Wednesday, October 16, 2024

The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity - 2024. The Marriage of the Bridegroom

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Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, "Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen."

Bethany Lutheran Church, 7PM Central Daylight Time

The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity - 2024

The Hymn #264 Preserve Thy Word, O Savior

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual

The Gospel

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

The Sermon Hymn #261 Lord, Keep Us Steadfast

The Groom Is Jesus, the Bride Is the Believing Church

The Communion Hymn # 246 Holy, Holy, Holy

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 # 309 O Jesus Blessed Lord

Norma A. Boeckler

Prayers and Announcements

The flowers on the altar are in honor of Alec and Lori's wedding anniversary and Alec's birthday.

In our prayers - Sarah Buck, Dr. Kermit Way, Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris, Doc Lito Cruz and his grandson.

Three days of mail - stolen from the parsonage. The police are investigating. Do not mail anything until a PO Box is established.

KJV Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

KJV Matthew 22:1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Twentieth Sunday After Trinity

Lord God, heavenly Father: We thank Thee, that of Thy great mercy Thou hast called us by Thy holy word to the blessed marriage-feast of Thy Son, and through Him dost forgive us all our sins; but, being daily beset by temptation, offense, and danger, and being weak in ourselves and given to sin, we beseech Thee graciously to protect us by Thy Holy Spirit, that we fall not; and if we fall and defile our wedding-garment, with which Thy Son hath clothed us, graciously help us again and lead us to repentance, that we fall not forever; preserve in us a constant faith in Thy grace, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

The Groom and the Believing Bride

This is one of those parables where the people can say, "Wha-a-a-a-t?" But it makes perfect sense in this story. As I have said before, when there is a challenge to write a very short story that makes sense, teachers dare writers to accomplish that feat, let alone, making it powerful and lasting. And this parable is not for the superficial who want to make a joke out it and declare how silly it is.

Simply put, the Groom is the Son of God. The King is God the Father. The Bride is the Believing Church. Let's not flit around with which denomination, which country, which bishops, popes, and which almoners (social workers). The believing are those who trust in Jesus Christ (numbers and buildings and social approval mean nothing).

Here we have the stupendous invitation. No one finds the Christian Faith, the effective Word finds people, even baptized by water and the Word. The baby would say, "Do I have a vote on this?" No, the Spirit is placed on the baby through the Word, a definite plus for all children. However, the babies can grow up and grow indifferent, maybe because of parents, or clergy, or teachers. Many times faith in Jesus Christ will grow again for various reasons, and baptism rekindles.

The part about the invitation is natural to all of us. Someone generously gives us an invitation to a special event. Really special. I said to Christina, "Do you want to go to The Country Club?" She said, "What's the name?" I said "Thee Country Club." We got there so early that they asked if we were part of the wait staff! We were very young and these were the major senior players in Cleveland, Ohio.

This is far more important - Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. And it was that kind of gathering, with lots of good and desserts. We were ready - we went!

5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

This is the perfect parallel about the early Evangelists - Stephan (crown in Greek) preached the Gospel while he was dying. All the Apostles (except perhaps John) died from persecution. Chasing the Christians away spread the Gospel even more. In a relative short time, the Christian faith grew - not in spite of persecution but because of persecution. We do not want to hear what was done to the believers, but it was terrible and still is, around the world.

7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

We can look at world history (though most is lost) and see that vast numbers of people lost everything from wars, weather, famine, etc. Note - the murderers were murdered. Where did the believers come from, after such so much carnage involving the invite-haters?

The Gospel moved on, as it always does, and tiny groups made up pockets of believers and spread from there. Look at our own country's history. People sailed from England to get away from the Pope trying to take over (through the secretly Catholic kings) and also from witchcraft and sorcery. They wanted freedom of Faith and a country based upon God.

God said, "Let anyone come to My Feast." Luther preached on this being the Groom - Jesus loving and protecting His Bride - The Believing Church. What does the bride wish in real life? To be loved by the groom. Luther became a groom at the age of 42, prodded by his father. He adored Katy so much that he was afraid he loved her more than he loved Christ.

The King says about people available - Grab anyone you can!

10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

Those of us who do not think themselves worthy - we are not. But there is still room, so - often against our own will - we come to the feast. One pastor told me about a young husband and wife coming from the upper level class - "Good genes." I thought that was the worst way to describe anyone.

11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

What is the wedding garment of the invited guests? God knows - those who sincerely believe in Jesus Christ, who is our Teacher about God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.

As we can see from the Church Growth Movement and Objective Faithless Justification, the proper clothing is not worn. Let them talk a little (often way too much). They talk about numbers, money, importance, degrees, titles, properly, friendship with important people, all lacking faith in Jesus Christ and furious than anyone would object to their lack of faith. One LCA pastor pointed at me during a sermon as someone who was against everything he stood for. Coming down from the pulpit, he said to me among others, "I have a woman in my church who says people like you are sending her to Hell!" I said, "I believe God is the one deciding that." He went away in a huff. Several WELS pastors did the same, from their pulpits, glaring and accusing.

As Luther clearly teaches. We are all the brides of Christ, longing for His love, dwelling in His love, astonished by the wonderful gifts He gives - not material things but the fruit of the Spirit. If you feel downhearted, not worthy, alienated, just read the Gospel of John - simple words, profound meaning.

Start each day praying for forgiveness, faith in Jesus Christ. End the day with thanksgiving, all requests, guidance for the future. Name names. Each night, I name every member of our little congregation and others associated in some way. I name the various troubles they might have. And I appreciate prayers too.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Complete Epistle - "It is for these reasons God so frequently commands us in the Scriptures continually to explain and apply his Word, to hear it willingly and practice it faithfully, and to meditate upon it day and night. He would have our lives emanate from the Word in honor to God and gratitude to him — from the Word wherein we daily look as in a mirror."

Norma Boeckler

SERMONS OF MARTIN LUTHER -
TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

TEXT:

EPHESIANS 5:15-21. 15 Look therefore carefully how ye walk [See then that ye walk circumspectly], not as unwise, but as wise; 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; 19 speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.

THE CAREFUL WALK OF THE CHRISTIAN.

1. Paul’s admonition here is designed for those who, having heard the Gospel and made a fine start in believing, immediately imagine themselves secure and think they have accomplished all. Forgetful that they are still flesh and blood, and in the world and in contact with the devil’s kingdom, they live in unconcern, as if delivered from all danger, and the devil far fled.

By the very reason of their security they are overcome of the devil and their own flesh, and fall unawares from the Gospel. They have just enough connection with it to be able to prate of it, boasting themselves Christians but giving no indication of the fact in their conduct.

2. Paul would tell them how, in view of these things, vigilance is essential to the Christian life. To regulate the life by keeping God’s will ever before the eyes, always conforming the conduct to it — this he calls walking circumspectly and being wise. If you for a moment lose sight of God’s will, the devil immediately possesses you and works pernicious results, transforming a Christian into an indolent, self-secure hypocrite; a hypocrite into a heretic and factionist; and a heretic into an open enemy. So the apostle here teaches that in all seriousness if we would secure ourselves against the craft and power of the devil we must be vigilant; we must be careful how we walk. In Satan we have an enemy bent on hindering us; on undermining our very foundation.

3. Consequently they who fail to keep earnest watch over their Christian life — that is, to have a care for soundness of belief and to gladly hear and obey the Word of God — are unwise, even foolish, and have no knowledge of God’s will. They have removed the light from before their eyes to behold instead a thing of their own imagination. They see as through a painted glass, presuming they do well in following such phantoms of their reason, until they are misled and defeated of the devil.

THE WORD, THE GUIDE OF THE CHRISTIAN.

4. Therefore, not without reason does Paul warn Christians to be always wise and circumspect — to keep the Word of God before them. Upon so doing depends their wisdom and understanding. Let each one make it a matter of personal concern, and especially should it be the general interest of the congregation. Where care is not observed to retain the Word in the Church, but there are admitted to the pulpit brawlers who set forth their own fraudulent doctrines, the Church is injured; the congregation will soon be as the preacher. Again, if the individual fails to regulate his daily life — the affairs of his calling — by the Word of God; if he forgets the Word and absorbs himself in accumulating wealth; if he is tangled with secular interests, he soon becomes a cold and indolent Christian, then an erring soul, and finally utterly disregards God’s will and his Word.

It is for these reasons God so frequently commands us in the Scriptures continually to explain and apply his Word, to hear it willingly and practice it faithfully, and to meditate upon it day and night. He would have our lives emanate from the Word in honor to God and gratitude to him — from the Word wherein we daily look as in a mirror. But care and diligence are necessary to bring it to pass, and we should faithfully assist each other by instruction, advice, and in other ways.

5. In my admonitions I have often enough urged those who have influence, to use all diligence in drawing the young to school, where they may receive proper instruction to become pastors and preachers; and I have earnestly advised that in cases of necessity ample financial provision be made for students. But, alas, few communities, few States, are interested in the matter. In all Germany, look at the bishops, princes, noblemen, the inhabitants of town and country — how confidently they go on sleeping and snoring in their indifference to the question. They presume to think there is no need for action; the matter will adjust itself; there will always be pastors and preachers. But assuredly they deceive themselves if they think they are consulting their best interests in this affair; for they will, as the text says, become foolish and fail to recognize the will of God. Therefore they will some day have to experience what they do not now believe: in a few years after our day they will seek preachers and find none; they will have to hear rude, illiterate dolts who, lacking understanding of the Word of God, will, like all stupid Papists, preach the vile, offensive things of the Pope, about consecrated water and salt, about gray gowns, new monasteries and the like.

6. Cry, preach and admonish as we will, no one will hear; foreseeing which, Paul prophesies that they who observe not God’s will, become unwise, foolish, and consequently waste the day of grace and neglect their salvation. Now, it is God’s will we should sanctify his name, love and advance his Word, and so aid in building up his kingdom. When we fulfill his will in these things, he will regard our desires, providing us with daily bread and granting peace and happiness.

7. Now, it should be our chief concern to preserve to ourselves the Word and will of God. That would truly be wisdom, and redeeming the time. But failing therein, it must be with us as with the unwise and fools; we will have to hear the declaration: “Since you refuse to sanctify my name, to advance my kingdom and to do my will, neither will I provide you daily bread, nor forgive your sins, nor keep from temptation and deliver from evil.” God will then permit us to deplore the great calamities of the world — its turmoil and wickedness, the cause whereof the world attributes to the Gospel. But the punishment just mentioned must be visited upon them who will not recognize the will of God and submit to it. These, however, desire to justify themselves and are unwilling to receive censure for having conducted themselves unwisely, even foolishly.

8. So much for a general observation upon the expression “walking wisely and circumspectly”; so much upon unwise conduct in regard to matters of vital importance to the Church, which have to do with the office of the ministry and with God’s Word. Where the ministry and the Word of God are preserved, there will always be some among the masses to attend upon the preaching of the Word and to conform their lives to it. But when the Bible leaves the pulpit, little good will be accomplished, even though one here and there be able to read the Scriptures for themselves and imagine they have no need of the preached Word. Where will the untaught masses stand? Note how it has been with the poor people in our time who were misled by Munzer and Munster, and their prophets and factionists.

PUBLIC PREACHING OF THE WORD ENJOINED.

Then let everyone lend earnest effort to promote public preaching of the Word everywhere, and public attendance upon that preaching; and thus rightly to found and build up the Church. Let him also put on the wedding garment himself (mentioned in the Gospel for today); let him take care to be found an earnest advocate of the Word of God, uninfluenced by thoughts common to the secure spirit: “Oh, there are pastors and preachers enough for me. I can hear or read the Word when I please; have access to it any day. I must give first attention to bread-winning and like things. Let others look out for themselves.” Take care, my dear sir; you can easily fail by carelessness here and be found without the wedding garment, perhaps may die without it, unaware how you are being deceived. Whose fault will it be but your own since you would not hear Paul’s admonition to walk wisely and circumspectly?

9. We should make provision while the opportunity is at our doors, for, judging from the present course of the world, it will not long retain what it has. Everywhere men are diligently helping to hunt down ministers, or at least to so bring to bear upon them hunger and poverty, to so oppose them with secret fraud, as to drive them from the land. And little trouble and labor will be required to accomplish it. We shall only too soon be rid of our ministers and have their places amply supplied by deceivers. I would much rather suffer in hell with Judas the Betrayer than to bear the guilt of accomplishing one minister’s death or of being instrumental in offering place to one deceiver. For it would not be so intolerable to suffer the anguish of the betrayer of Christ as to endure that of one who, by his sin in this respect, is responsible for the loss of countless souls.

NECESSITY OF IMPROVING THE TIME.

10. Paul goes on to elaborate his admonition by explaining what it is to walk circumspectly and wisely — to “redeem the time, because the days are evil.” In other words: Think not happy days are in store for you and you may defer duty till better times; better times will never be. The devil is always in the world to hinder your every effort to do good, and his opposition increases with time. The longer you tarry, the less your power to accomplish good; wasted time only makes matters worse. Then redeem the time; grasp your opportunities as best you can. Let no interest be so dear to you as the promotion of God’s kingdom and the serving of the public in every good and useful way possible, whatever befall yourself.

11. Christ in like manner says to the Jews: “While ye have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become sons of light.” John 12:36. And Paul, after quoting from Isaiah 49:8, adds: “Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2. So his counsel in our text means: Take heed you receive not the grace of God in vain. Or, neglect not the matter of your salvation; enjoy while you may the opportunity of furthering the kingdom of God, for the sake of your own and others’ salvation. Defer not the thing to another time, lest the opportunity escape you.

Elsewhere (Galatians 6:10) the apostle says, “As we have opportunity, let us work that which is good.” In other words: Act now, while you may.

Your time passes with astonishing rapidity. Be not deceived, then, by the thought, “Oh, I can attend to the matter a year from now — two years — three.” That is simply foolish. It is an unwise conclusion of the thoughtless.

Before they are aware, they have lost the salvation extended them. They defer to consider God’s will, putting it off for a season, until they shall have accomplished their own aims; then they have deferred too long.

12. The Lord comes to your door. You do not have to seek him. If you are grateful he tarries to speak with you. But if you let him pass by you will have to complain as did the bride in Song of Solomon 5:6: “I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone … I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.” Think not you will find the Lord when he has once gone, though you traverse the world. But while he is near you may seek and find; as Isaiah says ( Isaiah 55:6), “Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found.” If through your neglect he pass by, all seeking then will be vain.

For more than twenty years in my cloister I experienced the meaning of such disappointment. I sought God with great toil and with severe mortification of the body, fasting, watching, singing and praying. In this way I shamefully wasted my time and found not the Lord. The more I sought and the nearer I thought I was to him, the farther away I got. No, God does not permit us to find him so. He must first come and seek us where we are. We may not pursue and overtake him. That is not his will.

13. Then be careful to avail yourself of the present opportunity. Embrace it while he is near, and faithfully consider what he requires of you. To ascertain this, go to the Creed and the Ten Commandments. They will tell you. Regulate your life by them. Be helped by the Lord’s Prayer. Begin with yourself; then pray for the Church. Let it be your desire that God’s name be everywhere sanctified and that your life conform to his will. If you are faithful in these things, assuredly you will walk wisely; you will avoid sin and do good. For the study and practice of these precepts will leave you no opportunity to do evil. God’s Word will soon teach you to sanctify his name, to extend his kingdom, to do your neighbor no injury in mind, body or estate.

14. Observe this is “redeeming the time.” This is employing it well, while the golden days last in which we have remission from pain and sin. Not such remission as the Pope grants in his jubilees, wherein he deceives the world. Right here let us be careful not to cheat ourselves with the false idea that salvation cannot escape us. Let it not be with us as befell the children of Israel, of whom it is said in Psalms 95:11 and Hebrews 4:3 that because of their unbelief they entered not into the rest of God. They would not accept their opportunity in the forty years wherein he gave them his Word and showed them his wonders, daily admonishing them and calling to repentance and faith. They but tempted and provoked him the more.

Hence another admonition was given the people of God and a certain day appointed: “Today if ye shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7. Every day with us is “today” and we are permitted to hear God’s voice still imploring us not to waste the time.

15. Surely we ought supremely to thank God, as the latter part of our text enjoins, for the great blessing of his nearness to us. We have his presence in our homes. He is with us at our board, by our couch — anywhere we desire him. He offers us all assistance and grants all we may ask. So gracious a guest should indeed receive our high esteem. We ought to honor him while he is with us.

16. Well may we pray, as I have said. There is too much slumbering everywhere in Germany. We cannot perceive how it is possible to preserve the Gospel and fill the pulpits for ten years longer. To such extent does wickedness rage in the world that blindness and error must sweep it as before. And no one will be to blame but the stupid bishops and princes, and those of us who esteem not the Word of God.

INGRATITUDE WILL BE PUNISHED.

Alas, that I am compelled against my will to be a prophet of ill to Germany.

Yet it is not I, but the prayer of my Lord and your Lord; for according to its teachings he will say: “You neglected my Word. Unwilling to tolerate it, you persecuted and starved out its messengers. Therefore I will withhold your daily bread and give instead famine and war and murder, unto utter desolation; for you wish to have it so. Then when you cry for forgiveness of sins and deliverance from the evils come upon you, I will hear you as you heard my Word, my entreaties. I will leave you in your misfortunes as you left me and my Word.”

17. In fact, no one for a moment thinks of how God has signally, richly and graciously blessed us; how we are in possession of actual paradise — yes, the entire kingdom of heaven — if we only recognized the fact: and yet we shamefully, ungratefully and unreasonably reject the kingdom; as if it were not enough for us to overstep the Ten Commandments in our disobedience, but must even trample under foot the mercy God offers in the Gospel. Then why should we be surprised if he send down wrath upon us? What else is he to do but fulfill our Gospel passage for today, which threatens every individual rejecter and persecutor of God’s Son and his servants, by whom we are invited to the marriage — what else is God to do but send out a divine army of servants to arrest the career of such murderers and to terminate their existence? We are given a special illustration — an example to the world — in the instance of the fate of Jerusalem, and in fact of the entire Jewish nation. They sinned unceasingly against all God’s commandments, and when he proclaimed grace and offered forgiveness of sins, they trampled upon his mercy. Should Christ not revenge himself when they shamed and mocked his precious blood?

18. Unto all the abominable sins mentioned, we must heap blasphemies; for when wrath and punishment come upon us we make outcry, complaining that the Gospel — or the new doctrine, as it is now called — is responsible. The Jews blame us Christians alone for the fact that they are scattered throughout the world. Their prayers day and night are directed against us, in blasphemies and reproaches inexpressible. Nevertheless, it was not the Christians who harassed and scattered them, but the heathenish Roman emperor.

But whom other than themselves have the Jews to blame for their condition? for they would not tolerate Christ, when he brought them only help and boundless grace. Refusing to accept him whom God gave and in whom he promised all blessings, they necessarily lost their daily bread from God, except as they rebelliously extort it by usury and wickedness. They had also to suffer the loss of their national life, their priesthood and public worship, forgiveness of sins and redemption, and so remain eternally captive under the wrath and condemnation of God. Such is the just and inevitable punishment of the unwise — the foolish — who refused to recognize their opportunity when Christ was with them.

19. With this terrible example before our eyes, we are still unrepentant, pursuing the same course the Jews followed, not only in disobedience to the will of God, but in rejecting his grace. For that grace we should earnestly long and pray, striving to secure to our children after us baptism, the ministry and the sacrament, in their purity. In return for our perversity, it will eventually be with us as with the Jews and other ungrateful persecutors and rejecters.

20. Then let him who will receive advice and help, faithfully heed Paul’s counsel and redeem the time, not sleeping away the blessed golden hour of grace; as Christ earnestly admonishes in the parable of the five foolish virgins. Matthew 25:13. The foolish virgins might have made their purchases in season, before the bridegroom’s arrival; but failing to attend to the matter until time to meet the bridegroom, they missed both the market and the wedding.

21. The ancient poets and sages make use of a similar illustration at the expense of the cricket or grasshopper. As the fable runs, when winter came the grasshoppers, having nothing to eat, went to the ants and asked them to divide their gathered store. “What did you in the summer time that you gathered nothing?” asked the ants. “We sang,” the grasshoppers replied. “If you sang in the summer, you must dance for it in the winter,” was the response. Similarly should fools unwilling to learn the will of God be answered. Terrible and alarming is the wrath of God when with scorn and mockery he turns away a soul. In Proverbs 1:24 and 26 he threatens: “Because I have called, and ye have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man hath regarded .... I also will laugh in the day of your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.”

22. Some may ask what Paul means by adding to the phrase, “Redeeming the time,” the modifier, “because the days are evil”; if we are to regard the present opportunity golden, why are the days evil?

EVIL DOCTRINES EVER OPPOSE THE CHRISTIAN.

23. I answer: The time is unquestionably good so long as the Gospel is sounded — is faithfully preached and received. At the same time, even today the world is filled with evils, factions, false theories and bad examples of every sort; much of this wickedness is inherent in ourselves.

With these things the Christian must always contend; the devil pursues, and our own flesh discourages us and allures from recognition and observance of the divine will. If we strive not against it, we shall soon lose sight of God’s will, to our own injury, even while listening to the Gospel. For the devil’s strongest fury is exerted to befoul the world with fanaticism, and to draw from the pure doctrine of faith into that evil even them who possess the Gospel. Moreover, being still flesh and blood we are always selfsecure, unwilling to be led by the Spirit, and indolent and unresponsive in relation to the Word of God and to prayer. Again, in the outward walks of life, in temporal conditions, only obstacles and evils meet us everywhere, impeding our spiritual progress and impelling us to suppress the Gospel and to rend the Church.

24. Let no one, then, expect to enjoy an era of peace and pleasure here on earth. Although the present time is in itself good, and God bestows upon us the golden year of his Word and his grace, yet the devil is here with his factions and followers, and our own flesh supports him. He corrupts the blessed days of grace at every possible opportunity, and so oppresses Christians that they must contend against him with their utmost strength and vigilance if they would not, through the influence of evils and obstacles, be wrested from the Gospel they have received, and if they would persevere therein unto the end.

Wherefore, we have the best reasons to adapt ourselves to the present time in the best possible way; to walk wisely and circumspectly, showing all faithfulness to the will of God; obeying it while we have opportunity — while still in possession of God’s Word, his grace and his Spirit. Being opposed and obstructed by the devil and our own flesh, we must, as Paul implies, be wise and careful; we must guard against following them. If we fail in this respect, it will not avail us to pretend we did not know our duty, or had not time to perform it and consequently could not cope with them.

So, then, we are to understand by “evil days” the allurements that lead us away from God’s Word and his will. “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess.”

25. The apostle touches upon several evils strongly tending to waste of time and neglect of the golden opportunity. Especially is drunkenness one, for drink makes men particularly self-secure, reckless and disorderly. The evil was formerly common in Greece, and in Germany today are men who delight in being riotously drunk night and day. Such individuals are utterly lacking in the faithfulness and interest essential to following the will of God. They are unable, even in temporal affairs, to persistently apply themselves, much less to be opportune. Indeed, so beastly and swinish do they become, they lose all sense of either shame or honor; they have no modesty nor any human feeling. Alas, examples are before our eyes plainer and more numerous than we can depict.

26. Paul’s words of admonition, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,” are treated in the epistle passage for the fifth Sunday after Epiphany, where the text is similar.

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Short Summaries of Fascinating Discussions - Going to Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Diego

I had some fascinating discussions on my four-day trip. People often go silent while traveling on passenger jets. My first fellow-traveler had a lot of things to discuss, and so we talked about medicine, the value of nutrition, and personal experiences. I switched from ice cream, candy, desserts, bread, and steaks to greens, beans, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. In short, I switched from the American toxic diet to Creation's healing diet, from diabetic to...be seen tomorrow. Some prescriptions are worthwhile, but as a whole, pharmacy helps symptoms and not much else. Once I looked at all the nutrition I used to avoid eating, weight and blood sugar went down. I turned the Randy Anderson Ice Cream Freezer into the Fuhrman Greens-Beans-Veggies Freezer.

Another passenger brought up his duties with the Air Force in the Viet Nam War. We had a talk that led to where I was going and why. I said, "His widow is Philippine." He said, "My wife is Philippine." That turned into many of his stories about his work for improving fighters.

I asked taxi and Ueber drivers about their country of origin. One was Chinese and did not speak at all. Another was from Ghana. One was from Afghanistan. I used one driver three times, so we had some rollicking good discussions about politicians, the history of California (once Republican, now Democrat), and American cultural decline.

The assistant at Extended Stay is Ukraine. When I gave her a tip, she came after me and said, "No, I will hurt you. I am happy here. I am rich." When I tried to wait for taxis, she insisted on providing an office chair on wheels. We had some laughs over the whole situation.

An older woman had a miniature terrier, so we talked about hers and mine. "She held her dog in her arms and said - "He wanted to fight with a pit bull. I said, No!" Charlie Sue also treats her various canine friends as underlines who must obey her orders.

The Celebration of Life service was just right. Everyone had a chance to come from all over, and all those who knew Randy from various kinds of work could also get to know each other. The service included the Gospel songs we all love, some Gospel solos, Biblical readings, and my sermon. When the service was over, the mixture of various people from all over turned into one conversational hubbub - with food provided by a Philippine group of ladies. '

Post Script - It was very enjoyable, with all of the quirks of California. Previously I went to San Francisco with Christina and also several times with Christina and friends to San Diego and (ho-hum) Las Vegas.

For All the Saints - From Tom Fisher

Dear Pastor Jackson,

October (my dad passed away 10-9-95) and November (my mom passed away 11-13-2020) is a time when I reflect on my wonderful childhood and my wonderful parents who taught me God's Word and the Christian faith. When I was little my mom would pray the Lord's Prayer with my brother and I every night. After we prayed we would ask our mom "God questions". We kept this going until finally our mom would rumple our hair and tell us to trust God and go to sleep.

Christmas was a most wonderful time. All of my aunts, uncles, and cousins would gather at Grandpa and Grandma's farm near Quincy, Illinois. All of us would gather around the cedar Christmas tree Grandpa had cut out of the woods. Then we would turn the lights out and sing Silent Night to just the lights of the Christmas tree. Then Grandpa would light the old coal oil lamp on the round oak table and Grandma would open her King James Bible and read the Christmas story to us from Luke 2. Those pure Words of God became a part of me so I believed Jesus is the Son of God born of the virgin Mary from a very young age:

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:1-18

On Christmas Day we would all go to church at St John (LCMS) and sing the liturgy from the old 1941 Red Hymnal. My brother and I were just little tykes so Grandma would tell us to sit still and listen. Then she would give each of us a mint chicklet to chew on. The liturgy became a part of me at an early age. Soon I had it memorized.and could sing along with Grandpa and Grandma:

"O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.

O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ;

O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

That takes away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.

Thou that takes away the sin of the world, receive our prayer.

Thou that sittest on the right hand of God the Father have mercy upon us.

For thou only art Holy; Thou only art the Lord.

Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost art most high in the glory of God the Father" (The Lutheran Hymnal, CPH, 1941, pg. 18-19)

This wonderful confession of faith became a part of me at a very early age. Please note a phrase that is very dear to me to this day: "O LORD, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ".

When I was going into the eighth grade my parents took my brother and I to town to purchase our first King James Bible printed in Cambridge, England. The NIV had taken the world by storm, so we had to visit several book stores to finally find one that even had any King James Bibles in stock. The clerk could not understand why we wanted to buy the antiquated King James Bible. She wickedly urged us to buy the NIV as she was certain the King James would soon be out of print, completely conquered by the triumphant NIV. Finally she gave in and showed us the last two King James Bibles she had in stock. They were both beautiful leather bound Bibles printed in Cambridge, England. I still have this Bible today.

At this time my parents pulled my brothers and I out of the public schools and enrolled us in a private Christian Reformed school that taught old fashioned reading, writing, and arithmetic, and King James Bible memorization. Soon I became the champion of Bible memorization. I even memorized chapters from my King James Bible. This enabled me to understand and hold to Luther's teachings later on when I graduated from high school.

Soon I found myself studying Agricultural Economics, Animal Science, and Agronomy at the University of Illinois. The LCMS campus church was too liberal so I joined a small WELS congregation. Unfortunately the Pastor pushed the NIV so I found myself engaged in battle against it in Bible class. Soon I learned many words were completely missing. The word ' begotten' was missing from the NIV:

Below are the King James Bible readings with the word 'begotten'. This word is missing from the NIV

Psalm 2:7
I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:18
No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:18
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Acts 13:33
God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
Hebrews 1:5
For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
Hebrews 5:5
So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 John 4:9
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
1 John 5:1
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
1 John 5:18
We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
Revelation 1:5
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Here are the verses where the corrupt NIV deletes the word 'begotten' :

7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father. Psalm 2:7 Please note 'son' and ' father' are not capitalized.

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:18
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:18
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Acts 13:33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:

“‘You are my son;
today I have become your father.’[a]

Please note: 'son' and 'father' are not capitalized

Acts 13:33 Psalm 2:7

Hebrews 1:5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father”[a]?

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son”[b]?

Hebrews 5:5 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,

“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

Hebrews 5:5 Psalm 2:7

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 John 4:9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.

1 John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.

Revelations 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,

Below are readings from the corrupt ESV. It omits ' begotten' from several passages:

John 3:16

For God So Loved the World

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Psalm 2:7
I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.
Acts 13:33
this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’
Hebrews 1:5
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me son”? Please note 'father' and 'son' are not capitalized.
Hebrews 5:5
So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”

John1:14-18 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son [a] from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.[b] 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God,[c] who is at the Father's side,[d] he has made him known. Please note: tiny words create false doctrine and clearly teach the opposite of the Athanasian Creed. Jesus is the only begotten Son of the Father not 'only Son from the Father'. Jesus is one with God the Father from all eternity. Keep in mind God chose the King James reading of John 1 so we must hold to the precise King James text.

Footnotes

John 1:14 Or only One, or unique One
John 1:16 Or grace in place of grace
John 1:18 Or the only One, who is God; some manuscripts the only Son
John 1:18 Greek in the bosom of the Father

Acts 13:33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,

“‘You are my Son,
today I have begotten you.’

Hebrews 1:5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”?

Or again,

“I will be to him a father,
and he shall be to me a son"?

Please note 'father' and 'son' are not capitalized.

Hebrews 5:5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,

“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”;

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 John 4:9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

Please note: 'begotten' is missing

1 John 5:1 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.

Revelations 1:5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

Why is the word 'begotten' so important and essential to our Christian faith?

The word ' begotten' in Psalm 2, John 1, John 3:16, and 1 John 4:9, 1 John 5:1, and other passages is the same word God inspired the apostles and prophets to write thousands of years ago. It is in the Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Creed, Luther's Catechism, Ancient hymns (Hymn 98, The Lutheran Hymnal, CPH, 1941), Our Liturgy, and our reformation Bibles ( Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS, Luther's 1545 Bible, King James Bible).

6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

7 Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.Psalm 12:6,7

True faith in Christ is 100% certain God perfectly preserved the Words He inspired the prophets and apostles to write especially in the reformation Bibles (Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS, Luther's 1545 Bible, King James Bible, etc).

Our entire Christian faith depends on this little Word 'begotten' to describe the Holy Trinity, and our Lord Jesus Christ and God His Heavenly Father. Christ is begotten of God His Father from all eternity. God the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world." 1 John 4:14

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:27-40

Jesus does God the Fathers will:

"When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him." John 8:28

God the Father laid the sins of the world on Jesus His only begotten Son.

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6

God your Heavenly Father comes to you in a most gentle way: with His soft Holy infant child Jesus, born of the virgin Mary, lying quietly in a manger of straw for you. Here is your true God and eternal life. By faith pick Him up and hold Him close to your heart. He took all your sins upon Himself. He alone brings you to God your Heavenly Father.

Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and ascended into heaven and sat down on the right hand of God the Father for you. He makes His Father our Father.

"I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God " John 20:17

"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah." Psalm 24:7-10

Luther describes the certainty of our faith in Christ:

"I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with His Holy precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This most certainly true." (Martin Luther, Dr. Martin Luther's Small Catechism by J. C. Dietrich, Lutheranlibrary.org, pg. 10)

King James Version

2 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

7. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Psalm 2 easily applies to Lutheran pastors and laymen who despise and rage against the Bibles ( Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS, Luther's 1545 Bible, King James Bible, etc) God chose for the reformation that continues to this day. God turned textual criticism on its head when He established and confirmed the Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS by having it published throughout the whole world. He soundly rejected the corrupt Vaticanus Greek Text and all the corrupt Bibles (Westcott-Hort, Nestle-Aland, United Bible Society, ESV, NIV, RSV, NKJV, Beck's, etc.) emanating from it; therefore it necessarily follows that all alternative readings to the TEXTUS RECEPTUS and the King James Bible, and Luther's 1545 Bible are also REJECTED. That little word ' begotten' in the TEXTUS RECEPTUS and King James Bible must stand.

In Christ,

Tom Fisher