Matt the Fatt and Paul the Plagiarist - They Have Betrayed the Doctrine of the Early LCMS

 Matt the Fatt pretends to harken back to early Missouri. The reader's research shows that this is another deception from the McCain-Harrison regime.

 McCain's cheerful reproduction of Edward Preuss' inanities only underlines how little he knows about his own CPH history. Or is he just hiding the truth? 

The 1896 Schwan Catechism – Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

The 1896 Schwan Catechism correctly explained what forgiveness consists of - and who receives it.  This is set forth in: English-German Edition.  A Short Exposition of Dr. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism (CPH: 1912).  Questions 196 and 197 follow:

196.  Was heißt: Gott vergibt die Sünde? Er rechnet die Sünden nicht zu, oder, er erklärt die Sünder für gerecht. (Rechtfertignung.) 379) 2 Kor 5,21: Er hat den, der von keiner Sünde wußte, für uns zur Sünde gemacht, auf daß wir würden in ihm die Gerechtigkeit, die vor Gtt gilt. 380) Röm. 8,33: Wer will die Auserwählten Gottes beschuldigen?  Gott ist hie, der da gerecht macht. B. G. Matth. 18,23-27. Schalksknecht.

196.  How does God forgive sins? He does not impute their sins to sinners, or, in other words, He declares sinners righteous. (Justification.) 379) 2 Cor. 5,21: For He hath made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 380) Rom. 8,33: Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth, B. H. Matth. 18,23-35. The wicked servant.

197.  Wer empfängt diese Vergebung? Wie wohl sie für alle Menschen erworben ist, auch durch das Evangelium allen, die es hören, dargeboten wird, so werden doch der Vergebung nur diejenigen wirklich teilhaftig, welche dem Evangelium glauben und damit die Vergebung annehmen. 381) 2 Kor. 5,10: Gott war in Christo und versöhnste die Welt mit ihm selber, und rechnete ihnen ihre Sünden nicht zu und hat unter uns aufgerichtet das Wort von der Versöhnung. 382) 1 Mos. 15,6: Abram glaubte dem HErrn, und das rechnete er ihm zur Gerechtigkeit.

383) Röm. 4,5: Dem aber, der nicht mit Werken umgehet, gaubet aber an den, der die Gottlosen gerecht macht, dem wird sein Glaube gerechnet zur Gerechtigkeit. B. G. Luk. 18,9-14. Der Zöllner.

197.  Who receives this forgiveness? Although it has been procured for all men, and is offered by the Gospel to all that hear it, yet only those who believe the Gospel and accept this forgiveness of sins actually become partakers of such forgiveness. 381) 2 Cor. 5,19: God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. 382) Rom. 4,5: To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him who justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. B. H. Luke 18,9-14. The publican.

These questions and answers make it quite clear that the only forgiveness that is known is that which is explicitly spelled out in question 198: 198. Was bekennen wir daher, mit unserer Kirche von der Vergebung der Sünden oder der Rechtfertigung? Das wir Vergebung der Sünden erlangen und vor Gott gerecht werden nicht aus unsern Werken, sondern aus Gnaden, um Christi willen, durch den Glauben. 384) Röm. 3,23-25. Es ist hie kein Unterschied; sie sind allzumal Sünder und mangeln des Ruhms, den sie an Gott haben sollten, und werden ohne Verdienst gerecht aus seiner Gnade durch die Erlösung, so durch Christum JEsum geschehen ist, welchen Gott hat vorgestellt zu einem Gnadenstuhl durch den Glauben in seinem Blut, damit er die Gerechtigkeit, die vor ihm gilt, darbiete in dem, daß er Sünde vergibt, welche bis anher geblieben war unter göttlicher Geduld.

198. What then do we, together with our Church, confess regarding the forgiveness of sins, or justification? That we receive forgiveness of sins and are justified before God, not by our works, but by grace, for Christ’s sake, through faith. 384) Rom. 3,22-25. There is no difference; for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation though faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

Thus, no faith, no forgiveness.

In 1943, the Missouri Synod published with a newer version of the Schwan Catechism with the Bible verses from the KJV – it was also known as the blue Catechism because of its blue cover.  In 1965 CPH slightly revised the 1943 edition.  In either the 1943 or 1965 editions, the section on “The Forgiveness of Sins” did not contain the detail that the 1912 edition had.  Questions 188-191 follow (note: italics in original):

188.  How does God forgive your sins?

God no longer charges, or imputes, my sins to me, but declares me righteous. (Justification.) 486 God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. 2 Cor. 5:19. 487 He hath made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:21. 488 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Rom. 8:33. 489 To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Rom. 4:5. Bible Narrative: The king forgave the servant all his debts. Matt. 18:33-35.

189.  What induces God to forgive your sins?

God forgives my sins, not because of my merit, or worthiness in me, but because of His grace, for Christ’s sake. 490 There is no difference; for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Rom. 3:22-24. 491 In whom [Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Eph. 1:7. Biblical Narrative: The publican in the Temple. Luke 18:9-14.

190.  For whom has this forgiveness been obtained?

Forgiveness of sins has been obtained for all, because Christ has fully atoned for the sins of all mankind. 492 He is the Propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2. 493 God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, and imputing their trespasses unto them. 2 Cor. 5:19.

191.  Where does God offer you the forgiveness of sins?

God offers me the forgiveness of sins in the Gospel. 494 Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations. Luke 24:47. 495 [He] hath committed unto us the Word of Reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5:19.

192.  How do you accept this forgiveness of sins?

I accept this forgiveness by believing the Gospel. 496 A man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the Law. Rom. 3:28 497 [Abram] believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness. Gen. 15:6.

Reader’s conclusion

It is clear in both the 1912 and 1943-1956 Catechisms that while Jesus has atoned for all, this does not give forgiveness to all.  Forgiveness only come through faith.  End of discussion.

 No Clue Andrew argued his father's OJ on the Dead Last Lutheran Blog. That only worked because those teaching the original doctrine of the LCMS (and Bible) were dismissed as "morons" by the senior - or was that senile? - editor. 
Confidential - the Preus clan are carpetbaggers who brought their Norwegian Pietism over from the Norwegian Synod and the Little Sect on the Prairie.

 Room for everyone but Luther - Now Missouri loves every confession of faith but its own original one. Is it not true that a catechism is a good expression of the denomination's teaching? 

An Eagle on a Soldier's Grace - Memorial Day

"Two days ago · He spotted a bald eagle through the mist, perched on a gravestone, and snapped shots with his aging but ever-present camera. It’s going viral! Jon Tevlin of the Star Tribune notes that requests for the photo, and use of the story, have come from the Department of Veterans Affairs, military publications, Arlington National Cemetery. Soldiers ... Amazing Photo of Bald Eagle Perched on Soldier's Gravestone ...

He revealed that the widow of Maurice Ruch, the soldier on whose gravestone the eagle was perched, was extremely moved by the photo, particularly because she and her husband used to photograph eagles themselves...."

The Hidden Path to Understanding Justification Is The Scriptures, Above All. Start Digging

 Our new neighbor on Joye Street is a veteran, and so is his neighbor, John. Ranger Bob, a veteran, fixed this veteran's water pump on his Nitro.

When I was finishing The Path to Justification, this true story emerged.

An older couple and their daughter moved into the house on Joye, next to where John and Patricia have lived for 25 years. Sassy loves to meet new people, so we talked to the new neighbors when they began using their attached garage for morning coffee.

John and Pat asked me, once the warm weather arrived, "Have you seen Dan digging?" I said I noticed the work, but I did not inspect it. Sassy usually turns around after checking John's yard for animal scents and food scraps. She is the Inspector General of Springdale, looking over every worksite we pass.

"He found a hidden path! We never knew. We lived here 25 years and never noticed. The previous owners didn't. The postman had no idea."

Sassy and I - who passed by or near that property for the last 8 years - least among the witnesses, had no clue.

Scholars are divided, but Springdalologists figure the path was fashioned from the brick driveway when it was converted to cement. Debris covered the bricks in time, and grassroots crept over the top. The view with Google Maps, about 8 years old, does not show anything more than general patchiness in the front lawn.

Is This the Ebeneezer of Justification?

This stone of help, this brick path, is a good representation of the Justification question.

Justification by Faith is clear in the Bible, Luther's Sermons, the Book of Concord, Chemnitz' work, Gerhard, and many other sources until the growth of Pietism and its Calvinistic content.

Those Lutherans who were moved to travel to America were largely influenced by Pietistic organizations. Pastor Martin Stephan came from Pietism and was partially educated at Halle University, established by Pietism but rapidly turning rationalistic. CFW Walther's circle of friends were Pietistic and sought out Stephan's leadership when their first guru of Pietism left and inconveniently died.

Although Justification by Faith remained as the main teaching in the LCMS and WELS, the debris of Pietism and Objective Justification gradually covered the clearly outline path of the Chief Article.

Now the growth hiding Justification by Faith is so complete that the majority in the Walther-Stephan tradition are completely hoodwinked and baffled by the clever two step of letting people imagine:

1. "Objective Justification is the Atonement." False - it declares that the entire world is forgiven and saved without faith - Universalism.
2. "Subjective Justification is Justification by Faith." False - it means making a decision in favor of universal forgiveness without faith.  

The Path Remains - Even When Hidden by Satan's Disciples

The Scriptures remain and a faithful translation (not ESV or NIV) makes that clear. But it takes some digging to disclose the truths hidden by neglect, poor teaching, bad translations, and the fanatical spirits who serve their Father Below, though ordained for a different kind of service.

Faithful clergy and laity can bring out the truth again.

Memorial Day, 2019

Whether on the battlefields of Bunker Hill, on the beaches of Normandy, in the jungles of Vietnam, or in the mountains and deserts of the Middle East, brave Americans of every generation have given their last full measure of devotion in defense of our country, our liberty, and our founding ideals.  On Memorial Day, we humbly honor these incredible patriots and firmly renew our abiding commitment to uphold the principles for which they laid down their lives.

As a free people, we have a sacred duty to remember the courageous warriors who have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that our great country would endure.  It is our responsibility to strive to ensure that their noble acts of dedication to our country and the cause of freedom were not in vain and to comfort the families they have left behind, who bear the heartbreak of their loss.  We must ensure that the light of our Republic, and all for which these most honorable Americans willingly died, continues to shine forth brightly into the world.  As President Lincoln said in 1863 during the dedication of the Gettysburg National Military Cemetery:  “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.”

As we approach the 75th anniversary of D-Day, we proudly commemorate those heroic and honorable patriots who gave their all for the cause of freedom during some of history’s darkest hours.  Thousands of selfless members of our Armed Forces perished on the beaches of Normandy.  They bravely gave their lives to pave the way for the Allied liberation of Europe and ultimately victory over the forces of evil.  Their historic sacrifices and achievements secured the future of humanity and proved America’s strength in defending freedom and defeating the enemies of civilization.

Those who rest in the hallowed grounds of our country’s national cemeteries laid their lives upon the altar of freedom.  Today, as we unite in eternal gratitude for the sacrifices of these extraordinary Americans, let us also offer a prayer for lasting peace.  Let us renew our steadfast resolve to work toward a peaceful future, in which the horrors of war are a distant memory and our families, our communities, and our Nation need no longer confront the sorrow and pain of losing our beloved sons and daughters.

In honor and recognition of all of our fallen heroes, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), has requested the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer.  The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, has also designated 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe, in their own way, the National Moment of Remembrance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 27, 2019, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time when people might unite in prayer.

I further ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.

I also request the Governors of the United States and its Territories, and the appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct the flag be flown at half-staff until noon on this Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control.  I also request the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.

DONALD J. TRUMP

Rogate - The Fifth Sunday after Easter, 2019. John 16:23-30

 By Norma A. Boeckler

Bethany Lutheran Church, 

10 AM Central Daylight Time

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

The Fifth Sunday after Easter - Rogate 2019

 Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

The Hymn # 651              Be Still My Soul                       
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual 
The Gospel 
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #454        Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire

God Provides the Faith To Ask

The Communion Hymn # 207     Like the Golden Sun  
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #457                What a Friend We Have in Jesus

• Ascension Day Holy Communion - Thursday, 7 PM
• Prayers for Baby Andrea, upcoming surgery
• Those in cancer and post-surgical treatment
• Flood victims
• Thanksgiving for Veterans who gave their lives for our country.

KJV James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

 By Norma A. Boeckler

KJV John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. 26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: 27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. 28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. 29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. 30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

Fifth Sunday After Easter
Lord God, heavenly Father, who through Thy Son didst promise us that whatsoever we ask in His name Thou wilt give us: We beseech Thee, keep us in Thy word, and grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that He may govern us according to Thy will; protect us from the power of the devil, from false doctrine and worship; also defend our lives against all danger; grant us Thy blessing and peace, that we may in all things perceive Thy merciful help, and both now and forever praise and glorify Thee as our gracious Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

Background for the Sermon - Luther's Outline

These points are verbatim from this sermon of Luther.

http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2019/05/luthers-sermon-on-prayer.html

1. First we note that in order for a prayer to be really right and to be heard five things are required. The first is, that we have from God his promise or his permission to speak to him, and that we remember the same before we pray and remind God of it, thereby encouraging ourselves to pray in a calm and confident frame of mind. 
2. In the second place, it is necessary that we never doubt the pledge and promise of the true and faithful God. For even to this end did God pledge himself to hear, yea, commanded us to pray, in order that we may always have a sure and firm faith that we will be heard; as Jesus says in Matthew 21:22: “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” 
3. In the third place, if one prays doubting that God will hear him, and only offers his prayers as a venture, whether it be granted or not granted, he is guilty of two wicked deeds. The first is, that he, himself, makes his prayer unavailing and he labors in vain. For Jesus says: “Whoever will ask of God, let him ask in faith..."
5. In the fourth place, some say: Yes, I would gladly trust that my prayer would be heard, if I were only worthy and prayed aright. My answer is: If you do not pray until you know and experience that you are fit, then you will never need to pray.
7. In the fifth place, one should so act in this confidence of prayer as not to limit God and specify the day or place, nor designate the way or measure of the prayer’s fulfillment; but leave all to his own will, wisdom and almighty power. [end of verbatim Luther quotation]

 The early Christians considered dying for the faith a great honor. Stephen is memorialized in the New Testament - the crown of life. Europeans said, "No cross, no crown."

God Provides the Faith To Ask

KJV John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

This is something to remember always - The Scriptures are full of exhortations to pray to God for all needs, but these passages always include the Promises of God, which cause and increase our faith so that we do pray to Him for every need.

Prayer is often portrayed as a work and even taught as a sacrament, as if grace comes to us only if we ask. In fact, many make prayer pivotal in the worst sense, ignoring that grace comes through the Word.

In this address to the disciples and us, Jesus first speaks of praying, and also promises - "Whatever you ask in My Name, He will give it to you."

So this shows us the divine activity in prayer, not only in urging prayer and motivating prayer through God's grace, but also in answering prayer. 

The modernists are proud of themselves for talking about Christianity from the perspective of man, which really comes from traditional humanism - Man is the measure of all things. (Modern humanism is just another name for atheist, very much an activist, take people to court atheism. One of their stars was a WELS-LCMS pastor and proud of it.)

When we start from man's point of view, we necessarily ignore God's revelation. That is the origin of people claiming God will only give according to man's demands, according to man's schedule, etc. Church Growth people love Cho and Schuller for that - and both frauds fell from the pinnacle of fame.

There are no conditions in Jesus' statement - "whatsoever you ask in My Name" - when we follow exactly what He taught and ignore the modern twists and turn.

This is part of the farewell sermon, so it has special importance for this Gospel and for the Christian Church. This should be taken as pure truth and a guide for all prayer.\\

24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

As Luther observed once, John's Gospel (symbolized by an eagle) is like an eagle in circling a point and going higher and higher on that point, until we see many aspects of that singular truth. It is done in such a way that we cannot miss the main points and can go back to them and continue to learn.  John 6 - I AM the Bread of Life - is a good example of this.

John 6 32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Although Jesus will be gone visibly from them, He will not be absent. In the midst of His departure He comforted them with the fact of God answering prayers in the Name of Jesus.

Not invoking the Name of Jesus is the same as confessing no faith in Him. The only proper prayer ends in the Name of Jesus, because He is the agent of that request. We are not worthy and should not even think of worthiness, because the worthiness comes from Him, and it is honored by God the Father. That is why we speak of the righteous of faith, not works.

Monergism - God working

I shy away from terms but this is an important one in the face of the goofballs always measuring and "teaching" from man's point of view. They fly at everyone who doubts their speculations, their little effeminate fists going like windmills in a storm.

Monergism simply means that God does everything, so that concept is resisted by the doubters and man-pleasers. Forgiveness comes only through faith, and God creates faith through the Gospel Promises being preached and taught. The Scriptures urge us to pray, and the same Word of God increases our faith in God listening to those prayers, answering them. Good works come from faith in Christ, so God's grace works in forgiveness and in the fruit of faith - good works.

A little girl brought in red raspberries, though the canes were only blooming now. I asked her to show me where they came from. They were big, fat wild strawberries, not little red BBs I associate with wild strawberries. In fact, birds plant them and they spread like weeds, looking like rubies shining in the sun.  They are the result of long, steady rains and brilliant sunlight. So good works come from the energy of the gracious Word - not from man. Prayer is urged and the efficacy of the gracious Word moves us to pray, trusting in God's wisdom and mercy.

 ...that your joy may be full.

Rather than commanding that God may be appeased, the reason is given - "that your joy may be full." That is, when we pray, over a long period of time, we see many prayers answered. Some are for our own needs, addressing our fears and anxieties and genuine troubles.

Other prayers are offered for people we may have never met, but also for friends, neighbors, church members, leaders of the country, leaders of church bodies. Over time we also see how those prayers are answered, which gives us confidence to ask anything, as God has urged us, as Jesus has commended for our guidance.

In looking back we can see how God has provided for us, protected us, and given us unspeakable joys. The same is true for those who received those remedies for which we asked God - for help in healing, for patience in suffering, for a better way to live, for healthy children, for the spread of the Gospel.

25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

The mission of the Savior was so great, so pivotal for mankind, that Jesus needed to teach His disciples for three years before the final event unfolded. Many sayings were for the future preaching of the Gospel - Isaiah 53 serving as the Old Testament Gospel. Although they knew this chapter, they had to experience it in action as Jesus fulfilled every verse, with extensive explanations given in Psalm 22 as well.

I see this verse as predicting that Jesus would show the Father plainly to the disciples by His sacrificial death, resurrection, and ascension. Only then would they see and experience the grace of God the Father and His power over all life, all of our so-called realities.

So now we look back at these verses and realize they are no longer proverbs, puzzles, enigmatic sayings. They are clearly explained by the Scriptures, if only we spend some time with them.

26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: 27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

I have seen God accomplish so much with such speed that I never stop to wonder IF He can do it. Nor do I wonder WHEN He will do it.  The rewards are enormous to see those things take place over time or immediately, beyond what we can even imagine.

Here is a great motivating statement from Jesus. He is not going to pray for us, because the Father loves us for loving the Son and believing He was sent by the Father.

There is an wall that cannot be breached between this faith so plainly described and the clever doubts of so many:

• They attack the Scriptures in general - just another book!
• They attack the Gospel of John, a very late philosophical book!
• They will believe in God when He obeys certain orders they have issued for Him to obey!

It is this doubt, which creeps in on people, that keeps us from praying. The more we dwell on God's Word being direct, plain revelation to us, the more we see how this is the same as God speaking directly to us - because He is.

These words from Jesus could not be any simpler than they are. What is emphasized here? 

• Loving Jesus.
• Believing in His mission. 

Notice how quickly that can be short-circuited. If someone has no knowledge of the cross (typical vicars), he may resent Jesus as soon as the cross is laid on their shoulders. That is because everyone loves a seminary student until he is ordained. Sometimes the vicar has no knowledge of the cross because his family connections protect him from his errors. 

Loving Jesus will take a backseat if the ministry is seen as a ticket to comfort and ease, which it can be on the wrong highway, the wrong endpoint. 

Believing in His mission. I get regular news releases from the Illinois ELCA seminary. Their concerns are either involving gender-bending or opposing the government on illegal activities. God neve comes up, so Jesus' mission was to create a web of social activists to bring on the Kingdom of God (aka workers' paradise). This was the cause of the Brotherhood of the Kingdom (interesting PhD disseration) and its results, the Communist Federal Council of Churches and the related World Council of Churches.

The radical Left in the visible church bodies are disgusted by the atoning death of Christ and dubious about His resurrection. Therefore, they do not believe He was sent but have their own ideas.

28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

These are beautiful, clear statements. One is tempted to pass them by because they are so plain - no puzzles to puzzle us. 

Do you see the Virgin Birth in this passage? I do. How did He come into the world? He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. After His resurrection He returned to the Father.

If we do not stop and marvel at these words, we miss the power in them. The Holy Spirit is always teaching us in the Word. You doubt? You are anxious? God did all this because of His love of a world that did not show much love to His Son. Yet, because of His grace, He carried out His mission to fulfill the Messianic Promises of the Old Testament and establish His relationship to us through His Son.

29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. 30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

This strengthened His disciples, as it should strengthen us and open the Scriptures to us. The disciples saw the very worst and were given God's favor in seeing Jesus risen from the dead. That mostly took away their worldly anxieties and doubts. After being sent, in John's Gospel, they went back to fishing. "Have to eat," as Peter would have said.

The resurrection was emphasized again with Jesus appearing on shore and generating a miraculous catch reunion event. That showed Peter "It is the Lord." Oh how they labored to get that miraculous catch ashore. And when they did, Jesus already had dinner ready. The message is "You trusted in yourselves with the fish. I am the Creating Word, the Savior. Trust in Me."

Thus the Spirit is always convicting us of sin, because our faith is weak and wavering. God strengthens that faith, again and again, showing us His grace and power, in the past and our present.

By Norma A. Boeckler
Ascension Day, May 30th, Holy Communion service, 7 PM.

Luther's Sermon on Prayer

Chartres Cathredral Rose Window

Luther's Sermon for Rogate  - Fifth Sunday after Easter

Second Sermon

KJV John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. 26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: 27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. 28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. 29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. 30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

A SERMON ON PRAYER.

1. First we note that in order for a prayer to be really right and to be heard five things are required. The first is, that we have from God his promise or his permission to speak to him, and that we remember the same before we pray and remind God of it, thereby encouraging ourselves to pray in a calm and confident frame of mind. Had God not told us to pray, and pledged himself to hear us, none of his creatures could ever, with all their prayers, obtain so much as a grain of corn. From this, then, there follows that no one receives anything from God by virtue of his own merit or that of his prayer. His answer comes by virtue of the divine goodness alone, which precedes every prayer and desire, which moves us, through his gracious promise and call, to pray and to desire, in order that we may learn how much he cares for us, and how he is more ready to give than we are to receive. He would have us seek to become bold, to pray in a calm and confident spirit, since he offers all, and even more, than we are able to ask.

2. In the second place, it is necessary that we never doubt the pledge and promise of the true and faithful God. For even to this end did God pledge himself to hear, yea, commanded us to pray, in order that we may always have a sure and firm faith that we will be heard; as Jesus says in Matthew 21:22: “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Christ says in Luke 11:9-13: “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask a loaf, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” With this and like promises and commands we must consolingly exercise ourselves and pray in true confidence.

3. In the third place, if one prays doubting that God will hear him, and only offers his prayers as a venture, whether it be granted or not granted, he is guilty of two wicked deeds. The first is, that he, himself, makes his prayer unavailing and he labors in vain. For Jesus says: “Whoever will ask of God, let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.” James 1:6-7. He means that the heart of such a man does not continue stable, therefore God can give it nothing; but faith keeps the heart calm and stable and makes it receptive for the divine gifts.

4. The other wicked deed is, that he regards his most true and faithful God as a liar and an unstable and doubtful being; as one who can not or will not keep his promise; and thus through his doubt he robs God of his honor and of his name of truth and faithfulness. In this, such a grievous sin is committed that by this sin a Christian becomes a heathen, denying and losing his own God, and thus he remains in his sin, and must be condemned forever, without comfort. Moreover, if he receives that for which he prays, it will be given, not for his salvation, but for his punishment in time and eternity and it is not for the sake of the prayers, but because of his wrath that God rewards the good words which were spoken in sin, unbelief and divine dishonor.

5. In the fourth place, some say: Yes, I would gladly trust that my prayer would be heard, if I were only worthy and prayed aright. My answer is: If you do not pray until you know and experience that you are fit, then you will never need to pray. As I have said before, our prayers must not be founded nor rest upon ourselves or their own merits, but upon the unshakable truth of the divine promise. Where they are founded upon anything else, they are false, and deceive us, even though the heart break in the midst of its great devotions and we weep drops of blood. The very reason we do pray is because of our unworthiness; and just through the fact that we believe we are unworthy and confidently venture upon God’s faithfulness to his Word do we become worthy to pray and to be heard. Be you as unworthy as you may, only look to it, and with all earnestness accept it as true, that a thousandfold more depends upon this, that you know God’s truth and not change his faithful promise into a lie by your doubting. Your worthiness does not help you, but your unworthiness is no barrier. Disbelief condemns you, and trust makes you worthy and sustains you.

6. Therefore, be on your guard all through life that you may never think yourself worthy or fit to pray or to receive; unless it be that you discover yourself to be a freebold character risking all upon the faithful and sure promises of your gracious God, who thus wishes to reveal to you his mercy and goodness. Just as he, out of pure grace, has promised you, being so unworthy, an unmerited and unasked hearing, so will he also hear you, an unworthy beggar, out of pure grace, to the praise of his truth and promise. This he does in order that you may thank, not your worthiness, but his truth, by which he fulfils his promise, and that you thank his mercy that gave the promise, that the saying in Psalm 25:8-10 may stand: “Good and upright is Jehovah: Therefore will he instruct sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in justice; and the meek will he teach his way.

All the paths of Jehovah are loving kindness and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.” Loving-kindness or mercy in the promise; faithfulness and truth in the fulfilling or hearing of the promises.

And in another Psalm he says: “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Psalm 85:10. That is, they come together in every work and gift we receive from God through prayer.

7. In the fifth place, one should so act in this confidence of prayer as not to limit God and specify the day or place, nor designate the way or measure of the prayer’s fulfillment; but leave all to his own will, wisdom and almighty power. Then confidently and cheerfully await the answer, not even wishing to know how and where, how soon, how long, and through whom. His divine wisdom will find far better ways and measures, time and place, than we can devise, even should we perform miracles. So, in the Old Testament, the children of Israel all trusted in God to deliver them while yet there was no possible way before their eyes, nor even in their thoughts; then the Red Sea parted and offered them a way through the waters, and suddenly drowned all their enemies. Exodus 14.

8. Thus Judith, the holy woman, did when she heard that the citizens of Bethulia wished to deliver the city to their enemies within five days if God, in the meantime, did not help. She reproved them and said, Now who are ye, that have tempted God? They are not designs by which one acquires grace; but they awaken more disgrace. Do you wish to set a time for God to show you mercy, and specify a day according to your own pleasure?

Judith 8:10-12. Then the Lord helped her in a wonderful manner, in that she cut off the head of the great Holofernes and dispersed the enemies.

9. In like manner, St. Paul says that God’s ability is thus proved, in that he does exceeding abundantly above and better than we ask or think. Ephesians 3:20. Therefore, we should know that we are too finite to be able to name, picture or designate the time, place, way, measure and other circumstances for that which we ask of God. Let us leave that entirely to him, and immovably and steadfastly believe that he will hear us.