Merciful Savior Lutheran Church

Holding Forth the Word of Life

2879 W. Walnut Street, Suite. 110, Rogers, Arkansas 72756

www.mercifulsaviorlutheran.net / www.bible-byte.net

Bible Study: 8:30 a.m. / Worship: 10 a.m.

Sunday, July 20, 2025

Worship

CLH #311 “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior”

Invocation
 (Congregation Stands)
O almighty God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — we come into Your presence to seek Your mercy, to hear Your Word, and to offer up to You our prayers and praises. Hear us for the sake of the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and His atoning sacrifice on the cross for our sins. Amen.

Confession of Sins
P: The Bible tells us that “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:5-9).
C: Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess to You that we are by nature sinful and unclean and that we have sinned against You in our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. We, therefore, flee for refuge to Your infinite mercy, seeking and imploring Your grace for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ and His blood, shed on the cross for our sins.
P: Again, the Bible tells us: “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our’s only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2). Through faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross, God forgives our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Amen.

Psalm 10
1 Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? 2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. 3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. 4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. 5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. 6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. 7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. 8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. 9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. 10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. 11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble. 13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it. 14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless. 15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
16 The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. 17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: 18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

Apostles Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Life everlasting. Amen.

CLH #503 “Deeper, Deeper”

Scripture Lesson: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (Congregation Stands)
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your’s become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

Love’s Guiding Light
The apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthian church, addresses a very practical and pressing issue: the eating of “meats offered unto idols.” In a society permeated with pagan worship, believers faced the daily dilemma of how to navigate their faith without compromising their conscience or, perhaps more importantly, the conscience of others.
Paul begins in 1 Corinthians 8:1 by stating, “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” Here, he immediately contrasts mere intellectual understanding (“knowledge”) with the profound virtue of “charity,” or love. It’s easy for us to pride ourselves on what we know about theology, about Christian liberty, about the nuances of Scripture. But Paul reminds us that knowledge, unchecked by love, can lead to arrogance and division. True spiritual growth isn’t about accumulating facts; it’s about growing in our capacity to love God and others.
He continues in verses 4-6 to lay out a fundamental truth: “As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” For a believer, an idol holds no power; it’s just a piece of wood or stone. We serve the one true God, the Creator of all things, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for the sins of all. This knowledge grants us liberty — the freedom to understand that eating meat once offered to an idol doesn’t defile us.
However, the passage takes a critical turn in verses 7-9: “Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.”
This is where love must triumph over liberty. Not everyone has the same level of understanding or strength of conviction. Some sincere believers, perhaps newer in their faith or raised in a different background, might struggle with something that you, with greater knowledge, find permissible. If your actions, though perfectly acceptable for you, cause a weaker brother or sister to stumble, to violate their own conscience, or to doubt their faith, then your “liberty” becomes a source of harm.
Paul drives this point home powerfully in verses 10-12: “For if any man see thee, which hast knowledge, sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; and through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.” The severity of this warning is striking: to cause a brother to stumble is to sin against Christ Himself! Christ died for that individual; how can we, in our exercise of freedom, disregard their spiritual well-being?
The chapter culminates in the profound principle of 1 Corinthians 8:13: “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.” Paul’s personal commitment is radical: he is willing to completely forgo something he is permitted to do if it causes another believer to stumble. This is love in action — a love that prioritizes the spiritual health of others above personal rights or preferences.
Application
Today, we may not face the exact issue of meats offered to idols, but the principle remains profoundly relevant. What are our “meats”? They could be:
• Our social media posts and how they might be perceived by a new believer.
• Our entertainment choices and whether they might cause a younger Christian to question boundaries.
• Our conversations and the words we use, especially around those who are less mature in faith.
• Our lifestyle choices (such as the use of alcohol and tobacco, the foods we eat, the places we go, the clothes we wear, the way we worship, etc.), and whether they reflect a sensitivity to the consciences of others in the body of Christ.
Let us examine our own lives through the lens of 1 Corinthians 8. Are we using our knowledge and liberty to build up, or unintentionally to tear down? Do we prioritize our “rights” over the well-being of our brothers and sisters? May God grant us the wisdom and the love to follow Paul’s example, to willingly limit our freedoms when necessary, so that we may never cause a weaker brother or sister for whom Christ died to stumble. Let love be the ultimate guide for our actions, always seeking to edify rather than to puff up.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the wisdom found in Your Word. Forgive us for the times we have prioritized our own knowledge or liberty over the spiritual well-being of others. Grant us a heart of true charity that we might always seek to build up, to encourage, and to protect those who are weaker in faith. Help us to walk in love, following the example of Christ, who gave up everything for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Offering

Prayer (Congregation Stands)
Merciful Father, for the sake of the shed blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ, forgive us for failing to walk by faith in the promises of Your Word. Move us to read and study our Bibles regularly and to come before You with our petitions and praises. Keep us from being overcome by our sinful inclinations and preserve us in the true and saving faith unto life everlasting. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
O Christ Jesus, eternal Son of God and our Savior, You gave Your life for ours when You died on the cross and made atonement for our sins. Bless the work of our pastor and congregation, and of faithful pastors, missionaries, and congregations everywhere, so that Your life-giving Word might be proclaimed among us and among the peoples of the world, and those who hear might repent of their sins and look to You and Your cross for pardon and forgiveness. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
O Holy Spirit, do not forsake us because of our weakness and disobedience to Your Word. Be patient with us and move us to continually repent of our sins and look in faith to our Savior for mercy. Teach us from Your Word. Strengthen and keep us in the true and saving faith. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
O loving and merciful God, our nation and people are living in darkness and are under Your wrath and judgment. Open the eyes and ears of our people and rulers that they might see and hear the truth of Your Word, repent of their evil deeds, and fall down at the feet of Jesus, pleading for pardon and forgiveness and then seeking to walk in Your ways, that Your judgment may be turned away and Your wrath against us be averted. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
O Healer and Preserver of our bodies and souls, as You have promised, we ask You to provide for all our needs and to preserve us from all harm and danger and all evil. We lift up to You those among us who are afflicted. We remember especially today John, Joyce, Carl, Harley, John and Karen, Tim and Diane, and all others we name in our hearts. Have mercy on us, grant healing to the sick, comfort to the oppressed, and strength for all to endure the troubles and afflictions of this life in the hope of everlasting glory for the sake of Christ Jesus, our Savior. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer. Amen.

Lord’s Prayer
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matt. 6:9-13)

CLH #332 “According to Thy Gracious Word”

Lord’s Supper
“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” (1 Cor. 11:23-26)

Prayer of Thanksgiving (Congregation Stands)
O LORD Jesus Christ, Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, we thank You for fulfilling all righteousness in our stead and then taking upon Yourself the guilt and punishment for all our sins and making full atonement for us by Your perfect sacrifice on the cross. And we thank and praise You for giving us to partake of Your one holy sacrifice so that we might also partake of the blessings that You won for us by Your death and have made sure to us by Your glorious resurrection. Strengthen and keep us in the true and saving faith, and move us to live our lives for You while we await Your glorious return and the joys of Your everlasting kingdom. Amen.

Benediction (Num. 6:24-26)
“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” Amen.

CLH #586 “God Be With You Till We Meet Again”

[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]

ANNOUNCEMENTS

For pastoral care, please call Pastor Moll at 479-233-0081 or email him at randy@mercifulsavior.net.

Our next Business Meeting will be held following our worship service on Sunday, Aug. 10.