2 Dare we pass that cross unheeding,
Breathing no repentant vow,
As we see you wounded, bleeding,
See your thorn-encircled brow?
Since your sinless death has brought us
Life eternal, peace, and rest,
Only what your grace has taught us
Calms the sinner’s deep distress.
3 Jesus, may our hearts be burning
With more fervent love for you!
May our eyes be ever turning
To behold your cross anew,
Till in glory, parted never
From the blessed Savior’s side,
Graven in our hearts forever,
Dwell the cross, the Crucified!
After which the Congregation will rise for
The Order of Vespers/Evening Worship
Pastor O Lord, open my lips.
Congregation (sung)
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
Pastor Hasten, O God, to deliver me.
Congregation (sung) Hasten to help me, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be.
World without end. Amen.
We Meditate On God’s Word
The First Portion of the Passion History
The account of Jesus’ Passion as it is recorded for us through a
harmony of the Gospels of St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John.
Tonight’s Reading: Jesus In Gethsemane
While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “Amen I tell you: One of you will betray me, one who is
eating with me.” They were very sad and began to say to him one after another, “Surely, not I, Lord?” He said to them, “It is one of the Twelve, one who is dipping bread with me in the dish. Indeed, the Son of Man is going to go just as it has been written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” After saying this, Jesus was troubled in his spirit and testified, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: One of you will betray me.”
The disciples were looking at each other, uncertain which of them he meant. One of his disciples, the one Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. Simon Peter motioned to him to find out which one Jesus was talking about. So leaning back against Jesus’ side, he asked, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus replied, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread, after I have dipped it in the dish.” Then he dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do more quickly.” None of those reclining at the table understood why Jesus said this to him. Because Judas kept the money box, some thought that Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the Festival,” or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
After Judas left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify the Son in himself and will glorify him at once.” While they were eating, on the night when he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples. He said, “Take, eat, this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the new testament, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
“Dear children, I am going to be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, so also you are to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you!” Jesus replied, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Simon, Simon, pay attention: Satan has asked to have you all, so that he may sift you as wheat. But I prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have returned to me, strengthen your brothers.” Peter answered him, “Even if all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Amen I tell you: Tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you.” And all the disciples said the same.
He said to them, “When I sent you out without money bag, traveler’s bag, and sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they said. Then he told them, “But now, let the one who has a money bag take it, and likewise a traveler’s bag. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ Indeed, what is written about me is going to have its fulfillment.” They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” He said to them, “That is enough.”
Then Jesus said to them, “This night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” After they sang a hymn, Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, to the Mount of Olives, where there was a garden called Gethsemane. He and his disciples went into it.
Now Judas, who was betraying him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. When he reached the place, Jesus told his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray. Keep praying that you may not enter into temptation.” Then he took Peter, James, and John along with him and began to be troubled and distressed. He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow, even to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.” He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.” When he rose from prayer, he went to the disciples and found them sleeping as a result of sorrow. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Were you not strong enough to keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to pass from me unless I drink it, may your will be done.” Again he returned and found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what they should answer him. He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time. He said the same words as before.
An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. As he was in agony, he prayed more fervently. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground. Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise. Let us go. Look, my betrayer is near!”
The Sermon Hymn: “What is The World To Me”
What is the world to me With all its vaunted pleasure
When You, and You alone, Lord Jesus, arr my Treasure!
You only, dearest Lord, My soul’s Delight shalt be;
You are my Peace, my Rest– What is the world to me!
The world seeks to be praised And honored by the mighty,
Yet never once reflects That they are frail and flighty.
But what I truly prize Above all things is He,
My Jesus, He alone– What is the world to me!
The world with wanton pride Exalts its sinful pleasures
And for them foolishly Gives up the heavenly treasures.
Let others love the world With all its vanity;
I love the Lord, my God– What is the world to me!
What is the world to me! My Jesus is my Treasure,
My Life, my Health, my Wealth,
My Friend, my Love, my Pleasure,
My Joy, my Crown, my All, My Bliss eternally.
Once more, then, I declare: What is the world to me!
The Evening’s Meditation based on Luke 18:9-14
9 Jesus told this parable to certain people who trusted in themselves (that they were righteous) and looked
down on others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple courts to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people, robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week. I give a tenth of all my income.’
13 “However the tax collector stood at a distance and would not even lift his eyes up to heaven, but was beating his chest and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
14 “I tell you, this man went home justified rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Giving Up Our Sinful Pride For Lent,
for Life and for our Lord
The Post Sermon Blessing
And now may the peace which surpasses all understanding
guard your hearts and minds through faith in Christ Jesus. Amen.
We Offer Our Gifts And Prayers To The Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
Offerings will be received this evening through offering plates passed among those who have gathered here for worship. However, for those viewing this service online, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can mail a check (no cash, please) to our church address
(415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745); or
2) You can donate through our website: www.gracelutherannwa.com
At the Pastor’s invitation, the Congregation will rise for
The Prayers for this Evening, followed by 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.
We Conclude Tonight’s Worship Service
The Benediction
P: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 588 “Abide With Me”
verses 1, 2, 3, 4 & 7
1 Abide with me; fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!
2 Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see;
O thou who changest not, abide with me!
3 Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for ev’ry plea;
Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.
4 Thou on my head in early youth didst smile,
And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me oft as I left thee.
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
7 Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!