Lectio Concordia

This World Is Not Our Home

Thursday before the Sixth Sunday of Easter

Series: Lectio Concordia

May 22, 2025 By Rev. Mark Ryman

• Online jigsaw puzzle of today's reading • Index

• John the Revelator by Phil Keaggy, music starts almost a minute in

• Collect: Lord, uncertainty and trouble punctuates life in this world. Grant me such faith that I may live in confident hope that this world is not my home. Give me the eyes of the Revelator, that I may see your coming kingdom. Amen.

• Psalm 18:1–12

• 2 John 7–11

• We affirm what we have often testified, that although justification and eternal life pertain to faith, nevertheless good works merit other bodily and spiritual rewards, as well as degrees of rewards. According to 1 Corinthians 3:8, everyone receives their own reward according to their own labor. For the righteousness of the gospel, which has to do with the promise of grace, freely receives justification and new life. But fulfilling the law follows faith and has to do with the law, for a reward is offered and is due, not freely, but according to our works. Those who earn this are justified before they perform the law. [Defense of the Augsburg Confession, Results of the Adversaries Teaching]

• “Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer,” William Williams Tune

Guide me, O my great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty;
hold me with your powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.

Open now the crystal fountain,
where the healing waters flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
ever be my strength and shield,
ever be my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell’s Destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever sing to you,
I will ever sing to you.

• Benediction: May the Lord Jesus Christ grant you assurance in his promises, the confident hope of heaven, and the still peace of eternity in him. Amen.

• Memory Verse: I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

• Memory Verse Aid: IHSTTTY, TIMYMHP. ITWYWHT. BTH; IHOTW. (J1633)