ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED - explores the Age of Apostasy, predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, to attack Objective Faithless Justification, Church Growth Clowns, and their ringmasters. The antidote to these poisons is trusting the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Isaiah 55:8ff. Romans 10. Most readers are WELS, LCMS, ELS, or ELCA. This blog also covers the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the Left-wing, National Council of Churches denominations.
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Hymn - Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray
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"Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray"
by Henry E. Jacobs, 1844-1932
by Henry E. Jacobs, 1844-1932
1. Lord Jesus Christ, we humbly pray
That we may feed on Thee today;
Beneath these forms of bread and wine
Enrich us with Thy grace divine.
2. The chastened peace of sin forgiven,
The filial joy of heirs of heaven,
Grant as we share this wondrous food,
Thy body broken and Thy blood.
3. Our trembling hearts cleave to Thy Word;
All Thou hast said Thou dost afford,
All that Thou art we here receive,
And all we are to Thee we give.
4. One bread, one cup, one body, we,
United by our life in Thee,
Thy love proclaim till Thou shalt come
To bring Thy scattered loved ones home.
5. Lord Jesus Christ, we humbly pray
To keep us steadfast to that day
That each may be Thy welcomed guest
When Thou shalt spread Thy heavenly feast.
The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #314
Text: 1 Corinthians 10:17
Author: Henry E. Jacobs, 1910
Tune: "Herr Jesu Christ, dich"
1st Published in: Cantionale Germanicum
Town: Dresden, 1628
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| The print copy of True Christianity is here. |
"If ever any man was competent to write on true Christianity, that man was John Arndt. It had become his very life; it entered into the very center of his own experience; it was an essential part of his being, and hence it was only necessary to let the mouth utter that, of which the heart was full. We need not be surprised that this book, at its first appearance, met with undivided approbation and an extensive sale. It was properly regarded as the first book of devotion in the protestant church, and soon established for itself the character of a masterpiece of unperishable value.
“The practical writings of Luther, Bugenhagen, Lorenz and Sarcenes were mostly written in Latin, and were limited to ministers or professors; hence the people had no devotional book, properly so called, until the publication of the first book of Arndt on true Christianity. It was not long before its fame was spread throughout all Europe, and to this day it is accomplishing its work of blessing and mercy in undiminished vigor. In all European circles of pious Christians, it continues to be the chief devotional book. It has led millions to a knowledge of the truth; a countless number of the ungodly to repentance; thousands of lukewarm believers to Christian activity, and afforded comfort and refreshment to a host of the weary and heavy laden. Without hesitation, next to the Bible, no book can be more properly recommended to those seeking edification, than Arndt’s True Christianity.” — John G. Morris from _John Arndt_
John Arndt (1555-1621) is primarily remembered for his classic devotional work, True Christianity which was a strong influence on John Wesley. Though associated with Pietism through his friend and student Spener, John Arndt was a Book of Concord Lutheran who repeatedly affirmed his agreement with the Formula of Concord.
The Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry finds, restores and republishes good, readable books from Lutheran authors and those of other sound Christian traditions. All titles are available at little to no cost in proofread and freshly typeset editions. Many free e-books are available at our website LutheranLibrary.org. Please enjoy this book and let others know about this completely volunteer service to God’s people. May the Lord bless you and bring you peace.
Lenski Grasped the Meaning of the Sermon - In Harmony with the Bible and Luther - The Efficacy of the Word of God
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| The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are proclaimed in the opening of the Bible. John 1 explains Genesis 1. |
The same fact obtains at every high Christian festival. When will we learn that simply preaching the historical facts of the first rank affects the hearts as nothing else can? The facts as facts, driven home, produce faith by themselves, without any urging of application. Trust the facts 100% for this effect. To do so is the only sound psychology. Unbelief always, yea always, finds itself driven to deny the supreme historical facts, for these would smash all unbelief. See this right here: modernism denies the fact of the Virgin Birth, denounces Luke’s and Matthew’s accounts as fictitious legends and not history. But enough. The Son of God was born man! Give us the fact, the whole fact, and nothing but the fact. It is this that floods our souls with faith, with heavenly joy and unending praise.
From: Lenski. The Gospel Selections of the Ancient Church: An Exegetical-Homiletical Treatment. A Series of Gospel Texts for the Entire Church Year 1936/2021
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GJ - Our Lutheran Librarian, Alec Satin, is preparing even more books for the The Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry. One of the best results of his work comes from unearthing the works of Lenski.
One of the strange dark comedies in this Age of Apostasy is the constant warnings of WELS against Lenski, because "he is not good on Justification." That comes from pastors who brag about the time they spent learning the Biblical languages and studying the Bible, at Northwestern College (RIP) and Mordor in Mequon (the apex of abuse in their failing educational system).
These pastoral predators are unleashed on the population, deliberately misled about the history of WELS-LCMS previously teaching the Chief Article of Christianity, Justification by Faith. WELS-LCMS-ELS substituted Objective Justification (without faith) and jetted to Fuller Seminary to become successful. Meanwhile, they bedded down with ELCA covertly and overtly became one with the merged, unstable monolith.
The WELS education products remind me of the occasional Japanese soldier caught on Pacific islands, certain that the war against America was still active. Each time the kindly captors had to explain that the war was over a long time before. The last verified find was 1974!
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| Got that, Bishop Heiser, STM Ft. Wayne? Scaer and the Preus Crime Family worked hard to get rid of the Chief Article - and the Maiers. |
Which is funnier, WELS or the ELDONUTs? The ELDONUTs have their own invented history. Bishop James Heiser, STM, claimed on tape that he never knew about Objective Justification until WELS was kicking out Paul Rydecki. But Heiser loved Scaer's teaching, so that was obviously a lie.
ELDONA's latest stumble is warning on Ask the Pasture - about those who "peddle Arndt." Apparently that is an ELDONA tactic to recover some credibility. Arndt is the famous author of True Christianity.
All the work we do is non-profit, and we give away books all over, thanks to extra gifts.
But it is always an Attaboy! when the craven try to make names for themselves by attacking what they are too lazy to do. The three levels of ironic public approval are:
- Support, Cheers, and Popularity - That means saying what people already know. No bonus.
- Personal Attacks, Insults without Evidence - That equals getting at the false doctrine. That is definitely an Attaboy!
- Total Silence - Banning, shunning, refusal to reprint a rebuttal. That is the top level tactic of their Father Below, because they think they are doing God a favor. Christian News loves every dogma but hates Justification by Faith.
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| Instead of this, the "conservative" LCMS-WELS-ELSians kick the faithful out while welcoming and financing Thrivent Insurance, ELCA, and all kinds of mischief. Who is selling annuities to Grandma, so her estate becomes an irrevocable gift to a synod, a commission given to the Thrivent/synod Planned Giving Counselor? Yes, you are funding ELCA with every dime you pay to Thrivent. But let's be honest about money for once - they all have their trotters in the same trough. |
John 16 16 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.
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Hymn - As Pants the Hart for Cooling Springs
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| "Tate's name is connected with New Version of the Psalms of David (1696), for which he collaborated with Nicholas Brady. Some items such as "As pants the hart" (Psalm 42) rise above the general level, and are said to be Tate's work.[4] A supplement was licensed in 1703 which included the Christmas carol "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks", one of a number of hymns by Tate." |
"As Pants the Hart for Cooling Streams"
by Nahum Tate,1652-1715
by Nicholas Brady, 1659-1726
1. As pants the hart for cooling streams
When heated in the chase,
So longs my soul, O God, for Thee
And Thy refreshing grace.
2. For Thee, my God, the living God,
My thirsty soul doth pine;
Oh, when shall I behold Thy face,
Thou Majesty Divine?
3. Why restless, why cast down, my soul?
Hope still; and thou shalt sing
The praise of Him who is thy God,
Thy health's eternal Spring.
4. To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
The God whom we adore,
Be glory as it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.
Hymn #525 from The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Psalm 42
Author: Nahum Tate and Nicholas Brady, 1696, cento
Composer: Louis Spohr, 1835, arr.
Tune: "Spohr"
by Nahum Tate,1652-1715
by Nicholas Brady, 1659-1726
1. As pants the hart for cooling streams
When heated in the chase,
So longs my soul, O God, for Thee
And Thy refreshing grace.
2. For Thee, my God, the living God,
My thirsty soul doth pine;
Oh, when shall I behold Thy face,
Thou Majesty Divine?
3. Why restless, why cast down, my soul?
Hope still; and thou shalt sing
The praise of Him who is thy God,
Thy health's eternal Spring.
4. To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
The God whom we adore,
Be glory as it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.
Hymn #525 from The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Psalm 42
Author: Nahum Tate and Nicholas Brady, 1696, cento
Composer: Louis Spohr, 1835, arr.
Tune: "Spohr"
Customer Review - Understanding Luther's Galatians
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| Understanding Luther's Galatians This is the download link to the free PDF. |
Customer Review of Understanding Luther's Galatians
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| Purchase the book or get the free PDF below. This is the download link to the free PDF. |
Customer Review
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2021
This book is a re-issue of Dr. Theodore Graebner’s shorter translation of Martin Luther's “Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians.”
In his forward, Dr. Graebner expressed his reason for his translation of Martin Luther's work:
“The importance of this commentary on Galatians for the history of Protestantism is very great. It presents, like no other of Luther's writings, the central thought of Christianity, the justification of the sinner for the sake of Christ's merits alone.”
Dr. Gregory L. Jackson added an introduction along with comments, which he embedded within the text. He enclosed his comments within boxes, in order to separate them from Luther's words.
In his introduction, Dr. Jackson wrote that:
“By stealth, Lutherans have steadily eroded the Biblical doctrine of the Reformation (justification by faith alone), which established them as Evangelicals and Protestants, by now allowing others to use those names and surrendering to the worst inclinations of Calvinists, Pietists, and Roman Catholics. The uniting cause, to soothe every worldly conscience, is to declare that God in his grace has already declared the entire world absolved of all sins. … God declared the world righteous through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus…”.
Dr. Jackson quoted from the work of the 18th century theologian Georg Christian Knapp to show the false doctrine that flowed from universal absolution without regard to faith.
“This is conveniently expressed by the terms Objective and Subjective Justification. Objective Justification is the act of God by which he proffers pardon to all through Christ. Subjective Justification is the act of man by which he accepts the pardon freely offered in the Gospel.”
In a comment on page 56, Dr. Jackson succinctly elucidated the error of those who adhere to the doctrines of Objective and Subjective Justification:
“The false teachers reverse what Paul and Luther taught. The Objective Justification fanatics lay hold of universal forgiveness and make faith in Jesus irrelevant. Faith in Christ has nothing to do with their divine declaration of forgiveness. Secondly, their subjective justification is not faith in Christ, but rather trust in the truth of universal forgiveness.”
As a Lutheran layman, I know that the idea that God forgave the sins of every member of the human race upon the death or resurrection of Christ and this made them righteous is not what Paul taught. Rather, he taught that God declares a person righteous after God imputes the person's sins to Christ, and he imputes the merits of Christ’s sinless life and perfect obedience to the person. Faith is the means by which a person receives righteousness. Is righteousness simply the forgiving of sins, as the Objective justification proponents claim? No. Righteousness requires God to impute the sins of the sinner to Christ, and the merits of Christ's sinless life and perfect obedience to the sinner. Only after this double imputation is a sinner righteous in God's sight.
The idea that “we need to accept the pardon offered by God” is not found in Paul's teaching. It brings to mind the famous Arminian preacher Billy Graham and his call to “Make a decision for Christ.”
I would recommend this book to someone who wishes to read a condensed version of Luther's Commentary on Galatians. It is an excellent introduction for someone who is unfamiliar with the Apostle Paul's doctrine on justification by faith alone. Dr. Jackson's comments highlight key doctrinal points in the text. His comments also illustrate the degree to which the doctrines of present-day confessional Lutheran churches have diverged from the plain teachings of the Apostle Paul and Martin Luther.
Dr Jackson discusses the problems of present day Christian denominations on his internet blog. Google ichabodthegloryhasdeparted for the URL. He conducts a weekly traditional Lutheran worship service via the internet, the blog has a link to the broadcast site which also has archived broadcasts.
In his forward, Dr. Graebner expressed his reason for his translation of Martin Luther's work:
“The importance of this commentary on Galatians for the history of Protestantism is very great. It presents, like no other of Luther's writings, the central thought of Christianity, the justification of the sinner for the sake of Christ's merits alone.”
Dr. Gregory L. Jackson added an introduction along with comments, which he embedded within the text. He enclosed his comments within boxes, in order to separate them from Luther's words.
In his introduction, Dr. Jackson wrote that:
“By stealth, Lutherans have steadily eroded the Biblical doctrine of the Reformation (justification by faith alone), which established them as Evangelicals and Protestants, by now allowing others to use those names and surrendering to the worst inclinations of Calvinists, Pietists, and Roman Catholics. The uniting cause, to soothe every worldly conscience, is to declare that God in his grace has already declared the entire world absolved of all sins. … God declared the world righteous through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus…”.
Dr. Jackson quoted from the work of the 18th century theologian Georg Christian Knapp to show the false doctrine that flowed from universal absolution without regard to faith.
“This is conveniently expressed by the terms Objective and Subjective Justification. Objective Justification is the act of God by which he proffers pardon to all through Christ. Subjective Justification is the act of man by which he accepts the pardon freely offered in the Gospel.”
In a comment on page 56, Dr. Jackson succinctly elucidated the error of those who adhere to the doctrines of Objective and Subjective Justification:
“The false teachers reverse what Paul and Luther taught. The Objective Justification fanatics lay hold of universal forgiveness and make faith in Jesus irrelevant. Faith in Christ has nothing to do with their divine declaration of forgiveness. Secondly, their subjective justification is not faith in Christ, but rather trust in the truth of universal forgiveness.”
As a Lutheran layman, I know that the idea that God forgave the sins of every member of the human race upon the death or resurrection of Christ and this made them righteous is not what Paul taught. Rather, he taught that God declares a person righteous after God imputes the person's sins to Christ, and he imputes the merits of Christ’s sinless life and perfect obedience to the person. Faith is the means by which a person receives righteousness. Is righteousness simply the forgiving of sins, as the Objective justification proponents claim? No. Righteousness requires God to impute the sins of the sinner to Christ, and the merits of Christ's sinless life and perfect obedience to the sinner. Only after this double imputation is a sinner righteous in God's sight.
The idea that “we need to accept the pardon offered by God” is not found in Paul's teaching. It brings to mind the famous Arminian preacher Billy Graham and his call to “Make a decision for Christ.”
I would recommend this book to someone who wishes to read a condensed version of Luther's Commentary on Galatians. It is an excellent introduction for someone who is unfamiliar with the Apostle Paul's doctrine on justification by faith alone. Dr. Jackson's comments highlight key doctrinal points in the text. His comments also illustrate the degree to which the doctrines of present-day confessional Lutheran churches have diverged from the plain teachings of the Apostle Paul and Martin Luther.
Dr Jackson discusses the problems of present day Christian denominations on his internet blog. Google ichabodthegloryhasdeparted for the URL. He conducts a weekly traditional Lutheran worship service via the internet, the blog has a link to the broadcast site which also has archived broadcasts.
Luther on the Heart and Affliction
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| This messy Photoshop merges tornado damage and roses. We waited a year to see the Joplin tornado's wreckage. |
This is one of Luther's greatest statements, but it took me a while to understand and appreciate it. People are used to talking about major problems - financial, health, loss from death, shunning - and resolutions. Things happen that leave wounds and scars, physical and emotional.
What if there is no solution in sight? That is when people fall into despair and lose hope.
Luther correctly points out that God's answer may be entirely different. He may let the affliction remain but move our hearts away from it. The trouble remains but it no longer dominates our thoughts and emotions.
After a long period of time, the negative is converted into a positive, which only God can do. The worst part of life can become the best in our memories, and it can train us to use those evil days to glorify God in helping others.
Afflictions also open our eyes to the meaning of the Scriptures. We can read many passages without benefit until we are facing or remembering calamities.
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| Synod Presidents, District Presidents, Circuit Pastors - they all use the correct Scriptures when ordaining or installing pastors. But if those pastors actually follow what the Word says, what the Book of Concord teaches, those same leaders will move heaven and earth to to remove them by craft and force. |
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Hymn - Feed Thy Children God Most Holy
"Feed Thy Children, God Most Holy"
By Johann Heermann, 1585-1647
Feed Thy children, God most holy,
Comfort sinners poor and lowly;
O Thou Bread of Life from heaven,
Bless the food Thou here hast given!
As these gifts the body nourish,
May our souls in graces flourish
Till with saints in heavenly splendor
At Thy feast due thanks we render.
Hymn #659
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Psalm 145:15-16
Author: Johann Heermann, 1656, alt.
Translated by: composite
Titled:"Speis uns, o Gott, deine Kinder"
Composer: Johann Cruger, 1649
Tune: "Schmuecke dich"
By Johann Heermann, 1585-1647
Feed Thy children, God most holy,
Comfort sinners poor and lowly;
O Thou Bread of Life from heaven,
Bless the food Thou here hast given!
As these gifts the body nourish,
May our souls in graces flourish
Till with saints in heavenly splendor
At Thy feast due thanks we render.
Hymn #659
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Psalm 145:15-16
Author: Johann Heermann, 1656, alt.
Translated by: composite
Titled:"Speis uns, o Gott, deine Kinder"
Composer: Johann Cruger, 1649
Tune: "Schmuecke dich"
Hymn - Drawn to the Cross
"Drawn to the Cross, which Thou hast Blest"
by Genevieve M. Irons, 1855-?
1. Drawn to the Cross, which Thou hast blest
With healing gifts for souls distrest,
To find in Thee my life, my rest,
Christ Crucified, I come.
2. Thou knowest all my griefs and fears,
Thy grace abused, my misspent years;
Yet now to Thee with contrite tears,
Christ Crucified, I come.
3. Wash me and take away each stain;
Let nothing of my sin remain.
For cleansing, though it be through pain,
Christ Crucified, I come.
4. And then for work to do for Thee,
Which shall so sweet a service be
That angels well might envy me,
Christ Crucified, I come.
Hymn #390
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: John 12:32
Author: Genevieve M. Irons, 1880
Composer: Joseph Barnby, 1883
Tune: "Dunstan"
Hymn - Come Your Hearts and Voices Raising
"Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising"
by Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676
1. Come, your hearts and voices raising,
Christ the Lord with gladness praising;
Loudly sing His love amazing,
Worthy folk of Christendom.
2. Sin and death may well be groaning,
Satan now may well be moaning;
We, our full salvation owning,
Cast our every care away.
3. See how God, for us providing,
Gave His Son and life abiding;
He our weary steps is guiding
From earth's woe to heavenly joy.
4. Christ, from heaven to us descending
And in love our race befriending,
In our need His help extending,
Saved us from the wily Foe.
5. Jacob's Star in all its splendor
Beams with comfort sweet and tender,
Forcing Satan to surrender,
Breaking all the powers of hell.
6. From the bondage that oppressed us,
From sin's fetters that possessed us,
From the grief that sore distressed us,
We, the captives, now are free.
7. Oh, the joy beyond expressing
When by faith we grasp this blessing
And to Thee we come confessing,
That our freedom thou hast wrought!
8. Gracious Child, we pray Thee, hear us,
From Thy lowly manger cheer us,
Gently lead us and be near us
Till we join the angelic choir.
The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #90
Text: Luke 2:15
Author: Paul Gerhardt, 1667
Translated by: composite
Titled: Kommt und lasst uns Christum ehren
Tune: Quem pastores
14th-century melody
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| Paul Gerhardt's hymns glorify God. |
Monday, March 29, 2021
Memories - Hearing Sir Archibald Read
| "Sir Archibald the monkey learns a lesson about fear when he braves Grizzlegrimm and the Meanies to retrieve the lion king's new crown." http://www.eltiste-kaiser.com/HoyFile/Hoy-1/MildredvonTrutzschler.htm |
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| "Born in Berlin, Germany on July 24, 1902 of noble birth, Baron Wolff Erhardt Anton GeorgTrutzschler von Falkenstein became known as Wolo due to his little sister's difficulty with his name. He was educated in Switzerland at an agricultural college. From there, he came to the U.S. in 1922 as an exchange student at the University of Wisconsin. In 1927 he moved to Los Angeles and, as a self-taught artist, established a studio on Olvera Street. (One of his customers there was ventriloquist Edgar Bergen who paid him five dollars to draw a stupid-looking hayseed. This drawing became dummy Mortimer Snerd.) In 1932, he assisted David Siqueiros with the Olvera Street mural, América Tropical." |
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| Wolo |
Cheer Up - You Are Not in Charge of the Ever Stuck.
Good Newws - WELS Teaches How To Be Unstuck!
WELS Is Promoting Their Latest
Church Growth Fuller Fantasy -
Unstuck!
Sunday, March 28, 2021
Promised to Someone - Time Management - "This Will Change Your Life."
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| "This will change your life!" |
I attended an LCA conference way back, before everyone realized that WELS, Missouri, and the Little Sect on the Prairie were in bed with ELCA. Back then, ELCA was only an evil grin in the eye of their Father Below. But I digress.
An influential pastor went up to the board and said, "This will change your life." I was doubtful.
He divided a week into 21 spaces - morning, afternoon, and evening. He pointed out how we can use up a period of time on trivia, reading the mail, checking the files, listening to the radio. We did not have computer and digital toy distractions then, but we still managed to avoid getting important work done.
The solution was to start each time period with a major project, the most important thing. Some of those spaces could be used for relaxation, time with the family, and church. But the main idea was always starting a time period with a major goal, which had to be met before trivia was addressed. And we know, short-changing trivia is quite different from not getting major jobs done.
I told the future Mrs. Ichabod about this. She was Mrs. Jackson then. We worked toward that goal, and it really worked. To this day, we discuss what is going to be the major goal of each time period. Today I knew I was going to talk to someone and I promised I would sketch this plan.
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| Endorsed unanimously by the Military Gardening Group |
The Military Gardening Group met soon after the phone call, and we discussed various items and joked about a new/old foot remedy - Johnson's Foot Soap. I warned Ranger Bob that the world supply was stuck on a ship in the Suez Canal, that prices would soon quadruple. I held the package he ordered and promised to keep the price down to double.
Sassy worked over each member of the group and managed to get her share of snacks and then some.
It was another relaxed, enjoyable day. The expansion of our video ministry is taking shape. I will be sending the group email tomorrow. The most important things get done, and they start with the Gospel Word and with people here and around the world.
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| The chapel plans have been set aside, since we can do more with free media. |
Palm Sunday, 2021. God's Time.
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| Video of the service on Palm Sunday. |
Palm Sunday, The Sixth Sunday in Lent, 2021
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
Be not Thou far from me, O Lord: O my Strength, haste
Thee to help me.
Save me from the lion’s mouth: and deliver me from the
horns of the unicorns.
Psalm. My God,
My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? Why art Thou so far from helping Me?
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast sent Thy Son,
our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Him our flesh and to suffer death upon
the cross that all mankind should follow the example of His great humility,
mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of His patience and also
be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son,
our Lord, who liveth, etc.
Thou hast holden me by my right hand: Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel and afterward receive me to glory.
V. Truly, God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart: but as for me, my feet were almost gone, my steps had well-nigh slipped; for I was grieved at the ungodly.
Tract. My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?
V. Why art Thou so far from helping Me: and from the words of My roaring?
V. I am a worm and no man: a reproach of men and despised of the people.
V. Be not Thou far from Me, O Lord; O My Strength, haste Thee to help Me.
V. I will declare Thy name unto My brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee.
V. They shall come and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born: that He hath done this.
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn # 162 Ride On
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn # 162 Ride On
God's Time
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 #341 Crown Him with Many Crowns
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 #341 Crown Him with Many Crowns
Prayers and Announcements
- Medical Treatment - Christina Jackson, her brother-in-law Kermit Way, Pastor James Shrader.
- Two brother's, not related, illness.
- Pray for DEP Trump and our country as the major trials continue.
- Maundy Thursday Holy Communion, 7 PM Central Daylight Time.
- Good Friday Vespers, 7 PM.
- Easter Sunday Holy Communion.
- The video committee has formed! to use more videos and to learn about video editing. Members are Travis Cartee, Alec Satin, and Zach Engleman. The expert who prodded me will lend a hand.
KJV Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
KJV Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
Palm Sunday
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast caused Thy beloved Son to take our nature upon Himself, that He might give all mankind the example of humility and suffer death upon the cross for our sins: Mercifully grant us a believing knowledge of this, and that, following the example of His patience, we may be made partakers of the benefits of His sacred passion and death, through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
God's Time
Background Information
Expectations for the Messiah grew over centuries, because the Savior was promised when Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. The Son of God is found throughout the Old Testament, and this is abundantly clear when we look at those passages. This is especially true in the Exodus, in the Psalms, and in the Prophets. That also brought up false hopes and Messianic figures. However, only one was - and remains - the true Messiah, the Son of David.
Many wanted a warrior king who was just like King David, so the image of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah was a truth before their eyes and yet not seen. Isaiah 53 changed from a puzzle no one understood - into the primary statement of Jesus' work foretold a thousand years before. The warrior king concept faded away, to be replaced by Jesus as the Hero, who was both the Lamb of God and the Priest offering the sacrifice, Himself.
KJV Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Some of these passages in the New Testament, so familiar, are poetic, suggesting they were memorized, as confessions of faith, or hymns, or both. That is true today of the great classic hymns sung by all Protestants - those hymns arise out of times of Reformation, renewal, and doctrinal confessions. Hymns have never been composed as entertainment, which is why warmed-over bar music is such a failure in churches today.
In this passage Paul is reminding people to be Christ-like, so it is not only a confession of the majesty and humility of Jesus, but also a template for how we should conduct ourselves. We are not to emulate what the world teaches without faith but what the Word of God teaches through faith in Christ.
This passage could be called one where we consider the divine drama of Christ's
atoning death, resurrection, and enthronement at God's right hand, but also one
which moves us by the power of the Gospel to live according to His example.
[As a side note, the "mind of Christ" phrase is used to deny the divinity of Christ. It arose from the Life of Jesus movement, which was an attempt to find what was actually true about Jesus from a rationalistic (and extremely biased) point of view. The German rationalists and rationalistic Pietists (Halle University) concluded Jesus never saw Himself as God or the Savior, so the "mind of Christ" is used to say He was a Teacher, a good person, and that is all. That remains the primary view of all "Biblical scholarship" today, very little of it showing or supporting faith in Christ as born of the Virgin, dying for our sins, and rising from the dead.]
Mind - is a concept often overlooked in this emotion-based culture. This is a common response to grading a paper that is not written in clear English - "You have made me sad and worthless. I worked very hard but now I do not know what to do.
I am so upset about your feedback."
The New Testament - and Paul in particular - has an emphasis on thought, mind, on how consider all the truths laid out before us, weighing right and wrong, correct doctrine and false doctrine. (I have had phone conversations where the minister began by asking a question, flew into a rage about the truth, and slammed down the phone to end the conversation. Those were the good old days of phones that built to last forever and survive a few hundred cradle slams.)
Think and remember are major themes in the Bible. When we celebrate Holy Communion, we are remembering one particular event (and also meals with similarities - the Feeding of the Multitudes, Christ by the lake with a meal prepared for the fishermen who were fishing for their food. Their worries were, after the Resurrection, how are we going to eat? Once again, Jesus showed them, worried about food when I am the Bread of Life?)
If we never study or listen to the Word of God, we lack the memory and the lessons to be applied to daily life. Jesus was equal to God in His earthly ministry, but He did not flaunt or parade His majesty and remained humble.
1. Here Paul again presents to us as a powerful example of the celestial and eternal fire, the love of Christ, for the purpose of persuading us to exercise a loving concern for one another. The apostle employs fine words and precious admonitions, having perceived the indolence and negligence displayed by Christians in this matter of loving. For this the flesh is responsible. The flesh continually resists the willing spirit, seeking its own interest and causing sects and factions. Although a sermon on this same text went forth in my name a few years ago, entitled “The Twofold Righteousness,” the text was not exhausted; therefore we will now examine it word by word. “Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
2. You are Christians; you have Christ, and in him and through him all fullness of comfort for time and eternity: therefore nothing should appeal to your thought, your judgment, your pleasure, but that which was in the mind of Christ concerning you as the source of your welfare. For his motive throughout was not his own advantage; everything he did was done for your sake and in your interest. Let men therefore, in accord with his example, work every good thing for one another’s benefit. “Who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.” [“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.”]
2. You are Christians; you have Christ, and in him and through him all fullness of comfort for time and eternity: therefore nothing should appeal to your thought, your judgment, your pleasure, but that which was in the mind of Christ concerning you as the source of your welfare. For his motive throughout was not his own advantage; everything he did was done for your sake and in your interest. Let men therefore, in accord with his example, work every good thing for one another’s benefit. “Who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.” [“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.”]
3. If Christ, who was true God by nature, has humbled himself to become servant of all, how much more should such action befit us who are of no worth, and are by nature children of sin, death and the devil! Were we similarly to humble ourselves, and even to go beyond Christ in humility — a thing, however, impossible — we should do nothing extraordinary. Our humility would still reek of sin in comparison with his. Suppose Christ to humble himself in the least degree — but a hair’s breadth, so to speak — below the most exalted angels; and suppose we were to humble ourselves to a position a thousand times more abased than that of the devils in hell; yet our humility would not compare in the least with that of Christ. For he is an infinite blessing — God himself — and we are but miserable creatures whose existence and life are not for one moment secure.
4. What terrible judgment must come upon those who fail to imitate the ineffable example of Christ; who do not humble themselves below their neighbors and serve them, but rather exalt themselves above them! Indeed, the example of Christ may well terrify the exalted, and those high in authority; and still more the self-exalted. Who would not shrink from occupying the uppermost seat and from lording it over others when he sees the Son of God humble and eliminate himself?
4. What terrible judgment must come upon those who fail to imitate the ineffable example of Christ; who do not humble themselves below their neighbors and serve them, but rather exalt themselves above them! Indeed, the example of Christ may well terrify the exalted, and those high in authority; and still more the self-exalted. Who would not shrink from occupying the uppermost seat and from lording it over others when he sees the Son of God humble and eliminate himself?
Jesus did not appear to people in His divine glory but cloaked it in His human nature. The divinity was united with His humanity from conception, but He did not swagger and shout angrily at people, as earthly leaders and Synod Presidents do.
(I could go on and on about the angry stances I have seen a synodical meetings. It also goes with the ambition to take over the leadership.)
This is very clear in what Paul is saying. Jesus did not walk about in robes festooned with symbols, braids, decorations, and shoulder pads to impress people. He performed miracles, as the Fourth Gospel reveals, so people would pay attention to His teaching. That revealed the fickleness of the crowds, because they wanted even more once-in-a-lifetime miracles. The disciples too worried about food after the Feeding of the Multitude and after His resurrection.
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Here are the three stages -
- He did not declare His titles of glory but became anonymous, without titles.
- He revealed Himself as a slave or servant, not as the Lord.
- He looked human and emphasized that over His divinity, though both natures were - and are - united in Him.
This is the opposite of what people expected and wanted. That challenged every single person who thought of the Messiah as another Maccabeus, who defeated the
foreign power and re-established the Jewish kingdom. The Seleucids - remnants of Alexander the Great's Empire ruled Palestine. But this did not last. When the Romans were invited as peace-keepers, they arrived and stayed. That established Israel as a captive nation once again, reinforced by the Zealot revolt in 70 AD.
Great powers were at work and Rome was reaching the peak of its influence. However, Jesus conquered by having the appearance and the manner of a servant.
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Rome and the Pharisees were filled with fear about the influence and power of Jesus, so they tested it with a traitor, Judas. Rome was indifferent about religion in general, but not about the King title. Forgetting that, the Jewish leaders accused Jesus of calling Himself the Son of God. That was the real crime for them, showing His divinity and yet risking the priests' very nice arrangement with Rome. They could lose it all! In fact, they did when the Roman Empire came call and destroyed everything and killed or enslaved the population, only 40 years after the death and resurrection of Christ.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Jesus proved to be an example to all believers in being nothing in the eyes of rulers but glorified in His sacrificial and innocent death, fulfilling all the Promises of the Old Testament. Isaiah 53 was a riddle to the disciples until the risen Lord began explaining it to the disciples. Then it was so clear it could not be missed. They knew the passage but did not comprehend it.
We have many today, who with years of training, know all the words but do not comprehend what they are reading. The scales fall off our eyes when we realize that the message is there, plain and simple, but clouded by the fads and fallacies of the current generation.
Doctrine becomes corrupt, as it did with the Pharisees. Paul was an example. He knew it all, as much as a human could, but that clouded his understanding of Jesus until the risen Lord clarified everything for him. Scales did fall from his eyes. See Acts.
One LCA minister was shocked that there were actually people that "named the Name." He was trained in thinking Christianity made people good and eager to change society, that is, divorced from faith in Jesus Christ.
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The day will come when everyone will confess (or concede) that Jesus is the Name above all names. They will not have the synod or denomination to confess but only the reality of Jesus as the Savior. Those who die in Christian Faith receive the blessings earned by Christ, who died without sin and rose to seal the Promise that we are justified - declared free of sin - by faith in Him.
In this way God is glorified, for providing the remedy of sin, which freedom of the will made possible.
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