Cycle B Epiphany 4 Lectionary 4

2/1/2015 Confession

Sunday Title: Authority Sunday

Sermon Title: Who’s in charge here?

Previously:  

Sunday Title: Authority Sunday

Sermon Title: Yielding?

Scripture Cuttings:

Deuteronomy 18:15-20 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command.

Psalm 111 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to his people.

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

Mark 1:21-28 What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  We are accountable to the Lord, let us not evade our sinfulness. (pause to cease evasion)

  O God,

C: we puff ourselves up with accumulated knowledge,

  but without love for you we have no wisdom.

We take advantage of the liberty you give us through grace,

  and become bad examples to our sisters and brothers.

We alternate between fear of your authority

  and denial of your authority.

We dread to face our demons,

  and we are faithless in the presence of your power over them.

Forgive us Lord for the sins we name,

save us Lord from the sins we hide.

   (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has come into our world with authority. The authority to destroy the demons that haunt us: our past, or weakness, our sin, our grief, our loss, our frailty, our mortal nature. Through Christ’s faithfulness our loving God grants us the forgiveness of all our sins and the promise of eternal life. Through faith offered by the Holy Spirit we may count on God’s intervening power, and live redeemed lives in the name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!