5th Sunday after Easter: Date: May 1, 2016
– THE SERMON: John 14:13-21
Theme: The Faithfulness of Our Living Lord
I. Empowering Our Prayers
II. Promising a Powerful Helper for Life
III. Granting Us Assurance of Everlasting Life
( Pastor Theodore Barthels )
Bulletin: Read Bulletin
THE ORDER OF SERVICE: p. 5 (248:1-3)
HYMNS: 537; 340; 399:1-4; 800
THE EPISTLE LESSON: Revelation 3: 14-22
As the author of this letter to Laodicea Jesus presents Himself as the one who is faithful and true. What He sees in this congregation of Christians is a growing ambivalence to the gospel. They were neither hot nor cold in their faith and life. That can come upon us all. We start to forget how spiritually bankrupt we would be without the Lord. We need to get the spiritual necessities of life from Jesus. We need to be zealous about Jesus and the salvation that comes to us through Him alone. We need to repent. He is standing at the door and knocking. Hear His voice and have Him as an active participant in your life that we may be with Him in heaven.
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Isaiah 54:7-13
While the Lord does allow trials to enter our lives, He remains faithful. His kindness is everlasting. The covenant of His peace shall not be removed from us. The storms of life may come upon us, but the Lord shall fill our lives with blessings as precious as gemstones. God is faithful and His blessing is there for our children and grandchildren. They shall be taught by the Lord. Their peace shall be great.