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Haggai 1:15b-2:9. The rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem after the return from exile in Babylon was one of the more dramatic events in Israel's history. This minor prophet Haggai is known for little else than his encouragement of this momentous task which was completed about 520 BC. The word he delivered in God's name formed the core of his message: "Work, for I am with you .... My spirit abides among you."
This second temple lasted until destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. The dream of some modern Israelis is to rebuild it once again where the Dome of the Rock, sacred to Islam, now stands.
Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 (UMH 857). The Book of Psalms ends with a series of hymns praising God and meditating on the nature of God. Note that these reflections are not couched in theological abstractions, but in terms describing God's actions, as was typical of Jewish thought.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17. Paul believed sincerely in the early return of the Risen Christ. This belief combined the prophetic promises to Israel of a Day of Judgement and the coming of the Messiah. Here the apostle makes a further promise of salvation for those who have believed that Jesus is the Messiah/Christ and have been sanctified (i.e. made holy and so acceptable to God) by the Spirit. The faithful are urged to hold fast to these gospel traditions which Paul had given them in his preaching and his letters.
Luke 20:27-38 (sermon text). A group of Sadducees attempt to trap Jesus into a violation of the rigid Law of Moses concerning the marriage of a widow. The story is particularly ironic in that this sect of Judaism did not believe in resurrection. The trick question had only a malevolent intent. Jesus gave a blunt response: There's no marriage or sex in heaven!
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