Your November 12th, Sermon & Ministry Resources

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Lectionary Readings — 24th Sunday after Pentecost, November 12, 2023

Joshua 24:1-3a,14-25; Psalm 78:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13.

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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 78:1-7)

Leader: Gather around, hear the words that echo from our history, the stories that belong to us all.

People: With eager minds, we embrace the truths of old, the divine acts that shaped our heritage.

Leader: These narratives shall not be buried in silence; we pledge to recount the mighty deeds of the Lord to the young.

People: Commandments were entrusted to us, a heritage of faith to be imparted from parent to child.

Leader: Our duty is clear: to convey this wisdom to the next generation, to children yet to be born.

People: That they may place their hope in God, never forgetting His works but keeping His commandments.

All: Together, we commit to this sacred task. In worship, we join voices to celebrate and to remember the enduring love of the Lord.

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Opening Prayer (based on Matthew 25:1-13)

Gracious and Almighty God, as we come before You, we are reminded of the parable of the ten bridesmaids, as taught by Your Son in the Gospel of Matthew. Like them, we await Your coming with anticipation, seeking to be ready with our lamps burning bright.

Lord, help us to be wise and prepared, keeping our faith vibrant and our hearts set on You. Let us not be like the five who were unprepared, whose lamps had gone out, but rather like those who carried oil in their jars, ready for Your call at any moment.

As we reflect on this parable, we ask for Your guidance to discern what we need to sustain our spirits and to serve You faithfully. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may be vigilant and proactive in our faith, living out Your love and grace in a world that so deeply needs it.

We lift up those among us in need of Your healing and comfort. May Your presence be a lamp to their feet and a light to their path. For those who are suffering, bring relief; for the lonely, bring fellowship; and for those wrestling with doubt, bring Your assurance.

On this day, and every day until Your kingdom comes, may we live in a way that when You call, we are ready to open the door and enter the feast You have prepared for us.

In the name of Jesus Christ, who with You and the Holy Spirit reigns forever and ever,

Amen.

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Sermon Outline: [NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon].

Purpose: To encourage the congregation to live with anticipation and readiness for Christ's return. It aims to provide comfort to those mourning by affirming the promise of resurrection, inspire a sense of urgency and holiness in daily living, and strengthen the collective resolve to embody the hope and unity of the Christian faith. Ultimately, the sermon is meant to realign the hearts and minds of believers with the transformative reality of the second coming and to renew their commitment to the mission and values of their faith.

Title: Ready for the Reunion (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Introduction:

• Briefly introduce the context of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

• Highlight the Thessalonians' concern about the fate of those who have died before Christ's return.

• Emphasize that Paul addresses these concerns not just to comfort them, but to instruct them on living in readiness for the Lord’s return.

1. Clarifying the Coming (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)

• Cross Reference: John 11:25-26 – Christ as the resurrection and life.

• Discuss Paul’s aim to educate the Thessalonians about the events surrounding Christ’s return.

• Clarification brings comfort; understanding dispels fear regarding the deceased.

• Application: Encourage listeners to seek understanding of biblical prophecy to strengthen their hope and readiness.

2. Resurrection Reality (1 Thessalonians 4:15-16)

• Cross Reference: 1 Corinthians 15:52 – The transformation at the last trumpet.

• Examine the assurance of the resurrection for those who have died in Christ.

• Contrast the world’s despair with the Christian’s hope in the reality of the resurrection.

• Application: Live in the light of eternity, letting the truth of the resurrection shape daily life and priorities.

3. Ascending Assurance (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

• Cross Reference: John 14:3 – Jesus' promise to return and take believers to Himself.

• Reflect on the promise that living believers will be caught up together with the resurrected saints.

• Discuss how this assurance provides comfort and encourages purity and preparedness.

• Application: Cultivate an eternal perspective, live in expectation of being caught up in the clouds, which should inspire holy living.

4. Comforting Conclusion (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

• Cross Reference: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – God as the source of all comfort.

• Emphasize Paul’s directive to comfort one another with the message of hope and assurance.

• Discuss how the promise of the Lord's return offers profound comfort amid trials.

• Application: Commit to comforting one another with the hope of Christ’s return, which binds believers together in expectant joy.

Conclusion:

• Summarize the key points and the certainty of hope that believers possess.

• Encourage the congregation to live in such a way that reflects a readiness for Jesus’ imminent return.

• Offer an invitation for both reflection and response, providing an opportunity for individuals to align their lives with the anticipation of Christ’s advent.

• Close in prayer, asking for God’s help in living expectantly, comfortingly, and ready for the reunion with Christ and all saints.

Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers