The Ministry of Reconciliation: What is it?
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“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-21
What is the Gospel which we proclaim? Is it “God will pardon and forgive us if we believe”? Or, “God has pardoned and forgiven us for Jesus’ sake; believe”?
This very issue has been hotly debated by some in the Lutheran Church, with one side saying that God, through the innocent sufferings and death of His only begotten Son, has reconciled or pardoned and justified the entire world of sinners, and the other side saying that God only forgives and pardons sins when one first comes to faith in Christ Jesus.
This may seem like useless wrangling to some, but it is all important to every human being and determines the message to be proclaimed in the pulpits and on the streets and byways as Christians go into all the world to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
To answer this question, we look to the Word of God Himself. What does God say is to be preached and proclaimed? What is the ministry of reconciliation?
The sacred text begins: “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them….”
We are reconciled to God through the innocent sufferings and death of God’s only-begotten Son who came into this world a true man and fulfilled all the righteous demands of God’s law for us and then bore our punishment when He suffered and died upon the cross. But not only are we who now believe reconciled, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them….”
The entire world of sinners was reconciled unto God; that is, God pardoned their transgressions and sins and no longer holds their sins against them because Christ Jesus paid in full and rose again in victory.
“We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1, 2).
As the Scriptures say, God “hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (v. 21). “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).
How important it is for you and I to know that our salvation is finished, completed by Jesus Christ! He paid for the sins of all, and God accepted the sacrifice of His Son as full atonement for the sins of the entire world. We proclaim sins paid for and forgiven and God reconciled and reaching out to the entire sinful human race with love and mercy and forgiveness in His heart toward mankind.
We don’t proclaim that God will be reconciled when and if we have faith. We proclaim God as reconciled toward us for Jesus’ sake and call upon all to believe and take comfort in this accomplished fact. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
We proclaim the good news that God is reconciled through the death of His Son and we call upon sinners to be reconciled to God by accepting His mercy and forgiveness in faith. God is reconciled toward us through Christ Jesus. We are reconciled to God when we believe and trust in His mercy toward us.
O Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You for paying in full for our sins and the sins of the entire world and appeasing God’s just wrath against us. O Father in heaven, we thank You for Your forgiveness, love and mercy toward us in Christ Jesus. O Holy Spirit, we thank You for graciously bringing us to know and accept God’s pardon and forgiveness. Graciously keep us in faith, believing that for Jesus sake, we poor sinners are forgiven and acceptable in God’s sight. Amen.
[Scripture from the King James Version of the Bible.]
Pastor Randy Moll @ March 12, 2010
Meditations in Psalm 32
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(A Psalm of David, Maschil.)
1 BLESSED is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
Have you ever considered what a blessing it is to have forgiveness of God? What a blessing to have the LORD not hold our sins and iniquities against us? To have the LORD’s forgiveness removes all fear of wrath and condemnation and gives us peace with God. To have forgiveness for all our sins gives us the assurance of life everlasting. Indeed, the one who admits his sin to the LORD instead of attempting to hide and cover up his sins is blessed because in the LORD, for the sake of Jesus’ holy life and innocent sufferings and death, he has forgiveness of God. Cf. 1 John 1:5 – 2:2.
What about you? Do you have God’s forgiveness, or are you attempting to hide and cover up your sins? Are you justified of God, or trying to justify yourself? Are you self-deceived and attempting to fool others in regard to your sinfulness, or do you admit your utter sinfulness and look to God for mercy and forgiveness?
3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
What happens when we keep silent about our sins? When we are unwilling to admit our sinfulness and look to the LORD for forgiveness? When we are unwilling to give up our sins? God’s hand is heavy upon us. We grow old and weary through our groaning and sighing all day long as we feel the guilt and weight of our sins. Our moisture, our vitality, our joy, is turned into the drought of summer; it is evaporated away.
5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
To confess our sins is to say and agree with what God says of us and our sin (cf. 1 John 1:9). Confession makes no excuses for sin, but acknowledges sin as sin and deserving of God’s eternal wrath and punishment! When we acknowledge our sin unto the LORD and quit attempting to hide it and cover it up, when we confess our transgression of God’s commandments unto the LORD, He graciously forgives our sins for Jesus’ sake. “We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
For God’s forgiveness, everyone that is godly will pray now, before it’s too late! “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Don’t put off repentance! Don’t wait another day. Acknowledge and confess your sins now and receive God’s forgiveness. Tomorrow may be too late for you. You may never have opportunity to receive God’s forgiveness again. If you turn to the LORD now, God will have mercy upon you and save you from the judgment to come!
The Bible says, “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee” (Psalm 86:5).
7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
When we turn to the LORD for forgiveness, He also will protect and preserve us from evil and trouble. Cf. Psalm 91. That doesn’t mean that we will have an easy life here in this world. Quite the contrary is often true. But He will preserve us and bring us safely though the difficulties and sufferings of this evil world to himself in heaven.
8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
God desires to instruct and lead His children in His ways. He does this through His Word, which is “a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). But, how often are we not like the horse or mule which must have a bit and bridle to get them to go in the right direction! How much easier it would be for us, and better too, to let God instruct and guide us through this life!
10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
Just think about this word of God: “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.” The wicked, the impenitent, will have many sorrows. Not only will this life be full of sorrow, not knowing the forgiveness and peace of God; the life to come will be one of eternal suffering and sorrow for the wicked! On the other hand, God’s mercy and forgiveness shall surround and encompass the one who trusts in the LORD!
11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
Indeed, those who have God’s pardon and forgiveness, those to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity and sin but counts them righteous and holy in His sight for Jesus’ sake, have cause to be glad in the LORD and rejoice. And, they can shout for joy; for they are blessed of the LORD forevermore!
[Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible]
Pastor Randy Moll @ March 12, 2010
Words of Encouragement for March 10, 2010
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Meditations in the Parables of Jesus
THE HIDDEN TREASURE AND THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE
Read Matthew 13:44-46
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”
Jesus told these two parables, the hidden treasure in the field and the pearl of great price, in order to illustrate the great value of being a part of God’s kingdom. In these parables, all else was sold and given up in order to possess the hidden treasure or the pearl of great price. So great are the treasures of God’s kingdom that a man, when he finds them, is willing to give up all else to possess them. The treasures of God’s kingdom include complete forgiveness for all sins and the everlasting glories of heaven. What can compare with such blessings?
One who, by the grace of God, comes to know of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life which God offers and gives for the sake of Christ Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross will be willing to give up all else to possess these priceless heavenly treasures. God’s kingdom is an eternal kingdom, and those who have saving faith in Jesus Christ will dwell forever with Him in the mansions of heaven.
When this present world comes to an end, all that we have here will pass away. Nothing we possess here is even worth comparing to the eternal treasures of God’s kingdom. Instead of being weighed down with all the cares and concerns of this life, let us remember the great and eternal blessings which have been won for us by Christ and are offered and given to us through the Gospel. May they be so precious to us that we willingly lay aside all else to possess them.
Jesus, priceless Treasure, Fount of purest pleasure, truest Friend to me. Ah, how long in anguish shall my spirit languish, yearning, Lord, for Thee? Thou art mine, 0 lamb divine! I will suffer naught to hide Thee, naught I ask beside Thee. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #347, Verse 1)
Pastor Randy Moll
Lenten Devotions from Isaiah 53
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6
This verse sums it up so well! All of us are like lost and wandering sheep who have turned away from our true Shepherd and Maker. We have each turned aside to go our own way.
What an accurate description! Instead of following the LORD God and living in accord with His perfect will and design for us, we follow our own will and desires, go our own way and direction, and rebel against God and His Word. Instead of loving God and living for Him, we love ourselves and do as we please. Instead of listening to God’s commandments and obeying them, we shut our ears, justify our sins and seek to establish our own compromising values in the place of His absolute truth.
Lost, wandering and scattered sheep, each one going in a different direction, is a picture of our world, with people wandering here and there and looking for life, happiness and fulfillment in everything but the LORD God who created them. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.”
“And the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” God took all our sin and all our guilt and punished it in the innocent sufferings and death of His own beloved Son, Jesus Christ! Our sins and iniquities were placed upon Jesus and He was punished in our stead. That is why darkness covered the earth as Jesus hung there upon the cross; and that is why Jesus cried out, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which is to say, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46).
Though Jesus died an agonizing and horrible death upon the cross because of our turning away from God and sinning against Him, the beauty in this is that all of our sins and all of our guilt have been punished in Christ Jesus. “It is finished” — the debt of our sins has been paid in full (cf. John 19:30)! Therefore, through faith in Jesus the Messiah and Savior, we have forgiveness and life everlasting!
Instead of being judged and condemned for our own sins, God judged and condemned His own holy and innocent Son and offers and gives to us pardon and peace with Him. What could be more beautiful to the lost and condemned sinner!
O dearest Jesus, we have, like lost sheep, turned and gone our own way. We have sinned against You. Thank You for bearing upon the cross the just punishment for our sins and iniquities. Grant us forgiveness and life with You in Your eternal kingdom. Amen.
Pastor Randy Moll
The Brief Statement
of the
Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod as adopted in 1932
(Editor’s Note: This remains the official position of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod yet today, though in practice, many have departed from it.)
Of Man and of Sin
6. We teach that the first man was not brute like nor merely capable of intellectual development, but that God created man in His own image, Gen. 1: 26, 27; Eph. 4: 24; Col. 3: 10, that is, in true knowledge of God and in true righteousness and holiness and endowed with a truly scientific knowledge of nature, Gen. 2:19-23.
7. We furthermore teach that sin came into the world by the fall of the first man, as described Gen. 3. By this Fall not only he himself, but also all his natural offspring have lost the original knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, and thus all men are sinners already by birth, dead in sins, inclined to all evil, and subject to the wrath of God, Rom. 5:12,18; Eph. 2:1-3. We teach also that men are unable, through any efforts of their own or by the aid of culture and science,” to reconcile themselves to God and thus to conquer death and damnation.
Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday
The Adult Bible Class continues its study of the Gospel of John. To prepare, read John 4:43-54. What did Jesus mean by His saying that a prophet has no honor in his own country? How was this true of Jesus? How might it have application today? Why did the people of Galilee receive Jesus? Who came to Jesus in Cana of Galilee? Why? What is a nobleman (basilikos)? What did he ask of Jesus? How far was it from Cana to Capernaum? How did Jesus respond? Why? What was the nobleman’s plea? What did the nobleman fear might happen before Jesus would arrive? How are our prayers like the prayer of the nobleman? What did Jesus say to the nobleman? Why did Jesus say this rather than going down to Capernaum? Did the nobleman believe Jesus’ words even though, at the time, he had no other way to know or see that they were true? Do we believe Jesus’ words to us when He tells us our sins are forgiven, He is preparing a place for us in heaven, He is with us always or He will care for all our needs? Did the nobleman live and act by faith? How? How do we live and act by faith (cf. Habakkuk 2:4; Hebrews 11)? What happened as the nobleman was on the long walk (or ride) back to Capernaum? What was he told by his servants? What did he ask the servants? What did their answer prove? What was the result of this miracle? What other miracle had Jesus performed in Galilee?
The Catechism Class continues studying the Lord’s Prayer and the Sacraments and learning of Jesus and what He has done to redeem all mankind.
The Sunday Readings are Psalm 32; Isaiah 12:1-6; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; and Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. Please take the time to read them in their context in preparation for Sunday. Who is blessed, according to Psalm 32? Why? What does it mean when the LORD does not impute iniquity? What happens when we are silent about our sins and cover them up? What happens when we acknowledge and confess our sins unto the LORD? How does this compare to what John writes in 1 John 1:5 – 2:2? When should one seek God’s forgiveness? What will the forgiven sinner escape? Who instructs and teaches us in the way we should live? How? What does He use? How are we not to be? Are we ever like a horse or mule? How? What will come upon the wicked? The righteous? How is God’s anger turned away from sinners, as described in Isaiah 12? Who is our salvation? How is this true (cf. Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35)? How do we draw water out of the wells of salvation? Who do we praise for our salvation? Who died for all, according to 2 Corinthians 5? What does this mean for you and me? For whom should we then live? How are we a new creation in Christ? What has passed away? What has become new? How did God reconcile us to Himself? What is the ministry of reconciliation? To whom was God reconciled? How? What is the word of reconciliation? How are we individually reconciled to God? What glorious exchange took place when Jesus went to the cross? How are we counted righteous before God? How is God like the father in the parable of the prodigal son? How are we like the prodigal son? How are we sometime like the older brother? What are the points of Jesus’ parable? How do they apply to you and me?
Remember to Pray
Remember to pray for our church and for all our members, that none be lost to Christ’s kingdom but that all continue in repentance and be strengthened and built up in the true and saving faith in Christ Jesus through the hearing and study of His Word. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – especially for the brother of Bonnie Hawes, who has been ill; and for Lillian Pingel, who is recovering from heart issues – for those who have been absent from us, for our extended families, for Christians who are alone and have no congregation, and for our adopted soldiers. Pray for God’s help with our church’s financial needs. Continue to pray for the Lutheran Churches in the Philippines, for Christians in Haiti and Chile, and for believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering.
Events and Announcements
The Choir is practicing for upcoming services. More voices are always welcome.
Wednesday evening lenten worship continues tonight. Worship will be at 7 p.m. A light supper will precede the service at 6:20 p.m.
The Church Council will hold its March meeting following lenten worship tonight.
Information for bulletins or newsletters may be sent to Pastor Moll by calling him at 479-233-0081 or by e-mail at goodshepherdrogers@yahoo.com.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” 2 Corinthians 13:14
[Scripture in this Newsletter is taken from the King James Version of the Bible]
Pastor Randy Moll @ March 10, 2010
Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish
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Many are asking these days why God would allow such a tragedy as the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chili. As a sinful human being with very limited understanding of the ways of God, I will not presume to speak on His behalf and try, as some have done, to explain God’s reasonings for permitting this tragedy to occur. I will, however, let God speak for Himself if any care to listen.
In Luke 13:1ff., Jesus was told of certain Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. Jesus asked, “Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
Applying Jesus’ words to those who died in Haiti or Chili, were these people worse sinners than others, including us, who did not suffer such tragedy? Jesus said, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
In 2 Peter 3, the Bible speaks of God’s final judgment upon this earth, and we learn why it has not yet occurred. Verse 9 says: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” The recent events in our world could have just as well struck right here, at home. Stop and think about the possibilities.
Why hasn’t such a tragedy struck us? Why hasn’t God permitted death to come suddenly upon us? His answer: He “is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Perhaps – no, most definitely – we ought to use the remaining time God has given us in this world to consider what He has told us in the Bible, repent of the evil in our lives and seek the forgiveness God offers us through the death and resurrection of His Son!
Jesus added this parable to His words: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down” (Luke 13:6-9).
Our gracious God expects to find fruits of repentance in our lives too. If we are truly sorry for our sinful ways and trust in Christ Jesus for forgiveness, we will not just continue on in our old sinful ways but seek to live for Christ according to His Word. Jesus is patient with us and, by His Spirit, works to strengthen us in the faith and sanctify us that we might live for Him. But ultimately, if we produce no fruit for Him, we, like the fruitless fig tree will be cut down.
Jesus’ words are a warning to us against false security – thinking that all is well with our souls if we are baptized church members while we go our own way and live as we please rather than as God commands in His Word and as God’s Spirit leads us. Unless we repent, we will be cut off and perish.
God is patient with us and desires that we all repent of our foolish and sinful ways and turn to Jesus Christ and His innocent sufferings and death upon the cross for forgiveness and new life in Him. He is patient, but one day that patience will run out and the day of the Lord will come upon us.
O dearest Jesus, forgive my foolishness and sin and teach me to walk in Your ways and live for You in accord with Your holy Word. Grant that I produce the fruits of true repentance in my life and be found to Your praise and glory. I ask this for the sake of Your holy and precious blood shed for the remission of my sins and the sins of the whole world. Amen.
[Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.]
Pastor Randy Moll @ March 6, 2010
Written for Our Admonition
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“Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11 (Read v. 1-13)
Most Christians have heard and read of the failings of God’s people Israel. They were all graciously redeemed of the LORD God and delivered from slavery in Egypt, but not all entered into the land of promise.
The Apostle Paul wrote of this to the believers in Corinth: “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”
In the same way as Christians are all baptized into Christ and partake of His body and blood in the Lord’s Supper, so the people of Israel were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They partook of the manna which God provided them and drank water from the spiritual Rock which followed them, which was Christ. Yet “with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.”
God’s Word says, “These things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.”
What is the apostle saying to us? Just because we have been baptized into Christ and have partaken of Christ does not mean we cannot fall away and lose the salvation God has so graciously provided for us. If we lust after and desire evil things instead of what the LORD God has given us and turn back into sin and unbelief, we too will lose the life Christ Jesus so desires to give us. If we do not walk and live by faith in God and the promises of His Word, we will also, like many of the Israelites, be overthrown in the wilderness of this world.
We ought not ever to think that we are Christian and all is well with our soul if we are living in the sins of the flesh. The Bible clearly warns us: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).
True Christians are sorry for their sins, trust in Christ’s atoning sacrifice for forgiveness and then, as a fruit of faith, seek to live for Christ in accord with His Word. They are led by God’s indwelling Spirit. Read 1 John 1-2.
Alone, we would most certainly fall and perish. But we have been redeemed by Christ. He walks with us and leads us. His Spirit dwells within us. He is with us always and never permits us to be tempted above that we are able. If we walk with Him, being led by God’s Spirit, He will bring us safely through the wilderness of this world to Himself in heaven.
It is as the Bible says, “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2 Tim. 4:18).
Dearest Lord Jesus, forgive me for failing to follow You in faith. Lead me in the way everlasting for Your name’s sake. Amen.
[Scripture from the King James Version of the Bible.]
Pastor Randy Moll @ March 6, 2010
Words of Encouragement for March 3, 2010
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Meditations in the Parables of Jesus
THE VINEYARD AND THE HUSBANDMEN
“And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.” Mark 12:1-12
This parable of Jesus was spoken as a warning to the religious leaders of the Jews. The people of Israel were God’s planting, His vineyard. God had redeemed them and made them His own people. The chief priests, scribes and elders were like the wicked husbandmen in this parable. They were entrusted with the task of caring for God’s people by teaching them from the Word of God and leading them in worship. But when God sent His servants, the prophets, to call the people to repentance, the prophets and their message were rejected. Some were even mistreated and killed. God sent John the Baptist to prepare His people for the coming of their Messiah. John called upon all to repent and be baptized that they might receive forgiveness from the Lord, but the religious leaders of the Jews rejected John and his baptism (cf. Luke 7:29-30).
Finally, God sent His own beloved Son; but He and His Word were rejected of them too. Their Christ they handed over to Pontius Pilate to be crucified. The religious leaders of the Jews were to be building the kingdom of God by rightly teaching the Word of God and preparing the people for the coming of their Messiah and Savior; but they laid aside and rejected the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Christ (cf. Psalm 118:22). Instead of pointing people to their Savior, they rejected and killed the very Son of God! Unless they repented, they faced eternal destruction and torment in hell for their rejection of Christ Jesus (cf. John 3:18,36; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Because these leaders of God’s people rejected Christ, God put others in charge of His flock, faithful shepherds who would feed God’s flock with the pure Word of God (cf. Jeremiah 23:1-4).
Pastors today can take admonition from this parable of Jesus too! They are to faithfully proclaim the Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets – the true Word of God – and they are to faithfully hold up Christ and His redemptive work as the central teaching and cornerstone of the Christian faith. There is salvation in no other (cf. John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
As the Scripture says, Christian pastors are “ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1, 2).
Christian congregations, too, must take great care to build upon Christ and His Word, lest they forsake the only true foundation and set aside the Chief Cornerstone, which is Christ Jesus their Savior. And yet, many churches do just that. They proclaim themselves instead of Christ and their own man-made doctrines rather than the Bible’s doctrine. Instead of listening to those who would call them back to Christ and His Word, they silence them and cast them out.
If Christ and His Word are rejected, God will turn over the care of His Church – His true believers – to others who will be faithful to Him. And God will judge those wicked and unfaithful servants.
This parable of Jesus is a warning and admonition for us to repent and return to Christ and His life-giving Word, to hold fast to Jesus as our Savior and to believe and teach all that God teaches in His Word. It is only in Christ that we have forgiveness for all our sins. It is only in Christ that we have a place in God’s everlasting kingdom. And, it is only in God’s Word that we can hear of and come to know the true Christ.
Bring those into Thy fold who still to Thee are strangers; guard those who are within against offense and dangers. Press onward with Thy Word till pastor and his fold through faith in Thee, O Christ, Thy glory shall behold. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #485, Verse 7)
Pastor Randy Moll
Lenten Devotions from Isaiah 53
“Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4-5
As Isaiah prophesied, some 700 years before the birth of Messiah Jesus, He bore and carried in His sinless body the curse of our sin against the LORD God. He bore our griefs and sicknesses. He carried our pains and sorrows.
Yet the people of His day, and especially the religious leaders of Israel, viewed the sufferings and death He endured as the just punishment of God upon Him for His claims to be the promised “Son of man” (Daniel 7:13-14), the Christ, the very Son of God and Savior of the world (cf. Matthew 26:63ff.). And today, too, many still view His execution as just because of His messianic claims.
But the real reason for His wounding (literally, his piercing) was our transgression of God’s holy commandments. We have not kept God’s holy and perfect will. We have transgressed in our thoughts, desires, words and deeds. He was bruised and crushed – even forsaken by God the Father – upon the cross because He was bearing in His sinless body the just punishment for your sins, my sins and the sins of the whole world (cf. Matthew 27:46).
It is as the old hymn states: “The sinless Son of God must die in sadness; the sinful child of man may live in gladness; man forfeited his life and is acquitted – God is committed” (Herzliebster Jesu, Johann Heermann, Tr. Catherine Winkworth).
The chastisement – the punishment – that we deserved on account of our sins was laid upon Him that we might be pardoned of God and forgiven. In Jesus and through His innocent sufferings and death in our stead we have forgiveness for all our sins and peace with God our Father. The stripes we deserved were laid upon His back; and because He suffered the punishment we deserved on account of our sins, we are healed and made whole, forgiven and cleansed!
As the Apostle John writes: “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin … Jesus Christ the righteous … is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 1:7; 2:1, 2).
While the world passed by the cross of Jesus seeing only the judgment of God, or that of a cruel Roman empire, upon a Jewish Rabbi who dared to challenge the existing religious system of the day, Jesus, the very Son of God and promised Messiah and Savior, was suffering and dying to make atonement for the sins of the world. He was paying the price of your sins and mine that we might have pardon and peace and live forever with God our Maker!
Jesus, Son of God and Savior of the world, thank You for bearing in Your sinless body the sufferings and death that I truly deserve on account of my sins and transgressions. Grant to me pardon and forgiveness and a place in Your everlasting kingdom. Amen.
Pastor Randy Moll
The Brief Statement
of the
Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod as adopted in 1932
(Editor’s Note: This remains the official position of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod yet today, though in practice, many have departed from it.)
Of Creation
5. We teach that God has created heaven and earth, and that in the manner and in the space of time recorded in the Holy Scriptures, especially Gen 1 and 2, namely, by His almighty creative word, and in six days. We reject every doctrine which denies or limits the work of creation as taught in Scripture. In our days it is denied or limited by those who assert, ostensibly in deference to science, that the world came into existence through a process of evolution; that is, that it has, in immense periods of time, developed more or less out of itself. Since no man was present when it pleased God to create the world, we must look for a reliable account of creation to God’s own record, found in God’s own book, the Bible. We accept God’s own record with full confidence and confess with Luther’s Catechism: “I believe that God has made me and all creatures.”
Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday
The Adult Bible Class continues its study of the Gospel of John. To prepare, read John 4:43-54. What did Jesus mean by His saying that a prophet has no honor in his own country? How was this true of Jesus? How might it have application today? Why did the people of Galilee receive Jesus? Who came to Jesus in Cana of Galilee? Why? What is a nobleman (basilikos)? What did he ask of Jesus? How far was it from Cana to Capernaum? How did Jesus respond? Why? What was the nobleman’s plea? What did the nobleman fear might happen before Jesus would arrive? How are our prayers like the prayer of the nobleman? What did Jesus say to the nobleman? Why did Jesus say this rather than going down to Capernaum? Did the nobleman believe Jesus’ words even though, at the time, he had no other way to know or see that they were true? Do we believe Jesus’ words to us when He tells us our sins are forgiven, He is preparing a place for us in heaven, He is with us always or He will care for all our needs? Did the nobleman live and act by faith? How? How do we live and act by faith (cf. Habakkuk 2:4; Hebrews 11)? What happened as the nobleman was on the long walk (or ride) back to Capernaum? What was he told by his servants? What did he ask the servants? What did their answer prove? What was the result of this miracle? What other miracle had Jesus performed in Galilee?
The Catechism Class continues studying the Lord’s Prayer and the Sacraments and learning of Jesus and what He has done to redeem all mankind.
The Sunday Readings are Psalm 85; Ezekiel 33:7-20; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; and Luke 13:1-9. Please take the time to read them and their context in preparation for Sunday. What does God require of watchmen? Who has God placed over us to watch over our souls (cf. Hebrews 13:17)? What does God desire us to do? What are we to learn from the sins and failings of the children of Israel in the wilderness? How do these words apply to you and me? Who is at fault when people’s lives are suddenly cut off by tragedy or disaster? What does Jesus say? What would He have us do?What warning is contained in Jesus’ parable of the fig tree?
Remember to Pray
Remember to pray for our church and for all our members, that none be lost to Christ’s kingdom but that all continue in repentance and be strengthened and built up in the true and saving faith in Christ Jesus through the hearing and study of His Word. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – especially for the brother of Bonnie Hawes, who has been ill; and for Lillian Pingel, who is recovering from heart issues – for those who have been absent from us, for our extended families, for Christians who are alone and have no congregation, and for our adopted soldiers. Pray for God’s help with our church’s financial needs. Continue to pray for the Lutheran Churches in the Philippines, for Christians in Haiti and Chile, and for believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering.
Events and Announcements
The Choir is practicing for upcoming services. More voices are always welcome.
Wednesday Evening Lenten Worship continues tonight. Worship will be at 7 p.m. A light supper will precede the service at 6:20 p.m.
The Church Council will hold its March meeting following Lenten Worship on March 10.
Information for bulletins or newsletters may be sent to Pastor Moll by calling him at 479-233-0081 or by e-mail at mollfoto@yahoo.com.
“The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.” Psalm 128:5-6
[Scripture in this Newsletter is taken from the King James Version of the Bible]
Pastor Randy Moll @ March 3, 2010
Jesus desires our salvation – Luke 13:34-35
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“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Luke 13:34-35
God’s judgment was about to fall upon Jerusalem. The time of mercy – the people’s opportunity to repent and turn to their Messiah and Savior – was almost gone. In fact, judgment was much closer than any dared to think. Why? Because the people had rejected and stoned the prophets sent to them in the generations before Christ, and they were rejecting their Messiah and Savior who had been sent into this world to redeem them.
Elsewhere, too, Jesus warned of Jerusalem’s coming destruction under the hand of the Roman armies (cf. Luke 19:41ff.; 23:27ff.) because the people did not recognize the time of their visitation and believe on the name of the only-begotten Son of God and their Savior.
Did Jesus desire Jerusalem’s fall? No. He wept over Jerusalem. He had compassion for its people, and He desired that all repent of their evil ways and turn unto Him for mercy and forgiveness. But because they would not repent and turn to Him for pardon and life everlasting, judgment was coming – and it did come in 70 A.D. when the Roman armies laid siege to the city, broke down its walls and burned the city, killing or taking captive the city’s inhabitants.
As Jesus said, “How often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!”
Once again, God’s Word in Ezekiel 33:11 had application: “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?“
These words, as well as the words of Jesus, also have application to you and to me. Jesus first and foremost desires that we repent of our evil ways and turn unto Him for forgiveness and life everlasting. He seeks to gather us to Himself as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.
The people of Jerusalem would not come to Jesus, and God’s judgment came upon them. But what about you and me? Will we too stubbornly resist God’s call to repentance and faith? Will we refuse to be gathered under the safety of Jesus’ wings?
If we will not come to Jesus, God’s judgment will fall upon us as well – both now and in eternity! Our Lord Jesus, who first and foremost desires to deal with us in mercy and forgiveness, will have no choice but to deal with us as we deserve on account of our rebellious and sinful ways.
As Jesus said to Nicodemus, “He that believeth on Him [Christ Jesus] is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).
But if, by the grace of God, we turn to Jesus and are gathered unto Him, we will not be condemned but have everlasting life. Under the wings of His mercy, we will find forgiveness and life eternal.
Dearest Lord Jesus, grant that I not turn away from You and Your mercy but repent and look to You for forgiveness and life eternal. I ask this for the sake of Your holy life and innocent sufferings and death in my stead. Amen.
[Scripture Quotations from the King James Version of the Bible]
Pastor Randy Moll @ February 27, 2010
Words of Encouragement for Feb. 24, 2010
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Meditations in the Parables of Jesus
THE WEDDING BANQUET
Read Matthew 22:1-14
“And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
The chief priests and Pharisees, along with many of the Jews, rejected Jesus and would not trust in Him for the forgiveness of their sins and a place in God’s eternal kingdom. God’s servants, the apostles and prophets, proclaimed to them the way of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus; but they made light of God’s gracious invitation and even mistreated and killed God’s servants.
With the parable of the king who made a marriage supper for his son, Jesus illustrated to his hearers how they were rejecting God’s gracious invitation to have part in His kingdom and partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb through faith in His own dear Son, Jesus Christ (cf. Rev. 19:7ff.). As described in Jesus’ parable, the city of Jerusalem and its inhabitants were judged of God for their rejection of Christ Jesus. The city was destroyed and burned with fire, and its inhabitants were either killed or carried away captive. (This was done by the Roman armies in 70 A.D.)
The LORD God has also sent His servants out to invite others to have part in His eternal kingdom through faith in Christ. The Gospel has been preached, not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles around the world; and many have heeded God’s gracious invitation. Through faith in Jesus Christ, many have received forgiveness of sins and will partake of the eternal joys of heaven. They are clothed, not with their own sin-tainted righteousness, but with the perfect righteousness of Christ. It is only for the sake of Christ and His innocent sufferings and death in their stead that they are acceptable to God and have a place in His kingdom.
But, like the man who came without a wedding garment, there are also many who try to earn a place in God’s kingdom by their own sin-tainted works rather than simply receiving the righteousness of Christ which is ours through faith. Such, who attempt to partake of God’s eternal kingdom clothed in the spotted garment of the flesh rather than in the righteousness of Christ, will be cast out into the darkness and eternal torment of hell.
God’s gracious invitation goes out to all, but only the elect of God heed the Gospel call and trust in Christ alone for eternal salvation (cf. II Tim. 1:9; Eph. 1:3ff.; Acts 13:48). It is only by the grace of God that we who trust in Christ have heeded the Gospel invitation (Eph. 2:8-9). But we also need to beware lest we take that invitation lightly or begin to depend upon our own sin-tainted righteousness rather than trusting in the perfect righteousness of Christ our Savior.
Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness my beauty are, my glorious dress; midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, with joy shall I lift up my head. Bold shall I stand in that great Day, for who aught to my charge shall lay? Fully thro’ these absolved I am from sin and fear, from guilt and shame. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #371, Verses 1-2)
Pastor Randy Moll
Lenten Devotions from Isaiah 53
“Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.” Isaiah 53:1-3
Who believes what the Scriptures say of Jesus? Who believes that He is the long promised Messiah and the Savior of sinful mankind? Writing some 700 years before the birth of Messiah Jesus, Isaiah the prophet spoke of His coming, His sufferings, death, resurrection, and of His rejection by the people. And these words still hold true today!
Jesus, the arm of the LORD, the promised Messiah and Savior of the world, grew up before the LORD God humbly, “as a tender plant,” and in an unexpected time and place, being born of a virgin named Mary and growing up in Nazareth of Galilee “as a root out of a dry ground.” His form and appearance was nothing unusual so as to draw people to Him or permit them to recognize Him as the Messiah.
As Jesus carried out His ministry, calling upon all to repent and believe the good news of forgiveness and life in Him, He was despised and rejected. The religious leaders of Israel hated Him and viewed Him as a threat to their system of worship and sacrifice. The religiously conservative Pharisees hated Him because He pointed out their inner transgressions and failures to keep God’s law by loving God first and foremost and then also loving their neighbor as themselves. The liberal Sadducees hated Him because He pointed out their unbelief and rejection of the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. Many of the common people recognized His great power and longed to see His miracles; but still, for the most part, they failed to recognize Him as the holy Son of God come into this world a true man to save sinners.
And what is different today? Who believes and recognizes that this Jesus is the LORD God Himself in human flesh? Who comes to Him in repentance and trusts that in Him there is forgiveness and life everlasting?
The Jesus of the Bible is a threat to many religious leaders of our day because He does not teach that we can get to heaven by our good deeds, our religious works and services, by church membership or by charitable contributions to worthy causes. He still calls upon all to repent of their sinful ways and turn to Him for forgiveness and life! The Jesus of the Bible is too merciful for many of the religiously conservative, for He associates with the worst of sinners and offers them forgiveness and life through faith in Him. On the other hand, He is too zealous for the truth for the religious liberals of our day, for He taught the absolute truth of Scripture and yielded not a jot or tittle of God’s Word to popular opinion, holding to the Genesis creation, a bodily resurrection, a final judgment and a literal heaven and hell.
Though Jesus came into this world to take our place under God’s law, to bear our griefs and sorrows and to suffer and die in our stead, He is still “despised and rejected of men.” We hide our faces from Him and neglect the great salvation He has won for us by His innocent sufferings and death upon the cross. Instead of taking the time to consider Jesus, who He is and what He has done for us, we value Him lightly and neglect the gracious gift of forgiveness and life which God desires to give us. Instead of considering the pain and anguish He suffered for us when He bore the guilt and punishment for our sins and the sins of all, we turn our heads and walk away in apathy and unbelief.
Yes, the inspired words of Isaiah the prophet still hold true today, but more importantly, they reveal to us the truth of who Jesus was and is. They point us to Jesus, the Messiah and Savior rejected by men. They tell us what He suffered in our stead to save us from the punishment we so deserve. They offer to us forgiveness and life in Jesus’ name!
O dear Jesus, forgive me for failing to consider and recognize You for who You are and for all that You suffered that I might have forgiveness for all my sins and life everlasting with You in heaven. Amen.
Pastor Randy Moll
Editor’s Note: The Brief Statement article on Holy Scriptures is being reprinted here because the last word of the article, “faith,” was accidentally omitted from this section last week.
The Brief Statement
of the
Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod as adopted in 1932
(Editor’s Note: This remains the official position of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod yet today, though in practice, many have departed from it.)
Of the Holy Scriptures
1. We teach that the Holy Scriptures differ from all other books in the world in that they are the Word of God. They are the Word of God because the holy men of God who wrote the Scriptures wrote only that which the Holy Ghost communicated to them by inspiration, 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1: 21. We teach also that the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures is not a so-called “theological deduction,” but that it is taught by direct statements of the Scriptures, 2 Tim. 3:16; John 10:35; Rom. 3:2; 1 Cor. 2:13. Since the Holy Scriptures are the Word of God, it goes without saying that they contain no errors or contradictions, but that they are in all their parts and words the infallible truth, also in those parts which treat of historical, geographical, and other secular matters, John 10:35.
2. We furthermore teach regarding the Holy Scriptures that they are given by God to the Christian Church for the foundation of faith, Eph. 2:20. Hence the Holy Scriptures are the sole source from which all doctrines proclaimed in the Christian Church must be taken and therefore, too, the sole rule and norm by which all teachers and doctrines must be examined and judged. With the Confessions of our Church, we teach also that the “rule of faith” (analogia fidei) according to which the Holy Scriptures are to be understood are the clear passages of the Scriptures themselves which set forth the individual doctrines. (Apology. Triglot, p. 441, @_ 60; Mueller, p. 284). The rule of faith is not the man-made so-called “totality of Scripture” (“Ganzes der Schrift”).
3. We reject the doctrine which under the name of science has gained wide popularity in the Church of our day that Holy Scripture is not in all its parts the Word of God, but in part the Word of God and in part the word of man and hence does, or at least, might, contain error. We reject this erroneous doctrine as horrible and blasphemous, since it flatly contradicts Christ and His holy apostles, sets up men as judges over the Word of God, and thus overthrows the foundation of the Christian Church and its faith.
Of God
On the basis of the Holy Scriptures we teach the sublime article of the Holy Trinity; that is, we teach that the one true God, Deut 6:4; 1 Cor. 8:4, is the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, three distinct persons, but of one and the same divine essence, equal in power, equal in eternity, equal in majesty, because each person possesses the one divine essence entire, Col. 2:9; Matt. 28:19. We hold that all teachers and communions that deny the doctrine of the Holy Trinity are outside the pale of the Christian Church. The Triune God is the God who is gracious to man, John 3:16-18; 1 Cor. 12:3. Since the Fall no man can believe in the “fatherhood” of God except he believe in the eternal Son of God, who became man and reconciled us to God by His vicarious satisfaction, 1 John 2:23; John 14:6. Hence we warn against Unitarianism, which in our country has to a great extent impenetrated the sects and is spread particularly also through the influence of the lodges.
Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday
The Adult Bible Class continues its study of the Gospel of John. To prepare, read John 4:1-42. Why did Jesus leave Judea? Which route did He take back to Galilee? At what city did Jesus stop? Why? What is significant about the location? Who met Jesus there? What did Jesus ask of her? How did she respond? Why do the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans? What did Jesus tell the woman in verse 10? How is this a fitting response yet today? How did the woman respond? What did Jesus tell her? What is the living water which Jesus offered (cf. Isaiah 12; John 7:37-39)? How does Jesus offer and give this water even yet today? Did the woman understand Jesus? What did she say? What did Jesus tell her to do? What did He say to her when she said she had no husband? Is there anything about us He does not know? Read Psalm 90:8. What did the woman then say of Jesus? What question did she ask Him? What is the significance of her question? How did Jesus answer? What does Jesus answer mean? How does that apply to our worship yet today? What did the woman say the Messiah would do when He came? Why? Cf. Deuteronomy 18:15-19. Who did Jesus claim to be? At what were Jesus’ disciples amazed when they returned? Did they say anything to Jesus about it? What did the woman do when Jesus’ disciples returned? Who did she tell? How? What did she tell them? What was the result? What did Jesus say when His disciples offered Him food? What did He mean? What was Jesus’ food? To what did Jesus compare the men of Samaria coming to Him? How is it true that one sowed and another reaped? How is this true today in evangelism and mission work? Why did some of the people believe that Jesus was their Messiah and Savior? Why did many more come to believe? What did they say to the woman? How is this true today in evangelism and mission work? How can we apply this to our witness for Christ?
The Catechism Class continues studying the Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed and learning of Jesus and what He has done to redeem all mankind.
The Sunday Readings are Psalm 4; Jeremiah 26:8-15; Philippians 3:17-4:1; and Luke 13:31-35. Please take the time to read them and their context in preparation for Sunday. The sermon text will be the Gospel Lesson. Why did certain of the Pharisees warn Jesus? What did they tell Him? How did Jesus respond? What does this mean? What did Jesus say of Jerusalem? How is this true? How do Jesus’ words apply yet today – to those around us and possibly even to you and to me?
Remember to Pray
Remember to pray for our church and for all our members, that none be lost to Christ’s kingdom but that all continue in repentance and be strengthened and built up in the true and saving faith in Christ Jesus through the hearing and study of His Word. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – especially for Dick Rusch, who is scheduled to undergo surgery this week; Sarah Hardigan, who is having trouble in the early stages of pregnancy; for Ron Wellander, who continues his recovery after surgery; for the brother of Bonnie Hawes, who has been ill; and for Lillian Pingel, who is recovering from heart issues – for those who have been absent from us, for our extended families, and for our adopted soldiers. Pray for God’s help with our church’s financial needs. Continue to pray for the Lutheran Churches in the Philippines, for Christians in Haiti, and for believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering.
Events and Announcements
The Choir is practicing for upcoming services. More voices are always welcome.
Wednesday Evening Lenten Worship continues tonight. Worship will be at 7 p.m. A light supper will precede the service at 6:20 p.m.
Information for bulletins or newsletters may be sent to Pastor Moll by calling him at 479-233-0081 or by e-mail at mollfoto@yahoo.com.
“Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”
Jude 24-25
[Scripture in this Newsletter is taken from the King James Version of the Bible]
Pastor Randy Moll @ February 24, 2010
Create in me a clean heart, O God
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“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit.” Psalm 51:10-12
By nature, all of our hearts are full of “evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies” (Matt. 15:19). Instead of loving the LORD and desiring to do His holy will, our thoughts, by nature, are “only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5).
As Christians, who trust in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, for salvation, the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts and gives us love for God and holy thoughts and desires. As the Bible says, we are “washed … sanctified … and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11). Our “body is the temple of the Holy Ghost” (1 Cor. 6 19).
Yet in this world, we are still sinners. Like David, we need to acknowledge our sins, turn to the LORD for His grace and forgiveness, and pray that God would create “a clean heart” and “renew a right spirit” within us. When we consider how we continue to come short and fail to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit through the Word, we deserve to be cast away from the presence of the LORD and have the Holy Spirit taken from us. How we grieve God’s Spirit when we go our own way and sin rather than give heed to the admonition and warning of God’s Word (cf. Eph. 4:30)! With David, we can all pray, “Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.”
When we turn aside from following the Holy Spirit – when we turn into sin and evil – the joy which comes from being an heir of salvation and walking with the Lord is overshadowed by guilt and despair. We feel God’s wrath upon us. We know that we have failed again and are deserving of His everlasting punishment Ps.32: 3-4; 51:3-5).
But acknowledging our sins and failures to the LORD and turning to Him for mercy and forgiveness for the sake of the Son, Jesus Christ, and His innocent sufferings and death in our stead as David did in this psalm – “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities” (Psalm 51:1-9) – we also pray with David, “Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit.”
Only God’s Spirit can restore in us that joy of knowing that in Jesus we have forgiveness and eternal salvation! Only the Holy Spirit can uphold us and keep us in the true and saving faith!
Let us pray: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit.” Amen.
[Scripture Quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible]
Pastor Randy Moll @ February 22, 2010
Jesus endured temptation for us
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“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:14-16
When temptation comes, so often we fall. Whether the temptation arises from within ourselves – from our old evil and sinful nature – or comes from outside of us – in the form of temptations from the devil himself or allurements from other people and the world around us – we seldom offer much resistance. We doubt God’s Word, or take it lightly, and yield ourselves to disobedience and sin.
Our Lord Jesus, too, endured temptation, but He did not give in and sin. Rather, He trusted in the truthfulness of God and His Word and used the Word of God to resist the temptations placed before Him by the devil (Read Luke 4:1-13; cf. Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13).
After His baptism, the Holy Spirit led Jesus out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. We don’t know what all those temptations were, but as the Scripture says, Jesus was “forty days tempted of the devil” (Luke 4:2). As the children of Israel spent 40 years in the wilderness, with many falling into unbelief and sin, so Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, enduring temptation of the same old evil foe who brought about the demise of so many in the wilderness centuries before. But Jesus did not sin. He was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
After fasting there and being without food for 40 days and 40 nights, “the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.” Certainly Jesus could have done so. He was and is the very Son of God, the Creator of all. And so, why not? He was hungry. He had the power. He could prove Himself the Son of God. But Jesus didn’t. He replied with a quote from Deuteronomy 8:3, Jesus said, “It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” What was more important here? Having food to eat? Or trusting in the LORD God and the promises of His Word – including the promises to supply all our needs?
The devil, took Jesus up into a high mountain and shewed unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time – could he have taken Jesus up to Mt. Pisgah, where God showed Moses all the land of promise? – “and the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.”
Jesus had come into the world to establish a kingdom. God the Father promised Him all the peoples and nations of the world as His inheritance (cf. Psalm 2; Daniel 7:14). So again, why not? All He had to do is fall down and worship Satan once. But Jesus again responded from the book of Deuteronomy (6:13; 13:4), saying, “Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
And Satan brought Jesus to Jerusalem “and set Him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto Him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Satan now used Scripture (Psalm 91:11-12) in this third attempt to cause Jesus to sin. It was as if Satan were telling Jesus to prove His identity as the Son of God and to prove His trust in God’s care and protection by putting God to the test and throwing Himself off the top of the temple, trusting that God would indeed send His angels to bear Him up and prevent Him from being harmed.
Again Jesus responded with Scripture from the book of Deuteronomy (6:16), “It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” In the same way as it is sin to take matters into our own hands and not trust in the LORD God to keep His Word, so it is sin to misuse God’s Word and foolishly put God to the test.
Have we ever had similar temptations? Are we ever tempted to take matters into our own hands rather than living day-to-day trusting in the promises of God’s Word? To go out and get what we desire instead of waiting for God to give us what we truly need? Are we ever tempted to compromise our faith in order to gain the power and riches of this world? Are we ever tempted to put God to the test, expecting Him to keep us from suffering the consequences of our own foolishness? Has Satan ever said to us, “If you’re really a child of God, prove it by demanding miracles, wealth, power, prestige and the like? Have we ever fallen? Have we taken Satan’s offer rather than trusting and waiting for God to fulfill His words?
Though we have so often come short and fallen into unbelief and sin, Jesus did not. Jesus “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Rather than doubting God and His Word, Jesus used God’s Word to fend off the attacks of the devil (cf. Psalm 119:9-11). And how important this is to us as sinners to have a Savior who was tempted but did not sin! Jesus fulfilled all righteousness for us, being perfect and without sin. And He then went to the cross and suffered our punishment that we might receive God’s mercy and forgiveness for Jesus’ sake. Because Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are and did not sin, He could suffer and die for the sins of the whole world. He, as the spotless Lamb of God, made atonement for us and won for us salvation.
Because Jesus endured temptation and did not sin, and because He suffered, died and paid in full for our sins and the sins of the whole world, we have forgiveness and life in Him. He, as our high priest, offered up Himself in our stead, once for all, that we might receive God’s grace and favor. For that reason, we can “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” God grant that we do turn to Him for mercy and grace!
[Scripture Quotations from the King James Version of the Bible]
Pastor Randy Moll @ February 20, 2010
