Brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of Jesus, the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world, and grants eternal life to all who follow Him.
I begin by reminding you that this weekend is time to fall back. Saturday night, set your clock back one hour. Bible class will begin Sunday at 9 am, and worship at 10:30.
Sunday is the day we will commemorate All Saints’ Day, a special day to remember the saints whose souls have gone on behold the face of Jesus, awaiting the day of resurrection of all flesh. We will be reading the names of Christian families and friends who have passed on since last November. Their is still time to text, email, or phone pastor if there is a name you would like added a name to the list.
During Sunday’s service we will be following the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Four beginning on page 203 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns selected for the occasion are #675 Oh, What Their Joy; #667 Saints, See the Cloud of Witnesses; #677 For All the Saints; #510 A Multitude Comes From the East and the West; and #671 Sing With All the Saints in Glory.
Readings assigned for the day are Psalm 149:1-9; Revelation 7:9-17; 1 John 3:1-3; and Matthew 5:1-12. People have varying definitions of what it is to be a saint. Looking to Peter’s first epistle, we are led to believe a saint is someone called holy by God into the church of Christ, set apart for holy living. While there is as yet a lot we don’t know about heaven, each of the Scripture passages to be read Sunday gives a glimpse into the rewards enjoyed by saints, those who continue to trust in God’s promises leading to His Son, Jesus.
While the psalm mentions God bringing judgment and vengeance upon the unbelieving nations, it also describes the joy believers will experience in glory. As Jesus’ earning forgiveness and eternal life for us gives us reason to dance, being in His visible presence in eternity is extra reason to celebrate and to praise Him.
The first lesson from Revelation is a portion of St. John’s description of a view of heaven given him by God. Jesus, the Lamb whose blood sets us free from sin is at the center of attention. And around Him are saints and other heavenly creatures praising Him for His works of salvation. Heaven is described in poetic terms as a place of peace and security, a world far different from the fears and griefs we struggle against in this life. Remain faithful to Jesus that you may receive this peace beyond comprehension.
The epistle lesson points us to the love of God, that He would call us sinners His children. Praise Him for His grace and mercy. On the day of resurrection all those died believing in Jesus will be raised from the dead as Jesus once was. What we will look like and what that life will be like has not yet been fully revealed to us. But God’s word through John assures us we will be something like Jesus—we will not be gods, but we will have glorified and eternal bodies. With this promise from God held before us, let us be constant in hope (not wishful thinking, but trusting and anticipating, being ready for it to happen).
The gospel lesson from Matthew 5 is a portion of what is often called Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Jesus lists some of the blessings enjoyed by those who trust in Him, living lives connected to Him. Note that these blessings are yours already if you trust Jesus, and will be fully revealed in heaven.
For now, we live in earthly tension, being both saint and sinner, with both faith and doubts, living lives both sacred and profane. As children of
God we earnestly seek Jesus to calm our fears, comfort our spirits, and forgive our sins. The Holy Spirit, through faith in Christ, leads and propels us forward, fortifying us in Word and Sacrament, to our eternal home. In the midst of our constant struggle as believers, God blesses us. By His grace, mercy, and love, through the sacrifice of Jesus, you and all the other saints will most certainly inherit the kingdom of heaven.
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 Sunday’s lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
