Mid-Week Lenten Service, 7 PM Central

This is the link for the saved service, so I am erasing the player.

Mid-Week Lenten Vespers, 2022

 

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

 

 

Bethany Lutheran Worship, 7 PM Central StandardTime

 

 

 

The Hymn #159                    Go to Dark Gethsemane        
The Order of Vespers                                             p. 41

The Psalmody   Psalm 23                                       p. 128
The Lections                            The Passion History

                                                                   

The Sermon Hymn #149           Come to Calvary's Holy Mountain

 

The Sermon –   I AM the Door

 
The Prayers

The Lord’s Prayer

The Collect for Grace                                            p. 45

The Hymns #552              Abide with Me

 

 

Prayers and Announcements

·         Greater knowledge of Luther’s works and faithful translations; i.e., the KJV is the English (Tyndale) version of Luther’s German Bible. They established their modern languages in England and Germany by virtue of the power of their work. Nobody ever admits this about the KJV, that it comes from Luther via Tyndale who died for translating the Scriptures from Hebrew and Greek into English. 

• The KJV book has arrived, and so has the camera.
• Happy Birthday, Sarah Buck.
• Prayers for Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Callie and her mother Peggy, C., those with long-term illnesses.

I AM the Door

John 10 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

So many love the next I AM sermon, about the Good Shepherd, that it is relatively easy to overlook this one. This is quite powerful, but offends the wealthy, lazy, global elite who want one world, one “faith”, one ruler. This I AM the Door is repulsive to the ecumenical movement, which was the beginning of the National (Federal) Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches (left-wing) which absorbed and digested the more conservative World Missionary Council, so the latter no longer exists.

John 10 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

This comparison is based upon the common knowledge of raising sheep at that time, which also connects to the Passover Lamb from the Exodus. We have very little of this in our culture now, but it was a major part of Biblical Judaism. Sheep from various flocks or one flock were kept in pens for safety. They were a valuable commodity (part of Australia’s “Waltzing Matilda” national song) and objects of predators, human and lupine.

We think of modern doors, but this door was an opening in the pen guarded by the so that only the shepherd could enter. This is the foundation for the shepherd section that follows. The one who climbs over the fence is clearly a thief, a robber. The shepherd comes in the one door.

3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

The typical shepherd, which they all knew about, was recognized by the guard at the door or opening and allowed in. The sheep all know the voice of their shepherd. He goes out before them and leads them, very much like Psalm 23. This chapter is central to the entire Bible, which is recognized today in stained glass windows and art.

When I have to go to an appointment, Sassy stays home and is quiet, but when I arrive, she barks sharply from the inside and comes to the door to complete her guard duties for the moment. Sassy is very willful on our walks, but she follows me and responds to my voice, especially when I get firm. She asks permission to meet people and to go a different way (sometimes tricking me into another route as she pivots and grins).

As everyone knows, pastor is Latin for shepherd, and it is a good title since all ordained ministers are men who are subordinate to the Good Shepherd. Just as sheep follow the voice and the walk of the shepherd, so believers follow only the voice of the
Good Shepherd.

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This verse is especially important, because there is a direct relationship between the true believers and the true pastor. When the leader is false, the believers flee instead of compromising. They know the voice of the Shepherd and run from strangers. We see this carried out in reverse where Joel Osteen refused, years ago, to say that Jesus is the only way of salvation (hint – Gospel of John and everywhere else). He admitted he was an evil shepherd, with no consequences. Likewise, Rev. Andy Stanley (a favorite in the Wisconsin Synod – Ski, Glende, Parlow and 5 more of them going to one expensive conference and worshiping with Stanley – so cool.) Stanley denounced the “Jesus of ancient documents” in favor of his “Jesus for today.”

“The Christian faith doesn’t rise and fall on the accuracy of 66 ancient documents. It rises and falls on the identity of a single individual: Jesus of Nazareth.” Andy Stanley, WELS mentor and hero. Christian Post, https://www.christianpost.com/voices/andy-stanleys-tweet-about-the-bible-is-seductive-and-harmful.html

This is the argument used by false prophets, who make it possible to invent a new Messiah according to their wishes. It is certainly a pity that people flock – or rather bleet – rushing to such heretics. But it was predicted in letters to Timothy, that people will pile up false teachers to teach what their itching ears want to hear.

6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Although they did not understand this parable at first, it was remembered via the Holy
Spirit to be recorded in the Fourth Gospel, passed down to us through the Majority or Traditional/Byzantine Text.  Jesus is the One Entrance to salvation, which we see vividly described in Romans 5:2 – faith in Christ is access to God’s grace. There  is one way – faith – not access to universal grace without even knowing there is a door (WELS-LCMS-ELCA position).

Jesus is the door of salvation, the only way to enter. So strange that people try to teach otherwise, but do not listen to His voice. This shows how resisting the truth makes us unable to see and hear the truth, no matter how smart we appear to be. The great and wise of today do not know how to view Jesus as a child does. No, they are sophisticated and highly education experts.

Jesus came that we might have life in abundance, the lead to I AM the Good Shepherd.

Mid-Week Lenten Service, 2017. The Atonement Is the Gospel

Jesus Before the High Priest, by Norma Boeckler

The Hymn #649        Jesus Savior Pilot Me

The Order of Vespers                                             p. 41

The Psalmody                                                         p. 124
The Lections                            The Passion History

                                               

The Sermon Hymn #153   Stricken, Smitten

The Sermon –    The Atonement Is the Gospel

 
The Prayers

The Lord’s Prayer

The Collect for Grace                                            p. 45

The Hymn # 554   Now Rest Beneath Night's Shadow

16 αλλ ου παντες υπηκουσαν τω ευαγγελιω - ησαιας γαρ λεγει κυριε τις επιστευσεν τη ακοη ημων?
Romans 10:17 αρα η πιστις εξ ακοης - η δε ακοη δια ρηματος θεου

Note above - Greek students - 

who has believed our akoue (sermon, report)?

Faith comes from the akoue, 

and the akoue from the utterances of God.

Isaiah 53 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

Long before anyone imagined this, the Jewish people and those attracted to Judaism were taught about the Atonement. Isaiah is one of the most read prophets and has a special status for its great pronouncements, which include the Virgin Birth and the divinity of Christ in Isaiah 7 and 9. What better way to lay a foundation for the atonement than by animal sacrifice, the importance of Passover, and the reading of this chapter?

2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

What so many forget is this simple truth - the Atonement is the Gospel. Some deny it outright, and they are the mainline theologians of apostasy. The systematic theology of Braaten-Jenson denies and mocks the Atonement, but they were the "conservatives" (don't laugh) trying to keep ELCA talking about theology when others thought it was meaningless. The Gospel is this - Jesus has died for the sins of the world and for yours. There is no other way to be forgiven and saved that to believe in this truth. The wrath of God abides with all those who are unbelievers, but God loves those who believe in the Atonement of His beloved son.

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

When we look at the facts of the Atonement, the horrible mockery, torture, and death of Christ, accompanied by mockery and abandonment, we see the full price paid by Christ for our sins. The Gospel says - You are forgiven through faith because those are your sins laid upon Him. He bore your sins and paid for them. You cannot pay for them or pay Him back.

When we look at all the systems, ancient and modern, for self-justification, for righteousness earned by works, then we understand what a great message of grace this is. Faith takes away the payment by works. Faith takes away the abiding sense of guilt fashioned by the works salesmen. When a contrite heart feels no relief, there is the crucifix - the price has been paid.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

The New Testament teaches redemption two different ways. One is based on the marketplace - paying with His innocent blood, suffering, and death. The other meaning of redemption is setting the slave free (based on luo - to loose).

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

This chapter is so important in the New Testament that most of it is reproduced when the various citations are added up. We could easily say this is central for the Gospel in the New Testament, and many use this as the Gospel for Jewish people, because it comes right from their teaching and worship.

That is why I find teaching the Old Testament so easy, since everything is a setting for the Gospel, such as the many Psalms teaching the work of the Messiah and Psalm 22 as the Atonement psalm. If we look at denial of the basic articles of faith by the modernists, the Old Testament is a resounding repudiation of their unbelieving and uncomprehending claims. No better proof can be found of such people blinding themselves and hardening themselves through the efficacious power of the Word. The more they deny the revealed truth, the more they hate and mock it.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

The purpose of the Atonement is clear. We are like sheep, going this way and that way, getting lost, messing up so many different things - and yet the Lord placed all those sins on Him.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

This is a perfect description of the trial and death of Christ. He had all power to escape and to destroy His opponents, but He willingly died for us - instead. He warned them so they would know what they were doing. In the midst of this horror, faith bloomed, and the centurion said - Surely this man was the Son of God.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

This is one of clearest examples of how Jesus fulfilled Isaiah many centuries after people heard these verses over and over again. He was crucified with criminals and yet He was buried in a rich man's grave.

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

This is the triumph of the Gospel. What seemed to be a horrible tragedy for the disciples and all the followers became a cosmic victory over sin, death, and the devil. No matter how sin grieves us, this cross is the ultimate comfort. God has forgiven and forgotten the sins of all believers. This gives up peace of mind, because we realize that tormenting ourselves is really against the Gospel of the Atonement. It is like saying, "You have not done enough. I will torture myself until I feel I have done enough to deserve forgiveness. In fact, I may never forgive myself." That by itself is a denial of the Atonement. The sin against the Holy Spirit is not an individual sin as such, what we normally name, but denying faith in Christ at the time we die. And of course, any denial of Christ and His Atone is a sin against the Holy Spirit, but many repent. That should always be emphasized.

Not carnal sin, but unbelief is the foundation of all sin, as Jesus taught.