GMR Sermon: June 28, 2026

June 28, 2026
GMR Sermon: June 28, 2026
Sermon Audio

CENTRAL TEXT: 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 40:9-10

LEADER: I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; 

ALL: behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord. 
I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; 
LEADER: I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
ALL: I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.

PRAYER/SCRIPTURE READING/CONFESSION OF FAITH: Romans 10:13-15

LEADER: For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” The Word of the Lord 

ALL: Thanks be to God!

Celebration of the Lord's Supper

CONFESSION OF SIN: Adapted from The Worship Sourcebook

LEADER: Let us confess our sin to the Lord.
ALL: Beautiful Jesus, we confess that we are prone to wander
from your calling to be your church.
You have called us to be your ambassadors,
to continue your ministry of reconciliation to our lonely and confused world.
Yet we acknowledge we are more apathetic than active,
isolated than involved, callous than compassionate,
obstinate than obedient, legalistic than loving.
Gracious Lord, have mercy upon us and forgive our sins.
Remove the obstacles preventing us
from being your representatives to a broken world.
Awaken our hearts to your matchless beauty by your indwelling Spirit.
This we pray in your name. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Colossians 1:15-20

LEADER: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
ALL: Thanks be to God!

BENEDICTION: 1 Peter 5:10-11

LEADER: The God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after suffering a little while, will restore, support, strengthen, and establish. To Him be the might forever and ever. Amen.
ALL: Amen!

Related Scriptures:

Matthew 28:18-20 
Romans 10:13-15 
1 Corinthians 3:5-7

Illustrations:

Jun 28, 2026

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. What are your first thoughts and feelings when you think about sharing your faith with others?
  2. How can soaking in the Gospel help us in sharing our faith?
  3. What does it mean that we need to be reconciled to God?
  4. How can the language of reconciliation simplify our sharing of the Gospel?
  5. Paul says we are Ambassadors for Christ. An Ambassador brings a message from his King to a foreign country. How can seeing our role as an Ambassador help us in sharing our faith?
  6. God invites us to be a part of sharing the Gospel with the world because it is the very best thing for us. How do we benefit when we take part in God’s ministry of reconciliation, in sharing the Gospel?
  7. Is there anything keeping you from signing up for the Connecting People We Care About With God Class being offered in July? If not, sign up here!