The text for this week is James 2:1-7, in which James urges his readers not to show favoritism, as there are no second class citizens in God’s kingdom. James contrasts the bankruptcy of earthly riches with the richness of faith.
The visual theme will be ‘Houses of God,’ because James describes things that are happening in his readers’ church meetings.
The worship theme will be the richness of God’s rescue.
Here is the link to the Youtube playlist: 150215 Heart Prep
Prelude:
Gratitude – Nichole Nordeman – Worship Team
Worship Set:
Ezekiel 34:2-4, 11-12, 14-16 Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? 3You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. 4The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. . . . 11For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. . . . 14I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. 15I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. 16I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy.
The Lord’s My Shepherd (Still the most popular video on our Youtube channel.)
Children of the Heavenly Father
James 2:1-7 (DSV) My brothers, don’t show favoritism as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4have you not then discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6But you have dishonored the poor man. Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into courts. 7Aren’t they the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you were called?
Blessed are the Ones – Audrey Assad
Carried to the Table – Leeland
Offertory:
Sparrow – Audrey Assad
Benedictions:
I’d Rather Have Jesus – George Beverly Shea – Hymn #517
Psalm 62 – Aaron Keyes
