A More Beautiful Song | Desire in the Depths (February 16, 2025)
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Today we continue on the key theme of desire in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and consider how our core desires can become misaligned or disfigured.
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Elements from this morning’s gathering
Call to Worship
Psalm 42:1-3, 7-8
Just like a deer that craves streams of water,
my whole being craves you, God.
My whole being thirsts for God, for the living God.
When will I come and see God’s face?
My tears have been my food both day and night,
as people constantly questioned me,
“Where’s your God now?”
Deep called to deep at the noise of your waterfalls;
all your massive waves surged over me.
By day the Lord commands his faithful love;
by night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.
Scripture Reading
Selections from Matthew 5 & 6
From that time Jesus began to announce:
“Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!”…
You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden…
But I warn you — unless you practice a greater righteousness than the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of the Heavens!…
You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!…
You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart…
You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows… But I say, do not make any vows! Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’…
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money…
Your Father already knows all you want and need, so desire the Kingdom of God above all else, and live right by God and others, and God will give you everything you need.
