FLM TOBY FANANTENANA 67 Ha
Communion’s prayer, Sunday VII after Trinity
Week from 31 July-05 August 2017
» The justification of the sinner »
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Introduction: The justification of the sinner is a work of God, because He loves him and does not want him to perish or die (Ezek.3:11). Sin actually leads us to ruin and death. For the Holy Scriptures clearly state that « the sting of death is sin » 1 Cor.15: 56, which means eternal separation from the Living God. Indeed, the word of the Lord says: « Surely, the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear » Is.59: 1-2. Because of ignorance, there is a way that may seem to lead to life, but in the end it leads men to ruin and death. For it is impossible and unthinkable for men to save themselves from sin. Therefore the Apostle Paul declared: « What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? » Ro.7: 24. In truth, it is not the self-justification that saves men, but the justification that comes from God. The justification of the sinner by God is the work of Jesus Christ who was made sin for our redemption (2 Col.5: 21), for « when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly » Rom.5: 6. Indeed, God saves the sinner who believes in Him, for « the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord » Rom.6: 23. God does not want the sinner to be condemned to die, but to be justified by faith so that he may live. In fact, « whoever believes in the Son has eternal life » Jn.3: 36a.
Monday 31: GOD EXHORTS THOSE WHO SEEK JUSTICE.
« I will refresh the weary, and satisfy the faint » Jer.31: 25
Reading 1: Mt.5: 1-6. Reading 2: Jn.31: 23-25. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: Jer.31: 25. Other references:
– « He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak » Is. 40: 29.
– « Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled! » Mt.5: 6.
-« Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies! » Rom. 8: 33.
Tuesday 01: THE SINNER IS JUSTIFIED BY FAITH.
« Then he said to him, « Rise and go; your faith has made you well » Lk.17: 19.
Reading 1: Rm.3: 21-31. Reading 2: Lk.17: 11-19. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: Lk.17: 19. Other references:
-« Whoever believes in him is not condemned; but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son » Jn. 3:18.
-« Then he said to her, « Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace » Lk. 8:48.
-« For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law » Rom.3: 28.
Wednesday 02: THE SINNER IS JUSTIFIED BY THE FORGIVENESS OF SIN.
« Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them » Rom.4: 8.
Reading 1: Lk.7: 44-48. Reading 2: Ro.4: 1-8. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: Rom.4: 6-8. Other references:
-« But one of the seraphim flew towards me, holding in his hand a burning stone, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth, and said, This has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, and your sin is atoned » Is 6: 6-7.
-« Take courage, my child, your sins are forgiven you » Mt.9: 2.
Thursday 03: THE SINNER IS JUSTIFIED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS.
« He is an atoning sacrifice for our sins » 1 Jn.2: 2a.
Reading 1: Heb. 9: 11-15. Reading 2: 1 Jn.2: 1-2. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: 1 Jn.2: 2. Other references:
-« You will give him the name of Jesus; He will save his people from their sins » Mt.1: 21.
-« Then I said, Behold, I come (in the scroll of the book it is a question of me) to do, O God, your will. After having said, « You have not willed and accepted neither sacrifices nor offerings, nor holocausts, nor sacrifices for sin (which is offered according to the law), » he said, « Behold, I come to Do your will » Heb 10: 7-9.
Friday 04: THE SINNER IS JUSTIFIED BY THE INTERCESSION OF JESUS.
« Christ Jesus […] is at the right hand of God, and is also interceeding for us! » Rom 8: 34.
Reading 1: Heb. 7: 23-28. Reading 2: Rom.8: 31-34. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: Rom.8: 33-34. Other references:
-« Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess » Heb 4:14.
-« But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One » 1 Jn.2: 1b.
Saturday 05: HYPOCRISY LEADS TO PERDITION.
« Be careful, Jesus said to them. Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and sadducees » Mt.16: 6.
Reading 1: Ga.2: 11-16. Reading 2: Mt.16: 5-12. Preaching (choice). Preaching 2: Mt.16: 6. Other references:
-« Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays instrument well, for they hear your words, but do not put them into practice » Ez.33: 32.
-« These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me » Mt.15: 8.
-« Dear children, let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth » 1 Jn. 3: 18.
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