First Immanuel Lutheran Ministries
OPENING HYMN Jesus Christ is Risen Today!
1 Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
2 Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heav’nly king, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
3 But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s king, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
4 Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as His love; Alleluia!
Praise Him, all ye heav’nly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
THE INVOCATION:
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. (Luke 13:24) Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in. (Rev. 3:20) I am the Door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9)
Pastor: As we follow Jesus, we have opportunities to walk away or walk by faith. We can confess with the Psalmist, “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Ps. 84:10), or we can turn aside to open doors of darkness and evil. We know what’s behind the door of darkness--death. And we know what’s behind the door of faith--true life. We confess now our failure to walk by faith:
Lord God, we fail to follow you. We open doors that lead to destruction and evil. We choose jealousy over love, fear over faith, deceit over truth, death over life. Forgive us in the name of Jesus. Restore us, and lead us through the door of everlasting life in Christ.
Jesus tells us today, “I am the Door. Anyone who enters by me will be saved. The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I have come that they may have life, and life abundantly.” Enter today by the door of Faith. Walk today in the light of Jesus. He has forgiven you, restored you, and set you free. Go in the promise of abundant life, guaranteed in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Pastor: Lord Jesus, our Redeemer and Victor, we praise You for Your triumph over death and grave, and we thank You for giving us a portion of that victory. Grant us such a faith that we would never fear death, but rather see the gift of eternal life that awaits us and all who believe in You. We ask this in Your powerful and gracious name.
People: Amen.
Romans 6:1-11 ESV
John 5:21-24 ESV
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
SERMON- The Door of Death and Deliverance
SERMON NOTES:
Prayers/Lord's Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN
I Know That My Redeemer Lives
1 I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living head.
2 He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save;
He lives all-glorious in the sky;
He lives exalted there on high.
5 He lives to silence all my fears;
He lives to wipe away my tears;
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives all blessings to impart.
7 He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.
8 He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same;
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!
Text: Public domain