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We hope these readings, prayers, songs, sermon notes + quotes are beneficial to you this week. See you next Sunday at 9 or 11 am, 10 am on TVC Online or anytime!
Sermon Notes for February 16, 2025
Luke 10:1-24
Field Notes From the Harvest
Pastor Matt Pierson
“It is not so much the case that God has a mission for his church in the world but that God has a church for his mission in the world.
Christopher J. H. Wright, The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative
1. Jesus made the church for mission.
“The goal of redemption is nothing less than the restoration of the entire cosmos.”
Michael D. Williams, As Far as the Curse is Found
“We don’t love our neighbors to convert them; we love our neighbors because we are converted.”
Jay Pathak & Dave Runyon
2. The outcome of the mission rests on Jesus.
“The marching orders for the seventy are by their very nature applicable to every Christian. Exceptional people are not required. It is the message they carry, and the driving power that carries them, which are exceptional.”
Michael Wilcock, The Bible Speaks Today, Luke
“Colleges may educate men. Bishops may ordain them. Patrons may give them livings. But God alone can raise up and send forth “laborers” who will do work among souls. For a constant supply of such laborers let us daily pray.”
J.C. Ryle, Luke
- The best ability is availability
- The freedom of dependence
3. Jesus rejoices over every saved soul.
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17
“If I understand the gospel, it tells us that we are to spread the Good News to all four corners of the world, not limiting the giving of light to people who have already seen the light…We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.”
Madeline L’Engle, Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith & Art
“Trust God and get going.”
J.I. Packer
Songs, Readings & Prayer for February 16, 2025
Songs
“Come Thou Almighty King“ by Felice de Giardini, Tommy Bailey, Sarah Gehri, Nathan Mickle & Tom Yarbrough
“May The Peoples Praise You“ by y David Zimmer, Ed Cash, Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, and Stuart Townend
“Jesus, Firm Foundation“ by George Keith, R. Keen
“Our God Will Go Before Us“ by Keith Getty, Matt Boswell, and Matt Papa
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken and Louis Bourgeois
All songs are used by Permission. CCLI License #2003690
Call To Worship: Faithfulness of God
All: The word of the LORD is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.
Men: Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies.
Women: You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
Men: The LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.
Women: O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in Your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
Men: The LORD is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.
ALL: For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Source: Psalm 33, 36, 86, 100, 143 and Romans 8
Confession: The Apostles’ Creed
Leader: Who is God?
People: God is one divine Being eternally existing in three divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is the Holy Trinity.
Leader: What does Holy Scripture tell us about the character of God?
People: God is both loving and holy. God mercifully redeems fallen creation, while righteously opposing all sin and evil. The Lord Jesus Christ is the fullest revelation of God’s holy love.
Source: ACNA, Q. 36-37
Classic Prayer: Christina Rosetti, 1830-1894
Speak, Lord, for your servant hears. Grant me ears to hear, eyes to see, a will to obey, a heart to love; then declare what you will, reveal what you will, command what you will, demand what you will. Amen.
Discussion Questions for February 16, 2025
- Have you ever experienced evangelism done poorly? Have you ever felt hurt or manipulated by someone with a particular style of evangelism? Does this affect you still today?
- Jesus reminded the 72 that the results of the harvest (evangelizing) are up to God; their job was to be faithful in sharing the Good News and leave the rest up to Him. How does this free you to evangelize more?
- Pastor Matt said that the best ability is availability. What does this mean? How can you be more available as a laborer?
- Relationship evangelism is a powerful way to represent Christ to the non-believing world. Do any friends, neighbors or co-workers come to mind? How can nurturing a relationship with a non-believer show “…them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it?” (Madeline L’Engle)
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