Genesis 18:10-15, 21:1-7; 1 Peter 1:3-12; John 15:9-17

One of the marks of the people of God is that they live with joy. Joy may or may not be found in our circumstances at any given moment, but because of the great love God has demonstrated for us through His Son, Jesus, we are filled with an inexpressible joy knowing that His promises are sure and our future in His kingdom is secure. Because of who we are in Christ, we can find joy in the most difficult of circumstances.

Genesis 4:1-15; 2 Timothy 4:1-18; Luke 18:9-17

 “How can you be so sure?” That is the question we may find ourselves asking when we read the confidence expressed by Paul in today’s Epistle: “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8); “The Lord stood by me and strengthened me. . . . I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. . . . The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:17–18a). “Paul, how can you be so sure?” Today’s service will help us to see that Paul’s certainty was not based upon his strength of faith or his works of ministry; no, it was based solely on God’s faithfulness to him in Jesus Christ, the Crucified! Through His Word and Spirit, God provides such confidence and certainty to us also as we gather in His presence and are received by Him as members of His heavenly kingdom. “To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy 4:18b).

Genesis 8:5-8; 2 Timothy 3; Luke 6:43-49

As we continue to go through the book of 2 Timothy, Paul clarifies what it means to be Christian. Those who follow Jesus are different from the world. People who are not filled with anger, selfishness and greed, but instead those who live the life that Jesus modeled and calls us to do.

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; 2 Timothy 2:1-6; John 8:48-59

In the beginning, following the crown of creation formed in Adam, the Lord said, “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18). By the Lord’s continued creative work in making Eve, Adam would not be alone nor would humanity that followed even into a broken and sinful world. Yet even before the creation of the world and mankind, God Himself was not alone. In His eternal triune nature, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are and always have been. With thanksgiving, even as we come before Him today not alone but together, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit also join us together as one. Our Lord, Three in One, One in Three, comes to us through Word and Sacrament to unite us in faith given, promises fulfilled, and forgiveness assured.

Joel 2:28-32; 2 Timothy 1:1-18; Matthew 10:5-20

What transformed the 12 disciples from constant fear to incredible confidence? What changed the 12 disciples from personal weakness to unimaginable power? What adapted the 12 disciples from misguided judgment to AGAPA love? What grew the 12 disciples out of their foolish behavior to masterful self control?

Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53

Where is the hope? We live in a world where people are hungering for hope amid climate disasters, viruses, and failures of institutions and trusted leaders. There is a void in the marketplace for hope, which many try to fill with the latest fad, a get-rich-quick scheme, or by trusting in human institutions run by fallen humanity. Ascension gives us real hope. It reminds us that God loves us so much He sent His one and only Son to redeem us through His crucifixion and resurrection. Following the resurrection, Jesus walked the earth for forty days before ascending to heaven while promising us that He is with us always—in His Word, His Sacraments, and among His people. Then He returned to the Father to be our advocate. That is our hope.

Acts 16:9-15; Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27; John 14:12-21

"Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, Mold me, Fill me, Use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.”

Acts 11:1-18; Revelation 21:1-7; John 16:12-22

"A little while" says Jesus, and He will not be seen and then seen again - because He is going to the Father. Jesus is nothing but blunt with His disciples, telling them what will happen. But they do not want to hear it. They did not want to hear His words of suffering and death to come on the cross, and they missed His promise to rise again. Jesus knew their aching hearts were full and promised the Spirit to lead them into all truth. A little while and death will give way to life - for Jesus and also for His disciples. Because He goes to the Father, preparing the way, we also look forward to going to the Father. This hope sustains the weary through their trials in the mortal life. We belong forever to the Lord.

Acts 20:17-35; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30

Happy Mother’s Day! For most of us Mom has been a great blessing in our lives. Most of us, when they are little kids, grabbed hold of Mom in tears and fears. We also look to someone we know in times of need. How great is the Good Sheppard who’s voice we know and who’s face we trust!

Acts 9:1-22; John 21:1-19

In light of Christ’s eternal victory, we should expect change in our daily living. For example, although they were called to be fishers of men, in today’s Gospel, the disciples learned that they needed to listen to their Lord even when fishing for fish. Change for Peter would mean moving from regretting his past (where he denied his Lord) to feeding Christ’s flock. And for Saul (Paul), Christ’s eternal, living presence would mean changing from catching Christians to proclaiming Christ before Gentiles and kings. The heavenly host in the Reading from Revelation sing their eternal songs of praise to the Lamb on the throne. How might our risen Lord’s eternal victory over sin and evil change us so that we echo their praises already here in time?