Daily Readings November 8-14,2009

Daily Lectionary

November 8 Jeremiah 20:1–18; Matthew 24:29–51

November 9 Jeremiah 22:1–23; Matthew 25:1–13

November 10 Jeremiah 23:1–20; Matthew 25:14–30

November 11 Jeremiah 23:21–40; Matthew 25:31–46

November 12 Jeremiah 25:1–18; Matthew 26:1–19

November 13 Jeremiah 26:1–19; Matthew 26:20–35

November 14 Jeremiah 29:1–19; Matthew 26:36–56

NEXT WEEKS LESSONS:

the twenty-third sunday after trinity

—GOD RULES IN CHURCH AND STATE

Collect

Absolve, we implore You, O Lord, Your people from their offenses, that from the bonds of our sins which by reason of our frailty we have brought upon us we may be delivered by Your bountiful goodness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Old Testament: Proverbs 8:11–22: Solomon reminds us that to the extent the kings of the earth have any wisdom, they have it from God.

Epistle: Philippians 3:17–21: The Apostle Paul instructs us that as Christians we should understand that our true "citizenship" is not of this world but is rather in heaven, so that our affections are not resting upon things that are fleeting but the eternal truths of the Gospel.

Holy Gospel: Matthew 22:15–22: God rules the world through two kingdoms He has established: the secular and the spiritual. He rules the secular kingdom, under the Fourth Commandment, through the governments of the earth that He has established. As the Scriptures teach, "there is no authority except that which God has established." The secular kingdoms of the earth rule by the force of law and the threats, punishments, and rewards of the law. The secular kingdom is concerned about preserving life in the world. The spiritual kingdom is the Church and God's gracious rule in the hearts of Christians by His Word and Spirit. This kingdom does not use the force of the temporal sword. This kingdom preaches the Word of God and is concerned about the faith of the heart. This is why Jesus says, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's." Each of God's kingdoms has its place in the world and each of these kingdoms has its unique work from God.