Lessons for November 6, 2005 – All Saints Day The first lesson Revelation 7:9-17 After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white and held palm branches in their hands. 10And they were shouting with a mighty shout, "Salvation comes from our God on the throne and from the Lamb!" 11And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell face down before the throne and worshiped God. 12They said, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and forever. Amen!" 13Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, "Who are these who are clothed in white? Where do they come from?" 14And I said to him, "Sir, you are the one who knows." Then he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white. 15That is why they are standing in front of the throne of God, serving him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will live among them and shelter them. 16They will never again be hungry or thirsty, and they will be fully protected from the scorching noontime heat. 17For the Lamb who stands in front of the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to the springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe away all their tears." (NLT) Psalm 34:1-10,22 L. I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. C. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are discouraged take heart. L. Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness; let us exalt his name together. C. I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears. L. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. C. I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears. L. For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear him, and he rescues them. C. Taste and see that the Lord is good. L. Oh, the joys of those who trust in him! C. Let the Lord's people show him reverence, for those who honor him will have all they need. L. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, C. but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing. L. But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. C. Everyone who trusts in him will be freely pardoned. (NLT) The second lesson 1 John 3:1-3 See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don't know God, so they don't understand that we are his children. 2Yes, dear friends, we are already God's children, and we can't even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 3And all who believe this will keep themselves pure, just as Christ is pure. (NLT) The Gospel Lesson Matthew 5:1-12 1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (NIV)