All Time10,999,920Views Ichabod
ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED - explores the Age of Apostasy, predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, to attack Objective Faithless Justification, Church Growth Clowns, and their ringmasters. The antidote to these poisons is trusting the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Isaiah 55:8ff. Romans 10. Most readers are WELS, LCMS, ELS, or ELCA. This blog also covers the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the Left-wing, National Council of Churches denominations.
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Justification by Faith - How Many Are the Ways To Attack the Gospel?
These are just a few of the ways to attack the Gospel
1. A dedicated Lutheran layman asks the district pope about the official truths of the LCMS. The district pope says - "Your unkind accusations betray the fact that you are NOT a Christian. I have answered you with direct quotes from the Holy Bible which you persistently dismiss, again showing you are NOT a Christian but are rather a person who mocks and rejects God's Holy Word! The entire world is forgiven IN CHRIST, since God does NOT IMPUTE THEIR TRESPASSES unto them (in Christ)."
2. The Faithless Walther Four embraces the latest NIV Bible and ridicules the KJV. NIV Romans 3:22b - "There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
NIV Romans 3:22a This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. (The NIV footnote h should be "by faith of Jesus..." - which is too deep for the Faithless Four Waltherians. They seem to teach Justification by Faith in verse 22a, but invent Objective Justification in verse 24 - "all are justified" by adding "all".
3. The St. Louis seminary professor converted himself into a Roman Catholic, and yet the Faithless Four glory in the ridiculousness of Edward Preuss' Objective Justification reveries.
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| Can any literate person read this garbage without laughing? |
4. Can we count the endless WELS essays on Objective Faithless Justification? "
"There are currently over 4400 essays, 60 audio essays, and 14 videos online."
The WELS Faithless Essay Files on Objective Justification currently number more than 770 items.
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Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Trinity 8 - "Hence there is no judge upon the earth in spiritual things concerning Christian doctrine, except the person who has in his heart the true faith, whether it be a man or woman, young or old, maid Or servant, learned or unlearned. For God is no respecter of persons, since all are alike precious to him, who live according to his commandments, Acts 10:34, hence they alone have the right to judge."
Luther's Sermons - Matthew 7:15-23.
Eighth Sunday after Trinity, First Sermon
11. Therefore you must come so far as to say: This is true, no man shall persuade me differently. When you hear: Thou shalt not kill; and again: Thou shalt do to others as you would have them do to you; then you must know in the face of all councils, that this is the teaching of Christ, although all men said otherwise. So also this doctrine: You cannot help yourself, but Christ is your Savior, who has obtained for you the forgiveness of your sins; this you must know and confess in your heart that it is true; and if you are not conscious of it, then you have no faith, and the Word only hangs about your ears and swims on your tongue like foam on water, as Hosea the prophet says, Hosea 10:7: “As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the waters.” All this you must now believe, not as a word that Peter preached, but that God has commanded you to believe. All this I say therefore, in order that we may return to the Gospel and observe where the foundation has its source, that ye must be judges, and have the power to judge over all things that are offered you; hence I can and dare not build on any man, for I must answer for myself when death comes.
12. Consequently do not allow yourselves to be persuaded that you must believe what the Pope says or the councils decree. When you know God, then you have the proper rule of judgment, the measure and rule by which you can judge all the doctrines of the fathers; namely, when you know that Christ is your Savior, who rules us sinners. So when one now comes and says: You must become a monk, and do so and so, if you want to be saved, for faith alone is not sufficient for salvation; then you can truly and assuredly say: You lie, your doctrine is false; for whoever believes in Christ shall be saved. Who teaches you this? Faith in your heart, which believes this alone and nothing else. Therefore no one can beware of false doctrine unless he be spiritual. For Paul says this in 1 Corinthians 2:15: “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” So no one can judge false doctrine, but the spiritual man.
13. Hence it is very foolish for the councils to wish to determine and establish what a man must believe, when there is often not a single man present who ever tasted the least of the divine Spirit. So it was in the Council of Nice, when they undertook to enact laws for the spiritual orders that they should not marry, which was all false because it has no foundation in the Word of God. Then a single man arose, by the name of Paphnutius, and overthrew the whole affair and said: Not so, that is not Christian. Then the entire council, in which undoubtedly were many distinguished and learned individuals, were compelled to drop the resolution, and give. way to this simple and honest man. For God is a great enemy to high titles and human wisdom, hence he allows them at times to be handled roughly, and puts them to shame in their speculations, that the truth of the proverb may appear: The learned are the most perverted.
14. Thus we are to remain free judges, to have the power to decide and judge, to accept or reject everything that the Pope establishes and the councils determine. But when we accept anything, we should so accept it, that it harmonizes with our faith and the Scriptures; and not just because the Papists say it. This St. Paul teaches in Romans 12:7’ “Whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith.” For all prophecy based on works, that does not lead to Christ alone as our only comfort, precious as it may be, is not according to the proportion of faith; as for instance to rely upon the revelations of hobgoblins, the mass, pilgrimages, fastings and the merits of saints.
Even here so many holy fathers have erred like Gregory, Augustine and others, in that they take from us this right of judgment, for this torment and misery began far back in history, that we must believe the Pope and the councils. Hence you must be able to say: God said this, and that God has not said. As soon as you say: A man has said this, or the councils have determined that, then you are building on sand.
15. Hence there is no judge upon the earth in spiritual things concerning Christian doctrine, except the person who has in his heart the true faith, whether it be a man or woman, young or old, maid Or servant, learned or unlearned. For God is no respecter of persons, since all are alike precious to him, who live according to his commandments, Acts 10:34, hence they alone have the right to judge.
12. Consequently do not allow yourselves to be persuaded that you must believe what the Pope says or the councils decree. When you know God, then you have the proper rule of judgment, the measure and rule by which you can judge all the doctrines of the fathers; namely, when you know that Christ is your Savior, who rules us sinners. So when one now comes and says: You must become a monk, and do so and so, if you want to be saved, for faith alone is not sufficient for salvation; then you can truly and assuredly say: You lie, your doctrine is false; for whoever believes in Christ shall be saved. Who teaches you this? Faith in your heart, which believes this alone and nothing else. Therefore no one can beware of false doctrine unless he be spiritual. For Paul says this in 1 Corinthians 2:15: “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” So no one can judge false doctrine, but the spiritual man.
13. Hence it is very foolish for the councils to wish to determine and establish what a man must believe, when there is often not a single man present who ever tasted the least of the divine Spirit. So it was in the Council of Nice, when they undertook to enact laws for the spiritual orders that they should not marry, which was all false because it has no foundation in the Word of God. Then a single man arose, by the name of Paphnutius, and overthrew the whole affair and said: Not so, that is not Christian. Then the entire council, in which undoubtedly were many distinguished and learned individuals, were compelled to drop the resolution, and give. way to this simple and honest man. For God is a great enemy to high titles and human wisdom, hence he allows them at times to be handled roughly, and puts them to shame in their speculations, that the truth of the proverb may appear: The learned are the most perverted.
14. Thus we are to remain free judges, to have the power to decide and judge, to accept or reject everything that the Pope establishes and the councils determine. But when we accept anything, we should so accept it, that it harmonizes with our faith and the Scriptures; and not just because the Papists say it. This St. Paul teaches in Romans 12:7’ “Whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith.” For all prophecy based on works, that does not lead to Christ alone as our only comfort, precious as it may be, is not according to the proportion of faith; as for instance to rely upon the revelations of hobgoblins, the mass, pilgrimages, fastings and the merits of saints.
Even here so many holy fathers have erred like Gregory, Augustine and others, in that they take from us this right of judgment, for this torment and misery began far back in history, that we must believe the Pope and the councils. Hence you must be able to say: God said this, and that God has not said. As soon as you say: A man has said this, or the councils have determined that, then you are building on sand.
15. Hence there is no judge upon the earth in spiritual things concerning Christian doctrine, except the person who has in his heart the true faith, whether it be a man or woman, young or old, maid Or servant, learned or unlearned. For God is no respecter of persons, since all are alike precious to him, who live according to his commandments, Acts 10:34, hence they alone have the right to judge.
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago - ELCA - Is Grooving with Presbyterian's McCormick Seminary Move
“We were ahead of the curve in theological education in our understanding of the economic impact of real estate for religious-affiliated institutions by selling our property, eliminating debt, and combining with longtime facility partners — the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and the Catholic Theological Union,” said Crawford. Among his other accomplishments, Crawford fostered and expanded a diverse, cross-cultural organization that has long been a historic priority for the institution, and firmly established McCormick’s presence and created goodwill in the community through the Theological Certificate program at Chicago’s Cook County Jail, the Center for Reparatory Justice, Transformation, and Remediation, and his leadership on the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago.
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| Now the two seminaries, LSTC and McCormick, had to sell their property to pay off loans and waddle off to a Catholic center to rent space there. How the mighty are fallen! |
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| LSTC was being built and staffed while Christina and I were completing Augustana College in Rock Island, which sent the Augustana Seminary faculty to join the LSTC merger. The dominoes have been falling ever since. Absorbing six Lutheran seminaries and joining McCormick (Presbyterian Church-USA) ended with the dud-duo selling off their buildings to rent from the Catholics. Wiping tears of joy from my gimlet eyes, I wonder if my sainted intern supervisor would say, "What's NEXT!" |
Old Testament scholar and Princeton Professor Jacqueline Lapsley. In 2023, Lapsley became the first female president of Union Presbyterian Seminary of Richmond, Va. | Screengrab: YouTube/Union Presbyterian Seminary
Historic Presbyterian seminary elects first female president
A seminary in Virginia affiliated with the largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States has elected the first female president in its 200-plus year history.
The Board of Trustees of Union Presbyterian Seminary of Richmond, a Presbyterian Church (USA) seminary that traces its origins back to 1812, voted last month to elect Princeton Theological Seminary Professor Jacqueline Lapsley as its new president. She will take office on July 1.
In an interview with The Christian Post, Lapsley said that while it "feels wonderful to be called" as the first female president of Union, she does not "spend a lot of time pondering those 'firsts.'"
Listen Up! - Ye Faithless Walther Four - LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic).
Jesus, Paul, And All Scriptures Condemn You!
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| The papal tiara, modeled by Pope John 23, was replaced by the humble bishop's mitre. |
"For God is a great enemy to high titles and human wisdom, hence he allows them at times to be handled roughly, and puts them to shame in their speculations, that the truth of the proverb may appear: The learned are the most perverted." Luther's Sermons, Trinity 8.
The Pope, denominations, and all Lutheran sects decree from Vatican Hill - "God's Word is whatever we conjure up."
The Three-Year Lectionary came from Vatican II, which was only an embellishment and continuance of Vatican I, 1868-70, when the Pope and his minions were declared infallible. Today, the Pope's lectionary is used by ELCA, LCMS, WELS, and the micro-sects.
Some will shout or say, "The three-year lectionary is from the Scriptures! Are you opposed to the Word of God?!"
My answer is "Not at all. But you cannot tolerate the King James, the only one using the Traditional New Testament text. Therefore, every reading in the Antichrist's lectionary erases and corrupts verses as their toy, their game, their racket."
They corrupt the resurrection of Jesus in Mark 16:9-20, which is scuppered by adding a break after Mark 16:8 or verses 9-20 dropped into a footnote to portray weakness. The sacred Otten-Beck Bible does the same.
Part Two - Barth, Bultmann, Pieper, Tillich, Braaten-Jenson - ad nauseum - And the Antichrist Lutheran Synods
Most people have not read from the list of dogmaticians above, a blessing. Someone should edit a Dummies book describing them all in one slender, folksy volume. They are the font and the Spindletop of all the moderns. Braaten-Jenson even published a book called Mary the Mother of God.
The dogmaticians pile up their ideas and footnotes, dancing around with various notions they want to promote, destroy, or ignore. No matter what people guess, the goal is a big fat set of books that impress and make money.
Lost in this carnival is the efficacy of the Word of God and faith in Jesus Christ. The theologians, clownish Biblical scholars, and seminary professors are united by their common apostasy. They might have begun as believers, but they can only succeed as skeptics who mock the Scriptures and encourage the mockery.
The Walther Four managers (they are not leaders) fulminate when anyone dares to teach clearly the Bible and Justification by Faith. They are the mini-popes, Antichrists in the plural, who rage against the Gospel while disparaging the Gospel.
KJV 1 John 2:18 - Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
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| The Vatican Audience Hall features a statue of Christ that looks like a demon. |
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| The Vatican Audience Hall looks like the inside of a serpent - how revealing! |
Reformation Seminar Lecture - Creation's Super Stew - A Daily Feast
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| Donuts have all the fattening products in one - sugar, flour, fats, and a tiny bit of seasoning. |
YouTube
[GJ - I don't know what happened to do this with the video. I did have a problem getting the video started, but I thought it was OK.]
A listener - name withheld - asked that I describe Creation's Super Stew to help people change into a much healthier plan for eating. Diets do not work and crash diets end with binges exceeding the previous weight.
This is a step by step stew for lunch based on the wonders of Creation and a little meat.
I use a two-quart sauce pan, garbanzo (chick pea) beans, greens, walnuts, onions and green/red peppers, sausage slices, tomato paste, and blue berries.
Chickpea beans are the best in cost and loaded with a wide range.
1. Heat filtered water on the stove, stir stainless steel regularly to avoid burned spots.
2. Blueberries are a super-food and low in sugar. They are anti-cancer.
3. I place sliced sausage into the brew early for flavor and some meat. Charlie Sue supervises and gets her share.
4. I use a lot of spices next - turmeric, ground black pepper, cinnamon, Italian seasoning, allspice, cardamom, cumin, mustard powder, curry, etc. I no longer have a museum of tiny, unused bottles. Large ones cost almost the same amount as the tiny bottles.
5. Chopped frozen greens are loaded with nutrition if mustard is added to energize the nutrients. The best one for health is chopped kale. Other greens are spinach, turnip greens, collards, etc. Beans and greens satisfy hunger while processed foods, desserts, salt, and fats generate more craving and poor health.
6. Raw walnuts or almonds produce heavy (good) cholesterol which removes the dangerous light cholesterol.
7. Red and green peppers with onions help the mix of plant benefits.
8. This combination of plants mixed together with nuts, spices, and seeds will cover a wide spectrum of nutrition, many still being discovered.
9. Charlie Sue and I have fruit for breakfast and supper. I enjoy bananas, apples, pears, pineapple, oranges, etc.
Diets do not work, because anyone can stop eating lots of fats, sugars, salt, and bread. The cravings double and arrive like Alabama tackles. It is better to slowly give up useless calories and replace them with the Creator's nutrition
Daily Luther Sermon Quote - “And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling; and my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:3-5
Luther's Sermons - Matthew 7:15-23.
Eighth Sunday after Trinity, First Sermon
7. For when you are about to die, and you rely on the Pope and the councils and say: The Pope said this, the councils have resolved that, the holy fathers Augustine and Ambrose have thus determined, then the devil can easily put a hole in your drum and insinuate: What if this were false?
What if they had erred? And when such a temptation enters your mind, you are already overcome For this reason you must act conscientiously, so that you can boldly and defiantly say: This is God’s Word, on this I will risk body and life, and a thousand necks, if I had so many.
This St. Peter also means when he says in his first Epistle 1 Peter 4:11: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.” And St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:3-5: “And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling; and my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
8. Then they began to say: Yes, but how can we know what is God’s Word, and what is right or wrong? This we must learn from the Pope and the councils. Very well then, let them conclude and say what they please, yet I will reply, you cannot put your confidence in that nor thus satisfy your conscience, for you must determine this matter yourself, for your very life depends upon it. Therefore God must speak to your heart: This is God’s Word; otherwise you are undecided.
9. But our bishops, Caiaphas, Pilate and Herod insist upon it and rage so terribly, that a person must think them insane. They bring forth St. Augustine’s declaration: I would not believe the Gospel, if the honor of the church did not move me; and think they have already won. Then you answer: What does it concern us whether St. Augustine or Jerome, St. Peter or St. Paul, or even the archangel Gabriel from heaven, who is still greater, said it; yet it will profit me nothing, for I must have God’s Word, I will only hear what God says.
10. And God commands this Word to be told you through men, and especially has he permitted it to be proclaimed and written for you by the Apostles; for St. Peter and St. Paul do not preach their own word, but God’s Word, as Paul himself testifies in 1 Thessalonians 2:13: “When ye receive the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” Surely, a person can preach the Word to me, but no one is able to put it into my heart except God alone, who must speak to the heart, or all is vain; for when he is silent, the Word is not spoken. Hence no one shall draw me from the Word which God teaches me.
Of this I must be as certain as two and three make five, for this is so certain, that if all the councils would say otherwise, I know they lie. Again, that a yard is longer than a half a yard is certain, even though all the world denied it, I still know that it cannot be otherwise. Who shall determine this for me? No one but the truth alone, which is so entirely and wholly certain, that no one can deny it.
What if they had erred? And when such a temptation enters your mind, you are already overcome For this reason you must act conscientiously, so that you can boldly and defiantly say: This is God’s Word, on this I will risk body and life, and a thousand necks, if I had so many.
This St. Peter also means when he says in his first Epistle 1 Peter 4:11: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.” And St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:3-5: “And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling; and my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
8. Then they began to say: Yes, but how can we know what is God’s Word, and what is right or wrong? This we must learn from the Pope and the councils. Very well then, let them conclude and say what they please, yet I will reply, you cannot put your confidence in that nor thus satisfy your conscience, for you must determine this matter yourself, for your very life depends upon it. Therefore God must speak to your heart: This is God’s Word; otherwise you are undecided.
9. But our bishops, Caiaphas, Pilate and Herod insist upon it and rage so terribly, that a person must think them insane. They bring forth St. Augustine’s declaration: I would not believe the Gospel, if the honor of the church did not move me; and think they have already won. Then you answer: What does it concern us whether St. Augustine or Jerome, St. Peter or St. Paul, or even the archangel Gabriel from heaven, who is still greater, said it; yet it will profit me nothing, for I must have God’s Word, I will only hear what God says.
10. And God commands this Word to be told you through men, and especially has he permitted it to be proclaimed and written for you by the Apostles; for St. Peter and St. Paul do not preach their own word, but God’s Word, as Paul himself testifies in 1 Thessalonians 2:13: “When ye receive the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” Surely, a person can preach the Word to me, but no one is able to put it into my heart except God alone, who must speak to the heart, or all is vain; for when he is silent, the Word is not spoken. Hence no one shall draw me from the Word which God teaches me.
Of this I must be as certain as two and three make five, for this is so certain, that if all the councils would say otherwise, I know they lie. Again, that a yard is longer than a half a yard is certain, even though all the world denied it, I still know that it cannot be otherwise. Who shall determine this for me? No one but the truth alone, which is so entirely and wholly certain, that no one can deny it.
Monday, July 15, 2024
From Christian Post -Third Gay Bishop - Starting To Brazenly Tally the Count,
Just Like ELCA
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| They are emptying their own pews. |
UMC elects third openly gay bishop; first since UMC changed rules
"A regional body of The United Methodist Church has its third openly gay bishop, the first since the mainline Protestant denomination changed its rules to allow noncelibate homosexuals to be ordained.
The Rev. Kristin Stoneking, a United Methodist studies professor at the Pacific School of Religion, was elected a bishop by the UMC Western Jurisdiction at their meeting held last week in Spokane, Washington.
Stoneking was elected on the 11th ballot, receiving 65 votes out of 94 valid ballots cast. For that ballot, she needed to receive at least 63 votes, according to UM News. Her term of service begins on Sept. 1.
The Rev. Kristin Stoneking speaks after being elected bishop by The United Methodist Church Western Jurisdiction on July 12, 2024, in Spokane, Washington. She has become the third bishop elected in the UMC who is in a same-sex marriage. | Screengrab/YouTube/Western Jurisdiction of the UMC
Stoneking is the third person in a same-sex marriage to be elected bishop by the Western Jurisdiction, as the regional body had previously elected Bishop Karen Oliveto in 2016 and Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth in 2022, both in defiance of the denomination’s rules prohibiting the ordination of noncelibate gay clergy.
Although Oliveto’s election was declared invalid by The United Methodist Judicial Council, the denomination’s highest court, in 2017, Oliveto remained in her position.
Additionally, a UMC pastor filed a complaint against the election of Bridgeforth shortly after he became a bishop, arguing that it undermined “all United Methodist clergy who uphold the highest ideals of the Christian life” and said it “sends a confusing message about the meaning of marriage to the community and potential parishioners."
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WELS is catching up quickly on the gay issue. Their only college promoted all genders years ago, because the synod wanted the federal blessing for student loans, which are juice for their failing cult.
Time of Grace has been pan-Lutheran all along, which is fitting for future pastors who act out gay stuff in videos and in their abusive initiation rights.
Daily Luther Sermon Quotes - Trinity 8 - "As though he would say: Now you have heard the truth, from henceforth therefore beware of other doctrines. For it is certain that false teachers and false prophets will arise wherever this Word is preached."
Luther's Sermons - Matthew 7:15-23.
Eighth Sunday after Trinity, First Sermon
TEXT:
KJV 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
PART 1. CONCERNING ANGER.
1. As the Lord in the three previous chapters, the 5th, 6th and 7th, explains the commandments of God, he finally concludes with these words: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them,” v. 12. This is a Christian doctrine, and the sum total of all Christianity. Immediately follows this Gospel lesson, in which the Lord exercises the office of a good shepherd and teacher, and warns us to beware of false prophets. As though he would say: Now you have heard the truth, from henceforth therefore beware of other doctrines. For it is certain that false teachers and false prophets will arise wherever this Word is preached.
2. We must boldly consider the two kinds of doctrine, the true and good, and the false and erroneous, and that they will always accompany each other, for thus it has been from the beginning, and thus it will continue to the end of the world. Hence it will not do for us to creep along in silence, and resort to a safe and secure manner of life. The evil teachings of men and the doctrines of devils, and all our enemies oppose us without ceasing, and hence we dare not think that the issue is settled. We are not yet across the river. Therefore the Lord diligently warns us and says: “Beware of false, prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
3. We should well consider this passage, for Christ our Lord here commands and gives all Christians the power to be judges of all doctrine, and he gives them power to judge what is right and what is not right. It is now well on a thousand years that this passage has been perverted by false Christians, so that we have had no power to judge, but had to accept what the Pope and the councils determined, without any judgment of our own.
4. Now this Gospel here overthrows the very foundation of popery and of all councils, for we are not bound to keep what the Pope commands and men decree. Therefore I say again, firmly grasp what this Gospel teaches, for the authority has never been given either to the Pope or councils, or anyone else, to sit and determine what is faith. For Christ says: “Beware of false prophets.” Either the Gospel lies, or the Pope and the councils do.
Christ says we have the right to judge all doctrines, and whatever is proposed for us to keep or to reject. Here the Lord does not speak to the Pope, but to all Christians. And as the doctrine is proclaimed to all: “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do even so to them;” so likewise the words exclude no one: “Beware of false prophets.” From which it clearly follows that I may indeed judge of the doctrine.
5. Hence I can say: Pope, you together with the councils have resolved, and now I have to decide whether I may accept it or not. Why? Because you will not stand and answer for me when I die, but I must see to it myself how I stand before God, so that I may be certain of my fate.
6. For you must be so certain in regard to the matter, that it is God’s Word, as certain and more certain than you are that you are living, for on this alone your conscience must rest. Even though all men should come, yea, even the angels and all the world, and pass a resolution, if you cannot grasp it and decide for yourself, you are lost; for you dare not base your decision on the Pope or anyone else; you must yourself be prepared so that you can say: this God says, and that he does not say; this is right, and that is wrong, otherwise it is not possible for you to stand.
1. As the Lord in the three previous chapters, the 5th, 6th and 7th, explains the commandments of God, he finally concludes with these words: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them,” v. 12. This is a Christian doctrine, and the sum total of all Christianity. Immediately follows this Gospel lesson, in which the Lord exercises the office of a good shepherd and teacher, and warns us to beware of false prophets. As though he would say: Now you have heard the truth, from henceforth therefore beware of other doctrines. For it is certain that false teachers and false prophets will arise wherever this Word is preached.
2. We must boldly consider the two kinds of doctrine, the true and good, and the false and erroneous, and that they will always accompany each other, for thus it has been from the beginning, and thus it will continue to the end of the world. Hence it will not do for us to creep along in silence, and resort to a safe and secure manner of life. The evil teachings of men and the doctrines of devils, and all our enemies oppose us without ceasing, and hence we dare not think that the issue is settled. We are not yet across the river. Therefore the Lord diligently warns us and says: “Beware of false, prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
3. We should well consider this passage, for Christ our Lord here commands and gives all Christians the power to be judges of all doctrine, and he gives them power to judge what is right and what is not right. It is now well on a thousand years that this passage has been perverted by false Christians, so that we have had no power to judge, but had to accept what the Pope and the councils determined, without any judgment of our own.
4. Now this Gospel here overthrows the very foundation of popery and of all councils, for we are not bound to keep what the Pope commands and men decree. Therefore I say again, firmly grasp what this Gospel teaches, for the authority has never been given either to the Pope or councils, or anyone else, to sit and determine what is faith. For Christ says: “Beware of false prophets.” Either the Gospel lies, or the Pope and the councils do.
Christ says we have the right to judge all doctrines, and whatever is proposed for us to keep or to reject. Here the Lord does not speak to the Pope, but to all Christians. And as the doctrine is proclaimed to all: “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do even so to them;” so likewise the words exclude no one: “Beware of false prophets.” From which it clearly follows that I may indeed judge of the doctrine.
5. Hence I can say: Pope, you together with the councils have resolved, and now I have to decide whether I may accept it or not. Why? Because you will not stand and answer for me when I die, but I must see to it myself how I stand before God, so that I may be certain of my fate.
6. For you must be so certain in regard to the matter, that it is God’s Word, as certain and more certain than you are that you are living, for on this alone your conscience must rest. Even though all men should come, yea, even the angels and all the world, and pass a resolution, if you cannot grasp it and decide for yourself, you are lost; for you dare not base your decision on the Pope or anyone else; you must yourself be prepared so that you can say: this God says, and that he does not say; this is right, and that is wrong, otherwise it is not possible for you to stand.
Sunday, July 14, 2024
Has Anyone Else Noticed That the Faithless Walther Four -
LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) - Are So Much Like ELCA?
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| Moldstad (ELS) has gone to his reward. Schroeder (WELS) is near retirement. Liz Eaton (ELCA) just got over six months - leave of absence - and Harrison (LCMS) has kept up with Eaton's impressive weight gain. Together they have destroyed more churches than the Chicago Fire. |
"Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans." The leaders have chased after the fool's gold of Church Growth and Irrevocable Annuities. The faster the congregations fold, the greater the use of that equity for the greedy, overfed executives.
If they would humble themselves before the King James Version and Luther's Works, they would not be drinking toasts to each other in Pasadena, or consuming vast quantities of deluxe restaurant food everywhere else.
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| "Let not your hides be chapped." |
How exactly are LCMS, WELS, and the ELS different from ELCA?
Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.
Trinity 7 - 2024. We Work Faith, To Believe on Him - God Worries
Bethany Lutheran Church
Springdale, Arkansas
Holy Communion, 10 AM Central
Pastor Gregory Jackson
YouTube
The melodies are linked in the hymn title.
The lyrics are linked from the Bethany Hymnal Blog.
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
Introit
Oh, clap your hands, all ye people!
Shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
Psalm. He shall subdue the people under us:
and the nations under our feet.
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
O God, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth, we humbly beseech Thee to put away from us all hurtful things and to give us those things which be profitable for us; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth, etc.
Gradual
Come, ye children, hearken unto me:
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
V. Look unto Him and be lightened:
and let your faces not be ashamed. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. Oh, clap your hands, all ye people:
shout unto God with the voice of triumph. Hallelujah!
The Epistle
KJV Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
KJV Mark 8:1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, 2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: 3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. 4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? 5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. 6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. 7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. 8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. 9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.
The Nicene Creed p. 22
We Work Faith - God Worries
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 #577 God Bless Our Native Land
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 #577 God Bless Our Native Land
Announcements and Prayers
- We pray for President Trump and the innocent bystanders who were injured or killed yesterday.
- Pastor and Mrs. Jim Shrader - 41st wedding anniversary July 10th.
- Christina Jackson's birthday remembered, July 20th.
- Glen and Esther Kotten's second anniversary is upcoming July 22nd.
- Alicia Meyer's birthday, July 27th.
- Medical care - Kermit Way; Pastor and Mrs. Shrader; Sarah Buck; Lorie Howell; Norma Boeckler; those dealing with metabolic and stress disorders.
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Lord God, heavenly Father, who in the wilderness didst by Thy Son abundantly feed four thousand men besides women and children with seven loaves and a few small fishes: We beseech Thee, graciously abide among us with Thy blessing, and keep us from covetousness and the cares of this life, that we may seek first Thy kingdom and Thy righteousness, and in all things needful for body and soul, experience Thine ever-present help; through Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
We Work Faith- God Worries
KJV Mark 8:1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, 2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: 3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
The sermon title is taken from Luther's ironic summary of this feeding of the multitude. They traveled away from their homes, because they were drawn by the power of Jesus' preaching. They had faith in Him because they heard Jesus speaking God's Word rather than clinging to the laws of the scribes and Pharisees.
When the disciples sought to understand, Jesus said in John 6.
27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
What did this enormous group of people do? They followed Him to the point of starvation. They could be near a water source, but that was nothing when they had no more food and water was not enough. We were driving north in Arizona when I realized we were very short on fuel. Finding a town was difficult enough, bright gasoline signs were present but abandoned. The feeling of dread built up...and finally a little town showed up with a working gas station. People may not be lost on a desert highway, but they can be terrified of the unknown.
Jesus had compassion for the thousands of people.
1 Peter 5: 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Our human weakness is to be overflowing with care, but it is God's nature to care for us.
Jesus explained to the disciples,
- The crowd has nothing to eat, after three days following Him.
- They have nothing left to eat.
- If they go home now, they will collapse from hunger.
- Many came from a long distance.
His disciples pointed out that the resources were not there.
4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy thesemen with bread here in the wilderness?
So they were saying that feeding the multitude was impossible, just as skeptics, rationalists, Objective Faithless Justification gurus, and seminary professors do now. Bethany Lutheran Church started in a rental hall in New Ulm, where we were not welcome. We found land, but we had no money. Mortgage money was offered, much to the shock of others, and we soon had hymnals, an organ, chairs, and a do-it-yourself chapel. The building materials were provided from out of town gifts.
4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? 5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.
This is a case of the disciples worrying rather than having faith in God Himself, Creator of the Universe. The work of God is faith in Jesus Christ, Who - throned in glory - deals with us through His angels.
My friend in the doctoral program at Notre Dame was an expert on angels in the Bible, writing a 300 page dissertation on the topic. Our supervisor would not even look at it, since the professor was a Tillich-Barth fan. He was distressed over his daughter's extreme disabilities and his lack of income. Christina and I said, "You are not getting help dealing with your daughter's disabilities?" We explained the process and some days later, Charlie came into the lounge area and knelt before Christina. He was overwhelmed with joy. His daughter would be supported and he could finish the PhD. He was worried sick and despairing.
The Good Shepherd provided. KJV Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.
Jesus gave thanks to God, broke the bread, and gave the loaves to the disciples to distribute. Seven loaves would not go far, yet they multiplied. That abundance is not only real but also a stumbling block to those drunk on human reason. They throw out the excuses and dismiss the power of God. They reject God in favor of other gods.
7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. 8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.
Jesus blessed the fish as well, which meant that the famished followers were not only given bread to satisfy their hunger but a bonus of protein and oil to give them energy on their journey back. So people ask today, "Why did the disciples question how a little food could help the 4,000?" There were many miracles, which were aimed at the present, to encourage the disciples and early believers, and the future, for us. And we fall into the same doubts about what God can do and where we are going ultimately.
9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.
Many empires rose and fell between the time of Christ and us. The Romans did not realize that they were at the peak of power - as an empire - falling apart slowly, only to shut down when the Eastern Greek Empire fell apart - Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453.
Our Founders were very rise about the future, seeing so many problems in the kingdoms of that world. Britain went to war to keep America as a vassal state, paying taxes, taking away the guns and rifles of the citizens. That is why the Second Amendment is so high on the list of inalienable rights. Inalienable means that no one has the right to take them way - ever. No Congress or state or local government can take way something inherently ours.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people tokeep and bear Arms , shall not be infringed.
What people do not value will be taken away by force, over time. so we must continue in the virtues established by our Founding Fathers.
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