Lessons for November 26, 2006 – Christ the King Sunday

The first lesson

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
 
    I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like whitest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire, 10 and a river of fire flowed from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him, and a hundred million stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened.  13As my vision continued that night, I saw someone who looked like a man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, honor, and royal power over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.  (NLT)

Psalm 93
 
L.  The Lord is king! He is robed in majesty.
C.  Indeed, the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength.
L.  The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken.
C.  Your throne, O Lord, has been established from time immemorial.
L.  You yourself are from the everlasting past. 
C.  The mighty oceans have roared, O Lord.
L.  The mighty oceans roar like thunder; the mighty oceans roar as they pound the shore. 
C.  But mightier than the violent raging of the seas,
L.  mightier than the breakers on the shore—the Lord above is mightier than these! 
C.  Your royal decrees cannot be changed. The nature of your reign, O Lord, is holiness forever.  (NLT)

The second lesson

Rev. 1:4b-8
 
    Grace and peace from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the commander of all the rulers of the world. All praise to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. 6 He has made us his kingdom and his priests who serve before God his Father. Give to him everlasting glory! He rules forever and ever! Amen!  7 Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him—even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the earth will weep because of him. Yes! Amen! 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end," says the Lord God. "I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come, the Almighty One."  (NLT)

The Gospel Lesson

John 18:33-37
 
    Then Pilate went back inside and called for Jesus to be brought to him. "Are you the King of the Jews?" he asked him. 34 Jesus replied, "Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?" 35 "Am I a Jew?" Pilate asked. "Your own people and their leading priests brought you here. Why? What have you done?" 36Then Jesus answered, "I am not an earthly king. If I were, my followers would have fought when I was arrested by the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world." 37 Pilate replied, "You are a king then?" "You say that I am a king, and you are right," Jesus said. "I was born for that purpose. And I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true."  (NLT)