Brothers and sisters, loved by God and redeemed by the blood of Jesus, there are a few things happening this weekend that I want you to be aware of. Daylight Savings Time is ending. On Saturday night be sure to set you clocks back one hour. You could use that hour to get extra sleep, or you could come to church early and join the Bible study group meeting at 9.
During the 10:30 worship service we will be observing All Saints Day. Saints are often thought of as those who have done miracles or have led heroically virtuous lives demonstrating an exceptional closeness to God. However, saints or holy ones as described in the Bible are those set apart by God to be citizens in His kingdom. In his first epistle, Chapter 2, the apostle Peter reminds Christians oppressed by persecution, ‘you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.’ Peter goes on to write, ‘ Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God’. This description of saints is also evident in the Apostle Paul’s letters as he frequently uses the title ‘saints’ to refer to members of the congregations he is writing to. For example, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Paul is writing ‘to the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Holiness or sainthood is a not achieved by our works, but is a result of God’s transforming work in us. God ‘sanctifies’ us or purifies us to be holy in His eyes because Jesus has paid for our sin, and our souls have been washed and united with Jesus in the waters of baptism. There are saints on earth, members of the so-called ‘militant church’; and there are saints in heaven, members of the so-called ‘triumphant church’. But wherever Christian souls may reside, they belong to the same one Church with Jesus as our Lord and Savior. During the service Sunday we will read the names of a list of Christians who have departed this world of tribulation this past year and have gone ahead of us to heaven. There their souls await the day of Jesus’ visible return to earth, and the raising of the dead, when bodies and souls will be reunited in glory and immortality. These loved ones in heaven are examples to us of God’s mercy in granting and sustaining saving faith in sinners.
On Sunday, November 3 we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 of the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #675 Oh What Their Joy; #677 For All the Saints; #621 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence; and #671 Sing With All the Saints in Glory
Scripture passages we will be reading are Psalm 33:1, 16-22; Revelation 7:9-17; 1 John 3:1-3; and Matthew 5:1-12.
In Psalm 33 the psalmist urges everyone to sing a new song of salvation. We should exalt God with praise for He created us and all things; He continues to promote mercy, justice, and righteousness. In the verses we will be reading, the psalmist reminds us to not trust in the world’s military or political powers; They cannot rescue from God’s judgment and wrath against sin. Instead, we sinners should turn to God to fear Him, and rely on His promise to deliver us. He is our protector even against His own judgments. As we trust in Him, we can be glad. Lord, Let Your steadfast love be upon us as we hope in you.
The first reading is not an Old Testament passage, but a portion of the Revelation that God gave to the Apostle John. John sees a host of people and other creatures gathered around the throne of Jesus in heaven. They are singing praises to Him because He has delivered them from tribulation, and conquered death for them. Christian believers from every nation and language are there. Washed by the blood of Jesus, they are purified and dressed in white robes. All the troubles of earthly life will be gone because sin and its consequences will be brought to their prophetic end. The revelation gives us an apocalyptic insight into the activities Christians will enjoy in heaven.
In the epistle reading from 1 John 3, the apostle reminds us that there is a lot we don’t know about heaven, and resurrection, and life after death. But God has revealed enough trough the Scriptures that we would believe in His Son, Jesus. In some way we will be like our resurrected and ascended Savior. For now, we see dimly and partially, our views still obscured by sin and weakness. But when Jesus appears, everything will be clear. Our questions will be answered. Our doubts will be removed. Be patient and faithful. Even now God calls you His child. In His love for you, Jesus was sent to rescue you from sin and eternal death. He is with you; His Holy Spirit guides you. Don’t ignore Him.
The Gospel reading from Matthew 5 is often referred to as the Beatitudes, a series of blessings that describe Christians even in times of tribulation. Those blessing describe benefits you will receive fully as a Christian on the Last Day. But take note—those benefits are yours in Jesus even now. God will repair and reverse the troubles the world causes you for trusting in Jesus. As a saint sanctified by God, you are blessed.
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 to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that together with them we may come to those unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, 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, or questions about your place in heaven. The Lord be with you. Pastor Boster
