MALAGASY LUTHERIAN CHURCH
Prayer Communion, 13. Sunday after Trinity
Week of 27. August to 01. September 2018
“Keep the life-giving command of God”
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Introduction: Why “keep the life-giving command”? Because we are in a period when many are shrinking back in faith, a period of increasing wickedness, just as Paul told to Timothy, ”But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power” 2 Tim.3:1-5a. Basically, the reason is the transgression of God’s law, the attitude of indifference toward his word. This all boils down to the utter absence of love for God, so that keeping his commands is regarded as an “unfitting yoke”. Actually, when the love for God is there, it just goes as the Apostel John said: “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome” 1 Jn.5:3. This also concerns those, even among the believers, who do inappropriate practices which God rebukes, just as Jesus once said to the Jewish people: “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts“ Jn. 5:39-42. And since transgressing God’s command is like a second nature to the sinner, Jesus said: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” Mt.5:17-18. And He sums this up by giving the ordrer: “If you love me, keep my commands” Jn.14:15. Love God, keep his commands: that is what life is all about!
Monday 27: Keep God’s life-giving command.
“You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the LORD your God” Lev.18:4.
Reading 1: 1Jn.5:13-15. Reading 2: Lev.18:1-5. Preaching 1 (option). Preaching 2: Lev.18:4-5. Other references:
– “Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding” Pr.15:31-32.
– “Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death” Jn.8:51.
Tuesday 28.: Keeping the command of love is life-giving.
“If I give all I possess to the poor … but do not have love, I gain nothing” 1 Cor.13:3.
Reading 1: Lk.6:31-36. Reading 2: 1Cor.13:1-3. Preaching 1 (option). Preaching 2: 1Cor.13:3. Other references:
– “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name” Ps.91:14.
– “For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments” Ex.20:5-6.
Wednesday 29.: By keeping God’s command we have communion with Him.
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love” Jn.15:10a.
Reading 1: Rev.22:12-17. Reading 2: Jn.15:9-12. Preaching 1 (option). Preaching 2: Jn.15:10. Other references:
– “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” Jn.14:23.
– “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” Jn.19:27-28
Thursday 30.: Whoever loves God, keeps his commands.
“If you love me, keep my commands” Jn.14:15.
Reading 1: Ps.37:27-33. Reading 2: Jn.14:12-21. Preaching 1 (option). Preaching 2: Jn.14:15. Other references:
– “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” Ps.119:11.
– “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” Lk.10:41.
Friday 31.: Obedience to God’s command is source of blessing.
“The LORD will make you the head…if you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them” Dt 28:13.
Reading 1: Lk.10:38-41. Reading 2: Dt 28:1-13. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Dt 28:13. Other references:
– “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land” Is 1:19.
– “He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it” Lk 11:28.
Saturday 01.: Keeping the command of love, eternal life.
„Love never fails” 1 Cor.13:8a.
Reading 1: 1 Jn.2:15-17. Reading 2: 1 Cor.13:4-13. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: 1 Cor.13:8. Other references:
– “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore” Ps.133:1,3.
– “Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death” Jn.8:51.
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