Authentic, Free, and Disruptive: Sermons by Our Grace Youth

For this service, our youth, Audrey, Clover, and Gracie, will lead worship.  Below are the scriptures they've selected.   Matthew 5:14-16 (New Living Translation) – Audrey “You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.  Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise God.” Galatians 5:1, 13-15 (NRSV) – Clover For freedom Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. For you were called to freedom, siblings only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.  For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. Matthew 21:12-17 (The Message) – Gracie Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling.  He kicked over the table of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants.  He quoted this text:  My house was designated a house of prayer; You have made it a hangout for thieves.   Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in.  They came to Jesus and he healed them.   When the religious leaders saw outrageous things he was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, “Hosanna to David’s Son!” they were up in arms and took him to task.  “Do you hear what these children are saying?”  Jesus said, “Yes, I hear them.  And haven’t you read in God’s Word, ‘From the mouths of children and babies I’ll furnish a place of praise’”?   Fed up, Jesus turned on his heel and left the city for Bethany, where he spent the night.