Time in the Word - Advent 2

The Preaching of Repentance Prepares Usfor the Coming of the Lord

The preaching and baptism “of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3) prepare us for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The historic work of John the Baptizer was completed with the first Advent of our Lord Jesus in the flesh, but the ministry of the Forerunner continues in the preaching of Law and Gospel and in Holy Baptism. Through His messengers, the Lord calls people of all nations to “see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6). Our haughtiness is removed, and our mountains of pride are brought low, but the Lord humbles us in order to exalt us in His mercy; He fills up our valleys with His peace. As the Lord has begun this good work of repentance in us, so also does he perfect it by His Word and Holy Spirit, and He “will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). He purifies us to be His priestly people, precious in His sight, abounding in faith and love, so that our very lives are offered in righteousness to the Lord (Mal. 3:3–4).

Monday, 30 November 2009—Psalm 81:8, 10–11, 13; Antiphon, Luke 3:4b—The children of Israel had been delivered by the Lord out of their bondage in Egypt, and yet rejected Him. The antiphon for Sunday’s Introit exhorts us to heed John the Baptist, who came to prepare the way of the Lord by preaching repentance. During this pœnitential season, let us examine ourselves, repent of our sins, and prepare to meet our Savior who comes to us.

Tuesday, 1 December 2009—Psalm 66:1–12—A song of praise to the Lord for all of His benefits to His people. All the earth worships You and sings praises to You; they sing praises to Your Name. is echoed in a later Christian hymn which we sing in the Office at Mains, the Te Deum Laudamus.

Wednesday, 2 December 2009—Malachi 3:1–7b—Four hundred years before the birth of Christ, Malachi prophesies about Him (the Lord whom you seek and the messenger of the covenant) and His fore-runner, John the Baptist (my messenger). Jesus will usher in the last judgment and will judge between the self-righteous who simply pay lip service to Him and those who worship Him in truth and purity, trusting not in their own efforts, but in the Savior who alone can gain our salvation.

Thursday, 3 December 2009—Philippians 1:2–11—In Advent, we look forward to the coming of Christ, not only as the holy infant born in Bethlehem, but also His Second Coming. In the epistle for Sunday, St Paul speaks of the increasing sanctification of the Philippians as that day comes nearer. His prayer for their preparation is also his prayer for ours: that our love may abound more and more, that we have knowledge and discernment, and that we may be filled with the fruit of righteousness.

Friday, 4 December 2009—Luke 3:1–14—The Gospel reading tells of the work of the fore-runner of Christ, John the Baptist, in preparing for the coming Savior. John’s message was simple: ‘Repent.’ That is his word to us, also, every day, but especially in this pœnitential season. The life of the baptized is always one of repentance and the subsequent bringing forth of fruits in keeping with repentance, as we confess in our Small Catechism: the Old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die…and a new man daily come forth and arise, who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Saturday, 5 December 2009—The hymn of the day, O Bride of Christ, Rejoice (LSB 335), expresses the joy that Christ’s Church has as she waits in expectation of His coming, not only into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, but especially at the day of glory foretold in ancient story, the Last Day, when He comes to judge the world and take all believers to eternity in heaven.

Collect for the Second Sunday in Advent—Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be enabled to serve You with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing HouseSchnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
This week's edition was written by Pr. Jeffrey Keuning who serves St. John Dexter and Zion Casey, IA

Advent 1

All powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at His coming and call us to His side in the kingdom of heaven, where He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

The theme for this the 1st Sunday in Advent is the return of Christ. You and I are encouraged to watch and pray as preparation for the sudden return of Christ. At the start of a new church year it is useful to be reminded of the sobering fact that some day soon the world, with all its history, will be bought to a sudden halt by the return of our Lord in glory. As that old song sings - “soon and very soon we are going to see the King!” At that point the future will no longer be an extension of the present. Instead, it will offer us a glorious alternative to all the sorrow of and anguish of this present existence.

With that prospect before us we shall do well to take up a portion of Scripture that deals with the sings that immediately precede the end of all things. Jesus says to us this day – remain ready to stand.

1. Remain ready to stand amid growing chaos. “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” (Vv.25-26)

A. Sun, moon, and stars were set by the Creator to rule the day and the night. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:17-18) As “powers of the heavens” they keep reminding us of the order and stability that God built into the universe at the time of creation.

1. But just before the Lord’s return to bring the course of history to its end, even these steady elements in our cosmos will begin to show signs of breaking up. The prophets of the Old Testament predicted these events as we approach the coming Day of the Lord.
a. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light Isaiah 13:10
b. I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give its light. Ezekiel 32:7-8
c. The sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine Joel 2:10

2. The sea is a symbol on Scripture of nations churning in turmoil (Daniel 7:2) but kept under control by God’s providence and power (Psalm 65:7). But there, too forces and events will be allowed to become unhinged, as it were.

B. People exhibit a twofold reaction to these awesome signs.

1. Panic, anxiety and dismay grip those who do not know the Son of Man.

2. New courage and a fresh heart characterize those who recognize the signs as the prelude of God’s mighty act of deliverance.
C. The followers of Jesus Christ will recognize the signs of God’s kingdom coming in glory.

1. After these cosmic disturbances people everywhere will see the Son of Man returning by way of the kind of cloud with which He was taken up into glory. After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (Acts 1:9)

2. He will come in power and great splendor. The era of his “veiled” activities in grace will end.

D. Jesus description of the growing chaos in the universe summarily dismisses false dreams.

1. Rejected are people’s dreams of creating their own utopias here on earth. This text is a reminder that no new social or political structures will bring in a perfect setting, as liberation theology and Marxism proclaim.

2. Equally unacceptable is every type of expectation that a millennium will precede the Parousia.

2. In the presence of the Son of Man. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)

A. Knowledge of Jesus Christ as the Son of Man prepares us to stand in His presence. Jesus Himself preferred to use this title during His earthly ministry, a ministry in which He demonstrated its meaning.

1. The Son of man has authority to do what is the prerogative of God alone; to forgive sins. But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . .” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” (Mark 2:10)

2. The Son of Man is the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 ready to go into death. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” (Mark 10:33-34)

3. The Son of Man is the celestial figure of Daniel 8:23, who has received power and dominion to rule for His church as its Head. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:62)

B. Christians are called to live a life that readies them for the return of the Son of Man.

1. We cling to Jesus’ words because they will never pass away, they remain steady and sure and all chaos and disruption. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away (Luke 21:33)

2. We stay alert in prayer always. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man. (v.36), asking for a way to escape with “the skies fall in.”

3. We avoid hangovers from yesterday’s debauchery, the drunkenness that is expected to drown today’s sorrows, and the worries dealing with tomorrow’s problems. Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. (v. 34)

4. We recognize the announced cosmic disasters as ushering in the time of release from the oppression and affliction that often beset God’s children. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near (v.28)

The first Sunday in Advent serves us well as an occasion to recall the why and the how of being ready always to stand up straight amid the debris of history and in the face of the coming judgment. For “that day” will be hard on those who “sit on the face of the earth” (v.35) in pursuit of their own comfort and convenience. Therefore, be ready to stand.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

Thanksgiving Day

Have you ever helped someone who showed no appreciation? That’s probably where the phrase “no good deed goes unpunished” comes from, or, at least is derived from. When that happened to you, you were of course disappointed. Jesus had a similar experience. Ten men were miraculously healed. But only one returned to give thanks. Jesus question reveals His disappointment – what happened to the nine?

1. This question points to the common failure to give thanks.
A. The nine who did not return to give thanks had faith enough to ask but not to thank.
1. They looked to Jesus for help. “…they called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” (Vs.13)
2. They obeyed Jesus’ word without question. When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.” (Vs.14)
3. They were glad to be healed but felt little gratitude to the healer.
B. Are we inclined to ask more often than to thank?
1. When we were delivered from a calamity we perhaps cried out, “Thank God!” but did we continue to live each day in conscious gratitude to God for fulfilling His gracious purpose in our lives?
2. If things have gone well for us, have we remembered to thank God for those pleasant and successful days?
3. If things have gone badly for us, have we been able to thank God for the good that can come to us even through trials?

Where are the nine? What happened to them? Then and now this question points to the common failure to give thanks. We so easily begin to take God’s’ blessings for granted. In our lives there is more petitioning than praising.

2. This question reminds us that there is reason to give thanks.
A. Jesus healed all 10 from an incurable disease. (Vs.14)
1. The Samaritan understood better than the others the meaning of the healing.
2. He looked beyond the healing to the healer (Vv. 15-16)
3. He grasped the greatness of Jesus (V.19)
B. Jesus has not healed us from leprosy, but for all of us He has done something greater.
1. As the Christ of God He died for us to deliver us from Satan, sin, and hell and then rose form the dead to prove His deliverance.
2. He creates and sustains our faith in Him by means of the Word and Sacraments.
C. Jesus gives us man other things that we request, as well as things for which we may not be asking.
1. He gives us health or strength to endure illness.
2. He gives us worldly possessions, if we have little in the way of worldly goods we must nevertheless acknowledge that He supplies our daily needs.
3. He gives us a family in which we give and receive love, friends who support us, and work that fulfills us.
4. He has given us a country in which we enjoy political freedom and also the freedom to worship Him in the way our conscience directs.

Where are the nine? What happened to them? This question reminds us that there is reason to give thanks. What we are and have as redeemed people and as citizens of this country we owe to God. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.

Thanksgiving Eve

Lord God, You have revealed Your kindness to all people. Gather the nations into Your Church, that in all the various tongues of this world one hymn of praise may be offered to You; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 117 is the shortest psalm in the Psalter it is also the Bible's central chapter. It is the very center of the 1,189 chapters found in Genesis 1 through Revelation 22. Whereas Psalm 115 was national and Psalm 116 personal, this one is global. and His disciples sang this psalm following the Last Supper prior to going out to the Garden of Gethsemane. God’s kindness and faithfulness has been shown in the past and of this we can be sure it will continue forever. This Psalm is the inspiration for such great hymns as “From all that dwell below the skies” and “Praise to the Lord the Almighty”

1. The Call to Praise – Praise the Lord, all you nations; laud Him, all you peoples. (vs.1) This word can be translated as “sing praise.”
A. The world in its totality is lovingly invited to praise Him. God has and will continue to show Israel His kindness and faithfulness. God commands praise from all peoples.
B. The world by its tribes is loudly invited to adore Him. The Lord’s faithful love prevails over all.
C. Father, help me be a witness through my praise for You.
D. Lord, save people from all the nations.

2. The Cause for praise – For His loving-kindness toward us is great, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. (Vs.2 a-b)
A. The loving triumph of the Lord. The salvation of God’s people is the reason for universal praise. The gospel of Christ is ordered to be preached to all nations, and by him those that were afar off are made nigh. We are among the persons to whom the Holy Spirit here speaks, whom he calls upon to join his ancient people in praising the Lord.
B. The lasting truth of the Lord.
C. Thank You Lord for Your steadfast faithfulness toward Your people.
D. In God's kindness there is mercy, because,
1. Our sin deserves the reverse of kindness.
2. Our weakness requires great tenderness.
3. Our fears can only be so removed.

The Command to praise – Hallelujah! (vs.2c) Thus, we have thanksgiving! In His attribute—He is always faithful. In His revelation—He is always infallible. In His action – it is always according to His promise.

Time in the Word - Advent 1

This is a busy week. Thanksgiving celebrations will be taking place in our homes. Many travel during this time of the year making this week one for family reunions and activities. Many of our college students will be home for a brief break before final exams in a few weeks. The busiest shopping days of the year will be this coming Friday, know to many as “black Friday” as finally stores can start running in the black financially. While many may seem rushed during this particular time of the year spend some time with your Lord in devotion and prayer. Consider the many blessings He has given you as we begin to prepare for His coming as the promised Savior and redeemer of the world.

The theme for the first Sunday of the Church year Advent 1 falls under the theme “The return of Christ” In the Old Testament lesson we learn that God will send a Messiah to execute justice and righteousness on the earth. In the Epistle St. Paul reminds us to prepare for Christ’s return by being blameless in holiness. In the Gospel lesson we are told to watch and pray as preparation for the sudden return of Christ.


Collect for Advent 1 – Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Monday, 23 November 2009—Psalm 89:6, 14-16, 18, Antiphon, Zechariah 9:9b – Behold your King is coming to you; righteous and having salvation. These words were fulfilled by Jesus when He entered Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday. They hailed Him then but later rejected Him. How would Jesus fare if He were to enter our city today? Christ is always coming to us whether we recognize Him or not. In which ways does He come to us? Hint: it all starts with the word “W” Word, Wafer, Wine, and Water. Prepare for Him now while there is still time. There will come a time when time shall be no more.

Tuesday, 24 November 2009—Psalm25:1-10; key verse v6 Remember, O Lord, Your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.- The Advent season is a time spent in reflection. We remember the Savior’s prophecies and we see how He fulfilled them. We remember His promises to restore and forgive us and we see how He worked everything out according to the Father’s plan. As we prepare for Thanksgiving and the beginning of the Advent season spend some time thinking of the many gifts and blessings the Savior has given you. How ought we respond with thankful and grateful hearts? How can thanksgiving be translated into thanks living?

Wednesday, 25 November 2009— Jeremiah 33:14-16–God’s promise to send a Branch from David will be fulfilled. In verse 14 God promises to fulfill a promise. Was not the promise fulfilled in Christ? Is there still a promise to be fulfilled? Has the promise been fulfilled in you. Let’s look at the one who is coming. Who is He? He is the Son of David- royalty. (v.15) He is work is justice and righteousness. (v.15b) The results of His coming is salvation. (v.16)


Thursday, 26 November 2009—1 Thessalonians 3:9-13– Be blameless in holiness at the return of Jesus Christ. When Christ comes, we are to be pleasing to Christ. Paul explains what these requirements are. Who can meet them? Is it possible to meet these demands? Love – not only Christians but all people. (v.12) Be blameless in holiness – not only before men but before God. (v.13) How is such perfection obtained? It is found in the holy one of God.

Friday, 27 November 2009 – Luke 21:25-36– Conditions of the world prior to Jesus’ return. Of this we can be certain the end will come. Will it be this generation? Consider verse 36. The signs of the end are clearly given in verses 25-26. Know the signs! Thus in this Advent season we prepare for the end and for the celebration of Christ’s return. How might we do this? Consider verses 34-36.

Saturday, 28 November 2009—-Luke 19:28-40 Sunday’s hymn of the day is The Advent of Our King. (LSB 331) We come to the beginning of a new church year. The harvest is complete. Thanksgiving festivities have come to a close. We now prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth. We anticipate Christ’s sure and certain return in glory. This year will it be a miserable or a merry Christmas? If you are prepared to meet Christ when He comes in the clouds of heaven you will be in the right frame of mind to celebration His first Advent. Circumstances may change. Our perception to them is what is important.

Collect for Harvest – Lord, God, heavenly Father, through whose kindness we have again received the fruits of the earth in their season, grant us ever to rejoice in Your mercy that neither prosperity or adversity may drive us from Your presence; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Collect for Thanksgiving – Almighty God, whose mercies are new every morning and whose goodness, though undeserved, still abundantly provides for all our wants of body and soul, grant us, we humbly pray, Your Holy Spirit that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness toward us, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Collect for the Glorious Reign of Christ —Lord God, heavenly Father, send forth Your Son, we pray, that he may lead home His bride, the Church, that we will all the redeemed may enter into Your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

A prayer for Christ’s return – O Lord, absolve Your people from their offenses that from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our weakness we have brought upon us, we may be delivered by Your bountiful goodness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

A prayer of supplication – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, because You desire not the death of a sinner but rather that he should turn from his evil way and live, graciously turn away from us the punishments which we by our sins have deserved and which have been borne for us by our Lord Jesu Christ, and grant us ever to serve You in holiness and pureness of living; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House
Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C – John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

Christ the King

Lord God, heavenly Father, send forth Your Son, we pray, that He may lead home His bride, the Church, that we with all the redeemed may enter into Your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

As He stood trial Christ found Himself before Pilate. But Pilate was before Christ as are all people, as Jesus proclaims Himself to be the King of Kings.

1. The King
A. Not an earthly king.
1. He had no army or other trappings of royalty.
2. When the Jews wanted to make Him their king, He refused. Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. (John 6:15)
B. But He was a King indeed.
1. He is a King from eternity. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. (Ps. 24:8; John 1:1)
2. He was predicted in the Old Testament. Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (Zechariah 9:9; Isaiah 9:6-7)
3. Yet, He was born a King for us. The wise men from the East asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Matthew 2:2; John 1:14)
a. He is God and man in one person. I and the Father are one. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (John 10:30; Matthew 14:33)
b. He came to bear witness to the truth. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Matthew 9:35)
c. He came to die for the sins of the world. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. …and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. (John 10:11; Matthew 1:21; 18:11)
d. He came to rise again as conqueror of sin, death, and hell (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Transition: Jesus is King above all kings. To Him has been given a kingdom which shall have no end.

2. The Kingdom
A. The origin of the Kingdom.
1. Planned in eternity through God’s choice of the elect. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30)
2. Planned in Christ Jesus. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5:25-27)
B. This Kingdom is worldwide. He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16)
C. The blessings of the Kingdom.
1. Not security from want and war.
2. But the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
D. The growth of the Kingdom.
1. Not by military might.
2. But by the proclamation of the truth. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
E. The duration of the Kingdom.
1. Earthly kingdoms rise and fall.
2. But Christ’s kingdom is everlasting. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen (2 Timothy 4:18)
F. All who hear His voice are members of the Kingdom. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

To the King of kings and Lord of lords be honor and power everlasting. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen (1Timothy 6:13-16)

Time in the Word - Christ the King

The theme for the last Sunday of the church year is the King and His Kingdom. Without any difficulty the theme of kingship can be seen in the lessons. We now come to the end of the church year. Throughout the year we have covered the life, work and teachings of Jesus, and it comes to a glorious climax today with a “Hallelujah Chorus.” The Gospel reminds us that Jesus’ kingdom is not a worldly kingdom. The Old Testament lesson pictures the Son of Man upon His ascension receiving an eternal and universal kingdom. The King of kings will return to earth, according to the Epistle lesson. The refrain of the Psalm for the day could not be plainer: “The Lord is King.”

Collect for Christ the King –Lord Jesus Christ, so govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of Your glorious return, we may persevere in both faith and holiness of living; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, 16 November 2009—Psalm 39:4-5, 7-8, 12a, Antiphon, 2 Peter 3:13b–We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. The Antiphon expresses the desire of every believing child of God – to be home with the Lord. This is our destiny. We are not earthbound. We are only strangers here – heaven is our home.

Tuesday, 17 November 2009—Psalm 93; key verse v1- “The Lord is King” This refrain is the theme of the entire day –The Lord is King. He is the king above all other kings, the one and true God. We offer Him our worship and praise for He is worthy of our worship, praise, glory and honor. He is truly the Christ, our King.

Wednesday, 18 November 2009— Daniel 7:13-14– God gives the son of man an eternal kingdom. A vision of the son of man’s presentation to the Lord who gave Him an indestructible kingdom. Here we get the picture of one like a son of man appearing before the Lord, not coming to earth as in Mark 13. By the time of the New Testament, the Son of Man was conceived as an individual, a heavenly figure. Jesus used the term to signify His messiahship. This is the proclamation of the final establishment of Christ’s kingly rule. It says that at the end all things in the world will be subject to Christ and that all nations will serve Him. This is the basis for Christian hope.

Thursday, 19 November 2009—Revelation 1:4b-8 – The King of kings’ return will be seen by all. Christ the king of kings will return to the earth. This passage contains a greeting similar to Paul’s, a doxology, an announcement of Jesus’ return, and God’s declaration of His being alpha and omega. Grace and peace come from the Trinity: (God-father; Christ-son; Holy Spirit – “seven spirits”, the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit.) The beginning and the end of the passage deal with God, but Christ is the subject of the central section. Jesus is a witness, the firstborn of the dead, the king of kings (death, resurrection and ascension.) Because of His love, Jesus redeemed us, made us a kingdom, and will come to judge the earth.

Friday, 20 November 2009 – John 18:33-37– Christ’s kingship is totally other than this world. Jesus explains to Pilate that, though He is a king, His kingship is not of this world. Pilate has Jesu inside his court and the Jews are outside. Pilate is torn between the two. He is trying to make up his mind by asking Jesus questions., His first question is whether Jesus is a king. This is a political term and thus it is very dangerous. Jesus dodges the question by asking Pilate if this was his or others’ opinion. The other question concerns what Jesus has done. Jesus explains that His kingship is not of this world. This is proved by the fact that Jesus is not using force to defend Himself. Jesus explains that His mission in the world was to bear witness to the truth. But, only those of the truth and of God will accept His words as truth.

Why was Jesus born? Here we have the answer in Jesus’ own words He was born to bear witness of the truth He was sent by God. He was given a message. He had a destiny. Because of this, He had a reason to live and knew the meaning of life. In a world where many drift and are confused as to the way and wherefore of life, Christ has a message: Discover your divine destiny. As a follower of Christ, one’s mission is to bear witness to the truth – the truth of God’s love for a fallen humanity.

Saturday, 21 November 2009—Colossians 1:5, 20, 23, 27 Hebrews 1:2, 1 Peter 2:24- Sunday’s hymn of the day is O Jesus King Most Wonderful. (LSB 554) As you come to worship tomorrow come expecting to offer your Savior the worship with which He is worthy. Come to offer Him your gift of adoration and praise. But do more then simply come to a worship service – in service worship Him.

Collect for the Glorious Reign of Christ —Lord God, heavenly Father, send forth Your Son, we pray, that he may lead home His bride, the Church, that we will all the redeemed may enter into Your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

A prayer for home and family: Visit, we implore You, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, and keep far from them all harm and danger. Grant us to dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels and may Your blessing be with us forever.

A prayer for Christ’s return – O Lord, absolve Your people from their offenses that from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our weakness we have brought upon us, we may be delivered by Your bountiful goodness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

For strong faith in Christ – Almighty and ever-living God, since You have given exceedingly great and precious promises to those who believe, grant us so perfectly and without all doubt to believe in Your Son Jesus Christ, that our faith in Your sight may never be reproved; through our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

A prayer of supplication – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, because You desire not the death of a sinner but rather that he should turn from his evil way and live, graciously turn away from us the punishments which we by our sins have deserved and which have been borne for us by our Lord Jesu Christ, and grant us ever to serve You in holiness and pureness of living; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 and Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House
Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B – John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH