Pastor Sullivan's Blog

In the Name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. The first Sunday in Advent focuses our attention on Christ’s first advent in the flesh when He came in humility and meekness to win salvation for sinful humanity. This Sunday draws our attention to His Second Advent when He will descend from heaven in glory. Before He returns, “ there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. ” These aren’t specific signs that each only happen once. These are signs that we see in every generation since the Lord’s ascension. We see signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars. Just last summer when we witnessed the solar eclipse. Because we live in a world where information races across the globe via the internet, we are acutely away of the dis...

In the Name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. The final Sundays of the church year direct our thoughts to the end of all things and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Last Day. In today’s Gospel lesson Jesus teaches His disciples about the fall of Jerusalem and the end of the world. He teaches them about both because they’ve asked about both. This chapter begins with Jesus saying of the Temple, “ Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down. ” His disciples ask Him, “ Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? ” Jesus answers both of their questions, using the end of Jerusalem and its temple as a prototype for the end of the age, so that as it would go for Jerusalem so it would go for the entire world. And just as there was but one way of escape from Jerusalem’s judgment, so too at the end of the age there is but one way to escape...

Grace and peace be unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 1)         Christ will return to judge the living and dead. The Lord promises this numerous times throughout the four Gospels. Today’s appointed Gospel lesson is one of those promises. Ever since Jesus ascended into heaven, Christians have lived in eager expectation of His return in glory. The New Testament even ends with the teaching of Christ’s return. The final words of Christ to St. John in Revelation 22:20 are, “ Surely I am coming quickly. ” When Christ returns He will take those who believe the Gospel to inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. On that day, everything you have now by faith you will have by sight. St. John writes in 1 John 3:2, “ B eloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. ” A...

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 1)         At the beginning of Matthew 24, Jesus and His disciples are at the Jerusalem Temple. The disciples admire the beauty of the Temple and enjoy all the visible trappings of that blessed place. Jesus does not sit in awe of the external appearance of the Temple. He foretells its destruction. “ Assuredly I say to you, that not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down ” (Matthew 24:2). Later that day, while they are on the Mount of Olives, outside the city limits, the disciples approach Jesus privately and ask, “ When will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age? ” (Matthew 24:3). The disciples think they are asking one question when they’re really asking two. They assumed that the temple would endure until the Last Day of the world, when in reality, it wouldn’t. Jesus takes the oppo...

Order of Holy Communion - Pg. 15 Hymn # 261 Lord Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word Hymn # 264 Preserve Thy Word, O Savior Hymn # 463 For All The Saints Whom from their Labors Rest Introit - pg. 83   Collect for Trinity XXV Almighty God, we beseech Thee, show Thy mercy unto Thy humble servants, that we who put no trust in our own merits may not be dealt with after the severity of Thy judgment, but according to Thy mercy; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. Readings Isaiah 49:12-17 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 24:25-28 Sermon on the Holy Gospel Grace and peace be unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 1)         As we approach the end of the church year our focus shifts to the end times. Jesus teaches us what is in store for us by first teaching us about the fall of Jerusalem. Most of the to...