Speak and Live the Word of God Faithfully

by | Jul 8, 2018

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

  1. In spite of the enemies who surround you
  2. Because of the Spirit who empowers you
SERMON TEXT:  Ezekiel 2:1-3:4

He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you.” The Spirit entered into me as he spoke to me and brought me up to my feet. Then I heard him speaking to me. He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to disloyal nations, who have been disloyal to me. They and their fathers have rebelled against me to this very day. These children of mine are brazen-faced and hard-hearted. I am sending you to them, and you are to tell them that this is what the LORD God says. Then, whether they listen or do not listen—for they are a rebellious house—then they will know that a prophet has been among them. But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them, and do not be afraid of their words. Even though briers and thorns surround you and you are living with scorpions, do not be afraid of their words, and do not be intimidated by the look on their faces, for they are a rebellious house. You are to speak my words to them whether they listen or they do not, for they are rebellious. But you, son of man, listen to what I am telling you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.” Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out toward me, and in it there was a rolled-up scroll. He unrolled it in front of me, and there was writing on both sides. Written on it was: Laments, Groaning, and Woe. :Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat what you have received. Eat this scroll, and then go, speak to the house of Israel.” I opened my mouth, and he fed me the scroll. Then he said to me, “Son of man, feed your stomach and fill your belly with this scroll that I am giving you.” I ate, and in my mouth it was sweet like honey. He then said to me, “Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak my words to them.”

Bible Readings

FIRST LESSON:  Ezekiel 2:1-3:4

See Sermon Text

SECOND LESSON:  2 Timothy 3:10-4:5

But you have faithfully followed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfast endurance, my persecutions, my sufferings—the kind that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, the kind of persecutions I endured—and the Lord rescued me from all of them. Indeed, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. As for you, continue in the things you have learned and about which you have become convinced. You know from whom you learned them and that from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, well equipped for every good work. :I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom: Preach the word. Be ready whether it is convenient or not. Correct, rebuke, and encourage, with all patience and teaching. For there will come a time when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, because they have itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in line with their own desires. They will also turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths. As for you, keep a clear head in every situation. Bear hardship. Do the work of an evangelist. Fulfill your ministry.

VERSE OF THE DAY:  Luke 8:15

Happy are they who hear the Word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience

GOSPEL: Mark 6:1-6

Jesus left there and went to his hometown. His disciples followed him. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did this man learn these things? What is this wisdom that has been given to this man? How is it that miracles such as these are performed by his hands? Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own house.” He could not do any miracles there except to lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went around the villages teaching.