Sunday, June 2, 2019

From 2009 - Everyone Is Buzzing about the Rick Warren Workshop

Did the MLC boys learn from this photo?
These idiot poses never go away. Ask Rick Warren, DMin (Fuller) By the way, Warren is a Baptist, though he hides it, the way Andy Stanley does. Both leaders are bit deals for the Shrinkers in WELS and the LCMS.


Radicalis - 2009

Rick Warren is having a confab of confabs at his Saddleback Church. Mrs. Ichabod stopped at Saddleback and went in to listen to him speak to addicts. She got me in for free - we found Warren to be a boring, silly clown.

Church and Changers will be there, fur shure. Look at the speaker list:

Speakers


Andy Stanley
Author and Pastor,
North Point Community Church

Brad Powell
Senior Pastor,
North Ridge Church

Buddy Owens
Teaching Pastor,
Saddleback Church

Dave Holden
Training Director,
Purpose Driven

Dino Rizzo
Author and Pastor,
Healing Place Church

Doug Fields
Author and Pastor,
Saddleback Church

Gerald Sharon
North American Director,
Purpose Driven Network

John Baker
Founder and Pastor,
Celebrate Recovery

Kay Warren
Pastor’s Wife and Author

Kerry Shook
Senior Pastor, Woodlands Church and Author

Mark Driscoll
Ex-Senior Pastor, Ex-Mars Hill Church and Author


Perry Noble
Senior Pastor, NewSpring Church

Pete Scazzero
Senior Pastor,
New Life Fellowship Church

Rick Muchow
Pastor of Worship,
Saddleback Church

Rick Warren
Senior Pastor & Author,
Saddleback Church

Steve Adams
Children’s Pastor,
Saddleback Church

Steve Gladen
Pastor of Small Groups,
Saddleback Church

Tom Holladay
Teaching Pastor,
Saddleback Church

Absolute Surrender, Sacrificial Lifestyle, Authentic Christianity...
A Radical Experience

Rick Warren and his team invite you and your team to attend Radicalis, February 9-12, 2010

Radicalis is really ten conferences in one that makes it possible to bring your entire church team for individual learning experiences.
Radicalis is a unique hands-on, comprehensive experience that will enhance each member of your team’s role in your church and build and inspire them to serve God in your community and the world. Rick Warren, the Saddleback Team and leading national pastors will challenge, develop, and expand your vision to be a moving force for God in today’s world.
They’ll help you understand the paradigm, learn the process and build relationships for expanding your ministry. They’ll enlarge your understanding of what “church” and “ministry” mean to enable you to affect positive, purposeful change for God. Imagine what would happen in your community, in your church and in our world if your church team collectively shared an experience guided by the Spirit of God in which we saw His calling and His will for your ministry.

Check out the TEN Individual Learning Experiences that will be at Saddleback's Radicalis February 2010:

  • Purpose Driven Church & The
    P E A C E Plan
  • Preaching for Life Change
  • Purpose Driven Youth Ministries
  • Purpose Driven Children’s Ministries
  • Purpose Driven Small Groups
  • Worship
  • Leading Through Change
  • Developing Emotionally Healthy Leadership
  • HIV/AIDS/Orphan Care
  • Celebrate Recovery

Special Featured Conference

  • Life as a Pastor's Wife


Exaudi - The Sunday after the Ascension, 2019. John 15:23-16:4



Exaudi, The Sunday after the Ascension, 2019
The melodies are linked in the hymn name. 
The lyrics are linked in the hymn number.
The Hymn # 9            O Day of Rest                       
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 #629      Let Children Hear the Mighty Deeds

The Spoken Word to Children
            
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 #261                    Lord Keep Us Steadfast                   

In Our Prayers
  • Our country's leaders.
  • Glen Kotten, in the hospital, Minnesota.
  • Baby Andrea, awaiting surgery in California.
  • Our Philippine mission, finishing their church.
  • Elizabeth Mior, young mother with cancer, friend of the parish.
  • Those in therapy and those looking for better jobs.
 Graphic by Norma A. Boeckler


1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:  27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. 16:1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.  2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.  3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.  4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

Prayer
Lord God, heavenly Father, we give thanks unto Thee, that through Thy Holy Spirit Thou hast appointed us to bear witness of Thy dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: We beseech Thee, inasmuch as the world cannot endure such testimony, and persecutes us in every way, grant us courage and comfort, that we may not be offended because of the cross, but continue steadfastly in Thy testimony, and be found always among those who know Thee and Thy Son, until we obtain eternal salvation through the same, Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.



Background for Sermon

The series of texts from the Fourth Gospel are important because Jesus taught so much on this singular topic - the Spirit at work in the Word.

When I began studying the efficacy of the Word, I already knew that Luther taught this Biblical concept consistently, from the beginning. Also - I knew that Calvin taught against the Word always connected with the Spirit. Calvin declared that any given worship service could be entirely without a visit from the Spirit and therefore accomplishing nothing. When I tested the concept that the Spirit always works with the Word and never apart from the Word, I found the Biblical concept throughout the Old and New Testaments. 

In fact, the concept has its own word in Greek, which transliterates as en-ergy (in-working). That word-group in the New Testament is used quite extensively, but the concept is taught apart from that word group. That is is the same as saying the Trinity is taught all through the Bible, even though the actual term was used as a shortcut about 500 years after the ministry of Christ.

The big shock for me was discovering that no academic was very interested in the New Testament word group. I imagined finding long articles on the word-group, but the material was sparse. But of course - those who broke with Luther were those who denied the Spirit-Word connection. Sadly, the Lutherans have been heavily influenced by Pietism and Calvinism in the last few centuries.

As Luther said so clearly - breaking the Spirit/Word connection is the root of all false doctrine, all paganism, all heresies. If the teaching cannot be derived from the Scriptures, it is Enthusiasm. Luther also compared the Enthusiasts to bees circling and stinging. Therefore, no doctrinal claims are valid apart from the Scriptures being used to define them and to show errors exposed by the clear teaching of the Scriptures.

That is why I call the Book of Concord (1580) a special one-volume commentary on the Scriptures. That is the style of the entire book, which includes the early Creeds, the Reformation confessions, and the Formula of Concord to establish ongoing harmony (concordia) among Biblical Christians.

If someone has a question about Justification, he can look up the Augsburg Confession, the Apology, and the Third Article of the Formula of Concord. Article III points the readers back to Luther's Galatians Lectures for all the Biblical support for Justification by Faith.

Also, if someone has a question about what works in the Christian Church, the Spirit/Word connection is always valid. Gimmicks, entertainment, hooks to grab attention, watering down, sugar-coating - all are invalid. Those who rely on them may get results, but they are not spiritual (Spiritual) results but carnal or fleshly results.  

The Scriptures are always the work of the Spirit, and the Spirit teaches us better than any man-made book.

Faith Brings Opposition, Persecution

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

In the Nicene Creed, we say, I believe in the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. However, in the Bible, the Spirit is necessarily less emphasized than the Father and Son because He witnesses to the Father and Son.

Every so often there is a reaction where the Spirit is taught to the exclusion of the Father and Son - nothing is too bizarre when it comes to error. We even have a prosperous church like that within walking distance.

The other reaction is to ignore the Spirit's work, which ends up in glorifying man, man's cleverness, man's schemes, man's human reason.

These Promises of the Spirit's work are to build the faith of the disciples and us, knowing that God's work continues in the absence of the visible presence of the Savior. First of all, He governs His Church from His throne in heaven, though He is not locked up there (as the Calvinists imagine). Secondly, the Spirit is at work in us (sealed in our baptism) and in the Word and Sacraments. Thus everything good that happens comes from the divine power of the Spirit, which should humble us.

The Spirit bears witness through the Word of God, and guides us in what express about the Christian Faith.  It is this Spirit-breathed Word that moves people to faith and strengthens their faith through the Means of Grace.

27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

And so it is God's will, that fragile and frail human beings bear witness to the Holy Trinity, the disciples first because they were carefully trained for three years with Christ Jesus. As we can read in these extensive Promises, the Spirit brings to mind what took place and inspired the Word when it was written down, an extension of the Old Testament Gospel.

First we have the Promise of the Savior, given to the orchard thieves of Eden, Genesis 3:15. Then the books of the Old Testament renewing that Promise and adding details until the  knowledge of the coming Messiah was written, read, and believed on.

Then we have the books of the New Testament, the Gospel accounts filled with sermons and miracles, warnings and blessings. And we have the history book - Acts - and the teaching letters, the Epistles of Paul, John, Peter, etc.

Because the disciples were with Jesus at the fulcrum of time, the pressures were greater upon them and thus they paid the price, because they witnessed to the truth.

16:1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended [GJ - not fall into the trap].

The disciples were warned, unlike today, so that they would not be shocked and bewildered by opposition to the Gospel.  Today they even print brochures claiming that joining a church will mean more friends, more time, and other "felt needs." In other words, upon taking a survey and asking people what they needed in a church, some clever people decided they would attract people to that church by appealing to their "felt needs."  Woe unto anyone who made fun of this approach.

That is where faith meets opposition, the most opposition coming from the religious. The scandal of the Gospel is not disgrace and embarrassment, but the trigger of the trap that sends people into disbelief and despair. Oddly enough, the current fad is to warn people about being triggered, which is what this verb suggests. The opposition from the great and wise, from the works-saints and works-salesmen, could trigger unbelief and shock if the warnings were not given.

The warnings are clear. Jesus - "They hated Me, so they will hate you, too." Hatred from the pillars does not mean error, necessarily, but comes from teaching the Word as it is. Even more so, distinguishing truth from error will fire up the rage in their hearts as the Spirit acts upon them.

One New Testament professor said glibly to a room full of LCA ministers, "More were converted by the sword in early Christianity than by the Gospel."

I said to him in front of the group, "You are completely wrong. The Gospel spread throughout the known world in the first generation, through the preaching of the Word."

He, a ThD from Harvard, said, "How did I get it wrong."

I said, "You went to Harvard. That is why you got it wrong." Pastors laughed nervously. This seminary professor went to me afterwards and wanted help for his disbelief. My response triggered remorse rather than hatred. Later he told me about how his most liberal church members were shocked at what the LCA was doing.  I said, "It is just beginning."

1. Beloved, you have heretofore heard much about faith. Today you hear also of the witness of faith and of the cross that follows. Paul says to the Romans, “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.” Romans 10:10. If one be pious, he must begin in his heart and believe. That serves only unto godliness; it is not enough for salvation. Therefore, one must also do what the Christian life requires, and continually abide in that life.

Hence, Paul adds: “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, thou shalt be saved,” It is these two things that constitute our salvation, faith and the confession of faith. Faith rescues from sin, hell, Satan, death and all misfortunes. Now, when we have this we have enough. We then let God live here that we may reach a hand to our neighbor and help him.

2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

Opposition is good because it causes people to think about the truth. The Steadfast Lutherans blog (managed by Matt Harrison and Paul McCain) erased comments teaching Justification by Faith. The senior editor said of those faithful to the Reformation, "I have had enough of you morons." Much of that was hidden later, because the opponents realized how ridiculous they looked, attacking Lutherans for teaching the doctrine of the Reformation. It is better, the false teachers think, to blend truth and falsehood, leaving everyone a bit bewildered but content.

When the French Protestants (my kin) were slaughtered on St. Bartholomew's Day, the Pope hosted a celebration mass in Rome. They were indeed doing God a great favor, so they thought. That slaughter strengthened the faith of Protestants all over the world and weakened France for good.

3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. 

Believing God and knowing God go together, because a false concept shows a lack of knowledge and also acting on ignorance. The disciples of Walther never stop sharing their word about God, but they are afraid of God's Word, which condemns their unbelief.

The opponents only know the pain of having their errors refuted, so they feel obligated to give that pain to the ones who triggered their anger.

4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

This is not easy, but the lessons add up. Many people shirk dealing with the truth because of feared opposition.  Later, that becomes a badge of honor, though it is not offered that way. What follows is shunning, banning, vengeance, and all kinds of opposition. They play the crazy card, and so forth. I read one giant historical book which stated, "I will not even deal with Luther because he was too emotional." That is some great history there! 

People bemoan the way things are, but that comes from at least a century of retreat. This is ironic, because our era has taken the easy way while praising (faintly) the Reformation, when people were burned at the stake and driven away for their faith.

2. Thus, faith must be exercised, worked and polished; be purified by fire, like gold. Faith, the great gift and treasure from God, must express itself and triumph in the certainty that it is right before God and man, and before angels, devils and the whole world. Just as a jewel is not to be concealed, but to be worn in sight, so also, will and must faith be worn and exhibited, as it is written in 1 Peter 1:7: “That the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire,” etc.

3. Now, by confession I must take upon myself the load of Satan, hell, death and the whole world — kings and princes, pope and bishops, priests and monks. By faith, everything falls that reason can or ever has devised for the salvation of the soul. It must chastise the apish tricks of the whole world, and its jewel alone must be praised. The world cannot endure this, therefore it rushes in, destroys, kills, and says: “It is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not,” as Caiaphas says in John 11:50. Thus, the confession must break forth, that God alone is the Savior; and the same confession brings us into danger of losing our lives. As the Lord says later to the disciples: “They shall put you out of the synagogues.”

We have to see these days as an opportunity for darkness to turn into light. So many have abandoned the old institutions because those institutions chose to honor their Father Below rather than their Father Above. 

The first things I heard in WELS were - "Don't criticize ELCA and isn't Fuller Seminary a font of wisdom!"

What happens is not our concern, because God's will is the result of God's Word. If we plant and scatter the living seed of the Word, God will bring the harvest.



Saturday, June 1, 2019

Jester on LutherQueasy Rouses Himself to Lay a Trap for Their Beehive of Enthusiasm

 Joe Krohn is always blowing his horn, sometimes on key.

Appeal?

On September 3, 2011, we submitted the following to the President of the South Central District of the WELS.  Although we had accepted the right hand of fellowship locally with an LC-MS church prior, nevertheless we were moved to challenge the decision of Holy Word as we have always held that they were teaching false doctrine and that if we did not appeal, we would be shirking our responsibilities to our Christian brothers and sisters.

"Dear Pastor Glaeske, 

Peace in Jesus. 

The Voting Assembly of Holy Word Lutheran Church made disposition of our membership/ fellowship upon the recommendation of the pastor, elders and council to terminate fellowship with us in their meeting of August 28, 2011 on the grounds that we reject the teaching of Objective Justification as the WELS teaches it; when in fact we have held to the belief that the way Pastor Patterson is preaching and teaching it, with full support of the elders and council is in error according to the Scriptures and even the Wisconsin Ev. Luth. Synod.  Pastor Patterson has maintained that per his sermon of January 30, 2011 that all men are forgiven of their sins, even before they were born; before hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17); before being convicted by the Holy Spirit through the Law and subsequent contrition and repentance also worked by the Holy Spirit through faith (also worked by the Holy Spirit) for the sake of Christ’s redemptive work.  (See Second and Third Articles of the Apostles Creed & Luther’s explanations) 

We feel that there is no need to ‘reinvent the wheel’ so to speak and that the letter of appeal that you received prematurely in June (as well as the copy sent to Holy Word) is still viable in this case. 

We add to the attached letter the following; that the behaviors of Pastor Patterson, the Elders and the Council President of Holy Word have acted in a deplorable fashion by: 

·         Conducting ‘bible classes’ designed to create a consensus against what we (the Krohns) believe to be the true teaching of justification as presented in the Bible and even in the WELS. 

·         Telling members publicly that they are not judging whether we have saving faith or not and then telling members privately that the Krohns have fallen away from the true faith and angrily so. 

·         By their letter of May 21, 2011, they refused to discuss the doctrine of justification with us going forward and insisted to only meet with us to discuss the subject of fellowship (which we refused since fellowship was not the issue); while the Council President, attorney Brad Johnston falsely declared in the Voters Meeting that we were offered to have a doctrinal discussion and that we refused.  This was a blatant misrepresentation of the facts. 

We pray for an expeditious and God pleasing conclusion as we appeal the decision by Holy Word Lutheran Church. 

In His Grace,

Joe and Lisa Krohn"




Here is the formal letter we submitted in June:

"June 18, 2011 


Pastor Vilas Glaeske 
District President
South Central District of the WELS 
C/O Grace Lutheran Church 
6788 Farm Road 115 
Scroggins, TX  75480 


RE:  Appeal to the Termination of Fellowship 


Dear Pastor Glaeske: 


I am writing to you as a matter of appeal in reference to our expulsion from Holy Word Lutheran Church, Austin Texas and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod on May 21, 2011.  We had taken issue with certain practices and teaching at Holy Word that were leading the church farther away from what is taught in the Bible and the Book of Concord.  These practices included abolishing Confession and Absolution in some worship services; selection of music not Biblically sound; calling and installing a female with proper title (Deaconess) which denotes an authority; public preaching and teaching of God’s Word by non-ordained men; poor stewardship of finances; questionable leadership practice and shepherding of the flock; a dropping of the name ‘Lutheran’ in the school name for the sake of marketing the school; and a closer look at the non-confessional practices happening at Holy Word’s sister congregation, Christ the Rock.  


Furthermore, Pastor Patterson is teaching an extreme doctrine of Objective Justification whereas the entire world has been forgiven their sins prior to faith by the work of the cross; even before they were born.  This is in direct conflict with the scriptures as confessed in the Third Article of the Apostles Creed where the work of the forgiveness of sins is ascribed to the Holy Ghost through faith and the hearing of the Word of God.  We were excommunicated for denying the doctrine of Objective Justification when in fact we were objecting to his understanding and teaching of the doctrine namely; that the forgiveness of sins takes place apart from the Means of Grace...


Page 1 


Pastor Vilas Glaeske

June 18, 2011

Page 2 


...The devil will war against Christ’s Church until the end of time and certainly these times are not pleasant.  But with God’s help we must stay vigilant for the truth in worship, practice, teaching and preaching.


In His Grace,


Joe and Lisa Krohn


CC:  Pastor Patterson, Elders of Holy Word"




Pastor Glaeske responded on September 5, 2011:


"Dear Joe and Lisa, 


Grace and Peace in Christ. 


Before I set the panel of review in place I want to be sure you understand what the panel will be charged to. 


The panel will only consider whether proper procedure has been followed in arriving at the decision reached by the congregation.



The District Constitution states:  ARTICLE XXIV

Section 3.  The constitution for the districts affirms that “in intracongregational matters the district shall have purely advisory authority” (Article “ IX, Section 2).  The review shall be conducted, therefore, to determine whether the process leading to the disciplinary action and the doctrinal basis of the disciplinary action were scriptural.

Section 4. The conduct of the review shall rest solely with the District Board of Appeals. The board shall have the right and power to examine all documentary evidence and to require such testimony that, in its judgment, is relevant.

Section 5. The district Board of Appeals shall submit its decision in writing to the appellant with a copy to the disciplining body, circuit pastor, and district president. The decision of the District Board of Appeals shall be the final disposition of the appeal.

Section 6. Within 30 days of the board’s decision, the complete records of the board shall be filed with the district president, who shall act, if necessary, in accordance with his responsibility for the district’s doctrine and practice. 


It is important that you understand this from the outset. I would like you to affirm this before the onset of the panel’s work. 


A second point that I would like you to affirm is that you have not joined a congregation of another fellowship, or have been communing in a congregation of another fellowship.  I would also like to have you answer in one way or another before the panel is put to work. 


I am praying that a brotherly solution can be reached. 


In His service, 


Vilas R. Glaeske,

President – South Central District, WELS"

From Luther's Small Catechism; Originally edited by C. Gausewitz; Copyright 1956 NPH:


'The Forgiveness of Sins (Pages 153-156)

254.  Which is the most precious gift that the Holy Ghost by the Gospel bestows on the Church?

The most precious gift is the Forgiveness of Sins or the righteousness of Christ, by which we are justified before God. (Justification)  Rom. 4:7-8Rom. 1:16-17

260.  Why do we say that the Holy Ghost forgives sins, whereas we are made righteous before God through the redemption of Christ?

The Holy Ghost brings the righteousness of Christ to us by the Gospel and gives us the faith to believe it.  1 Cor. 12:31 Cor. 6:11Acts 2:38

261.  To whom does God forgive sins?

God forgives sins to me and all believers.  Acts 10:43Rom. 3:21-28Rom 10:4

262.  Where are sins forgiven?

Sins are forgiven in the Christian Church on Earth.

263.  Why do we say, In the Christian Church on earth?

We say this because Christ has given the Gospel to His Church on Earth; in the Gospel we have the forgiveness of sins."

To say there is forgiveness of sins (righteousness) and justification outside of the church apart from the Holy Spirit is heresy.  Christ's objective righteousness and justification is His to distribute through faith and we know that Christ is in His Church with the Means of Grace in Word and Sacrament.

LutherRocks has left a new comment on your post "WELS Is an Un-Appealing Sect: Those Kicked Out Can...": 

"to determine whether the process leading to the disciplinary action and the doctrinal basis of the disciplinary action were scriptural."

That's what you'd call 'fine print'. We knew we were dead meat right there. Then to add insult to injury, they slap you with joining another church in the meantime...as it drags on and on while they wait for you to 'reconsider your position' to kiss the ring. 

 UOJ makes everything possible - Ask ELCA-WELS-ELS-LCMS-Fuller.


From Jester (Joe Krohn) - on LutherQueasy
"But don't claim that they do not express the fullness of justification by grace through faith." 

Right. 

Not justification by faith through grace. I think that's where the deniers are. That's where "in few of faith" ends up. Grace first, not faith. If there is not grace first there is nothing for faith to grasp.

***

GJ - Objective Justification floats on a sea of if/then clauses, using their own presuppositions to support their conclusions, without any Biblical evidence.

Krohn does not address Genesis 15:6, Romans 4, or the Justification by Faith epistle that Paul wrote to the Galatians.

To quote the Jester - "If there is not grace first there is nothing for faith to grasp."

That reminds me of Luther. They talk about grace all the time but tear down the bridge to grace - the Means of Grace.



Friday, May 31, 2019

A New Heresy - Funnier than Tim Glende's Inuit Fidei.
Joe Krohn's "In Few of Faith"
LutherQueasies Can Run, But They Cannot Hide

 For better, informed reading, check out this newly published, free book -
The Error of Modern Missouri.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Joe Krohn (Jester)
Advanced Member
Username: Jekster

Post Number: 685
Registered: 4-2011
Posted on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 - 10:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post


"But don't claim that they do not express the fullness of justification by grace through faith."

Right.

Not justification by faith through grace. I think that's where the deniers are. That's where "in few of faith" ends up. Grace first, not faith. If there is not grace first there is nothing for faith to grasp.


***
GJ - Tim Glende coined a new term when he tried to fashion Intuitu Fidei from the booze-soaked memories of his undergraduate education.

Glende charged me, anonymously, with the scandal of Inuitu Fidei - The Faith of the Inuits, or Eskimo. Edward Preuss, of blessed memory, forerunner of those leaving Missouri for Rome, wrote "eskimeaux," my favorite antique term. The Eskimeaux are born forgiven - like the Hottentots, according to Preuss. Can you imagine trekking to their land and explaining how they were already forgiven and saved? And you are starting a mission to convince them of this before joining their ice fishing or being used as a target in the poisoned arrow contest!

His rebuttal was something like, "Just becuz I cant spell..."

Now comes Joe Krohn (that's how lawsuits are worded) to prosecute his case against "In Few of Faith," the funniest quip from  the Objective Justification salesmen this week. I waited for an edit, in case the LQ beehive noticed. They did not correct Joe's hilarious error.

LQ likes to attack and then hide. That is fine with me but a sad note for them, who want the world to admire their Biblical knowledge. If they dealt with the classic Justification by Faith passages in the Bible, they would defeat themselves.

Tim Glende studied the Faith of Inuits at Mordor.
Uncredited cameo - Katy Perry in her onesie.

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Ascension - Holy Communion Service - 2019. Mark 16:14-20



Ascension 2019. Holy Communion

7 PM Central Daylight Time, May 30th, 2019

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson



Bethany Lutheran Worship, 7 PM, Central Daylight Time

The melody is linked under the name of the hymn.
The lyrics are linked under the number of the hymn.
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    Acts 1:1-11
The Gospel                        Mark 16:14-20
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #199 Jesus Christ Is Risen Today 

The Foundational Sin - Not Trusting in God

The Hymn #341 Crown Him with Many Crowns       
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 #294            O Word of God 

In Our Prayers
  • Baby Andrea will have eye surgery in June.
  • Glen Kotten is in the hospital.
  • Those seeking work to support their families.            
  • Those being treated for cancer and continuing therapy.
  • Our national leaders, the justice system
  • Those suffering from the floods and tornadoes

KJV Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

[The ending of Luke fits with the opening of Acts, which Luke also wrote.]

KJV Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

KJV Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Ascension

O Jesus Christ, Thou almighty Son of God, who art no longer in humiliation here on earth, but sittest at the right hand of Thy Father, Lord over all things: We beseech Thee, send us Thy Holy Spirit; give Thy Church pious pastors, preserve Thy word, control and restrain the devil and all who would oppress us: mightily uphold Thy kingdom, until all Thine enemies shall have been put under Thy feet, that we may hold the victory over sin, death, and the devil, through Thee, who livest and reignest with God the Father and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

Background for the Gospel

In the 1950s, the new improved RSV made its appearance, backed by the National Council of Churches and the liberal scholars. It has been revising and going downhill ever since. One "improvement" was turning Isaiah 7:10 from the Virgin Birth to a young married woman having a little boy. The other "improvement" was ending Mark's Gospel at verse 8 and consigning the rest of Mark's Gospel to a footnote which denied in a subtle way its authenticity.

Liberal scholars did not like the ending's agreement with the other Gospels. They made their careers on inventing disharmony, so this was their chance, and they took it. Objections were few and the latest "improvements" are far more radical than most could have imagined.

The foundational sin was - not believing that 
  1. God could preserve His Word,
  2. The Gospels agreed,
  3. Miracles happen.


The Foundational Sin - Not Trusting in God

KJV Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen

This is extremely important, for many reasons. 
First of all, there is harmony in expressing the lack of belief in Jesus rising from death. Jesus predicted it many times, and they could not grasp the truth of the resurrection until many appearances and the climactic appearance here.

Secondly, Jesus attacked the foundational sin - lack of belief and hardness of heart. These two go together, and hardness is often combined with or parallel to spiritual blindness. In those cases, it goes beyond unbelief, when God provides all the evidence and the individual refuses to believe it even when it is seen.

In the example of the crowds who saw the miracles - they said immediately after - Now show us a miracle (a sign). 

This hardness of heart - or blindness - is a persistent problem for all Christians. As Luther says, this is a comfort for Christians who despair over their own lack of faith. They can see the disciples had the same problem, and we all have that problem. One way to treat this lack of faith is to look at it directly and provide the right kind of treatment.

For example, something important and good can happen but there is no immediate reward or even an acknowledgement of how significant it is. This happens all the time when Christian believers help, finish a project, do something for others, and so forth. Parents can also feel unappreciated or alienated. 

Someone asked me why so many pastors garden. I said, "It is because they see direct results from what they do, which never happens in a congregation, where it is impossible to measure results." Of course, the success merchants emptied many church budgets say, "We will show you how," but the ended up destroying more congregations than the Chicago Fire.

When people keep themselves from the miraculous in God's Word, which includes the Gospel and Sacraments, they begin to see everything in an evil light. 

The Promises and blessings of God keep faith and hope alive, and the Means of Grace are His instruments in accomplishing this. 

2. First, Christ upbraids his disciples with their unbelief and hardness of heart, and reproves them for it, and shows them their faults. He does not reject them, nor deal too severely with them, but reproves them; just as we would say to a person: Are you not ashamed that you dared to do such a thing? Meaning thereby to bring him to a knowledge of himself and make him blush with shame, that he may desist from his wicked intent or deed, though we do not reject him, nor turn our love from him.

3. However, it is not an insignificant matter here that the Lord rebuked the disciples; for unbelief is the greatest sin that can be named. Christ tells them the cause of their unbelief when he says that their hearts are hardened, yet he deals mildly and gently with them.

4. This is given to us all for our comfort, lest we despair when, lacking in faith, we doubt, stumble and fall; it is to help us to rise again, to strengthen our faith and lift up our hearts to God, that we may grasp and hold fast the confidence of God, who does not deal with us severely, but can indeed bear with us and overlook much. And whoever believes him to be thus, shall find him so; if we hold him to be a merciful God, he allows himself to be found merciful, and shows himself thus to us; but a bad conscience and an unbelieving heart have no such trust in God, but flee from him, and deem him a harsh judge, which he, therefore, is found to be.

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

This by itself is a wonderful summary of Christ's mission for the disciples - to preach the Gospel to the world, to everyone everywhere, so that those who believe will be saved.

What better medicine is available than to teach people their purpose in life, their blessed relationship with God? This is based upon faith in the Savior, first of all, but that has been sidelined to an option in many cases. Or primary faith in something else, whether it is a tradition, a denomination, a school, or some human authorities.

Practical reason is useful in many areas, but nothing that we can accomplish is equal to what God can do in an instant. 

Since Lenski said something good about Monergism in his commentary (Mark 4), it is always good to recall that we have immediate contact with the miraculous through God's Word. God alone does the work, because His divine power is always at work in His Word. Monergism means - One alone works. The unique parable there the person who sows seed and goes to bed, rises, goes to bed, rises. Then the blade of the wheat rises through the soil, then more growth, the head of grain starts to form, then the wheat is formed. And all these developments begin with the seed. In the same way, the Word grows and increases in the complexity of its influence until people can hardly believe later that the results began with the Word alone.

but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Nor should it be forgotten that Jesus clearly condemned the notion that unbelievers are forgiven and saved because that is the definition of God's grace. That is the dogma of mainstream apostates, especially at the leadership level. 


17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 

The great and wise consider themselves in control of miracles. They declare what can and cannot be done, when and where it might have happened, how certain rules (which they made up) must be obeyed.

These two verses teach us about the continuing miraculous power enjoyed by Christ that was continued where necessary by the early Christians. Jesus said to the earliest crowds, "If you do not believe Me, believe the miracles." The miracles enhanced the crowd's initial thought that Jesus came from God. The apostles also had that power where needed. However, the emphasis was always upon the Word of God. 

The great miracle is the one most rejected - forgiveness through faith alone and the power of the visible Word (the sacraments) to confer forgiveness.

The three individuals raised from the dead - the widow's son, the young girl, and Lazarus - died later. What Christ had to offer was the peace of forgiveness and eternal life.



19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.


Rather than focus on categorizing miracles, we should look back, as if new at this, and see how Jesus first established believers in many communities and trained the disciples. Then He demonstrated God's love in His death on the cross, His resurrection from the grave, and His Ascension. 

The combination of resurrection, resurrection appearances, and Ascension left a body of believers, at least 500, who knew and experienced the divine power of God in His Son. They were witnesses, a group smaller than many established congregations today, yet they were the bedrock of the Apostolic Church.



It is not what most people would say about their charter members. 
The witnesses were the bedrock only because in teaching the Word of God, they conveyed Christ to their audiences.  Jesus said to Peter, On this Rock I will build My Church.

The Rock was not Peter, the first alleged Pope.

The Rock was not the confession of Peter, which certainly wavered during the trial of Jesus. 

The Rock was and is Christ the Rock. Those who witness to Him are using the Instruments of Grace, the Word bringing the Savior to people, to babies, to children, to adults, to those who have never heard the Name of Jesus.

When Jesus ascended to govern the Christian Church from His throne, He sent the Spirit and spiritual gifts to make this Faith a world-wide statement of forgiveness and salvation through faith alone.