Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Come soon! Amen.
by Pastor Edwin Lehmann on May 28, 2022 in Revelation 22:12-20
Sermon for the 7th Sunday of Easter – Exaudi May 29, 2022
Text: Revelation 22:12-20 ILCW Series C 22:2326
Theme: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Come soon! Amen.
It’s been a sad week, another heart-wrenching week in our world. I don’t even have to explain. How do you wrap your mind around it? A massacre of children, brutal, senseless, totally evil (Uvalde, TX). Such is what sin and failure to look to God cause in our world. It’s not the first time it’s happened, and it won’t be the last, no matter what politicians and pundits say. They can’t stop sin. But Christ can.
Sometimes when the way through life gets dark, rough, and steep, we grow weary and wonder just what it all means. Oh, that we would be rid of such things forever, that the wild, scavenger dogs, the murderers, idolaters, and all who love and practice falsehood and evil would be shut out of our lives forever. Someday, but we are not there yet. For the time being we must go on. But, dear friends, always go on with this prayer on your lips: Come, Lord Jesus! Come soon to our world that can be so dark in sin and unbelief.
These are the last words of the Bible: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” It’s a simple request, a concise prayer, consisting of only 4 words. Yet, those simple words sum up the Christian’s fondest wish and most fervent desire. We want to see the Lord Jesus; we want to have Him with us. (hymn)
Come, Lord Jesus. Many people begin a meal with those words: “Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest….” We should pray those words, not just at dinner time, but in the light and the darkness of our lives here: “Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly, come soon. Come to relieve us; come to receive us; come to reside with us; come to take us home.” Why would Christians say that? Because we have seen over the last several weeks from these Revelation texts what that heavenly home is like, devoid of all wickedness and sad things that happen here. Recall some of the things John told us.
In the vision of heaven that God gave him, John saw that everything was new again; there was nothing of the old, sinful world remaining. Everything was shiny and bright, described in terms of costly jewels, precious gems, and rarest metals of unbelievable sizes.
He saw walls that rose around a city, going up some 1,400 miles into the sky. He saw 12 city gates through which one entered the city, 3 on each side, each built from a gigantic pearl. 12 angels guarded the gates, but they were always open for God’s people to enter.
He saw a city made of pure gold, clear as glass. Emeralds, sapphires, diamonds, rubies, and countless gems sparkled throughout the 12 foundations of the city. But the most startling thing to John was the absence of something. Do you remember what it was?
John cried, “A Temple! I don’t see a temple in the city!” We might say, “Where’s the church?” That’s surprising because a temple or a church is the place where believers in the Christ come into God’s presence in the highest way possible here on earth. But it’s not surprising that there is no temple in heaven because you don’t need a building when God and the Lamb who was slain for our sin are right in front of you. They make heaven what it is – safe and secure. Their redeeming love and gracious presence turn the whole place into a temple. It was an awesome sight that John got to see!
John continued in the opening part of this last chapter: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb. In the middle of the city’s street and on each side of the river was a tree of life that gave 12 fruits every month.”
I can’t think of any fruit tree that gives fruit for our nourishment and enjoyment constantly, 12 months out of the year. Maybe 1 or 2 months, but there it never stops! And “the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” Leaves that heal everyone completely no matter what color, nationality, or language they speak.
It continued, “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb is in the city, and His servants will worship Him. They will see His face. His name will be on their foreheads.” Name on the foreheads? What’s that about? It’s rather simple.
Whose book is this? Mine. How do you know it is mine? It has my name in the front. A name on something shows to whom it belongs. And the name on the people’s foreheads declares that they are God’s. Will there actually be a name on my forehead like there was on the High Priest’s turban in the Old Testament? It said, “Holy to the LORD” (Ex.28:36)? I don’t know. The point is those in heaven are God’s holy people because their sins have been washed away in the blood of Christ. The curse for sin is removed. Believers are His forever, just like this book is mine and no one will take it from me.
What a comforting thought for those who come to God through a repentant faith in Christ, especially as they endure the trials of this life! God promises in the Book of Isaiah (43): “He who created you…He who formed you says, ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…. You are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you…. Fear not, for I am with you.’”
Fear not! That’s the message of Revelation to all who believe. It is so great and needed by all that an angel told John, “Don’t seal up the words of this book!” In other words, God wants everyone to know; He wants everyone to turn and believe in Him now! But if people reject Him, if they continue in their dark ways, if they tell lies about Him, they will not get into the heavenly city. It is a sad thing for Christ died for all, that all might live through Him. Yet, at the same time, it is an assurance to all believers. Finally, all those who cause such evil pain and heartache will be gone from our lives forever. We will be safe and secure in the hands of God! (hymn)
There’s one more thing that John saw in his vision. He writes, “There will no longer be any night or any need for lamplight or sunlight because the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever…. These words are faithful and true.” Faithful and true! You can count on this! It is from Jesus, who is before and after David, the eternal Christ. He is the bright Morning Star!
I wish I was better at astronomy because outside of the sun, the moon, and the Big Dipper I don’t know the heavenly bodies so well. But I do know that the bright Morning Star refers to the planet Venus that hovers over the eastern horizon just before dawn. The Greeks could use the word “star” in a broader sense than we do. When you see Venus arise on the horizon, that heavenly body announces the start of a new day, a fresh beginning, and dark night is left behind.
What a name for our Savior! He is the bright Morning Star who shines into our hearts (2Pt.1:19), driving away the night of sin and unbelief. He gives us confidence for the new day that soon will arrive. Then we will eat and drink at His table. None of those vicious “dogs” on the outside can get us anymore. They won’t get into the New City. Finally, we live at peace and rest from all that seek to devour us here. It’s a brand-new beginning, a refreshed life where we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Such a heartwarming scene closes the Book and ends God’s revelation of Himself in the Scriptures. Many are confused by the pictures contained therein and wonder at the fantastic imagery. What does it all mean? Why did the Lord give us things that are often beyond our comprehension? Why? Think of it this way.
There once was a blind little child who had never gazed upon the beauties of nature that we see daily. But it was believed that an operation on her eyes could give her sight for the first time.
After the delicate surgery was done, her eyes were bandaged. When the moment came to remove the bandages so that she might look upon the world for the first time, the doctors decided that it might be best to take her outside after night had fallen. As she beheld the moon and the stars in their twinkling glory, she cried, “O mother, is this heaven?” “No,” her mother replied, “this is earth, and that is the sky above us there.” “Oh, why did you not tell me it was so beautiful and so grand?” the girl asked. “I tried, my dear, but it was impossible,” her mother replied. “You have to see it for yourself in order to understand it.”
And so it is with the heavenly City which Christ has won for all who believe in His death for sin and resurrection on Easter to give us life eternal. In the Book of Revelation, that City is portrayed in astoundingly beautiful colors, extreme shapes, and mindboggling sizes. We cannot fully grasp its beauty until we see it for ourselves. It stirs wonder, excitement, and longing within us to be there. As the Apostle Paul writes, “Now we see through a glass, darkly, but then we shall see face to face. Now we know in part, but then we shall know even as we are fully known” (1Cor.13:12).
It is the Christian’s fondest wish and most fervent desire. It’s what we look forward to the most – to know, to see, to be at home with our Savior. And so, the Scriptures close with this brief, yet most important petition amid all the circumstances of our lives here: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Come Soon! Amen!” God grant it to us in faith for Jesus’ sake. (hymn)
Zion Lutheran Church of Springfield
(A member congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
4717 S Farm Rd 135 (Golden Avenue)
Church phone: 417.887.0886 Pastor’s cell phone: 417.693.3244
www.zionluthchurch.com email: revelehmann@gmail.com
You can also find us on Facebook
The Seventh Sunday of Easter: “Exaudi” (“Hear”) May 29, 2022
“Hear me, O LORD. With my voice I call. Be merciful and answer me.” Psalm 27:7
F o r O u r V i s i t o r s
The family of Zion welcomes you as we worship the Lord today. We encourage children to worship with us. However, if you need to leave with your child, there is a nursery room to the right as you exit the sanctuary. The rest rooms are located in the hallway between the sanctuary and the fellowship hall. Visitors, please sign our guest book to the right, just outside the sanctuary. We’re glad that you are here and pray that through our worship the Lord grants you peace.
U p o n E n t e r i n g G o d’ s H o u s e
“Hear my voice when I call…Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide from me….I am still confident of this…the LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?…Take heart, and wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27).
W h a t T h i s S u n d a y i s A b o u t
The Savior Still Works for Us. This past Thursday was Ascension Day. Forty days after His resurrection on Easter, Jesus ascended to heaven.
Although He ascended to His throne above, He is still active in His Church below. He guides, protects, intercedes, and assures His people of His return. He does these things and more so that we might continue to know and believe the Gospel, find our confidence there, and enjoy the bond of peace and unity it brings to those who await Jesus’ coming.
He has not left us as orphans but works to strengthen and draw us into unity with Him and the Father. He also works through us in bringing others to faith. It is a great comfort and joy to know that the Savior still works for us here while He is in His heavenly Kingdom.
For that reason, we pray: Almighty God, Your Son our Savior was taken up in glory and intercedes for us at Your right hand. Through Your living and abiding Word, give us hearts to know Him and faith to follow where He has gone, for His name’s sake. Amen.
– T h e W o r d o f G o d f o r T o d a y –
The First Lesson: Acts 16:6-10
The Word of the Lord spread to Europe as God directed Paul and his companions on their second missionary journey to preach the Gospel in Macedonia. The Lord Jesus, although ascended to heaven, still guided the work which needed to be done in the New Testament Church.
The Epistle Lesson: Revelation 22:12-17,20
The Savior promised that His return at the end is near. At that time, He will deliver His people from all evil. As members of His Church, we rejoice and cry out in anticipation: “Come, Lord Jesus, Come!” But while we wait, He still works, inviting all people to believe in Him.
The Gospel Lesson: John 17:20-26
On the night before His death, Jesus prayed for Himself, His disciples, and all believers. Here He prayed for believers everywhere that they may be protected, unified, and glorified through faith in Him. As that happens, the world will know that the Father sent Him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Organist: Jane Rips
The Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann
Point to Ponder: “Caught in the changes of time we need a timeless anchor. We have one in Christ, risen from the dead and now ruling at the right hand of God in heaven. He is eternal, unchanging, “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Calling Himself “Alpha and Omega,” the beginning and the ending of the Greek alphabet, He is also everything in between – the total content of our faith.
He is “the Bread of Life.” He is “the Water of Life.” “Behold,” He says, “I am coming soon” to receive us to Himself forever. “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” — from Rudolph Norden’s Jesus: Beginning, Middle, End
Day by day, Your mercies, Lord, attend me, Bringing comfort to my anxious soul.
Day by day the blessings, Lord, You send me Draw me nearer to my heav’nly goal.
Love divine beyond all mortal measure, Brings to naught the burdens of my quest;
Savior, lead me to the home I treasure, Where at last I’ll find eternal rest.
CW-21 #803 st.1
Outline of Our Worship
Hymn Sing Service
Lord, Hear Us
Opening Hymn: #612
Confession of Sin: #430 st.1-3
Absolution: #510
Song of Praise: #627
Lord, Speak To Us
Acts 16:6-10
Hymn: #633
Revelation 22:12-17,20
Hymn: #900
John 17:20-26
Duet: #561
Part 1: Come Soon to Our Dark World
Hymn: #803
Part 2: Come Soon to Claim Us as Your Own
Hymn: #699
Part 3: Come Soon, Lord Jesus! Amen.
Hymn: #890
Lord, We Respond
The Offering
Hymn: #353 st.1-2
Lord, Bless Us
Prayers
The Blessing
Closing Hymn: #783 st.1,5,6,7
Silent Prayer
The Seventh Sunday of Easter – Series C
The First Lesson: Acts 16:6-10 – God Calls Paul to Preach in Macedonia
6They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, because they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in the province of Asia. 7When they went as far as Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9A vision appeared to Paul during the night. A Macedonian man was standing there, urging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” 10As soon as he had seen the vision, we immediately made plans to proceed to Macedonia, because we concluded that God had called us to preach the good news to them.
Epistle Lesson: Revelation 22:12-17,20 – Jesus Is Coming Soon
12Look, I am coming soon and my reward is with me, to repay each one according to what he has done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the Tree of Life and so that they may enter through the gates into the city. 15Outside are the dogs, that is, the sorcerers, the adulterers, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.
17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears this say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift.
20The one who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Gospel Lesson: John 17:20-26 – Jesus Prays for All Believers
20“I am praying not only for them, but also for those who believe in me through their message. 21May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I am in you. May they also be one in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. 22I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one: 23I in them, and you in me. May they become completely one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
24“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am so that they may see my glory—the glory you gave me, because you loved me before the world’s foundation. 25Righteous Father, the world did not know you, but I knew you, and these men knew that you sent me. 26I made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love you have for me may be in them, and that I may be in them.”
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2019 The Wartburg Project.
C a l e n d a r & A n n o u n c e m e n t s f o r Z i o n L u t h e r a n C h u r c h
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Divine Worship Service online -Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study
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Bible Class 4:30 pm Confirmation 5:45 pm Choir |
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A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today
What is Christ doing for His church? The readings this Sunday answer that question. As the church awaits His return, Jesus continues to rule. He guides and directs the preaching of the gospel. He wants the entire world to know and believe in Him as their Savior. He uses us to make His name known throughout the world.
The Gospel Lesson: John 17:20-26 (answers are found on the back side)
- This prayer has been called Jesus’ High Priestly (Sacerdotal) prayer. Jesus acts as our High Priest by interceding to the Father on our behalf. In this prayer, for whom is Jesus praying?
- Jesus said that He would continue to make God known to the world. How is Jesus making God known to the world today?
Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Greg Miller; Lou Schulz; William & Laurie Moon; Pauline Jaeger; Dave Ballou; John Workentine; Kirsten Jaster (Laurie Moon’s sister); Lois Wiese; Greg Pierson (the Long’s son-in-law); Libya, Jodi Milam’s granddaughter, diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, an autoimmune disease of the brain; Elizabeth Lisenby, looking in the near future at shoulder surgery; Barbara Long, at home.
Meditations next edition of daily devotions begins next Sunday. You will find copies on the credenza in the narthex. Also, the next edition for June of the Forward in Christ is available in the narthex.
District Convention June 6-9 will be the time of our WELS MN District’s biennial convention this year. It has not been held in 4 years because of Covid. The convention looks at the plans for mission and ministry in our district for the upcoming 2 years and comments on the synod’s proposals. Glenn Schulz and Pastor will be attending the convention to represent our congregation and the Southern Conference of the District.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, June 5 – Pentecost Sunday and Confirmation Sunday for Emily Mabra
Sunday, June 5-Tuesday, June 7 – WELS/ELS Family Camp at Heit’s Point
Monday, June 6-Thursday, June 9 – WELS Minnesota District Biennial Convention at MLC, New Ulm
The Week in Review
Last Sunday Worship: 19; Bible Class: 12; Midweek Bible Class: No class; Offering: $872.
Next Sunday’s Lessons:
Pentecost: Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2:1-21; John 14:23-27 (CW-21, Series C)
Answers to Today’s Gospel Lesson Brief Study:
- Jesus is praying for the disciples who are with Him. But He is also praying for those who continue to come to faith in Jesus. It is a prayer that is answered as the church on earth continues to grow. What a great model for our prayers! We ought to not only pray for ourselves, but also to remember and pray for the spiritual well-being of others.
- Jesus sends out His disciples: pastors, teachers, men, women, and children—all who believe. Once we become disciples of Christ, we then make disciples for Christ by spreading the good news of the crucified, risen, and ascended Lord.
This week I am praying for……
