The First Sunday in Lent – March 09, 2025
also known traditionally as “Invocavit Sunday”
The Ultimate Tempter,
and how to keep standing against his temptations
The 5th Petition says, “lead us not into temptation.” We speak the words, but we don’t always appreciate (perhaps even fully understand) what that petition means. You see, the Bible speaks about two different kinds of temptation, one that leads to sin and destruction, and the other that we usually speak of as “testing.” Let’s consider the latter type first. Quite simply, sometimes God tests us. It’s not really a “test,” since God already knows the answer. But it is a “testing” nevertheless, because we don’t know what is going to happen. God tests us in this way: certain circumstances occur in our lives that display the richness of God’s love, grace and mercy. God uses them to teach us that, by His grace and with His help, matters which appeared impossible, are accomplished, and things that looked like disasters are actually blessings from Him. God tests us so that we can grow in our faith, learning to rely on Him more fully. God also tests us, so that we can see the victories over sin, Satan and death that we have been given through Christ. The Lord further tests us, so that we can tell others from our own firsthand experiences how He is faithful, and how He is always at work in our lives for our earthly and eternal good, as well as how He provides exactly what we need, when we need it.
In the second sense (the one referred to in the 5th Petition), when we speak of temptation, we are not talking about testing, but an enticement from the Devil to do evil, about lies and deception, and worst of all – about the consequence of giving in to the Devil. One of the great promises we have as Christians, is the promise from God that He will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear – with His help. In every temptation we face, God provides us with a means of escape, so that we are able to endure and overcome. This Fifth Petition works with the one that follows, “deliver us from Evil” – which calls on God to keep us away from the circumstances that might bring difficult temptations upon us.
Let’s be honest, there are some places where temptation is hard to resist. And so we pray that God would help us stay away from those kind of places. Likewise, there are some people who just seem to lead people into trouble. In this petition we’re also asking God to give us good and godly friends who will lead us to the cross and the Word of God, and not into trouble. Finally, there are circumstances that can cause us trouble: not enough money or too much money, either can cause trouble; not enough time, or too much time, either of those, can also get us into trouble. In a way we’re asking God to help keep us in balance.
One of the interesting things about the temptations we face is that, when we take the time to look at them objectively, honestly and Biblically, we realize that they aren’t even desirable things, and that they don’t deliver what they promise. The key in dealing with any and every temptation is to recognize the deception that’s inherent in it. And while certain deceptions might seem desirable on the surface, once you call them the lies that they are – and remember, Satan is the “father of lies” – it becomes much easier to say “no” to them. Jesus’ question in Mark 8:36-37 is always a good place to begin when dealing with temptation: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” Many people have given up their soul to the Devil, but the Devil has yet to give any one of them the world. If Satan were a salesman, would you trust him? If you found out there were NO satisfied customers, would you still want to buy what he’s selling? But that’s precisely what Satan tries to do with his temptations: misdirect people, confuse them, point them in the wrong direction, don’t let them examine his history of broken promises or misleading claims.
The Devil doesn’t want us to ever examine his history, promises, or claims…..because if we do, we’ll reject his offers every time. On the other hand, God makes His whole case for trusting Him depend on exactly that. God has been faithful throughout history in providing for and protecting His people. Furthermore, there’s never a promise that the Lord has made that He hasn’t kept. And all of God’s claims have been proven in the lives of countless people – God has only satisfied customers. So why would you and I ever choose anything else?
God has given us a free and complete salvation from the power of sin, death and the Devil. What’s more, our Lord has forgiven us all our sins, and has promised us not only that our bodies will one day be resurrected from death, but that – through faith – we will enjoy lasting glory with Him in heaven’s perfection. All this is ours through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for us. There’s nothing that Satan can offer us that’s worth anything compared to the “everything” that God has already given us in Christ.
God’s Word in Today’s Service
The Scriptural basis for today’s Sermon will be the “Full Armor of God” chapter – Ephesians 6. Tying this lesson in with today’s other Scripture readings and their truths, we’ll want to recognize that we are engaged in a daily war with Satan, but that ultimate and inevitable victory against him is already assured us through the redemptive work and power of Christ, our Savior. Trusting in the strength that our Lord provides through His Word and Sacraments, and wrapped in the “spiritual armor” that He gives us, we can safely keep on standing against all Satan’s assaults certain that our souls remain eternally secure through faith in Christ.
In this morning’s Children’s Lesson we’ll rely on Jesus’ words of rebuke to the Pharisees, calling them the followers of Satan and the opponents of the Lord that they were. Specifically, Jesus identifies the Devil as “The Father of Lies,” who – when he lies – is speaking his “native language.” It’s so important, then, for us not to listen to that liar when he whispers his sinful advice and ideas into our hearts and ears. Our First Lesson is Jesus’ parable of the Weeds in the Wheat, which He explains for us at the end of the reading. Christ’s point is that up until Judgment Day, the Devil will continue to sow his sinful seeds of doubt, unbelief, anger, selfishness, arrogance, deceit, immorality, irresponsibility and many others. And he’ll see a “harvest” of followers grow up, even inside churches and Christian homes. But, in the end on the Last Day, the Lord will put Satan out of the seed business for eternity. Next, through our Second Lesson for today we see that in Jesus Christ we have the “Great High Priest” who can truly understand and support us in all our difficulties amid temptation. You see, He was tempted in every way, just as we are, but He remained sinless. Our Third Scripture Lesson consists of the words of the inspired Apostle John, who urges his listeners to stop sinning, and warns them that those who claim Christ as their Lord – yet who are committed to continuing to impenitently sin – are actually followers of the Devil…..and not of the Lord. Among the key “litmus tests” of a person’s Christianity is his/her willingness expressed in word and action to love their fellow Christians as brothers/sisters-in-Christ. Those who won’t love a brother, but who instead bear and share hard, harsh feelings about a fellow Christian, are finally more like Cain the murderer, more like a follower of the Devil, than a faithful follower of Christ. That person even dares to risk his/her eternal salvation and heavenly home…..all because he/she prefers feelings of hatred and hostility toward others, rather than preferring to love a life of Christian love toward all. Finally, the account of Satan appearing before Jesus three times in succession in an effort to tempt Him into sinning (in the vain hope of stopping Jesus from carrying out His mission of saving fallen mankind) is our Gospel Lesson for today. Each time the Devil tried to tempt Him, Christ turned away the temptation by relying on a portion of God’s Word. Nearly 2000 years later the Devil continues to work his wiles of temptation on God’s people. Since he never gives up, let us always be on our guard against Satan’s repeated temptations, and may we always be prepared to use the power of God’s Word as our best defense against the Devil’s temptations.
The Origin and Background for the Season of Lent
“We are going up to Jerusalem.” With these words Jesus invites us to follow Him as He travels the way of the cross during another season of Lent. Having already begun this past Ash Wednesday (March 5th), Lent is a 40 day period which ends on Holy Saturday, just before Easter Sunday. While Ash Wednesday actually takes place 46 days prior to Easter, the six Sundays in Lent are traditionally not included in the 40 day count of this Lenten season with its penitential emphasis. The reason for this omission is that, by custom, the Sundays during Lent are regarded as interludes during which the Church can celebrate, however briefly and still with a measure of solemnity, the joy that continues to be ours by virtue of God’s grace to us in Christ.
The term “Lent” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for “spring,” the time when the days lengthen. The earliest Christians to observe Lent did so over 40 hours, remembering the 40 hours during which our Savior lay in the tomb. The period of commemoration was later extended to two weeks (that period is still referred to as “Passiontide”), and eventually to forty days. The 40 days, incidentally, are representative of several Biblical events: Jesus’ 40-day fast at the beginning of His ministry (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12,13; Luke 4:1-13); Moses’ stay on Mt. Sinai in connection with the Lord’s giving the Ten Commandments and His other laws to Israel (Exodus 24:18); and Elijah’s period of fasting on his way to the mountain of God (I Kings 19:8) .
The Focus of Worship during Lent
The Christian Church traditionally has made use of the season of Lent as a period of spiritual preparation – specifically, a time during which it has devoted itself to the contemplation of the cross of our Savior, and all for which it stands. While the midweek Vespers (evening) worship services during Lent have a more “penitential” character, and thus focus the worshiper’s attention on Christ’s Passion (His sufferings for our sins), the Scripture readings and prayers for the Sundays of Lent are typified by a general spirit of “celebration” which anticipates Jesus (and our) victories won on Easter morning. And so, all of the traditional Scripture lessons and prayers of the six Sundays in Lent deal in one way or another deal with the challenges and battles which our Savior waged and won against the kingdom of Satan. Each victory “prefigures” (points ahead to) the glorious triple- victory which Jesus won through His resurrection – His (and His Church’s ) victories over sin, death, and Satan’s power.
Why Is Today also known as “Invocavit” Sunday?
Over the past sixteen centuries, the Christian church – at least that portion of the church which follows the traditional “Church Calendar” – has retained the custom of identifying the six Sundays of Lent by the first words of their Latin “introits” (Psalm readings for the day; “introit” is the Latin word for “he enters” and refers to a particular point in the worship liturgy/order when the minister approached the altar/the symbolic “presence” of the Lord in worship). The first Sunday in Lent, then, is known as Invocavit Sunday, taken from verse 15 of our Psalm for this morning, Psalm 91 (“invocavit” means “He will call”). The Scripture readings for this day were originally assembled to focus the Church’s attention on Satan’s relentless efforts to tempt Jesus (and us), as well as on Christ’s ability to successfully overcome all of the Devil’s temptations.
Prayers and Scripture Lessons of the Lenten Season
Today’s (and our entire Lenten season’s) Scripture lessons and “Collect-Prayers” can be traced back to the first centuries of the early Christian Church. Initially “collect-prayers” were simply the product of early church pastors gathering/collecting prayer requests from church members prior to the worship service. The “collected” requests would then be offered in one, general prayer. Over time, and due to the consistency of many prayer-requests, formal “collect-prayers” were written down and used from one year to the next, and were handed down from one generation to the following – all the way to us today. In addition, during its early era the Church customarily required its adult candidates for Baptism to undergo a 40 day period rigorous discipline, prayer, and fasting, which — in time — came to be known as the season of Lent. The intent was to provide spiritual discipline for the soon-to-be baptized members so that they might be freed from affection for worldly matters and from any attachments to the Devil’s and this sinful world’s wicked works and ways. The terminal point of their period of Lenten denial was Easter Eve (or Holy Saturday), when they were baptized into the Christian faith and first permitted to commune with their Savior through the Lord’s Supper.
In the weeks ahead, we will be hearing – with some variation – many of the same Scripture readings those early Christian candidates for Baptism also heard during the worship services that they attended over 19 centuries ago. We will also join in offering essentially the same “Collect-Prayers” to the Lord which they joined in offering. In addition to giving us a sense of the heritage we possess, which connects us with the earliest Christians and believers since then, these specially-selected readings and prayers should also help us better prepare our hearts and lives both for the reception of the Sacrament during Holy Week, for the observance of Christ’s death on Good Friday, and for the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter morn.
Pre-service Silent Prayer
Heavenly Father, please guide me in wisdom and truth through Your Holy Spirit, as I spend this hour meditating on Your
Word and rejoicing in Your limitless love for me. Assist me in being attentive in heart and mind to Your Word, as well as to the hymns of praise, the various petitions, and the prayers of thanksgiving my voice directs toward You. Use this worship service, O Lord, to deepen my love for You, to strengthen my trust in You, and to renew my commitment to You. All this I ask for the sake of and in the name of Your One and only Son, Jesus Christ, my Savior. 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 Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
Pre-service Prayer Pre-service Music
We Praise Our God
The Introduction and Invitation to Worship
after which 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 Spirit. Amen.
The Psalm for Today Psalm 91
P: One who lives in the shelter of the Most High will stay in the shadow of the Almighty.
C: I will say to the Lord, “My Refuge and my Fortress, my God, in Whom I trust.”
P: Surely He will rescue you from the fowler’s trap, from the destructive plague. With His feathers He will cover you, and under His wings you will find refuge; His truth s will be your shield and armor.
C: You will not fear the terror of night, + nor the arrow that flies by day, + nor the plague that prowls in the darkness, + nor the pestilence that destroys at noon. + A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, + but it will not come near you. + You will only observe it with your eyes. You will see the punishment of the wicked. + Yes, Lord, You are my Refuge!
P: If you make the Most High your shelter — evil will not overtake you. + Disaster will not come near your tent.
C: Yes, He will give a command to His angels concerning you + to guard you in all your ways; + so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. + You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; + you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
P: The LORD says, + “Because He clings to Me, I will rescue him. + I will protect him + for he acknowledges My name.”
C: He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; + I will be with him in distress, + I will deliver him and I will honor him. + With long life I will satisfy him + and I will let him see My salvation.
After which the Congregation will be seated for
The Opening Hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
1 A mighty Fortress is our God, A trusty Shield and Weapon;
He helps us free from ev’ry need That hath us now o’ertaken.
The old evil Foe Now means deadly woe:
Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight;
On earth is not his equal.
2 With might of ours can naught be done,
Soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One, Whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, Who is this?– Jesus Christ it is,
Of Sabaoth, Lord, And there’s none other God,
He holds the field forever.
3 Tho’ devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill, They cannot overpow’r us.
This world’s prince may still Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none, He’s judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
4 The Word they still shall let remain,
Nor any thank have for it;,
He’s by our side upon the plain With His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life, Goods, fame, child, and wife,
Let these all be gone, They yet have nothing won:
The Kingdom ours remaineth. Amen.
We Join in Confession of Our Sins
P: Almighty God, Heavenly Father, we have violated Your holy will through our sinful actions, in our failure to do what You righteously expect from us, with our wicked words, and by our evil thoughts and desires.
C: We come, O Lord, to Your altar to confess our sins. + We beg for Your mercy, + though we do not deserve it. + Hear our prayer. + Grant us the forgiveness of all our sins, for Jesus’ sake.
Just as I am without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
P: Our sins are many….inexcusable, yet inevitable given our weakness and dullness. We/have sworn falsely and used Your name to curse, rather than to bless others and to praise You. We have not worshiped You as faithfully as we ought. We have not listened to Your Word as we should. Too often we have conformed our lives – not to Your perfect will – but to the norms and dictates of this sinful world. At times we have lived as though we were “god” instead of humbly submitting everything that we are and have to You, O Lord.
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
We have acted spitefully toward friends and strangers. We have fought with our family. We have been impatient with each other, and even with You, O Lord. We have sought superiority over others at work, in the home, at school, and in the church. We have preferred materialism more than we have pursued our spiritual growth. We have committed the very evils that we have self-righteously – and You have properly – condemned.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
We have passed by and ignored those who have been in genuine need. We have thought too highly of ourselves and too little of others. Though converted by the Gospel’s power, we have been reluctant and indifferent to bring the Good News to others. We have not readily forgiven those who have sinned against us. We have not loved You and others as You have commanded us to do.
Forgive us all our sins, + those known and unknown to us, + according to the mercy of Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. + Pour Your grace upon us, + that we might know the peace which surpasses all understanding, + and that we might share eternal life with Christ, our Lord.
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Congregation Almighty and most merciful God, + We acknowledge and confess + that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed; + That we have not loved You with all our heart and
soul, + and with all our mind and strength; + and that we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. + We ask You, O God, + to be forgiving of what we have been, + to help us to amend what we are, + and – in Your mercy – to direct what we shall be, + so that the love of what is righteous in Your sight + might always be in our hearts, + that we may always walk blamelessly in Your commandments, + and faithfully follow in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ to the very end. + Amen.
Pastor Upon this, your voluntary confession, and in accordance with the responsibilities entrusted to me as a called and ordained servant of the Living Word, I assure you that God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven
you all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, He has removed your guilt and condemnation forever. You are His own dear child – an heir of everlasting life through faith in Christ. May God now give you the strength of faith to live according to His will. Go in His grace and peace. Amen.
The Prayer for This Morning
O Lord God, Heavenly Father + mercifully hear our prayers, + and help us in our need. + Stretch forth Your all-powerful hand + to defend us from every attack of the Devil, + from every assault of this wicked world, + and from every evil inclination of our sinful human nature. + Through Your Spirit, grow our faith in You + as our sovereign, Savior-God, + so that we might honor You through our lives here on earth, + until, by Your grace, + we praise and serve You eternally in heaven. + We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ, + Your Son, our Lord, + 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 Listen to the Word of God
The First Lesson Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
24 He presented another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while people were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 When the plants sprouted and produced heads of grain, the weeds also appeared. 27 The servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where did the weeds come from?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy did this.’ The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather up the weeds?’ 29 ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because when you gather up the weeds, you might pull up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the weeds, bind them in bundles, and burn them. Then, gather the wheat into my barn.”
….36 Then Jesus sent the people away and went into the house. His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
37 He answered them, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world. The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the Evil One. 39 The enemy who sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the world. The reapers are angels. 40 Therefore, just as the weeds are gathered up and burned with fire, so it will be at the end of the world. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will pull out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and those who continue to break the law. 42 The angels will throw them into the fiery furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.
The Second Lesson Hebrews 4:12-16
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to the point of dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, even being able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from Him, but everything is uncovered and exposed to the eyes of Him to Whom we will give an account.
14 Therefore, since we have a great High Priest, Who has gone through the heavens, namely, Jesus the Son of God, let us continue to hold on to our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin. 16 So let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The Sequence Hymn Hymn 455 “Rise to Arms”
1 Rise! To arms! With prayer employ you,
O Christians, lest the foe destroy you,
For Satan has designed your fall.
Wield God’s Word, a weapon glorious;
Against each foe you’ll be victorious;
Our God will set you o’er them all.
Fear not the prince of hell –
Here is Immanuel! Sing hosanna!
The strong ones yield To Christ, our shield,
And we as conqu’rors hold the field.
2 Jesus, all your children cherish,
And keep them that they never perish
Whom you have purchased with your blood.
Let new life to us be given
That we may look to you in heaven
Whenever fearful is our mood.
Your Spirit on us pour
That we may love you more,
Hearts o’erflowing; And then shall we,
From sin set free, Sing praise through all eternity.
The Third Lesson I John 3:4-16
4 Everyone who commits sin also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that He appeared in order to take away our sins and in Him there is no sin. 6 Anyone who remains in him does not sin. The person who keeps on sinning has not seen him or known him.
7 Dear children, do not let anyone deceive you. Whoever does what is right is righteous just as Jesus is righteous. 8 The one who continues to sin is of the Devil, because the Devil has been sinning from the beginning. This is why the Son of God appeared: to destroy the works of the Devil. 9 Nobody who has been born of God continues to commit sin, because God’s seed remains in him. He cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 This is how the children of God and the children of the Devil are obvious: Everyone who does not do what is right is not from God, along with everyone who does not love his brother.
11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: Love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the Evil One and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own works were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have crossed over from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. 16 This is how we have come to know love: Jesus laid down His life for us. And we also should lay down our lives for our brothers.
After which the Congregation will rise for
This Morning’s Gospel Lesson Luke 4:1-13
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where He was tempted by the Devil for forty days. He did not eat anything during those days. When they came to an end, He was hungry. 3 The Devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered him, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”
5 The Devil led Him up to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 The Devil told Him, “I will give You all this power and the glory of these kingdoms, because it has been entrusted to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. 7 So, if You worship me, it will all be Yours.”
8 Jesus answered him, “It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”
9 The Devil led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple. “If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down from here, 10 because it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning you, to protect you. 11 And, they will lift you up with their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
12 Jesus answered him, “It says: ‘You shall not test the Lord your God.’”
13 When the Devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.
The Apostles’ Creed CW 169 (Hymn to Joy)
I believe in God the Father, Maker of the heav’ns and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, our Savior, God’s own Son, of human birth.
Virgin born, the Lord incarnate, Whom the Spirit did conceive,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Our salvation to achieve.
Crucified, was dead and buried, Down to hell in victory;
From the dead He rose the third day;
Up to heav’n triumphantly.
There at God’s right hand He’s ruling,
By His will the world is led.
He will come to judge the nations,
Both the living and the dead.
I believe in God the Spirit, In His Church, His chosen band.
They are joined in close communion,
Holy in His sight they stand.
I believe in sins forgiven; That the dead will rise again;
I believe in life eternal. Amen! Amen! A – – men!
After which the Congregation will be seated for
Children’s Lesson John 8:44
44 You belong to your father, the Devil, and you want to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and did not remain standing in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks from what is his, because he is a liar and the father of lying
Don’t Listen to “The Father of Lies”
The Sermon Hymn Hymn 457 “Fight the Good Fight”
1 Fight the good fight
With all your might;
Christ is your strength and Christ your light.
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Your joy and crown eternally.
2 Run the straight race
Through God’s good grace;
Lift up your eyes and seek his face.
Life with its way before us lies;
Christ is the path and Christ the prize.
3 Cast care aside,
Lean on your guide;
His boundless mercy will provide.
Lean, and the trusting soul shall prove
Christ is its life and Christ its love.
4 Faint not nor fear;
His arms are near.
He changes not, and you are dear.
Only believe, and you will see
That Christ is Lord eternally.
after which the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED for
The Greeting
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ! O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise. Amen.
The Sermon Text Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against the schemes of the Devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 For this reason, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to take a stand on the evil day and, after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand, then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness fastened in place, 15 and with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace tied to your feet like sandals. 16 At all times hold up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. 17 Also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 At every opportunity, pray in the Spirit with every kind of prayer and petition. Stay alert for the same reason, always persevering in your intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray for me also, that when I open my mouth a message will be given to me that boldly reveals the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may speak about it boldly, as it is necessary for me to speak.
The Only Way We Can Stand Up To Satan
after the Sermon, the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED 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.
We Offer Our Gifts and Prayers to the Lord
We offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) Those in the chapel can place their offerings in the offering plates
2) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
3) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.
The Offerings are gathered and presented to our Lord
The Offering Prayer
Dear Savior, You have taught us: “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Teach us to realize more and more that happiness in life does not depend on the number of things we can call our own. Rather, Jesus, help us to find joy in the faithful uses that we as stewards make of the money and all of the other resources You have placed in our hands….all these gratefully and humbly returned from us to You for the growth of Your Kingdom and for the glory of Your holy and saving name. Amen.
after which the Congregation will rise
Our Prayers for This Morning
Included in our Prayers this morning:
A Prayer of Intercession for our brother, Tim Pfortmiller, ,as he continues to receive treatments to restore his health and provide him with a cure from the cancer that has afflicted him. We thank You for Tim’s strong faith, Lord…for the example that he sets for us, and we pray that You will keep him Spiritually strong in the face of these challenges.
in addition
We offer A Prayer of Intercession on behalf of our sisters Diane Pfortmiller and Carol Ruiz, as they deal with difficult, though different, health challenges. According to Your will, O LORD, grant each of them physical strength and a full recovery very soon. Alsop, continue to sustain their faith, Heavenly Father, as they join us in looking forward to that day when all our afflictions will end and we will live in the peace and perfection of heaven with You.
and
A Prayer of Thanksgiving on behalf of Larry and Barbara Center,
who will enjoy the blessing of celebrating their wedding anniversary tomorrow.
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 Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Benediction
Pastor –
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 “Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ”
(Sung to the melody, “Edelweiss”)
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ Ev’ry morning You greet me
Through the day, on my way; You are with me to keep me.
Here in this world may I live for Thee Live for Thee forever.
Take my life, fill my life, Use my life, dear Lord Jesus.
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, As a Babe so lowly
Came to die, crucified, Son of God most holy,
Rose on the third day to live again, Live again, forever.
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, Master, King, and Redeemer
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, Friend and Savior Who loves me;
You are mine, I am Thine, Keep me always beside Thee.
All of my days, I will sing Your praise,
Sing Your praise forever.
Take my life, fill my life, Use my life, dear Lord Jesus.
Silent prayer
Announcements
Post-service music