Second Sunday after Epiphany
- The Most Interesting Man in the World?
- The Awesome God!
SERMON TEXT: John 1:43-51
The next day, Jesus wanted to leave for Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” “Come and see!” Philip told him. Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said about him, “Truly, here is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered, “Before Philip called you, while you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus replied, “You believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that!” Then he added, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Bible Readings
FIRST LESSON: 1 Samuel 3:1-10
The boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli. The word of the LORD was rare in those days. Prophetic vision was not common. Now it happened that Eli’s eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see. Once when Eli was lying down in his place and God’s lamp had not yet gone out, Samuel was lying down in the LORD’s temple, where God’s ark was. The LORD called Samuel, and Samuel said, “I am here.” He ran to Eli, and said, “I am here, since you called me.” Eli said, “I did not call. Lie down again.” So he went and lay down. Then the LORD called once more, “Samuel!” So Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “I am here, since you called me.” He answered, “I did not call, my son. Lie down again.” Now Samuel had not yet experienced the LORD’s presence, that is, the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. The LORD called Samuel for the third time. So he got up and went to Eli and said, “I am here, since you called me.” Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the young man. So Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and once again lay down in his place. The LORD came and stood there and called as he had the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
SECOND LESSON: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
But we are always obligated to thank God for you, brothers, loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation by the sanctifying work of the Spirit and faith in the truth. For this reason he also called you through our gospel so that you would obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold on to the teachings that were passed along to you, either by word of mouth or by a letter from us. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.
VERSE OF THE DAY: Luke 3:4,6
Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. All mankind will see God’s salvation
GOSPEL: John 1:43-51
See Sermon Text
Is to make disciples for Jesus Christ by sharing the gospel in God’s Word and Sacraments. Following God’s direction and seeking His help, we will fulfill this mission by conducting the following activities: