The Vast Mission Field
Matthew 3:1-12 | Demember 4, 2022 | Rev. Henry F. Curtis IV
Digital Bulletin
The Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Call to Worship
Minister: I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord, our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:1-2)
People: For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand, I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my
God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
(Psalm 84:10)
Minister: Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. (Psalm 122:9)
People: Those that be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God.
(Psalm 92:13)
Minister: Blessed are they that dwell in thy house. Lord, I have loved thy habitation, the place where thy honor dwelleth. (Psalm 26:8)
People: For the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him. (Habakkuk 2:20)
Minister: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
People: O sing unto the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord; all the earth sing praises. (Psalm 98:1, 4)
Matthew 3:1-12 (RSV)
The Proclamation of John the Baptist
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming,
2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ”
4 Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan were going out to him,
6 and they were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8 Therefore, bear fruit worthy of repentance,
9 and do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
10 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
The Abridged Decalogue
From all that dwell below the skies, Let thy Creator’s praise arise; Let thy Redeemer’s name be sung, Through every land by every tongue.
Minister: And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
Nearer my God, to thee! Nearer to thee, E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me; Still all my song shall be. Nearer my God to thee, Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee.
Minister: Hear what Christ our Savior saith. Thou shall love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments, hang all the law and the prophets.