Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Rev. Franke's Theme Thoughts



Reformation Day                                                                                                           October 31, 2012
                                               
Lessons for Reformation Day       

Revelation 14:6-7 ~ God sent a messenger to proclaim the eternal gospel.
        Psalm 46  (Antiphon: Psalm 46:1)
Romans 3:19-28 ~ Gods law uncovers our sin; His grace proclaims our justification.
        John 8:31-36 ~ Gods Son sets us free indeed!

GATHERING THE TEXTS:  The Gift of God's Grace
God's grace is our refuge and fortress.  We are not able to do anything to get into God's good graces; he has brought us there!  In Jesus, God has given us a new way to be brought to justice.  Our sentence is carried out through the blood of God's own Son, and we are set free from condemnation.  In the new covenant of Jesus' blood, God forgets our sins and promises us eternal life as heirs of his kingdom!

PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE:  Gracious God in heaven above, through Christ you came to me in love; help me always know your grace and in it see your loving face.  Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: God showers us with His richest blessings for this life and for eternity, even though we have done nothing to earn or deserve them.  He has put them into our care so that we may share them with others who need to know Gods great mercy in life and His love in Christ.

OFFERING PRAYER:      Our life, our love, and wealth, O Lord,
                                                We dedicate to You.
                                                Sanctify us for Your work
                                                In all we say and do.

CONVICTION AND COMFORT:  We want life to be fair, but we have a way of interpreting lifes circumstances  so that we do not see our own failings and even deny our slavery to sin.  The law of God holds us to account for all our sins.  Suddenly we realize it is not justice that we need, but mercy.  God, by His grace, has meted out justice on our sin and at the same time, has given us His own righteousness!  Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ His Son!

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