“Serpents and Doves”
Sermon
Steve Jacobsen delivers the message "Serpents and Doves" with music from Kathleen Sieck and the Music Team.
Scripture
Matthew 10:1, 5-8 & 16
1Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness....
5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give…. 16“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. New International Version (NIV)
16“Stay alert. This is hazardous work I’m assigning you. You’re going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don’t call attention to yourselves. Be as shrewd as a snake, inoffensive as a dove. The Message
16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. King James Version (KJV)
Choral Benediction
“Go, My Children, with My Blessing”
Go, my children, with my blessing, never alone.
Waking, sleeping, I am with you; you are my own.
In my love’s baptismal river I have made you mine forever.
Go, my children, with my blessing—you are my own.
Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.
Here you learned how much I love you, what I can cure.
Here you heard my dear Son’s story;
here you touched him, saw his glory.
Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.
Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me;
Grow in love and love by serving, joyful and free.
Here my Spirit’s power filled you;
here his tender comfort stilled you.
Go, my children, fed and nourished, joyful and free.