FLM TOBY FANANTENANA 67 Ha
Communion’s prayer, Sunday XVIII after Trinity
Week from 16 to 21 October 2017
“Fear God”
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Introduction: “To Fear God” is no pointless fear, for it is due to God’s holiness and to his being the Lord who is worthy of the greatest respect, suitable to His divine nature. For it is written: “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due to me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?’ says the Lord Almighty” Mal 1:6. The Apostle Paul’s word reiterates this instruction when he said: “Give everyone what you owe him… if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor” Rom 13:7. The respect for God involves three aspects: keeping his commands, finishing his work, honoring and praising his Holy Name. In truth, the fear of God works as “a beacon of protection” in order to keep us from sinning considering our weaknesses; it also defines the path we must follow to walk in God’s will and to do His work as Jesus stated: “Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing” Jn 14:12a. This also brings about God’s blessing. To sum up, the people who fear God are approved of Him and they are set apart for a special place in his Kingdom (Jn 14:3). Jesus’ word applies to them: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it” Jn 17: 16. So He will say: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” Mt 25: 34.
Monday 16: Fear God and serve Him.
“Fear the Lord your God and serve Him” Dt 10: 20a.
Reading 1: Gal 6:6-10; Reading 2: Dt 10:12-21; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Dt 10:21. Other references:
– “Fear the Lord your God, serve Him only and take your oaths in his name” Dt 6: 13.
– “Then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” Jos 24: 15.
Tuesday 17: Fear God and believe in Christ, his Son.
“That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart…, you will be saved” Rom 10:9.
Reading 1: Jn 3:30-36; Reading 2: Rom 10:1-13; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Rom 10:9. Other references:
– “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him” Ps 2: 12.
– “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” Mt 17: 5.
Wednesday 18: Fear God and respect what is sacred.
“What about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son?” Jn 10:36.
Reading 1: 2 Tim 3:1-9; Reading 2: Jn 10:23-38; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Jn 10:35-36. Other references:
– “Say to the Israelites: ‘if anyone curses his God, he will be held responsible; anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him. Whether an alien or native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death” Lev 24:15-16.
– “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin” Mr 3:29.
Thursday 19: Fear God and keep away from evil.
“Fear your God. I am the Lord” Lev 19:14b.
Reading 1: Ps 3:1-8; Reading 2: Lev 19:11-18; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Lev 19:11-18. Other references:
– “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” Pr 3:7-8.
– “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” Rom 12:21.
Friday 20: Fear God and honor your parents.
“Honor your father and mother” Eph 6:2a.
Reading 1: Dt 21:18-21; Reading 2: Eph 6:1-4; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Eph 6:2. Other references:
– “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord. Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn” Is 51:1.
– “For God said: ‘honor your father and mother’ and ‘anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death” Mt 15:4.
Saturday 21: The fear of God is beneficial to all those who possess it.
“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways” Ps 128:1.
Reading 1: Mt 5:1-12; Reading 2: Ps 128:1-6; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Ps 128:1. Other references:
– “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God” Dt 28:1-2.
– “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall” Mal 4:2.
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