Liturgy for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B (Mark)
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Passages for the Day
Proverbs 1:20-33: Wisdom is portrayed as a person crying out in the streets, calling people to turn away from their foolish ways and embrace her teachings. Those who reject wisdom and persist in their folly will face calamity, while those who heed her call will live securely.
Isaiah 50:4-9a: The servant of the Lord is described as one who has been given the tongue of the learned to speak comfort and encouragement to the weary. Despite facing opposition and suffering, the servant remains steadfast, confident that the Lord will vindicate him.
Psalm 19: This psalm celebrates the glory of God as revealed through creation and the law. It speaks of how the heavens declare God's handiwork and how the law provides wisdom, joy, and enlightenment, urging believers to seek purity and integrity.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:26 – 8:1: Wisdom is described as a radiant and unblemished force that permeates the world, guiding and ordering everything with her presence. She is portrayed as a key to understanding and finding harmony in all aspects of life.
James 3:1-12: James discusses the power of the tongue, emphasizing how it can both bless and curse. He highlights the difficulty of taming the tongue and the need for wisdom in speech, contrasting the wisdom that comes from above with that which is earthly.
Mark 8:27-38: In this passage, Jesus asks his disciples about his identity, and Peter declares him as the Messiah. Jesus then predicts his suffering and death and calls his followers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him, stressing the cost of discipleship.
Overlapping Themes
The Role of Divine Wisdom
One prominent theme across these passages is the concept of divine wisdom and its role in guiding human life. Proverbs and Wisdom of Solomon both highlight wisdom’s crucial role in leading people away from folly and toward a righteous path. Similarly, Psalm 19 and Isaiah 50:4-9a emphasize the transformative power of divine wisdom and revelation in guiding and comforting God's people.
The Challenges of Following Divine Guidance
Another recurring theme is the challenge and cost of following wisdom or divine guidance. James 3:1-12 and Mark 8:27-38 both address the difficulties inherent in living according to divine principles—whether it is the struggle to control one’s speech or the demand to take up one’s cross and follow Jesus despite the cost.
Consequences of Rejecting Wisdom
Finally, there is an emphasis on the consequences of rejecting wisdom and divine guidance. Proverbs warns of the calamity that befalls those who ignore wisdom’s call, while the suffering of the servant in Isaiah and the costly discipleship in Mark underscore the serious implications of not aligning with divine truths.
Preaching Ideas
The Call to Wisdom: Living in Alignment with Divine Guidance
This sermon can focus on the importance of heeding God’s wisdom as presented in Proverbs 1:20-33 and Wisdom of Solomon 7:26 – 8:1. It would explore how divine wisdom is not just an abstract concept but a practical guide for living a fulfilling and secure life.
Main point: Embracing divine wisdom leads to a life of security and fulfillment.The Cost of Discipleship: Embracing the Cross
Drawing from Mark 8:27-38 and James 3:1-12, this sermon would address the demanding nature of true discipleship and the struggle to live according to God’s wisdom. It would examine how the call to follow Jesus involves personal sacrifice and the challenges of controlling our speech and actions.
Main point: True discipleship requires self-denial and the courage to face challenges.The Power of Words: Taming the Tongue with Divine Wisdom
This sermon would use James 3:1-12 to explore the significant impact of our words and the need for wisdom in our speech. It would offer guidance on how to speak with integrity and grace, emphasizing the role of divine wisdom in shaping our communication and relationships.
Main point: Our words have the power to build up or tear down, and divine wisdom is essential for speaking with integrity.Stages of Knowing: From Creation to Christ
The sermon combines Psalm 19 and Mark:27-29 and focuses on the role of general and special revelation, culminating in the revelation of “The Word” Jesus Christ. Creation and Scripture prepare us to answer the question put by Jesus to Peter, “Who do you say I am?”
Call to Worship
One: Come, let us gather with hearts open to the Divine.
All: We come with gratitude and anticipation for God’s presence among us.
One: Let us lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving.
All: We celebrate the goodness and grace that surround us.
One: Open our hearts and minds to the transformative power of love.
All: We are ready to encounter the sacred and renew our spirits.
Call to Confession
In the light of divine wisdom, we recognize our need for repentance. We confess our failure to heed the call of wisdom, often turning away from understanding and pursuing paths of folly. We acknowledge the times we have spoken with carelessness and failed to take up our cross with courage. We not only seek your forgiveness, Lord but ask that you renew our soul so that our faith may flourish and your name is praised.
One: Lord may your name be glorified in us and through us. We ask this through Christ Jesus, your only begotten son. It is he who is our Lord and our Savior, our brother and our friend.
Assurance of Pardon
The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion
--Psalm 116
Friends, this is the good news!
All: Thanks be to God!
Prayer of Illumination
Lord, open our hearts and minds to your Word, that we may understand your will and be transformed by your grace.
Prayer of Dedication
We dedicate these gifts and our lives to your service, reflecting your love and wisdom in all we do.
