Summary

Mother Suzanne preaches on Jesus's words "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom," emphasizing that God desires to shower us with good things and the kingdom itself. She calls the congregation to live in readiness and awareness for God's presence, finding ourselves through giving ourselves away in service and community. Through the example of Grace church's community impact, she demonstrates how kingdom work transforms both those who serve and those who are served.

THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                              Luke 12:32-40

Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

"Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

"But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."

Artwork: The Light of the World, by William Holman Hunt (1827-1910)