Lectio Concordia

This World Is Not Our Home

Monday before the Sixth Sunday of Easter

Series: Lectio Concordia

May 19, 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

• Philippians 3:17–21

• The authority of the church grants eternal things, being exercised only by the ministry of the Word. So, it does not interfere with civil government any more than the art of singing interferes with civil government. For civil government deals with things other than the gospel. The civil rulers do not defend minds, but instead, bodies and bodily things against obvious injuries, and they restrain men with the sword and bodily punishments in order to preserve civil justice and peace.

Therefore, the powers of church and state must not be confused. The power of the church has its distinct commission to teach the gospel and to administer the sacraments. Let it not break into another’s office. Let it not shift the kingdoms of this world; let it not overturn the laws of civil rulers; let it not do away with lawful obedience; let it not interfere with judgments concerning civil ordinances or contracts; let it not dictate laws to civil rulers concerning the form of society. As Christ says, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). Luke reports Jesus asking, “Who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” (Luke 12:14). Paul declares, “Our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). [The Augsburg Confession, Church Authority

• “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)