Worship Helps

Our Ascended Lord Watches Over Us

These are the Scripture readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter.

God’s Word for This Week

Our ascended Lord watches over his Church. He intercedes for us with the Father. He protects us with his power. He guides us with his Holy Word of truth.

TRADITIONAL FIRST LESSON - Acts 1:15-26

Questions

1. This takes place soon after Jesus’ ascension and before Pentecost. What did Peter propose to the early believers?

2. The disciples let God choose who would take Judas’ place. Explain.

Answers

1. That they choose a replacement for Judas the Betrayer. He suggested that they choose a man who had been with Jesus from the beginning of his ministry.

2. Even though the disciple’s “chose” the final two candidates, they did it prayerfully according to the criteria mentioned above. Then they prayed and cast lots. The lot fell to Matthias. This was not luck, but rather God’s decision.

SUPPLEMENTAL FIRST LESSON - Acts 7:54-60

Questions

1. Where/how did Stephen see Jesus? (See 7:55)

2. Luke does not say that Stephen “died.” What does Luke say?

Answers

1. Stephen saw heaven open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

2. Luke says that Stephen fell asleep.  What comfort for us! In Christ, we have nothing to fear from death. We will rise again with Christ on the last day.

TRADITIONAL SECOND LESSON - 1 John 4:13-21

Questions

1. According to verse 15, how can we know that God lives in us?

2. What does our love for God lead us to do?

3. Verse 18 says that there is no fear in love. So, if I am afraid at some point, have I lost my faith?

Answers

1. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we know and trust that Jesus is the Son of God and our Savior. Therefore our trust in Jesus is proof that God dwells within us.

2. Out of thanks for God’s love, we seek to show love to others.

3. Our faith, which trusts solely in God’s love, does not fear anything. Faith says boldly with the Apostle Paul, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Our trust in God’s love shows no fear. Yet we are at the same time saints and sinners.  Our sinful nature does doubt. Our sinful nature does fear. The life of a Christian is a struggle against that sinful nature. Moments of fear and doubt should not drive us to despair of our salvation, but rather to the loving promises of our Savior God who strengthens our faith and takes away our fears.

SUPPLEMENTAL SECOND LESSON - Hebrews 7:11-27

Questions

1. Jesus did not ascend into heaven to retire and rest. What is one vital thing Jesus is doing for us right now?

2. Since Jesus rose from the dead, he lives forever. Since Jesus lives forever, what kind of priesthood does he have? (See 7:24)

3. Old Testament priests also interceded for God’s people. Why is Jesus priesthood better?  (And why, therefore, should we never leave Jesus?)

Answers

1. One vital thing Jesus does for us is to act as our high priest before the Father. He intercedes for us (7:25).

2. Since Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.

3. Jesus priesthood is better than any Jewish priest of old (and therefore we should never leave Jesus), because he was sacrificed for our sins once for all. He is holy and blameless, exalted above the heavens.

GOSPEL - John 17:11b-19

Questions

1. Jesus prayed these words on the night before he died. It is commonly known as his High Priestly prayer. For what things did Jesus pray?

2. What did Jesus mean when he said, “Sanctify them by the truth, your word is truth”?

Answers