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Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. – Hebrews 12:1
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Easter Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Tuesday, March 29, 2005 Just one more Amen!
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with
all. Amen –Revelation 22:21
Thus
a concluding benediction. Similar to the ones appearing at the conclusion of
other NT Epistles.[1]
Why do
we end the Lord’s Prayer with the word amen? The word amen means, “So shall it
be” and emphasizes that God, who has commanded us to pray, will hear our
prayers and answer them as He has promised[2]
The Lenten
season is now past us. We now bask in the glow of an empty tomb for we truly
are Easter people! We have just reviewed the various aspects of the Lord’s
Prayer. The only thing left is the word Amen.
The
word Amen simply means - yes! It is so! As we daily come to the Lord, we can be
assured that He hears every petition. Such is the privilege of being a part of
a community and people of faith as we uphold each other through prayer. In our prayers,
we take our needs burdens joys and sorrows to the throne room of grace and then
we are truly thankful as the Savior answers each petition according to His
gracious will. Amen simply means that we are in agreement with what we have
asked. “Amen” from the Lord’s
perspective is that He will answer us according to His gracious favor. From the
perspective of Easter, our only request needs to be that the Lord would bring
us at last to be with Him in glory. Thus, in this Easter Season, we keep our
eyes heavenward as we await His final return in glory.
Yea, Amen, let all adore Thee. High on Thine
eternal throne; Savior, take the pow’r and glory; Claim the kingdom as Thine
own. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Thou shalt reign, and Thou alone![3]
[1] The
Lutheran Study Bible, © 2009 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis, MO Pp.2236
[2] Luther’s
Small Catechism, Conclusion to the Lord’s Prayer © 2008 Concordia Publishing
House, St. Louis
[3] Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending Stanza 4,
Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
Monday, March 28, 2016
Easter Monday, March 28, 2016
Easter Monday, March 28, 2016 Amen!
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation
22:20
These words may function as a
liturgical response to the reading of this prophetic word. On that understanding,
what followed the reading of this revealed word would be the Communion liturgy.[1]
How do I know God is able to
answer the prayers of His people in Christ? He alone is the King who has all
good gifts in His control. He alone has the power to grant our petitions. He
has all glory and is worthy of our praise.[2]
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Time in the Word - Easter 2
The theme for the Second Sunday of
Easter is Faith in the Risen Christ. The First reading, from St. Luke’s
history of the Apostolic Church, the Book of Acts, tells about St. Peter, the
one who, out of fear, had denied Christ (Matt 26:69–75 ) and been restored (John 15:19 ). Here,
Peter performs miracles in the name of Jesus and testifies boldly before the
Jewish council. He has moved from fear to faith. The second reading
speaks of the revelation of Jesus Christ that was given to the holy Evangelist
and Apostle John. Though Christians were being persecuted, and John himself was
living in exile on Patmos , the vision of
Christ, the One who died, but is alive forevermore, brings reassurance
that the victory over death and Hades is complete. John has moved from
tribulation to faith. The Gospel is the familiar account of “doubting
Thomas,” who, when he saw the risen Christ, was moved to confess, “My Lord and my
God.” Thomas has moved from doubt to faith.
Collects for the Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord—Almighty God, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life. We humbly pray that we may live before You in righteousness and purity forever; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
O God, in the paschal feast You restore all creation. Continue to send Your heavenly gifts upon Your people that they may walk in perfect freedom and receive eternal life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Time in the Word
28 March - 2 April 2016
Preparation for next week, the Second Sunday of Easter
28 March - 2 April 2016
Preparation for next week, the Second Sunday of Easter
Monday, 28 March
2016—Psalm 105:1–5 , 8 ; antiphon, 1 Peter 2:2–3 —The second Sunday of Easter is
sometimes called Quasimodogeniti,
Latin for the first words of the Introit, ‘Like newborn infants.’ Just as a
baby eagerly suckles at its mother’s breast, so we, who have been given new
life in Christ by His death and resurrection, also do eagerly desire the pure
spiritual milk provided by our Lord for our nourishment and good growth. This
He gives us through the preaching of His Word and the most blessed Sacrament of
the Altar.
Tuesday, 29 March 2016—Psalm 148 —In Sunday’s psalm, the psalmist calls upon all of
creation—those on the earth, those under the sea, and those in the heavens—to
join in a chorus of praise to the Lord.
Animate and inanimate, all of creation proclaims the glory of the Lord!
Wednesday, 30 March 2016—Acts 5:12–32 —Jesus remained a threat to the Jewish authorities,
even after He had ascended to heaven. Here, the apostle Peter is jailed for
performing miracles in the name of Jesus. After he is miraculously freed by an
angel of God, he is summoned before the Jewish council. Peter, filled with
strength that comes only from God, boldly asserts, “We must obey God rather
than men.”
Thursday, 31 March 2016—Revelation 1:4–18 —St. John, the only one of the Twelve still alive at
the time of his revelation, sees a glorious vision from the Lord Jesus. The
revelation, recorded for our sakes, gives great comfort to Christians of all
times, whether they are living in a time of severe persecution or not. Jesus is
the Victor! Just look at all this short section has to say about Jesus: He is
the One who was and is and is to come, the faithful witness, the firstborn
of the dead, the Ruler over all, the Alpha and Omega. Having
conquered death, He holds the keys to Death and Hades; these can trouble
us no longer, we who are in Christ. His called ministers exercise these keys to
forgive our sins, as the Gospel shows.
Friday, 1 April 2016—John 20:19–31 —There are two appearances by the risen
Christ in Sunday’s Gospel, each bringing us a great deal of comfort. In the
first, Jesus establishes the Office of the Holy Ministry, and assures us that,
in the words of the catechism, ‘when the called ministers of Christ deal with
us by His divine command, in particular when they…absolve those who repent of
their sins and want to do better, this is just as valid and certain, even in
heaven, as if Christ, our dear Lord, dealt with us Himself.’
In the second appearance, our Lord appears to Thomas. Thomas wanted the
certainty of seeing his risen Lord in the flesh, as the others had. When he
beholds the wounds in the One who was crucified on our behalf, his faith is
sure, and he confesses, ‘My Lord and My God!’ Thomas’s assurance is ours also.
We need never doubt that our Lord is truly risen from the dead, ‘the
firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.’ (1 Cor 15:20 )
Saturday, 2 April 2016—The Hymn of
the Day, O Sons and Daughters of
the King (LSB #470), recounts the story of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances and
particularly His encounter with Thomas. His words to Thomas are meant for us,
also: ‘How blest are they who have not seen And yet whose faith has constant
been, For they eternal life shall win. Alleluia!’
Prayers from Lutheran Service
Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
Image
of Christ appearing to St. Thomas found here:
Luther’s Seal © Ed Rajas Higher Things
Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016
Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016 For Thine is the Kingdom –
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or
imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in
the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
God’s
giving is not limited by our asking. “He is like an eternal unfailing fountain.
The more it pours forth and overflows, the more it continues to give. God
desires nothing more seriously from us than that we ask Him for much and great
things.” (Large Catechism III 56)[1]
What
is the Conclusion? For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever
and ever. Amen. What does this mean? This means that I should be certain that
these petitions are pleasing to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him; for
He Himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to heaver us.
Amen, amen, which means, “yes, yes, it shall be so.”[2]
Almighty God the Father, through Your
only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You have overcome death and opened the gate of
everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrated with joy the day of our
Lord’s resurrection may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving
Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen[3]
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Easter Sunrise
Easter Dawn
27 March 2016
Luke 224:1-11
Life Now Makes Sense
Almighty God,
through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You overcame death and opened to
us the gate of everlasting life. We humbly pray that we may live before You in
righteousness and purity forever.
The disciples’ early unbelief gave way to faith. When
they saw the risen lord. Christ now overcomes people’ unbelief through His Word
and promise. (Vv.25-27, 32, 45) These promises center in Jesus’ death and
resurrection. Life now has meaning for us.
Have you ever felt that life has no meaning? No
purpose? No sense to it all?
1.
The
meaninglessness of life is a problem of human nature.
A.
Many have no purpose that reaches beyond this
life; hence, despair and hopelessness arise.
B.
The fall robbed human beings of their life, hope
and future.
C.
Because of sin, our only future is death and
damnation.
2.
Christ
gives meaning to our life.
A.
His work gives meaning.
1.
He suffered and died (v.7a)
2.
He rose again (6 indications in our text!)
3.
This work was necessary (v.7) for people to have
forgiveness (24:26-47)
B.
This gives meaning to all history.
1.
The previous ages looked forward to it.
a.
God’s saving acts in the Old Testament
prefigured it. (see Ex.15:1-11)
b.
The Old Testament predictions foretold it. (see
Is. 52:13-53:12)
c.
Christ Himself predicted it (see Luke 9:22, 44;
17:24-25; 18:31-33)
2.
Due to His work, forgiveness of sins is
proclaimed to all.
C.
This gives meaning to each of us.
1.
Through the proclamation of Christ God offers
the forgiveness of sin.
2.
With sin forgiven, we have life through the
Living One (Luke 24:5)
3.
We now have a future and a home – eternal life.
4.
We now have a purpose in life – to proclaim
repentance and forgiveness. In His name, we proclaim repentance and forgiveness
of sins to all nations.
Life is no longer meaningless. Because He lives, we
shall live also! Because “He is not here; He is risen indeed!” Christ’s
resurrection gives purpose to our life in this world.
____________
Words – 304
Passive Sentences –3%
Readability – 75%
Reading Level – 4.6
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