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May Your Kingdom Come: Lord’s Prayer #3
Modesto CRC Morning Worship
February 27, 2011
Called to the Kingdom of God
Prelude: Our preparation for worship
Welcome/ Call to Worship
In our study of the Lord’s Prayer on these Sunday mornings we have come to Jesus
prayer for God’s kingdom to come. The position of this petition in the prayer says that it
is very important. The kingdom of God is the arena of God’s rule as we experience his
presence. It is his working our lives and in this world.
The center of the kingdom is Jesus. Many times in his ministry he said, “The kingdom
of God is at hand.” The kingdom comes in Christ, not by power, coercion, or control,
but by the radical wisdom of God. It’s dynamic is God’s transforming people on the
inside with his love. As God’s people we come here to worship – people who live under
the rule of God and in whom God is building his kingdom. This morning our whole
service will be an attempt to worship around that theme and all the many passages in
the Bible that speak to it. Our prayer is that God’s kingdom will come to us in worship.
Let’s praise our God together.
*Songs of Praise: “He is Exalted” & “Wonderful, Merciful Savior”
Opening Prayer in unison:
Lord God, you have called us to worship you, so we come here to be together in your
presence. We pray that our worship will be pleasing to you, and that we will experience
you kingdom within and among us as we again offer ourselves to you. Hear us for
Jesus’ sake, amen.
*God’s Blessing – Mutual Greetings
Choral Anthem: “The Everlasting, Holy God”
THE MUSTARD SEED KINGDOM
Based on Matthew 13:31-32
Reader: Carla Mensonides
The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds. A man
takes it and sows it in his field, and when it grows up it is the biggest of all plants.
It becomes a tree, so that the birds come and make their nests in its branches.
As in a mustard seed lies the hope of a large tree, so in one man the hope of the
kingdom of God rested. Rested? -- No, it boiled and seethed and spilled over into the
world. Even then, he wasn’t a very impressive seed. There were some questions
about the legitimacy of his birth. There were thirty years without a headline. A few
people followed him for awhile in some small corner of the world. He died a criminal’s
death. Not much in the light of the superstars of history. One wonders if God didn’t
make a mistake planting such a small seed.
A mustard seed – it was dropped into the ground with a bit of care; although
nobody expected much. But the ground could not hold it, not this little seed of God’s.
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From the miracle of his birth to the power of his teaching, from the birth pangs of his
death to the splendor of his resurrection, he gave life to the kingdom of God. He lives
and where he is, God is. His name changed the dating of history; his name diverted the
course of civilization; his arms reach to people everywhere.
The tree of the kingdom has grown. The tree that truly shows the sovereign God
is spreading its branches. The kingdom of God is here. The kingdom of God is here,
and we are the pathways to its reaching out.
God, your kingdom come! Make it boil and seethe and spill over from us into the
world. Make it grow in our hearts as we worship and learn. May its love and good
news flow among us and from us. Make it burst into our neighborhood and city, into our
family and business, into our country and world.
The beginnings of heaven are in us, through Christ. In us, in the reality, the
visible rule of God. The kingdom is coming! The kingdom is now. Lord, may your
kingdom come.
YEAST
Based on Matthew 13:33
Reader: Mark Nunelly
The kingdom of heaven is like yeast. A woman takes it and mixes it with a bushel of
flour, until the whole batch of dough rises.
I prayed for the kingdom to come. I was depressed anyway. Let’s just end it all
with whatever bomb or collision of planets it takes. Then the sun shone; then I felt
challenged; then I saw my family; then I smelled a flower; then I played with a child. I
thought of my prayer, shuddered, and added quietly, “Maybe later, Lord.”
The world, they say, is headed for destruction. I believe it. I see the graft, the
messed up politics, the lunatic preparations for defense, the nationalism, the “selfism.”
The prophet says the world will end with a bang and a roar. The poet sees it all ending
in a whimper. But wait, God is working. Little pockets of believers are making an
impact. There are communities of people demonstrating the love of God. Their
influence is spreading. Their power is being felt. God is at work building his kingdom.
The world will end when its time is up, but not with a bang or a whimper, but with the
singing of angels. May your kingdom come here, Lord, today, through me.
Response Song: Speak, O Lord
MESSAGE PART 1: MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME
Scripture: Luke 11:1-4
Luke 11:1-4 “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of
his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He
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said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed by your name, your kingdom
come.”
The Lord’s Prayer is dearly loved in the Christian Church. We say it frequently,
and certainly in crisis. Sometimes it is said for the sense of security we get from
something old, familiar, and connected with our Lord Jesus. Sometimes we need the
words to help us pray. When people who have told me they can’t pray I have
encouraged them just to read it and sit quietly. When we study it we become aware
that it is filled with meaning and power.
May your kingdom come. We say it easily, but what does it mean? If we
asked what people generally mean when they pray these words we would probably get
a lot of different answers. Some would say that we are praying for the return of Jesus,
something like, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus.”
Another popular idea is that God is supposed to help us build Christian
institutions. Jesus talked a lot about the kingdom of God. He often said, “The
kingdom is at hand.” He brings the kingdom. Unlike those popular definitions he is
referring to a sphere of rule, the creation of God’s kingship in the hearts of people
through his own teaching, death, and resurrection – through faith. In other words,
God’s kingdom is people. It is God’s people throughout the world and through time
who are loyal to him as their Lord. It is people who love the Lord and are brought
together spiritually in him. We are called to be the kingdom, along with his people all
over the world and throughout the ages.
As we read the gospels we begin to see there are two key issues that we must
deal with. FIRST, the question that is the most basic one: are we members, citizens
of God’s eternal kingdom? It is the most personal, profound spiritual question we
face. SECOND, we need to understand that God’s kingdom is eternal and divine. It is
a kingdom that is not built on the power struggles of our world. It is claimed not in
power but in faith. It is not political, not social or restricted to one human group,
nor is it economic in nature. This kingdom of God, which seems sheer foolishness to
a world built on power and control, is already here in Christ, and it is coming as it
spreads through the hearts of people throughout the world. Finally, it is coming in all its
fulfillment and glory with the return of Christ. Then all power will be clearly seen as his.
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Being citizens of this kingdom depends on our relationship with the Lord. “May
your kingdom come” means first of all, may your kingdom come in me. Help me to
be your loyal subject. Bring about the realities of your love, righteousness, holiness,
beauty and peace in my life. Lead me into a greater reality than the mundane things I
spend most of my time with. Make my loyalty fitting for your kingdom so that my ethics
and decision-making reflect that you are Lord. May my priorities and will participate in
what is divine.
Is the kingdom of God in you? Are you a citizen? There are many passages
that speak about what it takes to be in God’s kingdom, to be real followers of Jesus
Christ. Let’s look at them by using the litany on the screen, titled:
WHO SHALL ENTER?
Pastor: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;
Repent and believe the gospel. (Mark 1:14-15)
People: We believe and celebrate the kingdom of God.
But who shall enter it?
Pastor: Jesus said, “Not everybody who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter into the kingdom,
but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do.” (Matt. 7:21)
People: Then only those who are obedient to the will of God enter into his kingdom.
Pastor: Jesus said, “you shall be able to enter the kingdom of heaven only if you are more
faithful than the teachers of the law and the Pharisees in doing what God requires.” (Matt. 5:20)
People: Then only those who keep God’s law perfectly in letter and spirit can enter.
Pastor: Jesus said, “How difficult it is for rich people to enter the kingdom of God!…. It is much harder
for a rich man to enter the kingdom than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.”
(Mark 10:23-25)
People: Are only those ready to give up everything fit for the kingdom of God?
Pastor: “Remember this. Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never
enter.” (Mark 10:15)
People: Then trust, dependency, and humility qualifies one for God’s kingdom.
Pastor: “No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
(Luke 9:62)
People: Then only the totally committed can enter.
Pastor: Who shall enter the kingdom of God? How can anyone qualify?
People: “This is impossible for people, but not for God; everything is possible with God.”
(Mark 10:27)
Declaration of Faith (on screen & not in bulletin)
We are the covenant people of God because God has called us. God has established his
reign among us and in all who believe that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior. We
believe and have seen his grace. We have received his forgiving love. We are the people
of God – adopted into his family, citizens of his kingdom.
Hymn: “Blest Are They”
Children’s Blessing: Children’s song: “Halle, Halle, Halle”
Congregational Prayer:
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Lord God, may your kingdom come here – among us – and may it grow through the
world as people made in your likeness and image recognize who they really are. May
your kingdom of peace call our world to peace – whether in international relations or
among people who live in anger and violence among us. We pray for peace and a
government that will value people in Libya, Egypt, Bahrain, and throughout a world
where there is so much turmoil, violence, and abuse. And today we pray for those who
suffer from natural disasters: people who are trying to survive floods in Sri Lanka and
Australia, and earthquakes in New Zeeland.
You are the Lord and ruler of all. You are our King and Sovereign God. And you are
our ABBA living in among us building your holy, divine, eternal kingdom – even in our
often shallow lives. We pray for our country. We are grateful for our freedoms, but w
see increasing hate groups, growing fear, and ever greater polarization. We ask you,
Lord, to send us wise leadership from all political views, wisdom to deal with a
multicultural, multiethnic, and pluralistic society. May we truly practice the bill of rights
for everyone.
Lord, we celebrate your kingdom and may it come in our worship, in our Council meeting
tomorrow night, in our ministries this week, in our Classis meeting on Tuesday. And we
pray, Holy Spirit, that your kingdom healing will come to for those who suffer from
physical diseases and chronic pain, who suffer from broken relationships with spouses,
or children, or siblings, or neighbors, who suffer from spiritual distance from you and
those who have lost their moral compass, and for those who suffer with economic
struggles. Fill all of us with the shalom of your presence. Work out your kingdom
through us in community ministries, whether Interfaith Ministries or others who care for
children, those who are homeless, those who are weak and cannot care for themselves,
or for those who need guidance. Hear all these prayers so that as your church we can
build your kingdom for Jesus’ sake. And all God’s people say AMEN.
MESSAGE PART 2:
LIFE IN GOD’S KINGDOM
Scripture: Matthew 11:1-6
Matthew 11:1-6 “After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on
from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John heard in prison
what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who was to
come, or should we expect someone else?
Jesus replied, ‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive
sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are
raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the person who does
not fall away on account of me.’”
John the Baptist was in prison. The things he heard about Jesus’ teaching and
preaching did not quite fit his expectation of the Messiah. In fact, it was disappointing.
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He sent his disciples to ask the question: Are you the one we are looking for, or
should we expect someone else? Jesus’ answer was simply to tell them to report
what they saw and heard in the miracles and teaching. And he adds, “Blessed is the
one who takes no offense in me.”
Jesus affirms that he is the one promised to bring the kingdom of God by the fact
that people in need are served, are healed, are given life and good news. (repeat …
signs of the kingdom being present)
Are we a part of God’s kingdom? As a church? As individuals? What is the
goal or standard by which we would judge that? Our world judges goals and success in
terms of material wealth or power or influence or pleasure. But the kingdom of which
we are a part has a different set of priorities and standards. The question for us as a
church is this: are people being served, accepted, healed, and are they receiving good
news. The question here is not whether we have achieved great things, not whether we
have become a mega church, not whether we are rich or powerful, but whether we are
faithful to being the kingdom hands and feet of Jesus around us. We begin to sense
the importance of our ministry. We are a part of building something that is eternal.
We live in a dilemma. We live in two worlds, two kingdoms. We live with two
different sets of values, two sets of priorities. Jesus described our dilemma. The
kingdom of God is like a king who was going away for awhile. He gave one of his
servants 10 talents, another 5, and another 1. You know the story. When the king
returned the ones with 5 and 10 had used what God gave them for his kingdom, and
they were rewarded greatly by the king. The one with one talent buried it and brought it
back unused. The point is clear for us. God has given us tremendous abilities, gifts,
money and resources that can be used for the building of his kingdom in the hearts and
lives of people. When used for his kingdom these things will bring us joy and more
blessing. There was finally no joy for the person who refused to be faithful to God.
What are you and I building? Is it important eternally? Are people being served by us
using our talent? Are they hearing the good news? Is new life given through the gift of
love and the power of prayer and the good news we have to share?
It is very exciting when we think of the fact that together we are building
something that is eternal in the hearts and lives of people. Let’s be sure we have not
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buried our talent. God promises joy, blessing, and fulfillment like nothing in our world
can offer when we are faithful in his kingdom.
We are surrounded by kingdom building opportunities, just take the time to look
at the volunteer board in the social hall. One of the things happening this spring is a
mission trip – a time of attempting to act out being the kingdom of God in some very
concrete ways. Our hope is that you will think about going, or pray for and support this
team that goes out from us. Lets take a couple minutes to listen to two people’s
experience from last year.
Interview re. Mission Trip – with Dennis Lucas and Haley Wilson (both went on the
Mission Trip last year.)
Our Spring Mission Trip for people to go to aid the CRWRC in finishing some of their
disaster relief projects in Astoria, Oregon is coming up soon – April 16 – 22. I am so
grateful to Alex and her team for organizing something that can be so important in the
lives of our people. We are looking for more people to go on the trip. So far 10 of our
young people from Journey have signed up. We’ve asked Dennis and Haley, two
people who went on the trip last year to talk a little about it with us.
1. Why did you decide to go last year?
2. What were some of the greatest benefits for you? (Stan, intergenerational
community building, joy in serving, people we met, sense of fulfillment)
3. Can everybody do this? Or is it pretty demanding physically? (Carol did it)
4. Would you encourage people to do this? Sign up deadline: March 9. Think and
pray about it. This may be an opportunity for you.
Offering for MCRC ministry … Doxology
MESSAGE PART 3:
MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME HERE!
It is clear from what we have seen that the Kingdom belongs to God. He is
sovereign. To go against it is to fight against God. So we are then a part of it by
receiving his grace through faith. It is a miracle that you and I can participate in the
creation of a divine kingdom. It is the miracle of faith when we acknowledge that
JESUS IS MY LORD. The Apostle Paul says that no one can say “Jesus is Lord”
except by the Holy Spirit. The Heidelberg Catechism says that to pray this petition
means, “Rule us by your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we
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submit to you.” We hear that being kingdom people means that we are spiritually in
touch with God and in community with each other, bound together in the love and
desire to be obedient to our Lord. Christ calls us to be unified in his love and under his
authority, leadership, rule and eternal plan. He said in Luke 17, “Don’t look for signs,
the kingdom of God is among you.” It is among you as you live in your family, in
your work, in your worship, and in your serving and caring for others.
We are called to be kingdom citizens and kingdom builders. God builds his
kingdom within us and through us. When we celebrate his covenant promises in the
baptism of children and adults, we celebrate kingdom identity. As we attempt to build a
sense of community in worship together, it is covenant kingdom community. The
reason adult education, doing ministry, fellowship together, and trying to understand our
unique role in kingdom building is so important is that all of this is the work of building
the kingdom of God in the hearts and lives of people. In John 17 Jesus prayed,
“Father, make them one as we are one.” Why? “So that the world may know that
you sent me.” Why? Because God is at work, not only calling individuals to salvation,
but also building spiritual maturity in them and using them to serve and to witness to
others. God is at work through our calling as a church and as members building an
eternal kingdom that is bigger and more important than any one church.
Yet, unity builds the kingdom. We have all met people who believe in Jesus
Christ but do not think they need to be a part of a church. What we observe in them is
that they often do not do much spiritual growing. The Apostle Paul used the image of a
building. Imagine the kingdom of God like a huge building. Each person is a brick in
that building, each church is a section of that building, and all together they make up an
eternal kingdom. But there are some bricks laying around on the ground – just laying
there. Do the ones laying on the ground add to the structure, do they fulfill their
purpose? They are still bricks, but refusing to grow into being what God intended.
We are called to unity and love in Christ. Our working together, our love for one
another, our participation in learning, growing and serving – all of this is a
demonstration of the mercy, acceptance, grace and forgiveness of our God. This is
unique in our world. God has chosen what is weakness and foolishness in our world,
and made that the power base of his kingdom. Here is the kingdom of peace that the
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prophet Isaiah talked about, “The lion and the lamb shall lie down together.” This is
the kingdom of love that seeks justice, and is filled with compassion for the poor. This
is the kingdom in which power is used to serve others and where the forces of evil
within and around us are a constant enemy.
It becomes clearer what God is calling us to be and what we are really praying
when we say: May your kingdom come. In the middle of all that is unjust, dishonest,
destructive to people, depersonalizing and demoralizing, and unforgiving, we are called
to be a community of truth, love, peace, hope, kindness, and self-giving. Today we
pray that in your life, in my life, in every person’s life who touches Modesto Christian
Reformed Church, that in this church the kingdom of God will come.
Prayer
*God’s Blessing
May God build his kingdom within and among us, and empower us to be kingdom
builders.
In your journeys to and fro
God direct you;
in your happiness and pleasure
God bless you;
in care, anxiety, or trouble
God sustain you;
in peril and in danger
God protect you.
The grace of God be with you all, now and always.
Amen.
*Closing Song: “Go To The World”
Organ Postlude