Sunday 5th July 2020 – Rev Arnold Dixon

 

Matthew 11.16-19; 25-30

‘Learn from me'

Jesus notes that both he and John the Baptist failed to meet people's expectations. Jesus thanks God that the point of his ministry has been revealed to the simple rather than the wise, and calls on people to learn how to live from him.

 

This week's resources explore:  how God's wisdom, revealed in Jesus, confounds expectations.

 

Call to worship

Jesus says: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.'

Let us come to the Lord Jesus.
Let us seek his rest.

 

I cannot tell why he, whom angels worship:   Sing/ Read /pray /proclaim the words or listen to this version

Click on the Link Here:   https://youtu.be/62wk5KvI7-w

 

A gathering prayer

We are here today, Lord, to worship you.
As we bow our heads before you,
we want to be amazed by your wisdom,
bowled over by your love,
and completely lost in you.
Lord, open our hearts to receive you,
in ways beyond whatever we could ever ask
or even think.
Amen.

 

A prayer of approach

Father God,
we are here today,
to praise you, to learn from you.
Your wisdom, shown to us through Jesus,
your most precious Son,
is far greater than that of the world.
It has the power to confound all our expectations.

We approach you now as children,
sitting at your feet,
bathed in your love,
hanging on your every word.
Speak to us, Lord.
Amen.

 

A prayer of confession

 

Dear Lord,
Please, forgive me for the times I take being in your presence for granted
when my picture and understanding of you are far too small;
when I try to fit you into that tiny box that I think I can cope with;
when I'm frightened to let your power loose in my life.
Forgive me, Lord, and make me whole.
Amen.

 

A prayer of praise and thanksgiving

As Jesus praised his Father in heaven, so do we.
We praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.
You have hidden things from the wise,
and revealed them to us, your children,
through Jesus, your most precious Son.
We praise you, Lord.
Amen.

 

Lord make me an Instrument:   Sing/ Read /pray /proclaim the words or listen to this version

Click on the Link Here:   https://youtu.be/k-ElCfHkhsM

 

Today's Reading: Matthew 11.16-19,25-30

 

Matthew 11:16-19 New International Version (NIV)

 

16  “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17  “‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' 18  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.'  19  The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

 

Matthew 11: 25-30 New International Version (NIV)

 

The Father Revealed in the Son

25  At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.  26  Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 27  “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  29  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  30  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

 

I heard the voice of Jesus say:   Sing/ Read /pray /proclaim the words or listen to this version

Click on the Link Here:   https://youtu.be/74kyfROS4q8

 

Sermon:  Learn from Me

The psalmist writes with confidence of the works of the Lord, looking towards a time when his kingdom will come and praising as if it has already begun. The everlasting kingdom has always been here and it will continue to endure; in it the Lord is not remote like earthly kings but present to support his people.

• The people of Israel have been waiting centuries for the Messiah and then two candidates seem to come along at the same time. They catch a glimpse of the promise fulfilled but something doesn't seem right: John comes exhorting them to seek forgiveness (even though they are already the children of God) and Jesus' tactic is to have parties with ‘sinners'. John, they think, is too austere; Jesus is too jolly. Even John's expectations about the Messiah and the kingdom he would bring were thrown off course, and from prison he asks for clarity. Jesus can see the people's dilemma and responds by saying, ‘I'm here: this is what I'm offering. You'll find its good, though not always easy.' Jesus is fulfilling the Scriptures, but he may have interpreted the Scriptures in his own way, not being swayed to meet expectations.
  
• Jesus' suggestion that we put on his yoke is unique to Matthew. With our hindsight knowledge of what the future holds for him, we may wonder about sharing his load. But Jesus is offering to share our load, to be in the yoke of life with us. In being yoked with him we can go his way, released from conformity to laws to learn from him how to overturn expectations and know true rest. In learning from him we allow a new story to be written that embraces hearing the flute and dancing. Like children, we are to look at the world in our own way, freed from the burden of man's wisdom and intelligence lean not on our own understanding,” but to simply come.

Jesus Christ is waiting;  Sing/ Read /pray /proclaim the words or listen to this version

Click on the Link Here:  https://youtu.be/_CSzEviUc_o

 

Prayers of intercession

To you, God of love, we entrust our prayers

Loving God, as we reflect on the words of Scripture
and learn from the wisdom of your Son,
so we pray in his name:

for the people of the USA as they mark the anniversary of their independence;
for discernment for those who will vote in the presidential election in November
and for integrity for those who are standing;
for healing where injustice and racism have caused great pain and division
and for courage and unity where changes are beginning to be made;
for the nation as a whole as the rate of unemployment and the death toll continue to rise.
To you, God of love, we entrust our prayers.

 

We pray for all entrusted with the gift of teaching children and young people;
for those who struggle to learn and for those denied an education;
we pray for more resources, more opportunities, more equality.
To you, God of love, we entrust our prayers.

 

We pray for all who care for those with serious mental health issues;
for those who work with patients who potentially pose a threat to others
and those who feel bowed down with their responsibilities,
who are struggling under the weight of the decisions they have to make;
for those with family or friends who are depressed,
and for all those engulfed by mental turmoil.
To you, God of love, we entrust our prayers.

 

We pray for the people of Hong Kong, of Tibet and for the Chinese Government;
for the people of Israel and Palestine and their governments;
for all places where in the past there has been violence,
where today there is unrest
and where the future is full of fear and mistrust.
To you, God of love, we entrust our prayers.

 

We pray for wisdom to learn from, and to act on, the mistakes of the past –
as a community and as individuals.
Where there have been disappointments may we learn courage.
Where there have been setbacks may we learn resilience.
Where there has been division may we learn generosity of spirit.
Where there has been self-centredness may we learn humility
To you, God of love, we entrust our prayers.

 

We pray for churches throughout the world,
that we may learn new ways of sharing the gospel.
We give thanks for the vision and compassion, the integrity and faithfulness
of our national and international church leaders.
We pray for all leaders and pastors in our local church families.
We pray too for those who have been damaged by religion,
for one another in our daily encounters,
and for those we hold in our hearts who we would love to see come to faith.
To you, God of love, we entrust our prayers
in Jesus name.
Amen.

 

My Life is in your Hands:   Sing/ Read /pray /proclaim the words or listen to this version

Click on the Link Here:   https://youtu.be/AS6tQYJVO80

 

May they find rest for their souls

Response:
Lord God, we lift your children before you.
May they find rest for their souls.

We pray for all in authority, that they will be respectfully
conscious of the weight on their shoulders, and that they will act
responsibly for the people they serve. We pray for them in their
personal lives, with the worries and cares that only they see.
Lord God...

We pray for our friends, family, and colleagues. We pray that as we
walk alongside them, you will use us to bring them close to you,
and they will learn of your love.
Lord God...

We pray that we might be sensitive to the needs of those around
us – the people we see every day, perhaps as fleetingly as at the
shops, or in the bus queue. We have no idea what burdens they
are carrying, or if they need a kind word from you that only we can give.
Lord God...

We pray that we will see the positive in people, even when it's
hard, and reach out to encourage them.
Lord God...
Amen.

 

Sing of the Lord's goodness, Father of all wisdom:  Sing/ Read /pray /proclaim the words or listen to this version Click on the Link Here:  https://youtu.be/q5R9PmGf3aE

 

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive them that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the Kingdom,

The Power, and the Glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen.

 

A sending out prayer

Jesus has called us to come to him
and blessed us with his richness.
Now he sends us out into his world,
to make sure people see him,
and listen to him, through us.
What a responsibility, what a joy, what a privilege.
We are yours, Lord. Use us as you will.
Amen.

 

A personal prayer

Lord, you know how weary
and bowed down I feel sometimes.
I claim your rest for my soul.
I come to you in my emptiness
and cry to you for your fullness.
Rescue me and fill me, Lord.
Amen.