Taking the Sermon Home

November 24, 2013
Scriptural References: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43
Sermon Title Thy Kingdom Come

Today is Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of the Church Year.

What are some of the images that come to mind when you think of a king? How does Jesus fit with those images…and how does he differ?

In the gospel reading which recounts the crucifixion story, the soldiers mock Jesus by saying, ―If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!‖ How does Jesus respond to this taunt, and what does it say about the nature of his kingship?

What does it mean to be one of Christ’s subjects? What does it imply about the conduct and course of our lives?

Taking the Sermon Home

November 17, 2013

Scriptural References: Malachi 4:1-2a; 

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19

"Signs of the Season"

 This morning we read about “life in the end times.” 

· Based on the lessons, what can we expect the end times to be like?

· How should we live as we await the end times?

· What are the signs of hope to look for when “the Day of the Lord” comes?

Taking the Sermon Home

November 10, 2013
Scriptural References: Job 19:23-27a; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17; Luke 20:27-38

Today our readings all relate, in one way or another, to resurrection and redemption.

Where do you find words of reassurance in today’s lessons?

In 2 Thessalonians we learn about people who ask questions about life after death out of a
sense of alarm, and in Luke we read about Sadducees who ask questions out of
disbelief. What barriers or questions do you encounter when contemplating death and life
after death?

How does confidence in the resurrection impact your life in the present?

Taking the Sermon Home

All Saints Sunday, November 3, 2013

Scriptural References: Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18; Ephesians 1:11-23; Luke 6:20-31

All three Bible readings on this All Saints Sunday relate to the Kingdom of God in one way or another—receiving the kingdom, and adopting kingdom behaviors.

What does the kingdom of God mean to you?  How does participation in this kingdom lead you to live?

Martin Luther said that we are both saints and sinners.  That is to say, left to our own nature we pull away from God; nevertheless, in baptism God claims us, seals us with the Holy Spirit and sets us apart for a purpose.  Today, we thank those saints who now rest from their labors, just as we pray that we might be “saints” and examples of faith for others.

Who is on the list of saints that has nurtured you and helped you deepen your relationship with God?   How did they lead by example?