Midweek Lenten Service, 7 PM. March 20, 2024.

 

This is the link to the YouTube conversion.

Bethany Lutheran Church, 

Springdale, Arkansas

Midweek Lenten Service

7 PM Central Time

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

 

The Hymn #142          A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth                                 
The Order of Vespers                                             p. 41

The Psalmody               Psalm 23
The Lection                            The Passion History

The Sermon Hymn #153       Stricken, Smitten                   

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Form of God

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 

That is the entire mission of Jesus Christ, is to be completely human but also completely divine. All the false gods are robbers, ultimately the demonic power to pretend they are gods, which is this robbery to be equal with God. That equality with God - taught by the Holy Spirit - is the revelation of God the Son being equal to God the Father. That is the highest possible status on earth...in the galaxy. Looking at the miracles of Jesus, we see the types of miracles God accomplishes, only more dramatic because they were seen by thousands of people. But what often happened? Scorn, accusations, lies, and demands to have more entertainment.

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

This is called the kenosis or emptying of the Son of God, not that He lost or gave His divinity but that He kept it hidden most of the time. We only have a few samples from a 3 year public ministry. His humanity perplexed and angered the opponents and caused them to deny His divinity, but Jesus spoke plainly and displayed His power when it was beneficial.

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. He entered our world as an ordinary man and seldom let His power be known in its fullest. That really revealed His compassion and humility, that He could keep that power in the background to support His teaching and healings, miracles and wisdom. He offered Himself up for the great humiliation of all, allowing Himself to be arrested, insulted, slugged, whipped, and lashed with horrible whips made worse with metal or other sharp bits, then forced to carry His own cross. He carried the cross that was not His due, just as the martyrs did and do today in being crushed by anti-Christian revolts and riots.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

God the Father exalted Jesus for teaching the whole world humility, suffering, and giving to others. That is why Jesus' Name and Titles are above all others. I thought it was a good idea to collect in a book with illustrations, and that - like all of God's Word - has inspired people to think about what Jesus suffered to earn such titles as Lord of Lords, King of Kings, the Good Shepherd, the Savior.

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

At the end, everyone will know and understand what that word means - Jesus. No one is missed in the exaltation and the final results of all time, the Consummation. 

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

All believers will share in that great victory, which is why we spend so much time teaching the Word and sharing His love.

 
The Prayers

The Lord’s Prayer

The Collect for Grace                                            p. 45

The Hymn #562            Round Me Falls the Night

Prayers and Announcements

• Medical treatment - Randy Anderson, Kermit Way, Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris, Sarah Buck, Lori Howell.
• Pray for our country as major trials continue.

Starting up the Reformation Seminary - Open To All Who Wish To Learn

Designed by Norma A. Boeckler

Members and friends of Bethany Lutheran Church were asking about classes in Biblical doctrine. Someone suggested "a seminary," which is a good way organize the work. If I had looked into the future, I would not have imagined Ustream - our first broadcasting effort, Vimeo - our second, and Zoom - the most complicated and effective combination for speaking and music.

I am teaching fewer graduate classes in the Bible now, so I have more time and energy to do this. If people want to contribute, that is fine but not required. We only have one church account, for Bethany Lutheran Church, which is registered for non-profit status.

I am not sure how all this will develop, but I am happy to provide the basics of Biblical doctrine, following the examples of Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon, and Martin Chemnitz. We will have discussion opportunities in the future. Picking times will be a challenge, but each session will be recorded and saved first on Ichabod and also on the Reformation Seminary blog.

I plan on teaching Thursday, March 21st, 2024. I will send notices and the basics by Zoom email. I am looking forward to the experience. 

Lectures will not be any longer than 30 minutes, and discussions may follow.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Palm Sunday Epistle Sermon - "Paul’s words are chosen, not as an apology for Christ, but as a severe rebuke for those who arrogate to themselves the form of God against the protest of conscience that it is not their own but stolen."

 

Epistle Sermon for Palm Sunday ->Complete Epistle Sermon Here

Paul’s words are chosen, not as an apology for Christ, but as a severe rebuke for those who arrogate to themselves the form of God against the protest of conscience that it is not their own but stolen. The apostle would show how infinitely Christ differs from them, and that the divine form they would take by theft is Christ’s by right.

13. Paul does not use this expression, however, when he refers to Christ’s assumption of the servant form which is his, not by nature, but by assumption. The words produce the impression that Christ took by force something not his own. Paul should be expected to say: “He held it not robbery to assume the form of a servant.” Why should he rather have chosen that form of expression in the first instance, since Christ did not assume the divine form, but possessed it as his very own — yes, laid it aside and assumed a form foreign to his nature? The substance of the matter is that he who becomes a servant does not and cannot assume anything, but only gives, giving even himself. Hence there is no warrant here to speak of robbery or of a disposition to look upon the matter in this light.

On the other hand, assumption of the divine form necessarily involves taking, and altogether precludes giving. Hence there is warrant to speak of robbery in this connection, and of men who so view it. But this charge cannot be brought against Christ. He does not render himself guilty of robbery, nor does he so view his relation, as all others must do. Divinity is his by right, and so is its appropriate form a birthright.

14. Thus, it seems to me, this text very clearly teaches that to have divine form is simply to assume in regard to others, in word and deed, the bearing of God and Lord; and that Christ meets this test in the miraculous signs and life-giving words, as the Gospels contend. He does not rank with the saints who lack the divine essence; he has, in addition to divine form, the divine essence and nature. On the other hand, the servant, or servile, form implies acting toward others, in word and deed, like a servant. Thus Christ did when he served the disciples and gave himself for us. But he served not as the saints, who are servants by nature. Service was, with him, something assumed for our benefit and as an example for us to follow, teaching us to act in like manner toward others, to disrobe ourselves of the appearance of divinity as he did, as we shall see.

15. Unquestionably, then, Paul proclaims Christ true God. Had he been mere man, what would have been the occasion for saying that he became like a man and was found in the fashion of other men? and that he assumed the form of a servant though he was in form divine? Where would be the sense in my saying to you, “You are like a man, are made in the fashion of a man, and take upon yourself the form of a servant”? You would think I was mocking you, and might appropriately reply: “I am glad you regard me as a man; I was wondering if I were an ox or a wolf. Are you mad or foolish?” Would not that be the natural rejoinder to such a foolish statement? Now, Paul not being foolish, nor being guilty of foolish speech, there truly must have been something exalted and divine about Christ. For when the apostle declares that he was made like unto other men, though the fact of his being human is undisputed, he simply means that the man Christ was God, and could, even in his humanity, have borne himself as divine. But this is precisely what he did not do; he refrained: he disrobed himself of his divinity and bore himself as a mere man like others.