Stand firm

Some worship resources appropriate for August 26. Consistent with the day’s theme, “Stand Firm,” the resources revolve around references to firmness, steadfastness, or strength.

I’m laying various options on the table today. They include a sermon help that reads the day’s Ephesians text in light of a parallel D&C text.

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A CALL TO WORSHIP  or  A REPENTANCE READING

(adapted from Helaman 2:31)

Leader:            The church of God fasted and prayed often.

They grew stronger and stronger in their humility,

All:                  and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ.

Leader:            Their souls were filled with joy and comfort.

Their hearts were made pure and holy

All:                  because they gave way for God to take over their hearts.

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REPENTANCE READINGS

It may be especially appropriate for the reading to be offered by a priest, as an expression of the priests’ ministry to share God’s gift of unconditional love and to extend the hand of reconciliation to those with broken spirits.

Option A. Adapted from Jacob 2:49-50

Before the congregation pauses for individual repentant prayer:

Look to God with firmness of mind,

and pray to him with faith.

He will console you in your afflictions

and plead your cause.

After the congregation has prayed:

Lift up your heads

and receive the pleasing word of God.

Feast upon his love!

For you may, if your minds are firm, forever.

Option B. Adapted from Ether 5:28, 38

After the congregation has paused for individual repentant prayer:

The Lord says:

My grace is sufficient

for all who humble themselves before me.

Because you have seen your weakness,

you will be made strong.

Option C. Adapted from D&C 38: 4b-c

After the congregation has paused for individual repentant prayer:

The Lord says:

You are blessed.

I will be merciful to your weakness.

Therefore, be strong from this time forward.

Do not be afraid, for the kingdom is yours.

Option D.  Adapted from D&C 83:9b

After the congregation has paused for individual repentant prayer:

The Lord says:

I will forgive you of your sins

with this commandment--

that you remain steadfast in your minds,

in solemnity and the spirit of prayer,

in bearing testimony to all the world

of those things which are communicated to you.

Option E.  Adapted from Alma 14:91-92

Appropriate for either before or after the congregation pauses for individual repentant prayer:

Leader:            I know that I am nothing.

All:                  As to my strength, I am weak.

Leader:            But I will boast of my God,

All:                  for in God’s strength, I can do all things.

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DISCIPLES’ GENEROUS RESPONSE

To be read before the Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes.

Option A.  Adapted from Ether 5:4

Whoever believes in God

may hope with certainty for a better world.

And this hope, born of faith,

will be an anchor to your soul,

making you sure and steadfast,

always abounding in good works.

Option B.  Adapted from Mosiah 3:21

Leader:            Be steadfast and immovable,

All:                  always abounding in good works.

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SENDING FORTH

(adapted from D&C 9:5a-b)

This could be read in tandem with the recommended Sending Forth from Ephesians 6:17-18.

Be faithful.

Stand fast in the work to which I have called you,

and not a hair of your head will be lost.

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SERMON HELP

A portion of today’s reading from Ephesians is reproduced, with some added clauses, in D&C 26:3d-f. The additions offer a commentary on the Ephesians reading that reflects distinctive emphases of the Latter Day Saint tradition--especially the Enduring Principle of Continuing Revelation.

Note what the D&C text adds to the Ephesians text (KJV):

Ephesians: your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace…

D&C: your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you…

Ephesians: the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…

D&C: the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you…

Our Ephesians reading tells us that the gospel, the Spirit, and the word are components of the “armor of God”--they protect us from evil. The commentary on Ephesians that appears in D&C 26 reminds us that the revelation of God’s word is ongoing: God still sends messengers, God's Spirit is still being poured out, God's word is still being revealed. Revelation protects us, but that protection does not come in the form of a text, finished and closed at some point in the past, that contains everything we need to know or the answer to every question we face. To “put on” God’s word and the Spirit as “armor” means to be open to--indeed, to actively seek--the new guidance that continuing revelation provides.

There is a paradox, then, in today’s reading. Ephesians urges us to “stand firm” in the gospel of Christ. But the commentary on Ephesians that we have received in D&C 26 tells us that standing firm in the gospel means being flexible enough to receive the further light that God still has in store for us.