The message: Jesus Christ is risen from the dead! It is an assurance of eternal victory for all believers, the victory over sin and injustice, the triumph over the devil and all the works of darkness. It is thus that Jesus’ word which says: « Because I live, you also will live » Jn 14:19 will mean « Because I triumph, you also will triumph”, ”Because I am exalted, you also will be exalted” — that is to triumph and be exalted with strength and glory. That is the legacy that God gives to all those who believe in his Name, who trust in his Word and who accept his call. For it is written, « And those he predestined he also called, those he called he also justified, those he justified he also glorified » Rom 8:30. Indeed, « to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His Name, he gave the right to become children of God » Jn 1:12. « Now if we are children then we are heirs, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory » Rom 8:17. In fact, suffering in faith is that which allows one to inherit according to the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to Timothy, « If we endure, we will also reign with Him » 2 Tim 2:12a. Would you like to be exalted in the glory of the kingdom of God? The Lord said, « So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you
have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised » Heb 10:35-36. Paul testified to this glorious and victorious exaltation, saying, « I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing » 2 Tim 4:7-8. Dear friend, believe ! And you will be victorious! Jesus said, « To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne » Rev 3:21.
Monday, 25th: The victorious faith knows in whom it believes.
« I know my redeemer lives » Job 19:25a.
Reading 1: 2 Tim 1:6-12. Reading 2: Job 19:25-27. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Job 19:25.
Introduction: Job’s suffering was most terrible but he was strengthened by his faith, so he stood firm and conquered. Formerly, the trial that Abraham endured was not easy, but he held on to faith and « it was credited to him as righteousness » Rom 4:22. Indeed, he was « fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised » Rom 4:21. Would you like to have a victorious faith? Know Him in who you believe (2 Tim 1:12)
Tuesday, 26th: Faith overcomes the world.
« For everyone born of God overcomes the Word » 1 Jn 5:4.
Reading 1: Rom 8:31- 37. Reading 2: 1 Jn 5:4-12. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: 1 Jn 5:4.
Introduction: God makes the believer born of God a winner like Him. He overcomes sin, the works of darkness, the human nature of the old Adam, the worldly manners and customs, unbelief. It is the work of the Holy Spirit of God who comes from above, as « the one who comes from above is above all » says Jesus in John 3:31. It is indeed written, « For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power, love and self-discipline » 2 Tim 1:7
Wednesday, 27th: Peace is the legacy of the victorious faith.
« Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you’ » Jn 20:19b.
Reading 1: Lk 2:8-14. Reading 2: Jn 20:19-31. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jn 20:19.
Introduction: « Peace » means the great confidence resulting from the resurrection of Jesus, who stands and dwells among his people. It is an assurance and a great promise of victory for those who believe. Happy are the hearts who receive Jesus because He makes them remain in His Peace. In fact, the Lord will make his home in those who believe in Him (Jn 14:20). It is a guarantee of a lifetime blessing.
To this end, God’s Word says, « In your heart, revere Christ as Lord » 1 Pet 3:15
Thursday, 28th: Faith overcomes suffering and death.
« The righteous will live by faith » Rom 1:17.
Reading 1 : Jn 11:21-27. Reading 2: Rom 1:16-17. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Rom 1:17.
Introduction: The living faith which justifies and revives the believer comes from keeping God’s Word and from union with Jesus, « the pioneer and the perfecter of faith » Heb 12:2. In this regard, the apostle Paul declares, « For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all » 2 Cor 4:17-18. The glory, with which the believer is covered, is eternal life.
Friday, 29th: The victorious faith is Jesus in us.
« Take heart, I have overcome the world » Jn 16:33b.
Reading 1: Jos 1:1-5. Reading 2: Jn 16:25-33. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jn 16:31-33.
Introduction: God’s aim is that his people will know Him and trust in his Love, that they will realize the power of the faith He gave them and be able to say, « Who shall separate us from the love of Christ ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? » Rom 8:35b. « No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us » Rom 8:37
Saturday, 30th: Faith overcomes because of the Lord’s presence among his people.
« And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age » Mt 28:20b.
Reading 1 : Isa 41:8-16. Reading 2 : Mt 28:11-21. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 28:20.
Introduction: God established an eternal covenant with the believer when He said: « I will be their God and they will be my people » Jer 31:33b. This was sealed by the blood of Christ (Mt 26:28), so that it will never be broken (Isa 54:10). Indeed, « having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end » Jn 13:1.
Nota: This pericop is published weekly in Malagasy, French and English, and can be seen on www.hifi-madanet.org and on Facebook “HiFi – english”. Listen to “hifiradio.org” 24/24 hours, 7/7 days. © Madanet