MALAGASY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Communion’s prayer, Sunday V after Easter
Week from 7 to 12 May 2018
“God cherishes forgiving sins”
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Introduction: God cherishes forgiving sins, and He also wants his people to cherish forgiveness like Him. Because sins which are not
forgiven are a huge chasm that separates us from God. In this respect, the words of the LORD say: “Surely the arm of the LORD is not
too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from
you, so that he will not hear” Is.59:1-2. The truth is that sin is evil, it is “the sting of death” 1 Co.15:56a. And death is the consequence of
our separation from God, the Creator and the LORD who gives life (Ac.17:25). So if sin leads to death, the forgiveness of sin brings to
resurrection for life. In this regard, the LORD strongly urges his people: “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no
pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die,
people of Israel?” Ez.33:11. This purpose of God for life was fulfilled in the redemption made by Jesus, who died and was raised up for
us (1 Co. 15:3-4). About this Paul stood up to testify, saying: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” Ro.8:1-2. Indeed,
God does not like keeping record of sins; rather, He wants to forgive sins in order to redeem sinners. Therefore He gives the orders,
saying: “Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on
them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon” Is.55:7. Persevere in repenting, for forgiveness is received through repentance.
Monday 07: God cherishes forgiving sins.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future” Jer.29:11
Reading 1: Jn.3:14-17. Reading 2: Je.29:11-14. Preaching 1 (option). Preaching 2: Je.29:11. Other references:
– “For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” Mt.9:13
– “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day
when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed” Ac.17: 30–31
Tuesday 08: God teaches forgiveness.
“And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Mt.6:12
Reading 1: Mt 18:21-27. Reading 2: Mt 6:5-13. Preaching 1 (option). Preaching 2: Mt.6:12. Other references:
– “You have heard that it was said, „Love your neighbor (Le.19:18) and hate your enemy.‟ But I tell you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven” Mt.5: 43–45.
– “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?
Up to seven times” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” Mt.8:21-22.
Wednesday 09: God wants his people to like mutual forgiveness.
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” Jas.5:16.
Reading 1: Ge.33: 1-16. Reading 2: Jm.5: 16–20. Preaching 1 (option). Preaching 2: Jm.5: 16. Other references:
– “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against
you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift” Mt.5:23-
24.
– “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” Ro.12:18.
Thursday 10: ASCENSION DAY. Jesus intercedes for us.
“I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit” Is.57:15
Reading 1: Eph.4: 7-10. Reading 2:Is.57:15-18. Preaching 1 (option). Preaching 2:Is.57:15. Other references:
– “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself
intercedes for us through wordless groans” Ro.8:26.
– “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life—is at the
right hand of God and is also interceding for us” 1 Pet.3:18.
Friday 11: The happiness of being forgiven.
“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered” Ps.32:1.
Reading 1: Zc.3:1-5. Reading 2: Ps.32:1-7. Preaching 1 (option). Preaching 2: Ps.31:1-2. Other references:
– “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven”, “Get up, take your mat and go home” Mt.9:2, 6.
– “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – as her great love has shown” Lk.7:47.
Saturday 12: God orders us to repent to obtain forgiveness.
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord”
Ac.3:19.
Reading 1: Mt.4:12-17. Reading 2: Ac.3:12-21. Preaching 1 (option). Preaching 2: Ac.3:19. Other references:
– “He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance
for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” Lk 24:46-47.
– “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise” Ps.51: 17
Note: This pericope is published in Malagasy, French, English and German and can be seen on the site www.hifi–
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