Job 38:1-7 (34-41) The greatness of God in creation
Psalm 104:1-9,24,25c In your wisdom you have made them all
Hebrews 5:1-10 The reverent submission of Christ as a high priest
Mark 10:35-45 The cup that I drink you will drink

Suggested Hymns (From Denis Towner. TIS = Together in Song; AHB = Australian Hymn Book; SA = Sing Alleluia)
 

	Hymns for Sunday 29, Yr.B
lesson	hymn	TIS	AHB	SA
O	All things praise you, Lord most high	148
G	Alleluia alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord	390		2
G	Almighty Father who for us thy Son didst give		548
G	Come down, O Love divine	398	310
E	Crown him with many crowns	228	163
E	Entered the holy place above	374	296
G	From heaven you came, helpless babe	256
E	Glorious things of you are spoken	446	374
O	God is love, let heaven adore him	153	93
O	God who stretched the spangled heavens	163	112
G	Guide me O my great Redeemer	569	478
E	Hail our once-despised Jesus	373	295
O	I sing the almighty power of God	119	40
O	Immortal invisible, God only wise	143	80
O	Joyful joyful, we adore you	152
E	O crucified Redeemer		544
G	O Jesus I have promised	595	514
G	O love how deep, how broad, how high	194	6
G	O Master let me walk with thee	601	522
E	O thou who camest from above	572	486
Ps	O worship the King all-glorious above	133	67
G	Praise my soul, the King of heaven	134	68
Ps	Praise the Lord, O my soul	65
O	Stars and planets flung in orbit	186
G	Take up your cross, the Saviour said	583	496
G	The head that once was crowned with thorns	378	301
G	There is a green hill far away	350	266
Ps	This is my Father's world	149		87
E	We know that Christ is raised and dies no more	489
E	We sing the praise of him who died	347	262
G	When I survey the wondrous cross	342	258
G	You servants of God, your Master proclaim	215	144

 

Sermon summary (Click here for complete sermon)

When they asked for privileged places in the kingdom, Jesus challenged his disciples with the question of whether they would be able to submit to suffering as he would: Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? (Mark 10:39-40). It was the cup of sacrifice (Matthew 26:39) and baptism into his death (Romans 6:3) that he was talking about. Despite what he had told them already about the first being last and taking up their own cross and following him (Mark 8:31-35), they were still seeking privileges in the government of the kingdom they expected him to establish as the Messiah. (Mark 10:37-38)

Jesus himself, indeed, had yet to face the question of whether he, personally, could drink the cup of suffering. It was not a foregone conclusion (Matthew 26:39). Then he was utterly alone, (Matthew 26:40). He knew that was how it would be. He had just said as much to them (Matthew 26:27). Yet only an hour or so earlier he had passed around the cup of fellowship signifying for those who shared it that they would be sharing in his death (Matthew 26:27-29).Years later they would recall many times the meaning of this sharing in the cup of sacrifice (1 Corinthians 10:16). They knew that it was a communion in which they shared in the life of their risen Lord, and that it was also a remembrance of his death in which they were called to share. And indeed many of them did suffer a martyr's death, not least Peter (John 21:17-19).

They had first to grasp the meaning of his death, and the promise of new life. In the ages to come the church would celebrate the sacraments sharing the cup of blessing and the water of baptism (Romans 6:3-5) sharing in his death. So I hope you can appreciate the symbolic depth, the deep assurance, the great challenge and the sure hope of fulfilment that was contained in those words of Jesus about sharing in his death, under the signs of the cup and water. It did come in the context of political talk about power in government, but there was a great deal more to it than a lesson in ethics and politics, although it is important to remember the associated admonition to humble service (Mark 10:42-44). But do see how he continued, bringing it back to his death (Mark 10:44-45). The social and political message comes out of his sacrificial death in which he gave his life as a ransom for many. The gospel is about his death and resurrection, not how we must act in the world (1 Corinthians 15:1-5). In the light of the cross and his victory all social and political action will be both judged and brought to fulfilment. Nothing is more important today, when theories of social action tend to take the place of the gospel, or on the other hand the gospel is detached from service in the world, than to remember the cross in which we share. All theories, motives, and movements are brought under its judgment and transformed.

Order of service - Ordinary 29 Year B | DB Home | RCL Resources Index | Questions and Comments |

The Gathering of the People of God

CALL TO WORSHIP
Let us worship God.
Bless the LORD, O my soul.
O LORD my God, you are very great.
You are clothed with honour and majesty (Psalms 104:1)

HYMN All things praise you, Lord most high TIS 148
PRAYER OF ADORATION
Mediation on Psalm 104:
(Psalms 104:1-4) Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty, {2} wrapped in light as with a garment. You stretch out the heavens like a tent, {3} you set the beams of your chambers on the waters, you make the clouds your chariot, you ride on the wings of the wind, {4} you make the winds your messengers, fire and flame your ministers.
(Psalms 104:24-28) O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. {25} Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great. {26} There go the ships, and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it. {27} These all look to you to give them their food in due season; {28} when you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.

CONFESSION
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have left undone what we ought to have done, and we have done what we ought not to have done. We have followed our own ways and the desires of our own hearts. We have broken your holy laws. Yet, good Lord, have mercy on us; restore those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Jesus Christ our Lord.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. -- Romans 5:8
Hear then Christ's word of grace: Your sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God

DOXOLOGY: (Hymn TIS 771, AHB 576)
Now to him who loved us, gave us
every pledge that love could give,
freely shed his blood to save us,
gave his life that we might live,
be the kingdom, and dominion,
and the glory evermore.

WELCOME AND GREETING EACH OTHER

Service of the Word

INTRODUCTION OF THEME:
OLD TESTAMENT Job 38:1-7 (34-41) The greatness of God in creation
[PSALM 104:1-9,24,25c In your wisdom you have made them all]
EPISTLE Hebrews 5:1-10 The reverent submission of Christ as a high priest
GOSPEL Mark 10:35-45 The cup that I drink you will drink

HYMN Hail our once-despised Jesus TIS 373 AHB 295
SERMON
HYMN The head that once was crowned with thorns TIS 378 AHB301
OFFERING AND DEDICATION
SHARING TIME [Notices, celebrations, requests for intercessions]
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
COLLECT FOR THE DAY
God our Father, You have revealed your love for us in the cross of Christ. Grant us grace to take up our cross each day, that, in the company of our Saviour, we may gladly do your will and attain to life in all its fullness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
THE LORD'S PRAYER

The Sending Forth of the People of God

HYMN You servants of God, your Master proclaim TIS 215 AHB144
WORD OF MISSION
BLESSING
DISMISSAL Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.

| DB Home | RCL Resources Index |

To search this site go to DB Home |

| Christian Beliefs | Family History | Public Affairs | Higher Ed Research | Hobbies and Interests | Issues in the UCA | Personal Background | Psychological Research | Templestowe UC | Worship and Preaching |