Epiphany 3: Date: January 26, 2014
– THE SERMON: Matthew 11:25-30
Theme: Come to Jesus!
I. If you would Know God
II. If You would Find Rest for Your Souls
( Pastor Theodore Barthels )
Bulletin: Read Bulletin
Sermon: Read Sermon
THE ORDER OF SERVICE: p. 5 (26:1-3)
HYMNS: 351; 364; 421; 50
THE EPISTLE LESSON: Romans 5:1-5
God, through Christ, declares us holy and innocent before Him. We then have access to God by this grace. When tribulation and persecution come upon us in life we realize and treasure this grace as we open our hearts before the Lord. This perseverance in faith, this exercise of faith, build’s Christian character, and that produces hope, the hope of everlasting life we have with God in Christ. This is not an empty and false hope, but a hope that brings us to God in heaven and the bliss and glory that awaits us there.
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Numbers 24:10-17
The mighty of this world think that with their power and their authority, and their money they can defeat God and His truth. Balaak couldn’t make the prophet Balaam speak against the people under God’s blessing and protection. Indeed Balaam could only speak that which the Lord commanded, which was a blessing relating to the coming Savior who would rule the world. This remains true today. It matters very little what the wise and powerful of this world declare, God’s Word, God’s will and God’s blessing upon His people shall stand forever.