Concordia Lutheran Church - LCMS WEEKLY SERMON Williston, ND

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