The message: The « kingdom approved by God » is that which accomplishes God’s will, namely, the reign of justice and peace for the benefit of the community, as God’s word says: « See, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice » Isa 32:1. Jesus Christ, the Faithful and Just King, is the center of that kingdom as He is the very foundation of the kingdom of God, which is a Kingdom of Peace (Jn 20:19,21. Indeed, God, and God alone, is the Lord to whom power belongs, and the Head of all authority. Through His Word, He created power, and He also regulates the exercise of governing power in the lives of peoples and nations. For it is written: « There is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God » Rom 13:1b. Therefore, it is the Lord who lends power and gives dominion to the humans; and He gives it for them to accomplish His plan, namely, His will that is beneficial to us, according to His words: « 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. Along with this He gives the assurance: « You will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your hear » Jer 29:12-13. However, He sets a « reconciliation » with Him as a condition for achieving « peace », that is a close relationship with Him who accepts to be a Caring Father who is committed to His people and watches over them in all their struggles and for all the reasons for which they seek Him. It was for this purpose that He ordained and gave His Only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the word He entrusted to the prophet Isaiah: « 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 9:6. The greatest and highest assurance God gives us is that we accept the righteousness of Christ, the Prince of Peace, to rule our lives and our nation. Therefore, the words of the Psalmist will be fulfilled in us: « Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord » Ps 33:12a.
Monday 08: The kingdom approved by God, the kingdom of righteousness.
« See, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice » Isa 32:1.
Reading 1: Rom 14:11-18. Reading 2: Isa 32:1-8. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Isa 32:1.
Introduction: God appoints governments and gives people power to exert rightousness which will bring peace for them. So, the power He gives is meant to move the country forward and in order to glorify God. On the other hand, He strongly opposes anything that is harmful and contrary to the will of God, as Jesus admonished the Pharisees, saying: « Woe to you, blind guides » Mt 23:16a, for « if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit » Mt 15:14b.
Tuesday 09: The kingdom approved by God: the ruler who moves his country forward.
« The one who rules [should be] like the one who serves » Lk 22:26b.
Reading 1: Rom 13:1-5. Reading 2: Lk 22:24-30. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Lk 22:24-26.
Introduction: The supreme power belongs to God, the One who governs and rules over all nations. Thus He appointed His servants such as Moses to lead and to delivrer the children of Israel, Samuel as prophet and judge, and many others. The role model set by the Father for us is His Son Jesus Christ Who « came not to be served but to serve » (Mt 20:28). Blessed is the nation whose ruler is like Him. The Father declares concerning Jesus Christ: « Listen to Him » Mt 17:5.
Wednesday 10: The government approved by God: citizens who do their duty. « Owe no one anything […] » Rom 13:8a.
Reading 1: Mt 17:24-27. Reading 2: Rom 13:6-8. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Rom 13:8.
Introduction: We say in our daily lives « duty does not belong to the evildoers ». God’s people also do not abdicate their responsibilities but do their part for the good and development of their nation. So, when danger threatens, they will not weasel out, just as Esther did who said: « How can I bear to see the calamity that is coming on my people? Or how can I bear to see the destruction of my kindred? » Est 8:6.
Thursday 11: Jesus Christ is the Lord who rules over all things.
« A son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders » Isa 9:6a.
Reading 1: Jn 5:19-23. Reading 2: Isa 9:5-6. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Isa 9:5.
Introduction: When He rose from the dead and appeared to His disciples, Jesus said : « All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me » Mt 28:18. His power is at work to overcome death and bring life and refreshment, and especially, to reconcile us with God. That is the kingdom of grace He brings. For it is written: « His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this » Isa 9:7.
Friday 12: God is the Lord to whom belongs the kingdom.
« For the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours forever » Mt 6:13 Note.
Reading 1: Dan 5:18-21. Reading 2: Mt 6:7-13. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 6:13 Note.
Introduction: Some people seem to be jostling for power. Yet power truly belongs to only One, God Who created all things by His Word, including the powers and kingdoms all over the world (Jn 1:1-3). So, God will bring everyone, regardless of whether he is a government official or a simple citizen, for judgment before the One to whom power belongs, Jesus Christ. God has highly exalted Him, and given Him the name which 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 2:10-11.
Saturday 13: Jesus Christ is the eternal King so awaited by his people.
« Come, Lord Jesus » Rev 22:20b.
Reading 1: Isa 65:17-20. Readingny 2: Rev 22:10-21. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Rev 22:20.
Introduction: The coming of Jesus to reign over His people is the Kingdom that all believers look forward to. Thus, it will be fulfilled for us according to His proclamation when He opened the book of the prophet Isaiah: « The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor […] » Isa 61:1-2.
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