Matthew 5:38-48
“Be Perfect”
Rev. Benjamin Wines
Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
Today is the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “Be Perfect”. Our Scripture passage comes from Matthew 5:38-48 and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 112. We look forward to joining you in this time of Worship.
Call to Worship (from Psalm 112)
Leader: Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord,
People: Who greatly delight in his commandments.
Leader: Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
People: The generation of the upright will be blessed.
Leader: They rise up in the darkness as a light for the upright;
People: They are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
Leader: It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
People: Who conduct their affairs with justice.
Leader: For the righteous will never be moved;
People: They will be remembered forever.
Leader: They are not afraid of evil tidings;
People: Their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.
Leader: Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid;
People: In the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
Leader: They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor;
People: Their righteousness endures forever.
Question for Further Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus gives his disciples a simple command, “Be perfect.”
How can we take a command like that seriously?
And how does a command like that change the way we view the world?