Hebrews 9 - Daily Verses - And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament...

 

Nota bene - Daily medical assistance, IV infusion at the hospital, is being provided for a neighbor, so the remaining Hebrews chapters will be posted by chapter.

Hebrews 9

1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.

3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Trinity 12 - "Christ was my priest, who prayed for me and purchased faith and the Spirit for me..."

 

Link to the Complete Sermon - Luther's Sermons - Mark 7:31-37. Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

9. Therefore, by all means beware of the preachers whom you have often heard among the monks, who approach a dying person and say: “Behold, my brave fellow, do not despair; if you have committed sins, be sorry for them; but in order that you may fare so much the better, I will make you a present of my righteous life and my good works.” If now, the dying person accept such a gift, he is as much a fool as the other, and with all these works, he ‘will go to the devil. Therefore, beware of such consolation, and say: If you are willing to serve me with your good works, approach God and speak thus: O heavenly Father, by thy grace I am now believing; therefore, I pray thee, my God, give also unto this poor man a faith of his own. This might help me; but that you would give me your own faith, this you cannot do, neither would it help me. You will have enough to do to be saved by your own faith.

10. This you may see in the case of the foolish virgins, who, when their lamps went out, said unto the wise virgins: “Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out.” Then did the wise ones answer and say: “Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you.” Matthew 25:8-9. In that case I am in need even of more faith for myself; how then could I share it with another? For my own faith must stand before God’s judgment, and must fight so hard and cleave so firmly to God’s mercy, that the sweat will run down its face, if it is to prevail. That is the true meaning of St. Peter’s words, 1 Peter 4-18: “The righteous is scarcely saved, where then shall the ungodly appear?” For when death makes its onslaught, then such fear and agony will seize him, that he can scarcely with all his strength, stand for himself and be kept in faith. Hence it is greatly to be deplored that they have established so much deception, putting monks’ cowls upon the dead, and inventing other foolish things, by which they led poor souls straightway to perdition. Beware of them.

11. Now this I say, that you may know how far the faith of others may be of use to us, and how your own faith can help you. Other people’s merits will help you to attain a merit of your own, and nothing more. And though all the angels, yea, the mercy of God itself, were ready to stand for you, it would avail you nothing, unless you cleave unto it with a faith of your own. But it may effect this, that it will assist you to obtain a faith of your own, which will help you. Furthermore, even if Christ did die for us, and pledged and gave his body and life, blood and flesh for us, and became our advocate; yet it would avail nothing, unless we believe in him. But he can assist us in this way, that he appears before the Father and says: “O Father, this have I done for mankind; do thou give them faith, in order that they may enjoy it.” This then, will help us, if we feel assured that his works and merit are our own. In the same manner one should also speak of the other saints, that no saint’s intercession and merit avail unless we ourselves believe. You observe this also in our lesson. There lies the poor man, unable either to speak or to hear. They who bring him to the Lord can speak and hear. But they cannot make him speak by their hearing and speaking, and even though they all had come near him and said: “We will speak and hear for you”; yet he would, in spite of this, have remained speechless and deaf continually, and would never have been able to speak.

12. Likewise, if I were to give you a written declaration saying: “Go forth, this is my work; this shall be yours”; yet it will not help you a whit, but it will carry you into hell. In what way, then, will it help you? If I do, as these men do, who come to Christ and say: “O Lord, help this poor man, that he may receive his speech?’ They do not say: “We will hear and speak in your stead,” but they pray that Christ himself would give him speech. Likewise, if you take my part, and use your faith in such a way that it may help me to a faith of my own, this might help me; thus! thus it must be! God be thanked! Otherwise, no work nor any brotherhood, will avail.

13. Therefore say: I must neither rely upon your works nor you upon mine; but I will, by my own faith, pray God to give you a faith of your own. This is what is said, that we all are priests and kings, that we, like Christ himself, may intercede for one another before God, praying for personal faith.

Thus, if I happen to notice that you have no faith of your own, or a weak faith, I go and ask God to help, you to obtain faith, not by giving you my faith and my works, but your own faith and your own works; so that Christ may give him all his works and salvation through faith, as he hath given them to us by faith.

14. That is the meaning of the saying of Christ, John 16:26-27: “I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you; for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from the Father.” This is a beautiful addition, as though he would say: I have prayed for you, and have entreated God that he would give you what is mine. Therefore know my name. For through my prayer he has accepted you and has given you faith, so that henceforth you may pray for yourselves, and I need not do it; provided that you do it in my name. Here he has crowned us, dedicated and anointed us with the Holy Spirit, so that we all are priests in Christ, and may exercise the priest’s office, go before God and pray for one another. This is what St. Peter means in writing thus in his First Epistle, 1 Peter 2:9-10: “Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may shew forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light, which in time past were no people, but now are the people of God; which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

15. Hence we may all say: Christ was my priest, who prayed for me and purchased faith and the Spirit for me; therefore I am also a priest, and must go on praying in the world, that God may give faith also to this and that person. So we conclude, that we shall obtain whatever we earnestly pray for in the true faith, as the Lord says, John 16:24: “Ask, and ye shall receive.”

Fifty Years Ago and Year Two.Bells for the Campanologist

Campanology is the scientific and musical study of bells. It encompasses the technology of bells – how they are founded, tuned and rung – as well as the history, methods, and traditions of bellringing as an art. It is common to collect together a set of tuned bells and treat the whole as one musical instrument. Wikipedia

 Campanologist - someone who loves and studies bells.

 

I was pushing a wheelchair today and later watching the use of IV antibiotics for a dangerous circulation problem. Surgery and procedures saved one or both legs.

Everyone talks about medical advances so I thought about 50 years ago, when Christina and I were both working at Yale Medical School. She was a researcher for a well known professor and writer of children's books, on the staff of the Yale Medical Child Study Center. I was a lowly xeroxer for the Yale Medical School Library. Researchers asked for journal articles. I went into the dark basement stacks and found the journal for xeroxing. 

We were great friends with Bruce and Betsy Wenger, not realizing he graduated at the top of his class at Yale Medical. 

Christina and I took the Yale shuttle bus over to the medical campus, sometimes together, sometimes solo. One stop was at Baskin Robbins, when they still made real ice cream. 

People would say, "The time will run so fast, you will not believe it." Those people have passed into eternal life, including my favorite professors and the pastor/bishop who helped ordain me.

Two years ago today, Christina transitioned to eternal life. That makes me think of many Yale episodes, trivial but fun, all adding up to the best of memories. Her professor, Joan Fassler, died young from cancer. Joan's husband, Leonard, lived until 2021. 

Leonard was the surprise person on the sidewalk in Chicago when Christina and I found ourselves walking behind him and two other businessmen. She was sure it had to be Lenny. I whispered, "He is a New York lawyer!" I conceded it was possible, so I yelled, "LENNY!" He turned around and mutual recognition lit up. Christina hugged him, and his friends said, "Lenny. Strange beautiful young women run up and hug you! What a gift!"

He helped in the legal battle to break up AT&T. He also kept us up to date about his dear wife.

Incredible Means "Cannot Believe It." Lutheran School in Wauwautosa, Wisconsin.Which Synod? Anyone? Anyone?LCMS

 

Pilgrim Lutheran is a part of LUMIN Schools. President and CEO Shaun Luehring issued the following statement to FOX6 News:

As a faith based, Christ-centered network, LUMIN Schools is comprised of Christian team members united by our mission. We strive to be a network of schools that is Christian in every sense of the word. Therefore, we expect our staff to represent Jesus Christ and the mission of LUMIN Schools – not only in their work, but in their personal lives as well.

LUMIN takes the physical, emotional and spiritual safety of our students incredibly seriously. To that end, we conduct background checks on all candidates prior to employment. We share our expectations around standards of conduct with all teachers and employees, and execute regular trainings to ensure our expectations, policies and procedures are understood in practice.

Recently, LUMIN leadership received information indicating that a Pilgrim Lutheran School teacher violated our standards of conduct. We immediately shared the information with local authorities and began an internal investigation. Within 24 hours, members of LUMIN’s administrative team met with the teacher and determined there had been a violation of the LUMIN Schools Standards of Conduct leading to immediate termination.

On August 15, the Brown Deer Police notified LUMIN that their investigation uncovered additional information and the former teacher was placed under arrest. 

Efficacy of the Word - Ephesians 3 - Including Greek for the Majority of Pastors, Bishops, and District Presidents Who Never Studied Biblical Languages or Luther.

 

 

King James Version

KJV Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. 

Stephanus Traditional Ephesians 3 

16 ινα δωη υμιν κατα τον πλουτον της δοξης αυτου δυναμει (able) κραταιωθηναι δια του πνευματος (through His Spirit) αυτου εις τον εσω ανθρωπον (in the inner man)

3:17 κατοικησαι τον χριστον (dwell with Christ) δια της πιστεως (through the Spirit) εν ταις καρδιαις υμων (in your hearts)

18 εν αγαπη ερριζωμενοι και τεθεμελιωμενοι ινα εξισχυσητε καταλαβεσθαι συν πασιν τοις αγιοις τι το πλατος και μηκος και βαθος και υψος

19 γνωναι τε την υπερβαλλουσαν της γνωσεως αγαπην του χριστου ινα πληρωθητε εις παν το πληρωμα του θεου

20 τω δε δυναμενω υπερ παντα ποιησαι υπερ εκ περισσου ων αιτουμεθα η νοουμεν κατα την δυναμιν (power of the Holy Spirit) την ενεργουμενην εν ημιν (at work in the Word in us)

21 αυτω η δοξα εν τη εκκλησια εν χριστω ιησου εις πασας τας γενεας του αιωνος των αιωνων αμην

Explanation

This is well known as a passage about the power of prayer, even more appreciated with the efficacy of the Holy Spirit in the Word. The Bible consistently repudiates false doctrine, but many plunge ahead anyway with their schemes, without a map and without more than a clue about the meaning of these verses.

As shown by Thy Strong Word, the Spirit/Word union is taught throughout the Scriptures, Luther's writings, the Book of Concord, and many historic hymns.

The Church of Rome gives all earthly power to the Pope and his massive bureaucracy. The non-Lutheran Protestants often rely on the length and emotion of prayers. Some are so separated from the text of Ephesians 3 that they neglect the Word and rely on the Holy Spirit without the Word. 

The weakness and apostasy of the institutional Lutherans is shown by their aping of Calvinism and Romanism, their repugnance toward Luther, the German Reformation, and the Book of Concord.

The two, neglected key words from this passage are power (referring to the Holy Spirit) and (worketh - referring to the Word). 

When the Father commanded the Creation, Six 24-hour Days, the Son as the Word executed the Commands. This is clearly shown and mostly ignored by Church Growth (sic) and Rationalism.

The Son of God - the Logos - created everything in the universe in Six Days. The Holy Spirit hovered over Creation and serves to teach us what belongs to the Father and the Son. 

Ephesians 3 - especially verse 20 - combines the work of the Spirit and the divine power of the Word. 

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us...

When we pray at the beginning or end of the day, we should name all those we know who have special problems, challenging health issues, anxieties, and requests for God's guidance. The greatest burdens can become the greatest blessings. Do not ask me how or when. That is handled by Management and beyond our comprehension. 

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Trinity 12 - Mark 7:31-37 - "You know the fundamental truth is, that man cannot be just and acceptable before God, save alone by faith." - ELCA,WELS,ELS,LCMS, CLC (sic) Deny This

 

Link to the Complete Sermon - Luther's Sermons - Mark 7:31-37. Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

Thus love should do its work, not as though it needs it, but devotes itself solely to the benefit of its neighbor, as Paul, among other things, speaks to the Corinthians about love, Corinthians 13:5: “Love seeketh not its own”; and to the Philippians he says, Philippians 2:4: “Not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.”

6. This we may also learn here in these good people. They do not need this work themselves, nor do they look to themselves, but to the poor man, and think how they may help him; they seek no reward, but act independently and freely. Thus you should by right do likewise; if not, you are no Christians. Therefore consider carefully how love is here described, that it takes upon itself the care of others. If we accept this lesson, it will be well for us; but if not, then God will punish us with blindness, as he has been doing, to our grief, for nearly four hundred years. This much we say briefly concerning faith and love. Furthermore, we must now, in the fourth place, treat of the faith of other persons.

7. You know the fundamental truth is, that man cannot be just and acceptable before God, save alone by faith. So that they have lied and spoken falsely who have taught heretofore that we may deal with God through our works. Moreover it was much more foolish that they taught us to rely upon the works and faith of other persons, pretending that nuns, monks and priests can help other persons by their wailing which they perform in their cloisters at night, and that in this manner they can help other people and distribute their treasures. Therefore, let everyone here remember, that no one dare undertake to be saved by the faith, or by the work of another person; in truth, it cannot be done by the faith or work of Mary, or of any saint, yea, not even by Christ’s work and faith, but through your own personal faith. For God will not permit Mary, or any other saint, not even Christ himself, to take your place, in order that you might be godly and righteous, unless you believe for your own self. If Christ’s faith and work will not do it, you will much less accomplish it by the work or faith of all the monks and priests. Hence our Gospel lesson gives us an occasion to speak of the faith of others.

For here we read that they led this person to Christ in their own faith and work; the man did nothing toward it, but merely suffered it to be done.

8. Therefore let everybody mark well, that he can never be saved through another person’s faith. But it of course may happen, that by the faith of other persons you may be brought to a faith of your own. Likewise the good works of other persons may be of service to me to obtain works of my own. Therefore those lie, who declare that we may be saved through the works or faith of other persons, whether we ourselves believe or not.

No, this is not so! Unless you yourself draw out from God’s kindness and mercy a faith of your own, you will not be saved. Thus it must be; otherwise no other person’s faith or works avail, not even Christ, though he is the Savior of all the world; his kindness, his help will do you no good whatever, unless you believe in it, and are enlightened by it.

Local Church Tries Bold New Tactic Of Just Teaching The Bible - From the Babylon Bee

 

Local Church Tries Bold New Tactic Of Just Teaching The Bible

CHURCH·Aug 21, 2023 · BabylonBee.com

GASTONIA, NC — A local church found a new surge in popularity after making the revolutionary decision to forego its normal attempts to appeal to the masses and instead just start teaching the Bible.

"I don't know why we didn't think of this before," said Steve Borden, lead pastor at Abundant River of Faith and Life. "We've done all the other stuff for years — carnivals, classic car shows, sermon series built around clips from popular movies — but it turns out what people actually need in their lives is to hear God's Word. Who would've thought?"

The church had struggled to bring people through the doors on Sunday mornings for the last decade, resorting to revamping its presentation with fog machines, theatrical staging, lighting worthy of a touring rock band, gourmet espresso drinks, and trendy, topical, life-improvement messages. "We thought that would really help us draw new people," Pastor Borden said. "All that ended up happening was filling the building with a bunch of people who loved coffee and free daycare for their kids."

Things changed when one humble congregant (who requested to remain anonymous) suggested the pastoral staff begin just teaching lessons from the Bible itself. "It was a night and day difference," Borden said. "We actually started seeing people's lives change, as if preaching from the Bible has some kind of divine power to really reach a person's heart. They didn't teach me this in seminary. Wild stuff!"

Creation Garden Flowers Lift Our Spirits

 

 Borage is nicknamed Bee Bread.

Having a garden is one way to enjoy endless complaints about how badly some flowers turned out - if at all. For example, I kept watching a plant growing in full sun with plenty of water. I was not sure of its identity, even as it grew almost chest high. Finally, a flower appeared at the top of the plant. "Borage?! Borage?! I waited all summer for one more borage plant?!" 

Most of them are a few inches tall and very easy to grow. They squeeze between other plants anywhere. Borage earns the title Bee Bread for the constant attention bees give to the star-shaped flowers, pink and blue. The bees spread the pollen which get the seeds forming and dropping off for even more gentle, graceful borage.

Charli Sue lives for the chase, her DNA adjusted for the Patterdale Terrier requirement.

I mislabeled the plant, but at least I did not misgender it. I added Charli's middle name, Sue, to avoid the sin of misgendering the tiny, terroist terrier. She is a sweet, quiet, affectionate baby inside - but flies out the backdoor to chase moles, rabbits, and squirrels.

Here are some pleasant surprises and delights from this summer -

1. Russian sunflowers grew up tall and spread in the Butterfly Garden as hoped.
2. Promiscuous comfrey - related to borage - was halted by planting bee balm around them, in the Butterfly Garden.
3. Roses were baffled and held back by a bad combination of rain and drought, but now they are blooming in a rainbow collection colors and fragrances. Recipients include cul-de-sac neighbors, our chapel, and medical offices.
4. Tiny white allium (garlic) flowers bloomed as the last bulb flowers of the summer, tall and delicate, a wonder to see up close.
5. One Clethra grew to 7 feet, bloomed like crazy, a good example for 8 younger plants. 
6. Elderberries (no jokes) bloomed and produced plenty of fruit for the backyard birds and squirrels. A possum became a regular, always looking for that middle of the night snack.
7. Honeysuckle rose lifted itself onto the Cow Squares and inspired more vertical plants in the future.

 Honeysuckle rose is loved for its berries and fragrance, and yes it is a weed.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Trinity 12 -"As soon as we believe, we are already with Christ in this inheritance, and are justified."

Text. Mark 7:31-37. And again he went out from the borders of Tyre, and came through Sidon unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the borders of Decapolis. And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to lay his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphata, that is, Be opened. And his ears were opened, and the bond or. his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it. And they were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well; he maketh even the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

Link to the Complete Sermon - Luther's Sermons - Mark 7:31-37. Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

PART 1. THE STORY OR EXAMPLE ITSELF.

2. First, the story or example before us is good in itself, for here we see that many persons received the poor man, as though his distress were their own, bringing him to Jesus to be helped. By this, both faith and love are shown to us. Faith, in that they had heard of the Lord before, that he was kind and compassionate, and helped all those who came to him. For the Word must first have been heard, and must first have entered the human heart, showing us the mercy of God in such a way that we depend upon it.

Therefore the Word of Christ must here also have taught these people this; otherwise, where it does not come, there faith and works are all in vain.

3. And though this gospel lesson, like the preceding one, does not state that they had previously heard the tidings of the Gospel, yet we must nevertheless conclude, and the fact proves it, that they must have previously heard the good tidings and Gospel of Christ the Lord, through which they believed. For that is properly the Gospel which is called good tidings, a good report, not that which is written on paper, but that which is proclaimed in the world and becomes known by the living voice. Thus doubtless they had heard that Christ was kind, friendly, and helpful, willing to aid everybody; this was the beginning of their faith. Thus you must earnestly search the Gospel, and you will always find, that the tidings must first go forth and lead us to God, in order that he may’ lay the first stone; otherwise, all is lost. In the next place, you will learn that because they have clung to the tidings and trusted them for their comfort, they went thither, and hoped to receive of him what they had heard.

4. Now you here observe the nature of faith which grows out of the Word.

For the Word first sets forth to us the mercy and goodness of God; then faith causes us to cleave unto it with a firm confidence, and to obey the Word. For we are now conscious of this in our hearts, and are satisfied; for as soon as we believe, we are already with Christ in this inheritance, and are justified.

5. In the third place, this Gospel lesson describes the works of love in this, that these people go and care for the poor man, just as Christ, without their merit, and without their doing, sends forth his Word, and spreads abroad his goodness and mercy. Thus as they have laid hold and drank from the fountain, they again flow forth freely, and also impart themselves to their neighbor freely and without any merit. Thus love should do its work, not as though it needs it, but devotes itself solely to the benefit of its neighbor, as Paul, among other things, speaks to the Corinthians about love, Corinthians 13:5: “Love seeketh not its own”; and to the Philippians he says, Philippians 2:4: “Not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.”

Happy Birthday, Brett Meyer!

 

Long ago I fashioned the graphic above because Brett Meyer, our congregational president, was challenging the dark forces of Universal Faithless Justification. That dogma, nurtured at Halle University - a combination of Pietism and Rationalism - has unified WELS, ELCA, ELS, LCMS, CLC (sic), and other fragments of Lutherdom. 

Today is Brett's birthday. God's blessings on him and his family.

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity - Epistle Sermon, 1 Corinthians 15:1ff.

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity, 2023

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

Vimeo link for the Trinity 11 service,

Epistle lesson, 1 Corinthians 15.

The Hymn #200           I Know That My Redeemer Lives  

The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

God is in His holy habitation: 

He is God who setteth the solitary in families.

The God of Israel is He that giveth strength: 

and power unto His people.

Psalm. Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered: 

let them also that hate Him flee before Him.

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

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve, pour down upon us the abundance of Thy mercy, forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual       

Gradual

My heart trusteth in God, and I am helped: 

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; 

and with my song will I praise Him.

V. Unto Thee will I cry, O Lord, my Rock: 

be not silent to me; hear the voice at my supplications. 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Lord, Thou hast been our Dwelling Place in all generations. 

Hallelujah!

The Gospel              

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

The Sermon Hymn #199   Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

Resurrection - The Ultimate Proof

The Communion Hymn #207   Like the Golden Sun Ascending - Kingo

[Some parts of the Danish rural population firmly held to Kingo's hymns during the Pietist and Rationalist period, contributing to their survival.]

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 #216          On Christ's Ascension

In Our Prayers

• Diagnosis and Treatment - Sarah Buck, Lori Howell, Robert Northcutt, Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris, Kermit and Maria Way, Callie. Mary Howell had good results from testing. Also for prayers - metabolic disorders and stress.
• Dottie cleaned Ranger Bob's home yesterday and today. Three people from the neighborhood mowed his  lawn, including Big John (Bible John), in the heat.

KJV Matthew 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

KJV 1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

KJV Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Eleventh Sunday After Trinity

Lord God, heavenly Father, we beseech Thee so to guide and direct us by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not forget our sins and be filled with pride, but continue in daily repentance and renewal, seeking our comfort only in the blessed knowledge that Thou wilt be merciful unto us, forgive us our sins, and grant us eternal life; through Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

Resurrection - The Ultimate Proof

KJV 1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

Luther questioned whether this lesson belonged with Trinity 11, which reminds people today how much the appointed lessons vary. Also, there are named groups of pericopes (selections) used in worship services. The one-year historic pericopes, which we use, come from the distant past. The most recent one is the three-year set which came from the Church of Rome and spread throughout the liberal mainline denominations, including ELCA, LCMS, WELS, ELS.

Lenker used translators from various Lutheran synods to provide the sermons in his set. He was trained at Hamma in Ohio and taught at Dana (Danish) Seminary.

This passage reminds us that 1) Trinitarian statements are often found in Paul's letters, though denied by the Left; 2) the resurrection of Jesus is basic to everything, from His Incarnation to His Ascension. Every detail matters, which is why the apostates belittle and mock the divine proofs of Jesus' work and wonders. All of this was accomplished by Him to give us security, peace, and hope in the midst of anxieties and fears.

The believers in Corinth provide a wealth of troubles to discuss, and the false teachers inspired even more. That is why 1 and 2 Corinthians are so important to us today. The two letters are remarkable in addressing those issues and teaching us from those controversies. 

Basic to the Gospel are these two points - 

Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins;

Jesus rose from death and ascended to Heaven.

That was a powerful message because over 500 witnessed the risen Christ and spread the Gospel immediately, so the death and resurrection were well known at that time. Even the greatest skeptics have agreed that the empty tomb was not questioned in those days with so many witnesses. The ELCA seminaries got my letter in 1987 asking if any professors taught the Virgin Birth and the Resurrection of Christ. Only one professor was identified as saying it probably happened. With such teaching of anti-faith, the ELCA seminaries shriveled and soon begged for a place (like a college) to lodge their tiny faculties, because there was no room at the inn. 

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

Lenski, 1 and 2 Corinthians, p. 625.

One fact was in Paul’s favor: those who questioned the

resurrection of the dead still believed firmly in the

resurrection of Christ. If they had denied that they

would have departed so completely from the historic

foundation of faith that Paul would have treated them

as apostates. As it is, Paul makes Christ’s resurrection

the fulcrum for his presentation of the doctrine that

we, too, shall be raised from the dead. Thus the first

eleven verses are thetical in form, a restatement of

undisputed facts.

Because the preached Word is effective in making us believe in the Resurrection of Christ, we can fall into doubt about that also applying to us as believers. The Spirit takes from the Son and gives that truth to us. A firm conviction that we will also rise from the dead can conquer self-doubt, moving from the plain facts of mortal life to the everlasting Gospel of eternal life through faith in Him. "Everyone is saved, without Christ" (Universalism) is just as foolish as "Everyone goes to Heaven because God is so gracious" (Unitarians, though they are now almost completely anti-God.)

Because we are sinful by nature, our trust in eternal life comes from the Resurrection of Christ, faith in Him. Note that many false religions teach the righteousness of the Law, which condemns sin and then insists on the Law earning forgiveness in some way.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

Paul was not at the cross, empty tomb, or the locked room, but Christ appeared to him. Christ converted Paul on the road to Damascus. Paul became an apostle by virtue of this conversion and face to face meeting. So Paul had firsthand knowledge of Jesus Christ and training by Him. This continued with the groups Paul established or strengthened. 

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

The details are very important to relate, because the risen Lord established the faith of those who had been weakened from the terrible events. And a large body of people also saw and heard the risen Christ. Believers had developed from people Jesus blessed with miracles. The resurrection appearances expanded from that and became the foundation of the Christian Faith growing through persecution. Soon it was not only the apostles and Paul, but also the 500 who spread the divine Word to others. The world was longing for a Savior and they created an enormous number of manuscripts to take to various ethnic groups in their own language and the universal language of Greek.

5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

These details are important because they show how extensive the Gospel witness was. As the Savior said before His Ascension, He would rule from Heaven, and the Holy Spirit would teach and guide the Apostles and the new pastors around the world. 

I remember one Objective Justification without Faith expert saying that Thomas did not reach India - it was a myth. I pointed out that one province, Kerala, was majority Christian while the rest of the sub-continent was and is pagan. The tradition for St. Thomas is very strong, even if he did not sign the guestbook.

7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 

Paul was busy persecuting the Christians before Christ appeared before Him. This meant he had to be very humble in facing the Apostles, but he also stuck to the truth of the Gospel when there was conflict about kosher foods.

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

We are all likely to smile at Paul's tendency to praise his work, but 1) the biographical information matters, and 2) he always acknowledged God giving him the energy. 

God becoming man - the ultimate proof is Christ crucified and human in every possible way. But He rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven, giving directs to His apostles to carry out the work all over the world, as predicted in the Fourth Gospel.

The Promise of eternal life through faith in Him (the only way we receive grace) comes from God, not our superiority. In these times of turmoil and decay, the Resurrection is the foundation of our peace and joy.

The End