4th Sunday after Easter: Date: May 3, 2015
– THE SERMON: Revelation 3:7-11
Theme: A Congregation Staying Close to Jesus
I. Blessed by the Keys of David
II. Possesses Patient Endurance
III. Preserved From Evil
( Pastor Theodore Barthels )
Bulletin: Read Bulletin
Sermon: Read Sermon
THE ORDER OF SERVICE: p 5 (248:1-3)
HYMNS: 239; 215; 411:1-5; 50:2
THE GOSPEL LESSON: John 15:1-11
Jesus presents Himself as being the vine and we are the branches. A branch brings forth good fruit only as long as it is attached to the vine. Also a vine remains on the vine only as long as it brings forth fruit. When it is fruitless it is pruned out and cast away. We need to abide in Jesus, maintaining our connection to Him through hearing the gospel, and we shall bring forth fruit. Then we will abide in His love and His joy shall be in us and our joy shall be full.
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Isaiah 5:1-7
The Lord portrays the chosen people of God as being a vineyard planted for the Savior, the Lord’s Beloved Son. He does this with the expectation that this special vineyard will bring forth good grapes. It was a great disappointment when Israel of old brought forth bitter, wild grapes. The Lord looked for justice and saw only oppression. He looked for righteousness, but heard only cries for help from the victims of evil. We are the Lord’s vineyard today. May we be faithful and bring forth fruit worthy of the gospel of Christ.