May 22, 2026
While We Wait - Part 5
John 16:1-4
05/22/2026
1 I have said all these things to you to keep you
from falling away.
2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed,
the hour is coming when whoever kills you will
think he is offering service to God.
3 And they will do these things because they have
not known the Father, nor me.
4 But I have said these things to you, that when
their hour comes you may remember that I told them
to you. I did not say these things to you from
the beginning, because I was with you. (ESV)
On the night He was betrayed, Jesus told His disciples:
I have said all these things to you to keep you from
falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues.
Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will
think he is offering service to God. And they will do
these things because they have not known the Father,
nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when
their hour comes you may remember that I told them to
you. I did not say these things to you from the
beginning, because I was with you.
Because the Church is made up of redeemed sinners, the
Church needs to guard against false teaching and practice.
Entire church bodies and congregations may reject the clear Word
of God. Those who call on congregations to repent may be
rejected for their message. Yet, we are called upon to witness
the truth, even if we are cast out of the congregation because
people do not wish to repent.
As witnesses of the truth, we continually read, learn, and
study God's Word so to better understand the gift of love given
to us for the sake of Christ Jesus. Therefore the Church prays:
O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far
above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but
send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the
Father.
Please join us this coming Sunday at 9:00 a.m. to receive
the blessings of God given through the Word and sacraments. Stay
to learn more of God's Word as we study the Bible, asking and
answering questions so to increase our faith and knowledge.
May our Lord grant the desire to learn more of His mercy as
shown in Christ Jesus. Amen.