Tag: Jesus Christ

5th Sunday after Pentecost, 14 Jul 2019: Luke 10:25-37 ~ The Compassionate Neighbor.

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer:

In Christ you draw near to us, God of mercy and compassion, lifting us out of death, binding up our wounds, and nursing our spirits back to health. Let such a tenderness as yours compel us to go and do likewise. 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.
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“Love divine all loves excelling” – Keswick Praise

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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 10:25-37 (NLT)

The Most Important Commandment

One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”

The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”

The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Parable of the Good Samaritan

Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

“By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.

The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
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Intercession:

God of compassion: we come before your throne of grace to receive your mercy and help. Hear our prayers for those in need –

+ For Christian leaders that they may preach the Gospel and practice what they preach….
+ For strangers and aliens that they may be protected and find food, shelter and rest….
+ For those divided by prejudice and hatred that they may be overcome by your love….
+ For Christians that we may show charity and kindness to everyone we meet….
+ For victims of violence and crime that they may receive support and healing….
+ For those suffering the effects of natural disaster, that their lives may be restored….

God of love and compassion: hear our prayers and respond to them out of your loving-kindness and grace, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Mighty To Save” – Hillsong Chapel

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Closing: – Colossians 1:9-10

May God give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

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

Saturday Morning, 13 Jul 2019 – 2 Peter 1:1-11 ~ Make every effort to respond to God’s promises.

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.
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Reading from the Book of 2 Peter 1:1-11 (NLT)

Greetings from Peter

This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ.

I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

Growing in Faith

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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Morning Reflection:

Make every effort to respond to God’s promises.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.
– 2 Peter 1:3 –

Peter’s Second Letter has the marks of a “spiritual” last will and testament. His purpose was to encourage believers to grow in faith, even as the world around them became more unbelieving (apostate). His counsel speaks to our need today – to grow in godliness as strangers and aliens living in an unbelieving world.

Peter reminds us that God has given us all we need to live godly lives, specifically his Word and his Spirit. God’s Word is filled with God’s promises and God’s Spirit reminds us of these promises and applies them to our lives when we need them most. There is power in the promises of God because they are backed by the power of God himself.

+ God’s promises are mediated through God’s Son, Jesus Christ – the more we know of him and grow in him, the more these promises are realized in our lives.

+ God’s nature becomes infused in our lives the more we know of Christ and the more we become united with him through faith.

Peter views “godliness” as a choice – actually, a series of choices – to love what God loves, or to love what the world loves. Here are the godly choices Peter sets before us –

“Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence,
and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control,
and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness,
and godliness with brotherly affection,
and brotherly affection with love for everyone.”
– 2 Peter 1:5-7 –

Christlikeness is the goal of growing in godliness. Peter says we have everything we need to do just that.

Questions for consideration:

  • Do you think of yourself as a godly person? Please explain.
  • God’s Word and Spirit are the powerful means given us to grow in godliness. What role do they play in shaping your life?
  • When you review the choices Peter sets before us, where do you need to grow? What would have to change to make that possible? Please explain.
  • As a Christian, what do you want your children to know about your faith? What have you learned about living a godly life? What example have you set for them? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Prayer for Grace to Seek God in Every Way: (Benedict of Nursia)

Gracious and holy Father, please give me intellect to understand you, reason to discern you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, a spirit to know you, a heart to meditate upon you, ears to hear you, eyes to see you, a tongue to proclaim you, a way of life pleasing to you, patience to wait for you, and perseverance to look for you. Grant me a perfect end, your holy presence, a blessed resurrection, and life everlasting. Amen.

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“Standing on the Promises” – Christian Gospel Choir

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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

Friday Morning: 12 Jul 2019 – 1 Peter 5:1-14 ~ Stand firm in God’s grace.

Friday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Endurance – Friday)

Almighty God, whose beloved Son first suffered pain and crucifixion before entering into glory: Mercifully grant that we, walking in his footsteps, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – 1 Peter 5:1-14 (NLT)

Advice for Elders and Young Men

And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you:

Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.

Peter’s Final Greetings

I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.

Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark. Greet each other with a kiss of love.

Peace be with all of you who are in Christ.
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Morning Reflection:

Stand firm in God’s grace.

My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you
that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you.
Stand firm in this grace.
– Peter 5:12b –

How then should we live when faced with suffering for Christ?

Elders: In view of the inevitability of trials and God’s judgment, Peter addresses those who are entrusted with the responsibility of oversight (elders/pastors) of congregations of believers.

+ Serve God’s people willingly because of eagerness to serve God.
+ Lead God’s people with humility by setting a godly example.

All Believers: Peter reminds us that believers all around the world are facing the same trials and temptations that we face. Why is that? Because we all face the same great enemy – the devil, who prowls the world seeking to deceive and destroy God’s people. So what can we do in the face of this pervasive, destructive force?

+ Humble ourselves under the mighty power of God, trusting him to raise us up in honor.
+ Give all our worries and cares to God, believing in his steadfast love.
+ Watch out and stand firm against the schemes of the devil, and grow stronger in faith.
+ Remember God has called us to share in his eternal glory through faith in Jesus Christ.
+ Trust in God’s loving-kindness to restore, support, and strengthen us, by placing us on the firm foundation of his grace.

Questions for consideration:

  • Are you connected with other believers in a church? Is there a person who is charged with the care of your soul – an elder (pastor)? What sort of relationship do you have with that person? Please explain?
  • Peter urges us to humble ourselves under the mighty power of God. What does that mean for you? How does that work out in your life? Please explain.
  • Can you think of ways that Satan has attempted to deceive you, or steal your joy, or even destroy your faith? How did you resist? Please explain.
  • Where do you need to stand firm in God’s grace today? What part does God’s loving-kindness and your faith play in standing firm?

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Morning Prayer: For Standing Firm

Gracious God, you hold the victory over sin and death in this world.

Thank you for calling us into Your family through faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ, and for the freedom and hope he gives us.

Through the power of his Name, enable us to stand firm against the deceit and schemes of the evil one. Thank you for the power of your Word and Spirit at work within us shielding, protecting, strengthening, exposing deeds of darkness, bringing to light what needs to be known, covering us from the cruel attacks we face even when we’re unaware.

Give us wisdom and discernment to recognize the schemes of the enemy in our lives that we may stand strong against his work. And remind to pray earnestly and regularly for all believers who face the same trails and tribulations that we do, and even far worse.

Gracious God, we stand solidly on the firm foundation you have given us through faith in Jesus Christ, in him we live and move and have our being, and it’s in his Name we pray. Amen.
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“Stand In Your Love” – Josh Baldwin (Bethel Music)

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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

Thursday Morning: 11 Jul 2019 – 1 Peter 4:1-19 ~ Live for God and Expect Suffering.

Thursday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Guidance – Thursday)

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: Guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our lives we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – 1 Peter 4:1-19 (NLT)

Living for God

So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead. That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead—so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit.

The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Suffering for Being a Christian

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? And also,

“If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?”

So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
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Morning Reflection:

Live for God and Expect Suffering

So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right,
and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
– 1 Peter 5:19 –

Once again, Peter calls us to live for God – even if it involves physical suffering – after the example of Jesus Christ. In suffering with Christ, our sinful desires are replaced with the desire to do God’s will. So then, how shall we live for God?

+ Reject evil things – such as immorality and lust, drunkenness and wild parties, and idol worship.
+ Pursue godly things – earnest and disciplined prayer, deep love for other believers, and hospitality to those in need.
+ Serve one another – use your spiritual gifts of speaking and helping with all the strength and energy that God supplies, all to his glory.

And, don’t be surprised by suffering, rather be glad. Why?

+ Suffering makes us partners with Christ in his suffering.
+ Suffering with Christ will result in seeing the joy of his glory when it is revealed.
+ Insults as a Christian result in the blessing of God’s Spirit resting on us.
+ Suffering for being a Christian removes all fear of God’s final judgement.

“We may not always understand what God is doing,
but we know that He is doing what is best for us. We do not live on explanations;
we live on promises.” (Warren Wiersbe)

Questions for consideration:

  • In living for God, what are some evil things that God is calling you to reject? What are some godly things that God is calling you to pursue? Please explain.
  • Have you faced suffering for being a Christian? What form did it take? Please explain.
  • Do you identify with Christ in any of your suffering? How has suffering shaped your life for the better?  Please explain.
  • What promises of God do you find most helpful when faced with suffering? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:  For Persecuted Christians –

Sovereign God, we worship You and we acknowledge that You know all those who suffer in Your name.

  • We remember those who are imprisoned for their faith and ask that they would join with the Apostle Paul to see that even though they remain captive, their chains have furthered the gospel, not frustrated it. May they inspire and embolden their fellow believers to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

God of all comfort, for those who are tortured both in body and mind, give them the grace to endure and to see their suffering as part of following in Christ’s footsteps.

  • Merciful God, for those asked to pay the ultimate price; who are martyred because of their love for You, may they truly know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.

Father God, for those who are widowed and orphaned may they know the comfort that comes from Your promised presence even when they walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

  • May they be strengthened by Your Spirit, enabling them to rejoice with the psalmist as they proclaim that the Lord will not abandon them in death.

Heavenly Father, we ask that You would make us ever mindful of our brothers and sisters around the world who need us to stand with them as they suffer in Your name.

  • Teach us what it means to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony; we pray that we would not love our lives so much as to shrink from death. O Lord, hear our prayer.

Faithful God, we trust in Your promises and pray that You would strengthen us and empower us to live godly lives and endure suffering after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.
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“O God, Do Thou Sustain Me” – The Overholt Family

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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

Wednesday Morning: 10 Jul 2019 – 1 Peter 3:1-22 ~ Be prepared to explain your hope in Christ.

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.
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Morning Reading – 1 Peter 3:1-22 (NLT)

Wives

In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.

Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands. For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.

Husbands

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

All Christians

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say,

“If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”

Suffering for Doing Good

Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.
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Morning Reflection:

Be prepared to explain your hope in Christ.

“You must worship Christ as Lord of your life.
And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”
– 1 Peter 3:15 –

Today’s reading refers back to Chapter 2, in the same way, re: the discussion of respecting authority and doing good, even in the face of injustice. The general idea is that believers should live such good and exemplary lives that their neighbors, and even their oppressors, would see how they live and ask, “What makes you different?”

What sort of behavior does Peter have in mind?

+ Believers should exhibit unity, sympathy, love, tenderness, and humility.
+ Believers should bless those who insult and oppress them.
+ Believers should be honest, speak the truth, do good and work for peace.

These facets of Christian living are straightforward enough when life is good; but what about when our lives turn sour – at home, at work, at church, or in our communities? But that’s Peter’s point; expect suffering as a believer and when you experience it, here’s how you should behave in order to honor Jesus Christ whom you serve.

Look at the contexts that Peter identifies.

+ Wives: Respect husbands even when it’s difficult because they’re unbelievers.
+ Husbands: Respect and honor wives as equal partners in God’s gift of new life.
+ Enemies: Love them and bless them, even as God has loved and blessed us.

In sum: It’s because of our exemplary lifestyle as believers tat people will ask us about our faith.

Questions for consideration:

  • Has anyone ever asked you about the hope you have in Jesus Christ? Please explain.
  • As you review the positive facets of Christian living that Peter cites, which ones do you think you exemplify? Which ones need work? Please explain.
  • In your experience, what context is most difficult to love and bless an oppressor, or enemy? Please explain.
  • What would you say is the reason for your hope in Christ? Can you explain it in less than 5 minutes? Try it.

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Morning Prayer:For Families –

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you set the solitary in families: We commend to your continual care the homes in which your people dwell. Put far from them every root of bitterness, the desire of vainglory, and the pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, and true godliness. Knit together in constant affection those who, in holy matrimony, have been made one flesh; turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the hearts of children to their parents; and so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we may evermore be joined to one another with bonds of loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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“Glorious Day (Living He loved me)” – Casting Crowns

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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