Tag: Jesus Christ

The 5th Sunday of Epiphany – 10 Feb 2019 – Luke 5:1-11 ~ fishing for people

Fifth Sunday of Epiphany

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

Opening Prayer

Most holy God, the earth is filled with your glory, and in your presence angels stand in awe. Enlarge our vision, that we may recognize your power at work in your Son and join the apostles and prophets as heralds of your saving word. We ask 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.
__________

“Let It Rise” – Holland Davis 1999

__________

Gospel Reading: Luke 5:1-11 (NLT)

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
__________

Prayers of Intercession:

O Lord our God: Show us your unfailing love! And strengthen us in truth and righteousness that all the peoples of the earth might recognize your glory and sing your praises. We pray especially –

+ For all who preach your Word, that they may do so faithfully and consistently, without fear or hesitation….
+ For all who teach your Word, that they may strengthen your people in truth and understanding….
+ For all who hear your Word, that we may grow in faith and obedience, bearing witness to the good news of your saving grace….
+ For all who suffer abuse or violence, that they may receive protection and experience your loving-kindness….
+ For all victims of human trafficking, that they may be delivered from evil and their lives restored….
+ For all who are sick, especially for friends and loved ones in hospitals or nursing homes, that we may be bearers of your light and life to them….
+ For all who have died in Christ, that they sing your praises with the angelic host for ever and ever….

O Lord our God: your faithfulness knows no bounds; no one is beyond the reach of your mercy and loving-kindness. Send us out into the world as heralds of your good news, and ministers of your salvation and peace – through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever Amen.
__________

” Not Afraid” – Jesus Culture

__________

Blessing – Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do far more than all that we ask or imagine, according to his 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: 09 Feb 2019 – John 11:28-44 ~ Jesus wept.

Saturday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – John 11:28-44 (NLT)

Then she returned to Mary. She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, “The Teacher is here and wants to see you.” So Mary immediately went to him.

Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him. When the people who were at the house consoling Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there. When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. “Where have you put him?” he asked them.

They told him, “Lord, come and see.” Then Jesus wept. The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”

Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.

But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”

Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”
__________

Morning Reflection:

What moves Jesus to tears?

In today’s reading, Jesus displays a range of human emotions that move him to tears. Mary comes out to greet him accompanied by friends weeping and wailing over the death of Lazarus.

“If only you had been here….” she laments. (vs 32)

And how did Jesus respond?

When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her,
a deep anger welled up within him (he was angry in his spirit),
and he was deeply troubled. (vs 33)

Then Jesus wept. (vs 35)

We don’t know exactly why Jesus wept, but we do have some clues –

+ Love for his friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus – Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, understood and fully entered into their pain and suffering.

+ Dismay over their unbelief – Jesus, the Son of God, sent by God to bring eternal life to those who live and believe in him.

+ Anger over the scourge of sin and death – Jesus, the Lamb of God, who would defeat sin and death once and for all on the cross.

Perhaps you can think of some other reasons that Jesus was moved to tears. But one thing is certain – Jesus freely joins us in our deepest pain and suffering to bring help, and healing, and hope; and to display the glory of God.

Questions for consideration:

  • Can you remember a time when you thought “if only Jesus had been here…?” Please explain.
  • Can you remember a time when you knew that Jesus was there with you in your pain and suffering? Please explain.
  • What is the most difficult (seemingly impossible) circumstance you are currently facing? Can you trust Jesus to use it for your good and God’s glory? What do you think that might look like? Please explain.

__________

Morning Prayer:

Lord Jesus: Surround us with your Loving-kindness, and fill us with your Spirit that we might understand who you are and hold on to your promises, especially in our times of pain and suffering. Thank you for your great love for us. Thank you for holding on to us forever. Thank you for your gift of eternal life. Increase our faith that we might trust you in every circumstance and recognize the display of your glory. For your name’s sake we ask it. Amen.
__________

“In God We Trust” – Hillsong Worship

__________

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: 08 Feb 2019 – John 11:1-27 ~ I believe in Jesus!

Friday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – John 11:1-27(NLT)

The Raising of Lazarus

A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.”

But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days. Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”

But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”

Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.” Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.”

The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.

So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.”

Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.”

When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”

Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”

“Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.”

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

“Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”
__________

Morning Reflection:

I believe in Jesus!

How do you face suffering, grief, and trials that threaten to overwhelm you? That’s what Martha was dealing with at the death of her beloved brother. She had hoped Jesus would come in time to save him, but to her dismay, Jesus arrived too late and Lazarus had died.

Nevertheless, Martha declared –

“Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.
But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”
– John 11:21-22

So what did Martha believe that still gave her hope? And what do you believe when faced with your own trials –

+ Martha believed that Jesus was her advocate. She brought her troubles to Jesus in order to plead her case before the Father.

+ Martha believed that God was in control. She believed in God’s sovereignty over all of life’s circumstances. Nothing was impossible for God.

+ Martha believed that God keeps his promises re: eternal life. She believed in life after death.

+ Martha believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God. She believed that Jesus was who he said he was.

+ Martha believed in Jesus for her dead brother’s life. She believed that Jesus was “the resurrection and the life” – that Jesus always has the last word over death.

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.
Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.
Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.
Do you believe this, Martha?” – John 11:25-26

+ Martha believed in Jesus. What do you believe?

Questions for consideration:

  • Can you remember a time when you suffered great loss, or faced overwhelming trials? Perhaps you are going through something like that today? Please explain.
  • Which of Martha’s beliefs did you/do you find helpful? Would you add anything? Please explain.
  • What does living in Jesus and believing in him mean to you? Are you confident that you have eternal life? Please explain.

__________

Morning Prayer:

Come to me Lord Jesus in my times of great sorrow and overwhelming trials for I believe in you. You alone have the words of eternal life. You alone are the resurrection and the life. You alone are the one who works out all things for my good and your glory. I believe in you, and I trust you. You alone hold my destiny in your hands. Amen.
__________

“Jesus I Believe” – Big Daddy Weave

__________

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: 07 Feb 2019 – John 10:22-42 ~ I belong to Jesus!

Thursday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – John 10:22-42 (NLT)

Jesus Claims to Be the Son of God

It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. He was in the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade. The people surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

Once again the people picked up stones to kill him. Jesus said, “At my Father’s direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?”

They replied, “We’re stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God.”

Jesus replied, “It is written in your own Scriptures that God said to certain leaders of the people, ‘I say, you are gods!’ And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. So if those people who received God’s message were called ‘gods,’ why do you call it blasphemy when I say, ‘I am the Son of God’? After all, the Father set me apart and sent me into the world. Don’t believe me unless I carry out my Father’s work. But if I do his work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don’t believe me. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.”

Once again they tried to arrest him, but he got away and left them. He went beyond the Jordan River near the place where John was first baptizing and stayed there awhile. And many followed him. “John didn’t perform miraculous signs,” they remarked to one another, “but everything he said about this man has come true.” And many who were there believed in Jesus.
__________

Morning Reflection:

Safe and secure from all alarm.
(Leaning on the Everlasting Arms)

When we declare that we belong to Jesus, we are declaring our faith and trust in Jesus to keep us safe and secure. And in today’s reading, Jesus guarantees just that – a promise backed up by God’s power and authority. How can he make such a claim?

Jesus explains –

“The Father and I are one.” – John 10:30

How does Jesus support his claim?

+ When Jesus speaks, God is speaking. The Gospel of John, begins with the premise that Jesus, the Word of God “was God.” (John 1:1)

+ When Jesus calls those the Father has given him to follow him, they believe, belong, and listen to him. He knows them, and they know him – because they are born again by the Spirit of God. (John 10:25-29; John 3:6)

+ When Jesus performs a sign or wonder (good work), it’s proof that the power of God is at work in him. (John 10:32, 37-38)

+ When Jesus declares himself to be “the Son of God,” he’s declaring his unity with the Father. (John 10:38)

So how did the crowd respond?

“Once again they tried to arrest him…” – John 10:39a
“And [later]many followed him.” – John 10:42

Questions for consideration:

  • Do you believe and belong to Jesus? Please explain.
  • Do you believe that you have eternal life? How sure are you? Please explain.
  • If you were to wear a shirt that said “I belong to Jesus,” how would that change your life? Please explain.

__________

Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Thank you for calling me into your fold through faith and trust in your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, I belong to Jesus. Keep me safe and secure in his care and under your protection – now and forever – that I may walk in your way and glorify your name. Amen.
__________

“Belong To You” – Iron Bell Music

__________

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: 06 Feb 2019 – John 10:1-21 ~ lead on

Wednesday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – John 10:1-21 (NLT)

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.

“The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”

When he said these things, the people were again divided in their opinions about him. Some said, “He’s demon possessed and out of his mind. Why listen to a man like that?” Others said, “This doesn’t sound like a man possessed by a demon! Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
__________

Morning Reflection:

What can I expect from Jesus, the Good Shepherd?

+ Acknowledgement – Jesus knows me personally; I am not simply one of many in the crowd. – “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (vs 10:3b)

+ Intimacy – Jesus gives me the ability to discern his voice from those of strangers who would steal, kill, and destroy me. – “They follow him because they know (recognize) his voice.” (vs 10:4b)

+ Satisfaction – Jesus gives me freedom, direction, protection, provision, and rest. – “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (vs 10:10b)

+ Devotion – Jesus loves me so much that he willingly died to save me. – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.” (vs 10:11)

Questions for consideration:

  • Can you remember a time when Jesus called you personally to follow him? How did your life change as a result? Please explain.
  • Can you remember a time when you had to make a choice to follow Jesus, or someone/something else? How did you decide? Please explain.
  • How has your life been enriched by following Jesus? Please explain.
  • Consider Jesus’ love for you; his willingness to die for you. How can you express your gratitude to him? Please explain.

__________

Morning Prayer:

Lead me, Lord! Lead me in your righteousness; make your way plain before me. For it’s you, Lord, only you who keeps me safe and satisfies the deep longing of my soul. Amen.
__________

“Shepherd” – Amanda Cook | Brave New World

__________

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