Tag: Jesus Christ

Wednesday Morning: 23 Oct 2019 – Matthew 25:31-46 ~ The Separation

Wednesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Grace – Wednesday)

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading –

The Final Judgment

“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’

“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
__________

Morning Reflection:

The Separation

‘I tell you the truth,
when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,
you were doing it to me!’  – Matthew 25:40 –

At the Final Judgement, Jesus – enthroned in heaven – will separate the righteous from the wicked. The basis for His judgment will be reception or rejection of Him, as seen in people’s reception or rejection of His brothers and sisters.

Who are Jesus’ brothers and sisters? Certainly those who do God’s will – including the believing poor of the world. Are all the poor of the world Jesus’ brothers and sisters? I’ll leave that up to you to decide.

Questions for consideration:

  • When you consider the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned, who comes to mind? Please explain.
  • Do you think that Jesus’ brothers and sisters, in this context, include both believers and unbelievers? What are the implications for you? Please explain.
  • How have you cared for the poor included in Jesus’ description of His brothers and sisters? Do you view this as a burden or privilege? Please explain.

__________

Morning Prayer:  You Offer Us the Kingdom – written by Christine Jerrett,

We name you gracious Master and our God, Great Redeemer and King.

You offer us the kingdom, Lord Jesus;
a realm where the hungry are fed, the thirsty are given something to drink; and the homeless are housed, You offer us a realm where those who are shivering are clothed, the sick are visited, those in prison hear good news.

We wonder how we are to receive such a gift:
Will you require of us more than what we are already doing?
Will you judge us for what we have done and what we have left undone? Will you leave us out of your community of salvation?

In your great love and mercy, move us beyond fear;
move us beyond guilt; move us beyond our anxious worry. Move us deeper into your surprising grace; Heal the blindness that does not see you when you come to us in distressing disguise. Set us free from serving lesser gods.

Most of all, form in us the mind of Christ, so that we see the world through your eyes, so that our hearts are broken by the things that break your heart, and so that we delight in the things that delight you, and you create in us courage enough not to duck.

We ask in your life-giving name.

________

“When Its All Been Said and Done” – Robin Mark

__________

Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Tuesday Morning, 22 Oct 2019 – Matthew 25:1-30 ~ use well what you are given

Tuesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening (A Collect for Peace – Tuesday)

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – Matthew 25:1-30 (NLT)

Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

“At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’

“All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’

“But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’

“But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’

“But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.

Parable of the Three Servants

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.  He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

“The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.

“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

“The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’

“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’

“But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’

“Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
__________

Morning Reflection:

use well what you are given

He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone…
dividing it in proportion to their abilities.
– Matthew 25:14-15 –

Faithfulness, as Jesus illustrates in the story of the three servants, involves using what God has entrusted us to advance His interests in the world.

The teaching points include –

+ All that we are given are gracious gifts of God, distributed according to the abilities he has given us.

+ The gifts God has given us are a kind of working capital to use for his glory.

+ Faithfulness involves taking some prudent risks; fear of doing something wrong stifles our potential.

+ The greater our gifts and abilities, the greater our risk, and the greater our responsibility.

Questions for consideration:

  • How would you assess the gifts that God has entrusted to you? Think in broad terms, e.g.spiritual gifts, natural abilities, the gospel, opportunities for service, money, community, ethnicity – all that things that make you uniquely you. Please explain.
  • Can you think of ways that you have used some of these gifts to glorify God and advance his Kingdom purposes? Please explain.
  • When you consider the gifts that God has entrusted to you, do you think you have lived up to your potential? Why / why not?
  • Where do you need to risk stepping out in faith in order to glorify God and advance his Kingdom purposes? Please explain.

_________
Morning Prayer: For the potential You have given us –

+ For the potential You see in us and the possibilities that lie ahead:
Christ be before us.

+ For our plans and their fulfillment, for Your promises and their unfolding:
Christ be before us.

+ In the problems that beset us and the perils that ensnare us:
Christ be before us.

+ Be around us, above us, and beneath us.
On Your path, O my God and not my own,
be all my journeying.

Rule this heart of mine that it be only Yours.
Amen.

__________

“Rule In My Heart” – Beth Croft

__________

Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Monday Morning, 21 Oct 2019 – Matthew 24:29-51 ~ be ready all the time

Monday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening –  A Collect for the Renewal of Life (Monday)

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

__________

Morning Reading -Matthew 24:29-51 (NLT)

“Immediately after the anguish of those days,

the sun will be darkened,
the moon will give no light,
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.  In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

“Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

“A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
__________

Morning Reflection:

be ready all the time

“You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
– Matthew 24:44 –

Watchful preparation is necessary since no one knows the day, the hour, the month, or the year when Jesus will return. The alternative is to live life as usual without regard to the King’s return. Jesus deliberately discouraged believers from setting dates so that we would always be ready for his return. But that’s not easy to do since the daily grind, tends to lull us into dangerous complacency.

It’s normal for even remarkable signs of an impending change to have no effect on people. For example, when TV meteorologists announce the coming of a hurricane or tornado, there are always some people in its path who refuse to seek safety. All the more so when meteorologists hype the danger and often get it wrong.

Questions for consideration:

  • How do you prepare for an impending natural disaster such as a hurricane, or tornado? Please explain.
  • Have you ever ignored the warnings of TV meteorologists? Why? What happened? Please explain.
  • Earthquakes, on the other hand, occur suddenly without waning? How would you prepare for an earthquake? Please explain.
  • Jesus’ return is likened to something between a hurricane and an earthquake – there will be warning signs, but it will happen suddenly? What would it take for you to be prepared? Please explain.
  • As a believer caught up in the daily grind, what sort of things lull you into complacency regarding Christ’s return? Please explain.
  • What can you do to live as a faithful, sensible servant of King Jesus, always ready for his return? How would that change your priorities, or lifestyle? Please explain.

_________

Morning Prayer: For Watchfulness (Lancelot Andrewes)

Thou, who with thine own mouth hast told us that at midnight the bridegroom shall come: Grant that the cry, “The bridegroom cometh!” may sound evermore in our ears, that so we be never unprepared to meet him, or forgetful of the souls for whom he died, for whom we watch and pray. And save us, O Lord. Amen.
__________

“I Will Wait For You (Psalm 130)” – Shane & Shane

__________

Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

19th Sunday after Pentecost, 20 Oct 2019, Luke 18:1-8 ~ always pray and never give up

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Prayer:

Faithful God, tireless guardian of your people, always ready to hear the cries of your chosen ones, teach us to rely, day and night, on your gracious care. Support our prayer lest we grow weary. Impel us to seek your enduring justice and your ever-present help. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

__________

“Here I Bow” – Brian & Jenn Johnson

__________

Gospel Reading: Luke 18:1-8 (NLT)

Parable of the Persistent Widow

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people.

A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”

Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

__________

“Before the Throne of God Above” – Selah

__________

Intercession:

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth: watch over us, and hear our prayers –

+ For church leaders around the world, that they may remain faithful to the Scriptures….
+ For believers around the world, that we may grow in wisdom and trust of Christ Jesus….
+ For missionaries around the world, that they may graciously endure the hardships of their work…
+ For believers in Syria and the Middle East, that they may never give up praying for your protection and peace….
+ For all who are troubled and hard pressed, that we might never give up praying for your help and deliverance….

Our help is in your name, O Lord, watch over us in our coming and going, and respond with mercy and loving-kindness to your people in need. We ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

__________

All the Poor and Powerless – Shane & Shane

__________

Closing: Ephesians 3:20-21 ((NLT)

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
__________

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning, 19 Oct 2019 – Matthew 24:1-28 ~ signs of the end

Saturday Morning

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:  (A Collect for Sabbath Rest – Saturday)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and set aside a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared to meet you in worship, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading: Matthew 24:1-28 (NLT)

Jesus Speaks about the Future

As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”

Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”

Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

“The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!) “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.

“Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. See, I have warned you about this ahead of time.

“So if someone tells you, ‘Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,’ don’t bother to go and look. Or, ‘Look, he is hiding here,’ don’t believe it! For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.
__________

Morning Reflection:

Signs of the End
“Tell us what sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”
– Matthew 24:3 –

The disciples’ questions link the return of Christ with this present age and the establishment of his Kingdom, i.e. the end of this world as we know it. The same concerns occupy believers today. Nevertheless, Jesus was clear –

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen,
not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself.
Only the Father knows.“
– Matthew 24:36 –

Still, the signs will preface a cataclysmic event on the Day of Judgement –

  • False prophets and messiahs, liars, deceivers and rampant sin…
  • Counterfeit signs and wonders by these false messiahs
  • Desecration of the Temple in Jerusalem
  • Wars and threats of war between nations and kingdoms…
  • Natural disasters – famines, earthquakes, lightning flashes

But don’t panic –

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world,
so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”
– Matthew 24:14 –

Questions for consideration:

  • Consider current world events; do you see any signs that might point to the end? Please explain.
  • As you read through the signs of the end that Jesus described, are some more worrisome than others? Please explain.
  • What does your faith community teach about the end times? What do you expect? Please explain.
  • Since no one knows exactly when the end will come, what can you do to be prepared? Please explain.

__________

Morning Prayer:
for Trustfulness In Times Of Worry and Anxiety –

Most loving Father, you will us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on the One who cares for us. Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested unto us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

__________

“Days of Elijah” – Robin Mark

__________

Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen