17th Sunday after Pentecost: Date: October 5, 2014
– THE SERMON: Matthew 25:14-30
Theme: Stewards of a Sacred Trust from the Lord
I. The Lord Jesus Trusts us to Serve Him during His Absence
II. We Are to be Faithful Stewards of His Gifts
III. There will be an Accounting of Our Stewardship
( Pastor Theodore Barthels )
Bulletin: Read Bulletin
Sermon: Read Sermon
THE ORDER OF SERVICE: p. 5 (248:1-3)
HYMNS: 24; 243; 496; 644
THE EPISTLE LESSON: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24
We are to live sanctified Christian lives, not be unruly, but kind and considerate of others, compassionate and forgiving. We should rejoice and give thanks always for everything God has done for us. We should test all things, abstaining from what is evil and clinging to that which is good. We will not be successful with our strength in doing this. We ask the God of peace to sanctify us that is to preserve us from the evil of this world and keep us blameless in Christ Jesus.
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: 1 Kings 17:17-24
Elijah was confronted by the doubts and pain the widow of Zarephath felt in her heart when her son became so seriously ill that he died. She immediately thought it had to be because of her sin that the Lord had taken her son from her. Elijah prayed earnestly for the child to be restored to life and the Lord heard his prayer. The woman knew that Elijah was a prophet of the true God. Her faith was confirmed. We also need to have our faith confirmed. The Word of the Lord is true. He is merciful toward us in our tribulation and weakness, and able to deliver us from every evil.