Proper 10 (2025)

Paris Otterbein

*Opening Prayer

*Call to Worship

(Based on Psalm 82)

Leader: God stands in the assembly and judges among the rulers.

People: How long will injustice prevail and the wicked go unchallenged?

Leader: Defend the cause of the weak and the fatherless; maintain the rights of the afflicted.

People: Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

Leader: Rise up, O God, and judge the earth!

People: For all the nations are your inheritance.

All: Amen.

Hymn #26 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Scripture Reading - Luke 10:25-37 - Kelly

Luke 10:25–37 NIV

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Children's Message - Donna

Scripture Reading - Colossians 1:1-14

Colossians 1:1–14 NIV

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people—the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Sermon

After 5 years serving as your pastor, if I close my eyes and picture the sanctuary on an ordinary Sunday morning, I can see most of you in my mind because I know you and I know where you generally sit. You are my “ people”. And I know you.

This morning, we turn to the letter to the Colossians. This is a letter from the apostle Paul to a church that he didn’t know. He had never been to Colossae. He had not preached there. He had not been directly involved in the planting of that church. But he had heard about them.

And there is something about them that prompts him to write this letter. Scholars suggest several reasons Paul wrote this letter, but two stand out as most likely. First, Paul was writing to encourage them in their Christian faith while at the same time affirming the ministry of Epaphras. It may have been his work that brought the gospel to this community and helped to establish the church there. Secondly, Paul is writing to affirm the centrality of the person of Christ.

Like the Galatians, the Colossians were being told that Christ wasn’t enough— that they needed something more to be truly saved. In fact, there were those who suggested they practice pagan mysticism, or that by using knowledge they could free their souls from the physical restraints of the body. Others suggested extreme self-denial as a path to spiritual enlightenment. And still others suggested the worship of angels as necessary in addition.

And again, it’s not impossible to think these younger Christians might believe what they are told. It’s not impossible to believe having received the good news of salvation, they wanted to be certain about the hope they have. My first car was a 1986 red ford escort. My mom and dad bought it in the summer of 1988 for $3000. 66,000 miles. I was so excited. We lived in Belleville at the time and so the first day I took it out and drove it around town. Look at me. 18, new car. I would have lived in that car if I could have. That excitement was probably a little less than these Colossians had with their new relationship with Christ. But their excitement was threatened to be taken away by those who would suggest other philosophies or ideas were a necessary part of getting to God.

Paul opens his letter with a very traditional greeting for letters at that time. He identifies himself, his authority, and Timothy, who is very likely the scribe for this letter. He identifies the audience, the church at Colossae and greets them with “grace and peace”. He explains that he has heard of their faith and celebrates through prayer the way that God is working in their midst. As we said earlier, he affirms the work that Epaphras has been doing in reaching this community with the good news of Jesus Christ.

And not only does Paul express his appreciation for what God is doing in their midst, he lets them know he is also keeping them in his prayers. And if you ever wanted someone to pray for you, I’m guessing it would be someone like Paul. But he spells out to them what he prays. We continually ask God:

to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. Paul prays they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will—not a secret or mystical knowledge taught by others, but a Spirit-given understanding. The Greek word gnōsis means knowledge, and early forms of Gnostic thinking were already creeping in—teaching that deeper salvation came through special insight or spiritual experiences. But Paul says, No. You already have everything you need in Christ.

that [they]may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way. Again, there were those who would suggest that life was to be lived to please yourself. To experience whatever you set your mind to.

[that they bear]ing fruit in every good work. Paul knew as much as anyone how difficult it was to minister with little response. Twice, while preaching, Paul wiped the dust off his feet of the towns where there hadn’t been any response.

[that they grow]ing in the knowledge of God. If there was any knowledge that was necessary, it was the knowledge of God. And understand, this isn’t simply knowing about God or studying His character or His attributes, but instead, knowing Him personally. Lots of people affirm they know “about” God yet they don’t truly “know” God.

[that they would be]ing strengthened with all power according to his glorious might. Again, Paul isn’t asking that they have some mystical source of power or somehow escape their physical bodies but that God strengthens them

that [they] you may have great endurance and patience, life as a follower of Christ isn’t always easy. And sometimes it looks like those who don’t live for Christ have it easier and it’s tempting to want to give up, it’s tempting to want to give in. But Paul prays for their endurance and patience.

and [that they give]ing joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. Remember what God did for you through His Son, Jesus Christ. Celebrate that truth. Celebrate your freedom in Him.

This isn’t just Paul’s prayer for a church he hadn’t met. This, I think is every pastor’s prayer for their congregation. “I can picture where you sit… I know many of your stories. And more than anything, I want you to know: You don’t need anything more than Jesus. Don’t let the world rob you of the joy of your salvation. Walk worthy. Grow deep. Give thanks. Because Christ is enough.” Let’s worship the King of Kings.

Praise Song: King Of Kings

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Hymn #385, v. 2 Near The Cross

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

Lord's Prayer

Giving of Tithes and Offering

Doxology

Prayer of Dedication

Hymn #213 Because He Lives

*Benediction

Now to Christ, whom the fullness of God dwells, who has rescued us from darkness and brought us into the kingdom of light— to Him be all glory, honor, and praise. Mayou go in His strength, walk in His grace, and rejoice in the fullness of His love. Amen.

Sanctuary