Pr. DFD : Thy Kingdom Come

Showing posts with label Thy Kingdom Come. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Tuesday, March 1, 2016 Thy Kingdom Come

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ^{Matthew 25:31-34}

See Daniel 7:13-14, where the Son of Man is presented as holy but never actually sits on heaven’s throne. Here the Son of Man sits in glory as God. Sheep and goats are not described as being judged on this day, but rather separated. Accordingly, this parable is not primarily about judgment but about the revelation and public vindication of true believers. In the ancient world, the right hand was regularly associated with privilege or honor. [1]

In the Second Petition, we ask God to hasten the coming of His kingdom of glory. See Philippians 3:20, Revelation 22:29

O Lord, we beseech you mercifully to hear us; and grant that we, to whom you have given a fervent desire to pray, may, by your mighty aid, be defended and comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.[2]

[2] Collect for Tuesday of Lent 3, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Monday, February 29, 2016

Monday, February 29, 2016 Thy Kingdom Come

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. ^{Matthew
13:44-46}

In the parables of both the hidden treasure and the precious pearl, Jesus reinforces this basic truth: earthly possessions cannot compare with the immense value and cost of God’s kingdom. We must not press the details of these parables to say that one can buy entrance into God’s kingdom by sacrificing all possessions. We inherit the kingdom by grace through faith in Christ, who purchased and redeemed us with His precious blood.

Heavenly Father, grant me Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Amen[1]

In the Second Petition, we ask God to use us to extend His kingdom of grace. See Acts 4:29, 1 Peter 2:12

Look upon the heart-felt desires of your humble servants, Almighty God, and stretch forth the right hand of your majesty to be our defense against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[2]

[2] Collect for Monday of Lent 3, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Sunday, February 28, 2016 Thy Kingdom Come

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ^Matthew
6:33

Seek first the kingdom. Desire above all to live under the rule of the one true God. God’s righteousness or His salvation is what is emphasized. [1]

In the Second Petition, we ask God to bring others into His kingdom of grace. See Matthew 9:38, 2 Thessalonians 3:1[2]

Almighty God, you know that I have no power in myself to help myself: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ the Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]

[3] Collect for the Third Sunday in Lent, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Saturday, February 27, 2016 Thy Kingdom Come

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ^{Hebrews 12:28}

Offer to God acceptable worship. Possible only through grace in Christ, directed only to the triune God, and conducted with respectful wonders. With reverence and awe. Not frivolous, nonchalant, or trivial. God’s presence calls for serious hearing, genuine repentance, and extraordinary joy. See Psalm 2:12[1]

In the Second Petition, we ask God to give us His Holy Spirit so that we believe His Word and lead godly lives as members of His kingdom of grace. [2]

Grant, most merciful Lord, to your faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]

[3] Collect for Saturday of Lent 2, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Friday, February 26, 2016

Friday, February 26, 2016 Thy Kingdom Come

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. ^{Colossians 1:13}

Delivered…transferred. The past tense points us back to baptism, which incorporated us into Christ’s saving work. “Human nature has been delivered into slavery and is held captive by the devil,” (Apology II 47) The New Testament often uses light/darkness for the contrast between God/Satan. Salvation/sin. God’s power to save from the dark ness of sin applies for all people. Jesus taught that God’s kingdom wass the rule of His grave, which began with His ministry. This beginning of God’s kingdom is the forgiveness of sin.[1]

For what do we pray in the Second Petition? We do not pray that God’s kingdom of power would come; because that is already present everywhere.[2]

Grant, O Lord, that as your Son Jesus Christ prayed for His enemies on the cross, so we may have grace to forgive those who wrongfully or scornfully use us, that we ourselves may be able to receive your forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.[3]

[3] Collect for Friday of Lent 2, , http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Thursday, February 25, 2016 Thy Kingdom Come

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. ^{1Corinthians 4:20}

The phrase, “kingdom of God” is a phrase rarely used in Paul’s letters. Christians may speak about the kingdom of God in a variety of ways. First, God rules the universe and everything in it, including the affairs of humanity (Psalm 66:7; Daniel 5:21). Second, we also use the phrase “kingdom of God” to refer to the time after the resurrection of the dead when God rules with without opposition (“kingdom come,” as same say; Revelation 12:10)

We give thanks to God for His powerful rule over all the world, and we pray for the advent of His glorious victory on the Last Day. But when the Bible refers to the “kingdom of God,” it usually has a different definition in mind. As Jeffrey Gibbs explains for the Gospel according to Matthew, the kingdom of God is God’s righteous reign.

To speak of a “reign” is to imply that a king is present to act as such, “to reign” then the God of heaven has come down to reign, to perform his kingly deeds. Thus, the reign of God is not primarily a place. Rather, it is a divine action that occurs where Jesus is, through his words and deeds. Nor is the reign of heaven a group of people. Rather, because the God of heaven has begun to manifest his kingly deeds, a group of people is constituted as those who believe in God’s reign in Jesus. (Concordia Commentary, Matthew, 48-49)[1]

How does God’s kingdom come? God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father give us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.[2]

O Lord, strong and mighty, Lord of Hosts and King of glory: Cleanse our hearts from sin, keep our hand pure, and turn our minds from what is passing away; so that at the last we may stand in your holy place and receive your blessing; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]

[3] Collect for Thursday of Lent 2, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Wednesday, February 24, 2016 Thy Kingdom Come

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. ^{John 3:16}

Loved. From the Greek agapao, used repeatedly in John. God’s sacrificial and faithful love for the entire world alienated from God, that is, all humankind. Gave. God not only sent His Son but also offered Him to the world. He became the atoning sacrifice. Believes. “Whoever believes in the Son of God, be it with a strong or with a weak faith, may have eternal life. Worthiness does not depend on the greatness or smallness, the weakness or strength of faith. Instead, it depends on Christ’s merit.” (Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration VII 70-71)

Luther: “Look at the words, I beseech you, to determine how and of whom He is speaking…No one is here excluded. God’s Son was given for all. All should believe, and not all who do believe should perish, etc. Take hold of your own nose, I beseech you, to determine whether you are not a human being (that is, part of the world) and like any other many you belong to the number of those comprised in the word all.” (WLS 189)

Perish. Eternal separation from God. “Out of His immense goodness and mercy, god provides for the public preaching of His divine eternal law and His wonderful plain for our redemption, that of the holy, only saving Gospel of His eternal Son, out only Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.” (Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration II 50)

God gives His only Son as a sacrificial gift to deliver the world from condemnation and to give eternal life to those who believe in Him. When we continue in an immoral lifestyle, we naturally resist divine disclosure of our sin and thus our need for a Savior. Do not flee the light but repent. God has revealed His strong love in His Son Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and give you life. [1]

What is the 2^nd Petition? Thy Kingdom come. What does this mean? The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also.[2]

O God, you so loved the world that you gave your only begotten Son to reconcile earth with heaven; Grant that we, loving you above all things, may love our friends in you, and our enemies for your sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.[3]

[3] Collect for Wednesday of Lent 2, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm