FLM TOBY FANANTENANA 67 Ha
Communion’s prayer, Sunday XVII after Trinity
Week from 09 to 14 October 2017
“Rejoice in God”
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Introduction: It is the duty of every believer to rejoice in God: this is the way of life of all the children of God, those who are born of the Spirit (Jn 1:12), who accept to be led by the Spirit (Rom 8:14) and who by doing so honor God (Mal 1:6). For “the fruit of the Spirit is joy” Gal 5:22b. Rejoicing in the Spirit is the remedy against faithlessness, worries and weaknesses (Heb 5:2). God wants his people to rejoice in Him, to perceive his works, to acknowledge his greatness, and above all to know his love. And because He is a God of Love (1 Jn 4:16), He loves the humans very much, those He created and made in His own image so that they may be clothed with His splendor and majesty (Gen 1:26) and rejoice in that. In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord Jesus declared: “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Mt 6: 30. And when we humans needed redemption because of our fall into sin, God did not abandon us but gave us what was most precious to Him, Jesus Christ His one and only Son, to redeem us (Jn 3: 16). In addition, He also gives us everything for our good. For He made himself nothing in order to give us life, as it is written: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” 2 Cor 8: 9. Rejoice in God!
Monday 09: Rejoice in God’s salvation.
“My heart rejoices in the Lord; … for I delight in your deliverance” 1 Sa.2:1.
Reading 1: Lk.1:39-50. Reading 2: 1 Sa.2:1-10. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: 1 Sa.2:1. Other references:
– “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth” Job 19:25.
– “I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me” Ps.13:6.
Tuesday 10: Rejoice over God’s works.
“People were overwhelmed with amazement. ‘He has done everything well,’ they said” Mr.7:37.
Reading 1: Ge.1:26-31. Reading 2: Mr.7:31-37. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: Mr.7:36-37. Other references:
– “How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures” Ps.104:24.
– “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation” Lk.2:29-30.
Wednesday 11: Rejoice in that God has given you all things!
“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” Mr 2: 27.
Reading 1: Rom 8:26-32; Reading 2: Mr 2:18-28; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Mr 2:27-28. Other references:
-“And the Lord had blessed him in every way” Ge 24: 1b.
-“So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future – all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God” 1 Cor 3: 21-23.
Thursday 12: Rejoice in the forgiveness of sin.
“ Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven” Mt 9: 2b.
Reading 1: Ps 32: 1-7; Reading 2: Mt 9: 1-6; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Mt 9: 1-2. Other references:
-“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much” Lk 7: 47a.
-“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”
1 Jn 1:9.
-“But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our Defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” 1 Jn 2:1-2.
Friday 13: Rejoice if you are considered God’s friend.
“I no longer call you servants, instead, I have called you friends” Jn 15: 15.
Reading 1: Jas 2: 20-26; Reading 2: Jn 15: 9-15; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Jn 15: 14-15. Other references:
-“The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete” Jn 3: 29.
-“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” Rom 8: 16-17.
Saturday 18: Rejoice in God.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Phil 4: 4.
Reading 1: Ps 37: 1-7; Reading 2: Phil 4:1-7; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Phil 4:4. Other references:
-“Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King” Ps 149: 1-2.
-“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” Jn 15:10-11.
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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