“Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” -Matthew 25:13
One way we keep awake is by praying the Lord’s Prayer. “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as in heaven” (ELW, p. 1163).
From the Large Catechism: “What is the kingdom of God?
Answer: Simply what we heard above in the Creed, namely, that God sent his Son, Christ our Lord, into the world to redeem and deliver us from the power of the devil, to bring us to himself, and to rule us as a king of righteousness, life, and salvation against sin, death, and an evil conscience. To this end he also gave his Holy Spirit to deliver this to us through his holy Word and to enlighten and strength us in faith by his power” (Book of Concord, Kolb/Wengert, 2000, p. 446).
Today’s readings focus on the end times. These petitions remind us of the limits of our work while fueling our just and righteous love of neighbor.
Sunday’s Worship Music
The Traditional service will feature the hymn Let Streams of Living Justice (ELW 710). As the fall wears on, our minds turn to endings and beginnings and Jesus’ words of his own second coming seem perfectly fitting with Christ the King around the corner. We take our turn and sing of the inevitable justice which is a part of God’s eternal reign. The New Day Praise service will feature the song We Will Dance. With the lyrics “From every tongue and tribe and nation; we’ll join in the song of the Lamb” the joy of Jesus’ eventual return is celebrated like the celebration that will have no end.
Sermon Theme:
Live Like It’s Your Last Day
For Your Home Devotions
In the parable, why don’t the “wise” bridesmaids share what they have?
What might we do to wait and live with greater grace and generosity?
How do you live in a reality that Jesus may come tomorrow? Do you delay in acts of forgiveness or mercy? How might you pray for God’s help with this?
When our Gospels write of “end times” they refer to a party. How do you imagine this party to be?
