Third-Last Sunday of the Church Year

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Thomas F. Fischer, M.Div., M.S.A., Editor

The Third-Last Sunday of the Church Year
Series B

"Labor Pains and Gains"
Mark 13:1-13
Rev. Kelly Bedard, B.A., M.Div.

Goal: that in the wake of Jesus' second coming we both look out and look up

Malady: believing false messiahs and misreading signs, being unprepared for suffering and mission

Means: God the Father's order, God the Son's ardor, God the Spirit's barter

Notes:

1. hupomeno {hoop-om-en'-o}, v13: to remain; to tarry behind; to remain, i.e., abide, not recede or flee; to preserve: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one's faith in Christ; to endure, bear bravely and calmly: ill treatments. (Strong's)

2. Obviously false messiahs continue among us! Their pre-occupation is with speculating on how God orders the world rather than with how we might live to His glory. (Donald Miesner)

3. Even as the pangs of birthing were endurable because the imminent birth would validate the Jewish mother's role and remove the disgrace of barrenness, so the trials and sufferings preceding the Lord's coming are bearable as the faithful anticipate their future glory. The signs, though not to be mistaken for the end, bear eloquent testimony to its ultimate approach. For Jesus to have granted signs pinpointing the end would have negated the need to watch. (Miesner)

4. Spend more energy sharing the good news rather than keeping a primary focus on continual defense! (Miesner)

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This page was revised on: Friday, January 20, 2006 12:10:32 PM