11th Sunday after Pentecost: Date: August 24, 2014
– THE SERMON: Acts 7:54-60
Theme: Stephen’s Example of Faithful Discipleship
I. Testifying to Our Hope
II. Facing the World’s Rage
III. Dying a Blessed Death
( Pastor Theodore Barthels )
Bulletin: Read Bulletin
Sermon: Read Sermon
THE ORDER OF SERVICE: p. 5 (248:1-3)
HYMNS: 235:1-4; 215; 410; 413:5,6
THE GOSPEL LESSON: Matthew 23:34-39
Jesus points out the hardness of the hearts of His own Jewish people, and how they would treat the messengers of the gospel He would send them. It would be no different from the Old Testament days when they killed many of the prophets who called them to repentance. Yet the Lord loves His people. It broke His heart that they refused to hear Him as much as He cared for them and desired to save them from their sin, and the judgment to come.
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Deuteronomy 32:1-9
In his song Moses praises the greatness of God’s love and righteousness, and reminds us of man’s perverse and crooked ways. The Lord is gracious. The Lord is faithful. Moses encourages us to look at the former generations and see how steadfast the Lord is. He, who made the nations and set their boundaries, sees His people as His portion and His inheritance. How blessed we are to be included among the people of God!