MALAGASY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Communion’s prayer, Sunday II after Epiphany
Week, from 22nd to 27th January 2018
“God sends the prophet”
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Introduction: God purposes the existence of the prophets. He appoints them to testify in his name and to be his spokesmen to the people to whom He sends them to bring his message of salvation and blessing, as it is written: “The Lord used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt, by a prophet, He called for him” Hos 12:14. God gives them a holy vocation, therefore He says: “Let the one who has my word speak it faithfully” Jer 23:28. The Word of God itself is even refined seven times before it comes out of his mouth (Ps 12:7). Israel’s history shows us that there were false prophets who claimed to speak in the name of the Lord God, so He said: “The prophets are prophesying, lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divination, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds” Jer 14:14. Since the lives of many people and nations greatly depend on their prophecies and their messages, God does not allow them to keep quiet but commands them to preach His word at all times, under favorable conditions or not (2 Tim 4:2). In this regard, Paul said: “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” 1 Cor 9:16. And they urge people, just as King Josaphat did: “Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful” 2 Chr 20:20. That’s why Jesus said: “He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me” Lk 10:16. God does not tolerate the rejection of His words; He said: “And whether they listen or fail to listen – for they are a rebellious house – they will know that a prophet has been among them” Ez 2:5. The work of a prophet is no easy task, as he is God’s spokesman. For this purpose, Paul urged Timothy: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” 2 Tim 2:15.
Monday 22: God appoints the prophet.
“I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers” Deu 18: 18.
Reading 1: Jn 15:9-16; Reading 2: Deu 18:15-19; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Deu 18:18. Other references:
– “See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build ant to plant” Jer 1:10.
– “Paul, an apostle – sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead – and all the brothers with me, to the churches in Galatia” Gal 1:1-2.
Tuesday 23: God Himself chooses the prophets He sends.
“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” 1 Cor 1:27a.
Reading 1: Jn 15:9-16; Reading 2: 1 Cor 1:26-31; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: 1 Cor 1:26-27. Other references:
– “For I have chosen you declares the Lord Almighty” Hag 2:23.
– “He will know that there is a prophet in Israel” 2 Kg 5:8.
Wednesday 24: God puts the Word in the prophet’s mouth.
“Now, I have put my words in your mouth” Jer 1:9.
Reading 1: Mt 10:11-20; Reading 2: Jer 1:4-10; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Jer 1:9-10. Other references:
– “Who carries out the words of his servants and fulfills the predictions of his messengers” Is 44:26.
– “His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: ‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people” Lk 1:67-68.
– “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” Acts 2:4.
Thursday 25: The prophet speaks the Word of God.
“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God” 1 Pet 4:11a.
Reading 1: Jer 23:25-32; Reading 2: 1 Pet 4:7-11; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: 1 Pet 4:11a. Other references:
– “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God…” 1 Tes 2:13.
– “Then Moses and the priests, who are Levites, said to all Israel, ‘Be silent, O Israel, and listen! You have now become the people of the Lord your God. Obey the Lord your God…” Deu 27:9-10.
Friday 26: The prophet proclaims salvation.
“Today salvation has come to this house” Lk 19:9.
Reading 1: Is 40:9-11; Reading 2: Lk 19:1-10; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Lk 19:9-10. Other references:
– “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!” Is 52:7.
– “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” Rom 1:16.
Saturday 27: He who has faith in the prophet will receive blessings.
“Have faith in his prophets and you will be successful” 2 Chr 20.20d.
Reading 1: Jn 6:28-40; Reading 2: 2 Chr 20:13-20; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: 2 Chr 20:20. Other references:
– “Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go! It will be done just as you believed it would’. And his servant was healed at that very hour” Mt 8:13
– “Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward” Mt 10:41.
Note: This pericope is published in Malagasy, French, English and German, and can be seen on the site www.hifi-madanet.org and on Facebook “Hifi – english”. © Madanet.