Anselm of Canteburyd. April 21, 1109
"[The Son] himself prefers to suffer death rather than leave the human race unsaved."
Treasury of Daily Prayer, page 1230
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Preaching the Word and the Holy Spirit
“God the Holy Spirit, however, does not bring about conversion without means. For this purpose He uses the preaching and hearing of God’s Word, as it is written in Romans 1:16, the Gospel “is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Also Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” It is God’s will that His word should be heard and that a person’s ears should not be closed. With this Word the Holy Spirit is present and opens hearts, so that people (like Lydia in Acts 16:14) pay attention to it and are converted only through the Holy Spirit’s grace and power, who alone does the work of converting a person. For without His grace, and if He does not grant the increase, our willing and running, our planting, sowing, and watering– are all nothing. As Christ says in John 15:5, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” With these brief words the Spirit denies free will its powers and ascribes everything to God’s grace, in order that no one may boast before God” (1 Corinthians 1:29). Formula of Concord, Epitome, Article II. 6, “Concordia – The Lutheran Confessions: Reader’s Edition.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Are You a Colonist?
When true Christians gather together around the Word purely taught and the sacraments rightly administered according to Christ’s institution, they are, as one Lutheran Pastor puts it, a “colony from the future.”
Johann Gerhard in his sermon for Septuagesima, writes:
“Here we hear that the Kingdom of Heaven, i.e., His Christian Church, is compared to a vineyard. By the “Kingdom of Heaven” we here cannot take it to mean the victorious Church in Heaven – which of course is also called the kingdom of Heaven. Instead, we obviously have to take it here to mean the struggling Church upon earth. Here now is why it is most frequently called the Kingdom of Heaven in the Scriptures, particularly in Mat. 13:14,22, and elsewhere; namely, because God the Lord especially initiates His kingdom of grace in the believers here upon earth. Also, what He begins here, He will complete in the believers in the life to come.” (Johann Gerhard, Postilla, page 186)
The one Holy Christian and Apostolic Church on earth is the same as the one Holy Christian and Apostolic Church in heaven! The believers in the life to come are the true believers in the world right now, so long as those believers on earth remain in the one true faith until life everlasting.
When we understand the Church as “the congregation of saints [Psalm 149:1] in which the Gospel is purely taught and the Sacraments are correctly administered (AC Art VII)…[and as] the congregation of saints and true believers” (AC Art. VIII), then a portion of the said Church gathered together at one place on earth is truly a “colony from the future” – a colony of the Heavenly Kingdom, a colony which owes allegiance to the Crowned One!
The True Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in the one true faith unto life everlasting!
Johann Gerhard in his sermon for Septuagesima, writes:
“Here we hear that the Kingdom of Heaven, i.e., His Christian Church, is compared to a vineyard. By the “Kingdom of Heaven” we here cannot take it to mean the victorious Church in Heaven – which of course is also called the kingdom of Heaven. Instead, we obviously have to take it here to mean the struggling Church upon earth. Here now is why it is most frequently called the Kingdom of Heaven in the Scriptures, particularly in Mat. 13:14,22, and elsewhere; namely, because God the Lord especially initiates His kingdom of grace in the believers here upon earth. Also, what He begins here, He will complete in the believers in the life to come.” (Johann Gerhard, Postilla, page 186)
The one Holy Christian and Apostolic Church on earth is the same as the one Holy Christian and Apostolic Church in heaven! The believers in the life to come are the true believers in the world right now, so long as those believers on earth remain in the one true faith until life everlasting.
When we understand the Church as “the congregation of saints [Psalm 149:1] in which the Gospel is purely taught and the Sacraments are correctly administered (AC Art VII)…[and as] the congregation of saints and true believers” (AC Art. VIII), then a portion of the said Church gathered together at one place on earth is truly a “colony from the future” – a colony of the Heavenly Kingdom, a colony which owes allegiance to the Crowned One!
The True Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in the one true faith unto life everlasting!
Today in History
Death Portrait of LutherThis day in history.
In the ancient church, people didn’t celebrate birthdays; they commemorated death days!
The day a Christian dies is the day they enter the realms of paradise in the Father’s house where there is no more sin. Since sin will be absent, all of sin’s consequences will be past and gone.
The Savior has gone ahead and prepared a place for those who are His. We believe that he died and rose again, and so we believe that God brings with Jesus all those who fall asleep in Him.
Martin Luther, Doctor and Confessor, was summoned out of this vale of tears and entered heaven on February 18, 1546.
The Treasury of Daily Prayer writes:
“Martin Luther, born on November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany, initially began studies leading toward a degree in law. However, after a close encounter with death, he switched to the study of theology, entered an Augustinian monastery, was ordained a priest in 1505, and received a doctorate in theology in 1512. As a professor at the newly established University of Wittenberg, Luther’s scriptural studies led him to question many of the Church’s teachings and practices, especially the selling of indulgences. His refusal to back down from his convictions resulted in his excommunication in 1521. Following a period of seclusion at the Wartburg castle, Luther returned to Wittenberg, where he spent the rest of his life preaching and teaching, translating the Scriptures, and writing hymns and numerous theological treatises. He is remembered and honored for his lifelong emphasis on the biblical truth that for Christ’s sake God declares us righteous by grace through faith alone. Luther died on February 18, 1546, while visiting the town his birth.”
In the ancient church, people didn’t celebrate birthdays; they commemorated death days!
The day a Christian dies is the day they enter the realms of paradise in the Father’s house where there is no more sin. Since sin will be absent, all of sin’s consequences will be past and gone.
The Savior has gone ahead and prepared a place for those who are His. We believe that he died and rose again, and so we believe that God brings with Jesus all those who fall asleep in Him.
Martin Luther, Doctor and Confessor, was summoned out of this vale of tears and entered heaven on February 18, 1546.
The Treasury of Daily Prayer writes:
“Martin Luther, born on November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany, initially began studies leading toward a degree in law. However, after a close encounter with death, he switched to the study of theology, entered an Augustinian monastery, was ordained a priest in 1505, and received a doctorate in theology in 1512. As a professor at the newly established University of Wittenberg, Luther’s scriptural studies led him to question many of the Church’s teachings and practices, especially the selling of indulgences. His refusal to back down from his convictions resulted in his excommunication in 1521. Following a period of seclusion at the Wartburg castle, Luther returned to Wittenberg, where he spent the rest of his life preaching and teaching, translating the Scriptures, and writing hymns and numerous theological treatises. He is remembered and honored for his lifelong emphasis on the biblical truth that for Christ’s sake God declares us righteous by grace through faith alone. Luther died on February 18, 1546, while visiting the town his birth.”
Thursday, February 17, 2011
"It is I; do not be afraid."
Today’s Treasury New Testament Reading is John 6:1-21, where Jesus feeds the five thousand and walks on water. John writes at the end of the lesson: (John 6:16-21)
“When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”
Jesus said, “It is I; do not be afraid.” That’s pretty much what he said to the three Apostles on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Matthew 17:5-7 - [Peter] was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear."
“It is I; do not be afraid. Rise, and have no fear.” That is what Christ says to us the Gospel. When sin, guilt, and death toss us about and the Holy God demands holiness from us sinners in the law, Jesus the crucified and resurrected Savior comes in Word and Sacrament and says, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
“By walking in the storm-tossed sea, Jesus shows His disciples that He is the eternal king, ruler of all creation. Today, when life’s problems overwhelm us, fear may cause us to lose faith in God’s protection and care. But Jesus is true God and true man in one person; Jesus has saved us from sin and evil, assuring us of His divine protection in every situation” (TLSB, page 1791).
Christ our Savior gives us every reason to prayer: O Heavenly Father, deliver us from every evil that threatens body and soul, property and reputation. When we face temptation and must pass through the hour of trial, help us to overcome and win the victory. Remind us that we are not alone – we need not be afraid. Your Son is with us always. Finally, when our last hour comes, take us from this world of sorrow and bring us to life everlasting, through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
“When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”
Jesus said, “It is I; do not be afraid.” That’s pretty much what he said to the three Apostles on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Matthew 17:5-7 - [Peter] was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear."
“It is I; do not be afraid. Rise, and have no fear.” That is what Christ says to us the Gospel. When sin, guilt, and death toss us about and the Holy God demands holiness from us sinners in the law, Jesus the crucified and resurrected Savior comes in Word and Sacrament and says, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
“By walking in the storm-tossed sea, Jesus shows His disciples that He is the eternal king, ruler of all creation. Today, when life’s problems overwhelm us, fear may cause us to lose faith in God’s protection and care. But Jesus is true God and true man in one person; Jesus has saved us from sin and evil, assuring us of His divine protection in every situation” (TLSB, page 1791).
Christ our Savior gives us every reason to prayer: O Heavenly Father, deliver us from every evil that threatens body and soul, property and reputation. When we face temptation and must pass through the hour of trial, help us to overcome and win the victory. Remind us that we are not alone – we need not be afraid. Your Son is with us always. Finally, when our last hour comes, take us from this world of sorrow and bring us to life everlasting, through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
From Today's Treasury
Today's New Testament reading is John 5:30-47. In that section, our Lord says, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me" (John 5:39).
At the Transfiguration of our Lord, Moses and Elijah appeared with Christ on the Mount talking with him about his coming death and resurrection. Their appearance testified to Christ being the center of the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). Jesus in our verse above says that the Scriptures (meaning, the Old Testament) bear witness to him. Paul writes, (2 Timothy 3:14-15) "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings [the Old Testament], which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
No wonder the Father said on the Sacred Mountain: "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!"
Augustine wrote: "The New Testament is hidden in the Old Testament, and the Old Testament is made clear in the New Testament" (TLSB, page 1).
Luther, in his "Prefaces to the Old Testament" wrote: "There are some who have little regard for the Old Testament...But Christ says in John 5{:39], "Search the Scriptures, for it is they that bear witness to me."...The Scriptures of the Old Testament are not to be despised, but diligently read. For [the apostles] base the New Testament upon them mightily" (TLSB, page 1).
Finally, in one of his Christmas Day sermons, Luther wrote: "We should know that all that the apostles taught and wrote, they took out of the Old Testament; for in it all things are proclaimed that were to be fulfilled later in Christ, and were to be preached, as Paul says in Rom. 1,2: 'God promised afore the Gospel of his Son Jesus Christ, through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures.' Therefore all their preaching is based upon the Old Testament, and there is not a word in the New Testament that does not look back into the Old, where it had been foretold."
What, then, are the OT Scriptures about? Jesus!
"Fulfiller of the past, Promise of things to be, We hail your body glorified And our redemption see" Amen (CW 95:3).
At the Transfiguration of our Lord, Moses and Elijah appeared with Christ on the Mount talking with him about his coming death and resurrection. Their appearance testified to Christ being the center of the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). Jesus in our verse above says that the Scriptures (meaning, the Old Testament) bear witness to him. Paul writes, (2 Timothy 3:14-15) "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings [the Old Testament], which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
No wonder the Father said on the Sacred Mountain: "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!"
Augustine wrote: "The New Testament is hidden in the Old Testament, and the Old Testament is made clear in the New Testament" (TLSB, page 1).
Luther, in his "Prefaces to the Old Testament" wrote: "There are some who have little regard for the Old Testament...But Christ says in John 5{:39], "Search the Scriptures, for it is they that bear witness to me."...The Scriptures of the Old Testament are not to be despised, but diligently read. For [the apostles] base the New Testament upon them mightily" (TLSB, page 1).
Finally, in one of his Christmas Day sermons, Luther wrote: "We should know that all that the apostles taught and wrote, they took out of the Old Testament; for in it all things are proclaimed that were to be fulfilled later in Christ, and were to be preached, as Paul says in Rom. 1,2: 'God promised afore the Gospel of his Son Jesus Christ, through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures.' Therefore all their preaching is based upon the Old Testament, and there is not a word in the New Testament that does not look back into the Old, where it had been foretold."
What, then, are the OT Scriptures about? Jesus!
"Fulfiller of the past, Promise of things to be, We hail your body glorified And our redemption see" Amen (CW 95:3).
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
John 5:24
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” John 5:24
God’s Word is the Scriptures – the Law and the Gospel. The Law tells a person what to do and what not to do. Through the Law he becomes conscious of his sin, that he has not kept God’s law. He “has transgressed against it when his corrupt nature, thoughts, words, and works fight against it. Therefore, he is under God’s wrath, death, and all temporal calamities, and the punishment of hell fire. The Gospel is properly a doctrine that teaches what a person should believe, so that he receives forgiveness of sins with God. In other words, it teaches that God’s Son, our Lord Christ, has taken upon Himself and borne the Law’s curse and has atoned and paid for all our sins. Through Him alone we again enter into favor with God, receive forgiveness of sins through faith and are delivered from death and all the punishments of sins, and are eternally saved” (FC SD VI. 20)
In the past – the time before Christ – God spoke to His people through the prophets. Now, the Almighty speaks to us through His Son. And His Son speaks to us through the Word, i.e. the Scriptures. These Scriptures are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
We heard on Sunday the Father say on the Mount of Transfiguration: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." Jesus said in our verse above that whoever hears His Word and believes has eternal life! God will not deal with him according to his sins. He will not be condemned. He will live, even though he dies. And whoever lives and believes in Christ, will never die!
Dear friends, let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing. Encourage one another to come to hear the Word of God and receive from Him the good gifts he gives to us in His Son! Christ’s Word and His Sacraments are the center, the heart and life, of our congregation. When we hear and believe his Word and in believing hearts receive Holy Communion, we live…forever.
“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” Amen. Psalm 94:19
God’s Word is the Scriptures – the Law and the Gospel. The Law tells a person what to do and what not to do. Through the Law he becomes conscious of his sin, that he has not kept God’s law. He “has transgressed against it when his corrupt nature, thoughts, words, and works fight against it. Therefore, he is under God’s wrath, death, and all temporal calamities, and the punishment of hell fire. The Gospel is properly a doctrine that teaches what a person should believe, so that he receives forgiveness of sins with God. In other words, it teaches that God’s Son, our Lord Christ, has taken upon Himself and borne the Law’s curse and has atoned and paid for all our sins. Through Him alone we again enter into favor with God, receive forgiveness of sins through faith and are delivered from death and all the punishments of sins, and are eternally saved” (FC SD VI. 20)
In the past – the time before Christ – God spoke to His people through the prophets. Now, the Almighty speaks to us through His Son. And His Son speaks to us through the Word, i.e. the Scriptures. These Scriptures are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
We heard on Sunday the Father say on the Mount of Transfiguration: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." Jesus said in our verse above that whoever hears His Word and believes has eternal life! God will not deal with him according to his sins. He will not be condemned. He will live, even though he dies. And whoever lives and believes in Christ, will never die!
Dear friends, let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing. Encourage one another to come to hear the Word of God and receive from Him the good gifts he gives to us in His Son! Christ’s Word and His Sacraments are the center, the heart and life, of our congregation. When we hear and believe his Word and in believing hearts receive Holy Communion, we live…forever.
“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” Amen. Psalm 94:19
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Preparing to Preach
"Paul's words should echo and reecho through the soul of the pastor who prepares to preach and teach that Word as a faithful servant of Christ: "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Gal 1:10). And behind the words of Paul are those of the Lord to Isaiah: "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word" (Isa 66:2)." Prof. Daniel Deutschlander, 'Theology of the Cross,' page 78
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Follow the Scriptures
"Like prudent pilots, let us set the sails of our faith for the course wherein we may pass by most safely, and again follow the coasts of the Scriptures." St. Ambrose, "Of the Christian Faith," Book I, Chapter 6
Belly Servers
"St. Paul echoes God's words through Ezekiel when he calls the false teachers "belly servers," or as the NIV renders the passage, those who serve their own appetites (Ro 16:18). They cater not only to their own inclinations but also to those of their hearers. They adapt the message to peoples' preferences and so win them away from the cross, both the cross of Christ and the cross that Christ wants them to embrace. The subtle, perhaps even unrecognized, goal is to win people for the preacher instead of for the cross of Christ, to goal becomes to win people for the ambassador rather than for the one who sent him." Daniel Deutschlander, "Theology of the Cross," page 77
Monday, January 31, 2011
The New Testament Canon
"What was the canon of the Old Testament Scripture can be understood from statements which are found in the New Testament. In the New Testament John saw the writings of three evangelists and approved them. Paul marked his epistles with a peculiar sign; Peter saw them and commended them to the church. John added both his own testimony and that of the church to his writings. For it is not just any authority that is required, but that of the apostles, in order that a writing in the New Testament may be proved to be canonical, or divinely inspired.
[What about Mark and Luke?]
Here belongs the other statement of Augustine: 'They wrote at a time in which they earned the approval not only of the church of Christ but also of the apostles themselves who were still living.' " Martin Chemnitz, "Examen," Part I, pages 177,178
[What about Mark and Luke?]
Here belongs the other statement of Augustine: 'They wrote at a time in which they earned the approval not only of the church of Christ but also of the apostles themselves who were still living.' " Martin Chemnitz, "Examen," Part I, pages 177,178
Tempted to Make Christianity Painless
"The world so entirely addicted to the pleasures of the moment is so alluring that we are tempted to let go of basic truths of the Bible in the interest of getting people to listen to any of it. We are tempted to make Christianity easy, painless, merely entertaining. For we fear that the call to the cross will put people off, offend them, send them running in the opposite direction." Daniel Deutschlander, "Theology of the Cross", page 73
Friday, January 28, 2011
The Canon
"The Scripture therefore has its canonical authority chiefly from the Holy Spirit, by whose impulse and inspiration it was brought forth; therefore from the writers to whom God gave sure and special testimonies of the truth. After this it has authority from the primitive church as from a witness at whose time these writings were published and approved. " Martin Chemnitz, 'Examen'. Part I, page 176
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
"The Faith declares that there is one God, seeing that there is one belief in the Old and the New Testament. That there is one Spirit, all holy, grace witnesseth, because there is one Baptism, in the Name of the Trinity. The prophets proclaim, the apostles hear, the voice of one God." St Ambrose, "Of the Christian Faith" Book I. Chap. IV
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear.
"During the midst of the [Thirty Years' War (1618-1648)], the city of Ulm, surrounded by Catholic armies outside and devastated by plague and famine inside, held a special celebration; it was the hundred-year anniversary of the presentation of the Augsburg Confession and the birthday of the Lutheran church. The celebration was to thank God for the restoration of the gospel through the work of the Reformation, for which God's people were most grateful, even if they would soon perish in the war! Can anyone imagine such a thing happening today?" Daniel Deutschlander, Theology of the Cross, page 66
Chemnitz for Today
"Doubtless the designation canonical is taken from Paul, who says, Gal. 6:16: "Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this canon, or rule"; and in Phil. 3:16: "Walk by the same canon, or rule." In 2 Cor. 10:13, he calls the apostolic doctrine a "canon," concerning which God had measured out to Paul how far he should get with its propagation. But this designation is taken from Ps. 19:4: "Their 'rule' has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world." The words or doctrine of the apostles he calls [can], which means "canon," or "rule," consisting of a line, or rope, which held to a building or any other work in order that it may not err from the true plan or from the order which it ought to follow but may be completed and finished according to a certain order and necessary plan. This is a most pleasing metaphor which is applied to the doctrine of the apostles. For the church is the house of the living God, the building of which is from God, and the builders are the ministers of the Word. In order that through the ministry of the Word, or the preaching of the doctrine, the building may be correctly begun and be completed and finished in the right order and proper manner, a certain canon, or rule, is necessary, according to which the builders perform their work, in order that the building may not depart from the right order and proper plan. This rule is the doctrine of the apostles, Ps. 19 (Martin Chemnitz, Examen, page 169)
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