Matthias Loy's Sermons on the Gospels for the Church YearPrint Version and Free PDF

Matthias Loy's Sermons on the Gospels for the Church Year - Print Version

Free PDF of Loy's Sermons on the Gospels 

for the Church Year

“Have you not, dear brethren, sometimes given way to doubts about the mercy of Jesus when sin oppressed you sorely and its guilt and its curse stood in appalling blackness before your eyes? Is it not needful that we should again and again set the precious truth before our eyes, that Jesus receiveth sinners with an eager and earnest desire to save them?

“When you feel your burden of sin weighing heavily upon you, only go to Him… Only those who will not acknowledge their sin and feel no need of a Savior — only these are rejected. And these are not rejected because the Lord has no pity on them and no desire to deliver them from their wretchedness, but only because they will not come to Him that they might have life. They reject Him, and therefore stand rejected. But those who come to Him, poor and needy and helpless, but trusting in His mercy, He will receive, to comfort and to save.” – Matthias Loy

“We should again and again set the precious truth before our eyes, that Jesus receiveth sinners with an eager and earnest desire to save them.”

“When you feel your burden of sin weighing heavily upon you, only go to Him… Only those who will not acknowledge their sin and feel no need of a Savior — only these are rejected. And these are not rejected because the Lord has no pity on them and no desire to deliver them from their wretchedness, but only because they will not come to Him that they might have life. They reject Him, and therefore stand rejected. But those who come to Him, poor and needy and helpless, but trusting in His mercy, He will receive, to comfort and to save.” – Matthias Loy

Matthias Loy (1828-1915) is a theological giant of American Lutheranism. He served as president of the Joint Synod of Ohio, the Columbus Seminary and Capital University, and edited the Lutheran Standard and the Columbus Theological Magazine. In 1881 he withdrew the Joint Synod from the Synodical Conference as a result of Walther’s teaching about predestination. Many of Matthias Loy’s books are available in Lutheran Library editions.

On This Page

• From the Introduction
• Some History of the Copy Of This Book Restored By LutheranLibrary.org
• Book Contents
• Special Dedication
• Order a Printed Copy
• Download the eBook
• Publication Information

Clear print, large format quality paperback available on Amazon by the Lutheran Librarian

From the Introduction

“For years the want of a collection of sermons in the English language, similar to the Postils in extensive use for edification in our German churches, has been deeply felt, and the writer has been repeatedly requested to contribute something towards supplying that want. Believing that in a matter of this kind the judgment of others should not be disregarded, he has at last yielded to these solicitations and furnished the manuscript of the sermons forming this volume. For offering them to the public the Board of Publication of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio and other States is responsible.

Some History of the Copy Of This Book Restored By LutheranLibrary.org

“One of the items taped into the back of the book is a 1936 postcard addressed to Mrs. Yost and Mattie. Mattie Yost is also the name written in the front of the book. I did a Google search on “Mattie Yost” and found a newspaper article from the early 1970s. It gave some biographical information and stated that she was in a nursing home at around 90 years old. Somehow, I think she’d be pleased that her old book had found its way to people who could use it.” – J. A.

Book Contents

• ◊ Ephemera
• About The Lutheran Library
• Dedication
• Preface by Lutheran Librarian
• “The Gospel Shows the Father’s Grace” by Matthias Loy, 1863
• Preface
• 1. Thy King Cometh to Thee. Matt. 21:1-9. Advent Sunday.
• 2. Christ’s Second Advent. Luke 21:25-36. Second Sunday in Advent.
• 3. Testimony That Jesus is the Christ. Matt. 11:2-10. Third Sunday in Advent.
• 4. The Preacher in the Wilderness. John 1:19-28. Fourth Sunday in Advent.
• 5. The Savior is Born. Luke 2:1-14. Christmas
• 6. Jesus is Set for the Fall and Rising of Many. Luke 2:33-40. Sunday After Christmas
• 7. The Sacrament of Circumcision. Luke 2:21. New Year’s Day
• 8. Hell Rages In Vain Against The Holy Child Jesus. Matt. 2:13-23. Sunday After New Year’s Day
• 9. The Heathen Come To Worship Christ. Matt. 2:1-11. Ephiphany
• 10. Lessons From The Youth Of Jesus. Luke 2:41-52. First Sunday After Epiphany
• 11. What Jesus Does At The Marriage In Cana. John 2:1-11. Second Sunday After Epiphany
• 12. Faith In The Redeemer. Matt. 8:1-13. Third Sunday After Epiphany
• 13. The Christian In The Storm. Matt. 8:23-27. Fourth Sunday After Epiphany
• 14. The Tares Among The Wheat. Matt. 13:24-30. Fifth Sunday After Epiphany.
• 15. What The Transfiguration Of Jesus Teaches. Matt. 17:1-9. Sixth Sunday After Epiphany
• 16. The Laborers In The Lord’s Vineyard. Matt. 20:1-16. Septuagesima
• 17. The Different Hearers Of God’s Word. Luke 8:4-15. Sexagesima.
• 18. Christ’s Last Journey To Jerusalem. Luke 18:31-43. Quinquagesima
• 19. The Temptation Of Christ. Matt. 4:1-11. First Sunday In Lent (Invocavit).
• 20. The Trial Of Faith. Matt 15:2-28. Second Sunday In Lent (Reminiscere).
• 21. Human Conduct In Reference To Divine Testimony. Luke 11:14-28. Third Sunday In Lent (Oculi).
• 22. The Believer Trusts Jesus Also In Temporal Things. John 6:1-14. Fourth Sunday In Lent (Laetere).
• 23. Our Savior’s Treatment Of Satan’s Children. John 8:46-59. Fifth Sunday In Lent (Judica).
• 24. How Shall We Honor Christ? Matt. 21:1-9. Palm Sunday
• 25. The Death Of Christ. 1 Cor 15:3. Good Friday
• 26. Christ’s Resurrection. Mark 16:1-8. Easter
• 27. Jesus Gives His Disciples Peace. John 20:19-31. First Sunday After Easter
• 28. The Good Shepherd. John 10:11-16. Second Sunday After Easter (Misericordias Domini).
• 29. The Sorrow And Joy Of The Christian And Of The World. John 16:16-23. Third Sunday After Easter (Jubilate).
• 30. The Object Of The Holy Ghost’s Mission. John 16:5-15. Fourth Sunday After Easter (Cantate).
• 31. Christian Prayer. John 16:23-30. Fifth Sunday After Easter (Rogate).
• 32. The Ascension Of Jesus. Mark 16:14-20. Ascension
• 33. Witnessing For Jesus. John 15:26-16:4. Sixth Sunday After Easter (Exaudi).
• 34. The Blessedness Of Those That Love The Lord. John 14:23-31. Pentecost
• 35. The New Birth. John 3:1-15. Trinity Sunday
• 36. The Place Of Torment. Luke 16:19-31. First Sunday After Trinity.
• 37. The Call To The Great Supper. Luke 14:16-24. Second Sunday After Trinity.
• 38. Jesus Receiveth Sinners. Luke 15:1-10. Third Sunday After Trinity.
• 39. Be Ye Merciful As Your Father Is Merciful. Luke 6:36-42. Fourth Sunday After Trinity
• 40. Labor In Obedience To God’s Word. Luke 5:1-11. Fifth Sunday After Trinity.
• 41. The Righteousness That Avails Before God. Matt. 5:20-26. Sixth Sunday After Trinity.
• 42. The Lord Will Provide. Mark 8:1-9. Seventh Sunday After Trinity
• 43. Warning Against False Prophets. Matt. 7:15-23. Eighth Sunday After Trinity
• 44. The Unjust Steward. Luke 16:1-9. Ninth Sunday After Trinity
• 45. The Neglect Of The Things Which Belong To Our Peace. Luke 19:41-48. Tenth Sunday After Trinity
• 46. The Way Of Justification. Luke 18:9-14. Eleventh Sunday After Trinity.
• 47. Christ’s Healing Of Spiritual Deaf Mutes. Mark 7:31-37. Twelfth Sunday After Trinity.
• 48. What Shall I Do To Inherit Eternal Life? Luke 10:23-37. Thirteenth Sunday After Trinity.
• 49. The Lepers Cleansed. Luke 17:11-19. Fourteenth Sunday After Trinity.
• 50. Man’s Only Proper Care. Matt. 6:24-34. Fifteenth Sunday After Trinity
• 51. Jesus Wakes The Dead. Luke 7:11-17. Sixteenth Sunday After Trinity
• 52. Beware Of The Leaven Of The Pharisees. Luke 14:1-11. Seventeenth Sunday After Trinity.
• 53. What Think Ye Of Christ? Matt. 22:34-46. Eighteenth Sunday After Trinity
• 54. Jesus Forgives Sins. Matt. 9:1-8. Nineteenth Sunday After Trinity
• 55. Who Are The Elect? Matt. 22:1-14. Twentieth Sunday After Trinity.
• 56. Christian Faith. John 4:46-54. Twenty-first Sunday After Trinity
• 57. The Wicked Servant. Matt. 18:23-35. Twenty-Second Sunday After Trinity
• 58. The Christian Citizen. Matt. 22:15-22. Twenty-Third Sunday After Trinity
• 59. The Great Physician. Matt. 9:18-26. Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Trinity
• 60. The Judgment Upon Jerusalem As A Call To Prepare For The Last Judgment. Matt. 24:15-28. Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Trinity
• 61. The Final Judgment. Matt. 25:31-46. Twenty-Sixth Sunday After Trinity.
• Copyright Notice
• How Can You Find Peace With God?

Special Dedication

A Grateful Thanks To Jonathan Anderson
Whose Gift Of This Rare And Wonderful Volume
Allows The Wisdom of Our Dear Brother Matthias Loy
To Be Made Available to New Generations
Of Believers in Jesus Christ.
From the Lutheran Library Editor.

Order a Printed Copy of Loy's Gospel Sermons

Lenski's Kings and Priests

Lenski's Kings and Priests - Amazon Print Copy

GJ - A reader said, "I decided to read all of Lenski's commentaries before I died. I saw a reference to Kings and Priests. Is that around?" I asked Alec Satin about it. He had to look all over, but he found Kings and Priests and made a PDF, then the print copy...

Lenski's New Testament commentaries and his books are found in this Dropbox folder.

Click on this link to access all of them. Thank you, Bethany Scholars.

Lenski's Kings and Priests - Free PDF - Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry

“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 another sense we are kings. There is no one above us save Christ and God. Joined to our Lord and made one with him, we do indeed rule and reign with him. And while as yet we are uncrowned, there are heavenly crowns laid up for us and for all that love his appearing. 2 Tim. 4:8.” — Richard Lenski

Richard C. H. Lenski (1864-1936) best known for his insightful and still invaluable series of New Testament Commentaries. Professor of theology at Capital University and President of Western District of Joint Synod of Ohio, Dr. Lenski also served as editor of Die Lutherische Kirchenzeitung.

On This Page

• All Christian Believers Are Kings And Priests
• Book Contents
• The Twig and the Tree
• Order a Printed Copy
• Download the eBook
• Publication Information

All Christian Believers Are Kings And Priests

“A good many Christian believers may be surprised when first they find themselves graced with the lofty titles Kings and Priests on the sacred pages of the Bible. It may seem to them that such titles can only be figures of speech, like roses placed in our hands, or wreaths upon our heads, neither of which are part of our being, both of which soon wither and must be thrown away. Yet a little investigation shows that this view is wrong — these titles are meant literally.” — R.C.H. Lenski

Book Contents

• Dedication
• Preface by Lutheran Librarian
  • A Note about Typos [Typographical Errors]
• A Glance at the Titles
  • Kings and Priests
  • A Royal Priesthood
  • Una Sancta
• The Title Bearers
  • True Believers
  • The Church Universal
  • Christian Baptism
• The Royal Reign and Priestly Sacrifice
  • King And High Priest In One Person.
  • Our Royal Reign With Christ.
  • Our Priestly Sacrifice Through Christ.
• Priests and Pastors
  • Private — Public.
  • The Call
  • Christian Congregations,
  • Confessional Differences.
  • The Christian Ministry.
  • The Right To Call
  • What The Call Entrusts To The Pastor.
  • The Responsibility Of Priests And Pastors
• Priests and the Book
  • Our Sacred And Priestly Right To The Bible.
  • Every Person Is Responsible To God For His Own Soul.
  • Our Mutual Responsibility.
  • The Effort To Shift The Responsibility
  • Only One Way To Meet Your Responsibility.
  • Right Of Private Judgment,
  • What It Does Not And Dare Not Mean.
  • What Does The Right Of Private Judgment Mean?
  • Your Part In Using The Right Of Private Judgment.
• Priest and School
  • The Supreme Reason For Education Is Spiritual.
  • The Spiritual Interests For Education Involve All Other Interests.
  • The Secular Reasons For Education,
  • Education Completely Secularized
  • The Results Of Secular Education.
  • Secular Education Judged
  • The Final Decisive Comparison.
• Priest and Citizen
  • Earthly Government Is Ordained By God.
  • The Best Possible Citizens.
  • God’s Priests And God’s Government
  • God’s Priests And Evil Government?
  • Church And State.
  • Complete Separation Between Church And State
• Kings and Priests — Tears and Blood
  • The Attraction Of Tears And Blood.
  • The Fountain Of Tears And Blood.
  • The Coercion Of Conscience.
  • Liberty Of Conscience
  • The Blessing Of Free Consciences.

The Twig and the Tree

On Education:

“Indifference to the Bible and, in fact, to all religious appeal is widespread. Many may think, it is due to the atmosphere. It is — to the atmosphere of a non-religious education. Incline the twig, and the tree is bent. As the trickling fountain, so the rolling stream.” — Richard Lenski

Order a Printed Copy - 

Kings and Priests

COMING SOON TO YOUR THEATER--"LENSKI UNLEASHED!!!"

 

COMING SOON TO YOUR THEATER--"LENSKI UNLEASHED!!!"  

WATCH THE THEOLOGICAL SUPERMAN WIPE OUT 

• "THE JOKER" (CFW WALTHER) 
• THE RIDDLER (FRANZ PIEPER) 
• AND THE PENGUIN (GEORG STOECKHARDT)  

WATCH THE WORD OF GOD CRUSH UOJ!!!

INVITE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!

Dropbox Folder Link for Luther's Sermons, Jackson Books

Erin Joy

I have most of my books in one Dropbox folder - as PDFs. I am making that a linked folder so people can have access to many PDFs at the same time. They are all public domain, so feel free to copy, save, and distribute them. 

If others have complete back-ups of these and Lutheran Library books, many can be freely distributed in the future.

Hard drives and companies fail without notice, so it is good to have multiple backups.

This is the link to the folder with my books and Luther's Sermons, Lenker edition, and the Luther Postils.

In the unlikely event of a botched link, or locked book within the folder, please send a compassionate and cheerful email to greg.jackson.edlp@gmail.com

Bethany

Lenski Links - Now Fixed

Mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa.

If you had trouble with the Lenski folder link, so did I. I have had to redo that link. 

I am fixing to fix them, and they are fixed.

Thank you for your patience and Monte for telling me (diplomatically, gently, sensitively).

This is the corrected ALL-LENSKI Dropbox link for the free PDFs

World Missions - "I Am So Glad To Be in This Group!" - Free Books (PDFs) for Lutheran World Missions

This is the corrected ALL-LENSKI 

Dropbox link for the free PDFs

We have two special Facebook pages for making the free PDFs available for people. 

Free Books for Lutheran World Missions - 100 members and growing.

Classic Lutheran Books - 305+ members.

One of my overseas Facebook friends wrote, "I am so glad to be in this group!"

I pointed out that when we started to gather "a few" old Lutheran classics, we wanted to  make sure people knew how to get them. 

The most important American Lutheran authors are - 

1. Lenski
2. Loy
3. Jacobs
4. Krauth
5. Schmauk, etc.

These authors were usually only found at seminary auctions, when pastors died and the library already had those volumes.

I enjoy promoting something worthwhile, so I did some reviews on Amazon and on my blogs. I thought Facebook would reach some new people. 

The surprise was the number of PDFs Alec Satin created. After we printed Luther's Postils, where he was the major worker, Alec caught the print book fever and began converting prepared PDFs into low cost print books.

Some people have reprinted public domain books, but they often charge a large sum for a substantial profit. The books we provide are non-profit and designed to be used in future generations, not locked up in an estate trust.

These print books are sold non-profit, and many have been supplied at the author's or editor's price, which is very low indeed.

Gold from the Lenski Mine - NT Commentaries and Books. New Gospel Sermons & Kings and Priests

This is the corrected ALL-LENSKI Dropbox link for the free PDFs

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nuoqedl46yxtgej/AAABgDVFJWCSVCITsLgVvVUaa?dl=0

I have uploaded the new, improved PDFs of Lenski's New Testament commentaries. These are clearer, easier to read, and work better on the computer. They are public domain.

I have also added Lenski books published by the Lutheran Librarian - aka Spindletop - for his astonishing production volume.

• King and Priests
• New Gospel Sermons
• Etc

Several people helped with this, including Zach Engleman and Alec Satin. There are probably more to add to the list.

Spindletop is the legendary gusher that staggered everyone in its production of oil.

Add Lenski's Gospel Sermons to His CommentariesOn Your Favorite Books Shelf, Or As a PDF on Your Computer

This is the corrected ALL-LENSKI Dropbox link for the free PDFs

Amazon print copy of Lenski's New Gospel Sermons

“Christ our Savior and all his apostles preached justification by faith, even as did the prophets of the Old Testament. Justification is the central doctrine of all the Scriptures, the heart and soul of the entire Christian religion. All believers are justified, all the saints in heaven now have been made what they are by justification, and at the last day the righteous at Christ’s right hand will be there because they have continued in justification to the end.”

“Thank God, the Bible is in men’s hands today! Whoever will can have it in our whole land, and can read and study it as much as he desires. But what do we find in this free land of ours? The most deplorable ignorance of the Bible. And alongside of it the most dangerous misuse of the Bible… Here is God’s own Word, the great treasure house of heaven, and here is the key to unlock all its treasures for us… O the sadness of this lack of use, and of this misuse of the Holy Scriptures!” — R.C.H. Lenski

Richard C. H. Lenski (1864-1936) best known for his insightful and still invaluable series of New Testament Commentaries. Professor of theology at Capital University and President of Western District of Joint Synod of Ohio. He served as editor Die Lutherische Kirchenzeitung.

The Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry finds, restores and republishes good, readable books from Lutheran authors and those of other sound Christian traditions. All titles are available at little to no cost in proofread and freshly typeset editions. Many free e-books are available at our website LutheranLibrary.org. Please enjoy this book and let others know about this completely volunteer service to God’s people. May the Lord bless you and bring you peace.

Free PDF of Lenski's New Gospel Sermons - Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry

Every time you review a worthwhile Lutheran book, 

an angel gets his wings.

Stump's Bible Teachings Available in Print And As a Free PDF

Stump's Bible Teachings (print version) can be found here.

“The book presents Christian doctrine and Christian character, as both are drawn from the words of the Bible. It sums up the Biblical teachings concerning divine truth and human life, and presents the principles of the Christian religion both for the guidance of faith and intellect and for the formation of character…

“Throughout the work the aim has been to draw the teachings of the Bible directly from the sacred record itself. Technical theological terms have been introduced only where it has been deemed necessary to make their meaning clear to the pupil. It is hoped that the Scripture references cited in the margin will lead many to an earnest searching of the Holy Book for its words of truth and life.

“Whatever aspect of a Biblical doctrine promised to be most helpful to the pupil has been adopted. It will be found, therefore, that some chapters are prevailingly doctrinal in character, others are critical and apologetic, and still others slightly historical; while the ethical and parenetical element has been permitted to pervade many parts of the book which are more strictly doctrinal in character.

Joseph Stump (1866-1935) studied at Capital University and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. He taught at the Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary and the Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary, where he was also President.

The Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry finds, restores and republishes good, readable books from Lutheran authors and those of other sound Christian traditions. All titles are available at little to no cost in proofread and freshly typeset editions. Many free e-books are available at our website LutheranLibrary.org. Please enjoy this book and let others know about this completely volunteer service to God’s people. May the Lord bless you and bring you peace.

The free PDF of Stump's Bible Teachings is here, at the Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry.

Take worthwhile books out of stealth mode by posting reviews. Every book review helps.

The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity, 2020.

The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity, 2020

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

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

Bethany Lutheran Church, 10 AM Central Daylight Time

The Hymn #37            Lord Tis Not That I Did Choose Thee              

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 #343            How Lovely Shines the Morning Star                 

The Unity of Truth

The Communion Hymn #315:8-11      I Come O Savior       

8. By faith I call Thy holy Table
The testament of Thy deep love;
For, lo, thereby I now am able
To see how love Thy heart doth move.

9. What higher gift can we inherit?
It is faith's bond and solid base;
It is the strength of heart and spirit,
The covenant of hope and grace.

10. This feast is manna, wealth abounding
Unto the poor, to weak ones power,
To angels joy, to hell confounding,
And life for us in death's dark hour.

11. Thy body, given for me, O Savior,
Thy blood which Thou for me didst shed,
These are my life and strength forever,

By them my hungry soul is fed.      

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 # 361                  O Jesus, King

                      In Our Prayers 

• Pastor K and Doc Lito Cruz - dealing with diabetes.
• Cancer treatment: Rush Limbaugh, Mary Howell, Chris Jackson
• Treatment: Randy Anderson, Pastor Jim Shrader, Kermit Way
• Diagnosis: Wm. B.
• Seizure treatment: Gavin, and Jeshra Palangyos
• The rice mission is half-way funded for the rice, with $500.

              

 Norma A. Boeckler's Christian art books

KJV Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

KJV Luke 14:1 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. 2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. 3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? 4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go; 5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? 6 And they could not answer him again to these things. 7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; 9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Seventeenth Sunday After Trinity

Lord God, heavenly Father: We beseech Thee so to guide and direct us by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not exalt ourselves, but humbly fear Thee, with our whole hearts hear and keep Thy word, and hallow the Lord's day, that we also may be hallowed by Thy word; help us, first, to place our hope and confidence in Thy Son, Jesus Christ, who alone is our righteousness and Redeemer, and, then, so to amend and better our lives in accordance with Thy word, that we may avoid all offenses and finally obtain eternal salvation, through Thy grace in Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God. world without end. Amen.

The Unity of Truth

KJV Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

This passage names the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This also uses "one" seven times - and not by accident. In the Bible, the groups of three are associated with the Holy Trinity - faith, hope, and love; nine-fold fruits of the Spirit, etc. Groups of four emphasis completeness - four corners of the world; every tribe, nation, people, and tongue.

Paul is in prison and facing death. The end of his life is not well known because the early Christians were not involved in writing down their history but in proclaiming the Gospel. There are a couple of alternatives, but they ended with his death. Therefore this letter is focused on the ultimate, the eternal, not the needs of the moment.

Paul is writing with the perspective of leaving behind the most important message of his apostolic labor. God converted him with the living Word, the risen Christ, and God gave him a special role among the apostles. He had great burdens as the former persecutor and to this day, people work hard at pointing out how horrible he was, how he should be dismissed.

Paul is writing about unity and eternity, and we can see how important that is, because so much has been tossed away carelessly. This unusual passage is a good example of how the infinite can be taught with simple words. However, the complex thought is revealed in a way we could never duplicate if asked to describe God and the Christian life in 25 words or less (the old standard for winning prizes, long long ago).

That is true of the entire Bible - most of the words are simple by themselves, but the concept is far beyond us, a mystery revealed by the Holy Spirit, teaching faith and how we should live that faith.

Man starts with man and seldom gets beyond man. The Bible begins with God and places us in relationship to Him and each other.

Creation was once assumed by most scientists and taught with science. For example, the pink Queen Elizabeth rose was developed by Walter Lammerts, a Lutheran scientist with a PhD in plant genetics. He taught the Six Day Creation of the Bible and also developed the Chrysler rose (which outlasted the car) - a brilliant red. Lammerts was not shy about Creation. He formed a group where scientists were excluded if they compromised on Creation.

Creation is important for our country, because law and order, right and wrong are based upon the "laws of nature and of Nature's God." There is no religious test for office holders but there is a clear basis for justice and the law.

Remove Creation by the Word, and compromising Christians must consider themselves "new evolutes" rather than "new creations (creatures)." Yes, our language and our Bible are burdened with the concept of Creation by God. 

One member brought up the issue of the Bible's unified message - it is seldom taught. The effect of sectarian attitudes is to compare one denomination that specializes in a certain concept versus others who have another specialty. It is easy to look and compare, browse and eventually decide, then change.

One branch of my family became convinced the world was going to end on a certain day. They were led by Miller and were called Millerites. The charter members sold everything, went up on a mountain and waited. Nothing happened. Then the final date was re-calculated by Miller, and they repeated their folly with the same result. They became the Adventists and continue to emphasize one thing - the end of the world.

The Bible does not teach institutions but the eternal truth of the Gospel. In short, Jesus is the message throughout, from Creation (John 1:3) to the end times. The purpose of the Scriptures is to build all our blessings - and eternity - on faith in Jesus the Savior, and to teach the Christian life.

Luther:

18. One of the wickedest offenses possible to commit against the Church is the stirring up of doctrinal discord and division, a thing the devil encourages to the utmost. This sin usually has its rise with certain haughty, conceited, self-seeking leaders who desire peculiar distinction for themselves and strive for personal honor and glory. They harmonize with none and would think themselves disgraced were they not honored as superior and more learned individuals than their fellows, a distinction they do not merit. They will give honor to no one, even when they have to recognize the superiority of his gifts over their own. In their envy, anger, hatred and vengefulness, they seek occasion to create factions and to draw people to themselves. Therefore Paul exhorts first to the necessary virtue of love, having which men will be enabled to exercise humility, patience and forbearance toward one another.

19. The character of the evils resulting to the Church from divisions and discords in doctrine is evident from the facts. Many are deceived; the masses immediately respond to new doctrine brilliantly presented in specious words by presumptuous individuals thirsting for fame. More than that, many weak but well-meaning ones fall to doubting, uncertain where to stand or with whom to hold. Consequently men reject and blaspheme the Christian doctrine and seek occasion to dispute it. Many become reckless pleasure-lovers, disregarding all religion and ignoring the Word of God. Further, even they who are called Christians come to have hard feelings against one another, and, figuratively, bite and devour in their hate and envy. Consequently their love grows cold and faith is extinguished.

20. Of so much disturbance in the Church, and of the resulting injuries to souls, are guilty those conceited, factious leaders who do not adhere to the true doctrine, preserving the unity of the Spirit, but seek to institute something new for the sake of advancing their own ideas and their own honor, or gratifying their revenge.

That is a good description of the Bible revisers of the 1880s. They changed the Greek New Testament and gave their version (Hort-Wescott) to the translators. When the revision of the KJV was finished, based on the changed Greek New Testament, the greatly altered Greek NT was also published. There was an uproar, but the changes were widely rejected. However, by the 1950s, they pursued the plan with RSV, where the Virgin Birth of Isaiah 7:10 was removed and then put in a footnote (following the firestorm).

The same attitude as Hort-Wescott-Tischendorf prevails and hardly any academic institution or denomination allows the KJV. Thus the Bible has become one more religious book, fashioned by man, not God, and subject to extreme revision to make it more relevant, more appealing, more readable.

The arrogance and pride described by Luther have been equally evident in the catastrophic Church Growth Movement, currently hiding under various names. It no long matters how badly it failed. The agenda was apostasy from the start, and the question is only, "Do you question our New Religion or swear obedience to it?"

One district pope (the Brit) refused to use it in his own congregation but forced it on all the pastors.

The unity of the Spirit is unity of the Word. It is not how we feel, but the location of our trust. If we believe that the Bible is one, unified truth and the singular revelation of God, the result will a common will, a common Faith, and the peace that comes from Justification by Faith.

Departures from the Word, since they are man-driven, will end up as new versions of the Law, not necessarily God's Law. I had one student who only wrote essay on the evils of eating pork. I did not know where he was one religion or the other, and I did not want to ask. However, it was very clear that eating pork was a terrible evil, a risk to health. Disagreeing with this was a terrible sin.

Luther often talked about the invented traditions and exhibitions of righteousness in the Medieval Church. I used to get tired of his asides, but they are endlessly repeated now in new forms - and just as silly. A good bishop will make sure everyone knows he is on the side of Left-wing activism. Sometimes I look up reports and see how clergy slept on the sidewalks outside their urban church, to show solidarity with the homeless, so they described their pain and their fears. Oh, the bishop stopped by to share their pain and to show bro-sisterhood, fraternity, and sanctimony.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

There is only one Church. It is not an institution or a church building - it is comprised of all those who sincerely trust in the Savior for the forgiveness of their sins. There can only be one true Church of believers because the foundation is the Word of God, Jesus Himself, revealed in the Word.

Departing from the Word necessarily means denying so many concepts or teaching found in the Scriptures. That happens because people have so many of their own ideas and only have one reliable source.

For instance I gave the digging crew a dozen daffodils, but the flowers are still not planted at their house. Why? The husband and wife cannot agree on where to put them. The same thing happens when people say "But I feel..." or "I was taught..." People may line up about what they oppose, but they have serious trouble about agreement.

One body of believers means one Spirit/Word which proclaims, teaches, admonishes, blesses, forgives. 

We know this to be true because of the divine effect of the Word of God. The Spirit helps in its teaching and its reception. Whatever our station in life, whatever our sorrows and joys, God's Spirit makes them better. What is better than love bound up with forgiveness? The great hymns teach us about patience in suffering and our ultimate reunion in eternal life. Some labors may seem to be tedious and without thanks or rewards of any kind, but God comes through and shows us, "You were impatient," so we are little more patient. 

One hope is to have meaning in life. We are part of one vast train of saints (believers) who labor, give thanks to God, receive forgiveness, and honor God with our service to others.

I said to Christina, "I would like to be able to go back to Garfield Elementary School and say to one girl, "You are going the marry the Chief of Police in Boston!" Then I would say to my friend stung by a wasp in class, "Don't worry. You will be honored in Sports Illustrated!" We see so much better looking backwards. 

When I think about the people I know from our church, many I have not met, there is no one alike yet everyone serving others in various ways and working together too.

Just as we have one Lord, so we have one Faith. No matter how much man divides himself into factions, similar to the Tower of Babel experience, still we have One Truth that unites us for eternity. 

As Jesus taught, we have the wisdom that ancient kings and scholars sought all their lives. But they did not know a fraction of what we have before us. The more we see this, the more we value it.

We can tell how much this means because the truths taught 100+ years ago are largely ignored by the great and wise, but easily enjoyed today. We read them as believers paying attention to believers.

People in institutions worry about their institutions failing. I remember a name still mentioned often today. He went to one seminary and it faded away by merger and even more by incompetence. He taught at another seminary, which was apparently too small to last. The college almost had another lease on life, and a legal decision finished it. The man was Nicholas Lenker, who gathered a bunch of translators to produce Luther's Sermons. The same set re-appears in various places and languages, in print and on the Net.

I would like to go back in a robe and say, "John, you struggle to get some books out and teach people about Luther's great contributions. The great and wise will pass on, but your work will continue to be copied, over and over, because it is so worthwhile for Christian laity and clergy."

John Nicholas Lenker attended Hamma Seminary, which is gone, and taught at Dana Seminary, which was also merged into oblivion. Dana College was closed rather than going online, due to an edict.