The Lord's Day Service - Oct 1, 2023 / Trinity 17

Friends of Christ the King, 
May you be blessed as you gather with a congregation of Christ's Church this Lord's Day.  If you are near us, we would love to have you join us for worship and fellowship this Sunday beginning at 5pm at 203 N. Jefferson Ave. in Covington, La. 
Below, for your information and use, is our liturgy prepared for the day, as well as our catechism lesson. 

- Rev. Andrew Voelkel 

To Be A Christian - Catechism Review
Part II - Believing in Christ 
The Apostles Creed and the Articles of Faith
Article II (Continued) 

​“he will come again to judge the living and the dead”

76. What does the Creed mean when it says, “He will come again”?
Jesus promised that he would return (Luke 21:27–28). His coming in victory with great glory and power will be seen by all people and will bring this age to an end. The present world order will pass away, and God will usher in a fully renewed creation to stand forever. All the saints will be together with God at that time. (Proverbs 30:4; Daniel 7:13–14; Luke 21:27–28; Acts 1:10–11; 1 Thes­salonians 4:13–18; 2 Peter 3:3–13; Revelation 21:1–4)
77. Can we know when Jesus will return?
No. We cannot know when Jesus will return. Jesus patiently waits for many to repent and trust in him for new life; then he will return unexpectedly, which could be at any moment. (Matthew 24:36–44; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–3)
78. How should you live in anticipation of Jesus’ return?
I should anticipate with joy the return of Jesus my Savior and be ready to stand before him. His promise to return encourages me to be filled with the Holy Spirit, to live a holy life, and to share the hope of new life in Christ with others. (Deuteronomy 30:1–10; Matthew 25:13–30; 1 Thessalonians 5:4–11; Titus 2:11–14)
79. How should you understand Jesus’ future judgment?
All people, whether living or dead, will be judged by Jesus Christ. Those apart from Christ will receive eternal rejection and punishment in hell, while those who are in Christ will receive eternal blessing and welcome into the fullness of life with God. (Psalm 50:1–6; Matthew 25:31–46; Romans 2:16; 2 Co­rinthians 5:10)
80. Should you be afraid of God’s judgment?
The unrepentant should fear God’s judgment, for “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness” (Romans 1:18). But if I am in Christ, I need not fear God’s judgment, for my Judge is my Savior, Jesus Christ, who loves me, died for my sins, and intercedes for me. (Psalm 130; Proverbs 28:13–14; John 5:24–30; Romans 8:1, 31–34)
81. What does Scripture mean when it tells you to fear God?
It means that I should live mindful of his presence, walking in humility as his creature, resisting sin, obeying his commandments, and reverencing him for his holiness, majesty, and power. (Exodus 20:18–20; Psalm 25:12–14; Proverbs 9:10; Acts 5:1–11; 1 Peter 1:13–21; Revelation 14:6–7)
82. How do you rightly live in the fear of God?
With the help of the Holy Spirit, I examine my conscience according to the Word of God. Particularly useful are the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount, as well as the godly counsel of fellow Christians and the moral teaching of the Church. (Exodus 20:1–17; Psalm 139:23–24; Matthew 5–7; 1 Corinthians 4:1–5)
83. How does the Church exercise its authority to judge?
The authority Christ gave to his Church to judge is most often exercised by declaring God’s forgiveness in absolution. However, a priest, acting under the authority of the bishop, may suspend a person from receiving Communion because of scandalous and unrepented sin, in order to draw them to repentance and restoration. (Psalm 32; Matthew 16:19; 18:15–17; John 20:21–23; 1 Corin­thians 5:1–13)