Lessons for November 25, 2007 – Christ the King – Last Sunday after Pentecost

The first lesson

Jeremiah 23:1-6
 
    "I will send disaster upon the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for," says the Lord. [2] This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to these shepherds: "Instead of leading my flock to safety, you have deserted them and driven them to destruction. Now I will pour out judgment on you for the evil you have done to them. [3] But I will gather together the remnant of my flock from wherever I have driven them. I will bring them back into their own fold, and they will be fruitful and increase in number. [4] Then I will appoint responsible shepherds to care for them, and they will never be afraid again. Not a single one of them will be lost or missing," says the Lord. [5] "For the time is coming," says the Lord, "when I will place a righteous Branch on King David's throne. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. [6] And this is his name: 'The Lord Is Our Righteousness.' In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety. (NLT)

Psalm 46

L.  God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 
C.  So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 
L.  Let the oceans roar and foam.
C.  Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
L.  A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. 
C.  God himself lives in that city; it cannot be destroyed.
L.  God will protect it at the break of day. 
C.  The nations are in an uproar, and kingdoms crumble!
L.  God thunders, and the earth melts!
C.  The Lord Almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
L.  Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:
C.  See how he brings destruction upon the world  and causes wars to end throughout the earth.
L.  He breaks the bow and snaps the spear in two;he burns the shields with fire.
C.  "Be silent, and know that I am God!
L.  I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world."
C.  The Lord Almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.  (NLT)

The second lesson

Colossians 1:11-20
 
    We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, [12] always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light. [13] For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. [14] God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins. [15] Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation. [16] Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see—kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him. [17] He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together. [18] Christ is the head of the church, which is his body. He is the first of all who will rise from the dead, so he is first in everything. [19] For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, [20] and by him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross. (NLT)

The Gospel Lesson

Luke 23:33-43
 
    Finally, they came to a place called The Skull. All three were crucified there—Jesus on the center cross, and the two criminals on either side. [34] Jesus said, "Father, forgive these people, because they don't know what they are doing." And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. [35] The crowd watched, and the leaders laughed and scoffed. "He saved others," they said, "let him save himself if he is really God's Chosen One, the Messiah." [36] The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. [37] They called out to him, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" [38] A signboard was nailed to the cross above him with these words: "This is the King of the Jews." [39] One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you're at it!" [40] But the other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you are dying? [41] We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done anything wrong." [42] Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom." [43] And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."  (NLT)