The readings for the day of Pentecost are taken from Numbers 11:24-30; Acts 2:1-21; and John 17:1-11. All three lessons center on God’s promise to send His Holy Spirit to us. Numbers records how God put His Spirit on seventy elders so they could help Moses lead and care for the Israelites. Joshua was jealous for Moses … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Pentecost
Sunday Summary: Seventh Sunday of Easter
The readings for the seventh Sunday of Easter are taken from Acts 1:12-26; 1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11; and John 17:1-11. Jesus prayed before He was betrayed, Matthias replaced Judas the betrayer, and Peter warns us about suffering for the sake of following Christ. Acts records how the apostle who betrayed Jesus and then hung himself was replaced … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Seventh Sunday of Easter
Sunday Summary: Sixth Sunday of Easter
The readings for the sixth Sunday of Easter are taken from Acts 17:16-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22; and John 14:15-21. Acts records how Paul shared the grace and truth of God with the people of Athens. Peter gives us the imperative to keep on setting aside the Lord God in our hearts so that we are always ready to … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Sixth Sunday of Easter
Sunday Summary: Fifth Sunday of Easter
The readings for the fifth Sunday of Easter are taken from Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a, 51-60; 1 Peter 2:2-10; and John 14:1-14. The readings that follow Easter remind us of what to expect in the wake of EasterTIDE. Acts records the need for faithful servants to manage the immediate, physical needs of the church, so that the … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Fifth Sunday of Easter
Sunday Summary: Fourth Sunday of Easter
The readings for the fourth Sunday of Easter are taken from Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 2:19-25; and John 10:1-10. Acts records the essence of the authentic Christian church: they continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ teaching, which produced connectedness, which was celebrated in the Lord’s Supper, where THE prayers were said (likely the Psalms plus intercessions and thanksgiving, … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Fourth Sunday of Easter
Sunday Summary: Third Sunday of Easter
The readings for the third Sunday of Easter are taken from Acts 2:14a, 36-41; 1 Peter 1:17-25; and Luke 24:13-35. EasterTIDE is filled with lessons that take us from the reality of the accomplished saving work of Jesus to the realization of that saving work in each individual’s life. This lesson from Acts is a third witness of Peter. His telling … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Third Sunday of Easter
Sunday Summary: Second Sunday of Easter
The readings for the second Sunday of Easter are taken from Acts 5:29-42; 1 Peter 1:3-9; and John 20:19-31. Many words are repeated in all three lessons for today. Faith, belief, and trust (FBT) occur often and all translate the same Greek word: “pistis.” Note that FBT is the work of God, accomplished by His inspired … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Second Sunday of Easter
Sunday Summary: Easter!
The readings for Easter Sunday are taken from Acts 10:34-43; Colossians 3:1-4; and Matthew 28:1-10. Acts records Peter’s visit to the home of Cornelius. Peter provides a divine summary of the gospel, especially the Easter story, to Cornelius and his whole household who had been waiting and waiting to hear it. A week ago on Palm Sunday, … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Easter!
Sunday Summary: Palm Sunday
The readings for Palm Sunday are taken from Isaiah 50:4-9; Philippians 2:5-11; and John 12:12-43. The prophet Isaiah describes the Messiah in great detail. God is with and well-pleased with His incarnate Son who carried on His back and against His face all the rebellion of all people and the disastrous consequences of it all. The shame … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Palm Sunday
Sunday Summary: Fifth Sunday in Lent
The Fifth Sunday in Lent. Ezekiel 37.1-14; Romans 8.1-11; John 11.1-53. All three lessons for Judica Sunday (“Judge me, O God” as in “Deliver me”) record how God brings life where there was only death, especially where death ruled so that people had no hope, where people were certain that no life could ever be known … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Fifth Sunday in Lent