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THE LAST SUNDAY OF THE CHURCH YEAR November 23, 2025 Pastor Tom Steers Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto Our Opening Hymn is: 818 “In Thee Is Gladness” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxROcKwgEUo&list=RDjxROcKwgEUo&start_radio=1 Lutheran Service Book Confession and Absolution Page 184-185 The Introit – Psalm 98:1-3; antiphon Ps. 124:8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 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. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Kyrie (Lord Have Mercy) Lord have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us. Lord have mercy upon us. Pastor: The Lord be with you. Congregation: And with thy Spirit. Our Collect Prayer– Eternal God, we commit to Your mercy and forgiveness the Church Year now ending and commend to Your blessing and love the times yet to come. In this new year, abide among us with Your Holy Spirit that we may always trust in the saving name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Our Bible Readings – Old Testament Reading Habakkuk 1:1-13; 2:1-4 Psalm 130 Epistle Reading Revelation 22:6-13 Gospel Reading Luke 12:35-40 THE APOSTLES’ CREED Page 192 HYMN OF THE DAY: 861 “Christ Be My Leader” THE SERMON – “Stay Awake, the Master Is Coming” Brothers and sisters, peace, grace, and mercy be to you from God our Father and our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. Advent is near, but before we turn to Bethlehem, Christ bids us to be ready for His return. As the Church concludes, we turn our attention to the Last Things, the end of time. Our Bible texts remind us that history is not wandering aimlessly. Christ is coming in glory. The Bridegroom is near. And His people are called to watchfulness. Luke 12:35–40 is a brief but sharp text; it carries the hope of eternity. “Be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast.” There is expectation here. Anticipation. Readiness. Jesus describes believers not as anxious or fearful servants, but those who stand ready because they have faith in the Master. They trust Him. Look to Him. Long for Him. But watchfulness is difficult when the world seems dark. And this is exactly what our other readings address. Habakkuk cries out, “O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and You will not hear?” The prophet sees violence, injustice, and trouble. He lives in a world that seems to be growing colder, more chaotic, more confused. And he stands on the watchtower waiting for an answer. Psalm 130 describes a similar pain: “Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD.” The depths—those places where we feel buried under grief, guilt, or uncertainty. Sometimes, the depth is the fear that the Lord has delayed too long. At times, it’s the weariness of watching and not yet seeing. It can be the ache of waiting for vindication while the world mocks the very notion of Christ’s return. And yet, from the watchtower and the depths comes reassurance. Habakkuk hears the Lord proclaim, “The righteous shall live by his faith.” The psalmist writes, “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I hope.” Revelation 22 rings out with the voice of Jesus Himself: “Behold, I am coming soon.” Faith. Hope. Watchfulness. Not wishful thinking, but trust anchored in the recorded Biblical promises of God. Trust rooted in the cross of Christ. The same Lord, who will come to judge the living and the dead, has already given Himself to redeem us. Trust knows the returning Master is the same One who bore our sins at Calvary. Our Gospel reading tells us that watchfulness is actually a mark of the Christian life. Jesus says, “Stay awake, for you do not know the hour.” This isn’t a threat. It’s an invitation to live with clear eyes and open hearts. A reminder that we live between the “now” of Christ’s finished redemption and the “not yet” of His final revealing. Staying awake means living by faith. We keep the lamp of faith burning with the oil of God’s Word and Sacraments. We live as those who know that everything in this world that dazzles, distracts, frightens, or tempts—is temporary. The Master is coming. The Bridegroom draws near. But notice something amazing in Jesus’ parable. The servants wait for the master. They listen for his steps. They keep the lights burning. And when he arrives—he serves them. Here's the great reversal: the Master becomes the Servant. Christ, who once washed the disciples’ feet, will again serve His faithful at the eternal feast. The reward of watchfulness isn’t just relief, but the joy of communion with Christ. What kind of master does this? Only one. The Son of Man who gave His life as a ransom. He is the Judge who comes suddenly. But also, the Servant who girds Himself to serve His people. He gathers His servants to the feast and clothes them in His glory. So, salvation rests not in our merits, but in His mercy. In preparing for the Last Day, Jesus doesn’t say, “Panic.” But, “Watch.” He doesn’t insist we earn His return. He counsels, “Trust Me.” He doesn’t shout, “Prepare yourself by your own strength.” He says, “Stay dressed for action”—that is, remain clothed in the righteousness He freely gives. Yet, Jesus also warns. “If the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.” Christ’s return will be sudden. Unexpected. Yet, it will be a surprise only to those who aren’t listening. Believers, however, live with eyes open. Not in dread, but hope. Because our trust is grounded in the promises of the One who cannot lie. Revelation 22 proclaims that Christ is “the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.” He began the story. He will end it. And He will bring His people safely through. So, what does watchfulness look like for us? It looks like repentance. To be awake is to live daily in the reality that we are sinners—yet forgiven sinners. We watch by confessing, turning from sin, and clinging to the mercy of Christ. It looks like prayer. Calling on the Lord in every trouble with the assurance that He hears, answers, and that His timing is perfect. Watchfulness looks like endurance. “The righteous shall live by faith.” Not by sight. Not by the apparent triumphs or failures of this world. Faith endures because Christ sustains it through His Word found in His true Church. It looks like hope. Hope shaped by the cross. Strengthened by the Lord’s Supper. Hope keeps the lamp burning even in the darkest hour. And it looks like love. Christ’s Second Coming doesn’t turn us inward, but outward. Empowered by His Holy Spirit, we reflect the light of Christ to others. The Last Sunday of the Church Year isn’t meant to frighten Christians. But to lift our eyes from the anxieties of this age, to the eternal faithfulness of God. The One who came in humility will come again in glory. The One who speaks His Word will declare the final verdict over all creation. The One who died will raise believers to eternal life. And so, watch, wait, pray, and trust. With God’s people throughout the ages, we say, “Come, Lord Jesus.” Amen. PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT Page 194 Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) Page 195 The Lord’s Prayer Page 196 Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) Page 198 Post-Communion Collect (Left-hand column) Page 201 CLOSING HYMN: 917 “Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise”