“The coming of Christ’s kingdom”
When Jesus raised from the dead and appeared to His disciples, He said: « All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me » Mt 28:18. This word announces the start of His kingdom over all men that God has created. For the vision that had been given to Daniel came true: « As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed » Dan 7:13-14. This is nothing else but the confirmation of the word spoken by Isaiah: « For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace » Isa 9:5-6. For the Father exalted Him because of the redemption work He had made: « Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father » Phil 2:9-11. All this took place to glorify the Father and to fulfil His purpose expressed in these terms: « Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven » Mt 6:10. To those who believe in Him, this kingdom is not to be looked for yet, for the Lord said: « For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you » Lk 17:21b– a full pledge for the inheritance of eternal life. The words Jesus said to the believers are both simple and sure: « Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world » Mt 25:34.
Monday, 07.: The Christ King, Messenger of the Lord among His people.
« The Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion » Mic 4:7b.
Reading 1: 1 Pet.2:6-10. Reading 2: Mic 4:1-7. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mic 4:6-7.
Introduction: The Lord God who is reflected in the Christ King, is Lord of earth and heaven and the highest heavens (Deut 10:14). He gives a great promise to Israel, His chosen nation, the first fruit of the Church of God that Christ has purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28). For He will stand in the midst of His people and urge them: « Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory » Ps 24:9-10.
Tuesday, 08.: The Christ reigns in righteousness.
« Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins » Isa 11:5.
Reading 1: Rev 19:11-16. Reading 2: Isa 11:1-5. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Isa 11:5.
Introduction: The Holy Scripture declares: « Righteousness exalts a nation » Pr 14:34. Therefore happy is the nation whose King is the Christ, for the Apostle John’s revelation will be fulfilled to it, it says: « And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,[d] full of grace and truth » Jn 1:14.
Wednesday, 09.: God’s kingdom is in the heart of His people.
« For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you » Lk 17:21b.
Reading 1: Gal 2:11-20. Reading 2: Lk 17:20-30. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Lk 17:20-21.
Introduction: God’s kingdom no outward thing, nor a show-off, but a life to be lived inside. This is David’s prayer: « You desire truth in the inward being » Ps 51:6. Therefore the Apostle Peter said: « But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord » ( col 3:15), namely Jesus Christ, ”the hope of glory” (Col 13:27).
Thursday 10: The Christ King comes for you.
« You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour » Lk 12:40.
Reading 1: Mt 25:1-12. Reading 2: Lk 12:35-40. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Lk 12:40.
Introduction: God wants to establish His kingdom in the heart of the sinful man and tells him: “Son, give me your heart” (Pr.23:26). He says: « For I desire steadfast love » Hos 6:6a. Jesus came on earth in order not to condemn but to save (Jn 3:17), for he is XXXX
To those who are ready to receive Him, He says: « Peace be with you » Jn 20:19, « For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Lk.19:10).
Friday 11: The believers hope for the coming of the kingdom of God.
« Your kingdom come » Mt 6:10a.
Reading 1: Col 3:1-4. Reading 2: Mt 6:7-10. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 6:10.
Introduction: As it was in the time of the captivity of the nation of Israel in Babylon, a time of distress, a time of darkness, the believer longs for the day of his release. This is the year when God visits His people through His Servant, the Christ, in order to proclaim “a year of the Lord’s favour” (Es 61:2a), a year of redemption, a jubilee year.
Saturday 12: The exaltation of the Christ King: hope of the believers.
« When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory » Col 3:4.
Reading 1: Mt 25:31-34. Reading 2: Col 3:1-4. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Col 3:4.
Introduction: God establishes a life-communion, a joint commitment, a reign community (Rom 8:17) for all those who believe in Him through Jesus Christ His Son, whom He has made Redeemer and Savior (1 Jn 2:22). Therefore, it is through the exaltation of Christ in glory as a result of His victory over the kingdom of darkness and over death that He will also exalt His people. 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 Jn 3:2b).
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