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THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER May 11, 2025 Pastor Tom Steers Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto Our Opening Hymn is: “Blessed Jesus, at Your Word” Lutheran Service Book, 904 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhbTXFHv5Uc Divine Service III – Pages 184-202 The Invocation Page 184 Pastor: Halleluiah, Christ is risen! Congregation: He is risen indeed. Halleluiah! Confession and Absolution Page 184 The Introit – Psalm 78:70-72; Ps. 79:13; antiphon: John 10:14, 15b I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, and I lay down my life for the sheep. He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance. With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now, and will be forever. Amen. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, and I lay down my life for the sheep. Pastor: Halleluiah, Christ is risen! Congregation: He is risen indeed. Halleluiah! Kyrie (Lord Have Mercy) Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Gloria in Excelsis (Glory to God in the Highest) Page 187 Our Collect Prayer: Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Our Bible Readings: First Reading: Acts 20:17-35 Psalm 23 (antiphon verse 4) Second Reading – Revelation 7:9-17 Gospel – John 10:22-30 The Apostles’ Creed – I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Our Hymn of the Day is: “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” Lutheran Service Book, 709 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u15C0iUNSDs The Sermon, “I and the Father Are One” Brothers and Sisters, peace, grace and mercy be to you through God the Father, and our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ. In the past weeks we’ve seen the tragic images of war from around the world.. We’ve also viewed the daily coverage of crime in our own cities and hometowns. Unfortunately, for human beings, it is an old story. Violence, hatred, and murder have been with us since Biblical times, since Cain killed Abel. And it hasn’t stopped -- because human beings are burdened by sin, and sin permeates this broken world. Yet, at the same time, there is hope. There is the comfort of knowing God has not left us alone. He has always been there, offering mercy, love, and the promise of a world restored to its original perfection. As believers we know that those who die in Christ have another fate promised them by our Lord. It is an eternal life and joy in a land beyond violence and death – the land of Heaven. It’s a destination that those who engage in murder, and do not repent and turn to Christ, will not share. While seeming powerful for a moment in this world, their fate as non-believers is sealed. Being agents of hate and Godless arrogance, they’ll be eternally separated from God. Amid the tragic situations we see on television, or in our own lives and the lives of loved ones, there is always the presence of God, and His promise of grace and salvation. As believers we are watched over by a Shepherd who protects us from the ravages of this world, even our own sinfulness. That good and faithful Shepherd is Jesus Christ. In our Gospel lesson we see Jesus in the Jerusalem temple being confronted and questioned. Some in the crowd say, “If you are the Christ, if you are the anointed one, tell us plainly.” But the question is cynical, and Jesus knows it. So, Christ replies, “I told you, and you do not believe.” The questioners know about the miracles of Jesus. If they haven’t seen them, they’ve spoken to those who have. But they’re stubborn. They hold fast to their own logic and pride, and so doubt and deny their Saviour who’s right in front of them. The doubters ask Jesus to plainly tell them He is the Christ. But Jesus has, through His Word and works, even to the point of explaining that He and the Father are one. It’s at this point that the hateful doubters respond, but not with satisfaction that their question was answered. In the verses that immediately follow today’s text, they pick up stones and intend to kill Christ. In living the Christian life, believers can, and do face persecution and isolation. The Apostle Paul in today’s reading from the Book of Acts talks about the trials and tears hateful non-believers put him through in his ministry. He’s preparing the leaders of the church at Ephesus, a church he planted, to know that they also will face difficulty. But Paul explains he has given them an example of Christian work and life in times of opposition and suffering. To bring the point home he explains the Holy Spirit told him that in every city he will face imprisonment and affliction. Paul doesn’t say he prays for release from his assignment by God, only that he hopes he can complete the work God has given him. This is because Paul can see beyond the earthly difficulties and sorrows to the promise of Heaven. So, Paul encourages the Ephesians, and us, to continue in the faith. To continue in Christ’s work. To remember the Lord’s Great Commission to spread the Good News and care for one another. Paul would have been very familiar with the 23rd Psalm and its words of comfort even in the face of death. With its reassurance that in our sufferings we are not alone. The rod and staff of the Shepherd, who is our Lord, is there to comfort us. Christ Himself prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies. He anoints us with the oil of grace, mercy, and reconciliation with God. That vision of hope is expressed beautifully in our reading from the Book of Revelation. The Apostle John is shown those who are before God in His throne room. They’re believers who have come through the trials and tribulations of this world. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. What a compelling way of telling us that our sins are cleansed through the cross of Jesus. Through His payment for our sin. We’re told that those with God in Heaven will hunger and thirst no more. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd. God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and ours. Today, in the midst of tragedies, we have the blessing of Christ’s presence in His Spirit, and in His Word and Sacraments. God has called out to us through His Holy Spirit, and the means of grace He gives within His Church. Christ has not abandoned us to a broken world, or our own sins. The Good Shepherd who bears the wounds of the cross reaches out and welcomes us into the body of believers. Despite those who disbelieve, who hate, who may seem to occupy the world’s attention for a few brief moments, there is the timeless and eternal Kingdom of Heaven. A kingdom we now have a foretaste of through the Church. We have the comfort of knowing that our Good Shepherd truly loves us, the reassurance Paul wrote of in Ephesians 1:3-4: “Christ chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.” God knew all of us, knew you, before He even created the universe, and not just knew you, but chose and loved you. Before God said, “let there be light,” He already knew His plan of salvation. Martin Luther had this in mind when he wrote the hymn, ‘Dear Christians One and All Rejoice.’ Luther wrote, “But God had seen my wretched state before the world’s foundation, and mindful of His mercies great, He planned my soul’s salvation.” The Apostle Paul explained the same mercy of God when he wrote in Romans, “God showed His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8) We have a Shepherd that knows us. Despite our sins, He loves us so much He went to the cross to pay for our offences. He wants you to know that, and for others to know it as well. Despite everything this broken world can throw at us and those we love, Christ wants you to spread His light, truth, and hope. At the end of our lives, He will still be the Good Shepherd of those who trust Him. Neither the cross, nor the tomb, were the end of the Christian story. Nor will the grave be believers’ final destination. We will live eternally with our Saviour. As David wrote in the 23rd Psalm, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Amen. THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT Page 194 Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) Page 195 The Lord’s Prayer Page 196 The Word of Our Lord Instituting the Lord’s Supper Page 197 Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) Page 198 The Distribution Nunc Dimitis – The Song of Simeon Page 199 Post-Communion Collect (Right-hand column) Page 201 The Benediction – The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen. Our Closing Hymn: “Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones” Lutheran Service Book, 670 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w4D3Atcdyw