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Sermons

True Imitation

March 17, 2019 Speaker: The Rev. Brian K. McGreevy

The Second Sunday in Lent

March 17 – The Rev. Brian K. McGreevy

 

 

Collect, Traditional (page 166)

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from thy ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of thy Word, Jesus Christ thy Son; who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

The First Lesson: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. And he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.” But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. 11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. 17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.”

 

The Second Lesson: Philippians 3:17-4:1 (the Lesson at the 10:30 service)

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

 

The Gospel: Luke 13:31-35

31 Some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. 33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

 

Psalm 27

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? * the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?

2 When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, * it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who  stumbled and fell.

3 Though an army should encamp against me, * yet my heart shall not be afraid;

4 And though war should rise up against me, * yet will I put my trust in him.

5 One thing have I asked of the Lord; one thing I seek; * that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;

6 To behold the fair beauty of the Lord * and to seek him in his temple.

7 For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe  in his shelter; * he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling and set me high upon a rock.

8 Even now he lifts up my head * above my enemies round about me.

9 Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation with sounds of great gladness; * I will sing and make music to the Lord.

10 Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; * have mercy on me and answer me.

11 You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." * Your face, Lord, will I seek.

12 Hide not your face from me, * nor turn away your servant in displeasure.

13 You have been my helper;  cast me not away; * do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.

14 Though my father and my mother forsake me, * the Lord will sustain me.

15 Show me your way, O Lord; * lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.

16 Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *  for false witnesses have risen up against me,  and also those who speak malice.

17 What if I had not believed that I should see the goodness of the Lord * in the land of the living!

18 O tarry and await the Lord's pleasure; be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; * wait patiently for the Lord.