THE HOUSE ON THE ROCK AND ON THE SAND

Read Luke 6:46-49

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.”

Upon what have you built your life? Is it built upon Jesus Christ and His Word? Or is it built upon some earthly foundation? Jesus told this parable because of those who addressed Him as “Lord” and listened to His teaching but did not do what He taught. They heard Jesus’ words with their ears and called upon Him with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him (cf. Matt. 15:8). They did not trust in Jesus for salvation or seek to live their lives as He commanded.

The first man in Jesus’ parable, the man who dug down deep and laid the foundation of his house upon the rock, is like the one who hears Jesus’ Word and then trusts in Him and His redemptive work for the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting. As a child of God through faith in Christ’s shed blood, he then seeks to live his life for his Lord and Savior by hearing and doing His Word. When floods of trouble, suffering and persecution come his way, he is not moved because his faith and life are built upon Jesus Christ and His eternal Word.

The second man, who built his house upon the earth without a foundation, is like the man who hears Jesus’ Word and even calls himself a Christian; but he does not truly trust in Christ alone for forgiveness of sins and eternal life, nor does he truly seek and desire to live in obedience to the Word of God. His life is not built upon Christ, but upon the earth and its vain philosophies. When trouble, suffering or death come his way, his life crumbles because all that his life was built upon washes away.

Upon what have you built your life? Is it built upon Christ and His Word? or upon the unstable sands of this world? If you live your life according to the ways and standards of this world, both you and your works will not stand in God’s judgment. But if you build your life upon Christ and His Word, you will be “as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever” (Psalm 125:1).

Hear Christ’s Word and build upon it!

In faith, Lord, let me serve Thee; tho’ persecution, grief, and pain should seek to overwhelm me, let me a steadfast trust retain; and then at my departure take Thou me home to Thee and let me there inherit all Thou hast promised me. In life and death, Lord, keep me until Thy heav’n I gain, where I by Thy great mercy the end of faith attain. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #381, Verse 3)

My Dear Children

The Omniscient God

“O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.” O LORD God, open up our minds and give us an understanding of Your Word that we might know You. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (Psalm 139:1-4 NKJV)

My Dear Children,

Our knowledge is limited – we do not and cannot know everything. The more we learn, the more we find out that there is so much that we do not yet know and understand. Only a foolish man thinks he knows it all. But though we only learn and know in part, God knows ALL! Nothing is hidden from Him. This too is beyond our understanding to comprehend. God is omniscient; that is, He knows and possesses all knowledge.

1. In Psalm 147:5, the Bible tells us: “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.” What does God here tell us about His knowledge and understanding? What does this mean?

2. In 1 John 3:20, we read: “…God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.” Is there anything that God does not know?

3. In Psalm 139:1-6, David writes: “O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.” What is David, by inspiration of God’s Spirit, teaching us about God? Is there anything that God does not know about us?

4. Hebrews 4:13 says: “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Is there anyone or anything hidden from the presence or knowledge of the LORD?

5. In John 2:24-25, we read that “Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.” Is Jesus omniscient? Does He know everything about us? Does He know what is in our hearts?

6. Read John 16:30. Jesus’ disciples said of Him: “Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.” Why did Jesus’ disciples believe that Jesus was (and is) the only begotten Son of God, come into this world?

7.In 1 Corinthians 2:10, St. Paul writes: “The Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” Is the Holy Spirit omniscient.

8. Considering what you have just learned about the LORD God, is there anything hidden from His knowledge? How is this frightening to us as sinful people? How is this comforting to us as forgiven children of God?

GOD

We believe that there is only one true God (Isaiah 44:6; I Corinthians 8:4). This God (called the LORD or JEHOVAH) is one divine Being or Essence, but three distinct Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (thus the name, Triune or Three/One God), each being eternal and equal in power and majesty, because each Person is the LORD God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; I John 5:7; Isaiah 48:16-17; John 1:1; Colossians 2:9; I Corinthians 3:16; Hebrews 9:14; I Peter 4:14). We believe that no one can worship or serve the Triune God except he believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God and the Savior of mankind from sin and its consequences (John 3:18,36; 5:23; 14:6; I John 2:23; 5:11-12). Hence, all who deny the Trinity of God (that God is three Persons) or the Unity of God (that God is one divine Being), or who do not trust in Jesus Christ, the Son, for salvation, do not worship and serve the true God.

Please Memorize: Psalm 147:5; 1 John 3:20; 1 Corinthians 2:10; Psalm 139:1-4

[Scripture for this study taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]

The Augsburg Confession

Article IX: Of Baptism.

Of Baptism they teach that it is necessary to salvation, and that through Baptism is offered the grace of God, and that children are to be baptized who, being offered to God through Baptism are received into God’s grace.

They condemn the Anabaptists, who reject the baptism of children, and say that children are saved without Baptism.

Hear, O Israel

“Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God is one LORD: and thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9

God commanded His people to listen carefully and hold fast to this truth. The God of Israel was different than the many false gods of the peoples around them. “Jehovah our God, Jehovah is one.” The God of Israel, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (cf. Psalm 2; Isaiah 48:16ff.; Matthew 28:19) is one God – He is the Triune God. In 1 John 5:7, we read: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

Though any who reject the truth that Jehovah God – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – is one Jehovah do not know and worship the true God, we (by the grace of God) know Him – the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But to just know and profess that God is one still comes far short of what God requires of us. It is not enough to just profess and believe that the true God is the Triune God. In James 2:19, we read: “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”

To worship and believe in the Triune God – Jehovah God – of the Bible is also to love Him with all our heart, soul and strength. It is to treasure His Word in our hearts, to teach His Word to our children, to talk about His Word at all times and to keep His Word continually before our eyes (vv. 5-9; cf. Matthew 22:37; Colossians 3:16; Psalm 119:11; Ephesians 6:4). As we consider who the true God is, we ought also remember how He would have us regard Him and live for Him!

We know who Jehovah God is – the Triune God, three Persons and yet one God – but do we love Him with all our heart, soul and strength? Are we living our lives for Him? Have we studied His Word and kept it in our hearts and before our eyes? Do we speak of Him to our children when we sit in the house, when we walk (or drive) down the road, when we lie down and when we rise up? Our shortcoming and failure is clear. We profess to believe in the true God and to love Him, but our actions reveal the weakness of our faith and the shallowness and absence of our love!

Jesus Christ, who is Jehovah God in the flesh (cf. Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:30ff.; 2:10-11; John 8:58; etc.), so loved us that He went to the cross and died for our sins (cf. Rom. 5:8; Rev. 1:5). He paid in full that we might have pardon and forgiveness and life everlasting! The Bible tells us that “He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Cor. 5:15). Jesus redeemed us with His holy and precious blood that we might now trust in Him, love Him and serve Him with all our heart, soul and might. He also dwells in us by His Spirit and strengthens us that we might truly worship and serve Jehovah God – the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

O God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the one Jehovah, forgive us for our failures to love Thee, keep Thy Word before our eyes continually, and teach our children of Thee. For the sake of Jesus’ holy life and innocent sufferings and death in our stead, pardon our iniquity and sin, and strengthen us that we might live our lives for Thee. Amen.

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are Psalm 131; Acts 12:1-25; Luke 14:1-14. Please read them in their context as you prepare for worship on Sunday.

The Adult Bible Class will continue in the Gospel of John at chapter 9:1ff. Where were Jesus and His disciples? What did Jesus’ disciples ask Him? Why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sin or the sin of his parents? What miracle did Jesus do? How did He do it? On what day did Jesus heal this man? What did the people who knew the man think when they saw the blind man made whole? What did the Pharisees think? What did they do to verify that a miracle had indeed taken place? Why were the parents unwilling to tell all? Are people like this yet today?Did they then believe on Jesus? What did they say of Jesus? How did the healed man answer them? What did they do to the man who was healed? Why? Did Jesus leave this man to suffer alone for the consequences of his witness? What did He reveal to the healed man? How did the healed man respond to Jesus’ words? What did Jesus then say (v. 39)? How are Jesus’ words true today?

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 pray for God’s healing and strengthening of our congregation. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – especially for Dawn Hiebert, who will undergo knee surgery on Sept. 1; Dick Stueland, who is recovering from knee surgery; for Sam Rusch, who has had repeated stays in the hospital; and for the mother of Dick Rusch – for those who have been absent from us, for our extended families and for Christians who are alone and have no congregation. Pray for God’s help with our church’s financial needs. Continue to pray for the Lutheran Churches in the Philippines, for Christians in Nigeria, Haiti and Chile, and for believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus.

Events and Announcements

The special congregational dinner has been rescheduled for the second Sunday in September (because of Labor Day weekend) to kick off the new Sunday School and Catechism program for the year. Please see the bulletin or next week’s newsletter for more details. A cookout may be in the works.

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.

“Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.” Psalm 31:5

[Except where otherwise stated, Scripture in this Newsletter is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.]

THE HOUSEHOLDER

Read Matthew 13:51-52

“Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.”

By the enlightening of the Holy Ghost, Jesus’ disciples were beginning to understand the spiritual truths which Jesus taught in His parables. They had been instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven; so Jesus said, “Every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.”

Jesus is here comparing a scribe or teacher of God’s Word who was instructed in the truths of God’s kingdom to a householder who brought out both new and old things from his treasure. How true this is! As one, through instruction from God’s Word, grows in his understanding of the kingdom of heaven, he can share from the Scripture more and more insights into God’s kingdom. He can share not only those very basic doctrinal formulations which he learned from the Scriptures; he can share new illustrations of those Scriptural truths and other new things which he has learned from the Word of God. In this way, the Christian teacher brings things new and old out of the storehouse of his knowledge which has been gained through the study of God’s Word.

For this reason, we all continue to search and study the Holy Scriptures, that we may learn more about Jesus Christ and His eternal kingdom, and that we may have more to share with others when we speak to them of God’s Word.

Laymen too can heed the admonition of Paul to Timothy: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth” (II Timothy 2:15).

Lord of the Church, we humbly pray for those who guide us in the way and speak Thy holy Word. With love divine their hearts inspire and touch their lips with hallowed fire and needful strength afford. Help them to preach the Truth of God, redemption thro’ the Savior’s blood, nor let the Spirit cease on all the Church His gifts to show’r – to them a messenger of pow’r; to us, of life and peace. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #489, Verses 1-2)

My Dear Children

The Omnipresent God

O LORD God, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.” Let me stand in awe of Your greatness, O God, and take comfort in Your presence with me always and in all places. Amen. (Psalm 139:7-10 NKJV)

My Dear Children,

Everything we know is limited to space and time. We can only be present in one place at a time because our bodies are limited by space and time. Our homes, our possessions and everything we know is so limited. The angels are spirits, but they are not able to be present everywhere at the same time. Yet God is omnipresent; that is, present everywhere at all times! Can you understand this or how it can be? I can’t, but I believe it is so because that is what God tells us of Himself in the Bible.

1. The Bible says in Jeremiah 23:24: “‘Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?’ says the LORD; ‘Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ says the LORD.” Is there anyplace where one can hide from the presence of the LORD? What does the LORD fill?

2. In Isaiah 66:1, the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool.” Where does God say He is present?

3. In Psalm 139:7-10, David writes: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.” What is David, by inspiration of God’s Spirit, teaching us about God? Is there anyplace where God is not?

4. Proverbs 15:3 says: “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” Is there any place where the LORD God is not present? Is there any place where the LORD God does not see?

5. Read John 1:14-18 (especially verse 18). Was Jesus omnipresent while He lived among us in this world?

6. Read John 1:43-51. Where did Jesus see Nathanael? How did He do this? What did Nathanael believe and confess because of this?

7. Looking again at Psalm 139:7-10 (in question 3 above), is the Holy Spirit present everywhere?

8. Considering what you have just learned about the LORD God, is there any place where you can escape His presence? How is this frightening to us as sinful people? How is this comforting to us as forgiven children of God?

GOD

We believe that there is only one true God (Isaiah 44:6; I Corinthians 8:4). This God (called the LORD or JEHOVAH) is one divine Being or Essence, but three distinct Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (thus the name, Triune or Three/One God), each being eternal and equal in power and majesty, because each Person is the LORD God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; I John 5:7; Isaiah 48:16-17; John 1:1; Colossians 2:9; I Corinthians 3:16; Hebrews 9:14; I Peter 4:14). We believe that no one can worship or serve the Triune God except he believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God and the Savior of mankind from sin and its consequences (John 3:18,36; 5:23; 14:6; I John 2:23; 5:11-12). Hence, all who deny the Trinity of God (that God is three Persons) or the Unity of God (that God is one divine Being), or who do not trust in Jesus Christ, the Son, for salvation, do not worship and serve the true God.

Please Memorize: Jeremiah 23:24; Psalm 139:7-10; Proverbs 15:3.

[Scripture for this study taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]

The Augsburg Confession

Article VIII: What the Church Is

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 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.

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.

Significant Events in History of Mankind

Being interested in the history which has shaped the present-day world and in historical events which are of significance to all people, I have compiled a brief list of significant events to which all would do well to give heed. They are events about which most – at least in my generation – have heard but which many seem to ignore.

The most significant events in human history are not the rise of the Greek and Roman Empires. They do not include the discovery of the Americas or the formation of the United States. Important inventions or major medical breakthroughs are not on my list, either. Though certainly important, these and other significant events in human history rank small in comparison to the five events which I share with you in the following paragraphs.

The first event, of course, is man’s creation. All else is hinged to this event. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). And on the sixth day, “God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26-28).

Genesis, chapter two, describes man’s creation in more detail: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (v. 7).

God created man in His own image and likeness. He gave man life, not only physical, but spiritual. Man was created knowing God and God’s perfect will, loving God, trusting Him and seeking God’s honor and glory. Man was perfect and without sin.

Because the LORD God created man, every one of us is responsible to the God who made us and all things. It is a fact we cannot escape even if we deny it.

The second significant event is the fall of man recorded in Genesis, chapter three. This event, too, affects everything. When Adam and Eve doubted God’s Word and disobeyed God’s command, all was changed. Read Genesis three.

Adam and Eve lost their perfect relationship with God. They were afraid of Him, hid from Him and sought to excuse themselves of responsibility for their sin by passing the blame. As a result of their sin, death came into the world – spiritual, physical and eternal. Adam and Eve lost the image of their Maker. Their knowledge of God and His will was darkened. Their love for God, trust in Him and desire to honor Him was gone. Instead, their thoughts and desires were turned in upon themselves and upon their own sinful longings – evil continually (Genesis 6:5; 8:21).

And, of course, this sin infects us all. The Bible tells us: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12; Cf. Psalm 51:5). Each of us, from conception and birth onward, are sinful in that we are self-centered and self-seeking rather than loving God, trusting Him and seeking His will and glory. Indeed, our lives, our families and the world in which we live are in ruins because of our selfishness and sin. Instead of listening to God, we by nature seek our own way and path. And what a mess we’ve made of things! All of creation suffers and is under a curse because of mankind’s sin.

Life, which was meant to be lived without end in fellowship with God our Maker, ends in death. “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (Genesis 3:19). And, as the Bible says, the ultimate end of sinful man is everlasting punishment in the fires of hell prepared for the devil and his evil angels (Matthew 25:41).

The third significant event in man’s history is God’s intervention on our behalf by coming into this world as a man to redeem lost and condemned sinners. God Himself took on human flesh and blood and became true man through the incarnation of the Son of God in the virgin Mary. God the Son, Jesus Christ, became true man, fulfilled all righteousness for us and suffered and died upon the cross, bearing the just penalty for the sins of all mankind, and rose again.

How amazing it is that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son….” (John 3:16)! “Our Lord Jesus Christ … gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father” (Galatians 1:3,4). “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures … He was buried … He rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). “He hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:6,7).

Because Jesus Christ came into the world, suffered and died for mankind’s sin and rose again, God is gracious toward us and reaches out to us with love and mercy, offering us forgiveness and life everlasting in fellowship with Him! Through faith in Jesus, we can have forgiveness for all our sins and a place in God’s everlasting kingdom!

The fourth history-changing event is the outpouring of God’s Spirit and His gracious working through the Gospel to bring people to true and saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Apart from God’s Spirit, none of us would understand and take hold of the message of the Bible. None of us would see and acknowledge our sinfulness or place our hope and faith in the perfect redemption accomplished for us by Christ Jesus. From the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) to His regenerative work yet today through the preaching and hearing of God’s Word, through the waters of Baptism and through the word and promises connected with the Lord’s Supper, the Spirit of God awakens sinners from spiritual darkness and death to faith in Jesus Christ.

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:3-7).

“And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross” (Colossians 2:10-14).

As man’s fall into sin shaped the history of the world, with nations rising and falling, and people living for themselves and carrying out their own sinful longings, so also the working of the Holy Spirit shaped much in human history, with Christianity spreading around the globe and casting its influence upon governments, thinking and society in general. And, of course, it has shaped for many of us, our history after this world is done.

The fifth and final significant event in history is yet to come but will come just as surely as the first have happened. I speak of the end of this world as we know it and the day of judgment. It is the day “when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power; when He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).

It is the day when all who have turned from their unbelief and sin to faith in Jesus Christ will be received into God’s everlasting kingdom of glory, the day when this world and all the works of it are burned up, and the day when all who have not repented of their evil ways and turned to Christ Jesus will be condemned to everlasting torment in the lake of fire, which is the second death (cf. 2 Peter 3:7-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 5:11).

This final event will shape all of human history from then forward, for all the impenitent and unbelieving will be forever cast out of God’s kingdom to suffer in hell, and all who have turned to Christ Jesus will dwell forever with the LORD God in a new and perfect creation, never to sin or fall again (Isaiah 65:17ff.; Revelation 20-22).

And what do these significant events mean for us today? Quite simply, it’s time to believe the witness of God’s Word, the Bible, and take it to heart. It’s time to repent and look to Christ Jesus for forgiveness and life! The very reason this sinful world goes on is God’s patience with you and with me. He does not want us to be condemned with the world but to repent and be saved through faith in His Son.

As the Bible 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. But the day of the Lord will come….” (2 Peter 3:9,10).

And since the Day of the Lord is coming – perhaps much sooner than most expect – we would be wise to consider these significant historical events recorded for us in the pages of the Bible and place our hope and confidence in the Son! On that day, the rest of human history will matter little.

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are Psalm 50; Acts 11:1-30; Luke 13:22-30. Please read them in their context as you prepare for worship on Sunday.

The Adult Bible Class will continue in the Gospel of John at chapter 9:1ff. Where were Jesus and His disciples? What did Jesus’ disciples ask Him? Why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sin or the sin of his parents? What miracle did Jesus do? How did He do it? On what day did Jesus heal this man? What did the people who knew the man think when they saw the blind man made whole? What did the Pharisees think? What did they do to verify that a miracle had indeed taken place? Why were the parents unwilling to tell all? Are people like this yet today?Did they then believe on Jesus? What did they say of Jesus? How did the healed man answer them? What did they do to the man who was healed? Why? Did Jesus leave this man to suffer alone for the consequences of his witness? What did He reveal to the healed man? How did the healed man respond to Jesus’ words? What did Jesus then say (v. 39)? How are Jesus’ words true today?

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 pray for God’s healing and strengthening of our congregation. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – especially for Dawn Hiebert, who will undergo knee surgery in September; Dick Stueland, who is recovering from knee surgery; for Sam Rusch, who has had repeated stays in the hospital; and for the mother of Dick Rusch – for those who have been absent from us, for our extended families and for Christians who are alone and have no congregation. Pray for God’s help with our church’s financial needs. Continue to pray for the Lutheran Churches in the Philippines, for Christians in Nigeria, Haiti and Chile, and for believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus.

Events and Announcements

The August evening Bible study has been rescheduled to Wednesday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m. A light supper is also being planned at 6:20 p.m. for those who wish to come early for a meal.

A special congregational dinner will be held on the first Sunday in September to kick off the new Sunday School and Catechism program for the year. Please see the bulletin or next week’s newsletter for more details.

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.

“With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” Psalm 119:10

[Except where otherwise stated, Scripture in this Newsletter is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.]

THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS

Read Matthew 25:31-46

“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

On the Last Day, when Jesus Christ returns with all His holy angels to judge the living and the dead, He shall separate the believers and unbelievers from one another as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats, putting the sheep on the right hand and the goats on the left.

The unbelievers, those who have not trusted in Jesus Christ and His innocent sufferings and death for the forgiveness of their sins and everlasting life, will “go away into everlasting punishment.” But those who truly believe that they are forgiven and have eternal life for Jesus’ sake – because Christ died for them and rose again – will go into “life eternal.”

If it is through faith in Christ that one goes to heaven, and if it is through unbelief that one is damned and spends eternity in hell (cf. Mark 16:16), why does Jesus here speak of the works of believers for Him and the lack of works in unbelievers?

Jesus is not saying that those on the right hand go to heaven because of their works; it is only through Christ and His sufferings and death that they are acceptable in God’s sight and are given eternal life (Eph. 1:6-7). But since they have been brought to faith in Christ and are saved by God’s grace, they now love their Lord and Savior and gladly live for Him and serve their fellow-man (cf. Eph. 2:8-10). They – those on the right hand – are not depending on such works to gain God’s favor; they are not even aware of the many times they have served Christ by serving their brethren. Rather they love and serve their brethren because Christ has first loved and served them by winning for them eternal salvation (cf. 1 John 4:9-11,19).

Those who do not have saving faith in Jesus Christ cannot love and serve Him. Even when they outwardly perform many of the same charitable works as Christians, they are not done for Christ; for “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6).

O Jesus, who my debt didst pay and for my sin wast smitten, within the Book of Life, oh, may my name be also written! I will not doubt; I trust in Thee, from Satan Thou hast made me free and from all condemnation. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #611, Verse 5)

“Mark of a Believer”

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47

Many claim to be believers and disciples of Jesus, but a mark of a true believer is that he hears and believes God’s words. A believer has a desire to hear God’s Word, to read and study the Bible, and he accepts and believes God’s Word in all that it says.

The unbeliever, on the other hand, does not hear and accept the Word of God. He has no real desire to hear God’s Word preached and proclaimed or to read and study the Scriptures. And when the words of God say and teach something contrary to his own belief or opinion, he questions God’s Word or attempts to explain in away.

Why is that so? Jesus explains: “Ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” In fact, just a few verses earlier, Jesus told those who did not believe and accept the truth He proclaimed and which is taught in the Scriptures: “Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not” (John 8:43-45). Jesus simply told His hearers the facts. They didn’t receive Jesus’ word because they were of their father the devil. As the devil brought about the spiritual ruin and death of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden with his lies and deception (Genesis 3), so the devil deceived Jesus’ hearers who were convinced they were God’s children by virtue of their descent from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Of course, the same is true today. Until God’s Spirit opens up and enlightens one’s heart and soul, the Word of God remains a closed book. People may hear and believe the historical accounts – they may even believe they are God’s children by virtue of their upbringing, works or their church membership – but they cannot grasp the Bible’s message of sin and guilt and of God’s mercy, forgiveness and pardon in Christ Jesus. Until a person is born of God, he is the spiritual offspring of the devil and his death-bringing deception (cf. John 1:9-13).

It is as Jesus said: “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” (John 6:44); “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63); and “No man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father” (John 6:65).

St. Paul also writes: “No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1 Corinthians 12:3); and “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

By nature – by our natural birth – everyone of us is a child of the devil. We are born into this world in spiritual darkness and death. God’s Word is a closed book to us. We are deceived by our own wicked hearts (cf. Jeremiah 17:9). When God’s Word is preached or read, we may hear the words but we do not grasp their true meaning and we are unwilling to accept the truth the Bible proclaims.

But when the Spirit of God, working through Word and Sacrament, regenerates us, opens up our hearts and teaches us the truth, we begin to truly hear God’s words and accept and believe them (cf. Titus 3:4-7; Colossians 2:12). The Bible tells us: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27). And when we are children of God, God’s Spirit dwells in us and gives us the desire to hear God’s Word. He teaches us the truth and moves us to humbly believe and accept it.

Even as Christians, born again of God’s Spirit through the “washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26), we still have, until we die, our old sinful nature which wants nothing of God’s Word and the truth. But the Spirit of God, who dwells in our hearts, is at work as well, creating in us a new nature which loves God, desires to hear His Word and gladly believes and accepts its truth. And that same Spirit, working through the Word, continually assures our hearts of God’s mercy and forgiveness for the sake of Christ Jesus and His blood shed for us upon the cross. He assures us that for Jesus’ sake, we are indeed God’s children and have a place with Him in heaven. He assures us that, as Jesus was raised up from the dead on third day, so we will be raised up on the Last Day with a glorified and sin-free body to dwell with our Lord and Savior forevermore.

May God graciously grant us His Spirit and open up our hearts and minds to His Word that we might hear and believe the truth, that in Christ Jesus we sinners have full pardon and life eternal. Amen.

My Dear Children

Who Is the Almighty God?

“Ah, LORD God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.” Graciously grant us an understanding of Your almighty power that we might never doubt and lose hope, but trust You in all things. Amen.

My Dear Children,

The God we worship and serve is not limited in strength and power even though we often doubt that He can help in every situation and we fail to trust in Him to hear and answer all our prayers. Our God is almighty – that is, He has limitless power and strength. There is nothing that He cannot do, whether it be great or small! Have you stopped to think about this?

1. The Bible says in Jeremiah 32:17: “Ah, LORD God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.” What did God create? How did He do it? Read Hebrews 11:3 and Genesis 1:1ff.

2. Nehemiah 9:6 says: “You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You.” If God created all things in six days by His word and still preserves all things (keeps them going) by that same word, is there anything that God cannot do?

3. In Genesis 17:1, God, speaking to Abraham, said: “I am almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.” What does God call himself? What does this mean?

4. When the angel Gabriel was speaking to Mary and telling her that she would conceive and give birth to Jesus, he also told her: “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37). When Jesus was speaking to His disciples about how hard it will be for a rich man to be saved, His disciples wondered who then could be saved (Matthew 19:25). Jesus told them: “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Again, can God do what is impossible to us? Is there anything that God cannot do?

5. List five examples from the Old Testament and five examples from the New Testament where God did what is impossible to man.

6. In Hebrews 1:1,2,3, we read: “God…has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Through whom did God create the worlds? Who is the express image of God’s person? Who upholds all things by the word of his power? What is this saying about Jesus? Is He almighty?

7. Read Genesis 1:1-2 and Psalm 33:6. Was the Holy Spirit active in creating the world and all things? Read Titus 3:5 and John 3:5. Who causes us to be born again and trust in Jesus as our Savior? Is this a mighty working of God in us? What does this tell us about the Holy Spirit?

8. If God is almighty, can He punish those who reject Him and disobey Him with everlasting punishment? Can He work faith in our hearts through His Word, save us, and give us everlasting life in a new heavens and earth?

9. What confidence can we have when we go to God in prayer? Is He able to hear? Is He always able to help?

GOD

We believe that there is only one true God (Isaiah 44:6; 1 Corinthians 8:4). This God (called the LORD or JEHOVAH) is one divine Being or Essence, but three distinct Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (thus the name, Triune or Three/One God), each being eternal and equal in power and majesty, because each Person is the LORD God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:7; Isaiah 48:16-17; John 1:1; Colossians 2:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 4:14). We believe that no one can worship or serve the Triune God except he believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God and the Savior of mankind from sin and its consequences (John 3:18,36; 5:23; 14:6; 1 John 2:23; 5:11-12). Hence, all who deny the Trinity of God (that God is three Persons) or the Unity of God (that God is one divine Being), or who do not trust in Jesus Christ, the Son, for salvation, do not worship and serve the true God.

Please Memorize: Jeremiah 32:17; Genesis 17:1; Luke 1:37.

[Scripture for this study taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]

The Augsburg Confession

Article VII: Of the Church

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.

And to the true unity of the Church it is enough to agree concerning the doctrine of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments. Nor is it necessary that human traditions, that is, rites or ceremonies, instituted by men, should be everywhere alike. As Paul says: One faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, etc. Eph. 4:5-6.

[Editor's Note: a reading of the Lutheran Confessions makes clear that the statement “to agree concerning the doctrine of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments” is not to be viewed in a narrow sense of the Gospel, as though it is only necessary to agree concerning Christ's death on the cross for all sin. The word Gospel is here used in a wider sense, indicating, as the context reveals, Christians submit to and accept all that the Word of God teaches and they administer Baptism and the Lord's Supper in accord with Christ's command. On the other hand, it is not necessary that Christians agree in human traditions, rites and ceremonies instituted by men. Thus, Christians may use different forms of worship and observe a variety of different traditions and rites and still be one. But a mark of the Church – the place where we expect to find true believers – is where all the divine truth revealed in the Scriptures is accepted, believed, preached and proclaimed.]

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are Psalm 119:81-88; Acts 10:1-48; Luke 12:49-56. Please read them in their context as you prepare for worship on Sunday.

The Adult Bible Class will continue in the Gospel of John at chapter 8:33ff. Who is a servant of sin? Can we claim to be good Christians or Lutherans and not in bondage to sin? Who alone can set us free? How? Cf. Genesis 21 and Galatians 4. How alone can we have a place in God’s everlasting kingdom? How were Jesus’ hearers of their father, the devil? What works were they doing? What would Jesus’ hearers do if they were truly born of God? Why could they not understand Jesus’ words? Could any convince or convict Jesus of sin? What is a mark of a believer or true disciple of Jesus? Why did Jesus’ hearers not truly hear God’s Word? How should we take all this to heart and apply it to ourselves?

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 pray for God’s healing and strengthening of our congregation. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – especially for Dawn Hiebert, who will undergo knee surgery in September; Dick Stueland, who is recovering from knee surgery; for Sam Rusch, who has had repeated stays in the hospital; and for the mother of Dick Rusch – 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 Nigeria, Haiti and Chile, and for believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus.

Events and Announcements

The Church Council will meet at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 18, in the church.

The August evening Bible study has been rescheduled to Wednesday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m. A light supper is also being planned at 6:20 p.m. for those who wish to come early for a meal.

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.

“My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.” Psalm 119:81

[Except where otherwise stated, Scripture in this Newsletter is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.]

THE LABORERS IN THE VINEYARD

Read Matthew 20:1-16

1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

The disciples of Jesus saw the rich young man go away sadly because he was unwilling to give up his riches and follow Jesus, and they had heard Jesus’ words about how hard it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Peter then asked Jesus what he and the other disciples would receive since they had left all to follow Him. The last verses of Matthew, chapter 19, record Jesus’ answer. Here, Jesus describes the gracious reward which will be given to all who deny themselves and follow Him; but He also adds the words: “Many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.”

The parable of the laborers in the vineyard illustrates these words of Jesus and warns against the assumption that those who work harder, longer, or give up more for Christ deserve a greater reward. In this parable, even those who were hired and began working in the vineyard at the eleventh hour received the same wages as those who had toiled for the full day. The householder graciously paid them for a full day’s work.

God also rewards those who deny themselves and labor in His kingdom; but God’s rewards are rewards of His grace and are not earned or deserved. As sinners, we do not even deserve to be in His kingdom. It is only by God’s grace in Jesus Christ–because Christ died for our sins and rose again–that we are forgiven and brought into God’s kingdom. The rewards given for labor and sacrifice in God’s kingdom are also God’s gracious gifts for Christ’s sake. If we assume that we have earned a greater reward because of our hard work in the kingdom, we are in grave danger of losing, not only God’s gracious reward for our labor but also our place in God’s kingdom as well; for all of this is ours by grace alone! If one becomes a Christian late in life, works only a short time in God’s kingdom and receives a great reward, we should rejoice and praise God for His grace rather than grumble because we did not receive more.

O Father, God of Love, hear Thou my supplication; O Savior, Son of God, grant me Thy full salvation; and Thou, O Holy Ghost, be Thou my faithful Guide that I may serve Thee here and there with Thee abide. Amen. (TLH, Hymn #417, Verse 7)

“Jesus, the Bread from Heaven”

52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. 59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. John 6:52-59

How can one eat Jesus’ flesh and drink His blood? The Jews did not grasp Jesus’ meaning, nor do many in our day.

Jesus is not indicating that Christianity is some kind of cult in which the faithful literally eat human flesh and drink human blood. Even in the Lord’s Supper, participants do not chew Jesus’ flesh and drink and digest His blood. Rather, as they partake of the bread and wine, they partake of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for the sins of all the world – His body given into death for our sins and His blood shed for the remission of our sins.

Though certainly related to the Lord’s Supper, Jesus’ words in John 6:52-59 are not a specific reference to the supper Jesus later commanded His followers to observe in remembrance of Him and His innocent sufferings and death on their behalf. If He were referring specifically to partaking of the Lord’s Table, then those not able to partake of Christ’s Supper, regardless of the reason, could not be saved and have life in them.

Rather, Jesus refers to partaking of His body and blood by faith. The children of Israel ate of the manna from heaven and yet died. Those who partake of Jesus’ body and blood – of His sacrifice for the sins of the world – by faith in Him have eternal life and Jesus will raise them up on the Last Day!

Jesus says in no uncertain words, “For my flesh truly is food, and my blood truly is drink” (John 6:55 literally translated from the Greek).

The one who partakes of Jesus, the Bread of Life, by faith – trusting in Christ Jesus who gave His body into death for our sins and shed His blood upon the cross to make atonement for all our iniquities – has the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting. As Jesus said, “He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.”

People look to Jesus for earthly bread. They come to Him in hopes that He will provide them with all their earthly wants and desires. But few recognize that Jesus came into this world to provide us with heavenly food – with food which nourishes our souls unto life eternal.

Jesus came into this world to fulfill the righteous demands of God’s law for us. And He came to be our sacrifice for sin – to offer up Himself on the cross as the Passover Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He gave His body into death upon the cross in full payment for your sins and my sins. He shed His blood upon the cross as our sacrifice for sin and made atonement for us and all the world before the very throne of God.

The question is this: Do you partake of Him? Do you trust in His holy life and His innocent sufferings and death for the forgiveness of all your sins? If you do not partake of Jesus, you can have no life in you; you are eternally lost and condemned. If you do, through faith, partake of His flesh and blood, you have the forgiveness Jesus won for you when He gave His body into death and shed His holy and precious blood to make atonement for your sins and redeem you.

When we, in this way, eat His flesh and drink His blood, Jesus dwells in us – not in the sense that He enters our mouth and passes through our digestive system, but in the sense that He comes into us and gives us life in fellowship with the Father.

It’s really as simple as this: “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:12). If we partake of Jesus’ holy life and His bitter sufferings and death for all sin by placing our trust and confidence in Him, we have life. Jesus Himself comes to us, dwells in us by His Spirit and gives us spiritual and eternal life in fellowship with the Father. If we do not partake of Jesus and His sacrifice – if we go it alone and on our own, so to speak – we remain dead in our sins and under the wrath and condemnation of God.

In John, chapter three, Jesus says it this way: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him 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” (15-18).

Those who believe and trust in Christ Jesus, the eternal Son of God made flesh, are saved and have life because Christ gave His body and shed His blood for the remission of all sins. They partake of His body and blood and of the benefits Jesus won for them through faith.

On the other hand, those who do not trust in Christ’s body and blood given and shed for all mankind are condemned. Why? Because they reject the only way of salvation God has provided for them – in His Son!

Even in the Lord’s Supper, those who partake of the bread and of the cup unworthily – without godly sorrow over sin and faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice – are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord because they have rejected and taken lightly Jesus’ giving of His body into death and shedding of His blood for the remission of our sins. They do not consider what He offers and gives them in the Supper when He says, “Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you” and “Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (1 Corinthians 11:23ff.; Matthew 26:26-28) They, in the words of Hebrews 10, have trodden under foot the Son of God, and have counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith they were sanctified, an unholy thing, and have done despite unto the Spirit of grace.

Jesus said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51).

Jesus gave His life for you. His body was nailed to the cross to suffer for your sins and mine. He shed His blood for you when He made atonement for the sins of the whole world. His flesh is food indeed and His blood is drink indeed to nourish our souls and to give to all who partake of Him through faith everlasting life!

God grant you to partake of Jesus, the Bread of Life, and to drink of His blood shed for the remission of your sins through faith in Him! Then, you will have life!

O merciful Father, grant us faith in Messiah Jesus, the Son. Grant that we eat His flesh and drink His blood through faith, trusting in His atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. Amen.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

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 Open Questions

44. Those questions in the domain of Christian doctrine may be termed open questions which Scripture answers either not at all or not clearly. Since neither an individual nor the Church as a whole is permitted to develop or augment the Christian doctrine, but are rather ordered and commanded by God to continue in the doctrine of the apostles, 2 Thess. 2:15; Acts 2:42, open questions must remain open questions. Not to be included in the number of open questions are the following: the doctrine of the Church and the Ministry, of Sunday, of Chiliasm, and of Antichrist, these doctrines being clearly defined in Scripture.

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are Psalm 3; Acts 4:32 – 5:16; Galatians 3:23 – 4:7; Luke 8:26-39. Please read them in their context as you prepare for worship on Sunday. Marty will preach on Galatians 3:23ff.

The Adult Bible Class will continue in the Gospel of John at chapter 6:60ff. Did the people understand Jesus’ words about eating His flesh and drinking His blood? What about Jesus’ own disciples? What about us? How did Jesus answer His disciples? Who is it who gives life? What does Jesus say of His words? How is this true yet today? Can anyone come to faith in Jesus or believe in Jesus’ name of his own will or decision? Can anyone understand the truths of Scripture by his own reason or understanding? Whose gift and working is it when one come to believe in Jesus? Why did a number of Jesus’ disciples turn back? Does this happen yet today? How? What did Jesus ask the twelve? How did Simon Peter answer Jesus? Is there any other that we can turn to for eternal life? What did Peter confess for all the disciples? Who had chosen Jesus’ disciples? What does Jesus say about one of them? Why?

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 pray for God’s healing and strengthening of our congregation. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – especially for Dick Stueland who was scheduled to undergo knee surgery today, for Sam Rusch who was hospitalized, and for the mother of Dick Rusch – 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 Nigeria, Haiti and Chile, and for believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus.

Events and Announcements

A Baby Shower will be held at the church at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, for Sarah Hardigan, the daughter of Jim and Betty Mayer. The congregation is invited to attend.

A Pot-Luck Dinner is being planned following the service on Sunday, June 20, in honor of Father’s Day.

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.

Psalm 3:8: “Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: Thy blessing is upon Thy people.”

[Scripture in this Newsletter is taken from the King James Version of the Bible]

THE PRODIGAL SON

Luke 15:11-32

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

In the first verses of Luke 15, we are told that the Pharisees and scribes murmured against Jesus because He received known sinners who came to Him to hear His life-giving Word. Rather than rejoicing with the angels of heaven over these lost sinners who were being converted and saved through Jesus’ Word, the Pharisees and scribes were critical of Jesus for receiving such persons. The parable of the prodigal son was told by Jesus to show them that they too should repent and that they should rejoice over the repentance of other lost sinners.

The prodigal son in this parable must certainly have been considered to be the worst of sinners in the eyes of the Jewish scribes and Pharisees. Not only had he wasted his inheritance on harlots and in riotous living; he even cared for, lived with and tried to eat with swine. Yet, when he came to his senses and returned to his father seeking forgiveness for his sins, his father forgave him and rejoiced at his return.

This is a beautiful description of our heavenly Father and His forgiveness for our many sins against Him. Our heavenly Father created us to serve Him and do His will. He placed us over His creation on the earth that we might use these things according to His will and for His glory (Gen. 1). But man disobeyed the LORD God and fell into sin. Instead of living for the LORD and using His creation in accord with His will, we have turned aside from the LORD and His holy will and have used His creation for our own selfish ends. Like the prodigal son, all of us sinners need confess: “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in Thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called Thy son” (cf. Gen. 3; Rom. 3:9-20,23). Because God sent His only begotten Son into the world to suffer and die for our sins, we can be sure that our heavenly Father will also forgive us when we repent of our sins and turn to Him for forgiveness (cf. I John 1:9; 2:1-2; Rom. 3:23-26). Through faith in Christ, our heavenly Father not only forgives all our sins against Him; He receives us as sons and gives us an eternal inheritance with Him in heaven (Gal. 3:26-29; 4:4-5).

Jesus’ parable goes on to describe the great rejoicing which took place when the prodigal son returned, and the anger of his brother that such a wicked son would be received back with joy and celebration. Because the Pharisees and scribes did not see their own need to repent and receive forgiveness through the Lord Jesus Christ, they, like the angry brother in the parable, could only see the great sin of those coming to Jesus. They did not see the great blessings of forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation which were being imparted to these penitent sinners for Jesus’ sake, and they were therefore unable to rejoice over the salvation of these lost souls.

Note the father’s response to the angry son: “It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” When we remember that we too “were dead in trespasses and sins” and that “God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:1,4-6), then we will be filled with joy when others also receive the salvation God has provided for them in His Son!

Alas, my God, my sins are great, my conscience doth upbraid me; and now I find that in my strait no man hath pow’r to aid me. Lord, Thee I seek. I merit naught; yet pity and restore me. Just God, be not Thy wrath my lot; Thy Son hath suffered for me. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #317, Verses 1, 3)

Pastor Randy Moll

Who watches over and keeps us in all our ways?

“When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, and entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.” John 6:15-21

Who is it who watches over and keeps us in all our ways? Who preserves our life and guards and protects us from all evil?

The Bible tells us in Psalm 91: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”

But consider Jesus’ disciples. After Jesus had miraculously fed the five thousand with five barley loaves and two small fish, he sent His disciples away in the boat while He himself went up in the mountain to pray. Cf. Mark 6:45-53:

And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

When evening came, Jesus was alone on the land and His disciples in the middle of the sea, rowing hard and making little progress because the winds were against them. Jesus saw them toiling and rowing, but He didn’t immediately come to their aid. He continued to pray and didn’t come to them, walking on the water, until sometime between 3 and 6 a.m. – in the fourth watch of the night. Mark even tells us that He would have passed them by, but they saw Him walking on the water and were terrified.

There are times in our lives, too, when we struggle and struggle to make headway through the storms and troubles we face. Jesus sees. He sees us struggling and toiling, but He may not immediately intervene. But as He continued in prayer on that mountain through the night, we are also assured that He is constantly interceding and praying for us at the right hand of God the Father. The Bible tells us that our judge is “Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Romans 8:34). Even when we sin, “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; cf. Isaiah 53:12).

Jesus prayed often. He prayed for His disciples, asking the Father to keep them in the true and saving faith and keep them from evil (cf. John 17). After praying for His disciples on that night when He was betrayed, He also said in His high priestly prayer (John 17:20-21, 24):

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me …Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”

Jesus desires and prays that none of us be lost but be kept in the true and saving faith – kept in fellowship with Him and the Father through repentance and remission of sins for the sake of Jesus’ shed blood – until we are with Him forever in heaven. We often fail to trust. We fail to pray as we should and to wait upon the LORD God. But Jesus doesn’t fail to pray for us and to watch over us even if we don’t immediately see Him coming to our aid in the troubles of our lives.

Jesus did come to His disciples on the sea. He would have passed them by had they not seen Him and become terrified, thinking they had seen a ghost. What would we think if we were a few miles from shore on a wind-tossed lake late in the night and we saw a figure walking to us on the water? I have little doubt that fear and terror would grip our hearts as well.

But Jesus removed those fears. He said, “It is I; be not afraid.”

The Gospel of Matthew tells us that Peter said, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water” (Matthew 14:28). When Jesus told him to come, Peter walked on the water too, until he took his eyes off Jesus, looked at the wind and the waves and doubted. Jesus caught him by the hand and saved him. He also rebuked Peter’s lack of faith – even though his faith was greater than most because he did step out of the boat upon the water to walk to Jesus.

And what happened when Jesus stepped into the ship? The wind stopped, and immediately they were at their destination.

Though an allegorical application, it is true that when we keep our eyes upon Jesus and trust Him, we can walk above the storm-tossed seas of life. When we take our eyes off Jesus and look at the wind and the waves, we doubt and begin to sink. All we need do is cry out, as did Peter, “Lord, save me,” and He will take us by the hand and walk with us. When Jesus is with us, He calms the storms of life and brings us safely to the shore of our final destination.

Yes, Jesus who fed thousands with a few loaves and fish is the very Son of God in human flesh. Who else can walk on water, calm the wind and the waves and carry a boat across the sea and safely to shore?

But this same Jesus, who is over all creation, loves us so much He prayed for His disciples and for us, and He continues to intercede for us. He desires that none of us be lost to His kingdom, but that we continue to trust in Him – and Him alone – for Who watches over and keeps us in all our ways?

“When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, and entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.” John 6:15-21

Who is it who watches over and keeps us in all our ways? Who preserves our life and guards and protects us from all evil?

The Bible tells us in Psalm 91: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”

But consider Jesus’ disciples. After Jesus had miraculously fed the five thousand with five barley loaves and two small fish, he sent His disciples away in the boat while He himself went up in the mountain to pray. Cf. Mark 6:45-53:

And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

When evening came, Jesus was alone on the land and His disciples in the middle of the sea, rowing hard and making little progress because the winds were against them. Jesus saw them toiling and rowing, but He didn’t immediately come to their aid. He continued to pray and didn’t come to them, walking on the water, until sometime between 3 and 6 a.m. – in the fourth watch of the night. Mark even tells us that He would have passed them by, but they saw Him walking on the water and were terrified.

There are times in our lives, too, when we struggle and struggle to make headway through the storms and troubles we face. Jesus sees. He sees us struggling and toiling, but He may not immediately intervene. But as He continued in prayer on that mountain through the night, we are also assured that He is constantly interceding and praying for us at the right hand of God the Father. The Bible tells us that our judge is “Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Romans 8:34). Even when we sin, “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; cf. Isaiah 53:12).

Jesus prayed often. He prayed for His disciples, asking the Father to keep them in the true and saving faith and keep them from evil (cf. John 17). After praying for His disciples on that night when He was betrayed, He also said in His high priestly prayer (John 17:20-21, 24):

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me …Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”

Jesus desires and prays that none of us be lost but be kept in the true and saving faith – kept in fellowship with Him and the Father through repentance and remission of sins for the sake of Jesus’ shed blood – until we are with Him forever in heaven. We often fail to trust. We fail to pray as we should and to wait upon the LORD God. But Jesus doesn’t fail to pray for us and to watch over us even if we don’t immediately see Him coming to our aid in the troubles of our lives.

Jesus did come to His disciples on the sea. He would have passed them by had they not seen Him and become terrified, thinking they had seen a ghost. What would we think if we were a few miles from shore on a wind-tossed lake late in the night and we saw a figure walking to us on the water? I have little doubt that fear and terror would grip our hearts as well.

But Jesus removed those fears. He said, “It is I; be not afraid.”

The Gospel of Matthew tells us that Peter said, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water” (Matthew 14:28). When Jesus told him to come, Peter walked on the water too, until he took his eyes off Jesus, looked at the wind and the waves and doubted. Jesus caught him by the hand and saved him. He also rebuked Peter’s lack of faith – even though his faith was greater than most because he did step out of the boat upon the water to walk to Jesus.

And what happened when Jesus stepped into the ship? The wind stopped, and immediately they were at their destination.

Though an allegorical application, it is true that when we keep our eyes upon Jesus and trust Him, we can walk above the storm-tossed seas of life. When we take our eyes off Jesus and look at the wind and the waves, we doubt and begin to sink. All we need do is cry out, as did Peter, “Lord, save me,” and He will take us by the hand and walk with us. When Jesus is with us, He calms the storms of life and brings us safely to the shore of our final destination.

Yes, Jesus who fed thousands with a few loaves and fish is the very Son of God in human flesh. Who else can walk on water, calm the wind and the waves and carry a boat across the sea and safely to shore?

But this same Jesus, who is over all creation, loves us so much He prayed for His disciples and for us, and He continues to intercede for us. He desires that none of us be lost to His kingdom, but that we continue to trust in Him – and Him alone – for our forgiveness and for life everlasting. He went to the cross to suffer and die and pay in full the just punishment for your sins, my sins and the sins of the whole world. He rose again and ascended to the right hand of God the Father, and there He intercedes for us as we endure the struggles and difficulties of this life. He wants us to join Him in the mansions of His Father’s house.

He can still walk on water and calm the winds and the waves, but even more important to Him is that we trust in Him, pray to Him and know that He sees us, comes to us by His Spirit through God’s Word, and will lead us safely through the troubles of this life to Himself in heaven.

Had Jesus’ disciples kept in mind the promises of God’s Word, they would have known the LORD was with them even when they couldn’t see His presence. If we would read, study and keep in mind the Word of God, we would know and recognize that Jesus seeks our good even when He sends us out on stormy seas, that He prays for us, that He comes to us, that He stills and calms the seas of life for us in His own time, and that He not only died for us and rose again but leads us safely through this life to Himself in heaven!

The apostle Paul wrote of this confidence when he said, “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 Timothy 4:18).

God grant to you and to me such faith in our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 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 Sunday

41 We teach that in the New Testament God has abrogated the Sabbath and all the holy-days prescribed for the Church of the Old Covenant, so that neither “the keeping of the Sabbath nor of any other day” nor the observance of at least one specific day of the seven days of the week is ordained or commanded by God, Col 2:16; Rom. 14:5 (Augsburg Confession. Triglot, p. 91, @_ 51-60; M., p. 66).

The observance of Sunday and other church festivals is an ordinance of the Church, made by virtue of Christian liberty. (Augsburg Confession; Triglot, p. 91, @51-53, 60; M., p. 66. Large Catechism; Triglot, p. 603, @_ 83, 85, 89; M., P. 401.) Hence Christians should not regard such ordinances as ordained by God and binding upon the conscience, Col. 2:16; Gal. 4: 10. However, for the sake of Christian love and peace they should willingly observe them, Rom. 14:13; 1 Cor. 14:40. (Augsburg Confession. Triglot, P. 91, @53-56; M., p. 67.)

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are Psalm 8; Acts 2:22-47; John 8:48-59. Please read them in their context as you prepare for worship on Trinity Sunday. What is the theme of Psalm 8? What question is raised by the psalmist when he looks at the heavens? Cf. Psalm 19:1. What does this psalm say about man’s created position? How does this apply to Jesus? Cf. Hebrews 2:6ff. What did Peter, in Acts 2, say the Jews had done to the LORD’s Christ? How have we, too, done this? What did Peter direct the people to do that they might be saved? How do these words apply to us today? What did the new believers continue to do? Who added to the Church? Who, in John 8, did Jesus say His hearers did not know? Why? Did Jesus know the Father? Had Abraham seen Jesus? How long has Jesus been? Who did He claim to be?

The Adult Bible Class will continue in the Gospel of John at chapter 6:28ff. Who gave the Children of Israel manna from heaven? How is Jesus greater than that manna? What did Jesus say He is? What did He offer His hearers? Did the Jews come to Jesus and receive the true bread from heaven? Who, did Jesus say, would come to Him? What is the will of God the Father in heaven? What is His will for you?

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 pray for God’s healing and strengthening of our congregation. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us; 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 Nigeria, Haiti and Chile, and for believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus.

Thank You

Ray Hawes expresses his thanks to the ladies of the congregation for the lunch honoring him on the occasion of his birthday.

Events and Announcements

The Choir is practicing for upcoming services. More voices are always welcome.

Congregational Evening Bible studies will continue again at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9.

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.

Psalm 119:1-8

1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

[Scripture in this Newsletter is taken from the King James Version of the Bible]

THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN

Read Luke 18:9-14

“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

How should we come to God in prayer? At times we feel that God should hear and answer our prayers because of all our efforts to obey Him and faithfully serve Him. We look around us and see so many who call themselves “Christians” disobey God and disregard His Word. They are unfaithful! They have sinned and compromised their faith! We feel that God should certainly hear our prayers since we have been faithful to God’s Word and have given up much to follow Christ. We are not unfaithful as others are!

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican was told by Jesus to those who “trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.” When we feel that God will hear and answer our prayers because we have been faithful Christians and are not unfaithful as so many others are, we are praying in a similar fashion as the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable. Rather, we should come to God as did the humble tax-collector, who knew of his own sinfulness and unworthiness before God; for it was “this man [that] went down to his house justified [or forgiven] rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

When we come to God in prayer, we should come humbly acknowledging our sin and unworthiness before God. With the publican, we join in praying: “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Since Christ has died for our sins and is risen again, we can also come before God with the assurance that He forgives our sins and hears and answers all our proper prayers. One might even say that we come to the LORD God in humble boldness–humble, because we are unworthy sinners, and in boldness, because Christ has died for us and redeemed us.

Before Thee, God, who knowest all, with grief and shame I prostrate fall. I see my sins against Thee, Lord, the sins of thought, of deed, and word. They press me sore; I cry to Thee: O God, be merciful to me! O Jesus, let Thy precious blood be to my soul a cleansing flood. Turn not, O Lord, Thy guest away, but grant that justified I may go to my house at peace with Thee. O God, be merciful to me! Amen. (TLH, Hymn #318, Verses 1,3)

Pastor Randy Moll

How can we know Jesus is God’s Son and our Savior?

“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?” John 5:30-47

How does one know that Jesus really is the Son of God and the Savior of the world as He claimed? What witness is there?

Many others have come claiming to be the long-promised Messiah and Savior of God’s people. So, what makes Jesus’ claim any different? He Himself said, “If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.” In other words, if Jesus’ claim was the only witness, He would be a liar. But there is more – indeed, so much more that the unbeliever has no excuse.

John the Baptist, the prophet promised of God in the Old Testament (cf. Isaiah 40 and Malachi 4) came and testified that Jesus is the Son of God and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (cf. John 1:29-34).

Jesus explains: “There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.”

As Jesus said, John the Baptist, the one to whom the Jews flocked for a season, testified of the truth. He told the people who Jesus was and directed them to trust in Christ Jesus.

But Jesus did not need to rely on the testimony of man. He told the Jews, “But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.”

Think about it. Who else could heal the sick, cleanse lepers, open the eyes of the blind and even raise the dead? How could Jesus do these things if God the Father had not sent Him? And, even more importantly, Jesus was obedient to the Father and willingly went to the cross to suffer and die for the sins of the world and rise again. These are the works God the Father had promised the Messiah would do (cf. Genesis 3:15; Psalm 22; Psalm 130; Isaiah 53; etc.). Jesus’ works testify to the fact that He is indeed God the Son and the promised Messiah and Savior of all men.

God the Father Himself testified of Jesus that He is God the Son. He not only testified through the written word of the Scriptures, but His voice was heard from heaven at Jesus’ baptism and again on the mount of transfiguration, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17 and 17:5).

Jesus said, “And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.”

The Old Testament Scriptures – as well as the New – testify to the truth that Jesus was and is the eternal Son of God and the Savior of the world. The Jews searched and studied the Scriptures, and the Scriptures, throughout, point to Christ Jesus and His redeeming work.

Again, Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

Why didn’t the Jews of Jesus’ day believe? Why do people still not come to Jesus and trust in Him for forgiveness and life today?

Jesus explains, “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?”

People will not turn to Jesus for forgiveness of sins and everlasting life because they are unwilling to humble themselves and acknowledge their own utter sinfulness and depravity. They are unwilling to accept the judgment they deserve on account of their sin and look to the Lord Jesus for mercy and forgiveness.

People seek to be honored by others for their deeds and works instead of admitting the filthiness and sinfulness in all that they do. They seek, as Jesus said, honor from men instead of the honor which comes from God alone.

And Jesus rebukes such unbelief: “Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?”

The Jews thought then – and still do today – that they could be pleasing and acceptable in God’s eyes by their obedience to the laws of Moses. But Jesus said that Moses would accuse them on the Last Day for not placing their hope and trust in Messiah Jesus. Why? Because Moses wrote of Jesus, and pointed the people to Jesus.

Before his death, Moses said, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him” (Deuteronomy 18:15-19).

Jesus is that Prophet like unto Moses, and Jesus is the Mediator of the New Covenant so that we do not need hear God speak to us in fire and judgment from Mt. Sinai. Jesus fulfilled the righteous demands of God’s law for us and He bore the full and just punishment for our sins and the sins of the whole world that we might be forgiven and accepted of God the Father for Jesus’ sake. He made atonement for our sins with His own blood, that we might have forgiveness and life everlasting through faith in His name.

If we believe on the Son, trusting in Him for forgiveness and life, we will be saved. However, if we do not receive Jesus’ testimony and place our trust in Him as God’s Son and our Messiah and Savior, God will require it of us and condemn us for refusing to believe in the name of His only begotten Son and our only Savior from sin and everlasting punishment.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life … He that believeth on him 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 … He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:16,18,36).

Dear Lord Jesus, Son of God and Son of man, open our eyes to see and our ears to hear that we may receive Your testimony and acknowledge our utter sinfulness and place our hope and trust in You and Your shed blood for our forgiveness and for life everlasting. 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 Church and State

34. Although both Church and State are ordinances of God, yet they must not be commingled. Church and State have entirely different aims. By the Church, God would save men, for which reason the Church is called the “mother” of believers, Gal. 4:26. By the State, God would maintain external order among men, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty,” 1 Tim. 2:2. It follows that the means which Church and State employ to gain their ends are entirely different. The Church may not employ any other means than the preaching of the Word of God, John 18:11,36; 2 Cor. 10: 4. The State, on the other hand, makes laws bearing on civil matters and is empowered to employ for their execution also the sword and other corporal punishments, Rom. 13:4. Accordingly we condemn the policy of those who would have the power of the State employed “in the interest of the Church” and who thus turn the Church into a secular dominion; as also of those who, aiming to govern the State by the Word of God, seek to turn the State into a Church.

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 pray for God’s healing and strengthening of our congregation. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – especially for Sam Rusch, who has been ill; for Carl Sontag who suffered an aneurysm – 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 Nigeria, Haiti and Chile, and for believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus.

Events and Announcements

The Choir is practicing for upcoming services. More voices are always welcome.

Congregational Evening Bible studies will resume tonight at 7 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 goodshepherdrogers@yahoo.com.

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21

[Scripture in this Newsletter is taken from the King James Version of the Bible]

THE PATCH, WINE SKINS AND OLD WINE

Read Luke 5:36-39

“And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.”

This parable of the Lord Jesus makes use of three illustrations to point out the foolishness and error of the scribes and Pharisees who asked why Jesus’ disciples did not fast like those of John the Baptist. No one with any sense would cut up and ruin a new garment in order to patch an old one. Not only would the new garment be ruined; the patch would not match the old garment; and if the patch is of new, unshrunk cloth, it would make a worse tear in the old garment when it shrunk and pulled away. One also would not put new wine into old wine skins; for the pressure of the fermenting new wine would burst the dry and rigid old wine skins, causing the loss of both the wine and the skins.

Jesus’ point with these two illustrations is the incompatibility of the Pharisees’ dependence upon their own works of the Law for salvation and the Gospel of forgiveness and full salvation through faith alone in Christ and His redemptive work. The old garment of works righteousness, or salvation by the works of the Law, cannot be mended with pieces of the new garment of salvation by God’s grace alone for Jesus’ sake. Rather than trying to patch up the tears and sins in the life of one who hopes to be saved by his own works, he should take off and discard the filthy and spotted garment of the flesh and be clothed with the garment of forgiveness of sins and imputed righteousness in Jesus Christ. If one tries to pour the Gospel, which tells of and offers forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation by God’s grace alone for Christ’s sake, and which can be received only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, into the old skins of works righteousness, both will be lost; for the Gospel excludes salvation by human works. “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Finally, Jesus illustrated man’s reluctance to believe the Gospel and trust in Christ alone for salvation. In the same way that one who has drunk old wine assumes that the old is better and does not desire the new, so also those who have imbibed the old religious belief that man must merit his own salvation by his works and life do not desire the new wine of salvation as a gracious gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Those who trust in their own works for salvation must be shown the inadequacy and bitter end of such drink before they will desire the sweet Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thy righteousness, O Christ, alone can cover me; no righteousness avails save that which is of Thee. To whom save Thee, who canst alone for sin atone, Lord, shall I flee? Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #380, Verse 5)

Pastor Randy Moll

Devotions from Isaiah 53

“Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:12

Because Jesus Christ suffered and died upon the cross, shedding His holy and precious blood for our sins and rising again in victory, He spoils the dominion of darkness and executes judgment upon this earth.

The Apostle Paul writes of Jesus’ victory in this way: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2:14-15).

Jesus paid in full the just punishment for our sins and the sins of the whole world when He was numbered with the transgressors and nailed to the cross to suffer and die in our stead. He there poured out His soul unto death that He might redeem us and bring us back to God.

In the Garden of Eden, Satan used the commandment of God to bring sin and eternal damnation upon all mankind (Genesis 3). “The handwriting of ordinances…was against us,” for mankind through Adam broke God’s holy commandment. On the cross, Jesus Christ the righteous made atonement for our sins and the sins of the whole world and satisfied God’s just wrath against us (1 John 2:1, 2). Thus Satan’s work and power over us was defeated and cast off, and a door was opened unto us to receive pardon, forgiveness and everlasting life (cf. Hebrews 2:14-17).

As a result of Jesus’ work when He suffered and died upon the cross and then rose again from the dead to intercede for us before the Father with His shed blood, those who by God’s grace and mercy are brought to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus are delivered from the power of darkness and conveyed into the eternal kingdom of Jesus, the Son of His love (cf. Colossians 1:12-14). Thus, Christ Jesus spoils Satan’s kingdom and delivers those who place their trust in Him and His shed blood.

But those who spurn God’s gift of salvation and continue on in disobedience and rebellion shall be judged and condemned on the Last Day when the crucified and risen Christ returns to judge this world in righteousness and equity (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff.; Hebrews 2:3). Why? Because they have not believed on the name of Christ Jesus, God’s only begotten Son and their Savior (cf. John 3:18)!

O crucified and risen Savior, grant that I not continue on in my disobedience and rebellion but truly repent of my evil ways and trust in You and Your redeeming work for my salvation. Amen.

Pastor Randy Moll

Letters to My Children

[Editor's Note: The letter below is the first in a series of letters written to my children urging them to continue in the true faith. The letters may also prove helpful to others who wish to read and consider their message.]

My Dear Children,

The first and most important thing I can encourage you to do is to read your Bibles. I know that there are so many other things to keep you busy that finding time to read and study the Scriptures is difficult; but this is so essential to your well-being, both here in this world, and hereafter in eternity! In fact, if you do this one thing and continue in it, you will learn the rest of what I intend to say to you without my letters and instruction.

St. Paul wrote to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:14-17): “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

You see, the Bible tells us that, when we study its pages, we will learn of the salvation which is ours through faith in Christ Jesus. We also learn that the Scriptures are useful and beneficial to us—indeed necessary—to teach us, reprove us, correct us, and instruct us in righteous living. When we diligently read and study our Bibles, we will learn of our salvation in Christ Jesus and be thoroughly equipped to follow Christ and live for Him. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Now, the Bible is no ordinary book. While we are flooded every day with books and articles to read, coming from all sorts of different human authors and groups, the Bible is different. It is the Word of God to man! It is the revealed word and message of the Almighty God, the Creator of heaven, earth and all things; and it is written and recorded for you and for me.

Why do I say this? Because the Bible itself tells us that “all scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16)! Peter also writes: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

The Bible is God’s Word because God moved men to write and guided and directed them in their choice of words. St. Paul wrote: “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:13). And, so we see that all of the Bible, and each and every word of the Bible, is inspired by God, or God-breathed!

David, the human author of many of the psalms, also spoke of this when he said: “Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue” (2 Samuel 23:1,2).

Since the Bible is not man’s writing but God’s Word, it is not surprising that the Bible, which is made up of 66 books and was recorded over a period of about 1600 years by over 30 human authors, says and teaches the same things throughout. Nor is it surprising that even the minutest points in the Bible are accurate and true. In fact, since God cannot lie and is always faithful (cf. Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 6:18; 2 Timothy 2:13), we could simply conclude that everything in the Bible is true and accurate and without mistake. But the Scriptures themselves also clearly teach that they are in all points true and without error. Jesus said, in His high priestly prayer, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). In another place, Jesus stated, “the scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). Therefore, we hold not only to the inspiration of the Scriptures, but also to the truthfulness and accuracy of every word of Scripture; for it is not man’s word, but God’s!

Furthermore, the Scriptures say: “Every word of God is pure” (Proverbs 30:5); and, “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever” (Psalm 119:160).

Now there are many who say that the Word of God has been lost and corrupted down through the centuries and that what we have in our Bibles may not actually be the very Word of God. This too is false, for there are more copies, translations and quotations supporting the authenticity of our Bible than for any other ancient historical book or writing.

But we also have the word and promise of God to faithfully preserve His Word as a witness to all the nations down to the end of time. Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14); and, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). The Scriptures also say: “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89); “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isaiah 40:8); and, “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (1 Peter 1:25).

It is true that we only have copies of the original Hebrew and Greek writings, but these copies were made with the greatest of care and precision to ensure that nothing be changed or lost. The vast numbers of manuscripts which still remain and their remarkable unity and agreement testify to this care and to God’s hand in preserving the Scriptures for us today. The Old Testament books were copied and preserved through the work of Hebrew scribes. Their work was preserved through the work of the Masoretes. Thus, the Hebrew Old Testament Scriptures have been preserved for us in what is known as the Masoretic Text. Thousands of manuscripts of the Greek New Testament remain, along with ancient translations, lectionaries and citations. The vast majority of these manuscripts agree throughout. They have come to be known as the Majority or Received Text.

Since all of the Bible and each and every word of the Bible has been given to us by inspiration of God, and since God has faithfully preserved His Word for us down through the centuries, it is both beneficial and important for us to use great care in choosing a Bible translation which accurately translates both the thoughts and words of the original languages. In fact, God Himself warns against adding to or taking away from the Word of God in any way. The Bible says: “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you” (Deuteronomy 4:2). Jesus Himself said: “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot [smallest Hebrew letter] or one tittle [smallest part of a Hebrew letter] shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:18-19). The Bible closes with the warning: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19).

This is why I continue to use, teach from and recommend the King James Version of the Bible (or the New King James Version for those who need a more modern translation), for this English translation is not only beautiful to read and easy to memorize; it very accurately and faithfully translates the Word of God from the Hebrew Masoretic and Greek Received Texts – in my opinion, it is far more accurate than any other. In contrast, many of the other modern English translations are poorer translations, rely upon only a few less reliable texts, or both.

I hope this helps you to see the importance of reading and studying your Bibles. Remember, the Bible is the Word of God, your Maker, your Redeemer and your Judge. He has given it to you to teach you of Him and to show you the way of life through faith in Him. Please, I plead with you, take the time to read and study its pages! Read a few verses or a chapter a day. Pray about it, apply it to yourself and meditate upon it.

I close this letter for now, praying that our God will give you the desire and willingness to read and study His life-giving Word. God bless and keep you all!

Until next time, with all my love,

Dad

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 Justification

17. Holy Scripture sums up all its teachings regarding the love of God to the world of sinners, regarding the salvation wrought by Christ, and regarding faith in Christ as the only way to obtain salvation, in the article of justification. Scripture teaches that God has already declared the whole world to be righteous in Christ, Rom. 5:19; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Rom. 4:25; that therefore not for the sake of their good works, but without the works of the Law, by grace, for Christ’s sake, He justifies, that is, accounts as righteous, all those who believe in Christ, that is, believe, accept, and rely on, the fact that for Christ’s sake their sins are forgiven. Thus the Holy Ghost testifies through St. Paul: “There is no difference; for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” Rom. 3: 23,24. And again: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the Law,” Rom. 3:28.

18. Through this doctrine alone Christ is given the honor due Him, namely, that through His holy life and innocent suffering and death He is our Savior. And through this doctrine alone can poor sinners have the abiding comfort that God is assuredly gracious to them. We reject as apostasy from the Christian religion all doctrines whereby man’s own works and merit are mingled into the article of justification before God. For the Christian religion is the faith that we have forgiveness of sins and salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, Acts 10:43.

19. We reject as apostasy from the Christian religion not only the doctrine of the Unitarians, who promise the grace of God to men on the basis of their moral efforts; not only the gross work-doctrine of the papists, who expressly teach that good works are necessary to obtain justification; but also the doctrine of the synergists, who indeed use the terminology of the Christian Church and say that man is justified “by faith,” “by faith alone,” but again mix human works into the article of justification by ascribing to man a co-operation with God in the kindling of faith and thus stray into papistic territory.

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

The Adult Bible Class will continue its study of the resurrection accounts in the four Gospels and in 1 Corinthians 15:1ff. To prepare, read the resurrection accounts and consider the chronology and the significance of what took place. What does Jesus’ resurrection prove? What assurances can you draw from the fact that Jesus did rise on the third day?

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 148; Acts 5:12-32; Revelation 1:4-18; and John 20:19-31. Please take the time to read them in their context in preparation for Sunday. Psalm 148 – Who and what are called upon to praise the LORD in this psalm? Why? Acts 5:12-32 – What were the apostles of Jesus doing in Jerusalem after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension? What was the reaction of the Jewish leaders? Why? What did they do? Who opened the prison doors for the apostles? What were they directed to do? What are we to be doing, regardless of the earthly consequences? Who are we to obey first and foremost? How might this have application in specific instances today for us? Revelation 1:4-18 – How does verse 5 describe Jesus? What has He done for us? What has He made us? How will He return? What will be the result? How does Jesus describe Himself? What does this mean? Why was John in exile? Where was he? How did Jesus appear to John? What does verse 18 mean? What implication does it have for you and for me? John 20:19-31 – Where were Jesus’ disciples on the night of Jesus’ resurrection? Who appeared to them? What did He say to them? What did Jesus mean in verses 21-23? How do these words have application to us today? Who was not present at this resurrection appearance of Jesus? Was he willing to believe based on the word of the other disciples? What did he say? What happened a week later? What did Jesus say? How did Thomas respond? What does this teach us about Jesus and His concern for every soul? What does John say of his gospel account? Why did John write the Gospel?

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, 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 Nigeria, 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.

A Special Informational Congregational Meeting has been set for 7 p.m., tonight, at the church to update members on a number of issues related to the church property and finances.

The April Church Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 14.

Congregational Evening Bible studies will resume on the second Wednesday in May, at 7 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 goodshepherdrogers@yahoo.com.

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21

[Scripture in this Newsletter is taken from the King James Version of the Bible]

THE RICH FOOL

Read Luke 12:13-21

“And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

The Parable of the Rich Fool was told by our Lord Jesus as a warning against desiring the treasures of this world and neglecting the eternal treasures of God’s kingdom.

When Jesus was asked to speak to a man and urge him to divide an inheritance with his brother, Jesus would not. He had not come into this world to judge and resolve disputes over money and goods. He came to save sinners and to give unto them eternal life (1 Tim. 1:15; Matt. 20:28). After warning against covetousness and pointing out that “a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth,” Jesus told the Parable of the Rich Fool to illustrate His point.

Indeed, it is foolish to live for and depend upon the goods of this world. Look at the man in Jesus’ parable. He had been greatly blessed with the fruits of this world and planned to build greater barns to store and keep his goods. That he depended upon the goods of this world is shown us by his words: “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” His foolishness is seen in God’s words to him: “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” His earthly goods were left to others, but he had to face the judgment of God without the true spiritual riches necessary to enter into eternal life!

The closing words of Jesus’ parable drive home the point: “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

It is indeed foolish for us to live for and depend upon the goods of this world. When we die – and we know that could happen at any time – of what benefit are all our earthly treasures to us? They will be left behind for others to inherit.

It is as Jesus said, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). Rather than seeking after the goods of this world, our first concern should be to “seek … the kingdom of God; and all these things [the necessary goods of this world] shall be added unto you” (Luke 12:31).

When we seek after God’s eternal kingdom and His righteousness which is ours through faith in Jesus Christ, God will graciously grant us the eternal riches of forgiveness of sins and life everlasting with Him in heaven. These blessings will never be lost or taken from us.

And, as we seek first God’s kingdom through faith in our Savior, we will also do well to remember the Word of God recorded by St. Paul: “Having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Tim. 6:8).

Jesus, Thou art mine forever, dearer far than earth to me; neither life nor death shall sever those sweet ties which bind to Thee. Jesus, Thou art mine forever; never suffer me to stray. Let me in my weakness never cast my priceless pearl away. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #357, Verses 1,5)

Pastor Randy Moll

Lenten Devotions from Isaiah 53

“Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall my righteous Servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.” Isaiah 53:10-11

Have you considered that it was the will of God the Father to bruise His own Son – to have Christ Jesus take our place upon the cross and suffer and die for our sins? Jesus was offered up a perfect sacrifice to make full atonement for our sins and for the sins of the whole world.

And, yes, Isaiah the prophet also foretold the resurrection of Jesus some seven hundred years before Jesus died and rose again: “When Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied.”

Jesus not only died for our sins according to the Scriptures; He also rose again on the third day. Jesus saw the results of His atoning sacrifice. He saw His seed – those who would obtain the right and privilege to be called children of God through faith in Him and His atoning sacrifice. His days are indeed prolonged – He is risen and lives forever! And the will and pleasure of the LORD is prospering in His hand as He brings sinners to repent and trust in Him for full pardon and life everlasting. Jesus sees the labor of His soul and is satisfied. He has joy over every sinner who repents of His sinful ways and trusts in Him for forgiveness and a place with Him in paradise.

“By His knowledge shall my righteous Servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.” Having taken our sins and iniquities upon Himself and having paid in full by His innocent sufferings and death, the risen Christ justifies many. Christ Jesus makes us sinners acceptable in God’s eyes through His shed blood so that God reaches out to us in mercy, offering us forgiveness and life through faith in Jesus’ name. And, even yet today, the Gospel message calls sinners to repentance, proclaiming forgiveness of sins and life everlasting through faith in the crucified and risen Savior (cf. Luke 24:46-47).

O dearest Jesus, thank you for bearing the guilt and punishment of my sins, upon the cross. As You have risen from the dead, so raise me up to faith in You and life everlasting. Amen.

Pastor Randy Moll

What’s Wrong with America?

What’s wrong with America? What changed the nation’s course and led us down a path which makes our nation – our society – almost unrecognizable to those who still remember another America?

People answer these questions a number of different ways. Many point to our nation’s ills – to things like abortion, euthanasia, sexual aberrations, lack of self esteem and respect for others and drug and alcohol abuse. But these are only the symptoms – the result – of a deeper cause. And so, we need to look deeper if we are to find and understand the reason for what’s wrong with America and what has changed the course of a nation and people.

If we look back on our nation and the principles upon which it was founded, we see a whole different way of thinking – a different world view. Our founding fathers, even though not all were Christian, held to a Christian (or Judeo-Christian) world view. They believed that the world and all mankind were the creation of an almighty God, to whom all are responsible and to whom all must one day give account. They also believed that people have certain rights given to them by their Creator – rights which men and governments ought not take away.

The Declaration of Independence sets forth this common belief in the well-known words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

How things have changed! Rather than believing in an almighty creator God who has given us life and all things, the view of modern society – the view taught in our public schools and espoused by our nation’s government and courts – is one of a chance existence: Life and the world as we know it are the result of “natural” laws relating to mass and energy in the universe, with man being the highest known form of evolving life.

Thus, instead of man being a creation of God – a person endowed with life, liberty and the freedom to own property and carry out godly pursuits before he stands before his Maker – man is now viewed as an insignificant speck on the face of the universe who is here today and gone tomorrow. His only significance and meaning in life is in the existential now, and his only moral guide is himself and the views of society’s influential and ruling elite.

Is it any wonder, then, that our nation’s highest court could legalize abortion in all 50 states with one ruling? Should we be surprised that euthanasia has been practiced and is now being legalized in a number of states? After all, modern laws are no longer based on the moral absolute of God’s Ten Commandments and the Bible; they are based on the opinions and desires of people and society. If society determines it is okay to murder unborn babies for the convenience of the mothers, it becomes the law of the land. If society thinks it is acceptable to terminate life when it becomes “unmeaningful” or “unuseful,” then it becomes the law of the land. If society determines that alternative lifestyles and same-sex marriages are acceptable, the law protects these aberrations. If society determines that it is okay to have sex outside of marriage, to produce and view pornography, to allow no-fault divorces, that lotteries and other forms of gambling are for the common good, they become legal and lawful. And the list goes on and on!

Of course, what has happened is not new. It has just taken another form. In the Garden of Eden, the devil’s temptation was to doubt God’s Word and to become like gods, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3). Instead of listening to God and His Word, Adam and Eve made their own moral judgment and did what seemed good for them at the moment: “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (v. 6).

Adam and Eve erred in the Garden and we err today when we seek to be our own gods and put in place of God’s Word our own views of what is good and evil, right and wrong. When we determine our own moral values, our values are neither moral nor absolute. They change from situation to situation and become further and further removed from the foundation of God’s truth.

Sadly, we may not have seen the worst yet in America. If a ruling party determines it to be good to exterminate people of a certain race or religious or political view, it could become law – it did in Nazi Germany. If a ruling party determines that churches be closed, presses be shut down or censored and that dissenters be sent to mental wards or labor camps, it could become law – it did in the old Soviet Union. If a ruling party determines what our children are to be taught in schools, who will receive health care and how, what is socially and morally acceptable and what is not, which religious speech and displays are permissible and which are not, it will become the law of the land – it’s already happening in America.

This is the direction America is taking today: God and His Word are becoming outlawed; man and his opinions and views are becoming the law of the land. Our nation is becoming another fulfillment of Psalm 2: “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against His Anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”

And so, what is my point? It is just this: It will do little good to complain about the symptoms if we don’t address the root problem. We must do more than oppose abortion, euthanasia, sexual immorality and other symptoms of a humanistic, man-centered nation and society. We need to focus on restoring a world view based on the God of the Bible and His absolute and unerring Word.

That cannot be done through war or bloodshed. It cannot be accomplished through political might or gaining the upper hand at election time. It won’t be accomplished through marches on the nation’s capitol. Church programs and membership drives will prove futile. And though I often write columns political in nature, they will be of little effect.

There is only one way to change America’s world view, and that is by preaching and teaching the Word of God – the Bible – with a goal of reaching one person at a time. Only when people again read and hear God’s absolute truth will they be reminded that they are not gods. There is only one true God and He sits in the heavens and laughs at our foolishness in thinking that we can cast off all ties with Him and with His Anointed – the Lord Jesus Christ.

Only when we, by the working of God’s Holy Spirit through the Word, individually acknowledge that God is God and humble ourselves before Him, trusting the promises of His Word which assure us that He will be merciful to us, forgive us and accept us for the sake of the eternal Son of God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, will our way of thinking change. And if, by the grace of God, enough people hear the Word of God and believe its message, America, as a nation, may also change its world view and let God be God again, before it is too late.

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 Conversion

10. We teach that conversion consists in this, that a man, having learned from the Law of God that he is a lost and condemned sinner, is brought to faith in the Gospel, which offers him forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation for the sake of Christ’s vicarious satisfaction, Acts 11: 21; Luke 24: 46,47; Acts 26:18.

11. All men, since the Fall, are dead in sins, Eph. 2:1-3, and inclined only to evil, Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Rom. 8:7. For this reason, and particularly because men regard the Gospel of Christ, crucified for the sins of the world, as foolishness, I Cor. 2:14, faith in the Gospel, or conversion to God, is neither wholly nor in the least part the work of man, but the work of God’s grace and almighty power alone, Phil. 1:29; Eph. 2:8; 1:19;-Jer. 31:18. Hence Scripture calls the faith of man, or his conversion, a raising from the dead, Eph. 1:20; Col. 2:12, a being born of God, John 1: 12, 13, a new birth by the Gospel, 1 Pet. 1: 23-25, a work of God like the creation of light at the creation of the world, 2 Cor. 4:6.

12. On the basis of these clear statements of the Holy Scriptures we reject every kind of synergism, that is, the doctrine that conversion is wrought not by the grace and power of God alone, but in part also by the co-operation of man himself, by man’s right conduct, his right attitude, his right self-determination, his lesser guilt or less evil conduct as compared with others, his refraining from willful resistance, or anything else whereby man’s conversion and salvation is taken out of the gracious hands of God and made to depend on what man does or leaves undone. For this refraining from willful resistance or from any kind of resistance is also solely a work of grace, which “changes unwilling into willing men,” Ezek- 36:26; Phil. 2:13. We reject also the doctrine that man is able to decide for conversion through “powers imparted by grace,” since this doctrine presupposes that before conversion man still possesses spiritual powers by which he can make the right use of such “powers imparted by grace.”

13. On the other hand, we reject also the Calvinistic perversion of the doctrine of conversion, that is, the doctrine that God does not desire to convert and save all hearers of the Word, but only a portion of them. Many hearers of the Word indeed remain unconverted and are not saved, not because God does not earnestly desire their conversion and salvation, but solely because they stubbornly resist the gracious operation of the Holy Ghost, as Scripture teaches, Acts 7:51; Matt 23:37; Acts 13:46.

14. As to the question why not all men are converted and saved, seeing that God’s grace is universal and all men are equally and utterly corrupt, we confess that we cannot answer it. From Scripture we know only this: A man owes his conversion and salvation, not to any lesser guilt or better conduct on his part, but solely to the grace of God. But any man’s non-conversion is due to himself alone: it is the result of his obstinate resistance against the converting operation of the Holy Ghost, Hos. 13:9.

15. Our refusal to go beyond what is revealed in these two Scriptural truths is not ‘masked Calvinism” (“Cryptocalvinism”) but precisely the Scriptural teaching of the Lutheran Church as it is presented in detail in the Formula of Concord (Triglot, P. 1081, @57-59, 60 b, 62, 63; M., P. 716 f.): “That one is hardened, blinded, given over to a reprobate mind, while another, who is indeed in the same guilt, is converted again, etc. – in these and similar questions Paul fixes a certain limit to us how far we should go, namely, that in the one part we should recognize God’s judgment. For they are well-deserved penalties of sins when God so punished a land or nation for despising His Word that the punishment extends also to their posterity, as is to be seen in the Jews. And thereby God in some lands and persons exhibits His severity to those that are His in order to indicate what we all would have well deserved and would be worthy and worth, since we act wickedly in opposition to God’s Word and often grieve the Holy Ghost sorely; in order that we may live in the fear of God and acknowledge and praise God’s goodness, to the exclusion of, and contrary to, our merit in and with us, to whom He gives His Word and with whom He leaves it and whom He does not harden and reject…. And this His righteous, well-deserved judgment He displays in some countries, nations, and persons in order that, when we are placed alongside of them and compared with them (quam simillimi illis deprehensi, i. e., and found to be most similar to them), we may learn the more diligently to recognize and praise God’s pure, unmerited grace in the vessels of mercy. . . . When we proceed thus far in this article, we remain on the right way, as it is written, Hos. 13:9: ‘O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in Me is thy help.’ However, as regards these things in this disputation which would soar too high and beyond these limits, we should with Paul place the finger upon our lips and remember and say, Rom. 9:20: ‘O man, who art thou that repliest against God?”‘ The Formula of Concord describes the mystery which confronts us here not as a mystery in man’s heart (a “psychological” mystery), but teaches that, when we try to understand why “one is hardened, blinded, given over to a reprobate mind, while another, who is indeed in the same guilt, is converted again,” we enter the domain of the unsearchable judgments of God and ways past finding out, which are not revealed to us in His Word, but which we shall know in eternal life. 1 Cor. 13:12.

16. Calvinists solve this mystery, which God has not revealed in His Word, by denying the universality of grace; synergists, by denying that salvation is by grace alone. Both solutions are utterly vicious, since they contradict Scripture and since every poor sinner stands in need of, and must cling to, both the unrestricted universal grace and the unrestricted “by grace alone,” lest he despair and perish.

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

The Adult Bible Class will take up the resurrection accounts in the four Gospels and in 1 Corinthians 15:1ff. To prepare, read the resurrection accounts and consider the chronology and the significance of what took place. What does Jesus’ resurrection prove? What assurances can you draw from the fact that Jesus did rise on the third day?

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 will be Psalm 16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-23; and Luke 24:1-12. Please take the time to read them in their context in preparation for Sunday. Psalm 16 – What does the psalm say of Jesus’ resurrection? What comfort can we draw from the promises of this psalm? 1 Corinthians 15 – What does Paul say is the message of the Gospel which he preached? To whom did Jesus appear after His resurrection on the third day? To whom could Paul’s readers go if they wanted proof of the resurrection of Jesus? What were some apparently preaching in Corinth? Do people still teach this today? What would be the result if Jesus did not rise from the dead? What comfort can we draw from the fact that Jesus truly did rise from the dead? Luke 24 – What happened early on the first day of the week? Were the women expecting to find Jesus’ tomb empty? Who appeared to the women? What message did they have? Who was in the group who came to the tomb? What did they tell Jesus’ disciples? What did Peter (and John) do? Did Peter yet understand what had happened or why? How would you explain it to those who don’t know or understand the events of that first Resurrection Sunday?

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 Bruce Murphy who is in ICU with septic shock – 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 Nigeria, 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.

Holy Week Services will be held on Maundy Thursday (April 1) and Good Friday (April 2), with services beginning at 7 p.m. Holy Communion will be held on Maundy Thursday. A pizza supper will be held at 6:20 p.m. on Thursday. No meal will be served on Friday.

Resurrection Sunday will be observed with a breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by Sunday School and Bible Class at 9 a.m. and Sunday Worship at 10 a.m. Members wishing to bring Easter lilies for the chancel area may do so.

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.

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21

[Scripture in this Newsletter is taken from the King James Version of the Bible]

Due to the snow, close to a foot in Gentry, eight or more inches in Rogers, and with more falling, services will be canceled today.

We look forward to the return of Spring weather and better roads and hope to see you all for Lenten worship on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. A light supper – Mexican style – is set for 6:20 p.m.

Should any of you wish to use it, a devotional summary of the sermon planned for this morning is on the church Web log.

God bless and keep you all. Hold fast to Christ Jesus!

Pastor Randy Moll

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]