Introduction
It's Palm Sunday! In the midst of what appeared like chaos in the final week of Jesus' life, God was bringing salvation. May we know the same today? Our God never changes.
Tips
- If you're going through the guide with others, you may want to ask someone to take the lead.
- Everyone may want to have the guide accessible for themselves on a device or printed.
- If you've got small kids, don't feel bad about the chaos, consider just singing the songs and listening to the sermon (kids' lessons can be found here)
Now, let's turn our attention to our God. We are worshipping Him together this morning, so let us fix our eyes on Him.
Read
Read Psalm 34.1-8 out loud together. Then, share + pray.
"I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"
Share
- Is there anything you would like to praise or thank God for this morning?
- Is there anything you are particularly struggling with?
Pray
Spend a few minutes praying out loud together: Praise God for who He is. Confess our sin and our need for Him. Thank Him for His grace and bring Him your requests.
Praise: Song + Giving
Sing Great Things, then take time together to worship by giving.
Come let us worship our King
Come let us bow at His feet
He has done great things
See what our Savior has done
See how His love overcomes
He has done great things
He has done great things
(Chorus) Oh hero of Heaven, You conquered the grave
You free every captive and break every chain
Oh God, You have done great things
We dance in Your freedom, awake and alive
Oh Jesus, our Savior, Your name lifted high
Oh God, You have done great things
You've been faithful through every storm
You'll be faithful forevermore
You have done great things
And I know You will do it again
For Your promise is "Yes and amen"
You will do great things
God, You do great things
Hallelujah God, above it all
Hallelujah God, unshakable
Hallelujah, You have done great things
Hallelujah God, above it all
Hallelujah God, unshakable
Hallelujah, You have done great things
You've done great things
You have done great things
Oh God, You do great things
Give
We have established the "Generous in COVID" fund to assist in the financial care for individuals our church family. Already, we have seen deep financial impact in the lives of our members. We must care for our body and the world now and in the needs to come. Praise God for the funds that have already begun to come in towards this work!
http://www.thewellsilverspring.org/give</a >
Pray
Pray now for our generosity, for our people, and for the expansion of His gospel in the world. He is with us, and working through us. Consider what you are called to give to God in response to His grace, for the use of the gospel and care of our community.
Sermon
Watch the sermon and then share.
Matthew 25.31-46
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Share
- Why do you think Jesus makes care for the poor and needy THE issue by which he evaluates his followers in this story (rather than doctrine, holiness, faith, etc.)?
- Discuss the difference between "salvation by works" and the "good works" God calls us to do (cf. Eph.2:8- 10; Jam.2:14-26)
- What does obedience to this passage look like in light of the COVID-19 pandemic? How can we serve while honoring our government and protecting others by social distancing?
For Ideas, visit serving in COVID</a > on our webpage.
Communion
If you are able, prepare the elements of communion: bread and juice/wine.
Read
Read together (out loud) 1 Cor 11:23-26
"For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
Take the bread and the cup together.
Compelled Into The World Together
Sing Jesus is Better, then take a few minutes to pray together.
My There is no other, So sure and steady
My hope is held in your hand
When castles crumble, And breath is fleeting
Upon this rock I will stand, Upon this rock I will stand
Glory glory, we have no other king
But Jesus Lord of all
Raise the anthem
Our loudest praises ring
We crown Him Lord of all
Your kindly rule, has shattered and broken
the curse of sins' tyranny
My life is hidden, 'neath heaven's shadow
And your crimson flood, covers me
In all my sorrows, Jesus is better – make my heart believe
In all my victories, Jesus is better – make my heart believe
Than any comfort, Jesus is better – make my heart believe
More than all riches, Jesus is better – make my heart believe
Our souls declaring, Jesus is better – make my heart believe
Our song eternal, Jesus is better – make my heart believe
Glory, glory, we have no other king
But Jesus Lord of all
Prayer
Talk to God together, proclaiming who He is and what He has done for us in Christ. Declare our love, belief, and trust in Him. He is worthy to be praised. He is present with us, working through us, and will return to make all things new.
Read
Read Ephesians 3.17-21 out loud together:
"so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
This Week
As we follow Jesus together for the good of His world: Consider the abundant grace of God, that transforms our lives, and spills over into our love and service towards others. What does it look like for you to trust in Christ and live fully for Him today? As we go now into His world, know that He has poured His grace on us, that we might enjoy Him and give our lives away to others.