See America from the Air

  

I signed up for a streaming service that included Aerial America, which can be found on the Internet in many different fashions - great cities, nature, etc. I started with the 50 states, about 50 minutes for each video.

The narration is fairly balanced and surprisingly good about the history of Christians in various states. I also enjoy mentions of inventers, politicians, military heroes, and insights about each state. Arkansas got a big boost on the Walton Empire but omitted Tyson's meat, which gives Springdale the nickname Chickendale. 

One of my graduate students mentioned living in four different countries on her route to America. That made me think even more about the states Charlie Sue and I have viewed. What a wonderful, God-created country we have. Our wealth in agriculture and minerals is staggering, and we enjoy every kind of climate. Our Founders were so wise that the U.S. Constitution continues to serve us to this day. No other country has that claim.

I enjoyed undergraduate students, especially when they began yapping about rights and the law. Asking them about the Bill of Rights was too much. One student insisted that health care was a Constitutional right, so I invited him to explain where that is stated. 

My public school teachers had a great love for America, and one of my favorites served in the Philippines in WWII. She liked to tell a little bit about serving during WWII.

I know a lot about America from our 52 year slo-mo vacation. We had some great vacations but we enjoyed living in many different places - Connecticut, Ohio, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Arkansas. People make fun of Arkansas, but I point out to them that we have a strict dress code for shoppers - Wear shoes!

A strange twist of fate has given me access to students from all over the world, because online teaching has made that possible.

One of my Moline classmates, John F. Baker,
received the Medal of Honor for his service in Viet Nam.

No Way, Way - WELS Stealth Congregation Comes on Little Cat Feet

What we are a part of 

The Way is are a proud member of an international church body called the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). The WELS has been around since 1850 and, while headquartered in Wisconsin, serves hundreds of thousands of Christians in North America and around the world. To be Lutheran means that we accept the scriptural truths that ignited the reformation of the Christian church in the 16th century and led to a renewed focus on the gospel.

A PLACE FOR YOU

The Way Church is located in Fredericksburg VA, and aims to connect you with Christ and community through its relationship-based ministries, great kids program, Bible-centered messages and welcoming environment.

GJ - WELS hides its identity as much as possible, but the grammar lessons give it away. "The Way" is rather vague.

They have their own Merch Page. I love churches that are so cool, as of 15 years ago. This is their unisex shirt.

$23.50

Reformation Seminary - 11 AM Central - Son of God, Son of Man, Angel of the Lord

 

Son of God, Son of Man, Angel of the Lord

1. KJV Daniel 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

2. The Son of Man is frequently used by Jesus in the Gospels. Scholars are divided - the modernist, rationalist scholars assume that the Son of Man is different from Jesus. One British professor was published, her argument stating that there are two individuals in the Son of Man, Jesus distancing Himself from that title. She took that back later and was snt to the Third World to teach. The modernists even argue that Jesus was only teaching His humanity since they do not believe His divinity. 

3. The modernists or rationalists view such titles as mythical, which also applies to the miracles, which are either mythical or have mysterious effects of the human mind. The Historical Critical Method rejects anything stemming from God, and that has been the basis for most denominations since the 1930s. Objective Faithless Justification is a version of the HCM, and OFJ.

WikiPedia - German theologian Rudolf Bultmann sees the phrase not as one genuinely used by Jesus but as one inserted by the early Church,^{[11] [Always the excuse in current "scholarship."]}

^{Ezekiel - Son of man is used 93 times referring to the prophet.}

^{Angel of the Lord}

Here is a great way to search results, using one name, and being linked to that passage, with other verses before and after.  <- Use this regularly ->https://thekingsbible.com/Concordance/footstool

KJV Genesis 

22:11

And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

22:15	And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
22:16	And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
22:17	That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
22:18	And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Luke 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. Dan 8:16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. Dan 9:21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. Luke 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, A student of the Bible will learn more from the Scriptures than from commentaries.

One Reason Why We Must Know and Teach - I AM the Good Shepherd

 

There are many titles of majesty in the Bible. Norma Boeckler has illustrated 50 of them. There is only one Name of God - I AM.

KJV Exodus 3:13 

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 14 And God said unto Moses, I AM That I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

One member has kidded me about emphasizing this as the Name of God so often. But I would not need to do this, if pastors knew the Old Testament, learned some Greek, and opened it to John 8. 

The pivotal moment happens when Jesus revealed Himself openly as I AM, the Name of God.

KJV John 8

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.

The opponents picked up stones to murder Him, which means they knew exactly what Jesus meant. They were speaking to God in the Flesh, the Word Incarnate and naming The Name Above All Others.

Jesus simply passed through the mob, proving that His divinity was not limited by His humanity. The Word of God is always effective, always united with the power of the Holy Spirit. Wolves do not confirm faith but brag about their non-faith. Their greatest wish is to extirpate any suggestion that we are Justified by Faith in Jesus Christ, Who gives access to His grace through believing in Him (Romans 5:1-2, try it!). If the clergy would only look long enough, they might see through their blindness and realize their hardness of heart. 

KJV 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me...

Yes, put away your Pope-blessed three-year-lectionary, which seeks to dilute and disperse any hope for a consistent Bible version, the more variety and money earned, the better. God brought the printing press into use in the West. China used the press long before that. The Reformation was spread through the printing press in many languages, and now the Gospel is being marketed, rebuked, diluted, ignored, mocked, and hidden away in their precious Apocrypha, through the printing press and Internet. 

A Special Note from Luther and God's Word - For Managers of The Big Five - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic)

 

Complete Sermon -> Misericordias Domini. Second Sunday After Easter. John 10:11-16. Christ’s Office and Kingdom; or How Christ is the True Shepherd

8. Hence, all that we preachers can do is to become the mouthpieces and instruments of Christ our Lord, through whom he proclaims the Word bodily. He sends forth the Word publicly so that all may hear it, but that the heart inwardly experiences it, that is effected through faith and is wrought by Christ in secret where he perceives that it can be done according to his divine knowledge and pleasure. That is why he says: “I am the good shepherd.” And what is a good shepherd? “The good shepherd,” says Christ, “layeth down his life for the sheep; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” In this one virtue the Lord comprehends and exemplifies all others in the beautiful parable of the sheep. Sheep, you know, are most foolish and stupid animals. When we want to speak of anybody’s stupidity we say, “He is a sheep.” Nevertheless, it has this trait above all other animals, that it soon learns to heed its shepherd’s voice and will follow no one but its shepherd, and though it cannot help and keep and heal itself, nor guard itself against the wolf, but is dependent upon others, yet it always knows enough to keep close to its shepherd and look to Him for help.

They hate the King James Version, but love the corrupted and ever-changing Bibles. They ordain and commission hungry wolves which prey upon widows, using the Irrevocable Annuity Trust. They promote hazing to make future wolves more like them. They teach against faith in Jesus Christ, praising themselves for advocating guilt-free sinners in Hell. They approve women's ordination to pave the way to gay ordination. And yet, even now, their appetites are insatiable.

Daily Lutheran Sermon Quote - Second Sunday after Easter - "They who hear and believe it belong to this kingdom, and the Word then becomes so mighty that it provides all that man may need and bestows all the blessings that we may desire."

 

Complete Sermon -> Misericordias Domini. Second Sunday After Easter. John 10:11-16. Christ’s Office and Kingdom; or How Christ is the True Shepherd

6. You have heard that after his sufferings and death Christ our Lord arose from the dead and entered upon, and was enthroned in, an immortal existence. Not that he might sit up there in heaven idly and find pleasure in himself, but that he might take charge of the kingdom of which the prophets and all the Scriptures have so fully spoken, and might rule as a king. Therefore, we should think of him as being present and reigning among us continually, and never think of him as sitting up there doing nothing, but rather that he from above fills and rules all things, as Paul says to the Ephesians 4:10, and especially that he is taking care of his kingdom, which is the Christian faith, and that therefore his kingdom among us here on earth must prosper. This kingdom, as we have said, is so constituted that we all must daily increase and grow in holiness, and it is not governed by any other power save the oral proclamation of the Gospel.

7. This proclamation is not of men, but Christ himself sent it forth, and then put it into the hearts of the apostles and their successors so that they understood it, and into their mouths so that they spoke and declared it. This is his kingdom, and so does he rule that all of his power is comprehended in and connected with the Word of God. They who hear and believe it belong to this kingdom, and the Word then becomes so mighty that it provides all that man may need and bestows all the blessings that we may desire. For it is the power of God, and it can and will save all who believe it, as St. Paul declared to the Romans 1:16. If you believe that Christ died to save you from all evil, and will hold fast to that Word, you will find it so certain and sure that no creature can overthrow it; and as no one can overthrow the Word, neither can anyone harm you who believe it. Accordingly, with the Word you will overcome sin, death, devil and hell, and you will find a refuge in the Word and attain that which is found where the Word is, namely, everlasting peace, joy and life. In short, you will be participants in all the power that is in the Word. Therefore, it is a peculiar kingdom. The Word is present and is orally proclaimed to all the world, but its power is deeply hidden, so that none but they who believe realize that it is so effective and that it accomplishes such great things. It must be experienced and realized by the heart.

8. Hence, all that we preachers can do is to become the mouthpieces and instruments of Christ our Lord, through whom he proclaims the Word bodily. He sends forth the Word publicly so that all may hear it, but that the heart inwardly experiences it, that is effected through faith and is wrought by Christ in secret where he perceives that it can be done according to his divine knowledge and pleasure. That is why he says: “I am the good shepherd.” And what is a good shepherd? “The good shepherd,” says Christ, “layeth down his life for the sheep; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” In this one virtue the Lord comprehends and exemplifies all others in the beautiful parable of the sheep. Sheep, you know, are most foolish and stupid animals. When we want to speak of anybody’s stupidity we say, “He is a sheep.” Nevertheless, it has this trait above all other animals, that it soon learns to heed its shepherd’s voice and will follow no one but its shepherd, and though it cannot help and keep and heal itself, nor guard itself against the wolf, but is dependent upon others, yet it always knows enough to keep close to its shepherd and look to him for help.

9. Now, Christ uses this trait or nature of the animal as an illustration in explaining that he is the good shepherd. In this manner he plainly shows what his kingdom is, and wherein it consists, and would say: My kingdom is only to rule the sheep; that is poor, needy wretched men, who well see and realize that there is no other help or counsel for them.

10. But that we may make it the plainer, and may understand it the better, we will cite a passage from the prophet Ezekiel, where he speaks of the wicked shepherds that are against Christ, when he says (34:2ff): “Should not the Shepherds feed the sheep? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill the fatlings; but ye feed not the sheep. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought back that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with rigor have ye ruled over them. And they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they become food to all the beasts of the field and were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my sheep were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and there was none that did search or seek after them,” and so forth. Accordingly, God reproves the shepherds who do not keep the sheep. And now mark well what he has written. His earnest intent in this paragraph is that the weak, sick, broken, those who are driven away and the lost, are to be strengthened, bound up, healed, and sought again, and that they are not to be torn to pieces and scattered. This you should have done, says he to the shepherds, but you have not done it; therefore, I will do it myself. As he says further on, in verse 16: “I will seek that which was lost, I will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick.”

The Social Gospel - Look at Its Foundations

 

I had a project, to research an Augustana Synod professor and explain his career. He went to Yale Divinity for extra credibility, since he already had an STD - when that was just a seminary degree - Doctor of Sacred Theology. He was A.D. Mattson.

He became enchanted with the Social Gospel Movement, best known through Walter Rauschbusch, who gave his famous lectures at Yale, also his book A Theology for the Social Gospel. Rauschenbusch was a liberal Baptist who already accepted the rationalistic approach to the Scriptures. The liberal element in the Augustana Synod and the mainline denominations were definitely for the Historical-Critical Movement of Biblical analysis.

A litmus test for liberals (or rather - apostates) is asking about Rauschenbusch. The Social Gospel Movement is either the capstone or foundation today. 

Lacking in all the mainline denominations today is faith in Jesus Christ. They have lots of social activism, which may prompt people to say, "Are we better than we were before WWII?" Social activism is now 99% of mainline work, including The Big Five - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic). The smaller synods may deny their affinity with ELCA's agenda, but in some cases they are way ahead, such as the gay obsessions of WELS, cloaked by hazing and "we were just having some fun."

The Church Growth Movement was hatched by Donald McGavran, liberal sociologist, B.D. Yale, PhD Columbia University.

The Social Gospel Movement stopped using its name but continued its Left-wing work. The Church Growth Movement was unionistic and Left-wing, from the start. Fuller Seminary's Thought Police insisted that any pastor objecting to women's ordination would be visited by their feminist Gestapo units. 

Do you really think that LCMS-WELS-etc stood up to the feminist bullies or declared, "We are on your side, Rev. Aimee Elizabeth Semple McPherson - The Blessed!?"

The denominations and synods do not have the basics of the Christian Faith. Unfaith cannot produce faith through the efficacious Word. Church Growth has been sold and smeared in everyone's face, and the results are in. Their agenda is hardened concrete. 

Do you remember when the rainbow was a sign from God?

Kudzu vine was brought to the USA because it spread so quickly - and alas - smothered everything useful.

It only took a few decades to unleash Smells and Belles and expensive costumes.

Werning spread the Church Growth disease around in all sects - LCMS, WELS, ELS.

Met a Minister Who Loves Luther - Not a Lutheran

 CPH wanted people to give them money to keep their income up.

 CPH morons sold doggy Reformation clothing.

CPH golf tees.

Luther faced death in 1517. Concordia Publishing House merchandised it - for the 500th anniversary.

Today a couple knocked on the door, grandparents with their granddaughter. They were thinking about moving to Springdale for their married daughter next door and her three daughters. 

Soon I learned he was a minister, and he learned I was an independent Lutheran. I had to explain to him - the Lutheran denominations hate Luther and make fun of him. He said, "Luther has always been my favorite!" They had to leave for the airport.

 This is what people call a serendipity event.

Numbed by Numbers - The Big Five - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic).Is That All There Is To Church Growth?

 

"Is that all there is to Church Growth?" A WELS District Pope said - "Not church GROWTH, but CHURCH Growth." His stammering voice betrayed his uncertainty.

Long ago and far away, Christina and I would go to Chicago for a few days. We would get cheap tickets and see  live performances by Vincent Price, Rose Marie, Rosemary Clooney, Yul Brynner, Katherine Hepburn, and Peggy Lee, whose parents were Swedish and Norwegian (known humorously in Moline as a mixed marriage). 

Peggy Lee was a Lutheran, known for her ability to sing and compose music. She is still famous for "Is That All There Is?" - a song about betrayal and disappointment.

Looking into the connection between Evangelical Free churches and Church Growth, I found one of the so-called experts saying "Measure everything." One E Free pastor meticulously described how membership goals and staff growth were the key to congregational success. CGM is a navel-gazing obsession, resulting in shifting from the Gospel to building up the numbers.

This is a priceless summary:

As the church growth movement picked up steam, one would expect that church attendance nationally would have begun to move upward. In fact, the opposite occurred. As the church growth movement increased in influence, church attendance began to decline. Seeker-sensitive churches swelled as smaller traditional churches shuttered their doors. Pastors have been well-aware that they lost people from their traditional churches to seeker-sensitive churches. The church growth movement hit its peak around the turn of the century, and yet as it grew to the pinnacle of its influence, American Christianity witnessed its greatest decline.

The Big Five - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) are so mesmerized that they cannot escape from their own follies -

1. Selling cash-cow Bibles of the worst sort to make money for themselves.
2. Aiming at fun events like Bible studies in bars and soccer camps for confirmation.
3. Frantically trying new methods (note the Greek root) and asking "Is that all there is?"
4. In their weak and hopeless rejection of the efficacy of the Gospel, playing around in papal and Eastern orthodox costumes, snorting incense, playing the fool.
5. Bullying and removing those who want to emphasize faith, the only way they can be fruitful.
6. Selling their church properties after being led by harpies.

The Big Five Plus One - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic)-ELDONA.Baylor Baptist University Goes Woke

 

Why Does Baylor University Have a Pro-Choice, Gay-Affirming, Trans-Affirming Professor?

Protestia.com

A woke professor at Baylor University has come under fire for blasting acclaimed Harry Potter author J.K. Rowing for her opposition to normalizing the transgender movement, calling her out for her apparent ‘hatred of trans-people.’ While this is deeply troubling, it is hardly the worst thing about him.

Founded in 1845 and claiming 16,000 students, Baylor University is the world’s largest Baptist University and one of the oldest. Like many once-faithful institutions that have gone before her, however, Baylor is deeply compromised and is inexorably on the downgrade. 

Not only have they hosted Beth Moore and Jemar Tisby for a conference on “Racism in the White Church,” an embarrassment of cringe if there ever was one, but Baylor recently hosted a “Queer Sex-Ed Night whose advertisements featured a Planned Parenthood logo.

Despite affirming that “The mission of Baylor University is to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community” and “the biblical understanding that sexual relations of any kind outside of marriage between a man and a woman are not in keeping with the teaching of Scripture,” they don’t actually believe this, and it’s easy to see why. 

Enter Greg Garrett, Baylor’s pro-choice, gay-affirming, trans-affirming professor of Literature and Culture. He recently gained a couple of million views after chastising Rowling for posting a lengthy Twitter thread where she repeatedly called a bunch of trans-women “men” on Trans Day of Visibility, something he found intolerable. 

***

GJ - I could not resist posting from Protestia.com again.

Rev. Kent A. Heimbigner, Ph.D. has left a new comment on your post "Baptist Theologian Takes Congregation Out of LCMS:...": 

Hi Greg:

Thank you for your interest in what my good and faithful congregation has done. I have met you, and certainly appreciate your sense of humor, but for the sake of those who may not understand it, I offer a couple of points of clarification:

1) There is no such thing as "Baylor Baptist University." There is only "Baylor University," which has a Baptist history, but is not affiliated with any Baptist denomination. 

2) I am not a "Baptist theologian," nor am I going to join the Eastern Orthodox. I am getting a chuckle out of putting those together and imagining what it would be like to be an Easternizing Baptist. I guess they are both synergists, but I'm not. I will remain Lutheran. At ordination, I swore an oath. It matters to me. And my beloved congregation is on that same "we've got to stay Lutheran" page with me.

BTW, for my response to Fr. Fenton heading east, check out my blog on the website, http://www.confessionallutheran.org/content/view/142/91/

Todd, thanks for your clarifying posts. Greg, it's been too long, and I hope our paths cross again in due course. Peace be with you both.

***

GJ - Actually, Kent, you asked to stay here for the LCMS conference and didn't show up or explain.

I see you share Todd Wilken's sense of humor. Or, as Bruce Church suggested, "What's the point?"

***
GJ -

2016 Update.

Here is the original post, which still bothers ELDONA seven (7) years later.

http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2009/01/baptist-theologian-takes-congregation.html

Baylor University in Waco, Texas, is a private Baptist university, and a nationally ranked liberal arts institution. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas, Baylor is the oldest, continually operating university in the state. Though 80% of our students come from within Texas, we are home to students from all 50 states, and 70 countries.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote. Second Sunday After Easter. John 10:11-16. "This kingdom, as we have said, is so constituted that we all must daily increase and grow in holiness, and it is not governed by any other power save the oral proclamation of the Gospel."

 

Complete Sermon -> Misericordias Domini. Second Sunday After Easter. John 10:11-16. Christ’s Office and Kingdom; or How Christ is the True Shepherd

MISERICORDIAS DOMINI - SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER


Psalm 51 (Misericordias. Also called “Shepherd Sunday”).

Text: John 10:11-16. 

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

1. This is a comforting Gospel, which so beautifully portrays the Lord Jesus and teaches us what manner of person he is, what kind of works he does, and how he is disposed toward men. And there is no better way to understand it than to contrast light and darkness and day and night; that is, the good shepherd with the wicked one, as the Lord himself does.

2. Now, you have often heard that God has given the world two different proclamations. One is that which is declared in the Word of God when it says: Thou shalt not kill, not commit adultery, not steal (Exodus 20:13-15), and when it adds the threat that all who do not keep these commandments shall die. But this declaration will make no one godly at heart. For though it may compel a man outwardly to appear godly before men, inwardly it leaves the heart at enmity with the Law, and wishing that there were no such Law.

3. The other proclamation is that of the Gospel. It tells where one may obtain that which will meet the demands of the Law. It does not drive or threaten, but tenderly invites us. It does not say, Do this and do that, but rather: Come, I will show you where you may find and obtain what you need to make you godly. See, here is the Lord Jesus; he will give it to you.

Therefore, the two are as contrary to each other as taking and giving, demanding and presenting; and this distinction must be well observed. Thus God ever has ruled and still rules the world today. To coarse and rude persons, who are not influenced by the Gospel, the Law must be declared, and they must be driven until they are humbled and acknowledge their imperfections. When this has been accomplished, the Gospel is to be applied.

4. These are the two divine proclamations, which come from heaven. Besides these there are others that are not from heaven, but are human prattle, which the pope and our bishops have invented that they might terrify our consciences. Such men are not worthy of being called shepherds or hirelings, but they are here designated by the Lord Jesus as thieves, murderers and wolves. For if men are to be savingly governed, it must be done with the Word of God; and if it is not done by the Word of God, they are not properly governed.

I. THE NATURE OF THE OFFICE AND KINGDOM OF CHRIST EXPLAINED.

5. Now, here Jesus has in mind the second proclamation. He explains it and sets himself forth as the chief shepherd, yea, as the only shepherd; for that which he does not tend is not kept. This comforting and sweet proclamation we will now consider.

6. You have heard that after his sufferings and death Christ our Lord arose from the dead and entered upon, and was enthroned in, an immortal existence. Not that he might sit up there in heaven idly and find pleasure in himself, but that he might take charge of the kingdom of which the prophets and all the Scriptures have so fully spoken, and might rule as a king. Therefore, we should think of him as being present and reigning among us continually, and never think of him as sitting up there doing nothing, but rather that he from above fills and rules all things, as Paul says to the Ephesians 4:10, and especially that he is taking care of his kingdom, which is the Christian faith, and that therefore his kingdom among us here on earth must prosper. This kingdom, as we have said, is so constituted that we all must daily increase and grow in holiness, and it is not governed by any other power save the oral proclamation of the Gospel.

Does the Church Growth Movement Make Totalitarian Denominations?The E-Frees Are Heavily Influenced by Totalitarian Fuller Gurus.

So lacking today.

For those who studied at MLC and Mordor - this translates as "I AM the Good Shepherd."

Another Conservative Pastor Disciplined by The Evangelical Free Church of America

From Protestia

In the Fall of 2022, Pastor Kliewer, who pastors Cornerstone Church in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, had his ordination censured by the Board of Ministerial Standing of the Free Church. In June at the national conference, he was officially disciplined when the pastors sided with the leadership.

Pastor Kliewer was censured because he wrote a book titled, Woke-Free Church, criticizing the Social Justice push by the Free Church leadership. Remarkably the leadership never dealt with the content of Kliewer’s book where he showed convincingly the Social Justice agenda among the leadership. In other words, he got censured because he revealed their compromise not because he violated anything biblically (see Nine Conclusions Against Jeff Kliewer at efcaandsocialjustice.wordpress.com).

What happened to him was a grave injustice. Now that Pastor Kliewer was censured, they moved on to the next person who has brought the leadership concern. That is Pastor David Whitney of Cornerstone Church in Maryland (near Washington DC). Now these two men have similar stories. Pastor Kliewer got the leadership’s attention because of his writing that called out their compromise, while Pastor Whitney got their attention during a Zoom call at the height of COVID-19.

At this Zoom call pastors belonging to a cluster of the East District were asked how each of them and their churches were handling Covid-19. Pastor Whitney shared that his church did not close. A few of the pastors were troubled by this and a meeting was called that took place a while later. Pastor Whitney met with three pastors, all in leadership (present and past), who expressed concerns about his church being associated with the Free Church. They were troubled by his conservative political views.

One pastor said, “He would never want anyone in his church to listen to Pastor Whitney’s sermons.” Another pastor said, “You do not fit within the ethos of the Free Church” and asked, “Are you going to remove your church?” The pressure was on for Pastor Whitney and his church to leave the Free Church. Now think about how irrational the request for him to leave is. Pastor Whitney has pastored in the Free Church for forty-two years at three different churches. He planted Cornerstone Church as a Free Church and has pastored there for thirty years. If anyone fits within the ethos of the Free Church, it is Pastor Whitney.

He has worked well in the Free church to this point. The one asking the question should be asked, “Do you fit within the ethos of the true historic Free Church?”

***

GJ - A good friend told me about the dishonest tricks used by E-Frees to get more members. One is to invite a girl to have a guy have dinner together. During the dinner, the girl steps out and E-Freed bullies sit down and start demanding membership in their church. This is repeated, even though my friend said to the young lady, "Never again!"

I got the same treatment when a salesman invited me and Christina to his house for vague reasons. Actually, a fairly large group was there. Without any real introduction this turned into a meeting to have us as part of their group. I do not know how many were already in on the effort, but I did not like it. We sat in a circle and listened. It seemed remarkably vague and lacking in content.

We had E-Frees in Moline because they are a break-off from the Swedish Pietists (Augustana Synod). When I was reading the Church Growth materials to figure out CGM in WELS/LCMS/ELCa, I saw that Church Growth "really worked" for the E-Frees. And yes, they had a couple of big churches. Whoopee. 

The First Sunday after Easter - Quasimodo Geniti - Fear, Despair, And Peace Through Faith

 

Bethany Lutheran Church

The First Sunday after Easter

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

YouTube link ->https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQLkQDcTYnk here

The Hymn #206        Jesus Christ My Sure Defense

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

As newborn babes: desire the sincere milk of the Word.

Hear, O My people, and I will testify unto thee: 

O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto Me.

Psalm. Sing aloud unto God, our Strength: 

make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17

The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who have celebrated the solemnities of the Lord’s resurrection may, by the help of Thy grace, bring forth the fruits thereof in our life and conversation; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual       

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us. Hallelujah!

V. The angel of the Lord descended from heaven: 

and came and rolled back the stone from the door 

and sat upon it. Hallelujah!

The Gospel               

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22     
The Sermon Hymn #656        Behold a Host     

       

Fear, Despair, and Peace Through Faith

Communion Hymn # 200       I Know that My Redeemer      

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
Hymn #267        If God Had Not Been on Our Side

Prayers and Announcements

• Medical treatment - Randy Anderson - hospital, Lori Howell, Sarah Buck, Pastor Jim Shrader and Christine, Kermit Way.
• Pray for our country as the major trials continue. And help all those suffering from economic difficulties.
• Reformation Seminary lectures - Tuesday 11 AM - Son of God, Son of Man. Thursday 11 AM.

KJV 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

KJV John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

First Sunday After Easter

Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank Thee, that of Thine ineffable grace, for the sake of Thy Son, Thou hast given us the holy gospel, and hast instituted the holy sacraments, that through the same we may have comfort and forgiveness of sin: We beseech Thee, grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that we may heartily believe Thy word; and through the holy sacraments day by day establish our faith, until we at last obtain salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

Fear, Despair, and Peace Through Faith

KJV John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Fear is the first word used in describing the disciples, locked in a room assembled because they feared the Jews. They were not rejoicing, because they were consumed by conditions leading up to the crucifixion and knowing about the death of Jesus Christ. 

The Gospel of John describes how Jesus was not confined by His human nature, many times. Those who like Latin terms call this the non-reciprocity of the second genus. His divine nature was not confined by His human nature. Children respond simply by saying "Jesus is God. He can do anything." That response shows that children often have more faith in Jesus, so we must believe as a child, as Jesus taught, not as philosophers who deal primarily with Latin (genus maiestaticum).

Fear locked them in the room, but the risen Lord did not confine himself to His human nature. He appeared before them still bearing the marks of His torture and crucifixion. Knowing what had happened, through John - who was there at the cross - and through the women at the cross, they assumed they would be next. 

Simon Greenleaf, who was a famous lawyer at Harvard, wrote an essay supporting the harmony of the Gospels. ("The Testimony of the Evangelists," reprinted from the 1903 edition as an appendix in John Warwick Montgomery's The Law Above the Law, 1975. Christina and I had lunch with him at the Chicago Inerrancy Conference.)

If we had all the details of everything, from the death of Jesus up to this moment, the Gospels would be very lengthy. And it would still not be enough to satisfy the doubters. Unless we believe as children, we will not see the Kingdom of God. 

20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 

Luther:

2. Faith, as we have often said, is of the nature, that every one appropriates to himself the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, of which we have already said enough; namely, that it is not sufficient simply to believe Christ rose from the dead, for this produces neither peace nor joy, neither power nor authority; but you must believe that he rose for your sake, for your benefit, and was not glorified for his own sake; but that he might help you and all who believe in him, and that through his resurrection sin, death and hell are vanquished and the victory given to you.

Jesus showed His hands and His side to the disciples (minus Thomas) who were overjoyed.

Fear and despair are obliterated by faith in Jesus Christ, through whom we have peace and everlasting life. 

Luther's sermon is especially good in comparing the fear and despair of the disciples with the joy they found - being given peace by Christ Himself. "A pivotal role, point, or figure in something is one that is very important and affects the success of that thing." They changed from utter despair to joy in a second - their futures were horrible to imagine until Jesus proved otherwise.

Faith in Jesus Christ is the pivot in our lives. Strangely, we cannot predict what is ahead, and yet we can be completely overwhelmed by what we imagine. That can be quite a battle because faith is not within us unless the Gospel Word is in our hearts. Last week a framed photo fell off its hook on the wall and crashed in the middle of the night. (It had been hanging in the same place for 12 years.) Charlie Sue jumped and I did too - a very loud sound. I cleaned up the framed photo and the shattered picture frame. I looked around the house to convince myself that nobody did that. I kept looking and listening. The tangible fear continued to manufacture doubts even though reason said otherwise.

Pilgrim's Progress is great medicine for our fears and doubts. This world famous allegory has Christian (the Pilgrim) stuck, because he wandered into Doubting Castle where Giant Despair is eager to harm him. This is very important - he had the solution in his pocket. They are keys - the Promises of God.

Luther emphasized that we can go through difficult times where there is no peace, nothing but turmoil, inwardly and outwardly. When we confess our sins and trust in the Savior, everything can be changed from that moment and left behind, as far as the East is from the West. It is important that we offer forgiveness from the Savior and receive forgiveness through Christ.

21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

How could that possibly be? That is the most powerful weapon, beyond our imagination, yet we can feel that and see the results. What seems to be so little and not worthy of respect is God's own medicine to remain with the one True Vine and bear fruit.

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Thomas was not with them the first time, but he had all the witnesses to tell him exactly what they saw and experienced. Just as they had to be taught the importance of Jesus risen from death, so Thomas had to experience the same revelation, truth coming to him just as the Savior provided the week before. We might say that was the greatest miracle, to comprehend how the Son of God could be risen from the tomb and present with them, beyond all hope, yet with them. 

Thomas was the ultimate pessimist, even before. When Jesus wanted to visit Lazarus, Thomas said, "We can all die together there." Didn't they all rejoice together with Lazarus going to Jerusalem with them? the funeral party going with them? the crowds meeting them and cheering the Son of David revealed completely?

27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Thomas, who had to have the proof, was given the proof. It is best to assume Thomas did what Jesus commanded, not only for him but also for us. The ultimate proof of Jesus' resurrection, both natures - divine and human - was proven for all the disciples except Judas who continued in despair and without faith.

29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

That is the verse for all of us. Do we believe in all of God's miracles without seeing? There are so many we do not see - but take place beyond our imagination. Could it be that so much more is there for believers? 

The end.