Greetings in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. I encourage you to attend church services to hear His word and receive His gifts of forgiveness and eternal life.
You are invited to join us for our November 27 Thanksgiving Eve service, and midweek Advent services in December. Those services will begin at 6:30pm.
Many congregations designate this coming Sunday, November 24, as the Last Sunday of the Church Year. It may seem at times that life is cyclic, the same routines and seasons repeating over and over again. But be assured, our earthly lives are linear. We grow older moving toward the day of our passing from this world into the world that is to come. Each minute, day, and year we are moving closer to the day Jesus returns and raises the dead—believers will go to glory in heaven, while unbelievers will be sent in contempt away from God’s presence. It is time now to prepare for Jesus’ appearing. As He says in this Sunday’s Gospel reading, ‘Be on guard; Keep awake, for you do not know when the time will come.
We will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 of the LSB hymnal. We will also review the petitions 5-7 of the Lord’s Prayer and Luther’s explanation of them.
Hymns chosen for the day are #512 At the Name of Jesus; #508 The Day is Surely Drawing Near; #575 My Hope is Built on Nothing Less; and #941 We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God.
Scripture texts that will be read include Psalm 93:1-5; Isaiah 51:4-6; Jude 20-25; and Mark 13:24-37
Psalm 93 acknowledges and celebrates the ‘kingship’ of God. He reigns over all things forever, including creation and time. Water crashing against rocks will eventually erode away a sea cliff or a riverbank. But God is immovable, a constant ruler, protector, and helper. His Word endures forever. His word includes warning against sin, and it also reminds us that Jesus was sent to rescue us from the consequences of our sin. God declares you holy, that is, washed in the blood of Jesus and set apart for His purpose in the waters of baptism. In our various vocations, let us live each day as members of the eternal body of Jesus.
Isaiah was God’s prophet to the people of Judah 700 years before the birth of Jesus. Isaiah warned the people of God’s coming judgment. Their cities would be destroyed, and their families would be exiled because they had followed idols, treated their neighbors unjustly, and not given heed to God’s word. In Isaiah 51, God speaks words of comfort through the prophet, promising restoration and salvation to those who repented and listened to Him. His word was fulfilled in part when the citizens of Judah were brought back to Jerusalem from exile, and city and the temple were rebuilt. But this word of prophecy will be fulfilled in a more glorious way when Jesus returns. His justice, salvation, and righteousness will be forever. Everything else in creation will wear out and vanish like smoke for they are temporary. But the kingdom of Jesus is eternal. And the day of its full revelation is drawing ever closer. Do not be dismayed. Jesus will rescue you from the brokenness of this sinful world. Turn to Him while there is time.
Jude (sometimes named as Judas or Judah) was a brother of James, the leaders of the church in Jerusalem, and half-brother to Jesus (Mark 6:3). Like St. Peter’s letters, he is writing to people undergoing persecution, and encouraging them to remain faithful as they await the return of Jesus, and to avoid false teachers. Jude’s letter is brief, only one chapter and 25 verses in length. Jude reminds us that persecution and false teachers should be expected in this word. As they opposed and abused Jesus, they will also oppose and abuse us who follow Jesus. So Jude encourages Christians of every generation to build themselves up in faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. How does one build up in faith? St. Paul wrote that faith comes by hearing the words of Jesus. So we should study Jesus’ word, and apply His words to our life. Believe Jesus words. Turn away from the temptations to sin. Receive the gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation He administers through baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Don’t limit your attention to the events of this world, but instead, look forward to the world that is to come. Tell your family and friends and neighbors too, that they would also believe in Jesus and be saved from God’s coming judgment. Jude ends his letter with a doxology, praising God and exalting Jesus, our eternal Lord.
In the Gospel account from Mark 13, Jesus continues His discourse regarding the events that will occur at the end of time. The destruction of the temple in Jerusalem He foretold was only the beginning of the tribulation. One day, cosmic events will signal the coming of Jesus and His angels as they bring about the end of the world as we know it. We do not know when these events will take place. But the signs have been shown to every generation as surely as a budding tree tells us summer is coming. So keep your eyes open. Do not be lulled into complacency by the routines and temptations of this world. Jesus has prepared the way that you may enjoy the salvation He is bringing. Jesus is surely coming with His reward for those who remain faithful to Him until the end. He is the First and Last, and our Lord. Let’s be ready to meet Him.
COLLECT: O Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit so that ever mindful of Your glorious return, we may persevere in both faith and holiness of living; for You live and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s Scripture readings. God bless you. Pastor Boster
