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.
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Drucker Denominations as Corporations - "Doom Has Come Upon Us All!" - The Hobbit
I attended an LCA gathering where a synod staff member had us go through a Peter Drucker exercise about goals and objectives. Another staff member at a national gathering spoke about the inevitable decline in members - "Most of the children baptized in your parish now will not be in confirmation classes. The figure used to be 50%."
In WELS, the same truths were being uttered as if they came from Mt. Sinai rather than the crumbling Love Shack they called headquarters, 2929 Mayfair Road, Milwaukee. The same Management by Objectives were spoken reverently, as if echoing the LCA. The common thread - or virus - was the LCA-LCMS-WELS staffers studying together at Fuller Seminary, where Drucker is still honored as a saint.
Bad currency drives out good currency, as we have seen in silver coins replaced by those which sound like plastic buttons bouncing on the counter. Silver certificates have been set aside for Federal Reserve Notes.
Number 1 Cause of Decline - Nastiness
The denominations have declined because the Words of Faith in Jesus Christ have been replaced with the tinny squawks of secular wisdom. The Fruits of the Spirit begin with love, joy, and peace (Galatians 5).
Love is not something we conjure up to attract people to a parish, but the result of teaching and practicing forgiveness through the Savior. Every sect brags in its history about 50 or 100 or 300 years of grace, but grace is only accessed through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1-2).
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| "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." KJV Romans 5:1-2. How does one enjoy grace? only through faith. WELS-LCMS-ELS-ELCA denies this truth and skips along to perdition. |
Let's look at the WELS sect, starting with the victims of their schools. If someone is not rigidly obedient to bullies (physical, sexual, and mental abuse), they are shunned at first and driven away formally by the Left Foot of Fellowship.
How can a tiny sect grow when they take so much delight in excluding people? Readers - do not quote this blog, mention my name, or imply that I might be correct. The hammer will come down. The WELS Grapevine exists to spread falsehoods about dissenters and to protect the official synod families, who can do no wrong.
Think about this - how can a synod grow when they favor inbreeding and insist on anti-Biblical, anti-Lutheran doctrine? The collective IQ is going to decline.
I have met many WELS people who were kind, generous, and faithful to the Scriptures. However, many more enjoyed playing Top Dog and Do You Know Who My Grandfather Is?
This is never going to change as long as people ignore the universal and divine standard of the efficacy of the Word in the Means of Grace. The Reformation made that clear, and the Book of Concord clarified issues growing from false teachers.
Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Trinity 11 - "Faith alone must make us good and save us."
10. We find this also in Abraham when he offers his son Isaac. Then God said: “For now I know that thou fearest God,” Genesis 22:12. Surely, if he had not feared God, he would not have offered his son; and by this we know the fruit to be thoroughly good. Let us now heartily apply this to ourselves.
11. This is why St. Luke and St. James have so much to say about works, so that one says: Yes, I will now believe, and then he goes and fabricates for himself a fictitious delusion, which hovers only on the lips as the foam on the water. No, no; faith is a living and an essential thing, which makes a new creature of man, changes his spirit and wholly and completely converts him. It goes to the foundation and there accomplishes a renewal of the entire man; so, if I have previously seen a sinner, I now see in his changed conduct, manner and life, that he believes. So high and great a thing is faith.
For this reason the Holy Spirit urges works, that they may be witnesses of faith. In those therefore in whom we cannot realize good works, we can immediately say and conclude: they heard of faith, but it did not sink into good soil. For if you continue in pride and lewdness, in greed and anger, and yet talk much of faith, St. Paul will come and say, 1 Corinthians 4:20, look here my dear sir, “the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” It requires life and action, and is not brought about by mere talk.
12. Thus we err on both sides in saying, a person must only believe, then he will neglect to do good works and bring forth good fruits. Again, if you preach works, the people immediately comfort themselves and trust in works. Therefore we must walk upon the common path. Faith alone must make us good and save us. But to know whether faith is right and true, you must show it by your works. God cannot endure your dissembling, for this reason he has appointed you a sermon which praises works, which are only witnesses that you believe, and must be performed not thereby to merit anything, but they should be done freely and gratuitously toward our neighbor.
13. This must be practiced until it becomes a second nature with us. For thus God has also introduced works, as though he would say: if you believe, then you have the kingdom of heaven; and yet, in order that you may not deceive yourselves, do the works. To this the Lord refers in John 15:17, when he says to his disciples: “These things I command you, that ye may love one another.” And previous to this at the supper he said, John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another: even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” And shortly before this he said, 5:5: “For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you.”
As though he would say: Ye are my friends, but this the people will not know by your faith, but when you show the fruits of faith, and break forth in love, then they will know you. The fruits will not save you nor make you any friends, but they must show and prove that you are saved and are my friends. Therefore mark this well, that faith alone makes us good; but as faith lies concealed within me, and is a great life, a great treasure, therefore the works must come forth and bear witness of the faith, to praise God’s grace and condemn the works of men. You must cast your eyes to the earth and humiliate yourself before everyone, that you may also win your neighbor by your services; for this reason God lets you live, otherwise nothing would be better for you than to die and go to heaven. This you now also observe clearly in the good publican.
14. So you find two judgments: one according to faith, the other according to outward works. The foundation you have in that faith is concealed; this he feels, who believes; but that is not enough, it must express itself as you see above in the publican, who breaks forth in humility, so much as not to lift his eyes to heaven, smites on his breast and praises God, by which he helps me to say when my sins oppress me: Behold, the publican also was a sinner and said: “God, be thou merciful to me a sinner;” thus too, I will do.
By this will I also be strengthened so that when I see my sins I will think of his example, and with it comfort and strengthen myself, so that I can say:
Oh God, I see in the publican that thou art gracious to poor sinners. Faith the believer keeps for himself, but externally he communicates its fruits to other people.
15. The publican is on the right road and is twice justified; once through faith before God, and again by his works to me. Here he gives unto God his glory, and by faith repays him with praise. Also toward me he performs the duty of love, and puts words into my mouth and teaches me how to pray. Now he has paid all his debts toward God and man. So faith urges him to do; without however requiring anything from God as a reward of faith.
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Efficacy - One Word To Cure the Ills of Christendom - Romans 10 and Isaiah 55. "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"
KJV Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The bankrupt seminaries of all denominations have failed to grasp and to teach two major sections of the Scriptures. Both passages teach the efficacy of the Word of God, one in Isaiah 55, the other in Romans 10. Both passages are so clear than no one can ignore the clear message - everything accomplished by the Christian Faith comes from the exclusive effectiveness of God's Word.
This effect comes from
- reading,
- hearing, and
- remembering the Scriptures.
Are popcorn, peanuts, soda, and coffee effective? Then why use these lures to make worship appealing? The crowds who followed Jesus into the desert ignored their peril because His Word was divine in authority, not like the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees. They were fed miraculously because they had so much faith in the Son of God.
The Means of Grace Chapters
The connection between Romans 10 and Isaiah 53 is also significant. Several terms come up, teaching the same concept. Faith only comes from hearing the Word, also called the Rumor or the Report.
For centuries, Isaiah 53 meant very little. Rabbinic literature had trouble with a Suffering Servant. The disciples were initially deaf to the three predictions of the suffering Jesus and His resurrection. But read or hear Isaiah 53 and Romans 10 together - The report of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection creates faith in Him.
KJV Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our Report?KJV Romans 10: 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our Report?
That is why we read the Scriptures to newborns when they are baptized. They listen and pay close attention to everything. That is why it is so good to hand a newborn to a stranger wearing a robe - instant in waking up and getting attention, plus crying. The doubters say, "A newborn cannot have faith. Wait until he is 6 years old, or 8, or 12." But the baby has faith in his mother and becomes peaceful and happy in her arms, from her whispers. The Word which created everything in the universe (John 1:3) also plants Gospel faith in the heart of the infant.
Today's Lutherans
Reject Faith in the Scriptures
Faith in Jesus Christ is almost completely gone among the Lutheran synods, worshiping themselves and praising Holy Mother Synod. ELCA is farthest out simply by embracing every error of our time. The ELS-WELS-LCMS-CLC-ELDONUT sects have the same hardness of heart, directly from clinging to CFW Walther, BA, and his notorious repetition of Objective Faithless Justification.
Consider the irony - Jim Heiser, searching for his bishop's mitre, united with the ELS and WELS to deliver one more Waltherian sect into this world. They formed the Luther-lite Confessional Synod, which adored Objective Faithless Justification. Later, without blushing, they switched.
Another irony - the Lutheran sects oppose Luther and the Reformation.
And - they love every Bible but the KJV.
And - they are failing just as fast as the mainline sects because they have the same rationalistic, works-righteousness.
The sects have no power because they do not recognize the efficacy of God's Word.
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| One pastor stopped talking to me because this is a translation of Knapp, ignoring the fact that the Calvinist translator - a dominant Calvinist in his time - used these soon-to-be-popular terms. His sect will soon be "only a footnote in the history of Lutheranism." |
Treasures from a Once Great Lutheran Seminary - The Columbus Theological Magazine - Alec Satin's Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry
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| The young'uns do not know or appreciate The Planet of the Apes, where the hero realizes that humanity failed and monkeys took over the earth. Likewise, a great Lutheran seminary betrayed its founders and turned its shattered remains into another Union Seminary, NYC. |
The Columbus Theological Magazine Vol. 13, Matthias Loy, Editor
Type
Matthias Loy
(1828-1915)
President of the Joint Synod of Ohio, the Columbus Seminary and Capital University, and edited the Lutheran Standard and the Columbus Theological Magazine. In 1881 he withdrew the Joint Synod from the Synodical Conference as a result of Walther’s teaching about predestination.
©2023
Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Trinity 11 - "Thus faith casts itself on God, and breaks forth and becomes certain through its works."
6. Hence the beginning of goodness or godliness is not in us, but in the Word of God. God must first let his Word sound in our hearts by which we learn to know and to believe him, and afterwards do good works. So we must believe from this that the publican had learned God’s Word. If not, it would certainly have been impossible for him to acknowledge himself to be a poor sinner, as this Gospel reports. Indeed, it has a different appearance here, because St. Luke seems to insist more strongly on external works and appearances than on faith, and lays the emphasis more on the outward character and conduct than on the root and on the faith of the heart within.
Nevertheless we must conclude that the publican had previously heard the Gospel. Otherwise his smiting his breast and his humble confession would not have occurred, had he not previously had faith in his heart.
7. This is also proper fruit, since it promotes God’s honor; as God desires nothing but the offering of praise, as Psalm 50:23, says: “Whoso offereth the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifieth me, and to him that ordereth his way aright, will I show the salvation of God.” In this way the publican also proceeds, gives God the offering of thanksgiving and secures to himself the forgiveness of sin, and praises God, puts himself to shame and exalts the truth above himself.
Therefore we must praise and commend his work, because he gives God the highest honor and true worship. For he says: “God, be thou merciful to me a sinner.” As though he would say: I am a rogue, this I confess, as you yourself know. Here you see that he confesses the truth, and is willing that God should reprove and revile him; yea, he does this himself, and casts himself down the very lowest, and with God he again rises upward, gives glory to God that he is gracious, kind and merciful. But in himself he finds nothing but sin. Wherefore these are the true fruits of faith.
8. Thus we have learned from his fruits the publican’s faith. But how shall we understand what Christ says: “This man went down to his house justified,” as he had already been just through faith, before he smote his breast? He certainly must have been just before. Why then does Christ say here: “He went down to his house justified?” This is what I have often said, if faith be true, it will break forth and bear fruit. If the tree is green and good, it will not cease to blossom forth in leaves and fruit. It does this by nature. I need not first command it and say: Look here, tree, bear apples.
For if the tree is there and is good, the fruit will follow unbidden. If faith is present works must follow. If I confess that I am a sinner, it must follow that I will say: Alas God! I am a rogue, do thou cause me to be good. So this publican cares for nothing and speaks freely, though he puts himself to shame before all people, he does not care for that, as Psalm 116:10 says: “I believe, for I will speak. I was greatly afflicted,” and says: “God, be thou merciful to me a sinner!” As though he would say: I now see that I am lost, for I am a bad man, and acknowledge my sins. Unless I believe and hold to God’s mercy, and take the cup of the Savior and call upon God’s grace, I will be ruined.
9. Thus faith casts itself on God, and breaks forth and becomes certain through its works. When this takes place a person becomes known to me and to other people. For when I thus break forth I spare neither man nor devil, I cast myself down, and will have nothing to do with lofty affairs, and will regard myself as the poorest sinner on earth. This assures me of my faith. For this is what it says: “This man went down to his house justified.” Thus we attribute salvation as the principal thing to faith, and works as the witnesses of faith. They make one so certain that he concludes from the outward life that the faith is genuine.
10. We find this also in Abraham when he offers his son Isaac. Then God said: “For now I know that thou fearest God,” Genesis 22:12. Surely, if he had not feared God, he would not have offered his son; and by this we know the fruit to be thoroughly good. Let us now heartily apply this to ourselves.
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Monday, August 7, 2023
Daily Luther Sermon Quote - The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity - The Pharisee and the Publican. A Picture and an Example of a True Saint.
"Hence the beginning of goodness or godliness is not in us, but in the Word of God."
1. Here again we have a picture and an example of the divine judgment on saints and good people. Two extraordinary persons are presented to us in this Gospel; one thoroughly good and truly pious; and one hypocritically pious. But before we take up the example and consider the terrible sentence, we must first notice that Luke here makes the impression as though righteousness came by works. For Luke is most accustomed to do this, as when we at present preach that faith alone saves, he observes that people are led to desire only to believe, and to neglect the power and fruit of faith. This John also does in his Epistle and James, where they show that faith cannot exist without works.
Thus Luke, in the beginning of his introduction, would speak as follows: I see indeed that many have preached how faith alone saves, by which they have brought the people to strive for a fictitious faith; hence I must also speak of works by which they can be assured of their faith, and prove it to the people by their acts. Consequently it sounds as though Luke everywhere taught that righteousness came by works; as you have recently heard: Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven; and, make unto yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness. And here it appears as though the publican had obtained his goodness by praying and smiting his breast. So this Gospel appears as though we should become good or pious by our works.
2. Now you have heard that a man, before he can do anything good, must by all means first be good. For the truth must always stand: “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit;” and again, “An evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit.” Thus a man must first be good, before he can do good. So he also firmly concludes that the publican smote his breast, which proves the conclusion, that he had been good.
3. This has taken place and has been written to the end that we should open our eyes and not judge the people according to their outward appearance. To do this in this instance it is necessary to examine the hearts of both, and not judge according to mere external works. For when the heart is good, the whole man is good. For if I judged the publican according to his works, my judgment would soon be false. For nothing appears in him but sin. Again, if I judge the hypocrite or Pharisee according to his works, I will also miss the mark. For he stands at the holy place, makes the best prayer imaginable, for he praises and thanks God with grand works, he fasts, gives the tenth of all his goods, harms no one; in short, everything, both outwardly and inwardly, appears well with him.
4. As he judges, all men judge; no one can condemn such an upright and virtuous life. Who dare say that fasting is not good; or that to praise God and give everyone what we owe them is evil? When I see a priest, monk, or nun with such apparent noble conduct, I regard them as pious. Who can say otherwise? Hence if I am to judge whether this one is good and the other evil, I must be able to look into the hearts of both. But I cannot see into the heart, and must make the proper distinction from their works, as Christ says: “By their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:20.
5. He speaks of the publican as though he must have previously heard a word from God that touched his heart so that he believed it and thus became pious, as St. Paul says, Romans 10:17: “So faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” When the Word falls into the heart, then man becomes pure and good. But the Evangelist does not indicate that he now first heard the Gospel here, but that he heard it somewhere, it matters not where. For he says: “God be merciful to me a sinner.” This knowledge is above the powers of reason. And yet it must previously have been known to him that God is merciful, gracious and friendly to all those who confess their sins, who call upon him and long for grace. As he heard that God is gracious by virtue of his very nature, to all those who humble themselves and seek comfort in him. But to preach thus is always the pure Gospel.
6. Hence the beginning of goodness or godliness is not in us, but in the Word of God. God must first let his Word sound in our hearts by which we learn to know and to believe him, and afterwards do good works.
Sunday, August 6, 2023
The Tenth Sunday after Trinity, 2023
Tenth Sunday after Trinity
Bethany Lutheran Church
Pastor Gregory Jackson
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
Introit
As for me, I will call upon God;
and He shall hear my voice:
He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me.
God shall hear and afflict them, even He that abideth of old:
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.
Psalm. Give ear to my prayer, O God: and hide not Thyself from my supplication.
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
O God, who declarest Thine almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity, mercifully grant unto us such a measure of Thy grace that we, running the way of Thy commandments, may obtain Thy gracious promises and be made partakers of Thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Epistle and Gradual
Gradual
Keep me, O Lord, as the apple of the eye:
hide me under the shadow of Thy wings.
V. Let my sentence come forth from Thy presence:
let Thine eyes behold the things that are equal. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. O Lord God of my salvation,
I have cried day and night before Thee. Hallelujah!
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #239 Come Thou Almighty King
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 #447 Fight the Good Fight
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 #447 Fight the Good Fight
- Diagnosis and treatment - Sarah Buck, Lori Howell; Ranger Bob had artery surgery for each leg Friday and is recovering, aiming for a skin graft.
- Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris. Kermit and Marie Way, Chris Shrader.
- Included in our prayers - those suffering from emotional stress and those with metabolic disorders.
KJV 1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
KJV Luke 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. 45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; 46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. 47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, 48 And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
Tenth Sunday After Trinity
Almighty and everlasting God, who by Thy Holy Ghost hast revealed unto us the gospel of Thy Son, Jesus Christ: We beseech Thee so to quicken our hearts that we may sincerely receive Thy word, and not make light of it, or hear it without fruit, as did Thy people, the unbelieving Jews, but that we may fear Thee and daily grow in faith in Thy mercy, and finally obtain eternal salvation, through Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
The Prediction - Jesus Mourning
KJV Luke 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
The Fall of Jerusalem, about 40 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, was one of the great calamities of history. The defenses of the city were so great that historians considered it a miracle that Rome was able to break through. The effect was similar to our cities when a major storm is coming. The food stores are emptied of all foods in a few hours, hoarding (or preparing) just in case.
The citizens had all the fresh water they needed, but they were so afraid of starvation that they steal each other's food. Some were so starved that they ate leather shoe laces.
43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
The destruction was great, and the great constructions were only left standing to show how great the city had been. Herod's Temple was destroyed by the soldiers looking for hidden treasures. The trophies were gathered up and displayed in Rome itself. The Empire struck back, held a Triumph, and made coin stamped (in Latin) "Judaea Capta - Judah Defeated."
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| KJV Isaiah 3:8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of his glory. |
Survivors were so plentiful that they had no value as slaves, so they were shipped away.
44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
Three towers were left standing, just to show how great Jerusalem had been. Otherwise, the city was in ruins and burned.
The Present
45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; 46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Jesus predicted the future, mourning its utter destruction. That is where He and His family had attended worship, where He had been circumcised, and where He had spoken with the elders, astonishing them. Corruption had increased after His crucifixion and and resurrection. The evil element had multiplied in their excitement over crucifying Jesus.
47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, 48 And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
The so-called scholars have found many ways to move attention away from the actual events of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Although the material is there, the visible Christian Church has moved away from the facts that make this lesson so compelling.
- The Gospel of John has been downplayed to the extent that the "scholars" take away the authorship of the Apostle John and thereby deny its Apostolic truth.
- The raising of Lazarus is therefore ignored since it is unique in John.
- The plot based on Jesus accompanied by Lazarus is forgotten. John 11 through 12.
- One older couple said, decades ago, "Where did you get this? We never heard this in our lives!"
As I have taught so often in this congregation and before, Lazarus was the last straw - as they say - because he entered Jerusalem with Jesus. Lazarus was the proof that a man famous and rich in this area, well known, had been dead for days and was raised by Jesus, the Son of God, Messiah, Savior, Son of David. The stories from earlier miracles were easily confirmed by the entire Jerusalem populace. "Faith comes by hearing..."
KJV John 12:17-19 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
Not aware of the dangers that were ahead, the Jewish leaders felt that they could reduce the risk from Rome by eliminating Jesus and His followers. The people had faith in Jesus Christ because they saw the miracle of Lazarus, followed by the greatest miracle, the resurrection of the Son of God.
Who could have known that matters would soon become much worse in Jerusalem. A group of Zealots were able to defeat the small garrison of Roman troops. The future emperor Titus came with a massive army and slaves to quash the rebellion (70 AD) and to wreck the defiant city.
We Are Like Jerusalem, Walls Surrounded
Many grave errors have piled up because the basic principles of the US Constitution have been ignored. Besides that, we have turned into another version of Imperial Rome, where the only things that count are fun and games.
People are shocked at the overwhelming amount of crime, fraud, and betrayal.
The real story is one of faith in the Son of God, which is mocked and ignored, even though this Faith is all-powerful. As great as the resurrection of Lazarus was, the empty tomb of Christ was greater stir. Lazarus showed everyone that death had no power over the work and the miracles of God Himself. No one could have imagined the outcome. When Jesus was arrested, the disciples scattered and went to a hiding place, as if a locked room could block the officials. For the risen Lord, a door blocked by heavy timber had no effect.
Everything taught by Jesus came to pass as He instructed the disciples and sent them out on their missions. Every bridge has names in brass posted. They were there when it was commissioned - the same with libraries, schools, and other monuments of mankind. The Apostles set out to take the Gospel as far as they could, and their names barely count in the New Testament. Yet they, in faith, took the Gospel to the frontiers, where it was copied and spread and maintained in many different languages - total dedication. They lost their lives doing this and left an impression - not of their heroics - but of the Word of God itself.
I was plagued by Acts writing about "the Word grew."
Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.19:20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
Correct me if I am wrong - but this means Jesus the Savior spread out across the various cities and nations because someone was teaching, preaching, and transmitting in writing the Word of God. Jesus as the Word, in both natures - divine and human - goes wherever the revealed Word is believed.
The two natures are in us through our faith, which means not only that the Spirit is with the Word but also that Jesus Himself is that Word, as John 1:1 teaches The Word was God, and God was the Word.
When the Word spread, Jesus Himself was there.
Sometimes I have to correct students who say things like, "When I invite Jesus into my Bible study..." Variations on that. I remind them that the Savior is always with them through the Word, through remembering, and through hearing it. Those who believe the Gospel have the Son of God in both natures.
The End
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