Concordia Lutheran Church - LCMS WEEKLY SERMON Williston, ND

Monday, October 10, 2011

Holy Spirit gives us Enough (Large Cat.)


Therefore every Christian has enough in Baptism to learn and to practise all his life; for he has always enough to do to believe firmly what it promises and brings: victory over death and the devil, forgiveness of sin, the grace of God, the entire Christ, and the Holy Ghost with His gifts. 42] In short, it is so transcendent that if timid nature could realize it, it might well doubt whether it could be true. 43] For consider, if there were somewhere a physician who understood the art of saving men from dying, or, even though they died, of restoring them speedily to life, so that they would thereafter live forever, how the world would pour in money like snow and rain, so that because of the throng of the rich no one could find access! But here in Baptism there is brought free to every one's door such a treasure and medicine as utterly destroys death and preserves all men alive.
44] Thus we must regard Baptism and make it profitable to ourselves, that when our sins and conscience oppress us, we strengthen ourselves and take comfort and say: Nevertheless I am baptized; but if I am baptized, it is promised me that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and body. 45] For that is the reason why these two things are done in Baptism, namely, that the body, which can apprehend nothing but the water, is sprinkled, and, in addition, the word is spoken for the soul to apprehend. 46] Now, since both, the water and the Word, are one Baptism, therefore body and soul must be saved and live forever: the soul through the Word which it believes, but the body because it is united with the soul and also apprehends Baptism as it is able to apprehend it. We have, therefore, no greater jewel in body and soul, for by it we are made holy and are saved, which no other kind of life, no work upon earth, can attain.
Let this suffice respecting the nature, blessing, and use of Baptism, for it answers the present purpose.

Monday, October 3, 2011

What to look for in the Church. (Bryan Wolfmueller)


It happens that sometimes in this life we find ourselves looking for a church. What, exactly, are we looking for? What do we base our search upon?
To begin, let’s make a distinction between what is nice and what is necessary. There are a lot of nice things to find at a church: an active youth group, friendly and welcoming people, a spacious and updated facility, a pastor who keeps everyone awake through the sermon, fantastic musicians, and people who don’t sin. All of these things are nice, but they are not necessary.
The things that are necessary are very few, but very important. The necessary things are the Gospel rightly preached and the Sacraments rightly administered. These two very humbly and easily overlooked things are the most important things in the church. In fact, these two things are the most important things in the entire world.
We need a committee to investigate the usefulness of a revolving door.
In the Gospel rightly preach and the sacraments rightly administered the Holy Spirit is present forgiving sins (Mark 16:16; John 20:23; Matthew 26:28), creating faith (Romans 1:16; 10:17), giving out victory over sin, death and the devil (1 John 5:4), and bringing people to the joys of everlasting life (John 3:16).
Our Augsburg Confession says this with marvelous simplicity:
Also they teach that one holy Church is to continue forever. The Church is the congregation of saints, in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments are rightly administered. (AC VII.1)
There are things that are nice to have, but only the Gospel and the Sacraments are necessary, necessary for the Lord’s church, necessary for our families, necessary for our salvation.
May the Lord Jesus continue to see that His Gospel is rightly preached, that His sacraments are administered according to His institution, and that we, His people, are found in congregations and churches that are marked with the same. Amen.

http://wolfmueller.wordpress.com
Bryan Wolfmueller blog-site is very good.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

A Book Report by my Son Ansir. Good Job.

This book, The Screwtape Letters, is quite different. It is written by genius and mastermind C.S. Lewis,who has written many different books on the Christian religion. He has written to a wide audience, having books of many genres,such as fantasy, theology, and literal criticism. The Screwtape Letters is a small number of letters written by from the perspective of a experienced demon, Screwtape, to his nephew Wormwood, an inexperience demon who is trying to tempt a newborn Christian out of his faith. Interestingly this book provides reverse thoughts about life, Christian acts, and God Himself  (Hence Screwtape is a demon.)

The Screwtape Letters takes place before and during the Second World War. It is a number of letter written between Screwtape and his nephew Wormwood, this could be classified as a connection between hell and earth. The book also takes place in London, England. From the books standpoint we get a view of Screwtape's mind and can easily figureout what Wormwood is thinking.

The characters in The Screwtape Letters are very interesting. Screwtape is seen to have reversed views on Christian life. he sees hate as the ultimate emotion and shuns love and compassion. He sees God as an enemy, and often calls him that throughout the letters. One of the most interesting traits about Screwtape is that he believes tempting humans to do small sins will secure their soul in hell. This way of thinking is much different from Wormwood's who thinks that tempting humans to do greater sins will secure their soul in hell. Another interesting fact is that Screwtape becomes so irate he turns into a giant centipede. For multiple reasons did not care about the Second World War while Wormwood saw it as an opening to tempt his subject into vastly large sins.

To be honest I loved the way The Screwtape Letters was written. It was written in a very quirky and unique way, and the reverse ways of thinking sometimes made me laugh, but I felt it's what made the book enjoyable for me.  However it was confusing at times, but this is mostly due to the fact that it was written in letter form and we could only see Screwtape's letters. I found this somewhat disappointing that the book did not contain some of Wormwood's letters, it left me slightly confused and it felt like I had to catch up in some chapters. I was very satisfied with the writing.

I would say Lewis did a good job of getting his story's point across. No matter how hard the devil tries to tempt you, you can always rely on God to help you fight back. This is definitely seen at the ending when the young man whom Wormwood is tempting, dies in an air raid on London. The young man then goes to heaven and this leaves Wormwood to be punished and Screwtape irate.  I found this conclusion satisfying and it did not disappoint.

I enjoyed The Screwtape Letters. It had quirky writing, interesting characters, and a satisfying ending. Although it could be somewhat confusing at times, I like the letter format the book was written in.  Also the reverse ways of thinking was very interesting, seeing that Christian never think that way.  Overall The Screwtape Letters was a very written book, and another great novel written by genius author and theologian, C.S. Lewis.


Ansir did a very good job and I am proud to post this.  Hope you enjoyed reading.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Journey Back to Confessional Lutheranism


This was a letter that speak close to how to look at confessional Lutheranism-Tim Suttton

I’m a lay person who has been constantly being educated in what it truly means to be a confessional Lutheran. I love it! It’s been a slow learning, growing process over more than a decade now. I mean, I have always been a Lutheran, born and bred. Baptized into the Lord’s family at three weeks of age, I have always just believed. I felt awe, fear, and respect for our great God, and knew he loved me so much He sent His only Son to save me from my sins. John 3:16 was my confirmation verse, and I had to do my pre-confirmation speech on it.

It wasn’t until I was an adult that I started having a lot more contact in my life with people of other Christian persuasions. I mean, I never knew you had to ask Jesus to live in your heart! I had just known He was always with me, and I could pray to Him whenever, wherever I wanted. Life had always been lived with worship on Sunday, but most of the rest of the week was spent doing ordinary family things, like kids home work, cooking, cleaning, working outside the home, etc. I attended Bible Studies sometimes when offered. I was involved in the LWML, helped with VBS in the kitchen or crafts, and started reading my Bible.

I started listening regularly to Christian radio, and I have to admit, I think it was helpful in making me feel closer to God and growing in my faith, but I kept hearing things on there, like, “Are you sure you are saved? Have you been born again? Have you ever asked Jesus in your heart?” I mean, I had never felt a rush of emotion like some people would talk about. I never had the spirit just make me soar. I started to wonder a bit if I really was “born again”. One day I stopped by my church, and my pastor was there and I asked how I could know if I was really “born again”? He gave me such comfort. He brought me back to my Baptism. He asked me if I had been baptized. I said yes, of course. Then he asked if I had been confirmed, believed that Jesus died for my sins, and said it did not matter how I felt. Our emotions don’t matter. It was all what He did that mattered, not what we do. What comfort I felt! I left his office feeling so much better. He also told me that even my wondering about it meant I had faith, because someone without faith wouldn’t even think about it.

I’ve gotten to realize through the years how precious our Lutheran faith and heritage are. That is why I became involved in the CLCC (Confessional Lutherans for Christ’s Commission) I feel the Lutheran faith is being attacked on all fronts. It is attacked by other faiths, because we won’t just unite to get along. Yet, the main threat to our faith in this day and age is coming from within. Many of our own people do not realize how special our given faith is, and they want us to be more like everyone else. The other churches have more “fun” in worship. They “show “their faith better by trying to live perfect lives. Somehow, that’s going to earn them brownie points with God. The problem is they don’t realize what is at stake to lose. The Sacraments would need to be the first to go, since those are the big dividers. They haven’t thought through how really precious they are. The CLCC seeks to help Lutheran lay people to learn to appreciate being Lutheran again, and when they understand that, they can be confident in defending it. With joy! Then other people will want the freedom that we have in Christ!

I’ve been able to become much more discerning now over the years. I am saddened when I find that some people are trying so hard to take that freedom away.

“I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him. But the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian Church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me up and all the dead and will give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.”

This part of Luther’s Small Catechism stuck with me while I went through what I did. I never realized it till years later, when these words kept coming to my mind, and I knew I had learned it somewhere, but where? Then I searched a catechism I found when at my Bible camp, and there were the words that meant so much to me. He does it all! For me!

Getting people to remember the catechism they memorized in their youth, and to appreciate the truths it taught them is a very important step to appreciating the true faith. I think our history can also be important to know. The CLCC hopes to get seminars going in different parts of the country so we can get together to learn more about our history, the Lutheran confessions, and many other topics. Please check out our web site, THECLCC.org. We would be happy to answer any questions you have about the mission of the CLCC, planning a seminar in your area of the country, your becoming involved personally in the CLCC. We are looking for more new members. We also want to sign up congregations for membership.

We started a new group on the Wittenberg Trail for the CLCC. We hope you will check us out. Confessional Lutherans have to all work together to teach people what the true Christian faith is. It is too precious to not nurture.

Kari Anderson
Public Relations for the Confessional Lutherans for Christ’s Commission

Sunday, September 18, 2011

What happen to Grandpa's Church

I love church youth. Since I have been able I have tried to be involved in youth in all the churches I have been a member in. The church I am in right now is no exception. I am concerned that we as a church are harming are children in what we call youth ministry.
I am constantly hearing the argument that you need to meet youth on their own ground. Yet I look at the mainstream church which is doing this, and the youth are still leaving the churches by droves no matter the denomination.  The youth which we proudly held in the church by youth ministry are leaving as if they never went to church. They are worldly, immature, and constantly dishonoring to their parents and other authorities in their lives.  My heart is broken over this. This has made me think that we as leaders might have been looking in all the wrong places for how to educate and keep our children in the church.
As my concerns increased, the main issue I see is the fragmentation of the Family.  Literally every single program or ministry in our church which I attend presently separates the family into an age-segregated system of discipleship. Everything we are doing fragments the family
This concerns which not only I bring up, but many more churches which see the same cycle are fuel by one important issue which should be all of our concerns. Our cardinal doctrine as Protestant and Lutherans faith is Sola Scriptura, which argues that God's Word alone is sufficient for faith and practice.  This principle makes the Bible the exclusive foundation for all that we do. It is rooted in the belief that man's notions for how to live must be set aside for God's clear directives as found in His inspired, written revelation, and that God's people are to limit themselves to obedience to His revealed will. The more I look at modern youth ministry had largely developed from traditions, cultural preferences, statistical surveys, and the opinions of creative leaders, rather that biblical principles.
In the book written by Scott Brown A Weed in the Church he says this, "It finally occurred to me that if I began with Scripture alone, I would have no reason for age-segregated Christianity. In others words, if all I had was the Bible, it would be difficult (if not impossible) to establish the credibility of this Practice."  God is telling us  what His church should be, we are separating and Body which God calls the church.
This practice of age-segregation has been adopted by the church now for over 200 years. And as I sit in the pew of my church I see a least three generations which have been affected by this style of youth ministry. Their is a generational gap which proof of what is happening. The average age of member is 50-70 years old, trickle in this bunch is 20-40 and few younger. And most of the youth which are involve probably never come back to church after confirmation.
"The Weed in the Church
The youth in our churches are in trouble. During the past decade, Lifeway Research, Pew Research Center, Barna Group, America's Research Group, and others have shown us startling state of the next generation.

However, these numbers are not necessary to make the case for the poor state of youth in the church. Just look around in your church. It is almost impossible to find any youth in modern churches who are truly sober-minded. How common is it to find young men whose lives are consistent with what Paul required them to be?

In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you (Tit. 2:7-8)

To Be Continue...........

"A Weed in a Church" Scott Brown
http://dividedthemovie.com/



Saturday, September 10, 2011

Hmm.....


Article V: Of the Ministry.


1] That we may obtain this faith, the Ministry of Teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted. For through the Word and Sacraments, as through instruments, 2] the Holy Ghost is given, who works faith; where and when it pleases God, in them that hear 3] the Gospel, to wit, that God, not for our own merits, but for Christ's sake, justifies those who believe that they are received into grace for Christ's sake.
4] They condemn the Anabaptists and others who think that the Holy Ghost comes to men without the external Word, through their own preparations and works.
 
 


? - Confession - Confutation - Defense

Article VI: Of New Obedience.


1] Also they teach that this faith is bound to bring forth good fruits, and that it is necessary to do good works commanded by God, because of God's will, but that we should not rely on those works to merit justification 2] before God. For remission of sins and justification is apprehended by faith, as also the voice of Christ attests: When ye shall have done all these things, say: We are unprofitable servants. Luke 17:10. The same is also taught by 3] the Fathers. For Ambrose says: It is ordained of God that he who believes in Christ is saved, freely receiving remission of sins, without works, by faith alone.
 
 


? - Confession - Confutation - Defense

Article VII: Of the Church.


1] Also they teach that one holy Church is to continue forever. The Church is the congregation of saints, in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments are rightly administered.
2] And to the true unity of the Church it is enough to agree concerning the doctrine of the Gospel and 3] the administration of the Sacraments. Nor is it necessary that human traditions, that is, rites or ceremonies, instituted by men, should be everywhere alike. 4] As Paul says: One faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, etc. Eph. 4:5-6.
 
 


? - Confession - Confutation - Defense

Article VIII: What the Church Is.


1] Although the Church properly is the congregation of saints and true believers, nevertheless, since in this life many hypocrites and evil persons are mingled therewith, it is lawful to use Sacraments administered by evil men, according to the saying of Christ: The Scribes and 2] the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat, etc. Matt. 23:2. Both the Sacraments and Word are effectual by reason of the institution and commandment of Christ, notwithstanding they be administered by evil men.
3] They condemn the Donatists, and such like, who denied it to be lawful to use the ministry of evil men in the Church, and who thought the ministry of evil men to be unprofitable and of none effect.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The Rest of the Story


Luke 15:11–32 (ESV)
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”


Most everyone know the parable about the prodigal Son, you know the one about a  son who tells his father off and asking him for the inheritance which he normally would only get if his father was dead.  After getting his money and living the good life a famine came along, in our day we call that a recession. Now with no money and hungry this son took a job none of his family would even think about taking.
While at this wonderful disgusting job he kept thinking how his own fathers hired men would not even have to do this job. So now ready to confront his father this son comes up with a plan to convince his father to give him a job even if he would not be classified as his son.  This son will do anything to get food in his belly.  On the way back to his father farm he kept going over what he was going to say to his father, how he was going to make it better.  Wait, like in mid thought he looked up and he seen someone running towards him. Who was it no, wait I am not close enough, it was, yes his father was running towards him.
 His father almost attacked him kissing him not even taking time to really hear his rehearsed line.  A party to welcome me back, it was like I didn't even leave I was his lost son yet found by my father. Yet in that same instance it was not all happy. The older brother was disgusted at the father for the reception and the acceptance of the son which squandered there families money. His father came out to explain to the son that this is a time to rejoice yet his son wanted nothing to do it.  This is were the story kinda leaves off. What happen? Who are these characters of this story.
First in context of this story the father can only be one person and that is one which only can show this compassion to both boys.  Jesus, ase he was telling this story to the pharisees , he was telling them about himself.  If  Christ is the father the lost son are the sinners which he shows compassion too and  the ones he came to save from there life of sin. This leave one person left in this story. Who was Jesus speaking too. Yes the pharisees the older son is the pharisees.  So with all the characters in place we can see what the conclusion of this story is and how it effects each one of us to this very day.

Conclusion of the Prodigal Son...

Luke 22:1–2 (ESV)
The Plot to Kill Jesus
22 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes (The older Son Plotted to kill the Father) were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.  

Romans 5:6–11 (ESV)
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.(The Prodigal Son) For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.  



What a Story.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

America the ......


A Response to USA Today Article “Faith in America: Get Ready for Change”

August 27th, 2011Post by 
While adding a church to the Evangelical-Lutheran Liturgical Congregations website, I came across this article written by Pastor Pautz of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Muscatine, IA. It is a great response to a USA Today article that you may have missed in the Lutheran Witness.
Pastor Pautz introducing the article by DP Brian Saunders found in the Lutheran Witness:

This is an article written by our District President – Rev. Saunders which is reprinted from the recent Lutheran Witness. Blessings.  Pastor Pautz
Helpful definitions
A recent USA Today article, published May 16, 2011, by Oliver Thomas entitled “Faith in America: Get Ready for Change” forewarns the Church that “change” is on the way. That is no surprise to the holy Christian Church since “change” is at the heart of her confession. The change Thomas is offering, however, is not the same as the change of the historic Church. Instead, he suggests that the Church needs to change what she believes, teaches and practices. In other words, she needs to change everything.
It is helpful here to define what is meant by change. Change in the holy Christian Church is about repentance. Repentance is change that takes place in the heart and life of the convicted sinner, not the organism called the Church. Repentant change in the Church occurs when the perfect Law of God confronts the wayward and erring soul, bringing the unrighteous to his knees in confession of his sins. The Holy Gospel then rescues the broken soul with the promise of forgiveness in Christ Jesus. At the same time, it creates faith that receives God’s forgiveness. Thus, it is truly change. In short, the change is not in the Church and its creed but in the heart of the sinner whose life is now lead by love for God and for neighbor.
The Church is also, by its very nature, creedal. So, to change a creed means the essence of the organism itself has changed. To change the essence of an organism is to change the organism itself. The consequence of that kind of change is that the organism ceases to exist.
In other words, to change the creed of the Church is not only to change the Church, but it is to speak of no Church at all. Without the creeds, we are left to our own fallible and erring whims for truth. That is why the authors of the Epitome in theBook of Concord write:
“Immediately after the time of the Apostles–in fact, already during their lifetime–false teachers and heretics invaded the church. Against these the ancient church formulated symbols (explicit confessions) which were accepted as the unanimous, catholic, Christian faith and confessions of the orthodox and true church, namely, the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. We pledge ourselves to these, and we hereby reject all heresies and teachings which have been introduced into the church of God contrary to them” (Tappert, 465:3).
Holes in the argument
A few points in the article in particular are worth discussing. First, it is interesting that Thomas points out that the populace today is more attuned to a God who is a “big God and is unbound by Scripture or learned scholars.” And yet, shortly thereafter, he leans on the wealth of knowledge of these “scholars” to discredit the apostleship authority and the hierarchical structure that has formed the current governance in the Church.
Apart from Scripture, we have no way of knowing the Son of God who reveals to us the will of God the Father. While He may be larger than creation, creation cannot believe in Him apart from the Word in which He reveals Himself. That means Thomas is simply in error when he says the Early Church had no clergy structure.
In fact, Paul instructed Timothy and Titus to appoint elders (clergy) in the local parishes where they served as overseers. As such, already in the time of Paul, the Church had formal structure. The Church was also growing, and the larger the group the more necessary it was that there be an organized structure for the sake of maintaining a faithfulness to a common confession and practice. The same is true today.
Next, Thomas makes the argument that the Church will become more counter-cultural. This, too, is no new thing, nor is it surprising. The Church is itself a culture that is in this world but not of it. She has her own language, music, relationships and disposition toward the lost. She addresses the lost with the Gospel (her unique language) that the Holy Spirit may have the venue to bring the erring heart to repentance and faith. The Church has never asked the lost world what it would like her to be based on its opinion of truth. Only the Church has the divinely-revealed truth to offer to mankind. Only she can communicate and bestow that truth upon the repentant sinner.
The Church’s response
Thomas affirms that the change that the Church needs to embrace is “loosey-goosey.” The silliness of that phrase alone is enough to discredit his suggestions. Maybe that is what he means when he says that the Church has already changed its worship times, places and instrumentation and that changing its beliefs is the next logical step.
However, there’s just one small problem with the underlying premises in Thomas’ article: These are not creedal issues. The Church will do the unbelieving world far more good by sticking with its faithful adherence to the Word of God expressed in the creeds of the historic faith.
In other words, the living ought never ask the dead how the living should live their lives. By doing that, the living condemn the dead to an eternal death. The cost of each soul is too precious and valuable to leave the lost to their own ways.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Good Answer to a Hard Question


What would you say to someone who maintains no true bodily presence in the Lord’s Supper because of Paul’s admonition in Acts 15:29 that we abstain from blood? Also, could you give some verses in which we are shown that the Word has power to fulfill the promises of God? I have a friend who denies that there is power in the Word to save in baptism or forgive sins in the Lord’s Supper. Thank you so much!
-N
N,
Thank you for your questions. They are good ones.
I will have to say that I have not heard the argument of denying the true bodily presence in the Lord’s Supper, because of Acts 15:29, nevertheless, here is how you could address it.
First, let’s read the passage in its context. Paul did not write or send the Gentiles this letter. It was the Jerusalem Council (v.22-24), which was comprised of the brothers, the Apostles & the elders (pastors). And this letter is a product of the circumcision controversy between the believing Jews and the believing Gentiles. The Jews were insisting that Gentiles be circumcised in order to be in the fellowship. Notice that circumcision is not mentioned in the letter,
except as it is implied in the statement “…to lay on you no greater burden…” The Council will not burden the consciences of the Gentiles. Yet there judgment does deals with food. Why?
Everything that a baptized believer does is out of the love and forgiveness received from the Lord all for the benefit of the neighbor. What we do affects others. In this case the issues was the weak of faith, particularly those among the Jewish Christians, who would have been scandalized by the consumption of blood. So the first century Church determined, in keeping with the Word of God and good order, to guide the Gentile Christians to abstain from the outward acts of eating certain foods and activities. This was a word of instruction to aid in the building up of the Body of Christ. It was directed toward the saint (new man) in the Gentile Christian, who gladly receives instruction according to Holy Spirit, who works only through the Word of God.
Acts 15:29 as found in its context has nothing to do with the Lord’s Supper, therefore it cannot be used to defend a symbolic view of the Lord’s Supper, a view that denies Jesus’ very body and very blood are really present.
Concerning some passages that clearly depict that the Word of God has power there are many. Here are a few: Genesis 1 & 2, God speaks His Word and it happens; Romans 1:6, “The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation.” Mark 7:34, Jesus says the word “Ephphatha,” which means, “be opened” causing the deaf man to hear. John 11:43, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead with the words, “Lazarus, come out” and it happened. The Word of God does what it says and says what it does. Therefore we believe the body and blood of Jesus are truly present in His supper, because we take Him at His Word.
I hope this has been helpful. I pray that your continued conversations with your friends will be fruitful as you present the Word of God to them. Remember you can convert no one. Only the Holy Spirit does that as He works when and where He pleases, which is wherever His Word is proclaimed. The Word is, indeed, powerful. Believe it and you will not be disappointed.
In Christ,
Pastor Dustin L. Anderson
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
Marseilles, IL
www.trinitymarseilles.us

Friday, August 26, 2011

Children Don't Like Church?


Children in Church



I visited recently with a man in my town that told me that he would not attend a church that had a sign
in the back few pews saying that they were reserved for people with small children, because he believed that children should be sitting closer to the front of the church. I had never really thought about the signs suggesting that they sit there, just that if they wanted to, but he is right. Why have signs at all on the pews in the back? Everyone with small children should be encouraged to sit closer to the front. Children seem to behave much better nearer the front than in the back.

I’ve been learning these things lately about how important it is for children to be in church, where they
receive the same gifts of worship that adults receive. When children are closer to the front, there are
fewer distractions for them. It can’t be fun to look at all the people’s backs and not even be able to see
the pastor. In the front they can see the pastor better, and what he is doing. He is acting in the stead
and by the command of our Lord, Jesus Christ. When he makes the sign of the cross and gives the
absolution of sins, it is for them, too. Children are sinners and need to hear their sins are forgiven just
like the rest of us do. They will receive the comfort that knowing they are forgiven brings to them, just
like it does for us. They are a part of the priesthood of all believers, because they are baptized. .

As things happen during the service, parents can explain to them what is happening in a quiet voice.
They can point out things of interest. When a baptism occurs the children will actually be able to see
how they were made a child of God, too.

Of course, children will become restless at times, because they are children. Parents can be told when
they are encouraged to bring them closer to the front to take them out when they fuss, but to bring
them right back in. Church is for them, too, and they shouldn’t start to look at their acting out as a way
to get rewarded with time to play in the crying room. The crying room should be more for the quick
disciplinary trip, or for an occasional small crying infant, not for toddlers that can and should be taught
how they should behave in church. This is God’s house, and they need to be on their best behavior in
the house of the Lord. It may be a way to teach respect. That is sadly lacking in our world today.

I’ve watched a few families in my church that sit near the front, and this is what they do. I’ve also
listened to Todd Wilken and some of his guests on Issues Etc, and they have had programs about the
importance of kids being at the worship service. Todd said his son was singing the liturgy from his crib
before he could even speak. We know these children are small believers because they were given the
Gift of faith at their baptism. God promises His Word does not return void. Children learn through
repetition. They learn the Christian faith through the liturgy they hear in church. They will learn how
they are being fed by God, to help them live their lives through the rest of the week, and hopefully
realize they need to continue to be fed throughout their lives. I think it’s time to encourage big
Lutherans and little ones to sit in the front of church.

Kari Anderson
Confessional Lutherans for Christ’s Commission (CLCC)
June 24, 2009

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Christian Worship: What is This? (By Rev. Bryan Wolfmeuller)


Often times people have ideas for the church in order to get more people in so that they may hear the Gospel. But as some of these ideas run up against the test of time, they are proven as epic failures to serve the Gospel and sometimes end up working against the Gospel.
Among these I include most of the principles of the church growth movement, and most especially “seeker sensitive” worship services. The biggest problem with the idea of changing the worship service so it will be appealing to an unbeliever who walks in the door, is that you must abandon your own heritage and your own identity. What a disappointment it must be for someone who came to see what Christian worship looks like, but instead sees a cleaned up version of worldliness.
There’s an ancient saying in the church, lex orandi lex credendi which literally means, “The rule of prayer is the rule of belief.” This simply says that one prays, worships and practices according to one’s belief. Therefore, if you go into a Jewish synagogue, you will see Jews worshipping according to what they believe. If you go into an Islamic masque, you will see Muslims worshipping according to their belief. Therefore, you would expect Christians to be worshipping according to what they believe. Before people became overly concerned with numbers and growing the church, Christians had a heritage of worship that was maintained for 2000 years in the liturgy. If you wanted to see what Christian worship looked like, that was it. The liturgy of the divine service crosses cultures, generations, and even musical preferences. So when an unbeliever came to a Christian Church to see what Christian worship was all about, they didn’t walk in expecting to see a cleaner version of the world—these are the Christians who believe Jesus was born of a Virgin, that Jesus was fully God and yet fully man and that He died and rose from the dead. The Christians, in the eyes of the world, are already a little weird—so one would expect their worship to be a little weird. If I visit a country that has a culture different than what I’m used to, I don’t expect them to make their culture to match what I am used to just so their tourism will increase. I am going there to see and learn their culture. The divine service is the place where God gives His gifts that are not of this world: life, salvation and forgiveness. So then we should expect the service where these gifts are offered to be other-worldly, not this worldly.
This, I’m afraid, is a concept that is nearly lost in the Christian church as a whole. We’ve gotten to the point in the church today where the young adults, the ones getting married, starting families, settling into jobs, joining communities and now looking for churches, have always grown up with a style of worship that has been more worldly than it has been Christian. The only concept of worship they have ever known is one that has always watered down the uniqueness of Christianity for the sake of being non-offensive to unbelievers. So when this Christian finds himself in a truly Christian worship service, he doesn’t even recognize his faith’s own worship. “This is isn’t Christian, it’s too weird,” he might say. But it’s the worship of his Fathers in the faith and even the worship of his Lord.
I imagine it’s a bit like your children who grew up eating family dinners at the dinning room table. You’ve spent your years of parenthood teaching them good manners and what it means to sit down and have a decent meal at the dinner table with the family. After eighteen years of training you think you have them taught what a good and decent meal is. That is, until they go to college and are eating in the cafeteria or fast food for every meal. Upon returning home, they have forgotten what it means to sit down at the table and have a family meal. Your own children whom you’ve spent eighteen hard years training has forgotten it all. But one day you invite a friend from work to dinner, a friend who never grew up knowing what a family dinner was like. But they are in your house and they are being served by you so they will eat dinner according to your custom.
It’s a sad state that we’re in, that our very own brothers and sisters in Christ who have grown up in the faith don’t recognize their own faith’s worship service. But it is the unbeliever who comes in expectation of something other worldly and finds it in the historic liturgy of the Christian church. As a church, let us stop trying to change how our Lord serves us so that others will be less offended. Instead, let us teach others their need for what the Lord serves us. Namely, that we are all poor miserable sinners in need of God’s grace and forgiveness—grace and forgiveness that is given to us in the Divine Service of the church through His Holy Word. Let us come to this service of our Lord and receive what He gives us and how He gives it to us.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Welcome to the Main Event (GOP Debate)


My Name’s Mollie And I’m A Submissive Wife

August 16th, 2011Post by 
I’ve seen links to this all over facebook and google plus, and thought it might generate some interesting discussion here. One link to it was posted Aug 11th on Ricochet.com. I’ve posted it here under Mollie’s name — Norm

Instead of watching the debate tonight, I had dinner with friends in Littleton. The restaurant had approximately 34 televisions going and all were tuned into the Denver Broncos preseason game. I love Colorado.
So I missed the little brouhaha over Byron York’s question to Michele Bachmann, embedded above. When I think of the top, say, 1,000 questions I’d like to hear Fox News ask GOP presidential contenders, asking Michele Bachmann about her views on submissive wives wouldn’t rank on my list. And you could tell the audience thought it an unconscionably rude or idiotic question.
What I find surprising, though, is how little the culture understands about what the New Testament teaches Christians about marriage. So as a wife in a Christian marriage, allow me to explain. Marriage is my most important vocation. It is the means by which God blesses me and my husband. Ephesians tells us that marriage is an image of Christ and the church.
St. Paul tells spouses to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives are told to submit to their husbands as to the Lord. Husbands are told to lay down their lives for their wives, sacrificing everything for them out of love.
We serve God by serving our spouses and denying ourselves for their good. As Gene Veith has written:
The husband loves and serves his wife, and the wife loves and serves her husband. The unpopular command for the wife to “submit” and the forgotten command for the husband to “give himself up” for his wife are examples of the self-denial required in every vocation. The husband, emulating Christ, sacrifices himself for his wife, who, emulating the church, receives that sacrifice in submission to him.
Today’s culture gets marriage wrong, in large part, because of our obsession with the self. People assume that marriage is supposed to be about self-fulfillment. Christianity, in contrast, teaches self-denial. The irony is that in a Christian view of marriage, both spouses are fulfilled, not by each of them making selfcentered demands, but through the selfless actions of the other.
I fail at this daily but this is what I aim for in my relationship with my husband. Likewise, he aims for this with me. When we sin, which happens all too often, we confess our sins and receive absolution. This is what our daily life is like and I’m thankful to have this teaching about marriage.
The fact is that the husband’s given role — that of complete sacrifice for his wife — is much more difficult than the wife’s role of submission. But something tells me we won’t be seeing anybody ask the Catholic or Evangelical male candidates whether they can be president while holding a Biblical view of marriage that requires this complete sacrifice for their spouse. On the one hand, that’s a good thing. On the other, it shows just how much that vital role — the one that sustains a Christian marriage — has been neglected and forgotten.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Adoption


ADOPTION —  the giving to any one the name and place and privileges of a son who is not a son by birth.


An act of God’s grace by which he brings men into the number of his redeemed family, and makes them partakers of all the blessings he has provided for them. Adoption represents the new relations into which the believer is introduced by justification, and the privileges connected therewith, viz., an interest in God’s peculiar love (John 17:23; Rom. 5:5–8), a spiritual nature (2 Pet. 1:4; John 1:13), the possession of a spirit becoming children of God (1 Pet. 1:14; 2 John 4; Rom. 8:15–21; Gal. 5:1; Heb. 2:15), present protection, consolation, supplies (Luke 12:27–32; John 14:18; 1 Cor. 3:21–23; 2 Cor. 1:4), fatherly chastisements (Heb. 12:5–11), and a future glorious inheritance (Rom. 8:17,23; James 2:5; Phil. 3:21).

Seven years ago adoption became very clear to me when my wife and I adopted our first son. When you adopt a child you soon find out how wonderful the gift of adoption is.  You also find out how much choice the person being adopted really has.  The adopted child is in the position that they must trust that the person which adopted them will supply all there needs.

When Christ says we are adopted, why do we  believe we are making a decision to give our lives to Christ.  Through the Holy Spirit Christ comes to us and shows us what is keeping us from our Father. This separations is something we are born with. Sin separates us from our Father. Through that sin we tell our Father he is dead to us.  That's right the sin in our life is telling our Father God that we don't need him and we can control our own lives. Yet as the Holy Spirit calls on our heart to show us our sin we ask that same question the prodigal son did,  if I do this I will... The decision we must make is not if we are going to accept Jesus into our heart. The decision we think we must make is not a decision at all, it is a trust issue. On that Cross, Christ did not only give us his inheritance He did everything which was needed to be able to enjoy being part of Gods family.  Just like any family you must trust that your parents will supply your needs in everything you do.  Christ is very clear that we should have a child like faith. This is not say we should be a child but trust that Christ has supply all our need.  This give us the ability to be able to enjoy what God has given us and through this trust we are able to show that love to others.

Thank you Lord for the Gift of adoption, both through your Son Christ and the ability to take care of one of your precious children.  I love you Son.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Many Church what is their take on Baptism

Various other teachings on baptism that you may run across in your ministries, friendships, schools, and workplaces.

Southern Baptist Convention
VII. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord’s Supper. [1]

United Methodist Church
Article XVII—Of Baptism
Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are distinguished from others that are not baptized; but it is also a sign of regeneration or the new birth. The Baptism of young children is to be retained in the Church.[2]

Article VI—The Sacraments
We believe the Sacraments, ordained by Christ, are symbols and pledges of the Christian’s profession and of God’s love toward us. They are means of grace by which God works invisibly in us, quickening, strengthening and confirming our faith in him. Two Sacraments are ordained by Christ our Lord, namely Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
We believe Baptism signifies entrance into the household of faith, and is a symbol of repentance and inner cleansing from sin, a representation of the new birth in Christ Jesus and a mark of Christian discipleship. We believe children are under the atonement of Christ and as heirs of the Kingdom of God are acceptable subjects for Christian Baptism. Children of believing parents through Baptism become the special responsibility of the Church. They should be nurtured and led to personal acceptance of Christ, and by profession of faith confirm their Baptism.[3]


Presbyterian Church, USA
Book of Confessions CHAPTER XX—Of Holy Baptism (excerpts)
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BAPTIZED ...Baptism, therefore, calls to mind and renews the great favor God has shown to the race of mortal men. For we are all born in the pollution of sin and are the children of wrath. But God, who is rich in mercy, freely cleanses us from our sins by the blood of his Son, and in him adopts us to be his sons, and by a holy covenant joins us to himself, and enriches us with various gifts, that we might live a new life. All these things are assured by baptism. For inwardly we are regenerated, purified, and renewed by God through the Holy Spirit; and outwardly we receive the assurance of the greatest gifts in the water, by which also those great benefits are represented, and, as it were, set before our eyes to be beheld.
WE ARE BAPTIZED WITH WATER. And therefore we are baptized, that is, washed or sprinkled with visible water. For the water washes dirt away, and cools and refreshes hot and tired bodies. And the grace of God performs these things for souls, and does so invisibly or spiritually.
THE OBLIGATION OF BAPTISM. Moreover, God also separates us from all strange religions and peoples by the symbol of baptism, and consecrates us to himself as his property. We, therefore, confess our faith when we are baptized, and obligate ourselves to God for obedience, mortification of the flesh, and newness of life. Hence, we are enlisted in the holy military service of Christ that all our life long we should fight against the world, Satan, and our own flesh. Moreover, we are baptized into one body of the Church, that with all members of the Church we might beautifully concur in the one religion and in mutual services.
ANABAPTISTS. We condemn the Anabaptists, who deny that newborn infants of the faithful are to be baptized. For according to evangelical teaching, of such is the Kingdom of God, and they are in the covenant of God. Why, then, should the sign of God’s covenant not be given to them? Why should those who belong to God and are in his Church not be, initiated by holy’ baptism? We condemn also the Anabaptists in the rest of their peculiar doctrines which they hold contrary to the Word of God. We therefore are not Anabaptists and have nothing in common with them.[5]

Westminister Confession of Faith
(A Reformed document from 1646, also subscribed to by the Presbyterian Church, USA)

Chapter XXVIII (Of Baptism)
I. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church; but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his in-grafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in the newness of life. Which sacrament is, by Christ’s own appointment, to be continued in His Church until the end of the world.
II. The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the Gospel, lawfully called there unto.
III. Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but Baptism is rightly administered by pouring, or sprinkling water upon the person.
IV. Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ, but also the infants of one, or both, believing parents, are to be baptized.
V. Although it is a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance, yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto if, as that no person can be regenerated, or saved, without it or that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.
VI. The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered; yet, notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance, the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited, and conferred, by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongs unto, according to the counsel of God’s own will, in His appointed time.
VII. The sacrament of Baptism is but once to be administered unto any person.[6]

Non-Denominational Church Samples
Pastor Vieths makes mention in his paper that many non-denominational or community or Bible churches have no serious theology of baptism. Since baptism has been a divisive issue among different denominations, and a foundational belief of many of these churches is the ability to disagree, many make no official statement on baptism. I tried to find one from our local community church, Christ Community Church in’ Beatrice, to no avail. Attempts to find a statement on baptism from Lincoln Berean Church, Crossroads Church of Lincoln, and Harvest Community Church in Lincoln left me empty-handed as well. The following three give you a taste of what is out there.

Elmbrook Church
(A major non-denominational church in Brookfield, WI)
We believe water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church during this age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation or prerequisites for church membership. (This church shall practice believers baptism by immersion.)[7]

New Life Church
(Colorado Springs, CO—a member of the National Association of Evangelicals)
Water Baptism: Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (see Matt. 28:19;
Acts 2:38).[8]

Willow Creek Community Church
(A community church standard in Barrington, IL, led by Pastor Bill Hybels)
Statement on Baptism: While recognizing the right for other churches to practice infant Baptism if it conforms to their theologies, the congregation of Willow Creek Community Church understands Scripture to teach that only professing believers qualify for Baptism.
Scriptural teaching on Baptism may be summarized as follows:
1. Baptism is an act of obedience to the command of Christ, fulfilled by individuals who have submitted themselves to His sovereignty.
2. Baptism symbolizes the spiritual cleansing through divine forgiveness and the newness of life experienced by believers by virtue of their identification with Christ in His death and resurrection.
3. Baptism provides an opportunity for believers to make a formal profession of their faith before the church.
4. As a biblical rite of initiation into the body of Christ, Baptism of believers may be considered a prerequisite for joining the membership of the church.

Although the old covenant practice of infant circumcision is sometimes given as a rationale for infant Baptism, the biblical definition of the functions of circumcision and Baptism shows that those two institutions fulfilled different purposes in their respective covenants. The equation is never made in the Bible between the circumcision of male infants, in the old covenant, and the Baptism of born-again believers, much less of infants, in the new covenant. However, Willow Creek Community Church encourages Christian parents to present their children for the ceremony of dedication, whereby God’s blessing is formally invoked upon the children, and the parents publicly commit themselves to raise the children in accordance with the teachings of Scripture.
Because the symbolism of Baptism requires a more adult level of cognitive and developmental readiness, the Elders require that children be at least 12 years old to be baptized. Proverbs 20:25 issues a significant caution against the danger of making a vow before adequate knowledge, forethought, and reflection have been given. In an effort to prevent young people from making a premature commitment that they may not fully understand, this minimum age has been established.
Baptism recognizes and celebrates the redemptive life change that is continually occurring within our church. The Elders encourage, new believers and believers, that have not yet participated in adult Baptism, the opportunity to be baptized by immersion on stage. The Elders’ position is that Baptism by immersion paints the truest picture of “dying to sin and arising to Christ and new life.” The Elders strongly encourage those choosing to be baptized to participate by immersion. We do recognize, however, that some individuals may request Baptism by sprinkling on the stage because of a strong personal preference, particularly those based on a compelling physical reason or disability. In these cases, the Elders ask that a brief explanation be given on the registration form.