Anniversary of the Augsburg Confession. The LCMS-WELS-ELS Were Delighted To Discover They All Rejected the Augsburg Confession and Justification by Faith

The Holy Roman Emperor called for an Imperial Diet to deal with the Evangelicals, Led by Luther. This resulted in the Augsburg Confession of Faith, 1530

LCMS-WELS-ELS Delighted To Reject Justification by Faith and Embrace Objective Justification

In 2012 the leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (The Little Sect on the Prairie), The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) decided to hold an informal meeting, which was held in December 2012. The impetus behind the meeting was the election of Rev. Mark Schroeder as president of WELS in 2007 and the election of Rev. Matthew Harrison as president of the LCMS in 2010, providing a new opportunity for discussions.

Last but certainly not least, there was special joy to understand that we all hold to objective justification—that God declared the world righteous through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and that we all recognize it to be the urgent mission of the church to take this gospel to the entire world. 

LutherQuest - Guardians of doctrinal stupidity.

 Did Martin Stephan's teaching about Objective Justification expunge his conscience in his affairs with young women? Did OJ make it easy for Walther to steal millions from his mentor and take control of the sect?

Thoughts about Life - Offered to Rev. George Gerberding

"The sainted Rev. Dr. Passavant of Pittsburg once told the writer how he had been called in to see a dying stranger. He found an old man with a patriarchal beard on his dying bed. After a kindly greeting Dr. Passavant asked the man what his hopes were for the next world. The old man closed his eyes, folded his hands across his breast, and slowly repeated that next to inspired gem of Evangelical truth, Luther's Explanation of the second Article of the Apostles' Creed, as he had: learned it over three score years ago in the confirmation class. Here it is:

"I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord; who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, secured and delivered me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil, not with silver and gold, but with His holy and precious blood and with His innocent sufferings and death; in order that I might be His own, live under Him in His Kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and_blessedness; even as He is risen from the dead and lives and reigns to all eternity. "This is most certainly true."

Dr. Passavant said that in his ministry of fifty years he had not seen a more beautiful deathbed nor heard a more blessed dying testimony."

Taken from: George Gerberding. Lutheran Fundamentals: A Simple System of Scripture Truth with Applications for the Common Man. 1925/2021.

 

Free Online Books at LutheranLibrary.org

George Henry Gerberding. The Priesthood of Believers by George H. Gerberding.

George Henry Gerberding. The Lutheran Church in the Country by George H. Gerberding.

George Henry Gerberding. What's Wrong With The World? by George H. Gerberding.

George Henry Gerberding. New Testament Conversions by George H. Gerberding.

George Henry Gerberding. The Life and Letters of William Passavant D.D. by George Henry Gerberding.

George Henry Gerberding. Revere Franklin Weidner: A Character Sketch, Appreciation, and Tribute by George Henry Gerberding.

George Henry Gerberding. Reminiscent Reflections of a Youthful Octogenarian by George Henry Gerberding.

George Henry Gerberding. The Way of Salvation In The Lutheran Church by George Gerberding.

Best Combination - Rain and a Long Sunny Day - From Tuesday

Joe Pye - none dare call them weeds.
They have budded and will soon bloom with a vanilla scent, 8 feet tall and ready to feed butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Plant it and they will hum.

Today the nuclear blast furnace (aka the sun) - like a junkyard magnet - lifted our vertical garden up. The sunlight gave energy to convert the elements of decay - and its sightless, solemn workers in the soil - into 8 foot Joe Pye Weeds, 6 foot Clethra shrubs ("sugar and spice"), Bee Balm and roses.

Christina got out of the car and said, "Look at that garden. What a blend of flowers and roses!" I said, "Randomly planted together."

Now is the best time to enjoy it, with hummingbirds working their favorite flowers, butterflies joining the crew, bunnies hopping along the trails, birds suggesting more food. The bravest are the squirrels. Their younglings sit at the kitchen window sill, munch on peanuts, and look inside. They would love the kitchen They are often the first to arrive at fresh food and the last to leave

 Yarrow is the Preus botanical family. Every time you look around, another one appears. Last year's solo plant has already already, blooming.

No Matter How Bad Things Are - You Are Not a Synod President with a Losing Calvinistic Plan

 WELS Friendship Sunday, Before and After

Imagine the pain of pretending to be independent - while being dependent on WELS? That would be the new sect president of the Little Sect on the Prairie (ELS). They are so superior to WELS, they keep saying, but they march stumble along to the same drumbeat.

 The WELS District Praesidium - or LCMS - or Bethany Seminary Faculty. This was in the drawer unlabeled, it could be all of them.

The only thing that matters is getting ahead and being in charge, so the results are the same. 

Yes - The Bible Book Is Arriving in the Mail!

One reader already received his copies of  The Bible Book: The KJV Reborn for Those Who Love the Word of God. Not I!

The Kindle edition of The Bible Book is available too, for $1.99. Everything is free or non-profit.

Another reader -who took advantage of the free PDF of The Bible Book available on the masthead - found mistakes!

The first printers had the same problems of all printers and writers. The first edition of any book will have goofy mistakes, no matter what. One early KJV was called The Wicked Bible because the Sixth Commandment was missing the necessary not. The printers were severely fined.

I have already considered a second, enlarged edition, so people can email me mistakes that I could fix in that new edition. Or, they can mark a printed copy as they go along, and mail it to me. I will gladly replace it. 

 The Bible Book is finally done!
But the Bible Book has mistakes!
So did the first KJV Bibles!

Here Is a Fun Post from 2009. Lots of Participation. The Fox Valley Alcoholic Circuit Killed the Comments Because of Their Nasty, Libelous Personal Attacks

Zak graduated from the Sausage Factory, 1982, with such WELS Shrinker luminaries as:

James Mattek, Peter Pan-denominational, Paul Jahnke,

Bruce Becker, Mark Freier, Mike Albrecht, and Jeff Gunn.

 

FdL minister accused of stealing from his church

BY RUSSELL PLUMMER • The Reporter • December 14, 2009

The longtime pastor of a Fond du Lac church is accused of stealing as much as $10,000 from church offerings collected during the holidays, a police official says.

The Rev. Stuart Zak, 55, resigned from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 855 Martin Ave., Nov. 30 after he confessed to stealing money over a period of 10 years, according to a press release issued by church pastor, the Rev. Brett Naumann.

“The Fond du Lac Police Department was alerted by staff at Good Shepherd after they discovered missing cash — a discrepancy — in offerings made during holiday seasons,” said Major Kevin Lemke.

An internal investigation revealed the church was missing between $5,000 and $10,000, said Lemke.

“The suspect has spoken with police and has admitted to stealing the money from the offerings,” Lemke said. “We believe the investigation will be wrapped up by the end of the week.”

Zak told The Reporter he would not comment on the alleged theft.

In the release, Naumann said Zak would no longer be allowed to serve as pastor in any Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod program. Good Shepherd is one of three WELS churches in Fond du Lac. It has a congregation of 450.

Naumann declined to comment when asked why Zak stole the money.

“Even as we grieve over this turn of events, we thank Mr. Zak for the many blessings that the Lord has brought to Good Shepherd through his work,” Naumann said. “The Lord has brought about amazing growth both spiritually and physically through the work that was accomplished through Mr. Zak during his years of service as a pastor.”

Zak became pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in 1993. He served on the Board for Wisconsin Lutheran Child and Family Service, the District Board for Parish Education as coordinator of early childhood education, a consultant for Parish Assistance and Northern Wisconsin District chairman of Evangelism, according to his past profile on the Good Shepherd Web site.

Lemke, a 28-year veteran of the Police Department, said he couldn’t recall a case of a “person of the cloth” stealing money from a church.

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Small town evangelism

Stuart A. Zak

May 1988

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For more information and registration go to www.wels.net/evangelism and click on Welcoming Worship Seminar, or contact the district evangelism coordinator the Rev. Stuart Zak (920-921-8500 or email).

That means Zak arranged for Ski to do evangelism presentations for the district, two years in a row.

***

GJ - One WELS pastor has suggested having all accounts audited wherever Zak was involved.

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rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "WELS Fond du Loot Pastor Donates 10 Grand to Himse...":

There is something subliminally creepy about stealing from a congregation's offering, no matter who does it. The recommendation for an audit in other areas outside of the congregation could be very telling. My guess is that skimming the pocket change from offerings could be small potatoes in comparison.
There is one missing detail in the story. I cannot determine how the pastor even had access to the offerings. This is especially true in this age of night depository boxes at banks. The counting and recording of the offerings is always done by laity such as a finance committee, trustees, financial secretary or a combination of them. This was true 40 years ago when my father was involved with it.

At my previous congregation, after the offerings were counted and recorded, they went into the bank bag with the deposit slip and dropped into the night depository on the way home.

There appears to be a defect in the manner in which this was done at Zak's former parish. The offerings sit in the plates on the altar until after the service. There is usually more than one member who counts it. The treasurer or bookkeeper will have some notice from the bank as to the exact amount of the deposit. All of this is designed to minimize the contact that a pastor would have with the offerings. There are several checks and balances. Please pardon the unintentional pun.

***

GJ - Some bad ideas are:
1. Having only one person count the offering.
2. Leaving the offering at the church, even in a safe.
3. Letting the treasurer count the offering.
4. Giving the same person permission to write checks and count the offering.
5. Assuming everything is fine and never having an annual audit. Federal Reserve - take note.

I was skeptical about the money spent on financial controls at the Love Shack when SP Schroeder took office. That was needed, as insiders know, and the results have been good.

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PJL has left a new comment on your post "WELS Fond du Loot Pastor Donates 10 Grand to Himse...":

For much of this year I've been a daily reader of "Ichabod." (By the way, I found it when I did a google search of "WELS.") Though many in our synod may not appreciate this blog, I must admit that it does provide more realistic news of what's happening in the WELS than we'd ever get through the official channels. And it's true, going through the official channels simply means that your question or concern is usually "forgotten." Either that, or you're passed from one ecclesiatical official to the other with no one really willing to step up and say what needs to be said.

Since this is true, I can imagine that Pastor Jackson easily became frustrated during his days in the WELS trying to get his DP and others to listen to him. That may explain his biting sarcasm on this blog. If he were simply expressing concerns in a nice way, no one would probably listen!

That said, I'd like to caution all of us from thinking everything that happens to someone in the WELS is because of CGM and Church and Change. Neither is everyone who sins a shrinker.

I'm a WELS pastor in the area around Lake Winnebago. Stu Zak has been part of our pastoral conference. I don't know him real well, but I don't believe we need to connect his personal sins to the shrinkers.

There are many who are hurt by Pastor Zak's actions. Most unfortunately, the gospel and the credibility of gospel ministry in and around FDL is taking a hit from his actions. Just take a look through the ignorant comments to the article at the FDL Reporter website to find that out.

So, while I, too, smell the stench of CGM and secrecy coming from parts of Appleton, I'm not so sure I can smell it in Fond du Lac.

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PJL has left a new comment on your post "WELS Fond du Loot Pastor Donates 10 Grand to Himse...":

Oh no, I've been found out! Actually, I knew that someone would find me if I gave even a hint of where I was from.

One of the things I admire about Pastor Jackson, Michael Shottey and others on this blog is that they're willing to step out and be counted. They sign their names.

If you want to know ...

1) We print out the service because many of our elderly members find it easier to hold a bulletin than a hymnal. So, I listen to the people I serve.

2) Yes, I make use of a screen and PowerPoint. I had stopped doing this for about nine months, but again, many of our members, even some seniors, told me how much it helped them. They said that they're visual learners. So, again, I listen to the people I serve.

3) I didn't know that the NIV was tacky. It's the version of Scripture I've been using since I was ten years old!

Make me to be what you want me to be. Since you found me, feel free to e-mail or call so I can know more about you.

***

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WELS Fond du Loot Pastor Donates 10 Grand to Himse...":

>>>But watch out!!
No use of the hymnal (merely printed for "ease of use", no doubt. More like ashamed of ancient text if you ask me)<<< Did you bother to notice that the church in question is using the Common Service from Christian Worship? It's not the Lutheran Hymnal, but this service is rooted in the Western Rite that dates back to at least the third century A.D. It does not help the cause to lambaste pastors who are actually upholding liturgical worship, especially in such a superficial manner. *** GJ - The pastor is not a Shrinker, based on several marks (notae). He has a statement of faith which emphasizes the Means of Grace. I find his wording a bit awkward overall, but it does seem to be his own rather than something borrowed from the Evangelical Covenant Church. Kelming another confession is something I noticed at Gunn's sect and some other quasi-WELS parishes. Also, this pastor gave away his identity, which is very un-Growthy. His response to criticism was light-hearted, very unlike the Shrinkers I know. They rage and fume, but always anonymously.

I saw no link to Time of Generic Grace, which is one good indication by itself. He did not say, "God has blessed this congregation with membership growth ever since I arrived," - typical of Shrinkers. See Dom Perignon Patterson and VP Huebner.

As Paul said in Galatians, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails, so we should not condemn based on the hymnal or Bible translation. This pastor is explicit about the Means of Grace on his website, something I hardly saw in WELS or Missouri over the years.

WELS pastors are starting to feel safe in being Lutheran. That is a good sign.

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Michael Schottey has left a new comment on your post "WELS Fond du Loot Pastor Donates 10 Grand to Himse...":

Pastor Lidtke...another in a long line of younger men from the Michigan District that I can't wait to be old enough to be "in charge."

***

GJ - The Chicaneries know they are losing. That is why the attacks on the blog are mounting. Of course, Chicanery attacks are like being stoned to death by popcorn.

Did I say popcorn? I wasn't even thinking even Ski.

A Female Cardinal Stopped By Today - I Was Honored

 This was a fashion event, and Cardinal Dolan loaned his best fish-hat for the occasion.

Wrong cardinal! My graphics department is stretching the truth a bit.

 By Norma A. Boeckler

I hoped for a storm last night, though the midnight rain was given a small percentage. As predicted, the morning rain began to fall in earnest - if rain is ever earnest - and brightened my day. I stood on the front porch and - a cardinal flew by me,  a few feet away. 

That was not enough. The female cardinal came back and rested on the top of the hummingbird feeder. I had not put seed on the hot sunny days. Now the message was clear - "Leave some food on the porch!" 

Cardinals love to sing for their meals, and I enjoy seeing them as regulars. One day a juvenile male cardinal fed at the kitchen window sill, oblivious to my stares.

Rain came thundering down and gave us a total of two inches. Ranger Bob thought I was foolishly watering before the storm. The rain-barrels were full again.

The recently cleared Rose Garden was absent predatory weeds and supercharged for the tall plants - clethra, Joe Pye - and lower plants - roses, mints - and bejeweled green cover full of low growing wild strawberries, with tiny yellow flowers and glowing red fruit.

When we had newly arrived coffee on the porch this evening, bees were working over the bee balm. I have seen them use the bird bath for a sip of water, but the rain left plenty on everything. 

Greek Saying - A Chameleon Can Be Any Color, Except White

At first, Jim Heiser was low church and not buying out C. H. Almy for clothing and expensive altar pieces. He only had an MDiv, but like all Concordia Ft. Wayne graduates, he was and is an expert on everything.

 Concordia Seminary, Ft. Wayne faculty place a heavy emphasis on Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic practices. Most ELDONUTS are Ft. Wayne graduates and refer to the St. Louis seminary as "the other one." St. Louis is quite Roman, too. One Ft. Wayne graduate called Eastern Orthodoxy "only a matter of polity." 

Heiser tried to grow his little group by merging with the Rolf Preus Synod. Although Rolf has only one topic, Objective Justification, Heiser said (on his own video) that he never heard of the extent of  the OJ heresy until Rydecki (WELS) was being kicked out. And Rydecki said Buchholz told a flat out lie!

 This seems to be at Heiser's congregation in Texas. Compare this photo to the first one on this page. As Chemnitz wrote of the Roman Mass, it is either a comedy or a farce.

 The Philippines - and Mars.

On pointy hats - "Evangelical Catholic" - a favorite Father Neuhaus term.

Another Bishop James Heiser

Name This Point from the Book of Concord

5 Namely, when under the title and pretext of external adiaphora such things are proposed as are in principle contrary to God’s Word (although painted another color), these are not to be regarded as adiaphora, in which one is free to act as he will, but must be avoided as things prohibited by God. In like manner, too, such ceremonies should not be reckoned among the genuine free adiaphora, or matters of indifference, as make a show or feign the appearance, as though our religion and that of the Papists were not far apart, thus to avoid persecution, or as though the latter were not at least highly offensive to us; or when such ceremonies are designed for the purpose, and required and received in this sense, as though by and through them both contrary religions were reconciled and became one body; or when a reentering into the Papacy and a departure from the pure doctrine of the Gospel and true religion should occur or gradually follow therefrom [when there is danger lest we seem to have reentered the Papacy, and to have departed, or to be on the point of departing gradually, from the pure doctrine of the Gospel].

Adiaphora

All Day Father's Day Movies - Plus PBJs and Gardening

 "Common names include arum lily for Z. aethiopica and calla and calla lily for Z. elliottiana and Z. rehmannii, although members of the genus are neither true lilies of Liliaceae, true Arums, nor true Callas (related genera in Araceae)." - Wiki

Father's Day was enjoyable, unveiling the first Calla Lilies I have grown - Picasso. We also had Veterans Honor and Enchanted Peace Roses on the crowded altar.

For lunch, the chef made PBJs with white bread.

Turner Classic Movies featured Father's Day films, in a quirky way. We enjoyed All the King's Men, starring Broderick Crawford. I enjoyed the novel, years ago, and remembered all the characters in the book. The movie was unusually faithful to the novel by Robert Penn Warren.

That got me into studying the life of Warren, one of the few American novelists I like. The list includes Thomas Wolfe, Look Homeward Angel, and Herman Melville, Moby Dick.

A rainstorm is predicted for Monday, so I spent a few minutes digging in some Shooting Stars. Ranger Bob stopped by and wondered why I was watering part of the Rose Garden when I had predicted rain. He often forgets I am in sales, not management.

He brought flowers for Christina, and brought up the watering again. I said, "Who has more flowers in the front yard, more experience?" He said, "You have To-Die-For roses, I will give you that.

Now flowering in the front yard:

1. Shasta Daisies
2. Whoopsa Daisies
3. Bee Balm
4. Borage
5. Cat Mint
6. Mountain Mint
7. Comfrey
8. Spirea
9. Veterans Honor Roses
10. Enchanted Peace Roses
11. Heirloom Roses
12. Various other roses.

Joe Pye Weed is budding and Little Joe Pye is close to budding. 

 We have more Whoops than Daisy right now - one bloom, but there is hope.

The Third Sunday after Trinity - Luke 15:1-10.

 Norma A. Boeckler

The Third Sunday after Trinity, 2021

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

https://video.ibm.com/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

Bethany Lutheran Church, 10 AM Central Daylight Time

                       

The Hymn #575            Before the Lord We Bow - Francis Scott Key

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Turn Thee unto me and have mercy upon me: for I am desolate and afflicted.

Look upon mine affliction and my pain: and forgive all my sins.

Psalm. Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul: O my God, I trust in Thee, let me not be ashamed.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

O God, the Protector of all that trust in Thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, increase and multiply upon us Thy mercy that, Thou being our Ruler and Guide, we may so pass through things temporal that we finally lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual  

Cast thy burden upon the Lord: and He shall sustain thee.

V. I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me: He hath delivered my soul in peace. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. I will love Thee, O Lord my Strength: the Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer. Hallelujah!

     

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed             p. 22

The Sermon Hymn #436            The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want

       

The Gentle Shepherd, Son of the Father

The Communion Hymn #310                  Thy Table I Approach - Loy Translation

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 #49                 Almighty God Thy Word Is Cast

In Our Prayers

• Test and PET Scan  - Christina Jackson.
• Medical issues - Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Kermit Way.
• The Bible Book is available - Printed book, Kindle, and free PDF. Printed books should start arrived at the end of June.

 By Norma A. Boeckler

KJV 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

KJV Luke 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.  3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Third Sunday After Trinity

Lord God, heavenly Father, we all like sheep have gone astray, having suffered ourselves to be led away from the right path by Satan and our own sinful flesh: We beseech Thee graciously to forgive us all our sins for the sake of Thy Son, Jesus Christ; and quicken our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may abide in Thy word, and in true repentance and a steadfast faith continue in Thy Church unto the end, and obtain eternal salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end Amen.

The Gentle Shepherd, Son of the Father

Background for the Gospel, Luke 15

Someone was asked, what book of the Bible would you save if that is all you could have. He answered, "Luke," which puzzled people. He went on to say, "Luke 15 is the whole Bible in one chapter." Luke 15 begins with the lost sheep and the lost coin, both serving as introductions introductions to the Prodigal Son.

The three parables are impossible to resist. We can identify with the characters in different ways. Losing an animal - horrible feeling, great joy when found. Losing a  something valuable, going from dread to joy. Losing someone from rejection or spite or the rebellion of youth, much greater pain and joy. Many families have gone through strife because of the constraints of the Wuhan Flu epidemic. We should pray for them too.

These parables are great because Jesus teaches so much in a few words.

KJV Luke 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth (welcomes!) sinners, and eateth with them.

Lenski, page 793

This chapter and the next one are Luke’s two immortal parable chapters which are filled (with the exception of one brief section) with parables, none of which have found a place in the other Gospels, the entire group being arranged in an obviously natural order, in the order in which Jesus spoke them.

The parables are special because they can be read and studied for years, yet they never get worn or tired if we pay attention to them. A typical short story is not like that, not even close.

The setting of these parable is the fact of tax collectors (publicans) and obvious sinners drawing near to Jesus and taking solace in His words and gracious attitude. This reminds me of Luther's observation in the sermon, that He was the kindest of persons to everyone, unless they fought against His purpose and God's truth.

We can see the results now, since the apostates have shown their disdain for faith in Jesus and spend all their energy on pet theories, political legislation, building the institutions up, and condemning those who question them.

The Bible has one purpose - to teach faith in Jesus and in doing so, to give access to God's grace (Romans 5:2) - forgiveness of sin and eternal life. To go against that single purpose is a terrible blasphemy, replacing God's grace with man-made laws, the righteousness of works. 

Faith in Jesus is the ultimate good, because Jesus Himself had faith and still has faith, due to the two Natures in Him, human and divine. One one side is the will of God the Father to forgive and save people, which can only happen through the gift of God the Son. On the other - man's fascination with himself.

Man says, "Look at the roads we built, the temples we remodeled, the plans we have made to create a better world. Look at how righteous we are. Many people stand in our way, but we will show them our power and virtue."

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 

People tend to be especially sympathetic about animals, not just pets, but any animal, even risking their lives to save one in danger. The thought of a harmless sheep being lost and dying of hunger, an injury, and then a predator - that gets to most people, especially those who raise animals. And then we realize - we are that sheep. We got lost. We did not find our way home, we were found through His agents and through the Means of Grace.

The shepherd, who is Christ, seeks out the lost one until He finds it. Jesus comes to us through the Scriptures and through people teaching us the Scriptures. The Gospel Word sets up the meeting place between us and Jesus. People are involved in this, and so are study materials, broadcasts, books, and leaflets. Simply put, the Holy Spirit conveys Jesus to us through the Word.

Romans 5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 

This comparison is perfect because the lost animal is still weak and afraid, injured and hungry. I was in a public place when one person went around saying John 3:16 and handing out a pamphlet. That is like saying to the sheep, "Cheer up!"

This does not match CFW Walther's lame comparison - "faith is a withered hand grasping the message." Jesus has the sheep being carried home. Walther has everyone making an effort on their side - the definition of synergism. He was not alone.

In this story we can certainly picture the Shepherd rejoicing, carrying home the frightened sheep, and saying, "Rejoice with Me! I have found the sheep that was lost!"

7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

The response to Jesus and to those who believe in Him is pickle-faced, so Jesus compares that to the angels rejoicing in heaven. The Pharisees need no repentance, so there is no rejoicing.

This is suggestive of the relatively small number who believe and those who repent later in life. The outward appearance is not to be judged, often described as God not being a "respecter of persons." That was modernized by a friend as 

"looking over their tax return."

8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

This is not piece about women but all people who lose something. We (our neighbors and friends) have had a string of stories about lost keys, wallets, and other objects. This is more of an urban comparison. We are not out in the wilds herding sheep but taking care of our little plots of land.

People continue to prove my maxim that lost objects are only found when not looking for them. This poor lady does everything she can to find the coin. My worst loss (in the house) was the most mysterious, because I looked everywhere except the footrest near me. The sweaty search and the rejoicing are definitely easy to recall.

9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

At the very least, this prepared the audience of Pharisees for the tug between their fellow pickle-faces and the Gospel. The time would come when some of them would leave their colleagues and become Christians. The rejoicing in heaven would be great comfort when former friends turned against them. It is also a welcome from Christ who is always there for the weak and stricken, those who hunger and thirst for the righteousness of faith.

Another comparison comes from the Prodigal Son, because it emphasizes repentance, forgiveness, and the self-righteousness of the elder brother. The parables need to be studied as a whole because each one teaches one or two points, while some try to fit their systematic theology books into one parable.

Modernists Wrecked the Parables - Or Tried To

When people ask why things are so bad, the answer is - because there must be a cross to bear with the Gospel. So many take it hard that Christianity is the religion, and this religion presents Jesus as the Son of God, Savior. His mission was to teach people to believe in Him - and His Father - through His sermons and miracles.

Every effort was made to challenge Him and to silence Him. Mockery and accusations were frequent. When all the tactics failed, they used the ultimate answer - a hideous death marked by the jeers of the crowds and religious leaders.

Persecution followed from that time on. Today we now have active persecution and suppression in the USA. In the world there are many campaigns to exterminate Christians. We can look at it as how great the evil is, or how great a threat Christianity poses.