Reformation Seminary Lecture - 3:30 PM Central Daylight Today

 

KJV John 21

21 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.

10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.

11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Practice - The Computers Are Working - 3:30 PM Today - Finishing John's Gospel

I will work on it later today and let people know.

Part Two - Zion Mourns in Fear and Anguish

 

 Holyrood Abbey is a famous landmark, founded 1128.

Zion Mourns in Fear and Anguish - The seldom sung hymn is found in The Lutheran Hymnal, but not likely to be used by the pop Calvinist efforts of LCMS and WELS. Zion on the Mississippi is even less popular.

"Zion Mourns in Fear and Anguish"

By Johann Heermann, 1585-1647

1. Zion mourns in fear and anguish,

Zion, city of our God.

"Ah," she says, "how sore I languish,

Bowed beneath the chastening rod!

For my God forsook me quite

And forgot my sorry plight

Mid these troubles now distressing,

Countless woes my soul oppressing.

2. "Once," she mourns, "He promised plainly

That His help should e'er be near;

Yet I now must seek Him vainly

In my days of woe and fear.

Will His anger never cease?

Will He not renew His peace?

Will He not show forth compassion

And again forgive transgression?"

3. "Zion, surely I do love thee,"

Thus to her the Savior saith,

"Though with many woes I prove thee

And thy soul is sad to death.

For My troth is pledged to thee;

Zion, thou art dear to Me.

Deep within My heart I've set thee,

That I never can forget thee.

4. "Let not Satan make thee craven;

He can threaten, but not harm.

On My hands thy name is graven,

And thy shield is My strong arm.

How, then, could it ever be

I should not remember thee,

Fail to build thy wall, My city,

And look down on thee with pity?

5. "Ever shall Mine eyes behold thee;

On My bosom thou art laid.

Ever shall My love enfold thee;

Never shalt thou lack Mine aid.

Neither Satan, war, nor stress

Then shall mar thy happiness:

With this blessed consolation

Be thou firm in tribulation."

Hymn #268, The Lutheran Hymnal, Text: Isaiah 49: 14-17, Author: Johann Heermann, 1636, ab.

Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1869, alt.

Titled: "Zion klagt mit Angst und Schmerzen", Composer: J. Hermann Schein, 1623

Tune: "Zion klagt"

***

How many strikes have gone against them, and yet the Big Five Apostates toodle along, thrilled and excited, - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic)?!

WELS finally got some truth out - about how to eliminate congregations via merger; they already eliminated the efficacy of the Means of Grace decades ago. Missouri and ELCA are just the same. A few clever slogans will make the executives happy.

Meanwhile, the music is not Lutheran or even appropriate. Sermons are pirated from various Fuller-Schuller-Willow Creek sources. Bibles are considered good if they are sufficiently corrupted by by Otten-Beck quality and errors. There is only one Bible that is thoroughly and completely banned - the King James Version, far too consistent, precise, and reliable.

Sine fide - without faith - is the Big Five slogan.

Part One - Zion Mourns in Fear and Anguish

 

Tune - Zion klagt - linked here.

"Zion Mourns in Fear and Anguish"
By Johann Heermann, 1585-1647

1. Zion mourns in fear and anguish,
Zion, city of our God.
"Ah," she says, "how sore I languish,
Bowed beneath the chastening rod!
For my God forsook me quite
And forgot my sorry plight
Mid these troubles now distressing,
Countless woes my soul oppressing.

2. "Once," she mourns, "He promised plainly
That His help should e'er be near;
Yet I now must seek Him vainly
In my days of woe and fear.
Will His anger never cease?
Will He not renew His peace?
Will He not show forth compassion
And again forgive transgression?"

3. "Zion, surely I do love thee,"
Thus to her the Savior saith,
"Though with many woes I prove thee
And thy soul is sad to death.
For My troth is pledged to thee;
Zion, thou art dear to Me.
Deep within My heart I've set thee,
That I never can forget thee.

4. "Let not Satan make thee craven;
He can threaten, but not harm.
On My hands thy name is graven,
And thy shield is My strong arm.
How, then, could it ever be
I should not remember thee,
Fail to build thy wall, My city,
And look down on thee with pity?

5. "Ever shall Mine eyes behold thee;
On My bosom thou art laid.
Ever shall My love enfold thee;
Never shalt thou lack Mine aid.
Neither Satan, war, nor stress
Then shall mar thy happiness:
With this blessed consolation
Be thou firm in tribulation."

Hymn #268
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Isaiah 49: 14-17
Author: Johann Heermann, 1636, ab.
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1869, alt.
Titled: "Zion klagt mit Angst und Schmerzen"
Composer: J. Hermann Schein, 1623
Tune: "Zion klagt"

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Oculi - "This truth is proved in the case of this poor man, who was bodily possessed of the devil. Tell me, what could he and all mankind do to free him from the devil? Without a doubt, nothing. He had to do and suffer just as his master the devil willed, until Christ came, with the power of God."

 

Oculi. Third Sunday in Lent. Luke 11:14-23. Jesus Casts out a Demon, or Christ’s Defense against his Blasphemers

9. This truth is proved in the case of this poor man, who was bodily possessed of the devil. Tell me, what could he and all mankind do to free him from the devil? Without a doubt, nothing. He had to do and suffer just as his master the devil willed, until Christ came, with the power of God.

Now then, if he could not free himself from the devil as to his body, how could he, by his own power, deliver his soul from Satan’s spiritual dominion? Especially is this the case since the soul, because possessed of sin, is the cause of all bodily possession as a punishment, and sins are more difficult to remove than the punishment of them, and the soul is always more firmly possessed than the body. This is proved by the fact that the devil permits the body to have its natural powers and functions; but he robs the soul of reason, judgment, sense, understanding, and all its powers, as you readily see in the case of this possessed man.

10. He answers them in the third place, by a comparison taken from life, namely that of a strong man overcome by one stronger, and robbed of all his armor and goods etc. By this he testifies also that no one but God can overcome the devil, so that again no man can boast of being able of himself to drive out either sin or the devil. Notice how he pictures the devil! He calls him a mighty giant who guards his court and home, that is, the devil not only possesses the world as his own domain, but he has garrisoned and fortified it, so that no one can take it from him. He rules it also with undisputed sway, so that it does whatever he commands. Just as little as a house or court may withstand or contend against the tyrant who is its master, can man’s free will and natural powers oppose sin and Satan, that is, not at all; but they are subject to them. And as that house must be conquered by a stronger man and thus wrested from the tyrant, so must man also be ransomed through Christ and wrested from Satan. We see again, therefore, that our works and righteousness contribute absolutely nothing toward our salvation; it is effected alone by the grace of God.

Midweek Lenten Service - March 19, 2025

Bethany Lutheran Worship, 

7 PM Central Daylight Savings Time

The Hymn #463    For All the Saints         
The Order of Vespers                                                p. 41

The Psalmody                          Psalm 24                  p. 128
The Lections                            The Passion History

                                                 
The Sermon Hymn #63     On Jordan's Bank

The Sermon –    For All the Saints

 
The Prayers

The Lord’s Prayer

The Collect for Grace                                            p. 45

The Hymn #554         Now Rest Beneath Night's Shadows

 Norma A. Boeckler

For All the Saints

The hymn is one of those beautiful descriptions of life for the Christian believer. The first thing I consider is the span from newborn to great-grandparent, then in-between. That covers so many areas of life.

It is funny how "saint" gets set aside for many other titles and descriptions. The bad guys always say, "I'm no saint," and the famous people often become saints, which become titles of cities, which become sports teams.

The basic name is "holy," which is perfect as a description by itself - through Justification by Faith, gaining access to God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Thousands of seriously warped people teach others that every single person on earthhas already been forgiven, even that they are guilt-free saints in Hell (an awkward, foolish claim).

The glitterings of robes and special hats and expensive jewelry take away the meaning of holy or saint. All those expenses are the opposite of what Jesus taught and exemplified, because He had nothing - but gave away His healing and His forgiveness. Holiness is from the Son of God, and that makes us saints in belonging to Him.

Our nature is to earn, to achieve, but faith is receiving what the Savior pours out on us. Parents and grandparents and great-grandparents say, "What a treasure! What a blessing! Look at how fragile and yet strong this baby is!" Just as the baby listens and responds to the adults, so the believer has the same attitude toward the Good Shepherd. 

In faith we listen and learn, no matter how old we are. The big strong disciples wanted to keep the children away from the Master, but Jesus said, "Let the children come to Me and do not forbid them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God."

The greatest strength is not our experience, or honors, or anything else, but trust in Him who created heaven and earth as the Word, the Logos, the Son of God. My neighbor wanted to find a special flower in the midst of all the daffodils. She got down and said, "It is very short and perfumed." She knew about where it was but could not see it. Today I looked again there it was, tiny, fragile, almost invisible - Hyacinth!

Who decided this flower would be perfumed and special? My version looks like nothing but I can drop the tiny ones into a little plastic cup and deliver a few.

We are experiencing an unusual windstorm. Tomorrow the long stretch on Joye street will be littered with the limbs that gave up. The smallest flowers now springing up will even be found around the fallen branches, and they will start the next step.

"For All the Saints Who from Their Labors Rest"
by William W. How, 1823-1897

Tune - Sine Nomine - linked here

1. For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confess,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest,
Alleluia! Alleluia!

2. Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress, and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

3. Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old
And win with them the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

4. O blest communion, fellowship divine,
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

5. And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

6. But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory passes on His way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

7. From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia! Alleluia!

8. The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest.
Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Hymn #463
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Heb. 12:1
Author: William W. How, 1864, cento
Composer: R. Vaughan Williams, 1906, arr.
Tune: "Sine nomine"

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Oculi - "From this follows that where the finger of God does not cast out the devil, there the devil’s kingdom still exists; where Satan’s kingdom still exists, there the kingdom of God cannot be. The unavoidable conclusion then is that, as long as the Holy Spirit does not enter our hearts, we are not only incapable of any good, but are of necessity in the kingdom of Satan."

 

Oculi. Third Sunday in Lent. Luke 11:14-23. Jesus Casts out a Demon, or Christ’s Defense against his Blasphemers

6. In the second place, he replies with a public example and a similar work, when he says: “By whom do your sons cast them out?” As if he would say: “Is this not simple idiocy? Just what you praise in your sons, you condemn in me. Because your sons do it, it is of God; but because I do it, it must be of the devil.” So it is in this world. What Christ does, is of the devil; if some one else did it, it would be all right. Thus the tyrants and enemies of the Gospel do now, when they condemn in us what they themselves do, confess and teach; but they must proceed thus in order that their judgment may be publicly approved, when they are condemned by all justice. The sons, of whom Christ here says that they drive out devils, were, I think, certain exorcists among the people, for God, from the beginning, had given this people manifold spiritual gifts and he calls them their “sons,” as though to say: I am the Son of God and must be called a child of the devil, while those who are your sons, begotten by you, do the same things and are not to be considered children of the devil.

7. “Therefore shall they be your judges,” that is, I appeal to them. They will be forced to decide that you wrongfully blaspheme me, and thus condemn yourselves. For if one devil does not drive out another then some other power must do it that is neither satanic nor human, but divine. Hence the words: “But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.” This finger of God is called in Matthew 12:28 the Holy Ghost, for the words read thus: “But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons,” etc. In short, Christ means to say: If the kingdom of God is to come unto you, the devil must be driven out, for his kingdom is against God’s kingdom, as you yourselves must confess.

But demon is not driven out by demon, much less by men or the power of men, but alone by the Spirit and power of God.

8. From this follows that where the finger of God does not cast out the devil, there the devil’s kingdom still exists; where Satan’s kingdom still exists, there the kingdom of God cannot be. The unavoidable conclusion then is that, as long as the Holy Spirit does not enter our hearts, we are not only incapable of any good, but are of necessity in the kingdom of Satan.

And if we are in his kingdom, then we can do nothing but that which pleases him, else it could not be called his kingdom. As St. Paul says to Timothy: “The people are taken captive in the snares of the devil unto his will” 2 Timothy 2:26. How could Satan suffer one of his people to take a notion to do something against, and not for, his kingdom? Oh, it is a striking, terrible and powerful statement that Christ here admits such a dominion, which we cannot escape except by the power of God; and that the kingdom of God cannot come to us until that kingdom is driven out by divine, heavenly power.

They're Home!

 

Stranded NASA Astronaut Praises Jesus Before Return to Earth

One of the NASA astronauts who spent months stuck in space due to a Boeing Starliner capsule that malfunctioned praised Jesus Christ during his final interview before returning to Earth.

Astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who were stranded together in space for 286 days, are set to return to Earth on Tuesday. In an interview with CBS News, Wilmore and Williams were asked about a "life lesson or takeaway" from the experience.

"Well, I can tell you honestly, my feeling on all of this goes back to my faith," Wilmore said. "It's bound in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

"He is working out his plan and his purposes for his glory throughout all of humanity, and how that plays into our lives is significant and important, and however that plays out, I am content because I understand that."

"I understand that he's at work in all things, some things are for the good — go to Hebrews Chapter 11 — and some things look to us to be not so good. But it's all working out for his good, for all those that will believe," he said. "And that's the answer."

Theodore Bunker ✉

Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.

Reformation Seminary Lecture - KJV John 20 - Part 2 - 10 AM Central

KJV John 20 - Part 2

19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

By Request - Charlie Sue Stew

 

The two nutritionist authors I follow are Joel Fuhrman and Michael Greger. The Fuhrman books are more practical. Greger is filled with the fine points and scientific surveys - with easy to follow instant questions answered here -

Friends were here for some improvements, and they really liked the aroma of Creation Stew. We had talked earlier about nutrition, and they asked for the recipe, which I am revealing today, the way I make it.

Charlie Sue Stew

I use a two-quart pan and serve half for morning and the other half for late afternoon.

1. Water in the pan floats the blueberries and walnuts. The blueberries are good against cancer and walnuts are great in lowering cholesterol. Some people do not tolerate walnuts so that should be noted.
2. Initial spices are turmeric, mustard, and fresh ground pepper. Turmeric is a ginger and very good against pain, etc. Mustard is good for crucifer vegetables. Ground pepper is good for improving turmeric.
3. Charlie Sue waits for her meat portion, sliced ham at the moment and sausage for backup. She gets initial samples and then more when I am eating the stew.
4. Frozen, chopped, leafy greens are zero-caloried, lacking salt, and loaded with nutrition. Kale is primary and spinach secondary. Keep stirring. 
5. I add spices and stir greens in - cumin (backbone of stew flavor), cinnamon (enhancer), Italian seasoning (very popular), bagel seasoning (adding garlic, etc), curry (very good), marjoram, and ground cardamom. Results vary from day to day, and that is more fun than fishing the frozen lakes of Minnesota, eh?.
6. Charlie Sue gets impatient at this point and leaves for her queen sized bed.
7. Tomato paste is the best base for this stew - texture, flavor, and nutritious tomatoes. I almost forgot...
8. What I add after spices and leafy greens will vary for each meal.
9. Mushrooms are anti-cancer and a pleasant addition to the food.
10. Onions are delicious and often paired with green peppers. Similar vegetables share and swap anti-oxidants, so I pull bags out of the freezer and put them back in small amounts.
11. Frozen peas are my life-long favorite. That includes the flavor, fiber, and protein.
12. Brussel sprouts are high on the list as a crucifer and fun/soft to chew.
13. I do NOT use "seasoned" frozen food because it is simply frozen vegetables with salt and pepper added - for a very expensive frozen food.

The variations are fun to make and delicious to crave. Here are some bad ideas, lacking nutritional value and loaded with -

Oil, shortening, butter, eggs, milk products.

Artificial sweeteners, sugar, corn syrup.

Prepared foods - breads, crackers, Fritos, pizza, all desserts.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Oculi - "They were put to silence, but their hearts were hardened, so that they did not heed His words. A hardened heart will not be instructed, no matter how plainly and clearly the truth is presented; but the faith of the righteous is strengthened when they see that the ground of their faith is right and good."

 

Oculi. Third Sunday in Lent. Luke 11:14-23. Jesus Casts out a Demon, or Christ’s Defense against his Blasphemers

4. What then were these blasphemers able to say to such clear arguments?

They were put to silence, but their hearts were hardened, so that they did not heed his words. A hardened heart will not be instructed, no matter how plainly and clearly the truth is presented; but the faith of the righteous is strengthened when they see that the ground of their faith is right and good.

And for the sake of such we must answer those whose hearts are hardened, and put them to silence. Even though they will not be converted nor keep silence still it serves to reveal their hardened hearts, for the longer they talk the more foolish they become, and they are caught in their folly, and their cause is robbed of the appearance of being right and good, as Solomon also says in Proverbs 26:5: “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” That is, answer him according to his folly that his folly may be put to shame for the sake of others, that they may not follow him and be deceived, thinking that he is right. Otherwise, where no such condition exists, it is better to keep silent, as Solomon also says in the same chapter, verse 4 “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.”

5. Nor could they say here that the devils only pretended to be divided among themselves and to yield to one another in order to deceive the people, for it is publicly seen how they resist and contend, cry and rave, tear and rage, when they see that Christ means to expel them. It is then clearly seen that they are opposed to Christ and his Spirit, and they are not united with him, to whom they must yield so unwillingly. Therefore it is only a flagrant blasphemous lie, in which they are caught and put to shame, by which they try in venomous hate to give the devil credit for a work of God. From this we learn not to be surprised when our doctrine and life are blasphemed and stubborn hearts will not be convinced nor converted, although they are overwhelmed, as it were, with tangible truth and completely put to silence. It is enough that through our arguments their obstinate folly is revealed, acknowledged and made harmless to pious people, so that the latter may not be misled by its fine pretension. They may then go whither they will, they have condemned themselves as St. Paul says, Titus 3:11.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Lent 3 - Oculi - "In the first place, like all the Gospels this one teaches us faith and love; for it presents Christ to us as a most loving Savior and Helper in every need and tells us that he who believes this is saved. For we see here that Christ had nothing to do with people who were healthy, but with a poor man who was greatly afflicted with many ills. He was blind, as Matthew says; also dumb and possessed with a demon, as Luke tells us here."

 

Oculi. Third Sunday in Lent. Luke 11:14-23. Jesus Casts out a Demon, or Christ’s Defense against his Blasphemers

TEXT: Luke 11:14-23. 14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.

20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. 21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. 23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

I. CHRIST’S DEFENSE AGAINST HIS BLASPHEMERS.

1. This is a beautiful Gospel from which we learn many different things, and in which nearly everything is set forth as to what Christ, his kingdom and his Gospel are: what they accomplish and how they fare in the world.

In the first place, like all the Gospels this one teaches us faith and love; for it presents Christ to us as a most loving Savior and Helper in every need and tells us that he who believes this is saved. For we see here that Christ had nothing to do with people who were healthy, but with a poor man who was greatly afflicted with many ills. He was blind, as Matthew says; also dumb and possessed with a demon, as Luke tells us here. Now all mutes are also deaf, so that in the Greek language deaf and dumb are one word.

By this act Christ draws us to himself, leads us to look to him for every blessing, and to go to him in every time of need. He does this that we also, according to the nature of love, should do unto others as he does unto us.

This is the universal and the most precious doctrine of this Gospel and of all the Gospels throughout the church year. This poor man, however, did not come to Christ without the Word; for those who brought him to Christ must have heard his love preached and were moved thereby to trust in him.

We learn therefore that faith comes through the Word; but more of this elsewhere.

2. Secondly, it is here demonstrated how Christ and his Gospel fare in the world, namely, that there are three kinds of hearers. Some marvel at him; these are pious and true Christians, who consider this deed so great that they are amazed at it. Some blaspheme the Gospel; these are the Pharisees and scribes, who were vexed because they could not do the like, and were worried lest the people should hold Christ in higher esteem than themselves. Some tempt him, like Herod desired a sign after his own heart, that they may make sport of it. But he answers both parties; at first, the blasphemers in this Gospel, and later on the tempters, saying that no sign shall be given this wicked generation except the sign of the prophet Jonah, of which we read in the verses following. He answers the blasphemers in a friendly way and argues five points with them.

3. In the first place, with honest and reasonable arguments he concludes from two comparisons that one devil cannot cast out another; for if that were so, the devils would be divided among themselves and Satan’s kingdom would indeed not stand. For nature teaches that if a kingdom is divided against itself and its citizens drive out each other, it is not necessary to go to war against it, for it will come to ruin soon enough of itself. Likewise a house divided against itself needs no other destruction.

Even the heathen author Sallust, teaching only from the light of nature and experience, says: “Great wealth passes away through discord, but through concord small means become large.” If now the devils were divided among themselves to such a degree that one should drive out the other, Satan’s dominion would be at an end, and we would have rest from his attacks.

Pay Attention to The Big Five Apostates' Swindle - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC.Note the World Missions Underhandedness

 

All Time Ichabod Visits11,844,441

Let's start with the graphic above. The gay/lesbian lobbies of ELCA were strutting their stuff because ELCA openly promoted anti-heterosexual clergy. The dimwit Presiding Bishop before Elizabeth Eaton was gung-ho, and soon they had their agenda locked and loaded to eject or humiliate anyone who opposed their agenda.

The poster title is Reconciling Works, one of many themes to promote gay-lesbian pastors and undermine the entire leadership. They also slithered in with - Lutherans for Full Participation. Both schemes are the same kind of magic act, forcing and hiding at the same time. They really mean, "We will take over every nook and cranny of the establishment and dare the troglodytes to stop us. We will keep advancing until we are 100% victorious."

Nota bene, as they say in Latin class - many steps were taken before the universal collapse of all the mainlines, which include the Big Five Apostates. 

1. The New Testament text was thoroughly corrupted by the smart-alecks, whether Wescott-Hort or Otten-Beck.
2. The worst theologians were promoted and honored because they were the most atheistic.
3. Worship was corrupted down to level of...I have a photo below, ELCA meeting.
4. Hymns were butchered into repulsive versions of cotton candy.
5. Only entertainment was left. Ask Ski and Glende, and the rest.

 He/she danced at the Luther Seminary chapel to entertain his friends. He was ordained soon after.

"Brett, I did the best I could, holding back the radicals and appeasing the Calvinists!"

And it shows!

 Funny how they needed a Ft. Wayne drop-out to teach Objective Faithless Justification to a tiny, bored audience.

Thrivent-USAID Flow Chart for Lutheran (sic) Denominations

 

Archbishop Elizabeth Eaton was voted into the ELCA Office in 2013, by virtue of her superior money and membership, though both going down the drain...fast. She earned an MDiv at Harvard Divinity School.

88

Matt Harrison is the Bishop of the four Watherian Sects - LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) - earning a coveted MDiv that alarmed and scattered the sheep. He has been gaining weight since 2010.

Randy DeJaynes, ELCA pastor, got Jim Heiser going as the next bishop, though the title was hidden away for a long time. Heiser prayed with Kincaid Smith and Jay Webber to be in fellowship with ELDONA, a merger that lasted several minutes.

Heiser spends big money on himself for world travels. He went to Europe several times and got nowhere, which is apparently his mission in the Philippines. 

The Big Five Apostates - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) - look up to Liz Eaton, her Harvard gay credentials, her hold on the Thrivent purse-strings and the USAID loot.

The cheap masks should match for the angel (orans) pose, if one wants to be distinctly Roman Catholic, not poking out the strained belly button.

The Bishop Rohrer jeremiad managed to tangle all the left-wing issues.

The ELCiC Bishop in Canada, Susan Johnson, has had many styles, eh?