Malagasy Lutheran Church
Communion’s prayer, Second Sunday of Advent
Week from 04 to 09 December 2017 “The exaltation of God”
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Introduction : “The exaltation of God” reveals the glory of his sovereignty among his people, who accept and acknowledge him as their Lord and King, and in the world as Savior. He will come in great glory as said in Mt 25: 31, being the Lord of glory to whom belongs all authority in heaven and on earth (Mt 28:18). Surely He will trample his enemies and dash them in pieces with his mighty scepter, and with his sword (Heb 4:12), and with the breath of his mouth (2 Thes 2:8); and in so doing, He will exalt those who believe in Him and expect His coming. For the advent of the Messiah is a day full of grace, expected by all believers, in order to fulfill the revelation of the Apostle John: “But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see him as He is” 1 Jn 3:2b. Conversely, that day will be one of great fear and terror for the unbelievers and God’s opposers. In this regard, Jesus said: “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘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. “Then He will say to those on His left, ‘depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” Mt 25:41. And this is consistent with what He has already said: “whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” Mk 16:16.
Monday 04 : God is exalted among his people.
“The Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever” Mic 4:7b.
Reading 1: Rev 5:6-14; Reading 2: Mic 4:1-7; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Mic 4:6-7. Other references:
– “Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is He, this king of glory? The Lord almighty – He is the king of glory” Ps 24:9-10.
– “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for the fear of Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘peace be with you!’ After he said this, He showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord” Jn 20:19-20.
Tuesday 05: The exaltation of God, hope of believers.
“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” Col 3:4.
Reading 1: Mt 25:31-34; Reading 2: Col 3:1-4; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Col 3:4. Other references:
– “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” Heb 12:1-2.
– “He, who testifies to these things says, ‘yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen” Rev 22:20-21.
Wednesday 06: God is exalted through righteousness.
“Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist” Is 11: 5.
Reading 1: Rev 19:11-16; Reading 2: Is 11:1-5; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Is 11:5. Other references:
– “Of the increase of is government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord almighty will accomplish this” Is 9:6
– “The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” Jn 1:14.
Thursday 07: God is exalted through his holiness.
“And they were calling to one another: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord almighty” Is 6:3a.
Reading 1: Rev 7:9-17; Reading 2: Is 6:1-5; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Is 6:3. Other references:
– “Look then from heaven and see from your lofty throne, holy and glorious. Where are your zeal and your might? Your tenderness and compassion are withheld from us” Is 63:15.
– “May He strengthened your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones” 1 Thes 3:13
Friday 08: God is exalted in his people’s hearts.
“Because, the kingdom of God is within you” Lk 17:21b. Reading 1 : Gal 2 :11-20 ; Reading 2 : Lk 17 :20-30 ; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Lk 17:20-21. Other references:
– Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” Ps 73:25-26.
– “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear what they fear, do not be frightened.’ But in your heart set apart Christ as Lord” 1 Pet 3:14-15.
Saturday 09: The exaltation of God brings his enemies down.
“Seat at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet” Ps 110:1
Reading 1: 1 Cor 15:12-27; Reading 2: Ps 110:1-7; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Ps 110:1. Other references:
– “The Lord will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior, He will stir up his zeal; with a shout He will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies” Is 42:13.
– “Since that time, He waits for his enemies to be made his footstool” Heb 10:13.
Note: This pericope is published in Malagasy, French, English and German and can be seen on the website www.hifi-madanet.org and on Facebook “Hifi-english”. © Madanet