Thursday, December 21, 2023

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Christmas Day - "Such is the case at the present time in which the whole world is blinded and is going astray through the doctrines and works of men, so that faith and love along with the Gospel have perished."

 



Complete Sermon -> 

Luke 2:1-14. Christmas Day



B. THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF THE DOCTRINE OF THIS GOSPEL.

34. The other mystery, or spiritual teaching, is, that in the churches the Gospel only should be preached and nothing more. Now it is evident that the Gospel teaches nothing but the foregoing two things, Christ and his example and two kinds of good works, the one belonging to Christ by which we are saved through faith, the other belonging to us by which our neighbor receives help. Whosoever therefore teaches any thing different from the Gospel leads people astray; and whosoever does not teach the Gospel in these two parts, leads people all the more astray and is worse than the former who teaches without the Gospel, because he abuses and corrupts God’s Word, as St. Paul complains concerning some. Corinthians 2:17.

35. Now it is clear that nature could not have discovered such a doctrine, nor could all the ingenuity, reason and wisdom of the world have thought it out. Who would be able to discover by means of his own efforts, that faith in Christ makes us one with Christ and gives us for our own all that is Christ’s? Who would be able to discover that no works are of any value except those intended to benefit our neighbor? Nature teaches no more than that which is wrought by the law. Therefore it falls back upon its own work, so that this one thinks he fulfills the commandment by founding some institution or order, that one by fasting, this one by the kind of clothes he wears, that one by going on pilgrimages; this one in this manner, that one in that manner; and yet all their works are worthless, for no one is helped by them. Such is the case at the present time in which the whole world is blinded and is going astray through the doctrines and works of men, so that faith and love along with the Gospel have perished.

36. Therefore the Gospel properly apprehended, is a supernatural sermon and light which makes known Christ only. This is pointed out first of all by the fact that it was not a man that made it known to others, but that an angel came down from heaven and made known to the shepherds the birth of Jesus, while no human being knew any thing about it.

37. In the second place it is pointed out by the fact that Christ was born at midnight, by which he indicates that all the world is in darkness as to its future and that Christ can not be known by mere reason, but that knowledge concerning him must be revealed from heaven.

38. In the third place, it is shown by the light that shined around the shepherds, which teaches that here there must be an entirely different light than that of human reason. Moreover, when St. Luke says, Gloria Dei, the glory of God, shone around them, he calls that light a brightness, or the glory of God. Why does he say that? In order to call attention to the mystery and reveal the character of the Gospel. For while the Gospel is a heavenly light that teaches nothing more than Christ, in whom God’s grace is given to us and all human merit is entirely cast aside, it exalts only the glory of God, so that henceforth no one may be able to boast of his own power; but must give God the glory, that it is of his love and goodness alone that we are saved through Christ.

See, the divine honor, the divine glory, is the light in the Gospel, which shines around us from heaven through the apostles and their followers who preach the Gospel. The angel here was in the place of all the preachers of the Gospel, and the shepherds in the place of all the hearers, as we shall see. For this reason the Gospel can tolerate no other teaching besides its own; for the teaching of men is earthly light and human glory; it exalt the honor and praise of men, and makes souls to glory in their own works; while the Gospel glories in Christ, in God’s grace and goodness, and teaches us to boast of and confide in Christ.

39. In the fourth place this is represented by the name Judea and Bethlehem, where Christ chose to be born. Judea is interpreted, confession or thanksgiving; as when we confess, praise and thank God, acknowledging that all we possess are his gifts. One who so confesses and praises is called Judaeus. Such a king of the Jews is Christ, as the expression is: “Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judaeorum,” Jesus the Nazarene, the king of the Jews, of those confessing God. By this is shown that no teaching whatever can make such a confession except the Gospel, which teaches Christ.

40. Beth means house; Lehem means bread, Bethlehem, a house of bread.

The city had that name because it was situated in a good, fruitful country, rich in grain; so that it was the granary for the neighboring towns, or as we would call it, a fertile country. In olden times the name of the city was Ephrata, which means fruitful. Both names imply that the city was in a fruitful and rich land. By this is represented that without the Gospel this earth is a wilderness and there is no confession of God nor thanksgiving.

41. Moreover where Christ and the Gospel are there is the fruitful Bethlehem and the thankful Judea. There every one has enough in Christ, and overflows with thanksgiving for the divine grace. But while men are thankful for human teachings, they can not satisfy, but leave a barren land and deadly hunger. No heart can ever be satisfied unless it hears Christ rightly proclaimed in the Gospel. In this a man comes to Bethlehem and finds him, he also comes to and remains in Judea and thanks his God eternally; here he is satisfied, here God receives his praise and confession, while outside of the Gospel there is nothing but thanklessness and starvation.

42. But the angel shows most clearly that nothing is to be preached in Christendom except the Gospel, he takes upon himself the office of a preacher of the Gospel. He does not say, I preach to you, but “glad tidings I bring to you”. I am an Evangelist and my word is an evangel, good news.

The meaning of the word Gospel is, a good, joyful message, that is preached in the New Testament. Of what does the Gospel testify? Listen! the angel says: “I bring you glad tidings of great joy”, my Gospel speaks of great joy. Where is it? Hear again: “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”.

43. Behold here what the Gospel is, namely, a joyful sermon concerning Christ, our Savior. Whoever preaches him rightly, preaches the Gospel of pure joy. How is it possible for man to hear of greater joy than that Christ has given to him as his own? He does not only say Christ is born, but he makes his birth our own by saying, to you a Savior.

44. Therefore the Gospel does not only teach the history concerning Christ; but it enables all who believe it to receive it as their own, which is the way the Gospel operates, as has just been set forth. Of what benefit would it be to me if Christ had been born a thousand times, and it would daily be sung into my ears in a most lovely manner, if I were never to hear that he was born for me and was to be my very own? If the voice gives forth this pleasant sound, even if it be in homely phrase, my heart listens with joy for it is a lovely sound which penetrates the soul. If now there were any thing else to be preached, the evangelical angel and the angelic evangelist would certainly have touched upon it.

We Sang "Thee Will I Love" Last Night - Great Lyrics, Melody, and Graphic

 


Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Midweek Advent Service, 7 PM.

 




Midweek Advent Three, December 20, 2023

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

  1. Christmas Eve Sunday will be a complete Holy Communion service at 10 AM.
  2. Sunday evening will be a Christmas hymn and Scriptures service at 7 PM.
  3. New Year's Eve Sunday will be Matins at 10 AM.
  4. Sunday Evening will be a complete Holy Communion service at 7 PM.


The Hymn # 90      Come Your Hearts and Voices Raising - Gerhardt

The Order of Vespers                                             p. 41
The Psalmody            Psalm  1                           p. 123
The Lection               
   
The Sermon Hymn #136    Angels from the Realms of Glory 
         
The Prophets Prepared Them - So Did the Stars

The Prayers and Lord’s Prayer                         p. 44
The Collect for Peace                                           p. 45
The Benediction                                                   p. 45



The Prophets Prepared Them - So Did the Stars

    The prophets prepared so many ways for people to know about the coming of the Messiah. It goes back to Adam and Eve, Genesis 3:15 and example of the kings. The people wanted a king like the other nations, not just a prophet, though he was a direct contact with God. We discuss this often In Old Testament class. They wanted the prestige of a king, and the kings often disappointed them. 
    No matter what, the title of king also suggested a concept that is central to the role of Jesus Christ, because the title Christ (anointed in Greek) or Messiah ( the same in Hebrew). These two terms in two different languages recall the tradition of using oil for the coronation, which is still used today (whale oil in England). The unique role of Jesus is recognized in the title - King of Kings. Nothing else is quite as noble and distinctive as that phrase.
    I have been reading the history of the Bishop Hill colony, not far from my hometown, built through the efforts of a false prophet and his followers. Because they colonists were Swedish, the King and Queen of Sweden came to visit and honor their hard work in the past, not that long ago. They had a special insert in the booklet about the royal couple.
    Even today we acknowledge royalty, though not with the pomp and solemn ceremonies of kings, queens, princes, and princesses. Even now we have all kinds of ways to describe their homes (palaces), royal robes and jewels of uncanny size.
    Jesus as King and Lord was destined to rise above all titles and honors, because He came from Heaven to be our Savior and Redeemer. From one small area of the world, one tiny sliver of history came our Savior. The irony is that all the great warriors and kings have nothing in comparison with the baby born among the animals in a stable. Warfare and wealth never had the power of His kingship, because He came to us to show God's mercy and forgiveness, so that we would be fruitful - from believing in Him - instead of trying to earn forgiveness.
    As I have said before, some scientists are very annoyed that the Star of Bethlehem, scoffed by them, is conjured up with math and the right equipment. As one said, "How shameful to use the Star of Bethlehem to bring people into the planetarium! Science should be above all that." But nothing will change the reality of that heavenly object appearing when Jesus was born.
    Another part of this know-it-all attitude is the declaration that the Wise Men could not have been there in time, because it took so long to get there from "the East." No one has the roadmap they used, and they might have come from Petra, a kingdom only recently discovered - and very mysterious still. Unbelief is so powerful that even the most impressive evidence is hidden from their understanding.
    The most powerful message is the weakness and humility of the Holy Family being central to the arrival of the King of Kings. No rewards. No recognition, not even help from the relatives. They came because of the taxation, which was based on their home territory. One famous family from the entertainment industry caused a multi-million arts addition to be added to the Moline High School building because of the origins of their mother and consequently their father. I went by their Bartlett Insurance Company sign downtown Moline, never imagining that it was the plebian origin of a famous couple. (Bonnie Bartlett)

 Bartlett Insurance sign - on the right.

    Nobody thought much about the sign until everything was revealed many decades later.

In comparison, the advent of our King was so minor, so brushed aside as one more family too insignificant to matter. And this event caused Christmas is honored all over the world.


In our prayers - 
  • Ongoing medical care - Lori Howell, Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Sarah Buck, Kermit and Maria Way, Randy Anderson, Doc Lito.
The end.

Andrea Smiles for Christmas

 

 Andy is five years old.



Aby - 10 months



Midweek Advent Service Tonight - Upcoming Services

 


Midweek Vespers - 7 PM Central tonight.

Christmas Eve Sunday will be a complete Holy Communion service at 10 AM.

Sunday evening will be a Christmas hymn and Scriptures service at 7 PM.

+++

New Year's Eve Sunday will be Matins at 10 AM.

Sunday Evening will be a complete Holy Communion service at 7 PM.

The Lutheran Hymnal - Thee Will I Love, My Strength, My Tower - #399



"Thee Will I Love, My Strength, My Tower"
by Johann Scheffler, 1624-1677


1. Thee will I love, my Strength, my Tower;
Thee will I love, my Hope, my Joy;
Thee will I love with all my power,
With ardor time shall ne'er destroy.
Thee will I love, O Light Divine,
So long as life is mine.

2. Thee will I love, my Life, my Savior,
Who art my best and truest Friend;
Thee will I love and praise forever,
For never shall Thy kindness end;
Thee will I love with all my heart,
Thou my Redeemer art.

3. I thank Thee, Jesus, Sun from heaven,
Whose radiance hath bro't light to me;
I thank Thee, who hast richly given
All that could make me glad and free;
I thank Thee that my soul is healed
By what Thy lips revealed.

4. Oh, keep me watchful, then, and humble
And suffer me no more to stray;
Uphold me when my feet would stumble,
Nor let me loiter by the way.
Fill all my nature with Thy light,
O Radiance strong and bright!

5. Oh, teach me, Lord, to love Thee truly
With soul and body, head and heart,
And grant me grace that I may duly
Practice fore'er love's sacred art.
Grant that my every thought may be
Directed e'er to Thee.

6. Thee will I love, my Crown of gladness;
Thee will I love, my God and Lord,
Amid the darkest depths of sadness,
Not for the hope of high reward--
For Thine own sake, O Light Divine,
So long as life is mine.

Hymn #399
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: John 14:23
Author: Johann Scheffler, 1657, cento
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.
Titled: "Ich will dich lieben, meine Staerke"
Tune: "Ich will dich lieben"
1st Published in: Harmonischer Liederschatz
Town: Frankfurt, 1733

Jesus Said, "Travel Light!" But the Apostate Synods Converted Themselves
Into First Satan Bank and Trust, Inc.

 

Mequon is a perfect example of shrinkage. And don't forget to give your entire estate to the synod/Thrivent instead of your heirs. Yes, that is an Irrevocable Trust - sign your name, sign your money away. That is why the "Grabbing Giving Counselors" have to pass their insurance/annuity license, to make the Irrevocable Trust legal. The synods to this and there still is not enough for them.

KJV Matthew 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses...

In the 1970s a synod official - LCA - said he would go to council meetings where they would argue about where to get the best interest on their Certificates of Deposit. One congregation had an ushers' club fund that held $6,000 and the other groups had accounts too. The staffer said, "The congregations with all the cash are the first to go."

WELS and LCMS consider cashing out a church a real benefit, since the extra money buys more nest eggs. They are so grounded in things material that they ignore all things eternal. Only in this dark era could  two tiny synods build college gyms, 28 miles away from each other, while cutting their own higher education. Those are the new gyms in Mankato (ELS) and New Ulm (WELS).

The LCMS, ELS, WELS, and ELCA are best examined by their use of funds. I used to go over the national reports, item by item, when I could. WELS has $100 million in the bank. Concordia Publishing House had over $30 million in cash, so I continue to wonder how they can provide such low quality books with such deluxe price tags. At one point a WELS manager demanded that their little publishing house fork over $1 million cash to the synod. 

I believe the current WELS stash is worth $100 million. That is only an estimate - totals may fluctuate, depending on market value. One way or another, they all have a lot of swag, and it is never enough. The heirs of the frozen food fortune have half a billion dollars in their charities - with very little being used. At that rate I suspect it provides a wonderful tax-free shelter for their heirs. The manager makes 1/3 million a year, for overseeing the overseers.

The synod officials will howl if members call them up for the numbers. I cannot afford a $25,000 Bloomberg Terminal, so the synod staffs can cite any numbers they want. "He's lying and slandering again!" Just watch the reports they white-wash for group consumption. An architect used to say, "God is in the details," and that proves to be correct. Why help widows and orphans with those millions when there are synodical heirs to drain the treasury?

One Thing Is Needful

KJV Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His Word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

The synods are like chickens with their heads cut off - "Cluck! Cluck! Cluck! We have so much to do. We need more help. And more money! Yes, money, money, money. We cannot do it alone. We need Schwan and Thrivent."




Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Christmas Day - "But this can not occur except through the faith that teaches us rightly to understand the Gospel and properly to lay hold of it. This is the only way in which Christ can be rightly known so that the conscience is satisfied and made to rejoice. Out of this grow love and praise to God who in Christ has bestowed upon us such unspeakable gifts."

 



Complete Sermon -> 

Luke 2:1-14. Christmas Day



II. THE BIRTH OF JESUS CONSIDERED IN IT’S SPIRITUAL MEANING.

A. THE TEACHING CONCERNING FAITH.

24. Faith is first, and it is right that we recognize it as the most important in every word of God. It is of no value only to believe that this history is true as it is written; for all sinners, even those condemned believe that. The Scripture, God’s Word, does not teach concerning faith, that it is a natural work, without grace. The right and gracious faith which God demands is, that you firmly believe that Christ is born for you, and that this birth took place for your welfare. The Gospel teaches that Christ was born, and that he did and suffered everything in our behalf, as is here declared by the angel: “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people; for there is born to you this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” In these words you clearly see that he is born for us.

25. He does not simply say, Christ is born, but to you he is born, neither does he say, I bring glad tidings, but to you I bring glad tidings of great joy. Furthermore, this joy was not to remain in Christ, but it shall be to all the people. This faith no condemned or wicked man has, nor can he have it; for the right ground of salvation which unites Christ and the believing heart is that they have all things in common. But what have they?

26. Christ has a pure, innocent, and holy birth. Man has an unclean, sinful, condemned birth; as David says, Psalm 51:5, “Behold I was brought forth in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Nothing can help this unholy birth except the pure birth of Christ. But Christ’s birth can not be distributed in a material sense neither would that avail any thing; it is therefore imparted spiritually, through the Word, as the angel says, it is given to all who firmly believe so that no harm will come to them because of their impure birth. This it the way and manner in which we are to be cleansed from the miserable birth we have from Adam. For this purpose Christ willed to be born, that through him we might be born again, as he says John 3:3, that it takes place through faith; as also St. James says in James 1:18: “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.”

27. We see here how Christ, as it were, takes our birth from us and absorbs it in his birth, and grants us his, that in it we might become pure and holy, as if it were our own, so that every Christian may rejoice and glory in Christ’s birth as much as if he had himself been born of Mary as was Christ. Whoever does not believe this, or doubts, is no Christian.

28. O, this is the great joy of which the angel speaks. This is the comfort and exceeding goodness of God that, if a man believes this, he can boast of the treasure that Mary is his rightful mother, Christ his brother, and God his father. For these things actually occurred and are true, but we must believe. This is the principal thing and the principal treasure in every Gospel, before any doctrine of good works can be taken out of it. Christ must above all things become our own and we become his, before we can do good works.

But this can not occur except through the faith that teaches us rightly to understand the Gospel and properly to lay hold of it. This is the only way in which Christ can be rightly known so that the conscience is satisfied and made to rejoice. Out of this grow love and praise to God who in Christ has bestowed upon us such unspeakable gifts. This gives courage to do or leave undone, and living or dying, to suffer every thing that is well pleasing to God. This is what is meant by Isaiah 9:6, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,” to us, to us, to us is born, and to us is given this child.

29. Therefore see to it that you do not find pleasure in the Gospel only as a history, for that is only transient; neither regard it only as an example, for it is of no value without faith; but see to it that you make this birth your own and that Christ be born in you. This will be the case if you believe, then you will repose in the lap of the virgin Mary and be her dear child. But you must exercise this faith and pray while you live, you cannot establish it too firmly. This is our foundation and inheritance, upon which good works must be built.

30. If Christ has now thus become your own, and you have by such faith been cleansed through him and have received your inheritance without any personal merit, but alone through the love of God who gives to you as your own the treasure and work of his Son; it follows that you will do good works by doing to your neighbor as Christ has done to you. Here good works are their own teacher. What are the good works of Christ? Is it not true that they are good because they have been done for your benefit, for God’s sake, who commanded him to do the works in your behalf? In this then Christ was obedient to the Father, in that he loved and served us.

31. Therefore since you have received enough and become rich, you have no other commandment to serve Christ and render obedience to him, than so to direct your works that they may be of benefit to your neighbor, just as the works of Christ are of benefit and use to you. For the reason Jesus said at the Last Supper: “This is my commandment that ye love one another; even as I have loved you.” John 18:34. Here it is seen that he loved us and did every thing for our benefit, in order that we may do the same, not to him, for he needs it not, but to our neighbor; this is his commandment, and this is our obedience. Therefore it is through faith that Christ becomes our own, and his love is the cause that we are his. He loves, we believe, thus both are united into one. Again, our neighbor believes and expects our love, we are therefore to love him also in return and not let him long for it in vain. One is the same as the other; as Christ helps us so we in return help our neighbor, and all have enough.

32. Observe now from this how far those have gone out of the way who have united good works with stone, wood, clothing, eating and drinking.

Of what benefit is it to your neighbor if you build a church entirely out of gold? Of what benefit to him is the frequent ringing of great church bells?

Of what benefit to him is the glitter and the ceremonies in the churches, the priests’ gowns, the sanctuary, the silver pictures and vessels? Of what benefit to him are the many candles and much incense. Of what benefit to him is the much chanting and mumbling, the singing of vigils and masses?

Do you think that God will permit himself to be paid with the sound of bells, the smoke of candles, the glitter of gold and such fancies? He has commanded none of these, but if you see your neighbor going astray, sinning, or suffering in body or soul, you are to leave every thing else and at once help him in every way in your power and if you can do no more, help him with words of comfort and prayer. Thus has Christ done to you and given you an example for you to follow.

33. These are the two things in which a Christian is to exercise himself, the one that he draws Christ into himself, and that by faith he makes him his own, appropriates to himself the treasures of Christ and confidently builds upon them; the other that he condescends to his neighbor and lets him share in that which he has received, even as he shares in the treasures of Christ. He who does not exercise himself in these two things will receive no benefit even if he should fast unto death, suffer torture or even give his body to be burned, and were able to do all miracles, as St. Paul teaches, Corinthians 18ff.

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Christmas Day - "They had neither money nor influence to secure a room in the inn, hence they were obliged to lodge in a stable. O world, how stupid! O man, how blind thou art!"

 



Complete Sermon -> 

Luke 2:1-14. Christmas Day



9. See, this is the first picture with which Christ puts the world to shame and exposes all it does and knows. It shows that the world’s greatest wisdom is foolishness, her best actions are wrong and her greatest treasures are misfortunes. What had Bethlehem when it did not have Christ? What have they now who at that time had enough? What do Joseph and Mary lack now, although at that time they had no room to sleep comfortably?

10. Some have commented on the word “diversorium”, as if it meant an open archway, through which every body could pass, where some asses stood, and that Mary could not get to a lodging place. This is not right.

The Evangelist desires to show that Joseph and Mary had to occupy a stable, because there was no room for her in the inn, in the place where the pilgrim guests generally lodged. All the guests were cared for in the inn or caravansary, with room, food and bed, except these poor people who had to creep into a stable where it was customary to house cattle.

This word “diversorium”, which by Luke is called “katalyma” means nothing else than a place for guests, which is proved by the words of Christ, Luke 22:11, where he sent the disciples to prepare the supper, “Go and say unto the master of the house, The Teacher saith unto thee, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?” So also here Joseph and Mary had no room in the katalyma, the inn, but only in the stable belonging to the innkeeper, who would not have been worthy to give shelter to such a guest. They had neither money nor influence to secure a room in the inn, hence they were obliged to lodge in a stable. O world, how stupid! O man, how blind thou art!

11. But the birth itself is still more pitiful. There was no one to take pity on this young wife who was for the first time to give birth to a child; no one to take to heart her condition that she, a stranger, did not have the least thing a mother needs in a birth-night. There she is without any preparation, without either light or fire, alone in the darkness, without any one offering her service as is customary for women to do at such times. Every thing is in commotion in the inn, there is a swarming of guests from all parts of the country, no one thinks of this poor woman. It is also possible that she did not expect the event so soon, else she would probably have remained at Nazareth.

12. Just imagine what kind of swaddling clothes they were in which she wrapped the child. Possibly her veil or some article of her clothing she could spare. But that she should have wrapped him in Joseph’s trousers, which are exhibited at Aix-la-Chapelle, appears entirely too false and frivolous. It is a fable, the like of which there are more in the world. Is it not strange that the birth of Christ occurs in cold winter, in a strange land, and in such a poor and despicable manner?

13. Some argue as to how this birth took place, as if Jesus was born while Mary was praying and rejoicing, without any pain, and before she was conscious of it. While I do not altogether discard that pious supposition, it was evidently invented for the sake of simple minded people. But we must abide by the Gospel, that he was born of the virgin Mary. There is no deception here, for the Word clearly states that it was an actual birth.

14. It is well known what is meant by giving birth. Mary’s experience was not different from that of other women, so that the birth of Christ was a real natural birth, Mary being his natural mother and he being her natural son. Therefore her body performed its functions of giving birth, which naturally belonged to it, except that she brought forth without sin, without shame, without pain and without injury, just as she had conceived without sin. The curse of Eve did not come on her, where God said: “In pain thou shalt bring forth children,” Genesis 3:16; otherwise it was with her in every particular as with every woman who gives birth to a child.

15. Grace does not interfere with nature and her work, but rather improves and promotes it. Likewise Mary, without doubt, also nourished the child with milk from her breast and not with strange milk, or in a manner different from that which nature provided, as we sing: ubere de coelo pleno, from her breast being filled by heaven, without injury or impurity. I mention this that we may be grounded in the faith and know that Jesus was a natural man in every respect Just as we, the only difference being in his relation to sin and grace, he being without a sinful nature. In him and in his mother nature was pure in all the members and in all the operations of those members. No body or member of woman ever performed its natural function without sin, except that of this virgin; here for once God bestowed special honor upon nature and its operations. It is a great comfort to us that Jesus took upon himself our nature and flesh. Therefore we are not to take away from him or his mother any thing that is not in conflict with grace, for the text clearly says that she brought him forth, and the angels said, unto you he is born.

16. How could God have shown his goodness in a more sublime manner than by humbling himself to partake of flesh and blood, that he did not even disdain the natural privacy but honors nature most highly in that part where in Adam and Eve it was most miserably brought to shame? so that henceforth even that can be regarded godly, honest and pure, which in all men is the most ungodly, shameful and impure. These are real miracles of God, for in no way could he have given us stronger, more forcible and purer pictures of chastity than in this birth. When we look at this birth, and reflect upon how the sublime Majesty moves with great earnestness and inexpressible love and goodness upon the flesh and blood of this virgin, we see how here all evil lust and every evil thought is banished.

17. No woman can inspire such pure thoughts in a man as this virgin; nor can any man inspire such pure thought in a woman as this child. If in reflecting on this birth we recognize the work of God that is embodied in it, only chastity and purity spring from it.

18. But what happens in heaven concerning this birth? As much as it is despised on earth, so much and a thousand times more is it honored in heaven. If an angel from heaven came and praised you and your work, would you not regard it of greater value than all the praise and honor the world could give you, and for which you would be willing to bear the greatest humility and reproach? What exalted honor is that when all the angels in heaven can not restrain themselves from breaking out in rejoicing, so that even poor shepherds in the fields hear them preach, praise God, sing and pour out their joy without measure? Were not all joy and honor realized at Bethlehem, yes, all joy and honor experienced by all the kings and nobles on earth, to be regarded as only dross and abomination, of which no one likes to think, when compared with the joy and glory here displayed?

19. Behold how very richly God honors those who are despised of men, and that very gladly. Here you see that his eyes look into the depths of humility, as is written, “He sitteth above the cherubim” and looketh into the depths. Nor could the angels find princes or valiant men to whom to communicate the good news; but only unlearned laymen, the most humble people upon earth. Could they not have addressed the high-priests, who it was supposed knew so much concerning God and the angels? No, God chose poor shepherds, who, though they were of low esteem in the sight of men, were in heaven regarded as worthy of such great grace and honor.

20. See how utterly God overthrows that which is lofty! And yet we rage and rant for nothing but this empty honor, as we had no honor to seek in heaven; we continually step out of God’s sight, so that he may not see us in the depths, into which he alone looks.

Monday, December 18, 2023

A Famous Orator Was Named After the Chickpea.
I Also Like Marcus Tullius Garbanzo

 

Cicero's name is Latin for chickpea, which I enjoy every day at lunch.
Charlie Sue enjoys the last of the vegetable stew and some sausage.
    "Cicero’s writings barely waned in influence over the centuries. It was through him that the thinkers of the Renaissance and Enlightenment discovered the riches of Classical rhetoric and philosophy."



Chickpeas also provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, as well as a decent amount of fiber and protein. A 1-cup (164-gram) serving of cooked chickpeas offers (1Trusted Source):

  • Calories: 269
  • Protein: 14.5 grams
  • Fat: 4 grams
  • Carbs: 45 grams
  • Fiber: 12.5 grams
  • Manganese: 74% of the Daily Value (DV)
  • Folate (vitamin B9): 71% of the DV
  • Copper: 64% of the DV
  • Iron: 26% of the DV
  • Zinc: 23% of the DV
  • Phosphorus: 22% of the DV
  • Magnesium: 19% of the DV
  • Thiamine: 16% of the DV
  • Vitamin B6: 13% of the DV
  • Selenium: 11% of the DV
  • Potassium: 10% of the DV

As you can see, this legume is a particularly good source of the mineral manganese and the B vitamin folate.

Fellow Lutherans - You Do Not Understand the ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS Betrayal.
They Will Never Allow the Same Destruction To Be Used Against Them!

 

Listen up, folks. This is my last post on Lutheran apostasy...
until tomorrow.

Anyone complaining about the decline of the synods must understand it as a coordinated, military style war that the present managers fashioned for their own prestige, luxuries, and loot. 

They worked together while pretending to be disgusted and alarmed at the other synods, which made cooperation much easier long ago, starting with seminary professors and Lutheran insurance. But let us get down to the basics.

Justification Without Faith was a bit difficult, in one form or another, but they all built up a great war machine against anyone who criticized Objective Faithless Justification or another generic brand - Universal Salvation (all grace, man, all!). That has been completed 100%, so that anyone with an IQ will find a truckload of manure poured on him and anyone he knows. 

Parallel is the attack on the Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible. But there was more on the Greek text (called Byzantine, Traditional, or Apostolic) since Judaism did not throw away the Old Testament the way the 20th century Lutherans repudiated theirs, with a vengeance.

Lenski, like several other respected Biblical scholars, fell for the phony Greek texts (Vaticanus and Sinaiticus  of the 1881 KJV Revision) that the Bad Bible Brokers have used ever since. The genius of the BBBs comes from erasing passages for the most part - like the empty tomb in Mark 16. They teach the poorly educated seminarians with enough conjured contradictions that the poor things graduate full of confusion and weak on faith in the efficacious Word.

I predicted this in 2015, with Photoshop, no magic globe needed.


The "conservative" Lutherans bray about Biblical inerrancy - like donkeys on a forced march - but they prove all their Bibles to be errant, contradictory, and false, negating inerrancy completely. (Thanks Rev. Lito Cruz, PhD.) The NIVs do not even agree with each other on the Chief Article.

This two-pronged attack (Bibles and Biblical doctrine) has turned the synods listed into a joke, still trying to be good businesses while their management and sales schemes falter and fail. Not long ago, their heroes questioned the Lutheran basics and fought to change them. Traditional clergy were shunned and ridiculed because they clung to their KJV Bibles and their old hymnals. One WELS clown said, "We have to give up a whole generation of the retired to attack the youth of tomorrow." Does that sound like Paul Kelm and his buddies? How well has it worked?

The managers, sub-managers, and disciples stand together against anyone favoring Reformation doctrine, the KJV, and good hymnals. The synod parasites will spread any falsehood to keep their Thrivent goodies flowing, from deluxe conferences to special deals known only to them. 

 Hundreds of pounds later, these three Bachelor of Divinity graduates are still keeping
us stunned by their lack of sincerity.



Cry the Beloved Country Church Growth

Waldo Werning serviced pastors in WELS, ELS, and LCMS.

I knew "Dr" Waldo Werning fairly well - but not that well. He admitted that he studied at Fuller Seminary, which I recorded in my Day-Timer. Later, he denied it and I cited his admission from my Day-Timer. An ELS pastor asked me what made Werning fly into a rage.

Others, like his pal David Valleskey, also had the practice of gushing over Church Growth - and raging if anyone told the truth about him. I asked him face-to-face and poor David did his best to not answer. David's buddy Frosty Bivens blurted the same denial, even though he admitted going to Fuller and loving it. DP John Seifert was there when Bivens made his confession and denied the truth about Frosty twice. Fuller-denial was once a deadly virus that even spread to those who knew but did not know.

Now that the dust has settled, does anyone have any claim that Fuller Seminary and copy-cats caused the Christian Faith - or even statistics - to grow during those decades of folly, lying, and  disgrace?


 

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