The Twenty-sixth Sunday after Trinity

The Twenty-sixth Sunday after Trinity

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

Bethany Lutheran Worship, 8 AM Phoenix Time

The Hymn # 511 Duke Street
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual 2 Thess 1:3-10
The Gospel Luke Matthew 25:31-45
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #376 Toplady

By Works or By Faith

The Hymn #314 by Jacobs Herr Jesu Christ, dich
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 #401 by Kingo Freu dich sehr

KJV 2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed ) in that day.

Or

KJV 2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

KJV Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Twenty-Sixth Sunday After Trinity
O almighty, eternal and merciful God, who by Thy beloved Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, hast established the kingdom of grace for us, that we might believe the forgiveness of our sins, in Thy holy Church on earth, since Thou art a God who hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live: We beseech Thee, graciously forgive us all our sins, through the same, Thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

By Works or By Faith

Matthew 25 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

One of the chief values of appointed readings is to provide portions of the Scripture we might overlook if congregations only chose favorite passages. With so many doing whatever is right in their own eyes, vast numbers are failing to get proper training in the Word.

This Gospel lesson seems to be exactly the opposite of justification by faith. The Parable of Last Judgment does not mention faith but emphasizes good works. Jesus does not even mention building churches or sponsoring a Praise Band. Everything mentioned would be recognized by anyone as humane acts – feeding, clothing, and visiting people in prison.

In fact, this issue, faith and works, has been the trap of many Christians. One former Protestant wrote a gigantic work (as a Catholic) on justification by works.

First, we have to set aside any notion that there is a way to reconcile justification by faith and the Roman Catholic teaching of faith plus works (fides formata).

The Savior and the Apostles taught justification by faith. Paul was especially insistent in his letters because he was so Law-oriented before his conversion. Likewise, Augustine and Luther emphasized the grace of God because of their previous slavery to the Law.

Recently, someone tried to convince me (again) that the whole world was justified when Jesus rose from the dead, quoting this passage:

KJV Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Now, let’s look at the whole chapter in general and the context of this verse in particular. Romans 4 is a chapter about faith. Granted, our chapters and verses were applied much later, but the thematic breaks are clear and we call these breaks and important transitions chapters.

KJV Romans 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

The opening statement in this chapter on faith is clearly one of justification by faith. Paul was unique in his training and his ability to negate any concept of works-righteousness. People are reckoned or counted forgiven through faith. That does not exclude God’s grace but glorifies God’s grace. Faith—or trust in the Word—receives the forgiveness promised in the Gospel.

The Gospel message is simple, clear, and compelling: the Son of God died innocently on the cross, paying for the sins of the world. We call that redemption because He paid the price for our sins. He paid this price, once for all time, so Jesus is properly called the Redeemer of the world.

This treasure of forgiveness lies in one heap, as Luther said, until the Holy Spirit distributes it through preaching and teaching the Word. When Jesus rose from the dead, He manifested his sinlessness. He did not die from sin, as we all must, but died for our sins.

Now let’s look at the end of Romans 4, in context.

KJV Romans 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Abraham was strong in faith. He believed the Promises of God. Because of this he was counted as righteous (reckoned righteous, imputed to him). We are also counted righteous if we believe in Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.

So the last verse was clearly written to include the Atonement and Resurrection, contrasting and parallel phrases – delivered for our sins, raised for our justification.

Lest there be any confusion about justification by faith, read from the ending of Romans 4 to the beginning of Romans 5. I will repeat some verses to show how Romans 5 strengthens the previous message about justification by faith.

KJV Romans 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

KJV Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

This is the same message as Jesus’

John 3 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Works and Faith
This Gospel selection is one of many aimed against carnal security. That may be a new term for some, especially since carnal security is taught rather than taught against.
Carnal security is represented by such phrases as, “I am thankful I belong to an orthodox church body.”

The better informed will say, “I am thankful I belong to an orthodox circuit.”

The well informed will say, “Are there any Lutheran congregations left?”

Carnal security places trust in membership or family patriarchs or the size and age of a congregation. Believe it or not, pastors say things like, “This is true because my father was a district president.” They are quite so blatant, but the message is clear. Or, “My father was president of the seminary.”

A woman we met was asked about a congregation. She said, “It’s OK, but they worship every stone in that church.” She was talking to one of the stone-worshipers, which made her laugh later. In Pennsylvania and other areas--where Lutherans are especially dense--they produce booklets about the building.

Carnal security means refusing to visit others because “we are saved by faith, not by works.”

Some laity run around like kamikaze pilots, happy to visit destruction on churches, in the name of something or other. They claim to have faith, but there is no connection between their professed love and their actions.

Many pastors are extremely kind and generous to their friends and to those who can promote them, give them a call to that exotic or plush location they covet. They talk Gospel but they live for their careers. They reap what they sow. They may cluck about how bad their synods are, but they are the spineless ones who create the apostasy.

Luther recognized that many building projects glorify man, not God. We have to wonder when someone gives money for a building, names it after himself, and poses for a picture dedicating the building. In Luther’s time, a church building meant time reduced from Purgatory. In our time, it means a wealthy man can leave his wife, marry another man’s wife, and be preached into heaven by three synods at once – ELS, WELS, and Missouri.

Luther emphasized helping people rather than building another church.

This parable is an antidote to carnal security because it reminds everyone about the connection between the tree (Gospel) and the fruit (works of love). Genuine faith in Christ produces the fruit of the Spirit. If that fruit is lacking, we should look at the sincerity of our faith.

False teachers want to start with the fruit and preach the fruit. So they say, “Look at how friendly we are. We are so happy.” Oddly enough, they seldom do much for others. Most of this is self-glorying.

Gardeners and farmers do not look for the fruit; they look for good stock and good seed. They know that God does 99% of everything to produce the results. The great joy of gardening is to see how our little effort is leveraged by all the forces of Creation, from the bug-eating of birds, to the pollination of bees, to the watering and nitrogen fixing of the rain.

A Lutheran pastor was writing about his garden crop. He mentioned cold weather crops. I cannot grow them. People may forget that cold areas are ideal for certain crops, such as peas and spinach. God makes them thrive in the cold. In fact, a cold snap improves many of these, such as carrots and Brussels sprouts. I actually dug through snow in Midland to harvest kale, which is very nutritious. It lasts so well in the snow because its chemistry is designed for the cold. It also has the texture and flavor appeal of Kevlar, but there are those who love it.

This passage means – sow the seed, the pure Word of God, and the results will follow.

And if you doubt the value of good works – Jesus says, “You are doing all this for Me when you help your neighbor.”

We need more of this faith-centered approach in everything. What we do for our children is also for Christ. There is so much neglect of children in favor of being busy and making money. How many parents sacrifice the happiness of their children in the name of success?

There will be ample opportunity to help people in the next two years. People will need clothing, food, extra cash to make it past the bumps in the road. It should be our greatest joy to share God’s bounty with others. Gardeners always have plenty and to spare. They love to share their extra produce with others, knowing better than city people, “God did this.”

Time with people is the best gift of all: parents with children, children with elderly parents. Few people visit the sick, shut-in, and hospitalized. Some will say, “I was not thanked.” That is not done in the right spirit if a reward is expected. The joy comes from the giving not from the receiving.

Quotations "#305. Why do you say in this article: I believe in the Forgiveness of Sins? Because I hold with certainty that by my own powers or through my own works I cannot be justified before God, but that the forgiveness of sins is given me out of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also true justification. Psalm 130:3-4; Psalm 143:2; Isaiah 64:6; Job 25:4-6 (Q. 124)." Kleiner Katechismus, trans. Pastor Vernon Harley, LCMS, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1901, p. 164ff.

"Hence, too, the lack of emphasis, even in the best of Reformed preaching, upon the divine Word as the vehicle of regenerating grace and on the Sacraments. The office of the Word, then, is merely to point to the way of life, without communicating that of which it conveys the idea. The Word and Sacraments are declared to be necessary; their office in the Church is a divine institution; but they are only symbols of what the Spirit does within; and the Spirit works immediately and irresistibly." "Grace, Means of," The Concordia Cyclopedia, L. Fuerbringer, Th. Engelder, P. E. Kretzmann, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1927, p. 298.

"Concerning the article on the justification of the poor sinner in God's sight, we believe, teach, and confess on the basis of God's Word and the position of our Christian Augsburg Confession that the poor, sinful person is justified in God's sight--that is, he is pronounced free and absolved of his sins and receives forgiveness for them--only through faith, because of the innocent, complete, and unique obedience and the bitter sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, not because of the indwelling, essential righteousness of God or because of his own good works, which either precede or result from faith. We reject all doctrines contrary to this belief and confession." Jacob Andreae, Confession and Brief Explanation of Certain Disputed Articles, Robert Kolb, Andreae and the Formula of Concord St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1977, p. 58.

"Indeed, it has been proved more than sufficiently from the Scriptures of the prophets and apostles in the Old and New Testaments that the righteousness which avails in God's sight, which poor sinners have for comfort in their worst temptations, cannot and should not be sought in our own virtues or good works; nor will it be found there, as was proved above against the papists. Instead, it should be sought only in Christ the Lord, whom God has made our righteousness and who saves all believing Christians and makes them righteous through knowledge of Him." Jacob Andreae, The First Sermon, On the Righteousness of Faith in God's Sight, Robert Kolb, Andreae and the Formula of Concord St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1977, p. 67.

"'Just git the spirit started,' said a Methodist to C. P. Krauth, 'and then it works like smoke.' 'Very much like smoke, I guess,' answered Krauth." F. Bente, American Lutheranism, 2 vols., The United Lutheran Church, Gen Synod, Gen Council, Un Syn in the South, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1919, II, p. 77.

"For the papalists understand the word 'justify' according to the manner of the Latin composition as meaning 'to make righteous' through a donated or infused quality of inherent righteousness, from which works of righteousness proceed. The Lutherans, however, accept the word 'justify' in the Hebrew manner of speaking; therefore they define justification as the absolution from sins, or the remission of sins, through imputation of the righteousness of Christ, through adoption and inheritance of eternal life, and that only for the sake of Christ, who is apprehended by faith." Martin Chemnitz, Examination of the Council of Trent, trans., Fred Kramer, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1971, I, p. 467.

"And, in short, the meritum condigni is the Helen for which the Tridentine chapter concerning the growth of justification contends. For they imagine that the quality, or habit, of love is infused not that we may possess salvation to life eternal through this first grace but that, assisted by that grace, we may be able to merit eternal life for ourselves by our own good works. For concerning the meritum condigni Gabriel speaks thus: 'The soul shaped by grace worthily (de condigno) merits eternal life.'" [Kramer note - Scholastics taught that the good works of the unregenerate had only meritum congrui; the good works of the regenerate rewarded as meritum condigni, merit worthy with being rewarded with eternal life.] Martin Chemnitz, Examination of the Council of Trent, trans., Fred Kramer, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1971, I, p. 541. see Baker, Fundamentals, III, p. 78

"But because not doubt but faith justifies, and not he who doubts but he who believes has eternal life, therefore faith teaches the free promise, which relies on the mercy of God for the sake of the sacrifice of the Son, the Mediator, and not on our works, as Paul says in Romans 4:16: 'Therefore it is of faith, that the promise might be sure according to grace.'" Martin Chemnitz, Loci Theologici, 2 vols., trans. J. A. O. Preus, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1989, II, p. 507. Romans 4:16

"How is a person justified before God? This occurs solely by faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ; that is, freely, not because of any works or merits of one's own but only because of the one Mediator, Jesus Christ, who became the sacrificial victim and propitiation on our behalf. By this sacrifice, man obtained forgiveness of sins and became righteous; that is, God-pleasing and acceptable. His righteousness was imputed to man for Christ's sake, and man becomes an heir of eternal life when he believes with certainty that God gives him these blessings for the sake of His Son." David Chytraeus, A Summary of the Christian Faith (1568), trans., Richard Dinda, Decatur: Repristination Press, 1994. p. 105.

"Christian righteousness is the forgiveness of sin, the imputation of the righteousness of Christ and acceptance to eternal life. It is free, not the result of any virtues or works but is given solely because of Christ, the Mediator, and apprehended by faith alone." David Chytraeus, A Summary of the Christian Faith (1568), trans., Richard Dinda, Decatur: Repristination Press, 1994. p. 106.

"What is the difference between Christianity and paganism? Paganism has no sure Word of God and no true faith in Christ. It is unsettled. In place of the one true God, pagans worship various factitious deities and countless idols with ceremonies, works and sacrifices selected according to human judgment. They imagine that they compensate for their sins with this worship, pacify their gods and make them gracious and purchase, as it were, blessings from them." David Chytraeus, A Summary of the Christian Faith (1568), trans., Richard Dinda, Decatur: Repristination Press, 1994. p. 19.

"What is the position of The Lutheran Confessional Synod in regard to what is known as the 'Church Growth Movement?' It is the belief of the LCS that the Holy Spirit works only [italics] through the Means of Grace: The Word and the Sacraments (see Doctrinal Statement VI). Therefore, anything that detracts from, or in conflict with, the preaching and teaching of the inerrant Word of God and the proper administration of the Sacraments, is not permitted." Bishop R. L. DeJaynes Questions and Answers about The Lutheran Confessional Synod, Decatur, Illinois: LCS, 1996, p. 7.

"It is indeed a precious truth, that this Word not only tells me what I must do to be saved, but it also enables me to do it. [enables me to do it in italics] It is the vehicle and instrument of the Holy Spirit. Through it the Holy Spirit works repentance and faith. Through it He regenerates, converts, and sanctifies." G. H. Gerberding, The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church, Philadelphia: Lutheran Publication Society, 1887, p. 132.

"The same divine Saviour now works through means. He has founded a Church, ordained a ministry, and instituted the preaching of the Word and the administration of His own sacraments. Christ now works in and through His Church. Through her ministry, preaching the Word, and administering the sacraments, the Holy Spirit is given. (Augsburg Confession, Article 5.) G. H. Gerberding, The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church, Philadelphia: Lutheran Publication Society, 1887, p. 30.

"The entire Scripture testifies that the merits of Christ are received in no other way than through faith, not to mention that it is impossible to please God without faith, Hebrews 11:6, let alone to be received into eternal life. In general, St. Paul concludes concerning this [matter] in Romans 3:28: Thus we hold then that a man becomes righteous without the works of the Law--only through faith." Johann Gerhard, A Comprehensive Explanation of Holy Baptism and the Lord's Supper, 1610, ed. D. Berger, J. Heiser, Malone, Texas: Repristination Press, 2000, p. 165. Hebrews 11:6; Romans 3:28

"Even though the water which is used for holy Baptism continues to retain its natural essence and natural attributes after Baptism, it is nevertheless not just lowly [plain] water, but it is formulated in God's Word and combined with God's Word. Thus it is a powerful means through which the Holy Trinity works powerfully; the Father takes on the one who is baptized as His dear child; the Son washes him of his sins with His blood; the Holy Spirit regenerates and renews him for everlasting life." Johann Gerhard, A Comprehensive Explanation of Holy Baptism and the Lord's Supper, 1610, ed. D. Berger, J. Heiser, Malone, Texas: Repristination Press, 2000, p. 56.

"Aus dem allen folgt die Verwerflichkeit des schwarmgeistlichen Grundsatzes, dass der Geist wirke ohne die Schrift. Geist nicht ohne Schrift, Schrift nicht ohne Geist, das is gesunde Lehre. (From this follows the repudia- tion of Pentecostal principles, that the Spirit works without the Scriptures. Spirit not without the Scripture, Scripture not without the Spirit - that is sound doctrine.)" Adolf Hoenecke, Evangelische-Lutherische Dogmatik, 4 vols., ed., Walter and Otto Hoenecke, Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 1912, IV, p. 17.

"Thus the Holy Spirit works only through the Word. But the Word of the Gospel comes to man in two different modes." Henry Eyster Jacobs, Elements of Religion, Philadelphia, Board of Publication, General Council 1919 p. 161.

"The Holy Spirit works through the Word and the Sacraments, which only, in the proper sense, are means of grace. Both the Word and the Sacraments bring a positive grace, which is offered to all who receive them outwardly, and which is actually imparted to all who have faith to embrace it." Charles P. Krauth, The Conservative Reformation and Its Theology, Philadelphia: The United Lutheran Publication House, 1871, p. 127.

"An age of darkness is a creedless age; corruption in doctrine works best when it is unfettered by an explicit statement of that doctrine." Charles P. Krauth, The Conservative Reformation and Its Theology, Philadelphia: The United Lutheran Publication House, 1871, p. 215.

"This Word works in the Thessalonians what Paul states in 1:3; it came to them with the power of the Holy Spirit and much assurance (1:5); it turned them from the idols to the living God, to Him who raised up Jesus from the dead, the Savior from the wrath to ccome (1: 9, 10). This effect, wrought by the Word, convinces all believers, all who experience this blessed effect, that this is, indeed, God's Word." R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of Thessalonians, Columbus: The Wartburg Press, 1937, p. 261. 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:5, 9, 10

"The Gospel shows the Father's grace, Who sent His Son to save our race, Proclaims how Jesus lived and died That man might thus be justified. (2) It sets the Lamb before our eyes, Who made the atoning sacrifice, And calls the souls with guilt opprest To come and find eternal rest. (3) It brings the Savior's righteousness Our souls to robe in royal dress; From all our guilt it brings release And gives the troubled conscience peace. (4) It is the power of God to save From sin and Satan and the grace; It works the faith, which firmly clings To all the treasures which it brings. (5) It bears to all the tidings glad And bids their hearts no more be sad; The heavy laden souls it cheers And banishes their guilty fears." Matthias Loy, 1863, "The Gospel Shows the Father's Grace" The Lutheran Hymnal, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941, Hymn #297. John 3:16.

"The apostle says 'our,' 'our sins;' not his own sin, not the sins of unbelievers. Purification is not for, and cannot profit, him who does not believe. Nor did Christ effect the cleansing by our free-will, our reason or power, our works, our contrition or repentance, these all being worthless in the sight of God; he effects it by himself. And how? By taking our sins upon himself on the holy cross, as Isaiah 53:6 tells us." Sermons of Martin Luther, ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 180. Hebrews 1:1-12; Hebrews 1:3;

"His gifts and works in His Church must effect inexpressible results, taking souls from the jaws of the devil and translating them into eternal life and glory." Sermons of Martin Luther, ed. John Nicolas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 220. Tenth Sunday after Trinity, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11;

"...God here directs and works wonderfully by making the first last and the last first. And all is spoken to humble those who are great that they should trust in nothing but the goodness and mercy of God. And on the other hand that those who are nothing should not despair, but trust in the goodness of God just as the others do." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John N. Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, II, p. 106. Matthew 20:1-16

"Now in this way Christ strikes a blow first against the presumption (as He also does in today's Epistle) of those who would storm their way into heaven by their good works; as the Jews did and wished to be next to God; as hitherto our own clergy have also done. These all labor for definite wages, that is, they take the law of God in no other sense than that they should fulfil it by certain defined works for a specified reward, and they never understand it correctly, and know not that before God all is pure grace." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John N. Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, II, p. 108. Matthew 20:1-16; 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5

"Faith receives the good works of Christ, love bestows good works on our neighbor." In the first place, our faith is strengthened and increased when Christ is held forth to us in his own natural works, namely, that he associates only with the blind, the deaf, the lame, the lepers, the dead and the poor; that is , in pure love and kindness toward all who are in need and in misery, so that finally Christ is nothing else than consolation and a refuge for all the distressed and troubled in conscience. Here is necessary faith that trusts in the Gospel and relies upon it, never doubting that Christ is just as he is presented to us in this Gospel, and does not think of Him otherwise, nor let any one persuade us to believe otherwise." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, I, p. 109f. Third Sunday in Advent Matthew 11:2-10.

"In order to keep your faith pure, do nothing else than stand still, enjoy its blessings, accept Christ's works, and let him bestow His love upon you. You must be blind, lame, deaf, dead, leprous and poor, otherwise you will stumble at Christ. That Gospel which suffers Christ to be seen and to be doing good only among the needy, will not belie you." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, I, p. 110. Third Sunday in Advent Matthew 11:2-10.

"And such false teachers have the good fortune that all their folly is tolerated, even though the people realize how these act the fool, and rather rudely at that. They have success with it all, and people bear with them. But no patience is to be exercised toward true teachers! Their words and their works are watched with the intent of entrapping them, as complained of in Psalm 17:9 and elsewhere. When only apparently a mote is found, it is exaggerated to a very great beam. No toleration is granted. There is only judgment, condemnation and scorn. Hence the office of preaching is a grievous one. He who has not for his sole motive the benefit of his neighbor and the glory of God cannot continue therein. The true teacher must labor, and permit others to have the honor and profit of his efforts, while he receives injury and derision for his reward." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 110f. Second Sunday before Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9. Psalm 17:9.

"In the second place such teachers are disposed to bring the people into downright bondage and to bind their conscience by forcing laws upon them and teaching works-righteousness. The effect is that fear impels them to do what has been pounded into them, as if they were bondslaves, while their teachers command fear and attention. But the true teachers, they who give us freedom of conscience and create us lords, we soon forget, even despise. The dominion of false teachers is willingly tolerated and patiently endured; indeed, it is given high repute. All those conditions are punishments sent by God upon them who do not receive the Gospel with love and gratitude." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 111. Second Sunday before Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9. John 5:43.

"The second class of hearers are those who receive the Word with joy, but they do not persevere. These are also a large multitude who understand the Word correctly and lay hold of it in its purity without any spirit of sect, division or fanaticism, they rejoice also in that they know the real truth, and are able to know how they may be saved without works through faith...But when the sun shines hot it withers, because it has no soil and moisture, and only rock is there. So these do; in times of persecution they deny or keep silence about the Word and work, speak and suffer all that their persecutors mention or wish, who formerly went forth and spoke, and confessed with a fresh and joyful spirit the same, while there was peace and no heat, so that there was hope they would bear much fruit and serve the people." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed. John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983 II, p. 116. Sexagesima. Luke 8:4-15 (par. Mark 4: Matthew 13:)

"All the prophets met death for accusing the people of the sin of ungodliness. No one believed the prophets. No one of the people thought himself guilty of such sin. They judged themselves by their feelings, their intentions and works; not by God's Word, not by His counsel delivered through the prophets." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 118. Christmas Eve, Titus 2:11-15 [righteous = doing good works and reconciling God]

"But now comes the Holy Spirit and says: No so. You err and are mistaken. Your judgment is wrong. Therefore there must be another judgment. You should judge thus: Everything your reason concludes is erroneous and false, and you are a fool and a simpleton." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 119. Fourth Sunday after Easter John 16:5-15.

"Godly and believing persons know their sins; they bear all their punishment patiently, and are resigned to God's judgment without the least murmur; therefore, they are punished only bodily, and here in time, and their pain and suffering have an end. Unbelievers, however, since they are not conscious of their sins and transgressions, cannot bear God's punishment patiently, but they resent it and wish their life and works to go unpunished, yea, uncensured. Hence, their punishment and suffering are in body and soul, here in time, and last forever beyond this life." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 131. Fourth Sunday after Easter, Second Sermon John 16:5-15.

"It breaks in not piecemeal on certain works and actions, but reduces to nothing and condemns everything that reason and worldly wisdom propose. In short, He convicts and censures them in and for the very things they do not wish to be convicted in, but rather praised and lauded, as teaching and doing well and right." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 138. Fourth Sunday after Easter, Third Sermon John 16:5-15.

"But the fact is, all Christian doctrines and works, all Christian living, is briefly, clearly and completely comprehended in these two principles, faith and love. They place man as a medium between God and his neighbor, to receive from above and distribute below." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 145. Early Christmas Morning Titus 3:4-8

"But the fact is, all Christian doctrines and works, all Christian living, is briefly, clearly and completely comprehended in these two principles, faith and love. They place man as a medium between God and his neighbor, to receive from above and distribute below. Thus the Christian becomes a vessel, or rather a channel, through which the fountain of divine blessings continuously flows to other individuals." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 145. Sixth Sunday after Trinity, Romans 6:3-11

"Take note, God pours out upon us in baptism superabundant blessings for the purpose of excluding the works whereby men foolishly presume to merit heaven and gain happiness. Yes, dear friend, you must first possess heaven and salvation before you can do good works. Works never merit heaven; heaven is conferred purely of grace...The true Christian's whole life after baptism is but a waiting for the manifestation of the salvation already his." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 151. Early Christmas Morning Titus 3:4-8

"Good works are to be performed without any thought of merit, simply for the benefit of one's neighbor and for the honor of God; until the body, too, shall be released from sin, death and hell." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 151. Second Christmas Sermon Titus 3:4-8

"How beautifully the apostle in these strong words extols the grace of God bestowed in baptism! He refers to baptism as a washing, whereby not our feet only, not our hands, but our whole bodies are cleansed. Baptism perfectly and instantaneously cleanses and saves. For the vital part of salvation and its inheritance, nothing more is necessary than this faith in the grace of God. Truly, then, are we saved by grace alone, without works or other merit." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 154. Early Christmas Morning Titus 3:5

"But the only thing that was taught and advocated was: Invoke the Virgin Mary and other saints as your mediators and intercessors; fast often and pray much; make pilgrimages, enter cloisters and become monks, or pay for the saying of many masses and like works. And thus we imagined when we did these things we had merited heaven." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 191. Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 22:34-46

"But the fanatics soon torment us with works, and profess to have a nobler spirit; they urge and insist upon our doing something first of all, and permit faith and love to be overlooked. This of course is not of the Holy Spirit. Christ first takes possession of the conscience, and when it is right in faith toward God, then He also directs us to do works toward our neighbor. But He first highly extols faith and keeps works in the background.: Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 200. Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 9:1-8

"But the fanatics soon torment us with works, and profess to have a nobler spirit; they urge and insist upon our doing something first of all, and permit faith and love to be overlooked. This of course is not of the Holy Spirit. Christ first takes possession of the conscience, and when it is right in faith toward God, then He also directs us to do works toward our neighbor. But He first highly extols faith and keeps works in the background.: Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 200. Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 9:1-8

"We have now sowed a little of the Word, and this the devil cannot stand, for he never sleeps; the worms and the beetles will come and infect it. Yet so it must be, Christ will prove His Word, and examine who have received it and who not. Therefore let us remain on the right road to the kingdom of Christ, and not go about with works and urge and force the works of the law, but only with the words of the Gospel which comfort the conscience: Be happy, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 201. Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 9:1-8

"Workrighteous people have not this glory, for they have not the Word; but as the work is, so is the praise, they urge and compel us to depart from the Word to human work. But the Holy Spirit urges us from our works to the Word. The former boast of their works, the latter, where the Holy Spirit is, rejoice internally in the heart with God, that He has done this work, and they remain clinging to grace, and attribute nothing at all to their works." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 203. Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 9:1-8

"But, as has often been said, faith changes the person and makes out of an enemy a child, so mysteriously that the external works, walk and conversation remain the same as before, when they are not by nature wicked deeds." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, I, p. 210. Third Christmas Day John 1:1-14.

"Such a divine kingdom con be governed, built up, protected, extended and maintained only by means of the external office of the Word and Sacraments, through which the Holy Spirit is powerful and works in the hearts etc., as I have often said in speaking on this theme." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 238. Twentieth Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 22:1-14

"Firstly, we read that this was the disciple whom Christ loved. This means that faith alone makes the truly beloved disciples of Christ, who receive the Holy Spirit through this very same faith, not through their works. Works indeed also make disciples, but not beloved disciples: only temporary hypocrites who do not persevere. God's love does not uphold and keep them, for the reason that they do not believe." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, I, p. 250. Day of St. John the Evangelist John 21:19-24.

"Learn then from this Gospel what takes place when God begins to make us godly, and what the first step is in becoming godly. There is no other beginning than that your king comes to you and begins to work in you. It is done in this way: The Gospel must be the first, this must be preached and heard. In it you hear and learn how all your works count for nothing before God and that everything is sinful that you work and do. Your king must first be in you and rule you. Behold, here is the beginning of your salvation; you relinquish your works and despair of yourself, because you hear and see that all you do is sin and amounts to nothing, as the Gospel tells you, and you receive your king in faith, cling to him, implore his grace and find consolation in his mercy alone." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, I, p. 26. First Sunday in Advent Matthew 21:1-9.

"What is said there concerning the servant is true here concerning the pupil. Paul employs the two figures to teach us the office of the Law and what it profits. We must, therefore, again refer to the Law and its works, to the fact that works are of twofold origin. Some are extorted by fear of punishment or prompted by expectation of pleasure and gain; others are spontaneous, cheerful and gratuitous, not performed to escape punishment nor to gain reward, but inspired by pure kindness and a desire for what is good. The first class are the works of servants and pupils; the second class, of children and free heirs." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 267. New Year's Day, Galatians 3:23-29

"Here again is an admonition for Christians to follow up their faith by good works and a new life, for though they have forgiveness of sins through baptism, the old Adam still adheres to their flesh and makes himself felt in tendencies and desires to vices physical and mental. The result is that unless Christians offer resistance, they will lose their faith and the remission of sins and will in the end be worse than they were at first; for they will begin to despise and persecute the Word of God when corrected by it. Yea, even those who gladly hear the Word of God, who highly prize it and aim to follow it, have daily need of admonition and encouragement, so strong and tough is that old hide of sinful flesh." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 305. Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity Ephesians 4:22-28

"Is not this a perverted and blind people? They teach we cannot do a good deed of ourselves, and then in their presumption go to work and arrogate to themselves the highest of all the works of God, namely faith, to manufacture it themselves out of their own perverted thoughts. Wherefore I have said that we should despair of ourselves and pray to God for faith as the Apostle did. Luke 17:5 When we have faith we need nothing more, for it brings with it the Holy Spirit, who then teaches us not only all things, but also establishes us firmly in it, and leads us through death and hell to heaven." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, IV, p. 306. Ninth Sunday after Trinity Luke 17:5.

"Nor have we as yet arrived at the point where our flesh and blood will joyfully and gladly abound in good works and obedience to God as the spirit is inclined and faith directs. Even with the utmost efforts the Spirit scarce can compel our old man." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 306. Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity Ephesians 4:22-28

"Secondly, it is shown here that this Word precedes, or must be spoken beforehand, and that afterwards the Holy Spirit works through the Word. One must not reverse the order and dream of a Holy Spirit who works without the Word and before the Word, but one who comes with and through the Word and goes no farther than the Word goes." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 329. Pentecost, Third Sermon John 14:23-31.

"If sin terrifies my conscience and preachers of the law come and want to help me with their works, they will accomplish nothing. Christ alone can help here and no one else." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 331. Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 9:18-26

"There are the infants, bare and naked in body and soul, having neither faith nor works. Then the Christian Church comes forward and prays, that God would pour faith into the child; not that our faith should help the child, but that it may obtain a faith of its own. If it has faith, then after that whatever it does is well done, whether it suckle its mother's breast, or whether it soil itself, or whatever it may please to do." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, IV, p. 378. Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Mark 7:31-37.

"Behold this good inclination or comforting trust, or free presumption toward God, or whatever you may call it, in the Scriptures is called Christian faith and a good conscience, which man must have to be saved. But it is not obtained by human works and precepts, as we shall see in this example, and without such a heart no work is good...But here you observe what a thoroughly living and powerful thing faith is. It creates wholly a new heart, a new man, who expects all grace from God. Therefore it urges to walk, to stand, makes bold to cry and pray in every time of trouble." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 65f. Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity, Luke 17:11-19

"To turn water into wine is to render the interpretation of the Law delightful. This is done as follows: Before the Gospel arrives everyone understands the Law as demanding our works,that we must fulfill it with works of our own. This interpretation begets either hardened, presumptuous dissemblers and hypocrites, harder than any pot of stone, or timid, restless consciences. There remains nothing but water in the port, fear and dread of God's judgment. This is the water-interpretation, not intended for drinking, neither filling any with delight; on the contrary, there is nothing to it but washing and purification, and yet no true inner cleansing. But the Gospel explains the Law, showing that it requires more than we can render, and that it demands a person different from ourselves to fulfil it; that is, it demands Christ and brings us unto Him, so that first of all by His grace we are made in true faith a different people like unto Christ, and that then we do truly good works. Thus the right interpretation and significance of the Law is to lead us to the knowledge of our helplessness, to drive us from ourselves to another, namely to Christ, to seek grace and help of Him." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, II, p. 67. Second Sunday after Epiphany, John 2:1-11.

"Observe, God and men proceed in contrary ways. Men set on first that which is best, afterward that which is worse. God first gives the cross and affliction, then honor and blessedness. This is because men seek to preserve the old man; on which account they instruct us to keep the Law by works, and offer promises great and sweet...But God first of all terrifies the conscience, sets on miserable wine, in fact nothing but water; then, however, He consoles us with the promises of the Gospel which endure forever." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, II, p. 69. Second Sunday after Epiphany, John 2:1-11.

"See, this is what James means when he says, 2:26: 'Faith apart from works is dead.' For as the body without the soul is dead, so is faith without works. Not that faith is in man and does not work, which is impossible. For faith is a living, active thing. But in order that men may not deceive themselves and think they have faith when they have not, they are to examine their works, whether they also love their neighbors and do good to them." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 71. Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity, Luke 17:11-19; James 2:26

"Why does God do this and permit His own to be persecuted and hounded? In order to suppress and subdue the free will, so that it may not seek an expedient in their works; but rather become a fool in God's works and learn thereby to trust and depend upon God alone." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed. John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 79f. Third Sunday after Easter John 16:16-23

"I would much rather have people say that I preach too sweetly and that it hinders people from doing good works (even though my preaching does not do that), than that I failed to preach faith in Christ, and there was no help or consolation for timid, fearful consciences." Sermons of Martin Luther, The House Postils, 3 vols., ed. Eugene F. A. Klug, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996, II, p. 115. Ascension Day Acts 1:1-11

"The deeper a person is sunk in sadness and emotional upheavals, the better he serves as an instrument of Satan. For our emotions are instruments through which he gets into us and works in us if we do not watch our step. It is easy to water where it is wet. Where the fence is dilapidated, it is easy to get across. So Satan has easy access where there is sadness. Therefore one must pray and associate with godly people." What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, III, p. 1243. 1532

"Wherever this Gospel is truthfully and purely preached, there is the kingdom of Christ; and this mark of the church or the kingdom of Christ cannot deceive you. For wherever the Word is, there the Holy Spirit is, either in the hearer or in the teacher. External works can deceive, since after all they are found even among the heathen." What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 264.

"For you do not find Him; He finds you. For the preachers come from Him, not from you. Your faith comes from Him, not from you. And everything that works faith within you comes from Him, not from you." What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 345. Matthew 21:1-9.

"The will does nothing. It is rather the substance (causa materialis) in which the Holy Spirit works also in those who resist, as in Paul. But working on the will of him who resists He moves the will to consent." What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 347.

"We, too, say that a faith without works is vain and good for nothing. But papists and enthusiasts understand this to mean that faith does not justify without works, or that faith, however genuine it may be, is unable to achieve anything if it does not have works. This view is wrong. Yet faith without works, that is, a fanatical notion, a mere empty boasting (vanitas) and dream of the heart, is a false faith and does indeed not justify." What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 494. Galatians 2:18.

"That the Holy Spirit works in the heart is true; nevertheless He intends ordinarily and usually to do so in no other way than through the spoken Word. St. Paul says that a man cannot believe unless he has previously heard (Romans 10:14)." What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, II, p. 664. Romans 10:14.

"If the article of justification is lost, all Christian doctrine is lost at the same time. And all the poeple in the world who do not hold to this justification are either Jews or Turks or papists or heretics; for there is no middle ground between these two righteousnesses: the active one of the Law and the passive one which comes from Christ. Therefore the man who strays from Christian righteousness must relapse into the active one, that is, since he has lost Christ, he must put his confidence in his own works." What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, II, p. 703. Galatians lectures, 1531 Galatians.

"In justification faith and works exclude each other entirely." What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, II, p. 712. 1522 Galatians 3:23-29. "The Lutheran Confessions take a decisive stand against 'enthusiasts,' who teach that the Holy Spirit works in the hearts of men without the Word and Sacraments (SA-III VIII 3-13; LC II 34-62; FC Ep II 13)." John T. Mueller, "Grace, Means of," Lutheran Cyclopedia, Erwin L. Lueker, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1975, p. 344.

"In order to offer and convey to men the merits which Christ has secured for the world by His death on the cross, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:18, God employs certain external, visible means through which the Holy Spirit works and preserves faith and thus accomplishes the sinner's salvation." John Theodore Mueller, Christian Dogmatics, A Handbook of Doctrinal Theology, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1934, p. 441. 2 Corinthians 5:21; Rom 5:18.

"In reconciling the world unto Himself by Christ's substitutionary satisfaction, God asked no one's advice concerning His singular method of reconciliation. In like manner, without asking any man's advice, He ordained the means by which He gives men the infallible assurance of His gracious will toward them; in other words, He both confers on men the remission of sins merited by Christ and works faith in the proffered remission or, where faith already exists, strengthens it. The Church has appropriately called these divine ordinances the means of grace, media gratiae, instrumenta gratiae; Formula of Concord: 'Instrumenta sive media Spiritus Sancti' (Triglotta, p. 903, Solid Declaration, II, 58). They are the Word of the Gospel, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper, as will be shown more fully on the following pages." Francis Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, 3 vols., trans., Walter W. F. Albrecht, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1953, III, p. 103.

"There is but one way by which the Reformed theology can escape the doctrine of works--by accepting Lutheranism. And the Reformed actually take this step when they, including Calvin, at the last direct those who are troubled by grave doubts of their election to the universal grace as it is attested in the means of grace." Francis Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, 3 vols., trans., Walter W. F. Albrecht, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1953, III, p. 169.

[Marks of the Antichrist: the falling away, apostasia, verse 3; seat in the temple of God, verse 4; acts godlike, verse 4; works have the power of Satan (also see John 8:44); will remain until Judgment Day, verse 8.] Francis Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, 3 vols., trans., Walter W. F. Albrecht, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1953, III, p. 463f. 2 Thessalonians 2:3ff.

"The elite are assembled in the cloister to earn salvation or themselves by observing the consilia evangelica, devised by man, and to obtain a surplus of good works (opera supererogationis) for the benefit of others. However, since this process does not give full assurance (Trid., Sess. IV, canon 14, 9), they look to purgatory to complete their 'sanctification' (Trid., Sess. VI, canon 30)." (Footnote - "See Luther on the 'blasphemous fraud of purgatory, by which treacherous deception they have made fool of all the world' St. Louis edition, XVI:1653f.") Francis Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, 3 vols., trans., Walter W. F. Albrecht, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1953, III, p. 64.

"But Christ was given for this purpose, namely, that for His sake there might be bestowed on us the remission of sins, and the Holy Ghost to bring forth in us new and eternal life, and eternal righteousness [to manifest Christ in our hearts, as it is written John 16:15: He shall take of the things of Mine, and show them unto you. Likewise, He works also other gifts, love, thanksgiving, charity, patience, etc.]. Wherefore the Law cannot be truly kept unless the Holy Ghost is received through faith...Then we learn to know how flesh, in security and indifference, does not fear God, and is not fully certain that we are regarded by God, but imagines that men are born and die by chance. Then we experience that we do not believe that God forgives and hears us. But when, on hearing the Gospel and the remission of sins, we are consoled by faith, we receive the Holy Ghost, so that now we are able to think aright." Apology Augsburg Confession, III. #11. Love Fulfilling of Law. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 159. Tappert, p. 125. Heiser, p. 42.

"Truly, it is amazing that the adversaries are in no way moved by so many passages of Scripture, which clearly ascribe justification to faith, and, indeed, deny it to works. Do they think that the same is repeated so often for no purpose? Do they think that these words fell inconsiderately from the Holy Ghost? But they have also devised sophistry whereby they elude them." Apology Augsburg Confession, IV. #107. Justification. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 153. Tappert, p. 122. Heiser, p. 41.

"James, therefore, did not believe that by good works we merit the remission of sins and grace. For he speaks of the works of those who have been justified, who have already been reconciled and accepted, and have obtained remission of sins. Wherefore the adversaries err when they infer that James teaches that we merit remission of sins and grace by good works, and that by our works we have access to God, without Christ as Propitiator." Apology Augsburg Confession, IV. #125. Justification. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 189. Tappert, p. 142. Heiser, p. 53. James 2:24.

"And just as the Word has been given in order to excite this faith, so the Sacrament has been instituted in order that the outward appearance meeting the eyes might move the heart to believe [and strengthen faith]. For through these, namely, through Word and Sacrament, the Holy Ghost works." Apology Augsburg Confession, XXIV (XII), #70. The Mass. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 409. Tappert, p. 262. Heiser, p. 123.

"Of Civil Affairs they teach that lawful civil ordinances are good works of God, and that it is right for Christians to bear civil office, to sit as judges, to judge matters by the Imperial and other existing laws, to award just punishments, to engage in just wars, to serve as soldiers, to make legal contracts, to hold property, to make oath when required by the magistrates, to marry a wife, to be given in marriage." Augsburg Confesion, XVI. #1-2. Civil Affairs. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 51. Tappert, p. 36f. Heiser, p. 14.

"Of Repentance they teach that for those who have fallen after Baptism there is remission of sins whenever they are converted; and that the Church ought to impart absolution to those thus returning to repentance. Now, repentance consists properly of these two parts: One is contrition, that is, terrors smiting the conscience through the knowledge of sin; the other is faith, which is born of the Gospel, or of absolution, and believes that, for Christ's sake, sins are forgiven, comforts the conscience, and delivers it from terrors. Then good works are bound to follow, which are the fruits of repentance." Augsburg Confession, Article XII. Repentance. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 49. Tappert, p. 34f. Heiser, p. 13.

"Also they teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for Christ's sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor, and that their sins are forgiven for Christ's sake, who, by His death, has made satisfaction for our sins. This faith God imputes for righteousness is His sight. Romans 3 and 4." Augsburg Confession, IV. Justification. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 45. Tappert, p. 30. Heiser, p. 12f. Romans 3; Romans 4

"That we may obtain this faith, the Ministry of Teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted. For through the Word and Sacraments, as through instruments, the Holy Ghost is given, who works faith, where and when it pleases God, in them that hear the Gospel, to wit, that God, not for our own merits, but for Christ's sake, justifies those who believe that they are received into grace for Christ's sake. They condemn the Anabaptists and others who think that the Holy Ghost comes to men without the external Word, through their own preparation and works." Augsburg Confession, V. #1-2. The Ministry. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 45. Tappert, p. 31. Heiser, p. 13.

"Also they teach that this faith is bound to bring forth good fruits, and that it is necessary to do good works commanded by God, because of God's will, but that we should not rely on those works to merit justification before God. For remission of sins and justification is apprehended by faith, as also the voice of Christ attests: 'When ye shall have done all these things, say: We are unprofitable servants.' Luke 17:10." Augsburg Confession, VI. The New Obedience. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 47. Tappert, p. 31f. Heiser, p. 13. Luke 17:10.

"Our teachers are falsely accused of forbidding Good Works. For their published writings on the Ten Commandments, and others of like import, bear witness that they have taught to good purpose concerning all estates and duties of life, as to what estates of life and what works in every calling be pleasing to God." Augsburg Confession, XX. #1-2. Good Works. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 53. Tappert, p. 41ff. Heiser, p. 15.

"Therefore God, out of His immense goodness and mercy, has His divine eternal Law and His wonderful plan concerning our redemption, namely, the holy, alone-saving Gospel of His eternal Son, our only Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, publicly preached; and by this [preaching] collects an eternal Church for Himself from the human race, and works in the hearts of men true repentance and knowledge of sins, and true faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. And by this means, and in no other way, namely, through His holy Word, when men hear it preached or read it, and the holy Sacraments when they are used according to His Word, God desires to call men to eternal salvation, draw them to Himself, and convert, regenerate, and sanctify them. 1 Corinthians 1:21: 'For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.' Acts 10:5-6..." Formula of Concord SD II. #50. Free Will. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 901. Tappert, p. 530f. Heiser, p. 246. 1 Corinthians 1:21; Acts 10:5-6.

"Therefore, before the conversion of man there are only two efficient causes, namely, the Holy Ghost and the Word of God, as the instrument of the Holy Ghost, by which He works conversion. This Word man is [indeed] to hear; however, it is not by his own powers, but only through the grace and working of the Holy Ghost that he can yield faith to it and accept it." Formula of Concord, Epitome, II, Of the Free Will, #19, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 791. Tappert, p. 472. Heiser, p. 219.

"For when man is justified through faith [which the Holy Ghost alone works], this is truly a regeneration, because from a child of wrath he becomes a child of God, and thus is transferred from death to life, as it is written; When we were dead in sins, He hath quickened us together with Christ, Ephesians 2:5. Likewise: The just shall live by faith, Romans 1:17; Habakkuk 2:4." Formula of Concord, SD III. #20. Righteousness of Faith. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 921. Tappert, p. 542. Heiser, p. 251. Ephesians 2:5; Romans 1:17; Habakkuk 2:4

"Here belongs also what St. Paul writes Romans 4:3, that Abraham was justified before God by faith alone, for the sake of the Mediator, without the cooperation of his works, not only when he was first converted from idolatry and had no good works, but also afterwards, when he had been renewed by the Holy Ghost, and adorned with many excellent good works, Genesis 15:6; Hebrews 11:8. And Paul puts the following questions, Romans 4:1ff.: On what did Abraham's righteousness before God for everlasting life, by which he had a gracious God, and was pleasing and acceptable to Him, rest at that time? Formula of Concord, SD III. #33. Righteousness of Faith. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 927. Tappert, p. 545. Heiser, p. 252. Romans 4:3; Romans 4:1ff; Genesis 15:6; Hebrews 11:8

"We believe, teach, and confess also that at the time of confession [when a confession of the heavenly truth is required], when the enemies of God's Word desire to suppress the pure doctrine of the holy Gospel, the entire congregation of God, yea, every Christian, but especially the ministers of the Word, as the leaders of the congregation of God [as those whome God has appointed to rule His Church], are bound by God's Word to confess freely and openly the [godly] doctrine, and what belongs to the whole of [pure] religion, not only in words, but also in works and with deeds; and that then, in this case, even in such [things truly and of themselves] adiaphora, they must not yield to the adversaries, or permit these [adiaphora] to be forced upon them by their enemies, whether by violence or cunning, to the detriment of the true worship of God and the introduction and sanction of idolatry...Galatians 5:1." Formula of Concord, SD X. #10-11. Adiaphora. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 1055. Tappert, p. 612. Heiser, p. 284. Galatians 5:1.

"For few receive the Word and follow it; the greatest number despise the Word, and will not come to the wedding, Matthew 22:3ff. The cause for this contempt for the Word is not God's foreknowledge [or predestination], but the perverse will of man, which rejects or perverts the means and instrument of the Holy Ghost, which God offers him through the call, and resists the Holy Ghost, who wishes to be efficacious, and works through the Word, as Christ says, 'How often would I have gathered you together, and ye would not!' Matthew 23:37." Formula of Concord, SD XI. #41. Election. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 1077. Tappert, p. 623. Heiser, p. 290. Matthew 22:3ff.; 23:37.

"For good works do not precede faith, neither does sanctification precede justification. But first faith is kindled in us in conversion by the Holy Ghost from the hearing of the Gospel. This lays hold of God's grace in Christ, by which the person is justified. Then, when the person is justified, he is also renewed and sanctified by the Holy Ghost, from which renewal and sanctification the fruits of good works then follow." Formula of Concord, SD, III 41, Righteous of Faith before God, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 929. Tappert, p. 546. Heiser, p. 253.

"Lastly, it is nothing else than the devil himself, because above and against God he urges [and disseminates] his [papal] falsehoods concerning masses, purgatory, the monastic life, one's own works and [fictitious] divine worship (for this is the very Papacy [upon each of which the Papacy is altogether founded and is standing]), and condemns, murders, and tortures all Christians who do not exalt and honor these abominations [of the Pope] above all things. Therefore, just as little as we can worship the devil himself as Lord and God, we can endure this apostle, the Pope, or Antichrist, in his rule as head or lord. For to lie and to kill, and to destroy body and soul eternally, that is wherein his papal government really consists, as I have very clearly shown in many books." Smalcald Articles, Part II, Article IV. #14. The Papacy. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 475. Tappert, p. 301. Heiser, p. 141. 2 Thessalonians 2:4.

"Without faith it profits nothing, notwithstanding it is in itself a divine superabundant treasure. Therefore this single word (He that believeth) effects this much that it excludes and repels all works which we can do, in the opinion that we obtain and merit salvation by them. For it is determined that whatever is not faith avails nothing nor receives anything." The Large Catechism, Part Fourth, Of Baptism. #34. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 741. Tappert, p. 440. Heiser, p. 207.

"Therefore, if you cannot feel it {the works of the flesh, Galatians 5:199ff. above}, at least believe the Scriptures; they will not lie to you, and they know your flesh better than you yourself...Yet, as we have said, if you are quite dead to all sensibility, still believe the Scriptures, which pronounce sentence upon you. And, in short, the less you feel your sins and infirmities, the more reason have you to go to the Sacrament to seek help and a remedy." The Large Catechism, Sacrament of the Altar. #76-78. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 771. Tappert, p. 455. Heiser, p. 214.

"For where He does not cause it to be preached and made alive in the heart, so that it is understood, it is lost, as was the case under the Papacy, where faith was entirely put under the bench, and no one recognized Christ as his Lord or the Holy Ghost as his Sanctifier, that is, no one believed that Christ is our Lord in the sense that He has acquired this treasure for us, without our works and merit, and made us acceptable to the Father. What, then, was lacking? This, that the Holy Ghost was not there to reveal it and cause it to be preached; but men and evil spirits were there, who taught us to obtain grace and be saved by our works." The Large Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #43-44, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 689. Tappert, p. 416. Heiser, p. 194f.

"But outside of this Christian Church, where the Gospel is not, there is no forgiveness, as also there can be no holiness [sanctification]. Therefore all who seek and wish to merit holiness [sanctification], not through the Gospel and forgiveness of sin, but by their works, have expelled and severed themselves [from this Church]." The Large Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #56, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 693. Tappert, p. 418. Heiser, p. 195.

"I am also a part and member of the same, a sharer and joint owner of all the goods it possesses, brought to it and incorporated into it by the Holy Ghost by having heard and continuing to hear the Word of God, which is the beginning of entering it. For formerly, before we had attained to this, we were altogether of the devil, knowing nothing of God and of Christ. Thus, until the last day, the Holy Ghost abides with the holy congregation or Christendom, by means of which He fetches us to Christ and which He employs to teach and preach to us the Word, whereby He works and promotes sanctification, causing it [this community] daily to grow and become strong in the faith and its fruits which He produces." The Large Catechism, The Creed, Article III. #53. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 691f. Tappert, p. 417. Heiser, p. 195.

"On the contrary, any observance or work that is practised without God's Word is unholy before God, no matter how brilliantly it may shine, even though it be covered with relics, such as the fictitious spiritual orders, which know nothing of God's Word and seek holiness in their own works." The Large Catechism, The Third Commandment, #93. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 607. Tappert, p. 377. Heiser, p. 175. Exodus 20:8-11.

"Note, therefore, that the force and power of this commandment lies not in the resting, but in the sanctifying, so that to this day belongs a special holy exercise. For other works and occupations are not properly called holy exercises, unless the man himself be first holy. But here a work is to be done by which man is himself made holy, which is done (as we have heard) alone through God's Word. For this, then, fixed places, times, persons, and the entire external order of worship have been created and appointed, so that it may be publicly in operation." The Large Catechism, The Third Commandment, #94. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 607. Tappert, p. 378. Heiser, p. 175. Exodus 20:8-11.

"Now it is evident that fruits do not bear the tree, not does the tree grow on the fruit, but the reverse--trees bear fruits, and fruits grow on trees. As there must be trees before there can be fruits, and as the fruits do not make the tree either good or corrupt, but the tree produces the fruits, even so man must first be either good or corrupt before he does good or corrupt works. His works do not make him either good or corrupt, but he does either good or corrupt works." Martin Luther, St. L. XIX, 1003f. C. F. W. Walther, The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel, trans., W. H. T. Dau, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1928, p. 306. Matthew 7:18.

"Why do so many people in our country fall in with the preachers of fanatical sects? Because these sects spread the glamor of great sanctity about themselves. Alas! man regards the works of God as trifling, but esteems the works of men highly. That is nothing but one of the sad results of man's fall into sin." C. F. W. Walther, The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel, trans., W. H. T. Dau, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1928, p. 372.

In Christ Alone by Jaie Fletcher

Done for the Green Bay Pregnancy Council in St. Mark Lutheran Church Located in De Pere, WI you can see at the end of this song i couldn't finish it because of a sore throat but hey... oh well.
Category: Music

Tags: In christ alone lutheran wels christian solo black God Church

A female soldier blogged about Jaie Fletcher, and another young woman added a comment.

Jaie is married to Lindsey, the daughter of St Mark's Minister of Family and Music, Phil Boileau. Phil and Vicki Boileau sing on the Praise Team videos.

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Church and Change Conference

NSC Events

Faith Building provided information to churches that are preparing to expand, renovate, or build. Geared towards contemporary worship needs, but useful information for traditional worship as well.

Topics Covered: General contracting methods, acoustics, audio, video, lighting, fund raising, considerations that will affect music worship, how to get your church/congregation geared up and headed in the right direction, organ: the instrument, the acoustics, pipes & digital considerations.

Presenters:
Timothy Rinn - The Selmer Company
John Gillespie of the Bayside Growth Team - Capital Stewardship and Fundraising
Val Bartlien - Classic Church Organs
Pastor John Parlow - Senior Pastor at St Mark Lutheran Church in De Pere
Roger Ihde - Northern Sound & Video Contracting
Scott Rolfs - Ziegler's Church & School Finance Group
Phil Morrigan - Archdiocese of Chicago


The first of it's (sic) kind, Church and Change Worship Conference was held at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in De Pere, WI. The church showcases state-of-the-art sound and video projection systems installed by NSC. Phillip Boileau of St. Mark's organized the multiple day event that included two contemporary Christian music concerts with praise bands from California, Minnesota, and two groups from St. Mark's. The conference and concerts were well received with over 170 registered attendees for the presentations, and more than 300 people per night for the concerts.

The conference was designed to help churches start a contemporary worship service or refine their current services, by supplying them with information on everything from how to introduce contemporary worship to the congregation, music, Power Point software, and the technologies that are available. Roger Ihde, sales manager/designer for NSC, presented available sound and video projection equipment and technologies as tools for a contemporary worship. Roger also played the guitar in the praise band from St. Mark's on Thursday night. NSC was honored to be a part of the conference and was delighted to be able to provide direction for the churches that attended, as well as expertise for the concerts.

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Ex Corde
Music "from the heart"


Author: Dorothy J. Sonntag

The Northwestern Lutheran

If you think of church workers as staid and somber, the members of Ex Corde want to change your mind.


When this musical group is performing, they engage in antics that might be described as undignified and tell jokes best described as groaners. They display emotion openly--especially their happiness in the Lord.


The message they want to get across is that serving the Lord brings joy. And they'd like the young people in their audiences to think about serving him, too.


All of the group are in the ministry. Phil and Vicki Boileau, Ric Gibson, and Lyle Strehler teach in Lutheran schools. Dan Simons and Rod Pudell are pastors.


"We want to show that pastors and teachers can have fun," said Phil Boileau, "that we're normal people."


"We try to encourage kids to consider being pastors and teachers, or to serve the Lord in some other way," added Vicki. "We want to show them we have fun doing what we do, and they could, too."


"We're proclaiming Christ through music and having fun at it, " said Lyle Strehler, "and we always make it a point to try to get kids interested in the work of the church. After a concert, a lot of them talk to us about the ministry."


The group got started when Ric Gibson was in charge of planning the entertainment for the 1981 youth rally. He called on his friends for help, and they put together a musical group. After the rally they received requests to perform at church functions and Lutheran high schools. They've appeared regularly at subsequent youth rallies, and they recently made a tape.


At first they played secular music. In 1985 the group presented its first concert of Christian contemporary music. Simons calls the concert a "key turning point. CCM was new to us, and we liked it."


"It was so much fun," Vicki said. "We liked being together and doing our music. And to praise God, too! It was a spiritual high."

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Ol' Time Rock N Roll

One of the noteworthy WELS examples nationally is St. Mark Lutheran Church in De Pere. About 80% of the music that its praise band plays comes from top-selling contemporary Christian music. The church, which has a $150,000 audio-visual system with two big video screens, has nearly 2,000 members and needs to expand beyond the new facility it built a few years ago, said Phil Boileau, its minister of music and family.

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WELS Staff Minister

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Join us for our annual Praise Concert, Friday, November 14 starting at 7pm.

Enjoy great music, great friends and a chance to hear the message of hope which Jesus brings through the songs we sing! This won't be a choir concert! This is a chance to rock with the Rock, our awesome God!

So come on out and join us! Everyone is welcome! There is no cost to attend, so bring your friends!

If you would like more information, contact the church office at 336-2485 or e-mail us. We'd love to hear from you!


2066 Lawrence Drive, De Pere, WI 54115 920-336-2485

We Will Stand-WELS Lutheran Church in Wisconsin

A finale of the night, all the folks who participated in the fund raiser came up and joined on this song... how touching.
Category: Music

Tags: We will stand Lutheran WELS Christian Russ Taft God Church Concert

You Raise Me Up by Jaie Fletcher

You Raise me up...Done for the Green Bay Pregnancy Council in St. Mark Lutheran Church Located in De Pere, WI.

Victory Chant by Jaie Fletcher And Members of St. Mark Praise Team

Rockin the Lutheran church again... went all the way back to Green Bay from Nashville to do this one song... had a blast...
Category: Music

Tags: Victory chant lutheran wels christian concert amateur

St. Mark's Paul Kelm Will Now Show WELS How To Worship Right:For Sure! Seriously! Awesomely! Totally!

From: Jaie2007
Added: April 30, 2008

This song may not be the greatest to some of you professionals, but the fact that they allowed me to do it in a Lutheran Church using their praise and worship singers is AWESOME...this church is ready for a revolution!
Category: Music

Tags: Gospel Revolutionary Lutheran WELS Christian Concert

That's how we do it at St. Mark's. Go home and tell your friends.

Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant Christmas Orders

The new cover for Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant,
designed by Norma Boeckler
You can order CLP from me if you get 5 or more copies. I charge $10 less per copy than Lulu.com does.

The cost is (with the cost of media shipping included):

5 copies for $75.

10 copies for $150.

20 copies for $300.

Larger orders can earn a bigger discount, thanks to Lulu pricing.

Make the check out to me, Gregory L. Jackson.

When the check arrives I will place the order and the books will come from Lulu.com in about 10 days.

The download PDF is free for anyone and everyone. Psst - there are good Lutheran quotations to copy into sermons.

Check out my Lulu Storefront.

Art Fans - Note the New Web Address

Robin, copyright, Norma Boeckler.

Norma Boeckler's web address has changed to:

http://www.normaboecklerart.com/.

Church and Change - Why WELS Is Broke Again

Meanwhile, a new federal program will loan $25 billion
or more to bail out Detroit auto unions
via the Big Three.
Ford can be bought today for $2 billion.
GM for around the same amount.

The Church Shrinkage Movement in WELS is far older than the stealth agency called Church and Change. Nevertheless, Church and Change is now the official arm of the radical rejection of Lutheran doctrine and worship in WELS.

The key figures in the Church and Change lodge go back 30 years. Starting TELL magazine with Ron Roth as the editor was the first warning shot. Their journal, The Pope Speaks (aka WLQ) even announced that TELL was begun to promote the Church Growth Movement. SP Naumann wrote an introduction for TELL, which was printed at The Love Shack.

The comatose clergy failed to notice.

For the last three decades Church Shrinkers have installed themselves in every possible nook and cranny of the sect. Every Evangelism Secretary has been Church Growth, starting with Paul Kelm. Every Parish Consultant has been trained at Fuller Seminary (Huebner, Kelm, Olson). Every head of Parish Services, American and world missions has been Church Growth. Church Growth professors are the weevils at MLC (nee DMLC) and The Sausage Factory. WELS got rid of Northwestern College because it was the last bastion of resistance to Church Growth doctrine. However, no one wanted to admit it. The NWC faculty surrendered passively and marched off to New Ulm to be rendered the capons they already proved themselves to be.

The Church and Changers are not an open-minded, loving, forgiving bunch. They are vindictive, vengeful, and obsessed with finishing their take-over the synod. They almost did it, but their finger-puppet, SP Gurgel, got tossed by popular demand. Next, President-in-Waiting Wayne Mueller quit in a huff because his sovereignty was denied. Wayne is known for insisting on the last word in every debate. Some are gone but not forgotten: Wayne is forgotten but not gone.

Let's go back a few years. The Love Shack broke into a collective sweat when St. Marvin of Schwan suddenly reached room temperature. I was one of the first to know. I phoned Otten, and he said, "What? Are you sure?" I said, "Well, don't run with it until you check it out, but yes, I am sure."

Why the sweat at The Love Shack? An insider told me that Schwan checks arrived there but they were not booked with everything else. One official took the check from the staffer and said, "I will take care of that." That money was never recorded officially. I could tell you who told me that story. He is well known in the synod.

The Paul Kuske report on synod funds--which doubtless helped Gurgel face retirement (or prison)--is still one of the most popular pages on Ichabod. The report shows how money was mismanaged by The Love Shack. That is but one reason why WELS is broke again.

Another reason is the way The Love Shack blew through all the Schwan Foundation funds and then some. I will not say, "They spent money like drunken sailors," because sailors spend their own dough. The Love Shack drones spent millions and millions on their pet projects, trying to be a big synod when they are really a shrinking sect.

Not content to use up the Schwan funds on Wild Hair Projects, they went through millions in designated funds until the Treasurer of the synod stopped them. Gurgel fired his friend and blamed his friend for the mess. The next story they told was about an accounting glitch. Sure.

So SP Schroeder is trying to make up for years of financial mis-management. WELS wants to be big but spending its way into bigness has not worked. One thing is needful, and the majority of the leaders have abandoned that in the name of growth, prosperity, and another trip around the world to inspect missions.

Meanwhile, the Church Shrinkers have laid waste to the sect for decades. WELS has kicked out pastors for favoring the KJV over the NIV (heresy!), for questioning involvement in and subordination to Thrivent (show them the money), and for scowling at Church Growth doctrine (their one true love, besides themselves).

Every victim of Church and Change has an extended family. When they all get their appeals (if they still belong), do they empty their wallets for more of the same treatment? I doubt it. More likely, they say, "I still remember..."

I know relatively few WELS members and pastors, but I know a lot of families devastated by the synodical leaders forcing the head of the family out of the ministry. WELS pastors have no marketable skills, so that throws them into poverty. Betrayed by the leaders and abandoned by so-called friends, these men have to sell aluminum siding or cars until they are broken down enough to be allowed back in.

Based on population growth alone, WELS should be much bigger today than it was 30 years ago. Instead, the core givers and attenders are ready for the rocking chair or eternal life. WELS has driven out too many people to survive another 20 years.

The only solution is something left unused and untried for a generation or more - the efficacious Word combined with faithfulness to the Confessions.

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Church and Change - Why WELS Is Broke Again":

Dr. Jasckson,

Don't you know how wrong your argument is with respect to the financial crisis in WELS ?

The 2007 convention found that it did not need to make any type of major cuts. Everything could still be funded. All is well.

We are told again and again that "money is not the issue" in WELS.

Our pastors, with their education in classical Greek, Hebrew and Latin are in high demand in private industry for their much in-demand translation skills.

We are even now building a cathederal at Martin Luther College, a science wing at MLS (which we saved at the 2007 convention), and a new dormitory at Luther Prep (each student should now be able to have a private room).

Why do you continue to be a scare monger, Dr. Jackson?

Napolean Bonaparte

***

GJ - Scaremonger? My little Corsican lieutenant, I am just talking about reality. The edifice complex you mentioned is a good example of little WELS trying to be a big synod.

Is WLCFS the Missing Link?

Church and Change Lynchpin, VP, Central Southern Babtist District, WELS, Don Patterson. Ask him about how to get a synod grant.
Church and Change teaches that skill.

Rev. Donald W. Patterson

Pastor Patterson has served on the WLCFS Board of Directors since 2006. He also serves as pastor of Holy Word, Austin, TX. In addition to his service at WLCFS, Pastor Patterson is also the First Vice President for the South Central District of WELS and serves on the Spiritual Growth Project Team.

***

GJ - Someone told me that Church and Change has its tendrils in Wisconsin Child and Family Services, the WELS agency that once enjoyed an avalanche of Schwan donations.

The Love That Dare Not, IV: Stealth Blog

Stealth churches produce stealth members with stealth blogs.

Many Lutheran blogs are anonymous. Some Lutheran blogs require secret passwords, signs, and tokens to get in. Sure, I want to hack into those blogs to meet another timid, trembling pastor, more sheep than shepherd. Besides, the leaders all know who these guys are.

I found a blog somewhere in the middle. There is no author's name given. The writer wants to defend his Rock and Roll WELS Church, but does not list his own name.

An Apology for a 'Rock and Roll' Lutheran Church
Fair and respectful dialog concerning change in today's Confessional Lutheran Church.

His initials are given later - JK. I smoked him out before as Joe Krohn, who was earlier a member of CrossWalk, Laveen (nominally WELS, Phoenix area). He is now a member of Matt Doebler's Rock and Roll Lutheran Church in Texas. As regular readers know, Doebler is part of a group of Church and Change pastors led by District VP Don Patterson. WELS is broke again, but Patterson gets free vicars, courtesy of largesse from The Love Shack (your offering dollars at work). Would there be a conflict of interest among the decision-makers and the eager recipients? Do they belong to the same secret lodge called Church and Change? Hmmm?

Patterson and Paul Kelm both spoke to The Sausage Factory about how to produce more uniform (Babtist) sausages. Apparently some of the sausages were graduating but not well rounded, in a manner of speaking.

Joe Krohn is also a UOJ follower. All the Church Shrinkers in WELS love Universal Objective Justification, an opinion which is taken, word for word, from a Pietistic dogmatics book (19th century). There will be some red faces in the old Synodical Conference in a year or so.

I found Joe promoting his blog on Bailing Water:

Anonymous said...
I can't help but feel that your opening remarks are at the very least legalistic and at the worst judgemental. To say that high church liturgical is the only way to do corporate worship flies in the face of The Augsburg Confession and more importantly the Bible. I would be glad to discuss in detail point by point. My blog or yours?

JK
http://randrchurch.blogspot.com/

November 12, 2008 10:19 PM

Hillary Rumored To Be Next Secretary of State

Hillary, Yale Law, with Obama, Harvard Law.

Bush, Harvard MBA, with Secretary of State Rice, Notre Dame MA.

Ebony and Ivory

Ebony and Ivory live together in perfect harmony
side by side on my piano keyboard, oh Lord, why don't we?

We all know that people are the same where ever we go
There is good and bad in ev'ryone,
we learn to live, we learn to give
each other what we need to survive together alive.

Ebony and Ivory live together in perfect harmony
side by side on my piano keyboard, oh Lord why don't we?

Ebony, ivory living in perfect harmony
Ebony, ivory, ooh

We all know that people are the same where ever we go
There is good and bad in ev'ryone,
we learn to live, we learn to give
each other what we need to survive together alive.

Ebony and Ivory live together in perfect harmony
side by side on my piano keyboard, oh Lord why don't we?

Ebony, ivory living in perfect harmony (repeat and fade)


Paul McCartney Ebony And Ivory Lyrics
Songwriters: Mccartney, Paul;

***

GJ - Mrs. Ichabod noticed the race reversal in the two top government jobs. "Just like Ebony and Ivory." This song was spoofed on Saturday Night Live once, when the show was still funny.

Stealth Update: WELS Members Waking Up To Church and Change Menace

Bailing Water has WELS members reporting they never heard of Church and Change. They also say their pastors know nothing about it.

This is an actual exchange with a WELS pastor:

The other guy: "Church and Change is no more. President Gurgel took it apart. It doesn't exist."

Me: "Oh yeah? Then why are they registering people for their next conference [2007] from the WELS.net website? They have their own jumpword."

[Later it dawned on me that the head of technology for WELS, Martin Luther Spriggs, was the former pastor who gave Willow Creek sermons verbatim from the pulpit. His pastoral work and Willow Creekery are absent from his posted bio.]

I kept publishing the facts about the conference, which the WELS pastor did not know was happening until I told him. The jumpword was removed but the conference went on. Another Church and Change conference is scheduled for 2009. They booked Babtist Ed Stetzer last August, but their stealthy website does not admit to Stetzer's invitation, three months later.

Finally, Church and Change admitted to the event, but not to the keynote speaker:

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Conference 09
Nov 5th - 7th
Wyndham Milwaukee Airport Hotel and Convention Center

C&C events are a great place to network with people who have similar ministries, situations and problems. Come, learn and benefit from everyone's experience!


More information is coming soon!

Church and Change is run from The Love Shack, WELS headquarters. One bored member, Bruce Becker, is in charge of Parish Shrinkage. Yes, they have a whole department devoted to shrinking the size of WELS. And they are effective. WELS has lost members ever since Ron Roth was the first Church Shrinkage leader at The Love Shack. He took on that role as editor of The Evangelism Life Line, TELL.

Ron Roth began as editor of TELL, which was "devoted to the cause of Church Growth," in 1977.

The editors of TELL were:
Ron Roth: 1977 - 1984.
Paul Kelm: 1984 - 1988.
Robert Hartman: 1988 - 19892.

TELL did not die, but expanded into Perish Leadership, which showed an expanding readership how their congregations could perish on Church Growth doctrine from Fooler Seminary and Willow Crick.

So, as the anvil salesman from The Music Man, would have told WELS members: "You square-toed hicks. You've been flim-flammed...He's a bare faced, double shuffle, two bit, thimble rigger."

Yes, for 31 years WELS members have paid the salaries of ordained Lutheran pastors devoted to the cause of Church Growth. And one of them, Paul Kelm, is coming back.

The Church and Change conference is designed to let the Shrinkers all network with each other. I thought they did that already at The Love Shack.

Millions of dollars of members' offerings have been spent supporting these weevils and what are the results? WELS received the largest charitable gift ever from St. Marvin Schwan and is now broke, deep into debt from misusing designated funds.

SP Schroeder is trying to clean up their messes and the Church Shrinkers want him out.

Ignite Your Seeker Service With This Classic From SonSeed

Found - Thy Strong Word Files

Publishing is just like this.

I published Thy Strong Word in 2000. I also made the files available on the Net. They can be accessed from the links - better ones to come.

I was not too careful about the files at the time. I lost track of some of the Word files. After all, who would be interested after the initial mailing of books?

Recently I had two requests for them, one layman asking for a case. I am getting them mailed in a day or so. I still have some print editions left. The files mean I can convert the chapters into books at Lulu or Google. When I do, the PDFs will be free downloads. I had only HTML files for some chapters and that made conversion touchy, which made my long-suffering editor a bit edgy, as in "All the numbers double up!" A few years with a quill pen would make him more grateful for technology, but that is another story.

Christian News phoned to order more copies of Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant. They must be stocking up for Christmas. With any luck, the improved new cover will be on it. If not, I may create it again with Google books.

How the Synodical Conference Turned Into The Joy of Sects

Cultists at the door may be from your sect.

Someone is trying to claim on Bailing Water that WELS advocates a quia subscription to the Book of Concord. A quia subscription means that they follow the Book of Concord because (quia) it is a proper exposition of the Sciptures.

A quatenus subscription means they follow the Book of Concord insofar as (quatenus) it agrees with the Scriptures. That is supposedly the ELCA position, assuming they can find their Confessions under their gay pride journals.

I posted before that one of the WELS publications has an essay asking about the sect being bound by the Confessions. Their answer is "No!" The set is either Our Great Heritage or the Wauwatosa set, both luxuriously bound in green, three volumes. I had both at once time, but no longer. I joked before that I used them for kindling, but I would not want to subject my home to the toxic fumes.

How Did This Happen?

All three parts of the Synodical Conference have degenerated into sects by turning the recent publications of their mediocre leaders into the ruling norm of faith and life. No one can debate these nuggets of wisdom because everyone is related to the people who wrote them. Besides, the only doctrine taught with any consistency in these sects is worship of the sect. Someone who loses his awe of the sect is tossed. Doctrinal aberrations (except for the previously mentioned Sin Against the Holy Spirit) are adiaphora, matters of indifference.

Some are saying, "There he goes again, exaggerating."

How was one pastor thrown out of WELS and excommunicated? Bruce Becker (Church and Change, WELS Perish Services) wrote a letter insisting on the non-efficacy of the Word. The pastor had to comply with that letter. He did not, so he was given the Left Foot of Fellowship - for adhering to the ruling norm of Scriptures and the ruled norm, the Book of Concord.

WELS tossed two families out of their sect for not agreeing to the ridiculous Kokomo Statements. Next, WELS lied about this while making matters even worse, with Sig Becker chiming in. No one could argue with Sig Becker, especially since he died soon after. Disagreeing with Sig Becker was blasphemy! The ELS never quite liked Becker, but they live and breathe justification without faith.

The same things go on in the LCMS. They pose as a group defending the Book of Concord, but they have been creating personality cults ever since C. F. W. Walther's and Francis Pieper's. Both men published some good material, but no one can oppose their invented (or copied from the Pietists) Objective Justification. That would imply the LCMS could err. No, the LCMS is inerrant and infallible. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, still the same. Amen.

The nano-sects are no different. Sometimes they ape Big Brother. Sometimes they rage against some slight from 45 years ago. They find a totem opinion or leader and circle that object forever. Did a pastor drop dead from AIDS? Never happened. Etc.

Not Studied Seriously

The Book of Concord is simply not studied. All of the Lutheran sects would do well to take a year to appreciate and study the Large Catechism, which is not the Small Catechism in a Large Print edition. (I know some prep grads read this, so I try to explain here and there.) The explanation of the Third Commandment would greatly advance the destruction of false doctrine.

Reading the Book of Concord without sect-filters is essential. The norms are not 19th, 20th, or 21st century.

The ruling norm of the Word is clear, plain, and easy for anyone to understand.

The ruled norm of the Confessions creates a capacity to learn as we study, just as the Word does.

Every pastor and layman has to make this knowledge his own. Books do not substitute for individual study and application.

Veterans' Day - November 11th

Formerly Armistice Day, November 11th marked a pause in World War I, and that war started all over again as WWII.

The carnage of WWI is impossible to imagine.

We are free today because of the sacrifices of our soldiers and their families.

I get to teach quite a few military people. I know that military service has made them better citizens. They have learned discipline and self-discipline. They understand respect and duty.

Sometimes I get an email where the student drops "sir" into the message. I respond, "So you are in the military or were?"

"How do you know?"

"You dropped sir into your message. That was the giveway."

The National Anthem

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Boy Scout Builds Monument to Soldiers in Fry, Arizona

Boy Scout creates fallen soldier’s monument
By Bill Hess
Herald/Review

Published on Tuesday, November 11, 2008

SIERRA VISTA [formerly Fry, Arizona] — It is a simple but highly symbolical brass monument.

Less than 5 feet high, the Fallen Soldier’s Cross was dedicated Monday afternoon, appropriately the day before Veterans Day.

Seventeen-year-old Jacob Hall unveils the Fallen Soldier’s Cross monument during a dedication ceremony Monday at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Hall initiated the monument venture as part of his Eagle Scout project. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review) The boots, rifle and helmet tell a story of a fallen member of America’s armed forces. It has been used in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the deaths of U.S. military personnel have occurred.

The boots stand for the last march completed; the rifle, with its bayonet stuck in the ground, is for a break in combat; and the helmet symbolizes the person who fell in combat.

For Life Scout Jacob Hall of Troop 486, having the special monument placed in the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery was a way to honor the many members of his family who have served the nation.

He named 12 members of the family, 11 men and one woman, who served in the Army. One of them is his great-great-grandfather who served during World War I from 1917 to 1918. There were two sailors, one a great-great-grandfather who sailed in the Navy’s Great White Fleet sent around the world by President Theodore Roosevelt from 1907 to 1909.

And, Jacob mentioned his twin-brother Adam, who will be heading for Navy boot camp in April as a person who will continue the family’s long history of military service.

For Jacob, the addition of the Fallen Soldier’s Cross to the cemetery’s Committal Shelter area has another goal as he attempts to earn the top Boy Scout rank.

The project was his Eagle Scout’s Project, which required the raising of nearly $4,500 for the monument, along with additional funds to anchor the device.

He and fellow scouts from the troop, sponsored by Village Meadows Baptist Church, bused tables, had garage sales and other fundraisers. In the end, nearly $7,000 was collected.

The money not used for the project will go into the cemetery’s foundation coffers to be used for other Eagle Scout projects at the cemetery.

Jacob said he was thankful for a special donation by Michael McDonald, the owner of Black Rose Etching, who created a special stone plaque with the names of individuals and groups that each provided at least $250.

The short dedication ceremony, attended by a small gathering of more than 50 people, was filled with military symbolism, much like what is done in the field to honor a fallen soldier.

The national anthem was sung by Linda Brown, and the Fort Huachuca Select Honor Guard acted as flag bearers and a firing party. One member of the guard played Taps, the 24 notes of finality for those who served.

***

GJ - Sierra Vista is home to one of the top military installations in America. The fort is famous for its historic Black cavalry.

The Buffalo Soldiers are an interesting part of our history.

Entertainment Services Help Explain WELS Meltdown

Liturgical dancers make the Seeker Service more enjoyable.

Someone said the lack of math training is the reason WELS stumbles from financial crisis to financial crisis.

I will offer some better reasons, since the financial sector of the world economy is run by math wizards. Most think a blind monkey could do better than these MBAs, CPAs, and JDs.

Most of the offering money comes from the grandparent generation, for good reason. When the kids are out of the house and people have established positions, there is more available cash. Retired people tell me they have lost 40% or more of their savings since the mortgage and banking collapse.

Deliberate Alienation
Another part of this is the deliberate alienation of the older members in the quest for young members in WELS. The feminist hymnal, Church Growth (sic) Movement, and rock and roll services are sad attempts to copy the big non-denominational churches. Oddly, Schuller's Hour of Power is losing viewers because it is more traditional than the newer versions of apostasy.

The rock and roll WELS churches will go their own way in a few years. They will nestle in the bosom of the LCMS or show a little more honesty by joining the Evangelical Covenant or Evangelical Free sects. Both sects are historically related to the Augustana (Swedish Lutheran) Synod, which had its roots in the Pietism of Sweden. The WELS mission started with DP Robert Mueller's blessing, CrossRoads in South Lyon, is now a member of the Evangelical Covenant sect. They run North Park College in Chicago, if that means anything. I recall the denomination put a lot of money behind a couple of men who were going to strike gold in Alaska. They did not happen and the money was lost.

The E-Frees, as they call themselves, are a little better known than the Covenants. Chuck Swindoll was a best-selling author about 25 years ago. Remember him? He had clever book titles. The same stuff is recycled by the new generation. WELS' first known DMin from Fuller Seminary, Larry Olson, studied at the E. Free Seminary Trinity in Deerfield, Illinois.

Both sects started with some whiff of Lutheranism in the background, so that may explain their appeal to Lutherans who want to jump ship. More likely, the Pietism at the core of both groups made the transition from sour legalism to Church Growth legalism a snap. I grew up in the capital of the Augustana Synod. I recall those sects as the two which claimed the Augustana Synod had lost its former strictness, even though the college banned dancing on the campus until after WWII.

In the glory days of Augustana College, possession of playing cards was reason enough to expel a student.

WELS had similar Pietistic origins, which were slow to dissipate, if they ever did. Pietism is anti-Confessional.

Money Men
WELS put most of its hopes in a few huge gifts. They organized Tetzels to run around selling indulgences. As one reader said, that put too much emphasis on special gifts in the millions and too little on regular giving. Marvin Schwan divorced his wife and married the wife of one of his managers. WELS said, "No problem. For $1 billion, we will call that a Scriptural divorce." The ELS leaders, wetting their pants for some of that dough, said nothing. The Left Foot of Fellowship is reserved for those who disobey the 11th Commandment - Thou shalt not disagree with the Synod Pope. The new Mrs. Schwan became a Lutheran, so that was an evangelism gain of one. Then St. Marvin died and she reverted to Romanism.

The synod grew from LCMS defections and then betrayed the conservatives who left the Missouri Synod to escape liberalism. From that point on, the only thing that grew was The Love Shack.

The first synod office was a room at the bottom of the stairs at Northwestern Publishing House. Mischke was Synod President. His wife was his secretary.

Now the synod funds a coven of Church Shrinkers (Church and Change) who think they are in charge of everything. The Love Shack, excluding the Synod President, is all Church Shrinkage. They are good at shrinking the synod. They have grown in number every year. The synod has lost communing members every year.

So the synod-salaried Church Shrinkers use their connections to shovel offering money into their own projects. They run their own conferences through Church and Change. They are a law unto themselves.

"O Lord, Look Down from Heaven, Behold"

by Martin Luther, 1483-1546

1. O Lord, look down from heaven, behold
And let Thy pity waken:
How few are we within Thy Fold,
Thy saints by men forsaken!
True faith seems quenched on every hand,
Men suffer not Thy Word to stand;
Dark times have us o'ertaken.

2. With fraud which they themselves invent
Thy truth they have confounded;
Their hearts are not with one consent
On Thy pure doctrine grounded.
While they parade with outward show,
They lead the people to and fro,
In error's maze astounded.

3. May God root out all heresy
And of false teachers rid us
Who proudly say: "Now, where is he
That shall our speech forbid us?
By right or might we shall prevail;
What we determine cannot fail;
We own no lord and master."

4. Therefore saith God, "I must arise,
The poor My help are needing;
To Me ascend My people's cries,
And I have heard their pleading.
For them My saving Word shall fight
And fearlessly and sharply smite,
The poor with might defending."

5. As silver tried by fire is pure
From all adulteration,
So through God's Word shall men endure
Each trial and temptation.
Its light beams brighter through the cross,
And, purified from human dross,
It shines through every nation.

6. Thy truth defend, O God, and stay
This evil generation;
And from the error of their way
Keep Thine own congregation.
The wicked everywhere abound
And would Thy little flock confound;
But Thou art our Salvation.

Hymn 260
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Ps. 12
Author: Martin Luther, 1523
Translated by: composite
Titled: "Ach Gott vom Himmel, sieh darein"
Tune: "Ach Gott vom Himmel"
1st Published in: Enchiridion
Town: Erfurt, 1524

***

GJ - An anonymous WELS member has started a blog to defend Lutheran Rock and Roll Churches. Here is is: An Apology for a 'Rock and Roll' Lutheran Church.

Some of you think I make this stuff up.

WELS Financial Crisis Returns

Catastrophe

A special message from President Mark Schroeder
The recent economic difficulties in our country have begun to have a direct impact on our synod, particularly as the budget planning for the next two years begins. These new developments are serious, and we are making immediate changes to our current and future ministry plans. But we also trust in our unfailing God.

First some background. Just four months ago, we were celebrating God's blessing of a budget surplus, thanks in large part to the generous support of our congregations following the last synod convention. Still, from the time budget planning began, we knew that it would be a challenge to incorporate the $2.6 million added by the convention on an ongoing basis, and that support from congregations and individuals would need to increase to this level and grow from there. We knew that it would be a challenge for our congregations to do this, but we believed that it would be possible.

Recently, however, we learned of two developments that will make an already challenging situation even more difficult. Because of the recent downturn in the stock market and the related economic problems, expected major financial support for the synod from two sources will be significantly reduced.

One situation involves large gifts from an individual donor. Two years ago, the donor expressed his intent to provide $3 million per year for the following five years. He has already provided that gift for the last fiscal year and is committed to making the second installment for this year. The five-year commitment was based on the value of stock owned by the individual. In the last months, the value of the stock has plummeted and the donor has informed us, much to his regret, that he will not at this time be able to forward next year's installment of the intended gift. He has expressed his sincere desire to forward this gift, as he had originally intended, when market conditions enable him to do so. For the immediate future, however, this is a source of financial support that we can no longer include in our planning.

We also learned on Thursday, Nov. 6, that the same market conditions have affected the Schwan Foundation. The foundation is providing $8 million for our synod's mission and ministry programs this calendar year. The foundation informed us that the grant to the synod in the next year will be significantly reduced. We will find out in December the exact extent of that reduction.

After more than a year of very positive financial news and amazing blessings, we are now confronted by a new set of challenges. It's likely that the two circumstances described above will reduce our anticipated financial support by about $4 million. This is in addition to the convention-directed budgetary increase of $2.6 million that needed to be included in our planning. While this is a serious shortfall, we can also say that the total impact of this news is not fully known at this time for a number of reasons: we do not know the exact amount of the reduction in support; we do not know what benefits we will realize from the Year of Jubilee offering; and we will not have complete information on Congregation Mission Offerings for the next year until late January.

Regardless of what the final situation proves to be in terms of financial support, we are confident that with last year's budget surplus and the following steps we can achieve a balanced budget for this fiscal year.

First, we pray and trust. We were facing huge financial challenges in the summer of 2007. We prayed and we trusted, and God graciously blessed us. We can and should do nothing different as we face this new challenge.

In the remaining six months of the current budget, every area of ministry will be asked to economize and reduce expenditures. This directive will ask that all activities be reviewed, including existing ministry programs and travel and meetings, and that only absolutely necessary activities be carried out.
With only a few vital exceptions, current vacancies in called and hired positions will not be filled and no new positions will be added.

Looking ahead to the next biennium: Areas of ministry have already submitted budget estimates for their programs, but the areas of ministry will be asked to revisit those decisions and to consider how they might significantly alter ministry programs and reduce planned expenditures. As they consider reducing or eliminating programs and positions, they will be asked to keep in mind the priorities established by the last convention and reduce or defer spending in those areas of lower priority. The areas of ministry will also be asked to consider a greater use of the special funds that they have on hand to maintain or transition ministry programs.

The results of the Year of Jubilee offering will have a large impact on the challenge before us and could prove very helpful in meeting it. If the Year of Jubilee succeeds in eliminating our synod's $22.4 million capital debt, the $2.7 million now used for debt service will nearly offset the loss of the major gift. All congregations are encouraged to redouble their efforts in highlighting the importance of the Jubilee offering.

The impact of this current challenge will also be affected by the Congregation Mission Offerings (CMO) committed for next year. Most congregations will be determining those commitments in November, December, or January. We realize that congregations will also face challenges because of the current economy, but a significant increase in CMO will be vital in enabling us to avoid severe reductions in our synodical mission and ministry efforts.

Our financial staff is compiling a growing list of measures that can be considered as ways to reduce expenditures or as ways of utilizing other resources available to us. That list, along with additional alternatives, will be presented to the Synodical Council for discussion at its meeting on Nov. 14-15. A final budget will not be adopted until February, after we learn the results of the Year of Jubilee Offering and the Congregation Mission Offering commitments for the coming calendar year.

In his love and wisdom, God has seen fit to place another serious challenge before us. But, as he has so clearly demonstrated in the past, he promises to bless us even in circumstances that seem difficult and troublesome. It is not a time for panic or frustration. Rather, we look to God in confident faith. We return to the foot of the cross to see his faithful love demonstrated. And we commit ourselves to work together, united in our mission, to continue to carry out the work that God has given us.

Serving in Christ,

Mark Schroeder

Note: Look for further updates of the financial situation in next Monday's edition of "Together" following the Synodical Council meeting.

***

GJ - I expected this to happen. Similar things developed during the much smaller meltdown of the dot coms and 9/11. Wealth disappears and the overflow with it. Most people and institutions have lost large percentages of money, unless it was kept in cash equivalents, like CDs and federal notes. Storing cash was supposed to be unwise.

This Depression is so universal and so badly managed that I see nothing good emerging for a long time to come. The Chi-Coms have dumped $600 billion+ into their economy to rev it up. In China they have shuttered one steel factory after another. No, I am not weeping for them. Deflation is harder to fight than inflation.

Postal workers have been laid off - 40,000 of them. When did that ever happen?

Two solutions have not been tried and they will not be tried with the new rulers installed. One is reducing capital gains taxes, which would stimulate investment. Another is reducing taxes all around, with major government reductions.

Instead, the government is expanding its reach into socialistic control of financial institutions. No one is an expert about where this will lead.

Rev. Bruce Becker picked a fine time to get an additional staffer at The Love Shack. Keep following the budget at St. Mark, Depere. I think you will find they were glad to have one less on the staff. Ditto, St. Marcus in Milwaukee.

Did WELS Professor J. P. Meyer Support the Texas Rock and Roll Church?

This cat can howl with the best. Book her, Matt.

"What he has to announce is not designed to lead men to a deeper understanding of nature, it is not science; nor to train them in the rules of hygiene, to produce a more healthy population; nor to teach them to procure greater wealth, or to get more satisfaction and enjoyment out of life; it is not even to elevate them to more idealistic views and to morally cleaner habits. No, he addresses himself strictly to the troubled consciences, promising them relief and peace."
John P. Meyer, Ministers of Christ, A Commentary on the Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 1963, p. 65. 2 Corinthians 4:2.

"Because such is Paul's ministry, he cannot, on the one hand, stoop to trickery or an adulteration of the Word, to practice the hidden things of shame; nor can he, on the other hand, ever grow weary of administering so wholesome and glorious an office."
John P. Meyer, Ministers of Christ, A Commentary on the Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 1963, p. 65. 2 Corinthians 4:2.

"The very fact that we, being such cheap and fragile implements, continue in our service unbroken is proof of the excellency of God's power, and is an incentive to renewed cheerful efforts on our part."
John P. Meyer, Ministers of Christ, A Commentary on the Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 1963, p. 72. 2 Corinthians 4:7.

"The type of minister to which we referred above as using entertainment in order to lure the people is employing panourgia, and is therefore guilty of committing secret things of disgrace. The Gospel is the word of Truth. To resort to ruses in proclaiming it, even though with the best of intentions, is heaping shame on the Truth. Not only are the truth and lures incompatible in their nature, but to use lures in connection with the Gospel ministry treats the Truth, the eternal Truth of God, as though it were inefficient, not attractive enough in itself."
John P. Meyer, Ministers of Christ, Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 1963, pp. 62. 2 Corinthians 4:2.

"Paul...is speaking about methods of preaching the Gospel. He means to say that you can introduce methods into your Gospel work which on the surface do not appear as shameful, but which in reality disgrace the Gospel. He is harking back to 2:17, where he spoke about kapeleuein, about 'selling' the Gospel. To use a coarse illustration: Some ministers in their eagerness to bring the Gospel to the people, resort to entertainment to attract the crowds, in order to get an opportunity to preach to them. If you would tell such ministers that they are ashamed of the Gospel and that by their methods they disgrace it, because they manifest a lack of trust in its efficacy, they would resent the charge. Are they not doing all in order to promote the Gospel? The disgrace their methods bring upon it does not appear on the surface; that is why Paul speaks of secret things of shame."
John P. Meyer, Ministers of Christ, Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 1963, pp. 62f. 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; 2:17.

"Crafty conduct is paired with 'adulterating the Word of God.' These two ever go together. He who is not honest with himself will not be overhonest with the Word. The reverse is also true--and the writer may be permitted to say that he has witnessed it too often--he who is not really honest with the Word cannot be trusted very far with his conduct. Dolow=to catch with bait, to fix up something so as to deceive and to catch somebody. It is used with regard to adulterating wine. So here: 'adulterating the Word of God,' not leaving it pure lest people reject it but falsifying it to catch the crowd. Of all the dastardly deeds done in the world this is the most dastardly. None is more criminal nor more challenging to God himself."
R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Paul's First and Second Letter to the Corinthians, Columbus: Wartburg Press, 1957, p. 955. 2 Corinthians 4:2.

"It is the same thought as that expressed in 2:17. Some preachers, like hucksters, are ready to dicker about the Word of God as though they can discount something to make a sale, as though the deal is between them and men alone. This is what Paul also means by adulterating the Word of God, mixing in unrealities to make the Word acceptable to men."
R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Paul's First and Second Letter to the Corinthians, Columbus: Wartburg Press, 1957, p. 957. 2 Corinthians 4:2. 2 Corinthians 2:17.

***

GJ - J. P. Meyer taught at the Sausage Factory in Mequon forever and ever. The domatics notes used in the 1980s were still called the Meyer Dog Notes.

Meyer and Lenski published 50 years ago, but they both sound like they are describing the bored members of Church and Change.

Episcoal Bishops Scared Straight by Prop 8

Presiding Bishop Jefferts-Schori

CALIFORNIA EPISCOPAL BISHOPS EXCORIATE PASSAGE OF PROPOSITION 8

Los Angeles Bishop Says California Voters "Ignorant" About Homosexuality

News Analysis

By David W. Virtue

www.virtueonline.org

11/9/2008

Two Episcopal bishops and the head of The Episcopal Church's gay and lesbian organization, Integrity, blasted voters who backed a successful ballot initiative to ban gay marriage in California and three other states. Mormons were attacked along with members of Protect Marriage Coalition forcing Los Angeles Interfaith leaders to condemn attacks on the LDS faith who believe the family is the anchor of their faith.

In Arkansas, voters voted to bar all unmarried people, LGBT or straight, from adopting children or serving as foster parents.

Many California churches also experienced harassment, drive-by attacks, obscenities and defacement of property following the vote.

It was an overwhelming repudiation of gay marriage that prompted Los Angeles Episcopal Bishop J. Jon Bruno to say that California voters should examine their consciences and banish their ignorance on homosexuality. A statement released by Bruno said support for the ballot initiative was tantamount to "religious oppression,". Bishop Bruno charged that Proposition 8 was "a lamentable expression of fear-based discrimination that attempts to deny the constitutional rights of some Californians on the basis of sexual orientation."

He called on Californians who supported Proposition 8 "to make an honest and dedicated effort to learn more about the lives and experiences of lesbian and gay humanity whose constitutional rights are unfairly targeted by this measure. Look carefully at scriptural interpretations, and remember that the Bible was once used to justify slavery, among other forms of oppression."

Californians rejected a May 2008 state Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage. By a margin of 5,376,424 to 4,870,010 votes, or 52 per cent to 48 per cent they overturned the ruling and specified that only marriages between one man and one woman would be recognized as valid in California.

Ironically, Bishops Jon Bruno, Marc Andrus of California, Don Mathes of San Diego, Barry L. Beisner of Northern California, Mary Gray-Reeves, of El Camino and the bishop of the provisional diocese of San Joaquin Jerry Lamb all weighed in to support the "no" campaign.

What is doubly humiliating for these bishops is that it was Blacks and Latinos who pushed for Proposition 8 putting the bishops in a double bind.

If they yell too loudly about people who believe sex stays within marriage between a man and a woman, they will be accused of racism. On the other hand, if they don't support Episcopal lesbigays and (the Rev.) Susan Russell of Integrity, they will be accused of not being inclusive and diverse enough.

As soon as the announcement was made that Proposition 8 passed, Bruno stated he was placing his trust in the courts to nullify the will of the people. "It is only a matter of time" he said, before the "narrow constraints" of Proposition 8 "are ultimately nullified by the courts and our citizens' own increasing knowledge about the diversity of God's creation."

Bishop Bruno commented that "too often the road to justice is made deeply painful by setbacks such as Proposition 8, which nearly half of California voters rejected."

After Proposition 8 was passed, Andrus and his assistant, Bishop Steven Charleston, both weighed in with a feel-your-pain message lamenting what they called "fear" and "pendulum swings" because of the election of President-elect Barak Obama.

These bishops don't give enough credit to the distinctions Americans can and are able to make. Americans can reject racism and vote for a black president and at the same time uphold Christian standards for marriage. Why is that so hard to believe?

To say, as Andus said, that Californians demonstrated a "fear of human sexuality" is plain nonsense. California is one of the most sexually open and sexually experimental states in the country. It is the home of Playboy magazine, the bulk of the porno industry, the morally relative and reductionist Hollywood industry and much more. Yet these bishops want us to believe that Californians were driven by "fear, prejudice and injustice." Nonsense.

Most Blacks have strong Baptist roots. Most Latinos have strong Roman Catholic roots. Mormons have strong roots in their belief in the centrality of the family. These people are not driven by fear or anything else. That's a lie coming from these bishops.

"Because too many of us in California succumbed to fear, we will consign countless numbers of our neighbors to an immediate future of life without hope," said Andrus. Rubbish. No one is denying lesbian and gays their basic civil rights. Sex is not a civil right. It is a gift. No one is denying the rights of gays to work in any job they choose or even to live with whomever. What Californians said was "no" to gay marriage which they said is not marriage at all, either in God's eyes or the state's.

"The Christian faith informs us that fear is ultimately not a way forward at all. Love and fear don't exist in the same dimension, and while fear will come to an end, love goes on for eternity," said Andrus. "As bishops of a community that offers all people a fear-free zone in which they can live with justice and dignity."

The question is who's afraid of whom? Gays and lesbians are not remotely persecuted in California. The live-and-let-live philosophy is well entrenched and well established. What the predominantly Christian people of California said was, we will not allow you to legitimize a behavior that God does not approve of. We will not change the definition of marriage.

The Episcopal Diocese of California will continue to seek to be a place of hope, of love, and an instrument of God's sheltering and, over-shadowing power. This Love is what will finally endure, finally prevail, said Andrus. Is that agape love, philia love or eros love? Andrus doesn't tell us.

Integrity president Susan Russell whined that she was "disappointed that anti-LGBT marriage bans passed" and opined "that we have miles to go in this great country of ours before liberty and justice for all is not just a pledge but a reality." She accused the voters of bigotry.

"We believe discrimination against any member of the human family grieves the heart of God," said Integrity President Susan Russell.

"We will continue our efforts within the Episcopal Church and our witness to the wider Anglican Communion on behalf of the LGBT faithful. We are looking ahead to our 2009 General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Integrity will redouble its efforts to work for the full inclusion of all the baptized in all the sacraments of our church as we pray for God's strength and guidance in the struggle toward wholeness for the whole human family."

At the end of the day, that might be the only place pansexual behavior is accepted. The culture seems to be on a march away from the gadarene slide towards the sexual abyss. If TEC continues on its present pathway, it may find itself all alone galloping over the cliff edge.

END

Most Annoying WELS Problem - Bruce Becker's Church and Change

Church and Change Bored Member (bored of Lutheran doctrine and worship) Bruce Becker, the head of Perish Services. Perish Services, home of the Church Shrinkage Movement in WELS, called Paul Kelm back to The Love Shack, without the knowledge of the Synodical President.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

WELS seeking advice from Ed Stetzer

From Bailing Water:

It looks like the scientific results are in: The number 1 issue facing the WELS is the Church and Change group. This is the group that recently sent a group of rogue pastors down to the church planting conference in Orlando, FL. At this conference these pastors sat at the feet of Baptist Pastor Ed Stetzer.
http://www.exponentialconference.org/
http://www.churchandchange.org/


It wasn't much later that the C&Cers contracted Stetzer to present at the 2009 fall conference.
http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/2008/08/little-love-for-the-lutherans.html

I guess we can all recognize why the C&C group is the synod's number 1 issue (according to the readers of BW)

Anonymous said...
All I ever hear from your side of the argument is complaining about what C & C is trying to do. When are you guys going to offer up a solution other than the status quo?

November 10, 2008 9:33 AM


Anonymous said...
"When are you guys going to offer up a solution other than the status quo?"

A solution for what? What problem needs solving?

I don't want to put words into your mouth, but it seems to me that the C&C crowd think the problem is that the Word of God just doesn't seem to be all that effective.

If that's the problem, then the solution is simple.

Repent for your lack of faith in God's promises and then start making use of God's Word again instead of methods developed in heterodox churches.

November 10, 2008 11:01 AM


RandomDan said...
When will C&C even attempt to come up with a solution that is faithful to the Confessions, Scripture, has some connection to the history of the Church, etc. rather than stealing bad ideas from babtists?

November 10, 2008 11:43 AM


Anonymous said...
I know what we can do. We can experiment with the Means of Grace. Just for a little while. We could use the liturgy, real sermons, the actual creeds, Lutheran hymns. If that doesn't work, we can go back to gimmicks, rock bands, coaching, Reformed rants on becoming a success, children's songs, lights, smoke, and gettin' all pumped up.

I love the Stetzer link for his eye-poke against the Lutherans. It reads: "little-love-for-the-Lutherans." That sums it up. O what a difference the article "a" makes!

November 10, 2008 11:44 AM


rlschultz said...
The solution is already there - return to the Lutheran Confessions. Give the mad purpose-driven, Babtist enthusiasts within the WELS the Left foot of fellowship unless they repent

November 10, 2008 12:00 PM


Anonymous said...
"RandomDan said...
When will C&C even attempt to come up with a solution that is faithful to the Confessions, Scripture, has some connection to the history of the Church, etc. rather than stealing bad ideas from babtists?"

Well there you have it. Legalism at its best. Since when do we need anything other than the Scriptures to have a church? I can't believe you actually said faithful to the Confessions BEFORE the Bible. You act like the Bible should have the Book of Concord after Revelation.

November 10, 2008 12:28 PM


Anonymous said...
"Anonymous said...
"When are you guys going to offer up a solution other than the status quo?"

A solution for what? What problem needs solving?

I don't want to put words into your mouth, but it seems to me that the C&C crowd think the problem is that the Word of God just doesn't seem to be all that effective.

If that's the problem, then the solution is simple.

Repent for your lack of faith in God's promises and then start making use of God's Word again instead of methods developed in heterodox churches."

That's the best you can do? Put a lie in my mouth? And a condescending judgement? What will the WELS do to stem the hemmorage of souls? Whether you want to admit it or not, we do have a method and it is NOT WORKING. Just like the title of this blog, how ironic. Why would you bail water instead of plug the hole? You can't even see the problem.

November 10, 2008 12:42 PM


Anonymous said...
"What will the WELS do to stem the hemmorage of souls?"

Well, Jesus once said, "At that time many will turn away from the faith." Don't you take Jesus at his Word? Jesus promised that the Church would "hemmorage" souls. If the Gospel is being proclaimed and people continue to fall away, then it is an opportunity for us to remember that we are living in the end times. It is NOT an opportunity for us to lose faith in the Gospel or look elsewhere for a solution.

Your assumption is that the Church must grow numerically at all times and in all places. Thus, when it doesn't seem to be growing, you think there must be a problem. But the problem is your assumption that the Church must grow numerically. As Jesus said above, that isn't the case. As we get nearer and nearer to the end of time, the church will shrink numerically, not grow numerically. Why are you trying to fight against the promise of God?

"Whether you want to admit it or not, we do have a method and it is NOT WORKING."

So you're admitting that you believe that the Confessional Lutheran method of preaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments is not working? If that's the case, read Isaiah 55 and think again.

November 10, 2008 1:12 PM

Anonymous said...
What will the WELS do to stem the hemmorage of souls? Whether you want to admit it or not, we do have a method and it is NOT WORKING.

Good grief... if it's NOT working for you- get out. Why is it YOUR responsibility to change MY church that is working well for me and thousands of people before me? There are other churches that have what you are trying to change MY church into. They are called baptist, methodist, penecostals, assembly of God, discipes of christ, etc... pick one of them and move on if you are not happy with the results you are getting at MY church. Good bye!

November 10, 2008 3:49 PM

Martin Luther's Birthday Today

The 95 Theses, translated into German, printed on Gutenberg's converted wine press, set the Reformation ablaze.

Here is Project Gutenberg, in case you have not heard about it.

I will post some annoying (to Church and Change) Luther quotes later today.

Luther to George Major (and the WELS, ELS, LCMS conservatives):
"It is by your silence and cloaking that you cast suspicion upon yourself. If you believe as you declare in my presence, then speak so also in the church, in public lectures, in sermons, and in private conversations, and strengthen your brethren, and lead the erring back to the right path, and contradict the contumacious spirits; otherwise your confession is sham pure and simple, and worth nothing. Whoever really regards his doctrine, faith, and confession as true, right, and certain cannot remain in the same stall with such as teach, or adhere to, false doctrine; nor can he keep on giving friendly words to Satan and his minions. A teacher who remains silent when errors are taught, and nevertheless pretends to be a true teacher, is worse than an open fanatic and by his hypocrisy does greater damage than a heretic. Nor can he be trusted. He is a wolf and a fox, a hireling and a servant of his belly, and ready to despise and to sacrifice doctrine, Word, faith, Sacrament, churches, and schools. He is either a secret bedfellow of the enemies, or a skeptic and a weathervane, waiting to see whether Christ or the devil will prove victorious; or he has no convictions of his own whatever, and is not worthy to be called a pupil, let alone a teacher; nor does he want to offend anybody, or say a word in favor of Christ, or hurt the devil and the world.”
F. Bente, Concordia Triglotta, Historical Introductions to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 94.


"Here are no learned, no rich, no mighty ones, for such people do not as a rule accept the Gospel. The Gospel is a heavenly treasure, which will not tolerate any other treasure, and will not agree with any earthly guest in the heart. Therefore whoever loves the one must let go the other, as Christ says, Matthew 6:24: 'You cannot serve God and mammon.'" Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, I, p. 154. Christmas Day Luke 2:1-14; Matthew 6:24.



"In like manner we will also do to our princes and priests; when they attack our manner of life, we should suffer it and show love for hatred, good for evil; but when they attack our doctrine, God's honor is attacked, then love and patience should cease and we should not keep silent, but also say: I honor my Father, and you dishonor me; yet I do not inquire whether you dishonor me, for I do not seek my own honor." Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, II, p. 176. Fifth Sunday in Lent John 8:46-59.

"To love God with all the soul is to devote your entire bodily life to him that you can say when the love of any creature, or any persecution threatens to overpower you: All this will I give up, before I will forsake my God; let men cast me away, murder or drown me, let what God's will is happen to me, I will gladly lose all, before I will forsake Thee, O Lord!" Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 25 Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity, Luke 10:23-37



"Therefore, do not speak to me of love or friendship when anything is to be detracted from the Word or the faith; for we are told that not love but the Word brings eternal life, God's grace, and all heavenly treasures." Martin Luther, What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, III, p. 1411f. Ephesians 6:10-17.



"In matters concerning faith we must be invincible, unbending, and very stubborn; indeed, if possible, harder than adamant. But in matters concerning love we should be softer and more pliant than any reed and leaf and should gladly accommodate ourselves to everything." Martin Luther, What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 412f. Galatians 2:8.



"Doctrine is our only light. It alone enlightens and directs us and shows us the way to heaven. If it is shaken in one quarter (in une parte), it will necessarily be shaken in its entirety (in totum). Where that happens, love cannot help us at all." Martin Luther, What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 414. Galatians 5:10.



"But this tender mercy is to be exercised only toward Christians and among Christians, for toward those who reject and persecute the Gospel we must act differently; here I am not permitted to let my love be merciful so as to tolerate and endure false doctrine. When faith and doctrine are concerned and endangered, neither love nor patience are in order. Then it is my duty to contend in earnest and not to yield a hairbreadth." Martin Luther, What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, II, p. 637f.

Figs From Thistles? Not According to Martin Luther
Luther, House Postil: "No one is so foolish as to go into a field full of thorns and thistles and look for grapes and figs. Such fruits we seek on a different plant, which is not so full of barbs and prickles. The same thing happens in our gardens. Seeing a tree full of apples or pears, everybody exclaims: Ah, what a fine tree that is! Again, where there is no fruit on a tree or the fruit is worm-eaten, cracked, and misshapen, everybody says the tree is worthless, fit to be cut down and cast into the fire, so that a better tree may be planted in its place. These tests, the Lord says, you must apply to the false prophets, and you will not make a mistake, no matter how good their appearance may be. If a wolf had put on twenty sheepskins, still you must know him to be a wolf and not be deceived by him."
C. F. W. Walther, The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel, trans. W. H. T. Dau, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House 1897, p. 412. [But Valleskey calls his work of Xeroxing Fuller doctrine "spoiling the Egyptians."]

"Know, therefore, that you must be concerned not only about hearing, but also about learning and retaining it in memory, and do not think that it is optional with you of no great importance, but that it is God's commandment, who will require of you how you have heard, learned, and honored His Word."
The Large Catechism, The Third Commandment, #98. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 609. Tappert, p. 378. Heiser, p. 175. Exodus 20:8-11.