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.
Take Off Pounds Sensibly is the new theme for Harrison's last term. No Thrivent-lubricated synod leader or professor is capable of teaching Luther's doctrine, and they cannot stop yakking about the gay prelude to ELCA called Seminex.
And then we said, "Inflate the CPH prices because no one is reading the leftovers from ELCA."
Matt the Fatt (LCMS) hosted Scott Barefoot (WELS) so "Who's ELCA now?"
Scott Barefoot (WELS) Martin and Katie Luther (faux-ELCA).
Researchers said in a recent article that Arkansas may have 19 million tons of lithium, which is used in rechargeable batteries for important products like phones and electric cars.
The researchers said in their article released last month in the journal Science Advances they had “calculated that there are 5.1 to 19 million tons of lithium in Smackover Formation brines in southern Arkansas,” making up “35 to 136% of the current US lithium resource estimate.”
7. The heathen everywhere, despite their ignorance of God and his grace, condemned to the utmost the evil of ingratitude. They regarded it the mother of evils, than which was none more malevolent and shameful.
Among many examples in this respect is one left us by a people in Arabia called Nabathians, who had an excellent form of government. So strict were they in regard to this evil that anyone found guilty of ingratitude to his fellows was looked upon as a murderer and punished with death.
8. No sin is more abominable to human nature, and of none is human nature less tolerant. It is easier to forgive and to forget the act of an enemy who commits a bodily injury, or even murders one’s parents, than it is to forget the sin of him who repays simple kindness and fidelity with ingratitude and faithlessness; who for love and friendship returns hatred. In the sentiment of the Latin proverb, to be so rewarded is like rearing a serpent in one’s bosom. God likewise regards this sin with extreme enmity and punishes it. The Scriptures say: “Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.” Proverbs 17:13.
9. Thus we have the teaching of nature and of reason regarding the sin of men’s ingratitude toward one another. How much greater the evil, how much more shameful and accursed, when manifested toward God who, in his infinite and ineffable goodness, conferred upon us while yet enemies to him and deserving of the fires of hell — conferred upon us, I say, not ten dollars, not a hundred thousand dollars even, but redemption from divine wrath and eternal death, and abundantly comforted us, granting us safety, a good conscience, peace and salvation! These are inexpressible blessings, incomprehensible in this life. And they will continue to occupy our minds in yonder eternal life. How much more awful the sin of ingratitude for these blessings, as exemplified in the servant mentioned in the Gospel passage for today, to whom was forgiven the debt of ten thousand talents and who yet would not forgive the debt of his fellow-servant who owed him a hundred pence!
10. Is it not incredible that there are to be found on earth individuals wicked enough to manifest for the highest and eternal blessings such unspeakable ingratitude? But alas, we have the evidence of our own eyes.
We know them in their very dwelling-places. We see how the world abounds with them. Not only are the ingrates to be found among deliberate rejecters of the acknowledged truth of the Gospel, concerning God’s grace, an assured conscience and the promise of eternal life, terrible as such malice of the devil is, but they are present also in our midst, accepting the Gospel and boasting of it. Such shameful ingratitude prevails among the masses it would not be strange were God to send upon them the thunders and lightnings of his wrath, yes, all the Turks and the devils of hell.
There is a generally prevalent ingratitude like that of the wicked servant who readily forgot the straits he experienced when, being called to account for what he could not pay, the wrathful sentence was pronounced against him that he and all he possessed must be sold, and he be indefinitely imprisoned. Nor have we less readily forgotten how we were tortured under the Papacy; how we were overwhelmed, drowned as in a flood, with numberless strange doctrines, when our anxious consciences longed for salvation. Now that we are, through the grace of God, liberated from these distresses, our gratitude is of a character to increasingly heap to ourselves the wrath of God. So have others before us done, and consequently have endured terrible chastisement.
11. Only calculate the enormity of our wickedness when, God having infinitely blessed us in forgiving all our sins and making us lords over heaven and earth, we so little respect him as to be unmindful of his blessings; to be unwilling for the sake of them sincerely to forgive our neighbor a single slighting word, not to mention rendering him service. We conduct ourselves as if God might be expected to connive at our ingratitude and permit us to continue in it, at the same time conferring upon us as godly and obedient children, success and happiness. More than this, we think we have the privilege and power to live and do as we please.
Indeed, the more learning and power we have and the more exalted our rank, the greater knaves we are; perpetrating every wicked deed, stirring up strife, discord, war and murder for the sake of executing our own arbitrary designs, where the question is the surrender of a penny in recognition of the hundreds of thousands of dollars daily received from God notwithstanding our ingratitude.
12. Two mighty lords clash with each other like powerful battering rams, and for what? Perhaps for undisputed possession of a city or two, a matter they must be ashamed of did they but call to mind what they have received from God. They would be constrained to exclaim: “What are we doing that we injure one another — we who are all baptized in one name, the name of Christ, and pledged to one Lord?” But no, it will not do for them to consider this matter; not even to think of it. They must turn their eyes away from it, and put it far from their hearts. Wholly forgetting God’s benefits, they must wage war against each other, involving nations, and subjecting people to the Turk. And all for sake of the insignificant farthing each refused to yield to the other.
13. The world permits the very devil to saddle and ride it as he pleases. It seems to be characteristic of every phase of life that one will not yield to another — will not submit to any demand. Everyone is disposed to force his arrogant authority. The presumption is that supreme honor and final success depend upon an unyielding, unforgiving disposition, and that to seek to retain our possessions by peaceable means will prove our ruin.
Even the two remaining cows in the stall must be brought into requisition, and war waged to the last stick, until when the mutineer comes and we have neither cow nor stall, nor house nor stick, we are obliged to cease.
Matt the Fatt has lost weight again! He styles himself a Dr. because some LCMS school gave him one of those print-your-own degrees.
Mark Braun is no better. John Johnson, past Concordia St. Louis Seminary president, confessed to me that their Concordia "PhDs" were worthless outside of their sect, so Johnson earned a PhD from the Jesuit St. Louis University. Braun's equivalent of a DMin is somewhat better than another WELS genius who could not spell or write decent sentences for an insta-Dr diploma, entitling him to a "doctorate" from who-knows-where.
Obenberger probably knows more than the other two put together.
The hilarious EXILED! clown act lasted a few hours. Most of the brave professors marched with their gullible students. They stole the books from their own library (brave souls) and rented some space so Jungkuntz could also sponsor a gay seminary there with Seminex.
I was in the office of the Lutheran School of Chicago Seminary president - with Christina along - when that official pointed out they could not keep three seminaries going at once. A chunk of Seminex (including the gay LCMS professor) joined LSTC and became a solid block of radicals who ordered everyone around while collapsing the budget. Wartburg Seminary (ALC then ELCA) hobbled along and now has some big-time loot. LSTC has a floor at a Roman Catholic gathering place for lost causes. McCormick Presbyterian Seminary - of reaper fame - also slunk away. U. of Chicago bought the hideous and dark LSTC-McCormick combined monstrosity.
“Only an inebriated mole would claim that the [Lutheran Church] Missouri Synod is not in theological ferment.” — John Warwick Montgomery, in 1966. He was way too educated for the Four Waltherian Sects. His book on Lutheran decline nudged me into realizing how bad the Lutheran Church in America was. A missionary I knew reinforced that conclusion. Unfortunately, JW Montgomery stuck to Objective Faithless Justification.
Preuss is related to the official, private-printing-press-Preus extended family.
Ed Preuss, as we call him, published a ridiculously bad book on Justification without Faith. The Four Waltherian Cults - and ELCA - teach the same bilge.
PHILIPPIANS 1:3-11. 3 I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy, 5 for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; 6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how I long after you in all the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offense unto the day of Christ; 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
PAUL’S THANKS AND PRAYERS FOR CHURCHES.
1. First, the apostle Paul thanks God, as his custom is in the beginning of his epistles, for the grace whereby the Philippians came into the fellowship of the Gospel and were made partakers of it. Secondly, his desire and prayer to God is for their increase in the knowledge of the Gospel, and their more abundant fruits. His intent in extolling the Gospel is to admonish them to remain steadfast in their faith, continuing as they have begun and as they now stand. Apparently this is a simple passage, especially to learned and apt students of the Scriptures. They may not think it holds any great truth to be discovered. Yet we must explain this and like discourses for the benefit of some who do not fully understand it, and who desire to learn.
2. These words give us an exact delineation of the Christian heart that sincerely believes in the holy Gospel. Such hearts are rare in the world. It is especially difficult to find one so beautiful as we observe here unless it be among the beloved apostles or those who approached them in Christlikeness.
For in the matter of faith we today are entirely too indolent and indifferent.
3. But the Christian heart is such as inspired Paul’s words; here its characteristics are shown. He rejoices in the Gospel with his inmost soul. He thanks God that others have come into its fellowship. His confidence is firm regarding certain beginners in the faith, and he is so interested in their salvation he rejoices in it as much as in his own, seeming unable to thank God sufficiently for it. He unceasingly prays that he may live to see many come with him into such fellowship and be preserved therein until the day of the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall perfect and complete all the defects of this earthly life. He prays these beginners may go forth faultlessly in faith and hope until that joyful day.
Thus the godly apostle expresses himself, pouring out the depths of his heart — a heart filled with the real fruits of the Spirit and of faith. It burns with love and joy whenever he sees the Gospel recognized, accepted and honored, and the Church flourishing. Paul can conceive for the converts no loftier desire — can offer no greater petition for them than to implore God they may increase and persevere in the Gospel faith. Such is the inestimable value he places upon possessing and holding fast God’s Word. And Christ in Luke 11:28 pronounces blessed those who keep the Word of God.
I. THE DUTY OF GRATITUDE.
5. Now, the first thing in which Paul is here an example to us is his gratitude. It behooves the Christian who recognizes the grace and goodness of God expressed in the Gospel, first of all to manifest his thankfulness therefor; toward God — his highest duty — and toward men.
As Christians who have abandoned the false services and sacrifices that in our past heathenish blindness we zealously practiced, let us remember our obligation henceforth to be the more fervent in offering true service and right sacrifices to God. We can render him no better — in fact, none other — service, or outward work, than the thank-offering, as the Scriptures term it. That is, receiving and honoring the grace of God and the preaching and hearing of his Word, and furthering their operation, not only in word, but sincerely in our hearts and with all our physical and spiritual powers.
This is the truest gratitude.
6. God calls that a “pure offering” which is rendered to him “among the gentiles” (Malachi 1:11), where his name is not preached and praised from avariciousness, not from pride and presumption in the priesthood and in the holiness of human works. These motives actuated the boasting Jews, who, as God charges in this reference, presumptuously thought to receive honor from him for every trivial service like closing a door or opening a window. But the offering of the gentiles is joyfully rendered from a sincere, willing heart. This kind of thanksgiving and sacrifices are acceptable to God, for he says in Psalm 110:3, “Thy people shall be willing”; and in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “God loveth a cheerful giver.” The knowledge of the Gospel should inspire us with gratitude of this order. Let us not be found unthankful, and forgetful of God’s infinite goodness.
According to a letter written by Martin Luther’s youngest son, Dr. Paul Luther, and preserved in the Library of Rudolstadt, Martin Luther (1483-1546) related to his family the story of his conversion. He acknowledged with great joy that it was while he was visiting in Rome that he came to the knowledge of the truth of the gospel.
It happened this way. As multitudes have done, Luther, then a young Saxon monk, lashed by a tormenting conscience and heavily burdened with a load of sin, was ascending the Sancta Scala, or “holy stairs” (twenty-eight broad marble stairs claimed to be the very steps Jesus walked on when sentenced by Pilate in Jerusalem) on his hands and knees, repeating his prayers on each step in hopes of receiving the promised indulgence of the church. In his zeal he had come to make the ascent, hoping thus to be rid of his burden and obtain the favor of God, when suddenly the words of the prophet Habakkuk came forcibly and incessantly to his mind and heart, “The just shall live by faith.”
At once he ceased his crawling, and standing up, descended the “holy stairs.” When he returned home to Germany, he took this Scripture as the chief foundation of all his doctrine. This string of monosyllables that sums up the way of salvation became Martin Luther’s text. He made this great verse, found four times in the Scriptures, with its doctrine of justification by faith, the watchword of the Reformation.
The precious message of the grace of God reached the heart of Martin Luther upon the “holy stairs,” and the burden of unforgiven sin was rolled away. Luther became a new creature in Christ Jesus, and henceforth he rejoiced in preaching in no uncertain words that blessed and soul-emancipating truth of “Justification by Faith” to the joy and blessing of thousands. Boldly he declared publicly,
“I, Doctor Martin Luther, unworthy evangelist of our Lord Jesus Christ, confess this article of faith: THAT FAITH ALONE JUSTIFIES BEFORE GOD, WITHOUT WORKS.”
Dear reader, the precious truth of justification by faith reached and saved Martin Luther. Has it reached you? Luther said, “This text was to me the true gate of Paradise!” It can be the same for you. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9).
The truth stated simply is that man, being a sinner, is justified by the shed blood of Christ through faith alone—believing in His finished, atoning work on the cross for sin—without the addition of good works, keeping the Ten Commandments, or ordinances such as baptism, confirmation, or communion.
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5).
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16).
God declares that Christ’s work is sufficient alone to salvation and that faith alone confers the blessing of complete salvation to the believing sinner now and for eternity. “That [God] might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans 3:26).
KJV
Habbakuk 2:4 - Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
"I cannot believe it (Universal Forgiveness without Faith, UOJ) unless I know it is already true."
An ELS pastor repeats this claim, which is really an argument without any proof. A thesis has not value unless it is supported by Biblical evidence, so the claim is unpersuasive and malignant on its own. But people think repeating it will make it true.
This is the dogma, or rather, the catma of Jon-Boy Buchholz. So many genius types support UOJ. Join the mob. The only sin in WELS-ELS is Justification by Faith.
That is exactly how the modern LCMS slid UOJ into the mainstream in 1932. The thesis - Scripture teaches that God has already declared the whole world to be righteous in Christ, Rom. 5:19; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Rom. 4:25... The statement is a direct attack on the Book of Concord, Scriptures, Luther, and Missouri's own stance. However, it is a nod to Walther and Pieper and their disciples. Romans 4 teaches Justification without Faith? Why do people refrain from screaming with laughter? The whole argument fails there, as it does with Romans 5:19 and 2 Corinthians 5. But now Matt the Fatt, Mrs. Matt the Fatt, the Dogmatanic, and the Enormous Not Small Catechism bray the same OJ/SJ nonsense. Citing a passage does not make the thesis true. Anyone familiar with the various sects or Romanism will recognize that this is their tactic too. The rapture is promoted the same way. David Valleskey, an ardent UOJist, promoted his true love - Church Growth - with similar theses and false information.
So UOJ is in the Book of Concord? You blokes are not looking hard enough.
Mark Zarling called UOJ a diamond and the Chief Article. Frosty Bivens said, "Me too!" WELS rewarded their blasphemies.
Supplanting Instead of Attacking the Truth "I cannot believe it (Universal Forgiveness without Faith, UOJ) unless I know it is already true."
This is like mercury's attachment to silver and gold, handy in mining, deadly in doctrine.
The Atonement is true, even objectively true - without our effort, thoughts, or merits. The Gospel is truth and this truth proclaimed by believers has the Spirit's power to convert hearts hardened against it. Putting forgiveness before faith and without faith is the clever ruse of the UOJists.
John 3:18King James Version
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.
They think that forgiveness and salvation without the Means of Grace makes grace more full of grace. That fact should make them pause when they realize their "confessional Lutheranism" is the stance of ELCA and all the mainline denominations.
The whole world is in Thy power, O Lord, King Almighty:
there is no man that can gainsay Thee.
For Thou hast made heaven and earth and all the wondrous things under the heaven:
Thou art Lord of all.
Psalm. Blessed are the undefiled in the way:
who walk in the Law of the Lord.
The Gloria Patri The Kyrie p. 17 The Gloria in Excelsis The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Lord, we beseech Thee to keep Thy household, the Church, in continual godliness, that through Thy protection it may be free from all adversities and devoutly given to serve Thee in good works, to the glory of Thy name; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Epistle and Gradual
Lord, Thou hast been our Dwelling Place: in all generations.
V. Before the mountains were brought forth or ever
Thou hadst formed the earth and the world: even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion: which cannot be removed, but abideth forever. Hallelujah!
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 #209 Who Is This That Comes from Edom?
Prayers and Announcements
In our prayers - Lito Cruz and his grandson, Sarah Buck, Pastor Shrader and Chris.
Birthday and Anniversary - Alec Satin, Alec and Lorie's anniversary.
John Popp's birthday is this Friday.
Pastor Jackson's 76th birthday, blood panel, lowest weight since Joe Montana played for Notre Dame.
The parsonage has been repeatedly burglarized, and the police are investigating. Unopened postal mail was stolen. Do not send checks until we have a P.O. box.
KJV Ephesians 6
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
KJV John 4:46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. 48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. 49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. 50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. 51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. 52 Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. 54 This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.
Twenty-First Sunday After Trinity
Almighty and everlasting God, who by Thy Son hast promised us the forgiveness of sins, righteousness, and everlasting life: We beseech Thee, do Thou by Thy Holy Spirit so quicken our hearts that we in daily prayer may seek our help in Christ against all temptations, and, constantly believing His promise, obtain that for which we pray, and at last be saved, through Thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
Background for the Epistle Sermon, Ephesians 6:10-16
This famous passage often includes a drawing of the Roman soldier, who was far more powerful than the soldiers of other armies. Like American warriors of today, in special operations, he was equipped both offensively and defensively. Enemy weapons did not harm him easily, but his weapons were useful in defense and in attacking the foe. The Roman soldiers worked best when united and were only defeated when Herman the German tricked them into moving along a narrow pass where their normal advantages did not help them.
Faith and Miracles
KJV John 4:46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
Each miracle story has at least one specific meaning in the Gospels. The setting is quite clear. Jesus was back in Cana, which reminds readers of the miracle of ordinary water being turned into exquisite wine, causing consternation because the best wine is always first, not last. The sub-text (as they say nowadays) - Jesus did not touch the water or the wine, nor did He move His arms or do anything to make that a heavenly miracle except to say a few words about what to do with the water. The entire wedding group learned and that miracle- we can assume - spread around Cana, so people knew this and believed.
Now miracle is often used as something unusual and caused by us as a surprise. "You passed the physics test? It's a miracle."
47 When he [the nobleman] heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. [heal in Greek is used for medicine, in the physician's lingo iatrogenic - treatments that harm the patient, a term I use to unsettle doctors when they are talking]
Immediately the nobleman begged Jesus to come down to his home so that his son could be cured miraculously and live. This is very emotional for anyone who has lost a friend, child, or family member. Life is full of happiness and wonders until this dark reality sets in. What can anyone do? The nobleman is used to being in charge, so why not greet the Savior who has already something so extraordinary?
48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
This turned into Signs and Wonders among modern Pentecostals. Some people designated this as the key part of their congregations. Someone we knew, long ago, said at the nursing home, "We have a special group that will come and anoint your little girl and pray for her." Christina said, "You think we have not...many times more than a visit?" I could imagine the Pentecostal pastor saying, "We paid for our building. It's a miracle."
At the wedding, previously, John 2, no one knew what was going on - except Mary - even though they saw the actions of drawing the water and taking it to the manager of the feast. Why Mary? She did not know exactly what would happen, but she knew something would happen. "Whatever He says, do it."
Now we know such things or should know them. Jesus' rebuke is for all - not out of anger and despair but casting the great net (like the fishing surprise) across everyone. The Sacraments of Baptism and Communion give us the physical reality of the effective Word, which begins to act before we even start to pray and ask.
49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. 50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.
The Roman army officer described his situation as one of orders. (Luke 7) Anything he ordered came true. Jesus did not need to visit the servant. A divine command would be effective/efficacious. The nobleman humbly believed the Word spoken by Jesus, who went away (more to teach and heal). Jesus already knew - it happened right there.
51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. 52 Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. 54 This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.
Luther pointed out in his sermon that even the greatest ones in the Bible failed. King David is one of the clearest examples in the Old Testament. The disciples certainly lost faith when they were locked in the room after the resurrection of Christ.
The Word builds our trust through the Scriptures and Sacraments, through mutual encouragement, and through prayer.
.jpg)
