FLM TOBY FANANTENANA
Prayer’s communion, Sunday I after Easter
Week from 24 to 29 April, 2017
“Christ, promise of redemption for the sinners”
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Introduction: Since the sinners cannot save themselves, they are doomed to die and perish, being born under sin as descendants of sinners. The Apostle Paul said in this regard: “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” Rom 7:24. An great promise of redemption is given to the sinners through the Gospel, for they “are justified freely by His grace through redemption that came by Christ Jesus” Rom 3:24. Indeed, “what is impossible with men is possible with God” Lk 18:27, which is to love and to redeem the sinners. But “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Rom 5:8. For it is written: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” 1 Jn 2:2. Redemption has two complementary meanings: the sinners’ deliverance from God’s wrath (Rom 3:25) and their adoption as God’s children (Jn 1:12). For He said: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name, you are mine” Is 43:1b. God has not dealt with us as with enemies or strangers, but has made us his partners in his eternal kingdom, even his children and heirs to his kingdom (Rom 8:17 /
Mt 25:34).
Monday 24: Christ, promise of redemption for the sinners.
“In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” Eph 1:7.
Reading 1: Mt 26:26-29; Reading 2: Eph 1:1-7; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Eph 1:7. Other references:
– “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” Mt 26:28.
– “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” Heb 9:22.
Tuesday 25: Jesus Christ demonstrates signs of his redemption.
“Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish” Jn 21:13.
Reading 1: 1 Cor 15:1-8; Reading 2: Jn 21:1-14; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Jn 21:13-14. Other references:
– “Then He said to Thomas: ‘put your finger here, see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe” Jn 20:27.
– “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it” Mk 16:20.
Wednesday 26: The testimony of God’s redemption.
“I know that my Redeemer lives” Job 19:25.
Reading 1: Ps 73:21-28; Reading 2: Job 19:7-25; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Job 19:25. Other references:
– “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” Acts 4:20.
– “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ” 1 Jn 1:3.
Thursday 27: Repentance is the way to redemption.
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out” Acts 3:19a.
Reading 1: Ez 18:23-32; Reading 2: Acts 3:13-21; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Acts 3:19. Other references:
– “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” Mt 3:2
– He told them: ‘This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” Lk 24:46-47.
Friday 28: Believe in God’s redemption.
“Sinners are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” Rom 3:24
Reading 1: Mk 5:25-34; Reading 2: Rom 3:21-26: Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Rom 3:23-24. Other references:
– “Some men brought to Him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘take heart, son, your sins are forgiven” Mt 9:2.
– “That whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” Jn 3:16b.
– “No one sir’, she said, ‘then neither do I condemn you’, Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin” Jn 8:11.
Saturday 29: God gives an eternal redemption
“But He entered the Most Holy Place once for all his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption” Heb 9:12b.
Reading 1: Jn 4:5-14; Reading 2: Heb 9:6-14; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Heb 9:11-12. Other references:
– “He provided redemption for His people; he ordained his covenant forever – holy and awesome is His name” Ps 111:9.
– “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand” Jn 10:28.
Note: This pericope is published in Malagasy, French, English and German and can be seen on the sites www.flm67ha.org and www.hifi-madanet.org and on Facebook “Hifi-english”.
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