Deborah

Prayer with Worship Leaders (10:45)

Light Reflective Music

Bible Enters (Organ)

Welcome / Intimation (Rev. Bosch)

I greet you in the Name of God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe - in the care of Christ Jesus. May it be that we receive mercy, peace and love.

Intimations, Funerals, Baptisms (remember to share this before Sunday Worship)

I was informed by a church member that John Gordon a former member and elder passed away.

Onleave, 1st and 15 September, Ann Allison will be covering for me on the 7th and 14th of September, Katherine Taylor will be standing in for funerals.

Clean the garden / Correctional Service / Community Workers (Community reaching out to us)

(After my holiday, we will go into a busy season)

Guild Communion on the 17th of September at 14:00

Board Meeting on the 22nd of September at 19:00

Stewardship Month will start on the 1st of October. For this month, we are asking you to pray with us, as we seek God's Will for our church.

That month will entail:

- Revisiting our giving to the church

- Considering God’s blessings in our lifes.

- Invite people to share their faith stories.

- The last goal for this month is to establish Christian Ministry in Prestonpans. We can only do so if we are resourced.

Your stories are vital for the success of Stewardship Month. The stories we are looking for are of where God has worked in our life and why you give to the church. Please get in touch with the Stewardship Working Group they are John, Janice, Audrey or Callum. The Stewardship Workshop has recognised the importance of these stories. (Writen/Video/Share during Sunday) It can be anonymous(?).

Warm welcome to Lorelei and Lucian’s grandmother all the way from ZA. Welcome mom. It is a honour to have you worship with us today.

Call to Worship: (Psalm 33)

Minister: Let all the earth fear the Lord.

All: Praise to Him.

Minister: Let all people stand in awe.

All: Praise to Him.

Let us worship God!

Hymn: CH 459 - Crown him with many crowns

Declaration:

Blessed be the name of the Lord now and evermore.From the rising of the sun to its setting, the Lord’s name be praised. Let us pray:

Prayer of Approach and Confession (Rev. Bosch)

God our Father, we gather to worship You.

You deliver Your people from every oppression.

You raise leaders to guide us in truth.

Grant us courage to trust Your mighty power.

Lead us as You have led Deborah and Barak.

We rely on Your strength and might.

Stir our hearts to follow Your call.

We confess our sins and wandering ways.

Forgive us for wondering from Your path.

Cleanse us with Your love and grace.

Renew our spirits to serve You faithfully.

Help us walk boldly in Your truth.

Fill us with Your Spirit to praise You.

Let our worship honor Your holy name.

May our lives reflect Your saving love.

In Jesus’ name, we pray together…

Our Father, who 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Hymn: My heart is filled with thankfulness

(Children enter.)

Children’s Address: Listen when God speaks.

Hymn: Our God is a great big God

(Children exit.)

Reading: Judges 4: 1-15

Sermon: (Rev. Bosch)

A judge settels disputes between different parties. We can also understand a judge to be a person upholding the law of the land. Biblically speaking a judge determines if actions or decision are according to God’s law or will. Simply speaking a judge determines the truth. We have read how Deborah acted as a judge. She was a spokes person for God, revealing his Will and determing lawful behaviour.

Deborah is an example of how God spoke though a judge making His instructions clear.

The reading today highlights a specific time in the history of Israel. We read how Israel drifted away from God consequently finding themselves in oppression. For 20 years there freedom was taken away (Freedom Biblically speaking is very important and that was taken away). Naturally the Israelites wanted to be free therefore they turned from their bad ways towards God - asking for help. It is at such a point that a Judge is needed to determine God’s salvation. In other words, a judge had to make clear how the saving plan of God will look like for the Israelites.

Deborah was such a judge in this case. She was the portal that God spoke through. She speaks in verse 6 when she summons Barak:

“Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun. 7 And I will draw out Sisera, to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand”

God has spoke. He has spoken through Deborah making His instructions and the outcome clear. The only action requierd is for Barak to act. Barak the commandar was called to fufill the instructions of God. Barak then finds himself in a ideal position knowing that God’s blessing is on him. Surprisingly, he still wants Deborah to come with him. The impression is that the words from God’s Judge was not enough. He wanted the physical presence of God’s judge as well. He wanted God’s protal to be present when he engages the enemy.

This is a significant part of our reading because it emphisising the importance of a Judge. A judge was the link to God, therefore, you want such a person at hand when you engage the enemy. Having a judge at hand was so important to Barak that he was willing to lose the honour of fufilling God’s will. He was willing to lose the honour of conquring the enemy, so important was to have the Judge of the Lord nearby.

We learn to Listen when God speaks. Pay attention when God communicates through a portal. Also, consider giving up the honour for the purpose of allowing God’s will to be done.

With Deborah standing next to Barak, the stage is set for war. It is remarkable that v14 once again reveals the importance of a Judge. One would have expected the commander of the army to make the first war cry. But no, the one who God speaks through makes the call.

She said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the LORD go out before you?”

We see here that God determines the action. God’s judge makes the call and not Barak the commander. When God speaks through his portal freedom becomes possible. Salvation becomes possible when God speaks.

We learn to consider God before acting or proceding.

The reading reveals the following points:

The first is to be open to God’s instructions esspecially if it comes from an unlike portal.

The second is to place our honour to the side for the purpose of fulfilling God’s will. Rather let God’s honour be achieved then our own glory.

Thirdly, take on a difficult task with God’s blessing. Barak had the blessing and he took God’s portal/His Judge with him.

By taken Deborah along he honoured God and showed that God’s command/word is more important then his own words.

The words of God through His portal is more important than His own honour and glory.

Give God the opportunity to have the last say. Give God the opportunity and be humble enought to wait for God’s call.

Barak success did not come from him being a great commader. It came from him receiving a instruction from God and allowing God to speak.

God is in the centre of our reading. God speaks through Deborah His portal. God inspires Barak to act and to take Him along with him.

Deborah was the means by which God spoke revealing his will. Barak was the means by which God acted making freedom possible for oppressed people.

God is the redeemer. May we listen to God’s voice and Give Him the opportunity to speak into our situation. Allow God to have the final say.

Hymn: CH 559 There is a Redeemer

Prayer for Others (Stephen):

Heavenly Father, We come before you, inspired by your power in our reading today.

We pray for those oppressed by injustice.

Lift their burdens, as you delivered Israel.

Guide leaders like Deborah with insight.

Give them courage to judge wisely.

Strengthen those called to unexpected roles.

Raise up bold servants like Barak.

Grant faith to face overwhelming odds.

Comfort those living in fear daily.

Break the chains of oppressors. Bring about freedom.

Stir hearts to trust your victory.

Bless those leading with prophetic strength.

Protect communities under siege. Lead them to your promised peace.

May we follow you with unwavering trust.

We thank you for your mighty deliverance.

Your power overcomes all evil. Amen.

Offering (The person at door duty brings the plate to the table.)

Prayer of Thanks

Hymn: CH154 - How great thou art

Rethink and Blessing (Rev. Bosch)

Go and give God the opportunity to have the final say.

In the presence of the Holy Spirit, may the peace of God, 

which is beyond all understanding, 

guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Amen

Sing/Play Amen (Organ)

Bible Exits (Organ)