The theme: The Lord is coming, the Messiah, God’s Anointed Messenger, of whom the Father declares, « This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him! » Mat 17: 5. The coming of the Lord? It is a great hope for the world. It was 830 years before He came to earth that Isaiah the prophet revealed Him as the Lord, the Great King, and the Savior, « For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace » Is.9: 5. The angel then confirmed this when he appeared to Joseph and announced about his wife Mary, « She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins [Jesus means the LORD saves] » Mat 1: 21. Jesus is the fulfillment of salvation, even our redemption, renewal, and perfection. The Apostle John said, « But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is » 1 John 3: 2b. The Apostle Paul said, “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory » Col.3: 4. The coming of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the promise of salvation that He brings, just as He said after He read in the book of Isaiah 61: 1-2, « Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing » Lk 4: 21. John added, »The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth » Jn.1: 14. The Lord says, »A little more time, and he who is coming will come, and he will not delay » Heb.10: 37, »However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? » Lk 18: 18. Therefore, what is needed is to accept him as King of our the heart, as « Christ in us is the hope of glory »( Col.1: 27).
Monday 02: The Lord is coming, promise of salvation for his people. « In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety » Jer.33: 16a. Reading 1: Luke 2: 8-14. Reading 2: Jer 33: 14-18. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jer.33: 16. Introduction: In the midst of a great tribulation, the psalmist cried out, « Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope « Ps.130: 1, 5. He is « a help that never fails in trouble » (Ps 46: 1). For, « when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, „Peace be with you!‟ The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord » John 20: 19,20b.
Tuesday 03: The Lord is coming, be ready to welcome Him.
« Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh » Rom.13: 14.
Reading 1: Mat.22: 1-14. Reading 2: Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Rom.13: 13-14.
Introduction: The Lord’s coming is welcome with great reverence and glorification. It’s like a wedding, where guests are required to wear formal clothing. The clothing worthy of the Lord ’s coming is holiness, as it is written: » Arrayed in holy splendor, your young men will come to you like dew from the morning‟s womb » Ps.110: 3b. In this respect, Paul says, « For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality » (1 Co.15: 53).
Wednesday 04: The Lord is coming, celebrate his coming!
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Mat.21: 9a.
Reading 1: Zec 9: 9-12. Reading 2: Mat.21: 1-9. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mat.21: 1-9.
Introduction: The Lord is coming. And the Messiah has come indeed, as the prophets proclaimed 800 years earlier, » But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times » Mic.5: 2. Surely God’s Messiah has come to deliver his people Israel and to save the world (John 4:42). Let us sing and praise His Holy Name (Ps.145: 21).
Thursday 05: The Lord is coming, the promise is fulfilled.
“Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” Luke 4:21.
Reading 1: Esa.9: 4-6. Reading 2: Luke 4: 16-22. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Luke 4: 20-21.
Introduction: The angel Gabriel encouraged Mary as she was surprised by his announcement that « the Holy Spirit would come upon her and she would bring forth the Son of God » (Luke 1:35). He then said to her, « No word of God will ever fail » Luke 1:37. Jesus strongly emphasized this point after He read Isaiah 61: 1-2: « The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor… to proclaim the year of the Lord‟s favor.” For He then opened his mouth to proclaim, »Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” Luke 4: 18-21.
Friday 06: The Lord is coming, be prepared to receive him.
« Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near » Mat.4: 17.
Reading 1: Mal.3: 16-23. Reading 2: Mat.4: 12-17. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mat 4: 17.
Introduction: The Lord wants His people to be blameless at His coming. Paul says, « May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Thess 5: 23. Repent and change, hold to your faith, fulfill your ministry, « Rejoice in the Lord always » Phil 4: 4a, « Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord … » 1 Co 15: 58a.
Saturday 07: The Lord is coming, peace be with you!
« Peace be with you » John 20:19.
Reading: Luke 2: 8-14. Reading 2: John 20: 19-20. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: John 20:19.
Introduction: When Jesus was leaving his disciples before He suffered, He said to them, « Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you » John 14:27. When He rose from the dead and the Jews persecuted His disciples, He stood in their midst and said to them, « Peace be with you » John 20:19. Actually, the Messiah wants to be reconciled with men and to reconcile them to God. For the coming of Jesus among his people aims to establish his kingdom of peace (Is 9: 6).
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