“Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes” (Matthew 24:46).

Do you act as a slave of the Lord?  Are you your own person?  Do you spend as much time learning the truth of the Lord as you do with entertainment?  Are you doing what the Lord gives you to do?  It is obvious from the meltdown of our culture that many who say they follow Jesus are giving lip service but doing little or nothing else.  You have been given a call from the Lord of all creation.  Are you faithfully following that call?

Lord, I know that I am to spend my time with You.  I do not.  Teach me the discipline I need to live the life I tell myself and others that I am living.  You know where I am no different than the unbelievers around me.  Help me to be true to myself so that I can be genuine to others.  Help me to not play the games of this world, but live into the life for which I am being prepared by You for eternity.

Lord Jesus, You have called for me to be faithful.  Where the pollution of this world has seeped in, show me and correct me.  Where I am speaking the words, but not living according to Your word, correct me.  Where my god in this world is anything but You, the true God, kill it.  Keep me close to You Lord so that I may walk in what I believe and live according to the full revelation of Your word.  Amen.

“Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household slaves, to give them their food at the proper time?” (Matthew 24:45)

We all are stewards.  Everything belongs to God.  We will leave our things all behind when we leave.  What then?  We are stewards.  We are slaves to something.  What do you do as a steward?  The best you can for the master.  Who is your master?  You cannot serve two masters.  You will not be your own master.  The Lord has provided.  What will you do with what He has provided?

Lord, this world tells me I am my own person.  This world lies.  I defy the lie with all the things I am obligated to do.  If I were truly free, I could literally do whatever I feel like doing.  But I cannot.  Help me to live the life of stewardship that You have given me.  Guide me in the upward call of faith so that I look to You and spend my life preparing for what You have in store for me.  Teach me how to be a steward.

Lord Jesus, I have been put in charge of many things.  You have led me thus far in the faith You have given me.  I am also filled with the pollution of this age.  Guide me Lord in the upward call that You have given me so that I become a good steward of the mysteries of faith which You have revealed to me.  Help me to do what You give me to do each day and not shirk the responsibility of being Your steward.  Amen.

“But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.  For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will” (Matthew 24:43-44).

If we think selfishly, we will miss the point.  Scripture says it elsewhere when it says, “Be ready to give an account of the hope that is within you.”  Today may be the day you meet the Lord.  Are you ready?  Always be ready.  He will not judge you on what you do not know, or what you have not done, but upon what opportunities you have taken to know Him and what you have done with what He has given you.

The thief is the wicked one who will attempt to steal the hope that is within you.  We live in a world filled with wickedness that wraps itself in false light.  See the wickedness that will try to steal the faith you have been given.  Let the Holy Spirit guide you through the traps of this world.  Always live preparing yourself for the promise which is the basis for the hope we have been given.  Live preparing to meet Lord Jesus face to face.

Jesus, You know how often I live in the moment.  I am tossed about by waves of thought filled with untruths that swirl all around me.  Your word is truth.  Help me to keep Your word as the anchor that holds me in the place of truth.  From there, guide me to live in the truth of the revelation You have given me.  Let me be ready on any given day to give an account, whether to others or to You.  Amen.

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! Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads!

Pastor: Yes, happy Father’s Day! Sammy, did you know that our earthly fathers help to show us the heart of our heavenly Father?

Sammy: Do you mean that our dads and granddads and papas and pop-pops and grandpas and daddys show us part of God’s heart?

Pastor: Yes, we are created in the image of God, and God created men as a reflection of his own heart and his great love for his people. When our fathers raise us with the love of Jesus in their hearts, they show us who Jesus is, too.

Sammy: That’s great news! That means that when I run around the pasture and do something that I am not supposed to do, I don’t need to sit in the time-out pen anymore.

Pastor: What do you mean, Sammy?

Sammy: Well, God doesn’t put me in time-out for doing something wrong, my daaa-daaa does. So if my daaa-daaa reflects the heart of Jesus, then I don’t have to ever be in time-out again.

Pastor: That’s not how that works, Sammy. God disciplines his people all of the time in scripture, and in fact, part of his command for fathers in several books, including the Psalms, is for men to discipline their children.

Sammy: Oh.

Pastor: Boys and girls, what are some things that your dad or granddad or a dad here at church does for you that is special?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I like all of these answers. My daaa-daaa plays a lot of games with me in the pasture. He’s fun to be around, too.

Pastor: That’s great, Sammy. I want to encourage everyone here to always look to our Father in Heaven. Our dads here on earth try their best, but they are not perfect. They look to Jesus for hope and encouragement and wisdom to guide them in raising us. But we can always look to our Father in Heaven. He is a perfect Father. Let’s say a prayer. Can we please fold our hands and bow our heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for our earthly fathers. We thank you for being our perfect Father in Heaven. Today we ask for your blessing upon our fathers. We ask that you help them look to you as they guide and raise us. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

John 14:8-17 [25-27]

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, let’s find Phillip!

Pastor: Boys and girls, can you help me find Phillip in the boat? [Use the egg carton to find the plastic egg labeled “Phillip.”]

Sammy: There he is! I like that we can see him.

Pastor: Of course we can see him.

Sammy: Well, today in the Gospel, Phillip told Jesus he wanted to see the Father. He said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

Pastor: Yes, he did. And do you know what Jesus said to Phillip?

Sammy: Um, I forget, Pastor.

Pastor: Jesus said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus tells Phillip that He is God. And our God left his throne in Heaven to walk with us.

Sammy: Wow. Why would he do that?

Pastor: Jesus is the greatest King. He loves us so much that he chose to come to earth to save us and die for us. And he rose again to beat death and the grave. He saved us forever.

Sammy: Pastor, I think this Gospel has the Trinity in it, too.

Pastor: That’s correct, Sammy. Jesus talks about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Boys and girls, can you say, “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” with me? Ready? “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” That’s the Trinity. One God in three persons.

Sammy: That’s a gift. That’s living hope for all of us, Pastor.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy.

Sammy: One thing I love about the gift of the Holy Spirit is the gift of peace that Jesus promises. I mean, sometimes I get gifts and they don’t bring me peace. Or the person giving me the gift wants something from me, too. Or I have to trade. But the Holy Spirit is a gift to us, and Jesus gives us peace, too. He gives the Holy Spirit to us because he loves us.

Pastor: Exactly, Sammy. Boys and girls, let’s bow our heads and fold our hands for a prayer. Dear Jesus, thank you for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thank you for peace in our hearts. Thank you for the peace you give us. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

John 17:20-26

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, did you know that Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God were all present before the beginning of the world?

Sammy: What!

Pastor: Jesus talks today in the Gospel reading from John about how God loved him from before the foundation of the world.

Sammy: But how can that be?

Pastor: Our God exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The love that exists between these three persons is so great that God created our world and us.

Sammy: I heard about the great love of God many times here in church. I hear from the readings and the songs about how God keeps coming back to rescue us.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. He rescues his people throughout the Old Testament. He walks with Abraham and Sarah, giving them the blessing of a child. He closes the mouths of the lions to protect Daniel. He walks through the blazing fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And then, our God shows us just how much he loves us by leaving the throne of Heaven…

Sammy: And coming to earth to be born of Mary as baby Jesus!

Pastor: Exactly. The ultimate rescue was Jesus coming to earth to save us from our sins. But Jesus was present with God from before the world was created.

Sammy: There’s so much that is a mystery, that I don’t understand, Pastor.

Pastor: That’s okay, Sammy. Today we are going to pray a special prayer to ask God to open our hearts. We can ask him to reveal more of his love and truth to us as we hear his word. Faith comes from hearing. Ready? Let’s bow our heads and fold our hands. Dear Jesus, thank you for increasing our faith. Help us to hear your Word and to trust you. Let us see you walking with your people from Genesis to Revelation. We love you, Lord. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42).

The only day that we have ever been given to live through is today.  Tomorrow will have its own issues.  Do not be like some who become anxious thinking the end is here.  It will come for us all like a thief in the night when we have our turn to sleep in death before the great and terrible day.  Live each day expectantly, for the Lord is with us always.  When it is time, the end of the age will come for us all.  Live then, today, for the Lord of life will come someday.

Lord, all things are in Your hands.  You Who wonderfully knit me in my mother’s womb have called me to journey with You by faith.  In that call, You have guided me according to the word which You have spoken.  Lead me now and always in the truth of the faith which has been delivered by You once for all.  You are the Good News of salvation.  Lead me ever deeper into this salvation which You have given.

Lord Jesus, You are the way, truth, and life.  Through You alone is there hope and an eternal future.  Guide me beyond the pitfalls of this life to learn how to live faithfully.  Lead me in the way which You have spoken so that I may live this life You have given me, being always ready for Your return.  You know the plans the Father has for me.  Guide me so that I live according to His eternal plan.  Amen.

“At that time there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.  Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left” (Matthew 24:40-41).

In a way, there has been a sifting that has gone on since the beginning.  In our lives, one looks to Jesus as Lord of all, and the other does not.  We do not know the hearts of others.  Truthfully, we barely know our own heart.  Do not be led by the ways of the world, but by the word of the Lord.  Do not focus upon which one you may be; simply live your life with the Lord and be His.

Lord, I sometimes wonder if, in given these warnings, You are trying to get us to not dwell on them but simply trust that all things are in Your hands.  If so, then guide us in the way of moving beyond our prideful selves to humbly live the life You have given us to live.  Teach us how to love You and others as You do us.  Guide us to see things truthfully so that we may see the world as it is.

Holy Spirit, You know my heart.  Sift me and guide me through those places where I do not live faithfully.  Help me to know that in You alone is all hope.  Help me this day to not look at others and wonder who will be saved but to look at others and see that they too are beloved by You.  Help me to live out the call You have given me and guide me in the way of this life in which I have been redeemed. Amen.

“For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:38-39).

When sin abounds, those who live for themselves do not understand when judgement falls upon them.  It is not that God is constantly judging this world, for it has already been judged; but the end will come upon everyone and those who have ignored the truth will be caught off-guard.  The real warning for us is to pay attention to the Lord, listen, and follow His way, for He has shown us the way of eternity.

Lord, every age seems to be filled with those who carry on as if only their individual lives matter.  People carouse, party, and live care-free lives that do not care for You or for others.  Help me to look to You above all things.  Guide me in the way You would have me go.  There are so many things around me that tug at me.  Keep me holding the course of faith and learning from You how to navigate through this world filled with woe.

Lord Jesus, not only do I need the justification You give which saves me from eternal death, I need Your sactification to make the journey that is before me.  You know the end and are the way of truth.  Help me to follow You in all Your ways.  Guide me now and always to follow the right way You have shown.  Lead me in the upward call of looking to You alone, the One who saves, as my source and sustenance.  Amen.

“But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.  For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah” (Matthew 24:36-37).

The end will come when it comes.  Do not live each day as if it were the end of the age, but as if it were perhaps the last day you have here.  There is a difference.  Some become so caught up in thinking they know what Jesus did not know.  Some place their hope on being lifted out of this mess; through death, we all will be.  There will be tribulations in this life.  Do daily what the Lord gives you to do.

Lord, my pride gets the better of me and I want to be someone special with inside information.  But that is not true faith.  I need to learn to humbly trust You above all things.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy so that I live into the life You offer me through faith.  The world seems to increase its insanity, but maybe it is just maturity of faith that helps me to see the way things always have been.

Lord Jesus, regardless what I do or do not know, help me to live into the life of faith that You have given me.  Teach me to live each day in the hope You give.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to humbly accomplish each task You give me.  Guide me so that I humbly follow through and be found faithful.  Our times are in the Father’s hands.  Help me to be content in being with You.  Amen.