Epiphany 4a | OT 4 – February 2, 2014

Overview

Scripture for the Day:

 Micah 6:1-8
 Psalm 15
 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
 Matthew 5:1-12

Liturgical Color:

1st Reading

 Micah 6:1-8 (NIV)

Listen to what the Lord says:

“Stand up, plead my case before the mountains;
let the hills hear what you have to say.

2 “Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation;
listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.
For the Lord has a case against his people;
he is lodging a charge against Israel.

3 “My people, what have I done to you?
How have I burdened you? Answer me.
4 I brought you up out of Egypt
and redeemed you from the land of slavery.
I sent Moses to lead you,
also Aaron and Miriam.
5 My people, remember
what Balak king of Moab plotted
and what Balaam son of Beor answered.
Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”

6 With what shall I come before the Lord
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV®. COPYRIGHT © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm

 Psalm 15 (NIV)

1 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?

2 The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV®. COPYRIGHT © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

2nd Reading

 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (NIV)

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified:a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV®. COPYRIGHT © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Gospel

 Matthew 5:1-12 (NIV)

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV®. COPYRIGHT © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Contemporary Song Suggestions for the Day: 

 GOD OF JUSTICE  Tim Hughes | 2004 | CCLI Song #4447128

 REIGN IN US  Ben Glover \ Jon Neufeld \ Tim Neufeld | 2008 | CCLI Song #5207587

 TO BE LIKE YOU  Brooke Ligertwood \ Matt Crocker | 2012 | CCLI Song #6514097

 WHAT CAN I DO  Graham Kendrick \ Paul Baloche | 2005 | CCLI Song #4554279

 GLORY TO GOD FOREVER  Steve Fee \ Vicky Beeching | CCLI Song #5384338

 HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING  Chris Tomlin \ Ed Cash \ Matt Redman | 2006 | CCLI Song #4822372

 MY REWARD  Jason Ingram \ Kristian Stanfill \ Reuben Morgan | 2010 | CCLI Song #5876547

 WE COULD CHANGE THE WORLD  Jason Ingram \ Jonas Myrin \ Matt Redman | 2011 | CCLI Song #6016485

 TODAY IS THE DAY  Lincoln Brewster \ Paul Baloche | 2008 | CCLI Song #5200924

 HOPE’S ANTHEM  Christa Black Gifford \ William Matthews | 2010 | CCLI Song #5858149

 I WILL BOAST  Paul Baloche | 2006 | CCLI Song #4662350

 WE WILL SEE  Walker Beach | 2012 | CCLI Song #6314974

 OH YOU BRING  Matt Crocker | 2008 | CCLI Song #5371341

 BY FAITH  Keith Getty \ Kristyn Getty \ Stuart Townend | 2009 | CCLI Song  #5469291

 NEVER LET ME GO  Joel Houston | 2006 | CCLI Song #4785873

 SWEETLY BROKEN  Jeremy Riddle | 2005 | CCLI Song #4514635

 UNWAVERING  Matt Maher | 2006 | CCLI Song #4669827

 CITY ON A HILL  Ben Cantelon \ Elias Dummer \ Nick Herbert | 2013 | CCLI Song #6641630

 RESTLESS  Audrey Assad \ Matt Maher | 2010 | CCLI Song #5762008

 MY EVERYTHING  Chris Quilala | 2011 | CCLI Song #6169600

 ENOUGH  Chris Tomlin \ Louie Giglio | 2002 | CCLI Song #3599479

 GOD OF THIS CITY Aaron Boyd \ Andrew McCann \ Ian Jordan \ Peter Comfort \ Peter Kernoghan \ Richard Bleakley | 2006 | CCLI Song #5037070

 WORD OF GOD  Andi Rozier \ Brenton Brown | 2012 | CCLI Song #6365930

 This week’s worshipcurrent pick for Holy Communion/Eucharist
 Found exclusively on worshipcurrent

Hymn Suggestions for the Day:

 LET JUSTICE FLOW LIKE STREAMS  Jane Parker Huber \ Aaron Williams | 1984 admin Westminster John Knox Press | CCLI Song #591745 | Hymnary

 WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS  Isaac Watts \ Lowell Mason | Public Domain | CCLI Song #27893 | Hymnary

 GOD OF GRACE AND GOD OF GLORY  Harry Emerson Fosdick | Public Domain | CCLI Song #43107 | Hymnary

 SON OF GOD ETERNAL SAVIOR  Somerset Corry Lowry | Public Domain | Hymnary

 BLEST ARE THEY  David Haas | 1985 GIA Publications | Hymnary

IS THIS POST HELPFUL?
Get our email updates.

E-mail address: