2nd Sunday in Advent : Date: December 7, 2014
– THE SERMON: Malachi 4:1-6
Theme: The Coming of a Day of Extremes
I. A Day of Horror
II. A Day of Blissful Joy
III. A Prophet’s Call for Preparation
( Pastor Theodore Barthels )
Bulletin: Read Bulletin
Sermon: Read Sermon
THE ORDER OF SERVICE: p. 5 (377:10)
HYMNS: 64; 604; 60; 399:3
THE EPISTLE LESSON: 1 Timothy 6:11-16
The Apostle Paul encourages us, in these last days, to flee the many foolish and hurtful obsessions of the world and, rather, to lay hold of eternal life. To this end we ought to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. We ought to live in anticipation of the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is all powerful and all glorious.
THE GOSPEL LESSON: Luke 17:20-30
Many today still slip into the false idea that Jesus is coming to establish a temporal, physical kingdom here on earth, perhaps in the area of present day Israel. The Kingdom of God which Jesus brought into the world is the gracious rule of Christ in your hearts. So don’t be deceived by books or movies or TV evangelists that would direct you to earthly signs indicating where or when Christ shall appear. When He comes again it will be sudden, and all the world will know it together. Until then, life in this world–with all its routine activities–will go on as normal.