Worship Preparation - April 12, 2026
Read the sermon text: Luke 7:1-23
Read the sermon summary: A wealthy, powerful Roman officer and a weeping widow who has just lost her only son. What a contrast. Yet despite their differences they’re unified in their need for Jesus. In the first story, the humble centurion seeks help from Jesus, demonstrating his great faith. In the second story, Jesus demonstrates his great compassion and power in raising the young man from the dead. These two stories, along with Jesus’ previous miracles, culminate in John’s question to Jesus; Are you the one or not? In Jesus’ answer, he lays out the evidence; the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them. The King and his Kingdom are here and it may not have looked like you thought it would. But blessed are those who are not offended by him. In preparation for the sermon consider the following questions. What is the emphasis of the first story? What Old Testament stories do these episodes resemble? What do you make of the “beatitude” in verse 23, particularly its negative form (ie… blessed are those who are not offended)?
Read the following song lyrics in relation to the sermon:
The Glory of Your Name
Verse 1
Into our weakness You came
Hope of the world, for lost sinners to save
Trading Your splendor for shame
For the glory of Your name
Verse 2
Into our suffering You came
Kneeling down to the broken to enter our pain
And your body was crushed for our sake
For the glory of Your name
Chorus 1
For the glory of your name
We delight to bring You praise
Emmanuel, God with us
Chorus 2:
For your fame and endless worth
We’ll proclaim through all the earth
In everything, Jesus reigns
Verse.3
Into Your story You call
Every heart You have ransomed to join in the song
Singing, “Come to the Savior today”
For the glory of Your name
Verse 4
Into the darkness we go
With hearts of compassion and lips bringing hope
See the dead made alive in Your grace
For the glory of Your name
Bridge
All the glory
All the honor
All the power, be unto Your name
Josh Via
© 2025 Josh Via