MALAGASY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Communion’s prayer, Sunday IV before Easter
Week, from 26 February to 02 March 2018
“God, Liberator of his people”
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Introduction: God placed us, humans, in a very special place when He created us. He gave us the honor to be created in His own image, distinguishing us from all his creatures and putting us in charge of ruling over them. The Holy Scripture says in this regard: “Then God said: ‘let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground” Gen 1: 26. But because of sin, we were separated from God and had forfeited all our right, as it is written: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Rom 3:23. After we had sinned, we fell into slavery under sin in accordance with the statement, saying: “for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him” 2 Pet 2:19b. Paul cried out: “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” Rom 7:24. Because of his love, God still calls us through his Son, Jesus Christ, as it is written: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” Gal 5:1a. For Jesus said: “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” Jn 8:36. God’s liberation is twofold and complementary: First, He adopts us to be his children, whom He covers with his glory like the prodigal son who came back to his father (Lk 15:20-24), and whom He makes “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” Rom 8:17. Secondly, He makes us his partners so that we may do his works (Jn 14:12) and serve Him, just as said by Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist: “Praise be to the Lord, God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people,… to rescue us from the hand of our enemies and to enable us to serve him without fear” Lk 1:68-74. What is the key of liberation? To believe in God and to serve Him! For “the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” Gal 6:8.”
Monday 26: God is the Liberator of his people.
“My God, from violent men you save me” 2 Sam 22:3b.
Reading 1: Lk 1:67-79; Reading 2: 2 Sam 22:1-7; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: 2 Sam 22:2-3. Other references:
– “Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay” Ps 40:17.
– “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘the deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away from Jacob” Rom 11:26.
Tuesday 27: God rescues from trouble.
“Call on Me in the day of trouble ; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me” Ps.50:15.
Reading 1: Mt.14:24-33 ; Reading 2: Ps.50:1-15 ; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Ps.50:15. Other references:
– “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in time of trouble” Ps.46:1.
– “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart ! I have overcome the world” Jn.16:33b.
Wednesday 28: God rescues his people in all their struggles.
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” Rom 8:37.
Reading 1: Ps 56:9-13; Reading 2: Rom 8:31-37; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Rom 8:37. Other references:
-“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you” Is 54:17.
-“For the Lord will deliver Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they” Jer 31:11.
Thursday 01: Jesus sets free those who are His.
“So if the Son set you free you will be free indeed” Jn 8:36.
Reading 1: Is 61:1-3; Reading 2: Jn 8:31-44; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Jn 8:34-36. Other references:
– « The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior! He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me, who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me” 2 Sam 22:47-49.
– “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death” Rom 8:1-2.
Friday 02 : Jesus delivers from sin.
“And you will name him Jesus – because he will save his people from their sins” Mt 1:21.
Reading 1: Is 53:4-6; Reading 2: Mt 1:18-21; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Mt 1:21. Other references:
– “Christ, however, offered one sacrifice for sins, an offering that is effective for ever, and then he sat down at the right-hand side of God” Heb 10:12.
– “He said to me : These are the people who have come safely through the terrible persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the lamb” Rev 7:14.
Saturday 03 : Jesus exalts those He rescues.
”Be faithful to me, even if it means death, and I will give you life as your prize of victory” Rev.2 :10b.
Reading 1: Lk 1:39-56. Reading 2: Rev 2 :8-11. Preaching 1 (choice). Preaching 2: Rev 2 :10. Other references:
– “When he finds it, …, he puts it on his shoulder” Lk 15 :5.
– ”I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith. And now therer is waiting for me the victory prize of being put right with God ” 2 Tim 4 :7-8.
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