“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

Ideas sprout up and people believe all kinds of things.  Propaganda comes and people believe lies.  Many hate God, and false words are spread and believed.  It has been this way from the beginning.  The world hates God.  But creation was spoken into existence.  You have been given the gift of new life, and the Incarnate Word invites you to enter into eternal life with Him.  Everything behind you will melt away, but Jesus will be in front of you, showing the way.

Lord, I am unable to imagine existence outside of the physical existence I know. But You speak words of truth.  Help me to understand more fully the hope that You give me, which is in You alone.  Guide me out of all the false information that surrounds me so that I may truly experience what Peter said, “You have the words of eternal life.”  There is no other place you want to go.  Lead me into Your word of truth.

Lord Jesus, You are the word made flesh.  In You alone is hope and a good future.  No matter what this or any day brings, help me to live into the life You have given me and are offering me through faith.  Help me to understand that I need You to lead me beyond all the snares of false words that are all around me.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may humbly follow You into eternity.  Amen.

“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: as soon as its branch has become tender and sprouts its leaves, you know that summer is near; so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.  Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place” (Matthew 24:32-33).

Each generation faces the tribulations of the wickedness that is in the world.  The Lord has told us what to look for.  See the signs.  Sadly, many do not look for the signs and then wonder when things come and how they happen.  Do not be misled.  The Lord has told us before they come to pass that we might believe all that He tells us.  You know the signs of the world.  Learn the signs of the Lord.

Heavenly Father, You have told us how creation came to be.  You have sent prophets to warn us.  Your created order reveals to us the signs of the seasons.  Your only begotten Son has spoken words of warning to us.  Help me to heed the signs that You show.  Help me to hear the words that have been spoken.  In all things, help me to look to You.  Guide me so that I see what You are showing me.

Lord Jesus, You are the light that is shining in the darkness.  Lead me into the light of Your presence so that I may see clearly.  I may not know what tomorrow will bring, but I know that You will be there.  I may not know what the twists and turns of this life have in store for me, but I know You will lead me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to humbly walk the way You know I need to walk to remain faithful.  Amen.

John 14:23-29

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, boys and girls! Pastor, can you tell us about the Holy Spirit?

Pastor: The Holy Spirit was sent by God after Jesus ascended to Heaven. The Holy Spirit lives in each baptized believer and guides us in our walk with Jesus.

Sammy: But how does the Holy Spirit teach us and guide us?

Pastor: The Holy Spirit helps us to see the truths we read about in the Bible. We also can learn more about the Word of God, Jesus, by the help of the Holy Spirit.

Sammy: Can we see the Holy Spirit? I mean, we have all of these images of Jesus in our church. But what about the Holy Spirit?

Pastor: The Holy Spirit is not someone we see, but we can feel the presence of the Spirit throughout our day. The Holy Spirit is always with us because He is the gift from God we receive because of Jesus’s work on the cross.

Sammy: So I can’t see Him?

Pastor: A lot of times in the Bible or in artwork based on scripture, we see the Holy Spirit as a dove.

Sammy: I like doves. They are really pretty.

Pastor: Yes they are. When you see a dove in artwork, you can think about the Holy Spirit. But even if you don’t see a dove, know that the Holy Spirit is always with us. Boys and girls, will you pray with me? Dear Jesus, Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us. We ask for your blessing upon each of your children today. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.

“And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.  And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet blast, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other” (Matthew 24:30-31).

That day will come when it comes.  Meanwhile, what are we to do with today.  This is the day that you have been given.  Live each day without desiring anything more than what the Lord gives you.  Do not be caught up by the anxieties of this age.  These words are easy to say, but this is a difficult enough struggle for each one of us.  Be led by the One who has called you into faith and saves you.

Lord, I want to be one of the special ones and know when these things will come to pass.  As you instructed Paul, so instruct me so that if I am to boast, it will be in You, for by my weakness, I have become strong in You.  Take me away from the constant propaganda of this age to listen to Your word of truth.  In You, the source of all life, I can learn how to live life.  Guide me into the life You offer me this day.

Lead me, Lord Jesus, and let me know full well that the final day will come.  Whether in one or ten thousand years, You know.  All I have is this day which You have given me.  Help me to live in this day which You have given me and do the things You give me to do.  Lead me according to Your word to hold fast to the truth which You have revealed so that I may learn more about what it means to be faithful to this calling You have given me.  Amen.

“But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matthew 24:29).

What is coming?  Because Jesus is speaking of the end, are we able to even comprehend what He is saying?  Too much thought has gone into what may come.  Do not live for what may be but live in the moment the Lord has given you.  Anything beyond this tempts us to the place where our pride takes over.  Each one of us knows only what we know; the Lord knows everything.  Learn to trust that He will lead you in the way you need to go.

Lord, so-called knowledge of these things is filled with speculation.  We hear something that seems logical, and we follow after it, sometimes to the detriment of trusting You.  Help me to hold to the first truth, and that is to trust You above all things, especially when I think about what the future holds.  Guide me into all goodness and mercy so that I humbly live the life You have given me.

Lord Jesus, You give us these warnings so that we are not led astray by things that tickle our ears.  Help me to learn how to listen to You clearly and live this day which You have given me.  Guide me in the steps I need to take to live the life You have given me.  Keep me undistracted by the latest speculations which come along.  Lead me by Your goodness so that I may learn how to be faithful.  Amen.

“For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.  Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather” (Matthew 24:27-28).

There are messages of warning that are here to remind us that if we become too comfortable with this age, we may lose sight of the reality that this age is temporary.  Jesus will return and He will find those who are alive in Him and those who remained dead.  They are those who are not walking with the One who made them, they are dead corpses, though we call them alive.  The Lord offers us life.  Without Him, we are dead.

Lord of life, many in this world fall for the ongoing unreality of living what little there is to live in this life but remain dead to You.  You are the source of life and so they wither slowly.  Does this continue forever?  Help me to dwell in You and live into the life You offer me through grace.  Guide me in the upward call You have given me that I may learn how life is meant to be lived.

Thank You Lord Jesus for giving us warning.  You Have come that we may not only have true life but learn how to live that life beginning here and now.  Teach me this new life and lead me in the way You would have me go.  Guide me in the way You know I need to go and help me to not be hindered by the things of this world.  Help me Lord in all I think, say, and do so that I may grow in this life You have given me.  Amen.

John 13:31-35

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, boys and girls!

Pastor: Sammy, today we are going to talk about one of the most important commandments Jesus gives to his disciples.

Sammy: Wait! Let me guess what it is!

Pastor: …Go ahead, Sammy.

Sammy: Eat your vegetables.

Pastor: Nope.

Sammy: Do your chores.

Pastor: Not quite.

Sammy: Remember to brush your teeth.

Pastor: Not even close.

Sammy: I give up.

Pastor: Boys and girls, what do you think the most important commandment Jesus gives us is?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: These are all great answers. One of the most important commandments Jesus gives us is to love each other just as he loved us.

Sammy: But what does that mean? How can I love other people like Jesus loved me?

Pastor: There’s lots of ways to show love to other people. Boys and girls, can you help Sammy think of some ways we can show love to other people?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I like these answers. Sometimes it’s hard for me to love other people, especially when they make me upset or sad. But I will always try my best to love just like Jesus.

Pastor: Sammy, I know that sometimes it’s hard to love people, but we have to remember that as much as we make mistakes and make God sad, he continues to love us no matter what.

Sammy: That’s incredible, Pastor. I make a lot of mistakes.

Pastor: Me too, Sammy. But our God has such a big heart for us, his people. He chases after us and loves us no matter what.

Sammy: I’m grateful for his love. I am going to do my best to love others no matter what, too.

Pastor: Boys and girls, let’s say a prayer together. Can we please fold our hands and bow our heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for your love. Thank you for showing us how to love others, even when it’s hard. Help us to always look to your example. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, boys and girls!

“Behold, I have told you in advance.  So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them” (Matthew 24:25-26).

Christ has come, and the final days will be such that the faithful will know the right way.  Do not be misled by those who by deceit lead people astray.  You know the faith that has been given to you.  You know the sinners through whom the message was delivered.  Do not be misled by the nonsense that comes upon every generation but be led by the One who redeemed you.  In Him alone is true life.

Holy Spirit, You know all the things that go on around me.  Keep my mind clear and guide me so that I remain on the path of true faith.  Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil, knowing that the eternal kingdom has already been established and that You alone, Holy Trinity, is the power and the glory.  Teach me to faithfully walk through this wicked world of pits, snares and traps.

Lord Jesus, You have told us these things in advance so that we do not fall into the traps laid out by the wicked and those who by deceit would lead the faithful astray.  Guide me ever deeper in the true faith for which You died.  Help me to see the traps before me and hold me close to the Father by drawing me near to Him.  Jesus, You know what I need.  I commend myself to You; lead me as I need to be led.  Amen.

“For false christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24).

Do not pay attention to what seem like miracles.  Pay attention to the message.  Just because someone does something does not mean they are anything.  All power belongs to Jesus.  He who took your sin and died so that you may have His life has already accomplished your salvation.  Charlatans will come but give them no room in your heart.  Keep humbly walking in the faith you have been given, trusting in Jesus.

Lord, You who know all things, keep my eyes open so that I am not misled.  Lead me in the way of all truth and guide me according to Your goodness and mercy to humbly walk past any who come to dazzle me in my naiveté.  All power is Yours and the greatest miracle of all has already taken place, for You have redeemed me at the cost of Your own life.  Keep me forever in the one true faith.

Lord Jesus, there are always anecdotes going on around me which distract me.  Help me to not live my life in a reactionary way.  Help me live according to the truth of all that You have spoken.  Guide me in truth.  Deepen my faith and the understanding of the faith You have revealed.  Teach me how to see things more clearly so that I humbly abide in You and You in me forever.  Amen.

And if those days had not been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.  Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘He is over here,’ do not believe him” (Matthew 24:22-23).

Let your faith be solid and firm, not reactionary.  Many will be tempted to have a conditional faith, either reacting to extraordinary circumstances or else for selfish reasons.  The Lord is calling you to have genuine faith, knowing that He who made You has established an eternal relationship with you.  The Lord knows your days and knows what is needed, including whether our days need to be shortened.

Lord, You know all things and You, who willingly went to the cross for me, know all that is needed for me to live into the eternal life Your dying made possible.  Things will happen in my lifetime that I am afraid of.  Help me through all trials and tribulations that may come in order that I may humbly walk in the truth of Your revelation, purpose, and plan.  Guide me into the truth of the Gospel.

Lord Jesus, You know tribulation, for You experienced it as a man.  You also know all things, for You are God.  Help me through all the difficulties I will face and keep me from being conditional with my life.  You are the One in whom all things have their being.  Lead me in the truth You have revealed and keep me forever close to You.  Keep me now and always in Your plan of salvation.  Amen.