FLM TOBY FANANTENANA 67 Ha
Prayer’s communion, Sunday XX after Trinity
Week from 30, October to 04, November 2017
“The sorrow of God”
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Introduction: The sorrow of God is the sadness of his love, not for the gentiles but for those He loves. That is the nation of Israel He chose
and made a covenant with, yet they turned away from Him, “torn off the bonds” and violated his covenant. The sorrow of God is an
unbearable burden for men because it’s the grief of the Holy Spirit (Eph 4: 30). But God shows it in order to make his people think about His
love and the way they ought to love Him back (1 Jn 4: 19). However versatile and changing and unstable the heart of man is, God’s love is,
in contrast, absolutely holy; it is unique and unchangeable. For it is written in the Holy Scriptures: “I have loved you with an everlasting love”
Jer 31: 3a, a love which remains unchanged. Even if God may be grieved, and may even be angry with the failures of men, it does not mean
that He will give them up, or destroy them. Rather, He rebukes them so that they may come back to Him who has chosen them, who loves
and cares for them, so that they may live and not die in their sin and the wandering of their unrepentant heart. In this respect, the Lord said:
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son” Heb 12: 5-6. This is the reason why The Apostle Paul warned the believers of Ephesus, who
were already enlightened by the Word of God, to walk in the path of light (Eph 5:8), saying: “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as
unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the
Lord’s will is” Eph 5:15-17. So, “stand firm, let nothing move you” 1 Cor 15:58a. For those who remain and stand firm, Jesus says: “my peace
I give you” Jn 14: 27.
Monday 30: God turns his face toward the gentiles.
“To a nation that did not call on my name I said, ‘Here am I, here am I” Is 65: 1 b.
Reading 1: Mt.21:41-46; Reading 2: Is 65:1-2; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Is 65:1. Other references:
– “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near” Is 55:6
– “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” Acts 28:28.
Tuesday 31: God condemns disbelief.
“What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened” Rom 11: 7.
Reading 1: Mk 6:1-6; Reading 2: Rom 11:1-11; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Rom 11:7-8. Other references:
– “So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but
we walk on deep shadows” Is 59:9.
– “He said to them, ‘go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will
be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” Mk 16: 15-16.
Wednesday 01: Gospel Celebration Day. Do not muzzle the mouth of God.
“I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” Lk 19: 40.
Reading 1: Acts 4:5-20; Reading 2: Lk 19:37-40; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Lk 19:40. Other references:
– “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs” Mt 10:27.
– “But God’s Word is not chained” 2 Tim 2:9b.
Thursday 02: God differentiates his people.
“The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous” Mt 13:49b.
Reading 1: Mal 3:15-20; Reading 2: Mt 13:44-50; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Mt 13:47-50. Other references:
– “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on his thrown in heavenly glory. He
will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left” Mt 25:31-32.
– “Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to
do right and let him who is holy continue to be holy” Rev 22:11
Friday 03: God leads his people to repentance.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” Mt 4: 17.
Reading 1: Acts 17:22-31; Reading 2: Mt 4:12-17; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Mt 4:17. Other references:
– “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” 2 Cor
7:10
– “Today if you hear is his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion” Heb 3:15.
Saturday 04: God’s righteousness lasts forever.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” Mt 24:35
Reading 1: Ps 9:1-10; Reading 2: Mt 24:35-42; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Mt 24: 35. Other references:
– “Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true” Ps 119: 142.
– “At that time his voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, ‘once more I will shake not only the earth but also the
heavens. The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot
be shaken may remain” Heb 12:26-27.
Note: This pericope is published in Malagasy, French, English and Deutsch, and can be seen in the sites: www.flm67ha.org and
www.hifi-madanet.org and on Facebook, “Hirasyfilazantsara”. © Madanet