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Nov 10, 2019

Intertwined

Passage: Isaiah 56:1-8

Speaker: Brian Land

Series: Isaiah

Category: Grace Brevard

Keywords: community, diversity, one, together, identity, inclusive

This is the beginning of “Isaiah Part 3”. Israel has just been set free from slavery and restored back to the Promised Land, freed to live and worship as God’s people. But in doing so, they (and we) are reminded that our salvation isn’t just for and about us; that he has come to obliterate spiritual “insider” and “outsider” kingdoms; that Jesus and The Gospel are outrageously and uncomfortably inclusive, calling us to be “joined together” with Jesus as we sacrificially follow him as Lord and enjoy our sacrificially-purchased life through inclusive and contagious worship.

Order of Worship

Prelude: Captain Phillips 

Call To Worship: Psalm 66:1-5

READING: Galatians 3:26,28 

MUSIC: 

PRAYER: Mission of the Church (from The Book of Common Prayer)

ALL: Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through the finished work of your Son. Inspire our witness to Him, that all may know and extend the power of Christ’s forgiveness and the hope of His resurrection; who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.  

Prayer of Confession (from The Service for the Lord’s Day)

ALL:  O Merciful God,

 We confess that we have not loved you with

our whole heart, mind, and strength

And have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

In your great mercy, forgive us,

renew us, compel us and lead us, 

That we may delight in your will

walk in your ways; find joy in your Word.

Through the finished work of Christ.

Amen

MESSAGE: Intertwined

CENTRAL TEXT: Isaiah 56:1-8

ILLUSTRATIONS:

RESPONSE: The Apostle’s Creed

ALL: I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried.

He descended to the dead. The third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit. The holy Church. The communion of saints.

The forgiveness of sins. The resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

BENEDICTION: 1 Timothy 1:17

LEADER: 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES:

  • Mark 11:17 
  • John 10:14-16
  • Acts 2:5-11
  • Acts 8:27-39
  • Acts 10:34-43 
  • Romans 1:16-17
  • Galatians 3:28-29
  • Ephesians 2:14-22
  • Matt 28:18-20
  • Revelation 7:9-10

MEDIA

11.10.19 Album

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. When you were growing up what were you “known” for? Think about the good things and the more embarrassing things. What “name” did you WANT to have?
  2. When have you felt like an outsider / outcast
  3. When/how do you see others as outsiders?
  4. How does culture treat the outcast? Why?
  5. Who does the church see/treat as outcasts?
    1. (this is a tricky question, because some of us look down on “big sinners” while others look down on those we deem “self righteous”)
  6. We all “join ourselves” to different things and people; concepts and beliefs; groups and identities. What are you “INTERTWINED” with (where your hope and destiny are wrapped up in theirs)?
  7. What might it mean in real life to be “joined together” with the Lord? (maybe think in terms of marriage since this same concept is used of Adam and Eve in Gen 2:24)
  8. Talk about the outcasts that Jesus hung out with...how did he treat them? Why did Jesus treat outcasts like this?
  9. What is the significance of Jesus being hung on a cross between two outcasts? How did this outcast-death reveal outrageous inclusivity (everybody invited) as well as clear exclusivity (John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”)?
  10. How is this good news for people who think themselves on the fringes of God’s favor, if not outside it? Is The Gospel big enough even for you? Even for ____ ?
  11. Given this, how is The Gospel really uncomfortably inviting and inclusive to “the outsider”?
  12. Talk about God’s promises to us outsiders:
    1. To gather us together
    2. To bring us to his holy mountain
    3. To give us a greater name
    4. To make us into a new greater family
    5. To make us joyful
  13. How should this motivate and empower us the ragamuffin Body of Christ engage Brevard, both those who come through our doors and those don’t?

QUOTES:

  • “But I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the [world] am I doing here? I don't belong here.” - Radiohead (I’m A Creep) 
  • They say the week start on Monday
    But the strong start on Sunday
    Won’t be in bondage to any man
    John 8:33
    We the descendants of Abraham
    Ye should be made free
    John 8:36
    To whom the son set free is free indeed
    He saved a wretch like me
    -- Kanye West, “Selah”

BOOKS / ARTICLES

SERMONS / TALKS: