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 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 National Council of Churches.
Martin Luther Sermons
Bethany Lutheran Hymnal Blog
Bethany Lutheran Church Sleepy Eye Assisted Living.
1100 1st Ave S. Apt 243. Sleepy Eye MN 56085-1863 Pastor Gregory Jackson, PhD USA, Canada, Australia, Philippines 10 AM Central - Sunday Service
We use The Lutheran Hymnal and the King James Version
Luther's Sermons: Lenker Edition
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Friday, June 27, 2025
What Do the LCMS-WELS-ELS Drones Believe?
They Repudiate the Augsburg Confession - Justification by Faith
Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Trinity 2, Second Sermon - "This preaching of Christ is the great and glorious supper with which he feeds his guests and sanctifies them through his holy Baptism, and comforts and strengthens them through the Sacrament of his body and blood, that nothing may be wanting and a great plenty may be at hand and all become satisfied. Thus this supper is justly called a glorious, great supper on account of the fare and food, so costly and richly prepared that no tongue can describe it and no heart sufficiently grasp it."
12. This man who prepared this supper is our Lord God himself. He is a great and rich Lord, who also once prepared a feast according to his glorious majesty and honor, and it was such a supper which is called great and glorious not only on account of the host, who is God himself, for it would be a glorious supper if he had only given a vegetable broth or a dry crust; yet the food is beyond all measure great and costly, namely, the holy Gospel, yea, Christ our Lord himself. He is himself the food, and is offered unto us through the Gospel, how he has made satisfaction by his death for our sins, and has redeemed us from all the misery of eternal death, of hell, of the wrath of God, sin and eternal condemnation.
13. This preaching of Christ is the great and glorious supper with which he feeds his guests and sanctifies them through his holy Baptism, and comforts and strengthens them through the Sacrament of his body and blood, that nothing may be wanting and a great plenty may be at hand and all become satisfied. Thus this supper is justly called a glorious, great supper on account of the fare and food, so costly and richly prepared that no tongue can describe it and no heart sufficiently grasp it. For it is an eternal food and an eternal drink, by partaking of which a man shall nevermore thirst nor hunger, but be forever satisfied, his thirst is quenched and he becomes joyful; and this not only for one man, but for the whole wide world, even if it were ten times wider, they would all have sufficient. For it is an inexhaustible food and an everlasting drink, as our Gospel says: He who believeth on this Lord Jesus Christ, that he was born for us of the Virgin Mary and crucified for out’ sins under Pontius Pilate, died, descended into hell, and rose again from the dead and sitteth at the right hand of God, etc.; he who believes this, eats and drinks truly from this supper. For to believe in Christ the Lord means to eat and to drink, from which the people become satisfied, fat and stout and strong, so that they are joyful forever.
14. This is rightly called a great supper, because it is so precious, and is offered to so many people that every one may eat until he is satisfied, and yet the food never becomes less. For it is such a great and strengthening food that it endures forever and gives eternal life, for it nourishes us differently than our mere bodily eating and drinking. If one has eaten and drunk enough to-day, he must still eat again to-morrow. But this is an eternal food and lasts forever. With this Christ gives those hypocrites at the table to understand that it is a different supper from what they had given him; and yet they are such rogues and knaves, that although they gossip and talk about it a great deal, yet they despise God and his mercy, eternal life and salvation, and hold everything else dearer. It follows further: “And he bade many.”
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Reformation Seminary Lecture - Acts 17 Part 1
KJV Acts 17:1-15
17 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble [ουτοι δε ησαν ευγενεστεροι - eugenics] than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.
15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
Next Section of Chapter 17
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
33 So Paul departed from among them.
34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
A Day in June
James Russell Lowell
And what is so rare as a day in June?
Then, if ever, come perfect days;
Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune,
And over it softly her warm ear lays....
The least ambitious gardener will repeat Lowell's opening line. Many of us had to recite the poem. Various human helpers and Supervisor Charlie Sue have provided a unique, inexpensive gardening paradise. Hailstorm, thunderclaps, heat and humidity have co-mingled the benefits without bearing the costs.
The front porch was always welcome for being just above the level of the garden. However, the best view is from the inside of the picture window - for a close-up of calla lilies, butterfly weed, roses, clethra, Four O'clocks, and gaudy Canna.
I push back the e-z chair recliner with my feet almost touching the window ledge. Charlie is happy to jump up and watch the parade of birds and squirrels. Outside, I already set up the bird feeders from the backyard to encourage birds in the front yard:
- Cardinals male and female
- Blue jays
- Grackles
- Starlings
- Common finches, maybe goldfinches too
- Hummingbirds
The area around the mailbox was infested with bee balm; the mailman was not happy about that last year. The plant draws the bees but terrorizes the mail carriers. The mailman did some bee balm trimming without a permit. Countering his work, I laid out heavy cardboard sheets and covered them with wood mulch to hold it down, to keep grass and weeds from rising up for another round with the bees. Additional labor (not mine) created a No-Fly zone, making everyone happy. The carrier smiles and waves at me now.
Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Trinity 2 - Second Sermon - "This man who prepared this supper is our Lord God himself. He is a great and rich Lord, who also once prepared a feast according to his glorious majesty and honor, and it was such a supper which is called great and glorious not only on account of the host, who is God himself, for it would be a glorious supper if he had only given a vegetable broth or a dry crust; yet the food is beyond all measure great and costly, namely, the holy Gospel, yea, Christ our Lord himself."
Luther's Sermons - Luke 14:16-17.
Second Sunday after Trinity, Second Sermon
11. Christ replies to him: Yes, says he, I will tell you how blessed you and your comrades are: “A certain man made a great supper, and bade many,” and they despised it and would not come. This blow was meant for him. As though he would say: You say much in the words, that he is a blessed man who eats bread in heaven! Oh, but you are in very great earnest! What an excellent holy man you are, namely, you are one of those who are invited and yet do not come. These are hard, sharp and terrible words when rightly considered; for he is speaking to real thorough-going rogues, who sat about the table, not because they wanted to learn anything, but in order to observe him closely to see by what means they might come to him and take him. To those he spoke this parable: “A certain man made a great supper.”
12. This man who prepared this supper is our Lord God himself. He is a great and rich Lord, who also once prepared a feast according to his glorious majesty and honor, and it was such a supper which is called great and glorious not only on account of the host, who is God himself, for it would be a glorious supper if he had only given a vegetable broth or a dry crust; yet the food is beyond all measure great and costly, namely, the holy Gospel, yea, Christ our Lord himself. He is himself the food, and is offered unto us through the Gospel, how he has made satisfaction by his death for our sins, and has redeemed us from all the misery of eternal death, of hell, of the wrath of God, sin and eternal condemnation.
13. This preaching of Christ is the great and glorious supper with which he feeds his guests and sanctifies them through his holy Baptism, and comforts and strengthens them through the Sacrament of his body and blood, that nothing may be wanting and a great plenty may be at hand and all become satisfied. Thus this supper is justly called a glorious, great supper on account of the fare and food, so costly and richly prepared that no tongue can describe it and no heart sufficiently grasp it.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Why Not Question the Waltherian Four? - LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic)
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| Bishop or Pope? |
The Waltherian Four - LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) - would like to know why they are despised and disappearing fast. They threw themselves at Fuller Seminary and slinked away, poorer and more ridiculous than ever.
I. Justification by Faith
The Waltherian Four like to evade their false doctrine, but they studiously denounce Justification by Faith, the Chief Article of the Christian Faith. Paul Kuske (retired, WELS) seems to be the only one who teaches Justification by Faith... Alone. The Fetid Four take great delight in repeating their mistakes by sheltering themselves in the gross errors of Walther and Pieper. Gausewitz does not count because - by golly - the titular head of LCMS-WELS-ELS was correct as president of the Synodical Conference...but soon dead.
II. Corrupting the Scriptures

They privately created their own Greek New Testament, the foundation provided for the Revised Version in English. I have one, betcha your pastor does not.
The turn of the century hailed the newest disaster - The Revised Version, So Bad It Was Not Reprinted at All, No Never! Pyramids full of the unwanted RV could not be sold. Lenski was perhaps the only one who took the RV seriously. But lo, the RSV was on the horizon and led the way in the 1950s for denying the Virgin Birth of Mary in Isaiah 7. The so-called translations that followed the RSV and earlier RV gave the money-makers financial incentives to sell paraphrases which were always changing. The NEW KJV is a sly example, always changing due to their lust for the copyright.
III.The Book of Concord
Everyone should know the Book of Concord and use it as a commentary on the Bible. Unfortunately, the main use is creating layer upon layer of gassy dogmatics. Why not spend a lifetime of arguing the Second Use of the Law or perhaps the Third Use of the Law? So much fun. So vapid!
The opening about Justification by Faith proves how corrupt and worthless the Book of Concord is, given its leadership.
How Dare You Criticize the Waltherian Four! - LCMS, WELS, ELS, CLC (sic)
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| Spending at Almy's to impress the feminist ELCA bishops. |
Sometimes I see the point Pr Greg makes in Ichabod on why he critiques the Synodicals too much. Many of them are exhibiting romantic views of Rome or EO and I see more his point on how there are pastors there that are seduced to corruption of piety.
Here is I think an example of that in Twitter
The guy is from LCMS. Based? Biased?
I know you are not in Twitter but when I see stuff like this, I say, wow, Pr Greg is right again.
You can see the drift, happening so fast. I understand why Ichabod spends time on the Synodical apostasy in the US.
This is just one example, and this is not a one off, but I can show more easily of posts like this, toying with Roman and EO piety.
+++
GJ - The Roman trend developed with LCMS pastors wanting to be priests - like Neuhaus, who recruited for a time and then became an official priest. Christina and I met Nauhaus at the Ad Fontes Conference, when he was speaking earnestly with LCA Bishop Crumley. The conference was propaganda to get LCA pastors into Rome.
Grinning, Neuhaus asked me, "Are you Ad Fontes?" I said, "No, we are already Fontes." He laughed, very charming but terribly mixed up. ELDONUTs, who want so badly to be Roman, would have loved the Ad Fontes Holy Communion to show off their angel pose, which deeply disturbed Crumley, standing near the altar.
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| Wannabee Popes don the mitre, the angel pose, and the loose cincture. |
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| The angel pose is best used with a solemn dress code and lace. The bishop's hat - mitre - projects the Pope's humble nature. |
Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Trinity 2 Second Sermon - "For we will remain with the unity of Christians, that one is as good as another, and all differences are here at an end. This is enough here for the sake of the young and the common people. We will now take up the Gospel lesson."
Luther's Sermons - Luke 14:16-17.
Second Sunday after Trinity, Second Sermon
8. This I desired to say briefly for the sake of the young, and also for our sakes, that everyone should learn to know the devil, and beware of the abominations which Popery has introduced, and has thus divided the Christian church which our Lord God has made one, while they condemn and persecute us because we will not allow ourselves to be made mice and rats who eat without drinking, or only receive the one part. For this reason we in our church have altogether done away with this festival, because the Papists have made it nothing else but pure idolatry, and have gone straight against the order and institution of Christ, bringing disgrace to the holy Sacrament and a positive injury to Christianity. For we will remain with the unity of Christians, that one is as good as another, and all differences are here at an end. This is enough here for the sake of the young and the common people. We will now take up the Gospel lesson.
9. The occasion of this sermon by Christ was the miracle which the Lord Jesus Christ performed in the house of a Pharisee, when he healed one sick of the dropsy. But the Evangelist tells how they followed him and were on the watch for him, in order to catch him. Therefore, he also begins to lecture them, and tells them how they are filled with pride and vanity, and crowd into the highest seats, until he at length comes to the host, and reads a text also to him, how he should invite his guests; not the rich who can invite him again and thank him for it, but the poor, who may welcome him again in the life to come.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Baptism of the Household - Reformation Seminary Lecture - Lydia Baptized - KJV Acts 16:14
Baptism - Reformation Seminary Lecture - KJV Acts 16:14f
Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
15 ως δε εβαπτισθη και ο οικος αυτης παρεκαλεσεν λεγουσα ει κεκρικατε με πιστην τω κυριω ειναι εισελθοντες εις τον οικον μου μεινατε και παρεβιασατο ημας
- 2 Timothy 4:19chapter context similar meaning copy save
- Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
- Romans 16:10chapter context similar meaning copy save
- Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.
- Romans 16:11chapter context similar meaning copy save
- Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
- Galatians 6:10chapter context similar meaning copy save
- As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
- The division came during the Reformation, when the Radical Reformation members only permitted adult baptism.
- The Biblical references do not include "except the children" or "except the babies."
- A household - in ancient times - included everyone. Later, it was tempting to see how human reason (rationalism) could oppose God's work. Mennonites etc will say, "Are you ready to be baptized, Horace?" (age 8 or 9) That led to assuming a certain age.
- The baptism of babies is a clear concept of Word and Spirit, which should be observed by everyone, simply by talking to a newborn.
- If we are going to judge by Jesus Himself, how do we make a case baptism by Him and the Apostles?
- Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
- Matthew 19:14 δε ιησους ειπεν αφετε τα παιδια και μη κωλυετε αυτα ελθειν προς με των γαρ τοιουτων εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων
- 3 John 10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
- Forbid is a bigger concept than people may think. Not simply - no, no, no.
- δια τουτο εαν ελθω υπομνησω αυτου τα εργα α ποιει λογοις πονηροις φλυαρων ημας και μη αρκουμενος επι τουτοις ουτε αυτος επιδεχεται τους αδελφους και τους βουλομενους κωλυει και εκ της εκκλησιας εκβαλλει [ek-ballo, throw them out of the church]







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