Worship Preparation - April 19, 2026
Read the sermon text: Luke 7:24-35
Read the sermon summary: “I’m a uniter, not a divider.” That famous line was spoken repeatedly by George W. Bush throughout his 1999 campaign. We value leaders who aspire to bring people together rather than drive wedges between them. We might be taken aback, then, by Jesus’ ministry. He is, after all, wielding a winnowing fork to separate the wheat from the chaff. That’s clearly seen in our passage this Sunday. Jesus speaks about his ministry and John’s, yes. But the emphasis falls on people’s responses. The religious leaders rejected the purposes of God, while those of questionable character, sinners and tax collectors, received it by repentance and faith. As a result, they, not the religious leaders, receive the kingdom of God and become God’s children. The obvious question that is put to us, the readers, is this: Which side of the dividing line am I on?
Read the following song lyrics in relation to the sermon:
Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
Verse 1
What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy my righteousness and freedom
My steadfast love my deep and boundless peace
To this I hold my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to his
Oh how strange and divine I can sing all is mine
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Verse 2
The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side the Saviour he will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need his power is displayed
To this I hold my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley he will lead
Oh the night has been won and I shall overcome
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Verse 3
No fate I dread I know I am forgiven
The future sure the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And he was raised to overthrow the grave
To this I hold my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released I can sing I am free
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Verse 4
With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For he has said that he will bring me home
And day by day I know he will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne
To this I hold my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to him
When the race is complete still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Ending
When the race is complete still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Yet not I but through Christ in me
CCLI Song #7121852
Jonny Robinson | Michael Farren | Rich Thompson
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CCLI License #11078052