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View in browser Newsletter from The Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry In This Issue Peter and Jude Explained by Luther by John Nicholas Lenker Lars Lee The Boy From Norway by N N Ronning [B14] Jesus Christ The Son of God Kings and Priests by Richard Lenski [B13] The Apostles' Creed: The Name Above Every Name Featured Peter and Jude Explained by Luther by John Nicholas Lenker “Luther’s Commentary on the Galatians… is too voluminous… And yet any one that would truly know the man, and the secret of his power, must study these in his writings.” ”(Luther’s) language is uniformly simple and direct… “I preach as simply as possible. I want the common people, and children, and servants, to understand me.” “…in the variety of its themes, the clearness of its exposition, the stinging force of its rebukes, the simplicity and directness of its language, [this commentary] is scarcely surpassed by any of Luther’s other writings. On the great subject of justification by faith alone, he is here, as in the Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians, full and emphatic.” — Prof. E. H. Gillett. On This Page Clear print, large format quality paperback available on Amazon by the Lutheran Librarian Book Contents Dedication Preface by Lutheran Librarian Preface by Prof. Lenker Preface By Prof. E. H. Gillett. Third Introduction To Luther’s Works In English. Luther’s Writings And The Reformation Movement. Wittenberg The Center Of Printing. Luther’s Writings And The Heathen Mission Movement. Luther’s Writings And The Diaspora Movement. Luther’s Writings And Our New Immigrant Problems. What Is The Relation Of The American Protestant Church To These New Problems? The First Epistle of St. Peter Preached and Explained by Martin Luther Introduction Chapter 1. Analysis Of Contents By J. G. Walch. Part 1. The Superscription, Subscription And Greeting. Part 2. The Doctrine Of Faith. Part 3. A Double Exhortation. A. An Exhortation To Christian Faith. B. An Exhortation To Christian Life. Chapter 2. Analysis Of Contents By J. G. Walch. Part 1. The Works And Fruits Of Christian Character In General, Of All Christians. Part 2. Fruit And Work Of The Christian Life In Particular. A. Subjects Of Civil Government. Part 3. Fruit And Work Of The Christian Life In Particular. B. Servants. Chapter 3. Analysis Of Contents By J. G. Walch. Part I. The Duties Of Christian Wives And Husbands. Part II. The Duties Of All Christians. Part III. Of Christ. Chapter 4. Analysis Of Contents By J. G. Walch. Part I. The First Duty Of A Christian. Part II. The Second Duty Of The Christian. Part III. The Third Duty Of A Christian. Part IV. The Fourth Duty Of A Christian. Part V. The Fifth Duty Of A Christian. Part VI. The Sixth Duty Of A Christian. Part VII. The Seventh Duty Of A Christian. Part VIII. The Eighth Duty Of A Christian. Part IX. The Ninth Duty Of A Christian. Chapter 5. Analysis Of Contents By J. G. Walch. Part I. The Exhortation. Part II. The Admonition. Part III. The Conclusion. Supplementary Part of the Edition of 1539 to that of 1523. The First Epistle of Peter Explained. Preface to the First Epistle of St. Peter. Second Epistle Of St. Peter Preached And Explained By Martin Luther, 1523. Introduction The Epistle of St. Jude Preached and Explained by Martin Luther Chapter 1. Order a Printed Copy Print Copy: Peter and Jude Explained by Luther by John Nicholas Lenker - “Lutheran Librarian” edition Download the eBook PDF - [Formatted for Computer Use] EPUB - [Apple, Kobo] MOBI - [Kindle] If you request an EPUB or MOBI version, you can expect to receive it within a few hours. If you don't hear back by the next day, check your spam or junk mail folder. This is especially true for yahoo mail. You can also request a copy of this or any Lutheran Library e-book by sending an email to editor@lutheranlibrary.org with the title and format you'd like. Enjoy the book! Publication Information Lutheran Library edition first published: 2020 Copyright: CC BY 4.0 Read more Recent Books and Articles Published Peter and Jude Explained by Luther by John Nicholas Lenker “Luther’s Commentary on the Galatians… is too voluminous… And yet any one that would truly know the man, and the secret of his power, must study these in his writings.” ”(Luther’s) language is uniformly simple and direct… “I preach as simply as possible. I want the common people, and children, and servants, to understand me.” “…in the variety of its themes, the clearness of its exposition, the stinging force of its rebukes, the simplicity ... Read more Lars Lee The Boy From Norway by N N Ronning Lars Lee tells of a boy’s spiritual awakening in rural Norway and his emigration to Minnesota. The author, N. N. Ronning explains: “It was easy to write the story, but not easy to put the real Lars and Olaf, Helga and Olga into the story. We do not understand ourselves; how can we understand others? Still the baffling mysteries of life are all the time challenging our interpretation. The most difficult thing I was to describe how some of these persons found the Way of Life—and that ... Read more [B14] Jesus Christ The Son of God As we rejoice in the pardon we have for the guilt of sin; as we hope to be more and more liberated from the power of sin in our lives; as we value the peace of heart which comes from assured fellowship with God in and through Christ; as we rejoice in the continually brightening hope of a richer, fuller, finally perfect life in the fellowship of the saints around the throne of glory, let us not be robbed of our confidence in the truth that Jesus is the very Son of God. This is the ultimate ... Read more Kings and Priests by Richard Lenski “The more we meditate on the titles thus bestowed upon us, the more we find that we must think more highly of ourselves in our connection with the Savior. We are spiritually of royal descent. Actually we are nothing less than kings. It is true, in one sense we are slaves, “bondmen” as the Greek has it, owned in soul and body by our Lord, so that we belong wholly to him as our King, his word and will supreme for us, to be obeyed in all things without question. Yet in ... Read more [B13] The Apostles' Creed: The Name Above Every Name I believe in Jesus Christ. If we can truthfully, reverently say these words, into what a glorious fellowship they bring us. They bring us into the company of the sainted prophets whose eyes were anointed to see afar off the rising of the Day-star out of Jacob, and the coming of the Sun of Righteousness with healing in His wings. They make us brothers of the fearless Baptist, who bore witness that “this is the Son of God.” They open the way into that inner circle where dwelt ... Read more David Baring by Joseph Hocking Is true Christianity Marxist? David Baring is a young Cambridge graduate who unexpectedly comes into a large fortune. Circumstances cause him to wonder if a rich man can really tell if he is loved for himself, or only for his money. He begins to despise his wealth and like many people today wonders if Socialism is the answer. Joseph Hocking (1860-1937) was a Cornish novelist and United Methodist Free Church minister. Like the American Presbyterian minister Edward Roe, Hocking’s ... Read more [B12] The Apostles' Creed: Man's Obligation To God God is not only infinitely wise and great, He is also infinitely good. He is boundless in His mercy and patience toward the children of men. In His loving kindness God watches over us, and cares for us with a solicitude which never grows wearied or impatient. Assuredly we owe Him something for all this. We can make Him no adequate, no material, return. We can never pay God the debt we owe Him. But there is something He wants, something we can give Him. It is our purpose to consider today ... Read more May God cause his face to shine upon you and bring you peace. From Your Lutheran Librarian editor@lutheranlibrary.org Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Forward email Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry PO Box 720913, Jackson Heights, New York United States You received this email because you signed up on our website or made a purchase from us. Unsubscribe

Maundy Thursday, 2020. The Visible Word of the Gospel

Bethany Lutheran Church, 10 AM Central Daylight Time

https://video.ibm.com/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

The melodies are linked in the hymn name. 

The lyrics are linked in the hymn number.

• The melody site is linked here.
• TLH Lyrics wayback site is linked here.

 Norma A. Boeckler

The Hymn #342             Chief of Sinners

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

The Gospel

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

Praise be to Thee, O Christ!

The Nicene Creed p. 22

The Sermon Hymn #371      Jesus Thy Blood           
        

The Visible Word of the Gospel

The Communion Hymn #305   Soul Adorn Thyself - vss. 1-5

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 #657              Beautiful Savior

Prayers and Announcements

• Treatment and recovery - Rush Limbaugh, Kermit Way, Christina Jackson. Recovery - John Hicks.
• In the last stage of cancer and heart disease - Tom Fulcher, Diane Popp's brother-in-law.
• Diagnosis and treatment - Randy Anderson, Andrea's father.
• Someone's brother has health issues.
• Pray for our country as the major trials continue. And help all those suffering from economic difficulties.
• Good Friday Vespers, 7 PM
• Easter Sunday Holy Communion, 10 AM

1 Corinthians 11

23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

John 13

Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;

3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Background for the Holy Communion Sermon

All the truths of Scripture are involved in this Sacrament - Holy Communion. The following is just one aspect of it. Lutheran clergy are so lax in their Biblical knowledge that they implicitly deny the power of the Word of God. In the simplest terms, Jesus commands us to continue what He began, consecrating the bread and wine so they are not only a memorial meal, not only symbolic, but the actual body and blood of Christ offered for us, for the forgiveness of sin.

Someone wrote me (just once) - How can the elements be consecrated through the Internet? - a cagey way to reframe the argument. I asked, "Do you deny the power of the Word to consecrate? That is the real issue." If a congregation can have overflow rooms and multiple distribution points, is that not allowed - if the words of consecration are carried over a public address system? So now we are talking about relative size and distance issues. 

That may be why so many clergy have not used streaming video, which costs very little. They do not trust the effectiveness of the Word at a distance, a sad commentary for those shut in by weather, illness, and physical limitations.  

The power of the Word is central, which is why Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish, demonstrating that His Word could do the impossible and feed thousands from a small lunch. (No, they did not get out their lunches, ashamed that a boy shared his.) Just as He satisfied them with necessary food for their survival, so He satisfies us with spiritual food for forgiveness and eternal life. Moses asked for and received bread from heaven; Jesus is the Bread of Life from heaven.

In addition, because we receive His body and blood (the two natures are united in Him), we are cleansed and energized for bearing spiritual fruit. 

The Visible Word of the Gospel

Luther:

8. Hence we say of private confession, that no one is compelled to observe it. Still it is for this reason a commendable and good thing. Wherever and whenever you are able to hear God’s Word you ought not to despise it, but receive it with heartfelt desire. Now, God has caused his Word to go forth through all the world, so that it fills every nook and corner, and wherever you go you find God’s Word. If I preach the forgiveness of sins, I preach the true Gospel. For the sum of the Gospel is: Whosoever believeth in Christ shall receive the forgiveness of his sins. Thus a Christian preacher cannot open his mouth unless he pronounces an absolution. Christ also does the same in the Gospel lesson when he says, “Pax vobiscum,” Peace be unto you. That is, I proclaim unto you, as of God, that you have peace and forgiveness of sins; this is even the Gospel itself, and absolution. So also the words of the Lord’s Supper, “This is my body which is given for you; this is my blood which is shed for you for the remission of sins etc.” If I were to say, I will not go to confession because I have the Word in the Lord’s Supper, I will be like him who declares, Neither am I going to hear the preaching. The Gospel must ring and echo without ceasing in every Christian’s mouth. Therefore we are to accept it with joy wherever and whenever we can hear it, lift up our hands, and thank God that we can hear it everywhere.

1 Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

This section begins by stating that the Apostle Paul received the instructions for Holy Communion from the risen Lord. That is especially important, because the four Gospels also teach Holy Communion (John in a way that assumes knowledge of the reader, John 6, the Bread of Life from heaven). The sceptics want to have proof and agreement - here is the proof and agreement among the Evangelists and Paul.

The setting is also a reminder that Jesus instituted this Sacrament just when everything seemed to fall apart - arrest, scattering of the disciples, torture, and death. This is also a restatement of the Passover, showing us that all those years, the Passover Meal was a foreshadowing of Holy Communion - the innocent and spotless Lamb sacrificed. It is a reminder that in the midst of betrayal and fear, God provided for the forgiveness and strengthening of the disciples.

24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

The Feeding of the Multitudes is very important in showing everyone in advance what the Word of God can do among thousands. After giving thanks - which is why we call this the Eucharist - the Thanksgiving - Jesus had the disciples distribute the earthly food which the famished followers had to have to get back home. 

A hawser is difficult to throw.

My boss made a point about sales that fits these miracles. A ship cannot be thrown an adequate rope to lash it to the dock. Nobody can throw a hawser. So they throw a normal rope which is caught and used to pull the giant hawser across the gap and moor the ship.

Jesus established the power of the Word in many ways, more than once in feeding enormous crowds. When the disciples carried out His commands in their ministries, they could point to this happening before in the miraculous feedings. Those were relatively small in comparison to the miracle of sharing the Bread of Life from heaven among millions of people.

this is my body

Many want to deny the "is" to remove the Real Presence. The text says very clearly, in Greek, the only language of the New Testament - This is my body. 

Not - This symbolizes my body.

λαβετε (Take) φαγετε (eat)  τουτο (this)μου (my) εστιν (is) το σωμα (body).

And we might add, those who deny the power of God's Word want to substitute the power of their own words, which are endless, confused, and conflicted.

25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament (η καινη διαθηκη) in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

A testament only requires one party. God established this testament, without being asked, not as a two-sided covenant.

This is in remembrance of Christ, because it is traditional in the Bible, as we see in the Passover, that actions are carried out to re-live those important events which God initiated. People dress up and carry out elaborate displays to re-enact the Civil War battles. Long before that, people dressed accordingly and re-enacted the Passover and its meal. 

The liturgy moves from the Old Testament examples to the New Testament fulfillment, from the tribal to the universal.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

Why do we repeat the Pledge of Allegiance and various promises and ceremonies? People swear on the US Constitution. Because the Word and worship renew and strengthen our faith, it is valuable to participate in the Means of Grace and not forget God's Promises.

Jesus' death was for a purpose and the energy of unfaith is to deny this, to make the meaning go away, to substitute something else for the original meaning. 

Gospel Holy Communion Gospel

As Luther says, the purpose of the Sacrament is to have everyone thinking of the Gospel and forgiveness. By nature, our first impulse is always to be critical and condemning. But God's nature is to be merciful and forgiving. The entire Bible is devoted to and centered around faith in Jesus and the forgiveness and peace that comes through faith.

Paul himself said that, summarizing Romans 4 -

5 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.

Peace is the greatest possible benefit, the greatest treasure sought by kings, great thinkers, wealthy, and powerful people. Someone can have everything and not a moment of peace, as one powerful Muslim ruler admitted.

An emphasis on faith and forgiveness does not supplant the issue of sin and contrition. It makes us more aware of our need for forgiveness, who paid for this redemption, and how much we gain from it.

Grace, grace, everyone is favor of grace. Every denomination is 100 or 150 years of grace. Congregations - histories of grace too. So it is good to know and follow the path, or to know how this grace falls upon us. 

"Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace (GJ -that is forgiveness) with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ - by whom we have access to this grace..."

So the Gospel is all about sin and relief from the burden of sin. Everything in the Bible is directly related to giving us this certainty - not in ourselves - but in Christ.

How do we know it is true? The objective truth of the Scriptures, which require faith but also create and foster faith. I doubt whether anyone has studied the Scriptures with sincere interest and has failed to find faith in God's Word. The arrogant and obstinate, of course, harden themselves against the Word, and blind themselves to the truths of the Word. The lazy just lose interest.