Lectio Concordia

This World Is Not Our Home

Wednesday before the Sixth Sunday of Easter

Series: Lectio Concordia

May 21, 2025 By Rev. Mark Ryman

• Online jigsaw puzzle of today's reading • Index

• Collect: Lord, uncertainty and trouble punctuates life in this world. Grant me such faith that I may live in confident hope that this world is not my home. Give me the eyes of the Revelator, that I may see your coming kingdom. Amen.

• Psalm 18:1–12

• 2 Timothy 4:6–8

• If the adversaries will concede that we are accounted righteous by faith because of Christ, and that good works please God because of faith, we will not afterwards argue much about the term “reward.” We confess that eternal life is a reward because it is something due on account of the promise—not because of our merits. For the justification has been promised, which we have shown to be properly the gift of God. The promise of eternal life has been added to this gift according to Romans 8:30. “...those whom he justified he also glorified.” Here belongs what Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:8: “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day...” The crown is due the justified because of the promise. [Defense of the Augsburg Confession, Salvation by God’s Mercy]

• “Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer,” William Williams Tune

Guide me, O my great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty;
hold me with your powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.

Open now the crystal fountain,
where the healing waters flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
ever be my strength and shield,
ever be my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell’s Destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever sing to you,
I will ever sing to you.

• Benediction: May the Lord Jesus Christ grant you assurance in his promises, the confident hope of heaven, and the still peace of eternity in him. Amen.

• Memory Verse: I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

• Memory Verse Aid: IHSTTTY, TIMYMHP. ITWYWHT. BTH; IHOTW. (J1633)