Today, Monday at 1:30 PM - Shepherd Sunday - Central Savings

  

Sheep and shepherd Biblical themes - 500 in all. Genesis 22. Psalm 23. Isaiah 40 and 53. Zechariah 13:7 & Mark 14:27. Luke 15. John 10.

"Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."

The Hymn #436         The Lord's My Shepherd

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord: by the word of the Lord were the heavens made. Psalm. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect 

God, who by the humiliation of Thy Son didst raise up the fallen world, grant unto Thy faithful ones perpetual gladness, and those whom Thou hast delivered from the danger of everlasting death do Thou make partakers of eternal joys; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual       

 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Then was the Lord Jesus known of the disciples: in the breaking of bread. Hallelujah!

V. I am the Good Shepherd: and know My sheep and am known of Mine. Hallelujah!

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #269    O Lord Our Father Shall We Be Confounded

The Good Shepherd

The Communion Hymn #409   Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus             

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 #628             Shepherd of Tender Youth    

 

Prayers and Announcements

• Pastor James Shrader and his wife Chris, Kermit Way, Sarah Buck.
• The Meyer Family attended Enzo's GCU graduation.

 

 Second Sunday After Easter

Lord God, heavenly Father, who of Thy fatherly goodness hast been mindful of us poor, miserable sinners, and hast given Thy beloved Son to be our shepherd, not only to nourish us by His word, but also to defend us from sin, death, and the devil: We beseech Thee, grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that, even as this Shepherd doth know us and succor us in every affliction, we also may know Him, and, trusting in Him, seek help and comfort in Him, from our hearts obey His voice, and obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

 

KJV 1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

KJV John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The Good Shepherd

KJV John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

In Koine Greek, Jesus' statement is "I AM the Shepherd the Noble," which means in modern translation - I am the Noble Shepherd, or I am the Shepherd above all shepherds. John 10:11 εγω ειμι ο ποιμην ο καλος, ο ποιμην ο καλος την ψυχην αυτου τιθησιν υπερ των προβατων.

"I AM" is simple and yet is the Name of God in Exodus 3 and in Exodus 20. "2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage."

This micro-lesson shows us that the greatest from all Jesus' titles is simple in words but overwhelming in its meaning. Therefore He states His role for all people on earth and expresses it in the simplest words, far more complex than Matthew, Mark, and Luke. That is why NT Greek students start (as I did) with John in Koine Greek.

Jesus - as the noble Shepherd - guides and protects us but also has laid down His life for that purpose. When people think, talk, or write about God, they can end up falling into condemnation under the Law, overwhelming guilt, fears and guilt. How many church additions have been built from people demanding that felt need? How many people avoid worship because it causes guilt? How many look at the numbers and fall into worries and depression?

12 But he that is an hireling [hired hand], and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

Jesus first expressed His love for his sheep and His willingness to take care of them, based on His own title as the Good Shepherd. His description cannot be overturned by anything contrary, so everyone can be helped and strengthened no matter how weak and alone they might feel. As one person wrote, anguish is not obvious. If someone has a broken bone or a bad cut, sympathy is quick and obvious. However, whatever is inside of us is far more difficult with emotions and past experiences. 

The hired hand is the snake oil salesman of every age. They always have the right thing to offer for a generous price in their own pockets (nasty pockets, in Lord of the Rings). When the victims find out it is a scam, they are doubly hurt. There is an ocean of difference between man's cleverness and God's work through the Good Shepherd.

The earliest era of Christian growth came from the Apostles teaching and writing the New Testament Scriptures. Those sacred writings were from the Holy Spirit and kept with astonishing persistence in many languages. Note that scallywags from each generation will try to replace the divine Word with their own opinions. Even that is horrible because they are being fed man's opinions instead of the Word of God. The hired hands get tired quickly and run away. 

14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

I was baptized as a baby and taught in Sunday School, VBS, etc. My mother taught school all week and Sunday School on Sunday. When I went home from the bakery  late at night, I stopped at Salem Lutheran Church and looked at the stained glass window lit up all night, shining in the darkness. It is the message of Christ that binds us to the Good Shepherd, who binds Himself to us.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

It is wrong to think God the Father is angry and harsh but the Son is merciful and loving. The Father/Son statement shows how they work together through the Holy Spirit, with an emphasis on the atoning death of Jesus, His mercy and love for each and every one of us.

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

They shall have a comfortable church on a busy street near housing. They will look to their neighbors and say - Look at how well we have done with pop music, merch, and a grinning minister of enthusiasm.

Only the Word of God can accomplish His will. It is always effective, as the Scriptures teach, and never fails. That is an emphasis on the love of the Good Shepherd for us. The Gospel draws people to Him, and they know from the Spirit in the Word that the Savior is with them, guiding them, absolving sin, and thanking the Shepherd.

One of our regulars is a shepherd with a flock of sheep. They need him to stay alive, and the shepherd does that - even to help the ewe give birth and feed the lambs. The shepherd becomes the wet nurse to save mother and newborn lamb. The dog Ringo looks out for predators, too. Thus our modern day repeats the story of the Good Shepherd, not just in John 10 but throughout the Scriptures, so we have confidence and trust in Him.

Monday Monday

 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86227237809?pwd=q5PHus8qsFTM52aNFcJ6Jecxe0UMKh.1

Trying a new combo 

Habemus Papam - We Have a Pope!

 

The smoke from burning the papal votes was arranged by Disney.

Found a Key Problem on Zoom - Will Work on It Tomorrow

An audio problem made everything squirrely and I was told how to remove it.

Shepherd Sunday - 2025. The Second Sunday after Easter.

 

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86253605969?pwd=fO1LGktD0dhgFu20o4yMFgc8OcNS16.1

Sheep and shepherd Biblical themes - 500 in all. Genesis 22. Psalm 23. Isaiah 40 and 53. Zechariah 13:7 & Mark 14:27. Luke 15. John 10.

"Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."

The Hymn #436         The Lord's My Shepherd

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord: by the word of the Lord were the heavens made. Psalm. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect 

God, who by the humiliation of Thy Son didst raise up the fallen world, grant unto Thy faithful ones perpetual gladness, and those whom Thou hast delivered from the danger of everlasting death do Thou make partakers of eternal joys; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual       

 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Then was the Lord Jesus known of the disciples: in the breaking of bread. Hallelujah!

V. I am the Good Shepherd: and know My sheep and am known of Mine. Hallelujah!

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #269    O Lord Our Father Shall We Be Confounded

The Good Shepherd

The Communion Hymn #409   Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus             

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 #628             Shepherd of Tender Youth    

 

Prayers and Announcements

• Pastor James Shrader and his wife Chris, Kermit Way, Sarah Buck.
• The Meyer Family attended Enzo's GCU graduation.

 

 Second Sunday After Easter

Lord God, heavenly Father, who of Thy fatherly goodness hast been mindful of us poor, miserable sinners, and hast given Thy beloved Son to be our shepherd, not only to nourish us by His word, but also to defend us from sin, death, and the devil: We beseech Thee, grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that, even as this Shepherd doth know us and succor us in every affliction, we also may know Him, and, trusting in Him, seek help and comfort in Him, from our hearts obey His voice, and obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

 

KJV 1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

KJV John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The Good Shepherd

KJV John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

In Koine Greek, Jesus' statement is "I AM the Shepherd the Noble," which means in modern translation - I am the Noble Shepherd, or I am the Shepherd above all shepherds. John 10:11 εγω ειμι ο ποιμην ο καλος, ο ποιμην ο καλος την ψυχην αυτου τιθησιν υπερ των προβατων.

"I AM" is simple and yet is the Name of God in Exodus 3 and in Exodus 20. "2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage."

This micro-lesson shows us that the greatest from all Jesus' titles is simple in words but overwhelming in its meaning. Therefore He states His role for all people on earth and expresses it in the simplest words, far more complex than Matthew, Mark, and Luke. That is why NT Greek students start (as I did) with John in Koine Greek.

Jesus - as the noble Shepherd - guides and protects us but also has laid down His life for that purpose. When people think, talk, or write about God, they can end up falling into condemnation under the Law, overwhelming guilt, fears and guilt. How many church additions have been built from people demanding that felt need? How many people avoid worship because it causes guilt? How many look at the numbers and fall into worries and depression?

12 But he that is an hireling [hired hand], and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

Jesus first expressed His love for his sheep and His willingness to take care of them, based on His own title as the Good Shepherd. His description cannot be overturned by anything contrary, so everyone can be helped and strengthened no matter how weak and alone they might feel. As one person wrote, anguish is not obvious. If someone has a broken bone or a bad cut, sympathy is quick and obvious. However, whatever is inside of us is far more difficult with emotions and past experiences. 

The hired hand is the snake oil salesman of every age. They always have the right thing to offer for a generous price in their own pockets (nasty pockets, in Lord of the Rings). When the victims find out it is a scam, they are doubly hurt. There is an ocean of difference between man's cleverness and God's work through the Good Shepherd.

The earliest era of Christian growth came from the Apostles teaching and writing the New Testament Scriptures. Those sacred writings were from the Holy Spirit and kept with astonishing persistence in many languages. Note that scallywags from each generation will try to replace the divine Word with their own opinions. Even that is horrible because they are being fed man's opinions instead of the Word of God. The hired hands get tired quickly and run away. 

14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

I was baptized as a baby and taught in Sunday School, VBS, etc. My mother taught school all week and Sunday School on Sunday. When I went home from the bakery  late at night, I stopped at Salem Lutheran Church and looked at the stained glass window lit up all night, shining in the darkness. It is the message of Christ that binds us to the Good Shepherd, who binds Himself to us.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

It is wrong to think God the Father is angry and harsh but the Son is merciful and loving. The Father/Son statement shows how they work together through the Holy Spirit, with an emphasis on the atoning death of Jesus, His mercy and love for each and every one of us.

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

They shall have a comfortable church on a busy street near housing. They will look to their neighbors and say - Look at how well we have done with pop music, merch, and a grinning minister of enthusiasm.

Only the Word of God can accomplish His will. It is always effective, as the Scriptures teach, and never fails. That is an emphasis on the love of the Good Shepherd for us. The Gospel draws people to Him, and they know from the Spirit in the Word that the Savior is with them, guiding them, absolving sin, and thanking the Shepherd.

One of our regulars is a shepherd with a flock of sheep. They need him to stay alive, and the shepherd does that - even to help the ewe give birth and feed the lambs. The shepherd becomes the wet nurse to save mother and newborn lamb. The dog Ringo looks out for predators, too. Thus our modern day repeats the story of the Good Shepherd, not just in John 10 but throughout the Scriptures, so we have confidence and trust in Him.

Everything But

 

"They are discounting our personal merch, 25%! Whee!"

I was watching a Christian group on YouTube - Life in 3D - two brothers and their sister harmonizing a blend of songs. They got excited with "merch," which they are promoting with the sound tracks and video. That made me laugh about the current fad and its name - merch - which is a substitute for the Gospel, a treat for the worn-out Church Growth Movement. WELS is deep into merch and racing down the slippery slope.

"I share in the thrill of exciting new merch available at a discount."

Both sects have tried to prop themselves up by denouncing and shunning their inbred cousins. They even reached the lowpoint of St. Louis and Ft. Wayne engaged in mutual shunning, not unlike the dying Gettysburg and Philadelphia Seminary merger. United Lutheran Seminary means both failing schools can share the same merch. Added value! as my insurance supervisor said.

 WELS has tried everything except the Gospel and Justification by Faith.

The newest thrill is turning three congregations into one with two pastors. When I copied that material into this blog, the originator blocked his exciting new ideas.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Shepherd Sunday - "Accordingly, they are never true shepherds who, in preaching, have their own popularity, profit and advantage in view. They are surely hirelings; for they seek their own advantage, even when they dispense the true doctrine and Word of God. Therefore they continue only as long as they are honored and praised."

 

Misericordias Domini. Second Sunday After Easter. John 10:11-16. Christ’s Office and Kingdom; or How Christ is the True Shepherd

II. CHRIST ILLUSTRATES HIS OFFICE AND KINGDOM BY COMPARING THE GOOD SHEPHERD WITH THE HIRELING.

25. Now, he contrasts the good shepherd with a wicked one, or a hireling, and says: “The good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep. He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them and scattereth them: he fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.”

26. In the strictest sense, he alone is the shepherd; and yet, as he alone is Christ but nevertheless calls us by the same name — Christians — even so, though he alone is the shepherd, he designates all those who exercise the office of the ministry among Christians by that name also. In like manner in Matthew 23:9 he forbids us to call any man on earth father, for one is our father, even he who is in heaven, yet Paul calls himself a father of the Corinthians when he says: “I begat you through the Gospel.” Corinthians 4:15. Thus God acts as though he alone would be our father, and yet he attributes the name to men also, so that they are called fathers.

But they have no right to this name in themselves; only in Christ is it theirs: even as we are called Christians though we have nothing of our own, but all we have has been given to us, in him. Now, “the hireling,” says he, “whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth,” etc. That is a hard saying, indeed, that some who truly preach and administer the Gospel and strengthen and heal the sheep, finally allow themselves to be carried away and leave the sheep when they are most in need of help. As long as no wolf is in sight, they are active and. tend the sheep; but when they see the wolf breaking in, they forsake the sheep. If the sheep have been well kept, till they are strong and healthy and fat, they will then be all the more acceptable to the wolf, for whom they have been kept.

27. How does that happen? Well, says Christ, in my kingdom, whose whole object is to strengthen the weak, heal the sick, comfort the sorrowing, and so forth, the holy cross will not be wanting. For, if we preach that Christ alone must receive, strengthen, heal and help us poor sheep, and that we cannot, by our own strength and works, help ourselves, and that, therefore, all works and whatever else the world pretends to offer in its many religious services are of no avail, the world cannot abide such preaching. Hence, it is but natural that the Gospel should bring with it the holy cross, and that they who confess it before the world should risk their necks in so doing.

28. Because this is so, the good shepherds are thus distinguished from the hirelings. Whoever is a hireling will preach the Gospel only so long as they say of him that he is a learned, pious and good man; but when he is attacked, and men begin to denounce him as a heretic and a knave, and challenge him to a dispute, he recants or runs away, and abandons the poor sheep in their distress, and things are in a worse state than they were before. For what advantage has it been to the poor sheep that they had once been well kept? Had the shepherds been faithful, they would have sacrificed their bodies and lives for the sake of the sheep, and would have given their necks to the executioner for the Gospel’s sake. Accordingly, they are never true shepherds who, in preaching, have their own popularity, profit and advantage in view. They are surely hirelings; for they seek their own advantage, even when they dispense the true doctrine and Word of God. Therefore they continue only as long as they are honored and praised.

Hence they retract, and deny the Word, when the wolf comes, or flee and leave the sheep in the lurch. The sheep bleat for pasture and for the shepherd to protect them from the wolves, but there is no one to succor them; thus they are deserted when they most need some one to help them.

29. Such will be the result when men once begin to lay hands on and persecute us in earnest. There will be preachers who will hold their tongues and flee, and the sheep will be pitiably scattered, the one running here and the other there. God grant that there may be at least some who will stand firm and risk their lives to rescue the sheep. Thus Christ has here portrayed the hireling. He then proceeds: “I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own.”

30. There is a great deal contained in these words, far too much to be exhaustively treated here. He speaks here of his own peculiar calling. “I know mine own,” he says, “and mine own know me.” How is this to be understood? That he explains further when he says: “Even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father.”

III. THE SPECIAL OFFICE CHRIST ADMINISTERS EXPLAINED.

31. How is he known of the Father? Not with an earthly, but with a heavenly, knowledge. Of that we have spoken more fully before, and the substance of it is this: Christ recognizes us as his sheep, and we recognize him as our shepherd. Now, we have heard what a good shepherd is, and also who the weak sheep are. He knows us to be such sheep as are weak, sick and broken. That is: It does not make any difference in his regard for them that they are weak and sickly, and he does not despise and reject them on that account; but he pities and heals them, even though they be so diseased that the whole world concludes they are not his sheep. Such is the world’s knowledge, but that is not the way that Christ distinguishes them.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Shepherd Sunday - "So you see that Christian wisdom does not consist in raising our eyes to that which is lofty and wise, to see ourselves reflected there, but in lowering our eyes to that which is lowly and foolish. Let him who knows this, thank God; for such knowledge will fit him to accommodate himself to, and guide him under, all circumstances in this life. Therefore you will yet find many even among those who preach the Gospel, who have not yet attained it. They never taught us thus before, and we were accustomed to think we did not dare to come to Christ until we had first become perfectly pure. Now you must get out of that way of thinking and come to a proper understanding of Jesus, and learn to know him as a true shepherd."

 

Misericordias Domini. Second Sunday After Easter. John 10:11-16. Christ’s Office and Kingdom; or How Christ is the True Shepherd

20. Therefore, we should so preach Christ as one who will reject nobody, however weak he may be, but will gladly receive and comfort and strengthen everybody; that we may always picture him to ourselves as a good shepherd. Then hearts will turn to him of their own accord, and need not be forced and driven. The Gospel graciously invites and makes men willing, so that they desire to go, and do go, to him with all confidence.

And it begets a love for Christ in their hearts, so that they willingly do what they should, whereas formerly they had to be driven and forced. When we are driven, we do a thing with displeasure and against our will. That is not what God desires; therefore it is done in vain. But when I see that God deals with me graciously, he wins my heart, so that I am constrained to fly to him; consequently, my heart is filled with happiness and joy.

21. Now see what an evil it is when one person judges another. Christ’s kingdom, as we have heard, is calculated to heal and sanctify only such souls as are sick and needy; therefore all must err who look only upon those who are strong and holy. Consequently, the knowledge that rightly apprehends Christ is great and mighty. By our nature we are knaves to the very hide, and yet we expect everyone to be pious. With open mouth, we do not want to look at anybody but strong Christians. We ignore the sick and weak, and think that if they are not strong then they are not Christians at all. And others who are not perfectly holy we reckon among the wicked, and yet we, ourselves, are more wicked than they. That is what our evil nature does, and our blind reason, that wants to measure God’s kingdom by its own imagination, and thinks that whatever does not appear pure in its eyes is not pure in the sight of God.

22. Therefore we must get that idea out of our minds; for if we keep it before us too much, we will finally get into such a state of mind as to think:

Oh, what will become of me if only they are Christians who are strong and healthy and holy? When will I ever reach that state? And thus we, ourselves, will make it impossible. Therefore, we must eventually be driven to say: Dear Lord, I realize that I am very weak, very sick and despondent.

Nevertheless, I will not allow that to confound me, but I will come to thee, that thou mayest help me; for thou art ever the good and pious shepherd, which I also confess thee to be, and therefore will I despair of my own works.

23. Let us, therefore, ever be wise and learn to know Christ well, and to know that in his kingdom there are only weak and sickly people, and that it is nothing but a hospital, where the sick and infirm, who need care, are gathered. And yet there are so few who understand that! And this fact seems so obscured that even they who have the Gospel and the Spirit are lacking in the knowledge of it; for it is the most profound wisdom that man can attain. For even though they see that the Scriptures praise this kingdom and speak of its preciousness, yet they do not realize what the words mean, and do not understand that they contain that true wisdom which is far above the wisdom of men. For it is not our wisdom that we deal with, and that we speak of and preach to sensible, prudent and wise people; but it is this, that we go among fools and simpletons, and care for them, not because we find pleasure in so doing, but in order that we may help them to get rid of their sins and foolishness and to find righteousness and true knowledge.

24. So you see that Christian wisdom does not consist in raising our eyes to that which is lofty and wise, to see ourselves reflected there, but in lowering our eyes to that which is lowly and foolish. Let him who knows this, thank God; for such knowledge will fit him to accommodate himself to, and guide him under, all circumstances in this life. Therefore you will yet find many even among those who preach the Gospel, who have not yet attained it. They never taught us thus before, and we were accustomed to think we did not dare to come to Christ until we had first become perfectly pure. Now you must get out of that way of thinking and come to a proper understanding of Jesus, and learn to know him as a true shepherd. But we have heard enough on this point for the present.

Welcome back!

Reformation Seminary Lecture - Part 1 - Acts 7...

 

Cross and Crown - Stephen is Greek for crown.

Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

KJV Acts 7:1 Then said the high priest, Are these things so?

2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.

4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.

5 And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.

6 And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.

7 And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.

8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.

9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

10 And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

11 Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.

12 But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.

13 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.

14 Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.

15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,

16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.

17 But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,

18 Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.

19 The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.

20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:

21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.

22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.

23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:

25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.

26 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?

27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?

28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?

29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.

30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.

31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,

32 Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.

33 Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.

34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.

35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

36 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.