St Marks Lutheran Church Mt Barker Sermons

Almighty and eternal God, in mercy you give the light of your gospel to your church. Keep us in sound teaching, so that we may firmly believe and faithfully follow your saving word, and finally, with its holy comfort, die in peace and joy. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank you that you have again shown your kindness by giving us not just the fruits of the earth in their seasons, but the very fruits of life: faith and love, family and friends, health, food and shelter. Help us to use them rightly, to your glory, for our own wellbeing, and for the relief of those in need. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Please note that the discussion time amongst the congregation referenced in this week's sermon recording was reduced. Let us pray that we do not trust in ourselves but follow Jesus. Our Saviour Jesus, it is through you that we come to God. Do not let us be drawn away from you by the glitter of wealth or lure of pride or the attraction of status or the burdens of daily concerns but make us ready to leave everything and boldly follow you. For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

These words are the theme of our service today and of the church convention which is meeting in Adelaide in these days. It is based on Ephesians 2:8-10, and on the unity words of Ephesians 4. The very Good News is that through the Holy Spirit we are all baptised into the body of Christ, and saved entirely by grace, as a totally free gift. We are gathered into this one body for a purpose. That purpose is to do the good works of loving God and loving one another. We certainly do not do these Good Works in order to be saved, but as a response to being saved. Jesus calls us to go and live the way of love as we spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth, until Jesus comes again. We are called to go until Jesus comes.

We thank Lay reader Mark Frost for leading us in worship this day.

The Cost is paid on the Cross The Cost/Cross is confessed The Cost/Cross is carried until Jesus comes again

Let us pray for persistence in prayer. Generous God, like a loving parent you always welcome us when we come to you. Encourage us to keep on approaching you for whatever we need, knowing that you supply what is best for us. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Let us pray for sincerity. Holy and faithful God, keep us from piety and a practice that is only for show. Wash us completely clean, so that what flows out of us may be pure and good. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.