December 10, 2023 - Populus Zion Sermon

Old Testament: Malachi 4:1–6
Psalm: Psalm 50:1–15; antiphon: v. 15
Epistle: Romans 15:4–13
Gospel: Luke 21:25–36
Introit: Psalm 80:1, 3, 14, 17; antiphon: Isaiah 62:11b; 30:30, 29
Gradual: Psalm 50:2–3a, 5
Verse: Luke 21:26b–27

The Lord Comes on the Last Day
 
The day on which our Lord returns will be a “great and awesome day” (Mal. 4:5). For He will come in a cloud with great power and glory. To the wicked and the proud, it will be a Day of judgment that will “set them ablaze” (Mal. 4:1). The signs preceding this Day will bring them fear and fainting. But to those who believe, who fear the name of the Lord, this Day is one to look forward to and rejoice in: “. . . straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). Christ our Redeemer is coming; the Sun of Righteousness will bring healing in His wings. Let us, then, give attention to the words of the Lord, which do not pass away. Let us “through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures” (Rom. 15:4) be strengthened in our hope by the Holy Spirit and watch diligently for Jesus’ coming. Then, by God’s grace, we shall escape all these things that will come to pass and stand before the Son of Man.

Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship