Pentecost 25, Series C November 14, 2010
Lessons for Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (LSB Proper 28)
Malachi 4:1–6 ~ On the Day of the Lord, God’s righteousness will consume the wicked and heal His people.
Psalm 96 (Antiphon: Psalm 96:13)
2 Thessalonians 3:(1–5) 6–13 ~ Believers are encouraged to work at doing good to show the love of Christ.
Luke 21:5–28 (29–36) ~ All kinds of disasters warn that this world will give way to God’s eternal kingdom.
GATHERING THE TEXTS: Waiting Patiently
We become impatient when we see that evildoers prosper and no distinctions are made between the wicked and the righteous; we long for the triumph of good over evil, just as God's messenger, Malachi declared. While we wait for Jesus, our Lord, to return, we are to do our duty to God and our neighbors, and not grow weary of doing good. God’s righteousness will be revealed and those who suffer for Jesus’ name will be vindicated through trials and tribulations when God’s kingdom is established with Christ as King.
PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: When there is little time, Lord, give me patience. Where there is injustice, grant me understanding. Then as I try to live my life according to your Word, I will await your judgment on sin and your fulfillment of the Kingdom in glory. Amen.
STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: Even though it seems God is so slow to establish His righteous rule, there are plenty signs to remind us we should use the goods He has placed in our control to show His love to those who do not yet know His mercy in Christ Jesus.
OFFERING PRAYER: Disasters in this world, O Lord, are sure to terrify,
And bring a lot of suff’ring – loss of life and property.
They also show us that our goods are worthless when we die
And give us loving deeds to do and opportunity.
CONVICTION AND COMFORT: We are impatient for justice when we see evil prevail. We don’t trust God’s plan because we don’t know what it is. We can’t wait for God’s time table because we don’t know how long it will take. But God has given us enough to do while we wait; we are to work hard to alleviate suffering and show the oppressed God’s love in our actions. We can rejoice that God has overcome evil and impatience, even in our own lives, by the cross of His Son. He is the One who will come, at God’s right time, to establish God’s righteous rule.
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