The Fifth Sunday after the Festival of our Lord’s Epiphany
also known as Sexagesima Sunday (approximately 60 days before Easter)
February 07, 2021
Jesus Christ: The World’s Greatest Teacher….Ever
Napoleon was one of the greatest military commanders in history. Rising to power in 1799, he built a French empire that dominated Europe for 15 years. Finally defeated and captured, he was subsequently exiled to the island of St. Helena – off of Africa – in 1815 and lived the last six years of his life there.
In his last days a humbled Napoleon spoke truthfully and insightfully: “You speak of empires and power. Well, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires, but on what did we found them? Force. Christ founded His on love, and at this moment there are millions ready to die for Him…. I see no army, no banner or battering ram; yet a mysterious power is there, working in the interest of Christianity; men secretly sustained here and there by a common faith in the great Unseen. I die before my time, and my body will be given to the earth as food for worms. Such is the fate of him called Napoleon the Great. But look to Christ, honored and loved in every land. Look at His kingdom, rising over all other kingdoms. His life was not the life of an ordinary man; His death not that of a mere man but of God.”
Whenever and wherever Jesus taught during His public ministry, He taught with a very noticeable “authority.” How could it have been otherwise? As Napoleon noted – and as Scripture teaches and we believe – Jesus was not a mere man, but God….and He was not merely another teacher, or even a “great” teacher, but the greatest Teacher ever. Why? Because He taught the absolute truth…and taught it with the authority that was His as the One Who is truly God.
We’ll see that truth expounded throughout today’s Scripture lessons – from the First Lesson where a twelve year old Jesus “wowed” the religious teachers of His day with His understanding and command of Scripture, to today’s Gospel Lesson, where Jesus – roughly one year before His crucifixion — appears in Jerusalem teaching in the temple and again “wowing” both His believing listeners and His adversaries with total command of the Scriptures. Speaking of the Scriptures, in our Epistle Lesson the Apostle Paul observes that the world in its “wisdom” consistently rejects the saving truths of God’s Word, yet the Holy Spirit graciously enables us to believe these truths and to be blessed eternally by them. Today’s Children’s Lesson is based on Jesus familiar words from John 8: “If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” As we meditate on these words, we’ll consider Jesus as the World’s Greatest Teacher…Ever, and that those who accept Christ as their heaven-sent teacher can know the truth and be set free eternally by it. And finally, through this morning’s Sermon, we’ll contrast the message and ministry of Moses, a great prophet of the LORD, with the message and ministry of the Greatest Prophet and Teacher of all: Jesus. We’ll also focus on why it’s so important for us to always listen to Jesus and to faithfully respond as He speaks to us in His Word.
Sexagisma Sunday on the “Traditional Calendar” of the Church This morning is the Sixth Sunday of the Epiphany Season (the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany). With it we find ourselves one Sunday away from the close of the Epiphany Season. Today finds us also at the mid-point of a lesser-known, but centuries-employed period of the church’s calendar known as “Pre-Lent.” Pre-Lent is a transitional, three Sunday “waiting” period during which the Church begins its “count-down” toward the more intense penitential and preparatory season of Lent (which begins February 17th). By tradition, the second of these three “pre-lent” Sundays has been given the ancient Latin name “Sexagesima” Sunday. The term “Sexagesima” means “60” and is a reference to the sixtieth day before Easter, which occurred earlier this week on Wednesday. (Incidentally, last Sunday’s traditional designation was “Septuagesima” – which means “70.” Centuries ago the church began its countdown to the observance of Lent on that day.) The period of time known as “Pre-Lent” has had, as its purpose, the task of helping Christians to recognize the supremacy of the true God as well as to take ever more seriously our response to His Word and His will. Down through the centuries the Christian Church has used this particular Sunday (Sexagesima) to emphasize the importance and relevance of God’s Word in the lives of His people. In addition to the attention which we give to God’s Word through this morning’s Scripture Lessons and Sermon text, we’ll also practice that custom today as we sing the lyrics of today’s Closing Hymn (“Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word”).
Pre-Service Prayer – Lord God, merciful Father, thank You for having safely brought me to this hour of worship. Through Your Holy Spirit open my heart to the wondrous truths of Your salvation which I will hear this morning and grant new strength to my faith and greater confidence in You to my soul. Bless the preaching and teaching of Your Word in our congregation and throughout Your Church on earth. Give power and conviction to Your ministers here and everywhere, that their testimony to Your holiness, sovereignty, and grace might be clear and true to Your Word. Give me the grace to bring all my sin-burdens before Your altar and leave them there. Keep me from mere formalism in my worship, from praying with my lips while my heart is far from you, and from failing to personalize Your words of rebuke, instruction and comfort that I will soon be hearing. Receive my offerings, humble though they are, as expressions both of my trust in You as the Provider of all good things and of my commitment to being a partner in the growth of Your Kingdom. And, after this service closes, enable me to live according to Your Word and for Your glory throughout this week. All this I ask, in the name and for the sake of Your Son, my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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.
Prayer upon entering the sanctuary
Pre-service Music
We Praise Our God
The Welcome and Introduction to Worship
The Opening Hymn Hymn 256 “How Great Thou Art”
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder Consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, Thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed.
[…..Refrain….] Then sings my soul, my Savior-God, to thee,
“How great thou art! How great thou art!”
Then sings my soul, my Savior-God to thee,
“How great thou art! How great thou art!”
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin. [Refrain]
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim: “My God, how great thou art!” [Refrain]
After which the Congregation will rise for
The Invocation
In the name of the Father, Who gave His Son into death
and raised Him in glory on the third day;
And of the Son, Who laid down His life and took it up again;
And of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us through the Word
and Who will also one day give life to our mortal bodies. Amen!
The Confessional Order of Service
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.
Pastor “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.”
Congregation – (Sung) A broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise.
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 Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
Pastor – “I now ask you before God, who searches your heart, do you confess that you have sinned against God and deserve His wrath and punishment? Then declare so by saying, “I do confess.”
Congregation – “I do confess.”
Pastor – “Truly you should confess, for the Holy Scriptures say, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
Second, do you, with all your heart, repent of all your sins, committed in thought, word, and deed? Then declare so by saying, “I do repent.”
Congregation – “I do repent.”
Pastor – “Truly, you should repent, as other penitent sinners have done: King David, who prayed for a contrite heart; Peter, who wept bitterly; the sinful woman, the prodigal son, and others.
Third, do you sincerely believe that God, by grace, for Jesus’ sake, will forgive you all your sins? Then declare
so by saying, “I do believe.”
Congregation – “I do believe.”
Pastor – “Truly you should so believe, for the Holy Scriptures say, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Fourth, do you promise that with the help of the Holy Ghost, you will, from this time forward, reform your sinful
life? Then declare it by saying, “I do promise.”
Congregation – “I do promise.”
Pastor – “Truly, you should so promise, for Christ, the Lord says: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Finally, do you believe that through me, a called servant of God, you will receive from God the forgiveness
of all your sins? Then declare it by saying, “I do believe.
Congregation – “I do believe.”
Pastor – “Upon this, your confession, I, because of my office as a called and ordained servant of God’s Word, announce the grace of God to all of you. And, in the place, and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Peace be with you. Amen.”
The Prayer for This Morning
O Lord God, + We pray that You would enable us + through Your Holy Spirit + to live lives that are reverent, righteous and ready to meet you. + May every one of us gathered here + always be spiritually prepared + either for that day when we will be called from this life + through the process of physical death + or when Christ will appear in heavenly glory + to Judge the world and deliver His Church. + However our earthly end may come + may we all be ready, in faith, + to stand before You + confident that everlasting life in heaven is ours + not because we have earned it by our works, + but because You have guaranteed it to us + and all who trust in the redeeming work + of Jesus Christ, Your Son, + our Savior and Lord. + We offer this prayer in the name of Him Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, + as the one, true God, now and forever. + Amen.
After which, the Congregation may be seated
We Give Our Attention To God’s Word
The First Lesson Luke 2:41-52
41 Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Festival. 43 When the days had ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it. 44 Since they thought he was in their group, they went a day’s journey. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? See, your father and I have been anxiously looking for you.”
49 He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be taking care of my Father’s business?” 50 They did not understand what he was telling them.
51 He went down with them and came to Nazareth. He was always obedient to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52 Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.
The Epistle Lesson I Corinthians 2:1-16
As for me, brothers, when I came to you, I did not come with superior speech or wisdom in order to proclaim to you the testimony of God. 2 For I had no intention of knowing anything among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness, in fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not marked by persuasive words of human wisdom, but by a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature, but it is not a wisdom of this world or of the rulers of this world, who are being reduced to nothing. 7 Instead we speak God’s wisdom that has been hidden in mystery—before the ages, God foreordained that this wisdom would result in our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this world knew it. (If they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.) 9 But as it is written: What no eye has seen and no ear has heard and no human mind has conceived— that is what God has prepared for those who love Him.
10 But God revealed it to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 Indeed, who among men knows a man’s thoughts except the man’s spirit within him? So also, no one else knows God’s thoughts except God’s Spirit.
12 What we received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit Who is from God, so that we might know the blessings freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak about these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual truths with spiritual words. 14 However, an unspiritual person does not accept the truths taught by God’s Spirit, because they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually evaluated. 15 But the spiritual person evaluates all things, and he himself is evaluated by no one. 16 Indeed, “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who will instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
after which, out of respect for Jesus’ words, the Congregation will rise for
The Gospel Lesson John 7
After this, Jesus moved around in Galilee. He did not want to travel in Judea because the Jews were trying to find a way to kill him. 2 Now the Jewish Festival of Shelters was near. 3 So his brothers said to him, “You should leave here and go to Judea so your disciples there can also see the works you are doing. 4 Indeed, no one acts in secret who wants to be known in public. If you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
6 So Jesus told them, “The right time for me has not arrived yet, but any time is the right time for you. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me, because I testify about it, that its works are evil. 8 You go up to the festival. I am not going up to this festival yet, because the right time for me has not yet arrived.” 9 After he said this, he stayed in Galilee. 10 However, after his brothers had gone up to the festival, then he also went up, not openly but in a private way.
11 At the festival, the Jews kept looking for him. They asked, “Where is he?” 12 And there was widespread whispering about him in the crowds. Some were saying, “He’s a good man.” Others were saying, “No, he deceives the people.” 13 Yet no one spoke openly about him for fear of the Jews.
14 When the festival was already half over, Jesus went up to the temple courts and began to teach. 15 The Jews were amazed and asked, “How does this man know what is written without being instructed?” 16 Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but it comes from him who sent me. 17 If anyone wants to do his will, he will know whether my teaching is from God or if I speak on my own. 18 The one who speaks on his own is seeking his own glory. But he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him—that is the one who is true, and there is no unrighteousness in him. 19 Didn’t Moses give you the law? Yet none of you does what the law tells you. Why are you trying to kill me?”
20 “You have a demon!” the crowd answered. “Who is trying to kill you?” 21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you are all amazed. 22 Consider this: Because Moses has given you circumcision (not that it comes from Moses, but from the fathers), you circumcise a man even on the Sabbath. 23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry at me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? 24 Stop judging by outward appearance. Instead make a right judgment.”
25 Some of the people from Jerusalem were saying, “Isn’t this the man they want to kill? 26 Yet, look! He’s speaking openly, and they don’t say a thing to him. Certainly the rulers have not concluded that he is the Christ, have they? 27 But we know where this man is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.” 28 Then Jesus called out as he was teaching in the temple courts, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. Yet I have not come on my own, but the one who sent me is real. You do not know him. 29 I know him because I am from him, and he sent me.” 30 So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.
31 But many in the crowd believed in him and asked, “When the Christ comes, he won’t do more miraculous signs than this man, will he?” 32 The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering these things about him, so the chief priests and the Pharisees sent guards to arrest him. 33 Then Jesus said, “I am going to be with you only a little while longer. Then I am going away to the one who sent me. 34 You will be looking for me and will not find me, and where I am going to be, you cannot come.” 35 Then the Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? He does not intend to go to the Jews scattered among the Greeks and teach the Greeks, does he? 36 What does he mean by saying, ‘You will be looking for me and will not find me, and where I am going to be, you cannot come’?”
37 On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and called out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! 38 As the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from deep within the person who believes in me.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were going to receive. For the Holy Spirit had not yet come, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
40 After hearing his words, some of the people said, “This is truly the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Surely the Christ does not come from Galilee, does he? 42 Doesn’t the Scripture say that the Christ comes from David’s descendants and from the little town of Bethlehem where David lived?” 43 So the people were divided because of him. 44 Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. 45 Then the guards came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?” 46 The guards answered, “No one ever spoke the way this man does!” 47 So the Pharisees answered them, “You have not been deceived too, have you? 48 Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd, which does not know the law, is cursed!”
50 One of them, Nicodemus, who had come to Jesus earlier, asked, 51 “Does our law condemn a man before we hear from him and find out what he’s doing?” 52 “You are not from Galilee too, are you?” they replied. “Search and you will see that a prophet does not come from Galilee.” 53 Then each of them went home.
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light. Very God of Very God. Begotten, not made. Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary And was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried; And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And he shall come again with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, And I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come. Amen.
after which the Congregation may be seated.
The Children’s Lesson John 8:31-32
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you remain in My word, you are really My disciples. 32 You will also know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Jesus: the World’s Greatest Teacher…Ever!
The Hymn of the Day Hymn 356 “You Are The Way”
1 You are the Way: through You alone Can we the Father find.
In You, O Christ, as God revealed His heart and will and mind.
2 You are the truth, Your Word alone True wisdom can impart;
You only can inform the mind, And purify the heart.
3 You are the Life: the empty tomb Proclaims Your conquering arm,
And those who put their trust in You Not death nor hell shall harm.
4 You are the Way, the Truth, the Life: Grant us that Way to know,
that Truth to keep, that Life to win, Whose joys eternal flow. Amen.
after which the Congregation will rise for
The Sermon Text Deuteronomy 18:15
15 The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among you, from your brother Israelites. Listen to Him.
Listen to Jesus….He Knows What He’s Talking About!
The Post-Sermon Blessing
Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, who brought back from the dead our Lord, Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of the sheep, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen!
We Offer Our Gifts 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 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. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) You can also visit our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.
At the Pastor’s invitation, the Congregation will rise for
The Prayers for this Day
Included in our prayers this morning are:
A Prayer of Intercession on behalf of Carol Ann Heinemann’s great-grandson,
Bronson, who remains in a Madison, WI intensive care unit following a heart transplant;
and also
A Thanksgiving Prayer for John Luedtke, whose knee surgery last Friday was a success
and, in addition,
A Prayer of Thanksgiving on behalf of Mary Pudas, whom our Lord in His grace
called home to heaven this past Tuesday.
The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, Which 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 Celebrate the Lord’s Supper
Pastor – The Lord be with you.
Congregation (Sung) And also with you.
Pastor – Lift up your hearts.
Congregation (Sung) We lift them up to the Lord.
Pastor – Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God.
Congregation (Sung) It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
Consecration of the Elements
Pastor – The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Congregation – (Sung) Amen.
The Exhortation Regarding the Lord’s Supper
The First Distribution Hymn “Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord”
1 Draw near and take the body of the Lord,
And drink the holy blood for you outpoured;
Offered was He for greatest and for least,
Himself the victim and Himself the priest.
2 He that His saints in this world rules and shields,
To all believers life eternal yields;
With heav’nly bread makes them that hungry whole,
Gives living waters to the thirsting soul.
3 Come forward then with faithful hearts sincere,
And take the pledges of salvation here.
Before Your altar, Lord, Your servants bow
In this Your feast of love be with us now. Amen
‘
The Second Distribution Hymn “Thy Table I Approach”
1 Your table I approach; Dear Savior, hear my prayer. Let not an unrepentant heart Prove hurtful to me there.
2 Lord, I confess my sins And mourn their wretched bands; A contrite heart is sure to find Forgiveness at Your hands.
3 Your body and Your blood, Once slain and shed for me, Are taken at Your table, Lord, In blest reality.
4 Search not how this takes place, This wondrous mystery; God can accomplish vastly more Than what we think could be.
5 O grant, most blessed Lord, That earth and hell combined May not about this sacrament Raise doubt within my mind.
6 Oh, may I never fail To thank You day and night For Your true body and true blood, O God, my peace and light. Amen.
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Closing Prayer
The Benediction
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord look with favor upon you, and give you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 203 “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word”
1 Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word; Curb those who by deceit or sword
Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son And bring to naught all He has done.
2 Lord Jesus Christ, Your pow’r make known, For You are Lord of lords alone;
Defend Your holy Church that we May sing your praise eternally.
3 O Comforter of priceless worth, Send peace and unity on earth;
Support us in our final strife And lead us out of death to life. Amen
Announcements
Last Week At Grace Lutheran In Person Worship Attendance: 65 Online views: 16
Sunday School: 2 Sunday Bible Class: 19 (Online views: 3)
Budgetary Offerings: $ 2300
Tuesday Bible Class: 11 Wednesday Evening Bible Class: 4 men; 4 women.
Serving Us Next Sunday (2-14) Elders: Rick Tragasz, John Johnson
Ushers: John Wambold, Jim Winnat Altar Guild: Christine Quinlan, Linda Winnat
Birthdays This Coming Week:
Feb 08 – Otis Turner; Feb 11- Bob Neubauer; Feb 12 – Vicki Walker;
Looking Ahead For Grace Lutheran Church
Today Morning Worship with the Lord’s Supper, 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School/Bible Class 11:00 a.m. Confirmation Class, 12:00 to 1:15 p.m.
Feb 09 (Tues) Morning Bible Class, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Church Council Meeting, 6 p.m. Board of Elders meeting afterward
Feb 10 (Wed) Evening Bible Classes, 6 to 7 p.m.
Feb 14 (Sun) Morning Worship, 9:30 a.m. Bible Class/Sunday School, 11:00 a.m.
Confirmation Class, 12:00 to 1:15 p.m.
Midweek Lent Worship Services Are Coming in a Week and a Half!!! …..That’s on February 17th, when we’ll hold our Ash Wednesday worship service, which includes the Lord’s Supper. The them for this year’s services will be: “Our Spiritual Vision Problems….and How We Can Correct Them.” Please plan to join us for these special services, do bring a non-churched friend, or friends, to share in these worship opportunities with us! And one added note….for these midweek services, we’ll be worshiping in the chapel.