New Apostolic

Church
Divine Service
Guide

1 May
We are the temple of God
18/19 May
Our life together
4/5 May
God does whatever He pleases
22 May
Through grace to peace
8 May
Hope in God!
25/26 May
Led by God’s grace
11/12 May
Partaking in the kingdom of God
29 May
Rising up
15 May
Being ready for the day of the Lord
Youth Service
Come close to God!

Publisher: Wilhelm Leber,

Zurich/Switzerland
Verlag Friedrich Bischoff GmbH
Gutleutstrasse 298,
60327 Frankfurt a. M.
Managing director:
Hans-Jürgen Hendriock
Editor:
Reinhard Kiefer
No part of this publication may
be reproduced without the prior
permission of its publisher.

A monthly for the ministers

May 2011

5
Sunday 1 May 2011
Eastertide – The covenant of peace
We are the temple of God
“The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the
former,” says the Lord of hosts. “And in this place I will
give peace,” says the Lord of hosts. Haggai 2: 9
Message
The certainty that we are the temple of God causes us to
strive zealously to allow God’s peace to rule us.
Elaboration
The temple in the old covenant
In our Bible text the prophet Haggai promises that the
foundation of divine service in the old covenant, namely
the temple in Jerusalem which had been burnt down, will
be rebuilt and be even more glorious than the first. He
encourages the leaders of the people to start rebuilding
the temple and assures them that God will be with them.
Just as God kept the covenant He made with mankind
after the flood (cf. Genesis 9: 8–15) so He would be with
the people in this endeavor.
The restoration of the temple is associated with the
promise of divine peace. Thus it can be concluded that
divine peace is manifest wherever God is present. In the
old covenant the temple was the place where God
revealed Himself. In the new covenant God is revealed
in Jesus Christ, who is the Mediator between God and
mankind.
The temple in the new covenant: Jesus Christ
Although ―the glory of this latter temple shall be greater
than the former‖, Jesus Christ pointed out that even this
newly erected temple in Jerusalem would not endure
forever and that He would build another temple ―made
without hands‖ (cf. Mark 14: 58, John 2: 19, 21). With
these words, Jesus Christ was referring to Himself and
His work.
Through our Lord, His death, and His resurrection, a
new covenant—namely one of peace—has come into
effect between God and mankind. With Jesus Christ, the
temple of God has been permanently erected in His
church. It is ―in this place‖ that He gives us peace in our
day. All those whom the Lord has gathered and who
accept Him will become the temple of God of the new
covenant (cf. 1 Corinthians 3: 16). The peace of God is
at work within them and exhibits corresponding fruits.
Fruits of peace
Thus we have been assigned the task of courageously
sowing peace and letting the fruits of our sowing flourish.
This also entails that we always intercede for peace in
our environment and in the world. Peace and a
flourishing life together do not simply fall into anyone’s
lap!
How can we live up to the responsibility of being such a
temple of God wherein His peace dwells? We do this by
■ not making our own opinions, life’s aspirations, or way
of life the measure of all things.
■ sincerely praying to better understand others in their
―otherness‖. Then no one in our fellowship will be
marginalized, despised, or even judged! Differences in
character should not lead to divisions in the
congregation.
■ respecting rules by consensus. Let us together support
the ―order of the congregation‖: let us accept those
whom the Lord sends to the congregation through the
Apostle ministry, and let us humbly esteem others better
than ourselves (cf. Philippians 2: 3).
■ letting everything be done to the honor and glory of
God and renouncing all ambitions.
In this manner the ―covenant of peace‖ can take effect in
and through us, since we accept the Lord, follow His
teaching, and thereby grow into His nature. The fruits of
this endeavor will also bring blessing to those around us.
Context
The prophet Haggai was active at the end of the period
of Babylonian exile in 520 BC. Many Jews had returned
home after their captivity in Babylon and had begun to
rebuild the temple. There were various adversities that
delayed the reconstruction. Haggai’s prophetic words
were directed at the governor of the ruling Persian king,
Darius I, namely Zerubbabel. The restoration of the
temple is associated with the promise of divine peace.
Summary
■ Divine peace is always manifest where God is present.
■ In the old covenant, the temple was the place where
God revealed Himself. In the new covenant, God reveals
Himself in Jesus Christ.
■ All those whom the Lord gathers and who accept Him
become part of the temple of God of the new covenant.
■ The ―covenant of peace‖ has its effect in and through
us if we accept the Lord, follow His teaching, and
thereby grow into His nature.
Midweek 4/5 May 2011
God does whatever He pleases
But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.
Psalm 115: 3
Message
God in His greatness stands above all human
conceptions. He creates peace, redemption, and
perfection.
Elaboration
God cannot be fathomed through reason alone. His
actions are beyond our comprehension because God’s
thoughts are far higher than all human conceptions. It
would be a catastrophe if divine actions were to be
executed on the basis of human opinion.
■ The Lord wants to create perfection. Although we will
still be imperfect on the day of the Lord, He will be
merciful and add what we lack.
The important thing is that we develop into the new
creation in Jesus Christ. We must grow inwardly! Not
least of all, this should be evidenced in our love for our
neighbor and in our willingness to reconcile with one
another.
The Lord is always the Creator: He creates salvation for
those who inquire after Him, and He creates joy for
those who will be counted to the bride of Christ on the
day of the Lord.
From a divine service by the Chief Apostle
Context
In our Bible text the psalmist contrasts the idols of the
time with the greatness of God.

The Bible text is a profession of faith in response to a
question that was often asked by the Gentiles in the old
covenant, namely: ―Where is your God?‖ (cf. verse 2).
We are asked a similar question today:
■ What good is your faith if you have to live through
distress and suffering just like everyone else?
■ What do you get out of going to church every week?
The fact that people were able to see and touch these
idols may have given the Gentiles cause to ask: ―So
where is their God?‖ The profession of the psalmist (―But
our God is in heaven.‖) signifies that God is not a dead
God, that He does not allow Himself to be pressed into
any sort of mould, and that He cannot be depicted in any
human image.

In response we can profess that we trust our God who is Summary

in heaven. And one day it will be revealed that our faith
has opened up the way for us to a glorious future with ■ Our God is in heaven—His actions are unfathomable.
Him! ■ In all time periods, God has accomplished great works.

God can do whatever He pleases ■ Today the Lord seeks to create redemption, peace,
Let us consider the following great works of God: and perfection among His people.

■ He created heaven and earth (cf. Genesis 1: 1). ■ The Lord will also be the Creator in all eternity.

■ He brought help to His people and delivered them

from their oppressive circumstances by leading them out
of Egypt (cf. Exodus 12: 51).
■ Through the sacrifice of His Son He created
redemption.
■ Through His Son, He granted us peace. This was
brought to expression, for example, when the Risen One
appeared in the room His disciples had locked
themselves in and greeted them with the words: ―Peace
to you!‖ (cf. John 20: 21, 26).

What does the Lord want to accomplish today?

He wants to accomplish great things:
■ The Lord wants to effect redemption and already
today makes us free of our debt to sin. Let us never
lightly consent to sin, but rather let us fight against it.
■ The Lord wants to grant peace, specifically in our
hearts, in our families, and in the congregation. Let us
even establish peace in our surroundings.

Sunday 8 May 2011
Living by the gospel – Having hope
Hope in God!
For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach,
because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of
all men, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4: 10
Message
Those who fight for their faith and place their hope in
God can also be certain of the help of the Almighty!
Elaboration
(Our Bible text refers first and foremost to verse 8, which
deals with the concept of godliness. However, godliness
is also part of faith, and it is to our faith in general that
the call in verse 10 is applied.)
The living God, ―the Savior of all men‖, is the triune God:
the Father, who was already known in the old covenant
as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the Son, who
took on flesh and returned to the Father after His
sacrificial death and resurrection (cf. 1 Timothy 3: 16);
and the Holy Spirit, who has guaranteed the
proclamation of the gospel since Pentecost (cf. John 16:
12–15).
God has provided salvation and redemption from sin and
death. His will to save is all-encompassing. It is His
desire that all mankind should be saved and come to
know the truth. This requires faith in Jesus Christ as the
only Mediator between God and mankind. Paul saw it as
an important part of his ministry to awaken this faith
through his preaching (cf. 1 Timothy 2: 3–7).
Battling for our faith
The endeavor of awakening faith in Christ as the author
of salvation was met with fierce resistance. But the
Apostle refused to be deterred by this. He struggled and
worked hard for this cause, and called upon Timothy to
do the same.
The task of keeping and spreading faith in Jesus Christ
as the crucified, resurrected, and imminently returning
Son of God also requires complete dedication in our day.
We are all called upon to be zealous for this belief so
that we ourselves may keep it and spread it to others.
Here Paul made a distinction between ―all men‖ and
―especially … those who believe‖ in order to make it
clear that salvation is intended for all, but must be
grasped in faith. Here it becomes clear that the limiting
factor does not lie in God’s will to save, but rather in
mankind’s willingness to believe. Salvation is dependent
on faith. Those who wish to receive salvation must fight
the battle of faith.
Hoping in the help of God
Those who place their hope in God are able to
■ prove themselves in suffering like Job.
■ keep faith despite persecution and adversity, just as
Paul did (cf. 2 Timothy 4: 7).
■ endure the various temptations and attain the crown of
life thanks to the grace of God (cf. James 1: 12).
From a purely human point of view, even the work of the
early Apostles would have been a hopeless undertaking:
an insignificant and small flock of believers was to carry
the message of salvation in Christ to all people. Such an
undertaking could only succeed with the help of God.
The Apostles were sure: ―Our Lord is with us! Christ,
who has sent us to teach and baptize all nations, will be
with us!‖ It is on the basis of this confidence that the
gospel has succeeded in making its victory march
around the whole world.
The certainty that God will be with us and grant us
success gives us courage and confidence in our striving
for worthiness at the return of Christ.
Context
Here Paul gives his helper Timothy some instructions for
performing beneficial and blessed work in the
congregations. The reference to God’s all-encompassing
will to save is an incentive to bring the gospel to all
people. The main content of this gospel is the
proclamation of the mystery of Christ: ―God was
manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by
angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the
world, received up in glory‖ (cf. 1 Timothy 3: 16).
Summary
■ God’s will to save is all-encompassing. Those who
believe in the gospel will be granted salvation.
■ Those who believe must subject themselves to various
battles of faith.
■ If they place their hope in God, they will be able to
keep faith and reach the goal of our faith with His help,
even through suffering, persecution, and trials.
Midweek 11/12 May 2011
Partaking in the kingdom of God
But seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness, and all these things shall be added to
you. Matthew 6: 33
Message
It is divine grace to be able to partake in God’s kingdom.
This requires human beings to strive purposefully for that
which is enduring—the kingdom of God.
Elaboration
The Son of God requires that we clearly define our
priorities: the striving for the kingdom of God is to be
taken more seriously than anything else. God’s promise
still stands that He will help provide food, clothing, and
lodging, but this does not relieve the individual of making
some effort here himself. Even though God does indeed
provide for the birds (cf. verse 26), they must still build
their nests themselves. The believer’s trust in the help of
God gives him the assurance: ―I do not need to tear
myself apart in worry over the future!‖ (cf. verse 34).
The kingdom of God
Among other things, the term ―kingdom of God‖ stands
for Jesus Himself: it is in Him that the kingdom of God
has come to mankind.
In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord speaks of the
requirement to lead a God-pleasing life, which will allow
human beings to experience the kingdom of God on
earth already now.
Scripture also speaks of the future kingdom of God
which will begin with the return of Christ. Jesus will come
to take His bride home, and the bride will then share in
His glory and His kingdom forever. Thereafter Christ will
establish the kingdom of peace on earth.
Finally, God’s eternal kingdom— which is defined by
everlasting joy—will appear in the new creation.
Those who seek for this are striving for something
eternal. Those who only chase after money, renown, or
pleasure will one day have to concede that they have
nothing lasting to show for their efforts!
Seeking: a purposeful way of life
―Seeking‖ does not allow for idleness, however this does
not mean that we could ever earn our place in the
kingdom of God. It is and remains a gift of God which
cannot be earned. Nevertheless, we have the task of
doing the best we can to show our- selves worthy of this
gift in the way we lead our lives.
Seeking for the kingdom of God is thus expressed in our
way of life. The statement: ―For the kingdom of God is
not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace
and joy in the Holy Spirit‖ (Romans 14: 17) demonstrates
that we must be concerned with the fruits of the Holy
Spirit—with whom we are sealed—when it comes to the
―kingdom of God‖.
■ The righteousness of the kingdom of God is
demonstrated by keeping the double commandment of
love (cf. Matthew 22: 37–39).
■ Peace with God: those who have been justified by
faith will also have peace (cf. Romans 5: 1).
■ Joy in the Lord: where this is preserved in all
situations of life, the gospel has become the joyful
message in the innermost part of a human being’s soul.
It is nourished by the knowledge: ―The Lord is at hand!‖
(cf. Philippians 4: 4–5).
Our ―seeking‖ the kingdom of God will be demonstrated
first and foremost in our endeavor to be accepted in
grace on the day of Christ. The highest priority is to be
present at the marriage feast in heaven!
Context
Our Bible text cannot be interpreted to mean that
believers will always fare well naturally speaking! Our
Bible text shows that our trust in God can make it
possible for us not to be oppressed by the concern over
daily life. It is only sensible to make reasonable
provisions for the earthly, however, the most important
thing is to participate in God’s kingdom.
God’s kingdom is both present and future. The kingdom
of God is already revealed now in the concrete actions of
the believer.
Summary
■ God provides both for earthly life and for our
participation in His kingdom.
■ Human beings have the task of doing their part in both
of these areas.
■ That which is of an eternal nature should always be
given first priority. This will also have a direct impact on
our way of life.
Sunday 15 May 2011 offering to the Lord as their first priority. The widow of
Zarephath can serve as a good example to us in this (cf.
Living by the gospel – 1 Kings 17: 15). Not only in financial terms, but also in
Paying attention to what is essential terms of our time, let us always bring our offerings to the
Lord first.
Being ready for the day of the Lord ■ testify. Even under the most adverse of
circumstances, the early Christians were prepared to
Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is spread the joyful message of the gospel to others (cf.
coming at an hour you do not expect. Luke 12: 40 Acts 8: 4). Let us also be prepared to do so openly and
with great zeal.
Message
Being ready for the day of the Lord means doing what is Those who are always prepared to do all these things
essential! will pay heed to what is essential and will also be ready
for the day of the Lord!
Elaboration
Here we are dealing with an important message of the From a divine service by the Chief Apostle
gospel. In times of need and impending military conflicts
many have already thought that the coming of the Lord Context
was imminent. Our Bible text teaches us differently: the Our Bible text, which can also be found in the Gospel of
Lord will come at a time when everyone thinks they are Matthew (cf. Matthew 24: 43–44), is framed by two
at peace and safe! parables of Jesus which are intended to describe how
we are to wait for the coming of Christ: on the one hand
Given this background, it is important for us to be ready we find the parable of the master who comes and finds
at all times. The pivotal question is: who is ready for the his servants watching, and on the other hand we read
day of the Lord? Only those who allow themselves to be the parable of the wise servant who takes care of all
prepared for this day! Those who accept the Apostles of things diligently until the coming of his master.
Jesus Christ today and focus on the gospel are being
prepared.
Summary
We demonstrate signs of our readiness when we Being ready for the day of the Lord means doing what is
■ listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, who proclaims essential, namely
the will of God. Especially when it comes to decisions ■ listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
and trials it is important not to act frivolously or just do as ■ placing all things into God’s hands.
we please. Rather let us pay attention to what is
important, namely the voice of the Holy Spirit. When the ■ keeping peace and coming to reconciliation.
Lord Jesus was tempted by the Devil in the wilderness ■ serving the Lord and bringing Him our offerings as our
He clearly took direction from the will of God (cf. first priority.
Matthew 4: 1–11).
■ being prepared to openly and zealously spread the
■ lay everything into the hand of the Lord. Let us do joyful message of the gospel to others.
so especially in times of need and care. The attitude that
Job brought to expression is most beneficial here: ―The
Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the
name of the Lord‖ (cf. Job 1: 21).
■ keep peace, particularly when there are disputes and
conflicts. Abraham’s reaction was exemplary. For the
sake of peace he gave his nephew Lot the choice of
which region he preferred (cf. Genesis 13).
■ are able to forgive and reconcile. It can certainly
happen from time to time that conflicts arise in our
dealings with others—including our brothers and sisters
in faith. Let us not reject the hand of reconciliation that is
extended, but accept it.
■ serve the Lord. Let us respond to the call of God as
Samuel did: ―Speak, for Your servant hears‖ (1 Samuel
3: 10). Despite reservations, he placed himself at the
service of the Lord and did whatever the Lord
commissioned him to do.
■ offer to the Lord. Those who are willing to offer will
not first weigh everything up. They will bring their
Midweek 18/19 May 2011
Our life together
But God composed the body, having given greater honor
to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism
in the body, but that the members should have the same
care for one another. 1 Corinthians 12: 24–25
Message
Let us be one despite all our differences.
not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth‖
(cf. 1 John 3: 18). In other words, what are we doing for
our neighbor? Or more precisely: What are we doing in
order to make the path to salvation easier for him or her?
Serving the Lord together
As members of the body of Christ we are all engaged in
service to the Lord. The Lord expects us to be witnesses
for Him and to overcome evil with goodness. This task is
all the more difficult because the Antichrist—the spirit
that opposes Christ—is especially active in our days.
Only if we are united in Christ can we rise to fulfil this
great task!

Elaboration
Paul uses the image of the ―body of Christ‖ in order to
illustrate the unity of the church with Christ as well as the
interdependence of the members with one another.
Chosen by God
It is God who selects the members of the body and
assigns them their particular place. The fact that we
belong to the work of redemption is not the result of
some happy set of coincidences. God Himself has
chosen us before the foundation of the world (cf.
Ephesians 1: 4) in order to make us a part of His work.
We are all different
Although the human body is comprised of some very
different parts, it comprises a unified whole. God has
consciously chosen His people from among the good
and bad of all nations, cultures, and social classes. He
wants them all to be different. He wants them all to have
their own personalities and different ways of life.
Context
In antiquity the state was often compared to a body, and
its citizens with the members of the body. This was
intended to show that each citizen was both dependent
on all the others and also obliged to serve them.
Summary
God wants us all to be different, yet He expects us to be
one.
We will not achieve this through uniformity, but through
the fellowship in Jesus Christ, by
■ being one in Christ,
■ serving one another, and
■ serving the Lord together.

This diversity can at times lead to conflicts and divisions.

However, God expects His people to be one. In order to
fulfill this demand it is neither necessary nor desirable to
eliminate all differences by attempting to squeeze
everyone into the same mould. The oneness of the
church will not come into being through uniformity, but
rather through fellowship in Jesus Christ.

United in Christ
The background and status of the early Christians held
very little significance for Paul. The only thing that
counted for him was the fact that they belonged to Christ
(cf. Galatians 3: 27–28)

Let us likewise keep our focus on Jesus Christ. He has

died for each and every one of us, and we all need His
grace. We all carry His life within us and partake of the
same spiritual sustenance, namely His body and blood.
We have all decided to follow Him and we all have the
same goal, namely eternal fellowship with Him. So what
do our differences still matter in this context?

Serving one another

Our love for God, nourished by the Holy Spirit (cf. 2
Timothy 1: 7), prompts us to keep His commandments,
in particular the commandment to love our neighbor!
Concerning this, John has the following to say: ―Let us
Sunday 22 May 2011
Living by the gospel – Liberated from sin
Through grace to peace
The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect
of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
Isaiah 32: 17
Message
God’s grace grants us rest and assurance!
Elaboration
The righteousness that counts before God comes
exclusively from the grace of the Lord, which Jesus
Christ acquired through His unique and holy sacrifice.
And this is only accessible to us through faith. Nothing
else can liberate us from sin and make us righteous
before God!
This grace—so says the prophet Isaiah as he looks into
the future—will produce a deep, all-encompassing, inner
peace. Jesus Christ also promised this peace to His
disciples and His church when He spoke of His return to
His Father (cf. John 14: 25–27). Thereby we have been
given a very valuable gift!
In every encounter with our Lord this peace is made
available to us. We can therefore find this peace in
■ prayer, when we seek an intimate connection to the
Lord. We can cast all our burdens upon Him.
■ the experience of a divine service. The word inspired
by the Spirit comforts us.
■ our oneness with His messengers. It is their task to
bring this peace to all people (cf. Luke 10: 5).
■ forgiveness of sins. The peace of the Risen One fills
us.
Liberation from sin yields rest
If we grasp the peace emanating from the merit of Christ
with a longing heart, the effect will be quietness and
assurance.
This quietness comes about through
■ deep knowledge of God (cf. Psalm 46: 10)—our
doubts are thereby silenced.
■ trust in His help in times of need (cf. Psalm 62: 1–2)—
all unrest must then retreat.
Liberation from sin brings assurance
When doubt and unrest is no more, we already enjoy a
high degree of security in faith. However, we also
receive assurance when our eyes can once again be
directed clearly to the Lord through forgiveness. Then
we will also recognize the dangers that threaten our faith
and try to deter us from following the Lord, for example:
■ not recognizing the signs of the time, or not taking
them seriously. Given the awareness that the Lord might
come any day, we look out for the signs of our time,
heed them, and know: the Lord is not slack concerning
His promise!
■ being distracted from what is essential. How - ever, we
keep the day of Christ’s return as the focal point of our
lives and thereby avoid any compromising situations.
■ overestimating ourselves and thinking we no longer
need the Lord. We know that no one can redeem
himself! (cf. Mark 8: 36–37).
We should remain fully aware that it is only through
grace that we can attain the righteousness required by
God. For this reason we continue to confess our sins
because ―He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and
to cleanse us from all unrighteousness‖ (cf. 1 John 1: 9).
When the Lord completes His work upon us, we shall
receive the eternal inheritance that has been promised
us (cf. Hebrews 9: 15)!
Context
The words of Isaiah 32: 15–20 describe the effects of the
Spirit from on high which the Lord will pour out: the
wilderness will become fertile fields, justice and
righteousness will dwell in the field, and peace (=
shalom: complete peace; salvation) and assurance will
prevail. In its historical context, this signifies Israel’s
security against enemies, for example from the
Assyrians described in chapters 28–31.
Summary
■ Only the unique sacrifice of Jesus Christ can liberate
us from sin and produce peace.
■ Liberation from sin brings rest to our souls because
doubt and unrest must leave us.
■ Liberation from sin brings assurance because our eyes
are once again clearly fixed on the Lord.
■ We recognize the dangers that threaten our
discipleship and belief.
Midweek 25/26 May 2011
Led by God’s grace
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace
toward me was not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15: 10
Message
Our way to the Father is a way He has paved with His
grace.
Elaboration
Paul recognized that the grace of God had fashioned
and formed his life.
■ The Lord revealed Himself to him on his way to
Damascus and caused him to make a complete change
in his life. That was grace!
■ He was permitted to become a follower of the Lord and
even a great Apostle. This too was grace!
Paul made the statement that the grace of God had not
been in vain upon him. The words ―in vain‖ are bitter
indeed. Some examples from Scripture will serve to
support this:
■ John the Baptist was the way-preparer of the Lord and
even had a high degree of knowledge. But due to the
fact that he doubted, it was all in vain (cf. Matthew 11:
3).
■ Judas was an Apostle of the Lord. But because he
decided to pursue his own way, the call to follow Christ
had been in vain upon him (cf. Luke 22: 3–6).
■ Ananias and Sapphira brought their offering to the
Apostles but secretly kept some for themselves. Their
offering was thus in vain (cf. Acts 5: 1–11).
According to the words of the Apostle, even grace can
be in vain! The fault for this does not lie with the Lord
who has given us this grace. God’s grace is in vain if the
attitude of the recipient stands in conflict with it. We must
make use of the grace we have received!
God’s offers of grace
We have all felt the grace of God upon our way of life in
many ways.
■ We have come into contact with God’s work and have
been able to recognize that the Lord is active here.
■ We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit and have
thus become children of God.
■ Our sins have been forgiven and thereby we have
received the peace of the Risen One.
■ We receive the body and blood of Jesus in Holy
Communion and thus enjoy the fellowship of life with
Him.
Grace that is “in vain”
Now the question arises: How can the grace one has
already received be in vain?
■ The Holy Spirit is to define our conduct of life. The
grace of having been sealed with the gift of the Holy
Spirit would be in vain if we did not give it sufficient room
in our lives.
■ The grace of the forgiveness of sins is to bring us to
the point that we change our lives and increasingly
overcome sin. This grace would be in vain if we did not
make any efforts in this direction.
■ The grace of Holy Communion gives power and
certainty through the fellowship of life with our Lord. It
would be in vain if we did not strive for this with sincere
longing.
May the grace the Lord has shown us never be in vain!
From a divine service by the Chief Apostle
Context
The grace of which Paul speaks was granted to him as
―one born out of due time‖: the Apostle lists the various
witnesses of the resurrection (Cephas = Peter, the
Twelve, 500 brethren, James) and places himself at the
end of this list. This grace was not in vain upon him,
because he became a way-preparer for the gospel of the
grace of God upon mankind.
Summary
We have experienced the grace of God in many different
ways, namely
■ by recognizing the work of God,
■ in Holy Sealing,
■ in the forgiveness of sins, and
■ in Holy Communion.
Let us give these offers of grace room so that they may
not prove to be in vain upon us!

Sunday 29 May 2011
The way to the Father – Being elevated
Rising up
Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the
world, and I come to You, Holy Father, keep through
Your name those whom You have given Me, that they
may be one as We are. John 17: 11
Message
We prepare for our ascension by overcoming the world.
Elaboration
Now I am no longer in the world
At the start of our Bible text Jesus brings to expression
that He has disassociated Himself from the world.
Already before His ascension He was elevated above
this world.
■ The fact that His will was in complete agreement with
the will of the Father demonstrated His divine nature in
His earthly life (cf. John 17: 4).
■ By resisting the prince of this world, He showed him
the limits of his power (cf. John 14: 30).
Jesus was sure of the fact that He would return to the
Father. His upcoming ascension was thus as certain as
if it had already happened.
In the world …
Here the Lord prays for His disciples who are in the
world. Although they belong to the Lord, they are still
■ subject to the pressures and difficulties associated
with life on this earth.
■ exposed to the attacks of the Evil One who has his
sights set on those who follow Christ (cf. verse 14).
■ confronted with the different natures of people and
their weaknesses, even within the congregation.
It is for this reason that the Son asks His Father to
sanctify them, preserve them from the Evil One, and
keep them in oneness.
… but not of the world
Through the rebirth out of water and the Spirit, we have
become God’s property and are no longer of this world.
Nevertheless we still live in this world, with all the
consequences this entails. Our goal is to have complete
and perfect fellowship with God. In order to attain this,
we too must disassociate ourselves from this world. In
other words, we must rise above it.
Rising above the vicissitudes of life
Let us see to it that the matters and pressures of
everyday life do not impair our love for Christ, our
gratitude toward God, or our commitment to the work of
God.
Overcoming hostility
Despite the attacks of the prince of this world, we
continue to battle onward. Overcoming hostility means
applying the doctrine of Jesus, even if we must suffer for
His sake (cf. 1 Corinthians 4: 12–13).
Bridging differences
God has chosen a people for Himself which is comprised
of imperfect individuals who are very different from one
another (cf. 1 Corinthians 1: 26). If our love for God fills
our hearts, we will succeed at bridging these differences
and being one in the Lord.
Concentrating on the goal
Before the Lord left the earth, He promised that He
would come again in order to take His own unto Himself.
The Holy Spirit reminds us that this return is not only
certain but also that it is imminent. This expectation
makes it possible for us to look past the present
circumstances and rejoice even in difficult moments.
Context
In His intercessory prayer, Jesus prayed first for Himself,
then for His disciples, and finally for all those who would
come to believe in Him through them. He asked the
Father to keep the disciples in His name, that is to
preserve them in their belief in God the Father and
Jesus, the Son of God. In this context the ―world‖ is to be
understood as the domain of influence of the powers
opposed to God.
Summary
Although we are still in the world, we disassociate
ourselves from it by
■ ensuring that the things through which we live do not
impair our relationship with God.
■ fighting a resolute battle against the Evil One.
■ being one despite our imperfections and differences.
■ concentrating on the promise—the source of all our
joy.
May

Youth Service May 2011
Living by the gospel – Attaining sanctification
Come close to God!
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse
your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you
double-minded. James 4: 8
Message
Let us draw near to God with a pure and sanctified heart.
Elaboration
Preceding our Bible text, James refers to a quotation
from the Old Testament: ―Surely He scorns the scornful,
but gives grace to the humble‖ (Proverbs 3: 34). If the
believer humbles himself before the Lord, God will lift
him up, that is allow him to enter into His kingdom (cf.
James 4: 10). For this reason the Epistle admonishes us
to submit to God, resist the Devil, and draw near to God!
(cf. verses 7–8).
Draw near to God!
At times young people ask questions like: ―How can I
experience God? What do I have to do in order for God
to lead me? How can I grow in faith?‖ Our Bible text
provides the answer: ―Draw near to God!‖ It also
contains the assurance: ―… and He will draw near to
you.‖ In other words, He will lead us and guide us, give
us certainty, and be with us. How can we draw near to
God?
Purifying our hearts means devoting ourselves to God
and putting Him in first place.
The following two examples will help illustrate how one
might put this into practice:
■ The prophet Elijah once prayed for rain in a very
special posture: he placed his head between his knees.
This must have been a very intensive prayer, because
he sent out his servant seven times to see whether his
prayer had been answered yet (cf. 1 Kings 18: 42–45).
■ At the prompting of the Holy Spirit, Simeon went into
the temple. He was filled with the longing to see the
promised Messiah (cf. Luke 2: 25–32).
So let us too draw near to the Lord with all our hearts. If
in the process we also cleanse our hands and give up
the things that bind us, we will experience that we are
indeed coming closer to God—and then He will also
draw near to us with the full wealth of His blessings.
From a divine service by the Chief Apostle
Context
In the first Christian congregation there was dispute and
squabbling. The Epistle of James, which is addressed to
all of these congregations, admonishes the readers to
desist in their evil actions (cf. James 4: 1–3). With a
reference to the Scriptures (verse 6, cf. Proverbs 3: 34),
the epistle draws attention to what is necessary, namely
to submit to the Lord, resist the Devil, and come close to
God (cf. verses 7–8).
Summary

■ In prayer and ■ If we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.

■ by absorbing God’s word in the divine services. ■ We draw near to God in prayer and divine service.
■ We cleanse our hands by letting go of all idols.
But neither of these things can be done in a superficial ■ We purify our hearts by turning to the Lord with our
manner, otherwise we could not come close to God. Our whole heart and giving Him first place in our hearts.
Bible text thus also contains the two further admonitions:
―Cleanse your hands … and purify your hearts.‖
May
Cleanse your hands
Cleansing our hands means liberating ourselves from
the idols of our time. We must let them go. Such idols
might take the form of
■ an excessive pursuit of earthly things.
■ interests and hobbies, for example, media, music, and
sports.

There is nothing wrong with these pursuits as long as

they do not become the most important things in our
lives and we are completely absorbed by them. In that
case they become idols of which we must let go!

Purify your hearts

The heart is the vital part of a person’s being, i.e. the
seat of their strivings and thoughts. What is the longing
of our hearts? Do we really want to be close to God?