Brothers and sisters, please remember that tonight, Saturday night, we are to set our clocks back one hour. I encourage you to use the extra hour to come to church earlier than usual and attend Bible class.
This coming Tuesday, November 7 is an election day. Your vote will help decide whether a number of local and state propositions should be funded. Fulfill your vocation as citizen and neighbor. Consider the pros and cons of each proposition. Ask the Spirit for discernment, and vote.
On November 5 we will observe All Saints Day, remembering the saints who have gone on ahead of us. In particular we will be listing some of the saints whose souls are now in heaven awaiting the day of Jesus’ return and the resurrection of all flesh.
For the All Saints Observance we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #904 Blessed Jesus At Your Word; #667 Saints, See the Clouds of Witnesses; #678 We Sing for All the Unsung Saints; #510 A Multitude Comes From the East and the West; and #675 Oh, What Their Joy.
Scripture readings for the day are Psalm 149:1-9; Revelation 7:9-17; 1 John 3:1-3, and Matthew 5:1-12.
The words of Psalm 149 may strike you as a bit strange. It is primarily a praise psalm, urging people to celebrate God’s gracious rule. But verses 6-8 also urges the people to gather with swords and binding chains to carry out God’s justice against the ungodly. The psalm does express some of what Jesus describes about the last day—the humble believers will receive the salvation God has promised, but the unrighteous and ungodly unbelievers will receive terrible punishment. Be careful how you apply these verses. God’s kingdom is a spiritual kingdom and not of this world. The sword of God is His Word—the written word as well as the Word made flesh Jesus. It is a word that divides unbelievers from believers. Believers have a new song to sing; the newness expresses the saving gospel message of Jesus. Let us join in proclaiming His name!
The first reading is not an Old Testament text, but a passage from the book of Revelation, Chapter 7. Saint John is given a vision of heaven, and he describes what he saw. Note who is there, and what conditions are there. Jesus the Lamb of God sits on His throne, surrounded by a multitude of believers from every nation, gathered to worship Him. They are dressed in white robes, indicating they have been purified by the blood of Jesus. Heaven is described as a place of perpetual worship of Jesus, with no hunger, no sadness, nor anything to cause fear or distress. Jesus the Lamb is also the Shepherd who looks after them. Our loved ones have gone on ahead of us to this Paradise. Paradise is also open to you, and all who believe in Jesus. As He said, those who believe in Him will live, even though they die. Those who believe in Jesus will never actually die; When their earthly body stops, their souls are relocated. They await the day of Jesus’ visible return to earth, and the resurrection and transformation of all flesh. In recent weeks I have seen advertisements for yet another book being sold, which distorts and misinterprets the Scriptures, concluding Jesus will somehow return secretly, taking away believers while unbelievers are left behind. Don’t waste your money. Instead, read the Bible (especially 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5). Trust Jesus. You will have nothing to fear.
The second reading, the epistle lesson, is from St. John’s first letter. Chapter 3 begins by reminding the Church of God’s love, that He would mercifully call us sinners His own children. Then John speaks of the future, of the last day. What we will be has not yet appeared, but there will be a change when Jesus visibly returns to earth. We will be like Him. What this means is not exactly clear. From other Scripture we can conclude we will not become gods. But we will become immortal, living forever in some kind of glorified body. Knowing what we will be is not as important as knowing who will bring about this change—Jesus alone. As we hope in Him, we are purified, seeking what is righteous and holy.
The gospel lesson comes from Matthew 5 and is a part of Jesus’ so-called Sermon on the Mount. The first 12 verses list a number of blessings, often referred to as beatitudes. “Blessing” is a special word. More than mere happiness, it describes having God’s favor, and living within His sphere of protection and provision. Being blessed by God is quite similar to being saved or redeemed by Him, or restored to Him. Jesus, in His sermon, speaks to people living in a wide variety of challenging conditions—poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungering for righteousness, merciful, peacemakers, persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Jesus speaks blessing upon each of them—some of the blessings are now, for example, theirs is the kingdom of heaven; and other blessings will be received in the future, for example, they shall be comforted, they shall inherit the earth, they shall receive mercy, and they shall see God. Jesus speaks with certainty as to what is to come. The Lord of truth, love, and mercy will bless you. Again, the important think to note is that these blessings are connected to knowing and following Jesus. He gives you reason to rejoice and be glad whatever your conditions might be right now. In Him, you have salvation from sin, and God’s favor and blessing, even if it is difficult to see.
Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about the Scripture readings. God bless you and shower His favor upon you. Pastor Boster
