Download Worship Service Outline-

Preaching, Teaching, and Celebrating Witness
Our Lord testifies to us, we testify to the world
Worship Service Outline--Epiphany 3
Summary Witness Theme: Jesus the King (anointed by the Prophet John at His Baptism
and confirmed by the witness of God the Father) announces the arrival of the
Reign of God, gathers witnesses to equip for ministry, brings the kingdom into
real life through Authoritative Preaching, Teaching, Healing and Exorcism.
Readings
Is 9:1-4 Ps 27:1-9 (10-14) (antiphon: v. 1) 1 Cor 1:10-18 Matt 4:12-25
Order of Service notes and suggestions
The suggested Hymn of the day is: O Christ, our True and Only Light
Other LSB Songs for Epiphany and Mission include several good thematic choices for this Sunday:
O Christ, who called the twelve
Praise the One who breaks the darkness
Come follow me the Savior spake
Rise, Shine, you people Christ the Lord has entered
Jesus has come and brings pleasure eternal
I want to walk as a child of the Light
Contemporary Songs that have not yet been included in one of our hymnals might include:
The Summons
Mary did you know?
Trading My Sorrows
Word of God, Speak
Sermon Notes
Text Notes
In Matthew 3:13-17, we read about Jesus’ baptism. In 4:1-11, we read about His Temptation.
There is reason to believe that both events took place to the northeast of Jerusalem–the first at
Bethany beyond the Jordan, and the second possibly to the west of the Jordan, but both just to the
north of the Dead Sea.
4:12,13: When Jesus hears that John the Baptist has been arrested, He relocates from Judea to
Galilee in the north, where He moves from His hometown Nazareth to a house in Capernaum, on
the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee–in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali.
4:14: Matthew sees in Jesus’ move to this location the fulfilment of Isaiah 9:1-7--a prophecy made
after the Assyrian invasion of Galilee under Tiglath-pileser III.
4:15,16: The passage celebrated Isaiah’s prediction of the birth of a royal child destined to be the
redeemer of Israel. Isaiah foretold the glory of that part of the Holy Land which had fared worst
under the Assyrian invader. Matthew transfers the name “the Sea-Road” (which in Isaiah designated
the highway from Damascus to Carmel) to the road along the Sea of Galilee–but he retains the
essential message of Isaiah. Galilee, a region despised by Jesus’ contemporaries in Jerusalem, is
destined to witness the most significant events in Jesus’ public life and ministry. Matthew’s term,
“Galilee of the Gentiles,” reveals his keen interest in the salvation of “pagan” non-believers.
4:17: Matthew portrays Jesus’ message as a replica of that of John the Baptist–which underscores
the link and continuity between their respective missions.
Jesus now begins to proclaim His central message (v. 17), “Repent for the Kingdom of God has
come near!” His hearers are to change their whole way of thinking, and focus on the amazing truth
that the Kingdom of God has finally broken into human history. Jesus not only proclaims that
message with His lips, but demonstrates the nature of His Father’s Kingdom throughout His servant
life.
The translation “has come near” is a little misleading. It should be translated, “has come,” has
broken into history. The Kingdom of God is not merely on its way into history. It has arrived!
Jesus is that Kingdom! He teaches that Kingdom. He models that Kingdom! His call to His hearers
is, “Come on board with Me!”
4:18-22: In v. 18, Jesus sees two fishermen, Simon (who is called Peter), and Andrew his brother,
casting a net into the sea. In v. 19, Jesus summons these brothers to follow Him and be equipped to
serve as “fishers of people.” They immediately leave their nets and follow Jesus.
In v. 21, something similar takes place. Jesus sees James and John, sons of Zebedee, in a boat with
their father mending their nets. When Jesus calls these two brothers, they immediately leave their
boat and their father–and follow Jesus.
The spirit and character of the narrative is, most likely, the result of its constant retelling in the
apostolic preaching. Nothing is said of the psychological reactions of those called (in contrast with
John 1:38ff); only the call and response are referred to. Matthew focuses on the theological motif.
4:23: Jesus now travels throughout Galilee, teaching in Jewish synagogues and proclaiming the Good
News of the breaking in of the Kingdom of God–in His Person and Message. He also cures the
diseases and sicknesses that those with whom He comes into contact are suffering. Here it is
important to note the message of Isaiah 35:5,6, which states that when the Messianic Age breaks
into history, the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the crippled will leap like a deer, and the mute will
be given the ability to speak.
Law and Gospel applications
The big question for the Christmas season (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany) is simply: Who is Jesus.
Throughout the earlier time of this season we have heard testimony aboutJesus. We have heard from
Angels to Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds. We have heard from Magi. We have heard from John
the prophet. In testimony after testimony, the titles of Jesus combined with the anticipated work of
Jesus build the anticipation for what Jesus will be and do. At his baptism, one final testimony comes
from the Father himself before Jesus speaks and acts for himself in today's Gospel. Now Jesus the
Servant King is ready to act.
The arrival of the Lord in the flesh and His stepping onto the stage of HisStory form a dynamic Law
Gospel conundrum. One the one hand Jesus' absolute statement that the Kingdom of heaven is here
asserts that all that the Lord has been saying and doing is in urgent fulfillment mode right now. So is
it Law or Gospel. The fact that the Lord has arrived to fulfill all righteousness and establish his eternal
kingdom of hearts and minds through his death and resurrection is certainly gospel. Our King has
come. Our Savior is acting. He is defeating our enemies.
Yet, the call to believe is directive and so is certainly Law. Believe on the Lord jesus Christ and you
shall e saved is imperative in every sense of the word. It is imperative that people believe and without
that faith they will perish.
Law is also apparent in the terrible variety of ways in which people in the text and people in our
ministries experience sin. There is sickness, physical poverty, spiritual poverty, disability, death,
Satanic and demonic upheavals. Jesus literally launches Himself into the work of New Creation.
Kingdom of God is here, repent and believe the gospel. Another issue is that we don't know yet much
content for the “gospel” from these words yet. We either need to go back to the angel's words to
Joseph “He will save His people from their sins”, or forward into the rest of the lesson.
The call of the Gospel is a radical call to a new life. It is primarily a matter of following Jesus and
then copying his words and deeds. He preaches good news to the poor, He heals the sick and disabled,
He casts out demons. He is the king who exercises His authority through the Preaching, Teaching and
doing of Eternal Life. Anything that stands against or in the way of eternal life for all who believe is
struck down under His feet.
Witness theme
The effects of sin have raveged human beings in such a vast variety of ways. All of these speak to the
danger of eternal death. Jesus is the only one who is able to undo the effects of sin in the world and
restore us to our true humanity through is Word, Healing, and Sacramental ministry. In short, Jesus is
my protector, my defender, my avenger. He is the perfect big brother. He defeats the enemies which
would otherwise defeat me.
Bible Study Outline
Focusing Event: An opening question, story, or activity which begins to focus the group on the witness
theme.
God's Words-Teaching notes on the text
Our Words-Challenge each member of the class to put God's Words into their own words. Is there
someone in their life who might well hear this good news. What might we say or do? Practice sharing
in your church group, if they can begin speaking about Jesus more Biblically and freely in the safety of
your class, that memory may encourage them that they can share outside of church situations.
Prayer-Pray for your witness, pray for the people each of the students has on their heart, pray for
opportunities to witness, pray for courage to put God's Words into our conversations.