Passage:
8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have begun to reign as kings without us — and I wish you did reign, so that we could also reign with you! 9 For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, in last place, like men condemned to die: We have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless; 12 we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we respond graciously. Even now, we are like the scum of the earth, like everyone’s garbage.
14 I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children. 15 For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 This is why I have sent Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you about my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every church.
18 Now some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk, but the power of those who are arrogant. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness? -- 1 Corinthians 4:8-21 (CSB)
Song:
He Comes by Kate Bluett, Paul Zach
Lyrics:
He comes the Lord's anointed One
And we shall see His face
As clear as if the rising run
Poured out the light of grace
He comes and we shall hear His voice
Not as some distant sound
But tones that make the heart rejoice
When love long lost is found
He comes not to the wise and great
But to the bound and poor
So low Himself that potentates
Must kneel to pass His door
He comes with favor in His hands
Our empty souls to fill
To make a highway through the sands
And bid the storms be still
He comes and we shall go to Him
Set free from ancient chains
Adorned in mercy's diadem
To glory in His reign
He comes the Lord as one of us
He comes to judge the earth
How wonderful how glorious
His long-awaited birth
Prayer:
Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
-The Book of Common Prayer
