“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8

Any gardener or farmer knows the truthfulness of the words: “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” One cannot plant thorns and thistles and expect to reap good fruits and vegetables – it just doesn’t work that way. What you sow is what you will also reap.

In fact, it is also true that the thorns and thistles don’t need much help in taking over a garden plot. If they are not constantly pulled or hoed out, they will quickly spread and choke out the good seed planted there.

This is also true of our spiritual lives. Though many think they can live as they please, read what they want to read, watch what they want to watch, spend time doing those things which gratify our sinful human natures and still live and grow spiritually, it just isn’t true.

The Apostle Paul warned his readers: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

Though it is the Spirit of God who brings us to faith and keeps us trusting in Christ Jesus as our Savior, God will not be mocked. We cannot sow to the sinful longings of our flesh and expect to continue in the faith and go to heaven. We will reap what we sow – spiritual corruption and death and, finally, eternal damnation.

On the other hand, when we sow to the Spirit of God by continuing in His Word and partaking of the Lord’s Supper, He will use what is sown to nurture and strengthen our faith in Christ Jesus and preserve us in the true faith unto life everlasting. The Spirit of God will assure us of forgiveness for all our sins and of eternal life for the sake of the innocent sufferings and death of Christ Jesus, our Savior.

Don’t sow to the flesh, but sow to the Spirit and reap the results – life everlasting through faith in your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Forgive me, O Lord, for the times I have sowed to the flesh. Move me to sow to the Spirit by continuing in the Word, that You might strengthen and preserve me in the true and saving faith unto life everlasting. Amen.

[Scripture from the King James Version of the Bible]

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS

Read Luke 16:19-31

19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

We should note first of all that Jesus’ illustration of the rich man and Lazarus may be much more than a parable, for it is told by Jesus as if it is a true and factual account. Whether an actual historical event or a parable, we can still learn much from Jesus’ telling of it.

The rich man is not identified by name; but the poor beggar’s name was Lazarus, which means “God is help.” Even though Lazarus was poor and full of sores, we know that he was a true believer in God, as his name indicates, because he was taken to heaven when he died. Even though the rich man was greatly blessed by God in material things, he did not believe or listen to the Word of God (Moses and the Prophets). This can be seen by the fact that there were no fruits of faith in his life in regard to poor Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, and by the fact that his soul went to hell when he died.

In addition to teaching that one’s soul goes either to heaven or to hell when he dies, Jesus warns against living life solely for the enjoyment of the good things of this world. One’s first concern should be to heed the Word of God and repent, turning away from sin and the selfish use of this world’s goods to faith in Christ, who died to redeem us from sin and death. As a fruit of true repentance, we will then put to death our selfish and sinful desires and use the goods of this world to help those in need. We will not close our hearts to the poor and needy, but will do all we can to help them.

One more important truth should also be learned. If one does not heed the Word of God during his lifetime, there is no other hope for repentance; for the Holy Ghost works through the Law to convince us of our sin and the punishment we deserve and through the Gospel to reveal our Savior and to assure us of eternal salvation through faith in Him. If one, during his lifetime, refuses to turn from his sins to Christ Jesus, his Savior, there will be no more opportunity for repentance. His torment in hell will be forever! But when one, by the grace of God, heeds the Word and repents, trusting in Christ for forgiveness and life, his soul, at the time of death, will be transported by angels to the bosom of Abraham.

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)

“Jesus’ Doctrine”

John 7:1-24

1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. 2 Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judæa, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5 For neither did his brethren believe in him. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. 7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. 8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. 9 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. 10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? 12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. 13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews. 14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. 15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me? 20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee? 21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel. 22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. 23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? 24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Though they later came to faith in Christ Jesus, His own brothers, at this point in His ministry, did not believe in Him. They did not trust that Jesus was God the Son in human flesh and the Savior of the world.

In fact, when the feast of Tabernacles was at hand – a high feast of the Jews at which all the males were required to appear before the LORD (cf. Exodus 23:14-17; Leviticus 23:39-43) – Jesus’ brothers even mocked Him, telling Him to go to Jerusalem and show Himself to the world. They questioned Jesus’ miracles, and they did not believe His Word.

The Bible tells us that Jesus’ brothers told Him: “Depart hence, and go into Judæa, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.”

We know from the Scriptures that Jesus did not do as His brothers said because the Jews were trying to kill Him. At a previous feast, Jesus had at the pool of Siloam healed a man who had an infirmity for thirty-eight years; but Jesus did this miracle on the Sabbath Day, and the Jews sought to kill Him for breaking their Sabbath laws and for claiming to be the Son of God (cf. John 5:1ff.).

As Jesus said, His time had not yet come. Though He had come into this world to suffer and die for the sins of the world, His teaching ministry was not yet complete and God’s time for His Son to suffer and die on the cross for the sins of the world was to come at another feast, later in Jesus’ ministry.

Though Jesus’ time to die and make atonement for the sins of the world had not yet come, the time for Jesus’ brothers to repent of their sin and trust in Jesus was at hand. Their time, as Jesus said, was “always ready.”

And so it is with us also. Our time is ready. Now is the time to repent of our sin and rebellion against the LORD our Maker and to put our trust in Christ Jesus, God the Son.

The Scriptures say, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Though Jesus’ brothers basically told Him, “If you really do the works we hear you are doing, go show yourself to the world,” notice what Jesus said when He later did go to the feast and was teaching in the temple to crowds who were questioning whether or not Jesus could be the promised Messiah. Jesus said, “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. ”

Was Jesus seeking to advance His own popularity? Was He seeking His own glory? Was the doctrine – the teaching – He was proclaiming His own invention and a lie, or was it of God the Father?

The one who wishes to do God’s will, Jesus said, will know and recognize that Jesus’ teaching is the teaching and doctrine of God the Father who sent Him. This remains true today as well. Those who seek to do the will of God and search the Scriptures will know and recognize that Jesus’ doctrine is the doctrine and teaching of God. It’s not a new teaching. Rather it is the same message God has revealed in His Word down through the ages – Jesus was and is the fulfillment of that Word!

The one who speaks his own doctrine – his own ideas and beliefs – seeks his own glory, Jesus said. And how true this remains in our day! Teacher after teacher has come up with some new doctrine, some new vision, but they are not in agreement with the message of God’s Word announced and proclaimed from the very beginning. The “new revelations” are not in agreement with what God has revealed and preserved for us in the Scriptures. And the new teachers do not seek God’s glory and honor. Rather they seek to gain a following for themselves.

We can apply Jesus’ words yet today to churches and church bodies. Those who tout themselves and concern themselves with numbers and fancy buildings probably won’t be seeking to build Christ’s kingdom by preaching His pure and unadulterated Word and doctrine. Rather, they preach themselves and their programs and activities and seek to build up their own little kingdoms here in this world.

How different this is than the preaching and teaching of Jesus! He did not seek His own glory, but the glory of God the Father who had sent Him. He did not seek to gather a large following for Himself here in this world. Rather, He unreservedly proclaimed the law of God and the sinfulness of man that He might call upon all to repent and look to His atoning sacrifice for pardon and life eternal. His concern was not with an earthly kingdom and following, but to do His Father’s will and save souls for an eternal, heavenly kingdom!

Should not this truth say something to us today about church-growth programs, building programs and mission work? Who are we to proclaim as the Help and Savior of the world? Ourselves? Or Jesus Christ and Him crucified? Those who seek to build up “their own” church and “their own” group will miss Jesus’ point even if they answer with the right words, but those who will to do God’s will will know!

As many times happens in churches and denominations where people hold legalistically to one point but ignore other even more important articles of the faith, so the Jews held legalistically to the prohibitions against working on the Sabbath and were ready to condemn Jesus for healing a man on their day of rest. Jesus pointed out that, to obey the law of Moses requiring circumcision to be performed on the eighth day after birth, they circumcised on the Sabbath (cf. Genesis 17:9-14). How much better is what Jesus did! He made a man entirely whole on the Sabbath! Instead of believing all of the Word of God and recognizing Jesus as the promised Messiah and Savior who would suffer and die and make atonement for the sins of all mankind, they were ready to kill Him for doing good – for obeying God’s commandments – on the Sabbath.

And do we still do so today? Sad to say, we do. I remember discussions with one group of Lutherans which so emphasized the Scripture’s teaching that a minister of the Gospel should be supported by his hearers that they would not allow a small congregation to call a minister to preach the Gospel among them if they could not pay a full-time salary. So, for the sake of obeying the principle of hearers supporting their ministers, they prevented believers who desired to have a minister and hear God’s Word from obeying what the Scriptures elsewhere command.

And, of course, the list of even more grave offenses could go on and on if we spoke of all the times the Word of God and faithful preachers were rejected because someone took offense at some infraction against traditions or practices which are not even required by Scripture.

The point of it all is that Jesus Christ, God’s only-begotten Son, came into this world to do the will of His Father, proclaim the doctrine of God His Father, and to accomplish the salvation promised from the very beginning by God the Father. If we seek the will of God, by the grace of God we will see from the Scriptures that Jesus is God the Son and the Savior of the world. We will see that His doctrine is that of the Father. And will see that Jesus was not seeking His own glory and an earthly kingdom but was and still is seeking the glory of God the Father. He seeks to rescue lost and condemned sinners from everlasting condemnation and to bring them into a heavenly and eternal kingdom made up of those who have had their sins washed away in the blood of Christ and who, as a result, seek the glory of their heavenly Father. He went to the cross and suffered and died for the sins of the world to bring glory to His Father, and He was raised up to the glory of God the Father. He also calls us to trust in Him and receive the forgiveness of sins and eternal life He won for us, and on the Last Day He will raise us up from the grave that we might forever give thanks and praise to the Father for graciously granting us salvation in the Son.

Jesus will one day soon return in glory and show Himself to the world as the Son of God and the Judge of all the earth, but His time is not yet. He graciously bears with this wicked world a little longer that He might call yet more sinners to repentance and faith in His shed blood (cf. 2 Peter 3:9). But soon He will come!

Until He does so, our time is “always ready” to repent of our sin and look to Him and His atoning sacrifice on the cross for our eternal salvation! That is the will and doctrine of God the Father. And, when we believe on Jesus, it will be to the glory of God the Father who so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son! Amen.

“Psalm 57”

1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. 2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. 3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. 4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. 5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth. 6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah. 7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. 8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. 9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. 10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. 11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

The Augsburg Confession

Of God

Our Churches, with common consent, do teach that the decree of the Council of Nicaea concerning the Unity of the Divine Essence and concerning the Three Persons, is true and to be believed without any doubting; that is to say, there is one Divine Essence which is called and which is God: eternal, without body, without parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness, the Maker and Preserver of all things, visible and invisible; and yet there are three Persons, of the same essence and power, who also are co-eternal, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. And the term “person” they use as the Fathers have used it, to signify, not a part or quality in another, but that which subsists of itself.

They condemn all heresies which have sprung up against this article, as the Manichaeans, who assumed two principles, one Good and the other Evil- also the Valentinians, Arians, Eunomians, Mohammedans, and all such. They condemn also the Samosatenes, old and new, who, contending that there is but one Person, sophistically and impiously argue that the Word and the Holy Ghost are not distinct Persons, but that “Word” signifies a spoken word, and “Spirit” signifies motion created in things.

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are Psalm 66; Acts 6:1-7; Galatians 6:1-18; Luke 10:1-20. 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 7:1ff. Which Jewish feast was at hand? What did Jesus’ brothers tell Him to do? Why? Did they yet believe? How did Jesus respond? What does this mean? Why did the world hate Jesus? Does the world still hate Jesus? Why? Why does the world hate true believers? Cf. Matthew 5:10ff. If the world does not hate a church or group of believers, what might that say of their testimony to the truth of God’s Word? Should churches seek to be loved by the world or to be faithful to Christ and His Word? Is it possible to do both at the same time? Cf. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. Did Jesus go to the feast? What were the people saying of Him? Is this any different than what people say of Him yet today? How did Jesus answer their objections to His teaching? Is this true for us yet today? How? Why did some people argue that Jesus could not be the Christ? Did they really know from where Jesus came? Who did Jesus say had sent Him? Did His Jewish audience know Him? Why not? Were those who wished to arrest Jesus able to do so? Why? Why did some believe Jesus was the Messiah? How is their argument still true?

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 is recovering from knee surgery, 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 Rite of Confirmation is planned for our July 4 service. Josie Jackson will be confirmed. A pot-luck dinner will be held following the service in honor of this special day in Josie’s walk with her Savior.

The Congregational Evening Bible Study for July is set at 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 14.

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 66:8-9: “O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.”

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

“Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” Acts 5:20 (Read Acts 5:17-42)

Before our Lord Jesus ascended into heaven to His position of authority at the right hand of God the Father, He commanded His disciples: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16). He told His followers, to the end of this world: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:18-20).

After the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them at Pentecost, Jesus’ followers held back nothing but proclaimed all the words which Jesus had given them. We read that when they were arrested by the rulers of the Jews and put in prison, “an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught” (Acts 20:19-21).

Even after they had been beaten and warned not to preach any longer in the name of Jesus, they not only rejoiced at being counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus’ sake (cf. Matthew 5:10ff.), “daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42). They obeyed the command of God – of their Lord Jesus – rather than men (Acts 5:29).

What does this say to us today? Are we to hold back any of “the words of this life”? If rulers and governments tell us not to speak in the name of Jesus, do we become silent and await the day when Gospel preaching is legalized and acceptable? If people in general – or even churches – do not want us to preach the Law of God in its full severity or do not wish to hear of the grace and mercy of God which He offers and gives only in Christ Jesus and for the sake of Jesus’ blood shed upon the cross for the sins of the world, do we hold back? What did Jesus command His disciples to do? What did the angel of the Lord say to the apostles as he opened the prison doors? Who do we obey: God or man?

We have work to do. By the grace of God, we have come to know our sinfulness and the punishment we truly deserve but we have also come to know that in Jesus, and for the sake of His cross, we have forgiveness for all our sins and life everlasting! Others too need to know, and time is running out. Let’s not hold back but speak to everyone “all the words of this life”!

O dearest Jesus, You have given us forgiveness and life in Your name. Move us to hold back nothing but speak all the words of this life to people everywhere that they too may come to know You. Amen.

[Scripture from the King James Version of the Bible]

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE UNJUST STEWARD

Read Luke 16:1-13

1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. 2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. 3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. 4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. 5 So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? 6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. 7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. 8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. 9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. 10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

With this parable, Jesus instructs us concerning the use of the money and earthly goods which are entrusted to us by God. While Jesus does not commend the wickedness of the unjust steward, He does hold up the wisdom of this unjust steward as an example for us. When this unjust steward saw that he would lose his position as steward or manager of his lord’s goods, he used the short time he had left as steward to reduce the bills of his lord’s debtors so that they would show kindness and care for him when he was no longer steward. In this way, the unjust steward wisely used the money and goods entrusted to his care to provide for his future well-being.

During our earthly lives, God also entrusts us with money and goods to use wisely for Him. Like the unjust steward, we ought to consider our eternal future and use this money and these goods in a way which looks ahead to that day when our earthly life comes to an end and we stand before God’s judgment. Certainly we cannot buy our way into heaven with the unrighteous mammon of this world; but since God freely gives us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life in heaven for Jesus’ sake, we should use the unrighteous mammon entrusted to us to make ready for everlasting life in heaven. Jesus says, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).

As Christians, we should use the money and goods entrusted to us in this world to advance God’s kingdom of grace, to spread the Gospel of forgiveness and life eternal in Jesus Christ. Then our treasure will be in heaven, where we also will be received by the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

Lord of Glory, who hast bought us with Thy life-blood as the price, never grudging for the lost ones that tremendous sacrifice, give us faith to trust Thee boldly, hope, to stay our souls on Thee; but, oh! best of all Thy graces, give us Thine own charity. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #442, Verse 5)

“Jesus, the Bread from Heaven” cont’d

Scripture Reading – John 6:60-71

60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? 61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. 70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

Jesus had told His hearers (John 6:53-58): “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. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 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. 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. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.”

Jesus’ words were hard for His hearers to understand and accept. How could Jesus give them His body and blood to eat and drink? What did Jesus mean by these words? How could partaking of Jesus give eternal life? How could Jesus say those who didn’t partake of Him had no life?

All these things were above and beyond the understanding of Jesus’ hearers. It’s not that they are so difficult to understand. Rather, they are spiritually discerned and sinful human beings cannot understand apart from the gracious enlightening of the Holy Spirit. It was as the Bible teaches, “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).

Thus, the people asked, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” (John 6:52). They did not understand who Jesus was or that He was about to go to the cross to suffer and die for the sins of the world. They did not know and believe that Jesus was God in the flesh and would offer Himself up for sin and then rise again from death in victory. They did not understand that Jesus was inviting them to partake of His body given into death for them and His blood shed for the remission of their sins through faith in His sufferings, death and resurrection on their behalf. Without partaking by faith in the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, they could have no life in them. They remained dead in their sins and lost to God and to His everlasting kingdom! But all this seemed foolishness to them; they didn’t understand and believe. They didn’t partake of Jesus’ body and blood given and shed for them, but went away in unbelief and were dead in their sins.

When the Word of God is preached today, the result is many times the same.

“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. 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 2:13-14).

When we preach and proclaim that all are sinners and that only in Messiah Jesus is there salvation, people are offended and turn away. They do not see and recognize their own utter sinfulness in God’s eyes. Nor do they understand that the only way for sinners to be saved is to partake by faith of Christ Jesus, that Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world by His innocent sufferings and death on the cross. And so, rather than acknowledge their own sinfulness and shortcomings, people turn away from their only Savior and refuse to partake of Jesus and His sacrifice for the sins of the world.

What was true when Jesus spoke to the Jews in His day remains true yet today: “Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.”

Even a good number of Jesus’ own disciples were offended at Jesus’ words. They were not ready to acknowledge their own sins and failures before God. Nor did they believe that Jesus was God the Son in human flesh come into this world to go to the cross and redeem mankind. The preaching of the cross and partaking of Jesus, their sacrificial Lamb, by faith was a stumbling block to the Jews – it wasn’t the kind of Messiah for whom they looked.

And with the apostle Paul, true followers of Jesus still proclaim “Christ crucified” today, though this preaching remains to the Jews, a stumbling block, and to the rest of the world, foolishness (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:23). They do not take hold of the truth because they can’t apart from God’s Spirit. And if people can’t understand and believe the works Jesus did here in this world, how could they begin to understand His glorious workings in heaven, at the right hand of God the Father?

Jesus said, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.”

Jesus’ words – His teaching and doctrine – were spirit-breathed. They were God’s own words and His divine wisdom. They were and still are spiritually discerned. With our own flesh and human understanding, we cannot begin to grasp the divine truth proclaimed by the Lord Jesus. We cannot come to Jesus and trust in Him for salvation unless God the Father graciously grants this to us. In our spiritual darkness, we ask, “How can Jesus give us His body and blood? How can we partake of Him? How can eating of His flesh and drinking of His blood by faith give us eternal life?”

Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life….” It is the Spirit of God who, through the Word of God, reveals our utter sinfulness and how far short we have come of God’s perfect righteousness. And, it is the Spirit of God who, through the Word of God, assures us that Christ Jesus fulfilled the righteous demands of God’s law for us and then went to the cross and suffered and died for our sins and the sins of the whole world and rose again on the third day. The Spirit of God reveals to us Jesus, our Messiah and Savior, and moves us to partake of His sacrifice through faith – trusting that, because He gave His body into death for us and shed His blood for the remission of our sins, our sins are indeed paid for in full and forgiven. The Spirit of God assures us that in Christ Jesus we have forgiveness for all our sins and life everlasting. It is the Spirit of God, working through the Word, who points us to Jesus and says, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Many of Jesus’ disciples, because they didn’t grasp His words and the truth of God, turned back and quit following Jesus. Today, many, because they don’t grasp Jesus’ Word and the true doctrine of God, turn back and quit following Jesus. Even “churches” and denominations turn aside from the truth of God’s Word and quit proclaiming it because they do not understand and believe. Since the truth of God’s Word is offensive to them, they’d rather not hear it proclaimed.

What about you? Will you also turn back from following Jesus? His Word and His teaching are not always easy for us to accept and embrace. His Word reveals just how sinful we are, and it tells us that our ways are not God’s ways.

Simon Peter answered Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus still has the words of eternal life! His Word reaches out to us with the good news of God’s gift from heaven, the only-begotten Son who went to the cross to bear the just punishment for the sins of the world. Jesus calls us to partake of Him by faith – of His body given into death for us and of His blood shed for the remission of all our sins. He promises us that when we partake of Him by faith, we will not be condemned along with the wicked world in which we live but have everlasting life in His heavenly kingdom.

It is as the Scriptures declare: “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 3:36).

God grant to you His Holy Spirit and enlighten your eyes to the truth of His Word that you might not turn away from following Christ Jesus, but humbly acknowledge your sinfulness and partake of Him and His sacrifice for sin by faith that you might also partake of the forgiveness and life eternal Christ Jesus won for you.

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. In Jesus’ holy and precious name. 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 the Symbols of the Lutheran Church

45. We accept as our confessions all the symbols contained in the Book of Concord of the year 1580. The symbols of the Lutheran Church are not a rule of faith beyond, and supplementary to, Scripture, but a confession of the doctrines of Scripture over against those who deny these doctrines.

46. Since the Christian Church cannot make doctrines, but can and should simply profess the doctrine revealed in Holy Scripture, the doctrinal decisions of the symbols are binding upon the conscience not because our Church has made them nor because they are the outcome of doctrinal controversies, but only because they are the doctrinal decisions of Holy Scripture itself.

47. Those desiring to be admitted into the public ministry of the Lutheran Church pledge themselves to teach according to the symbols not “in so far as,” but “because,” the symbols agree with Scripture. He who is unable to accept as Scriptural the doctrine set forth in the Lutheran symbols and their rejection of the corresponding errors must not be admitted into the ministry of the Lutheran Church.

48. The confessional obligation covers all doctrines, not only those that are treated ex professor but also those that are merely introduced in support of other doctrines.

The obligation does not extend to historical statements, “purely exegetical questions,” and other matters not belonging to the doctrinal content of the symbols. All doctrines of the symbols are based on clear statements of Scripture.

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are Psalm 16; Acts 5:17-42; Luke 9:51-62. 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 7:1ff. Which Jewish feast was at hand? What did Jesus’ brothers tell Him to do? Why? Did they yet believe? How did Jesus respond? What does this mean? Why did the world hate Jesus? Does the world still hate Jesus? Why? Why does the world hate true believers? Cf. Matthew 5:10ff. If the world does not hate a church or group of believers, what might that say of their testimony to the truth of God’s Word? Should churches seek to be loved by the world or to be faithful to Christ and His Word? Is it possible to do both at the same time? Cf. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. Did Jesus go to the feast? What were the people saying of Him? Is this any different than what people say of Him yet today? How did Jesus answer their objections to His teaching? Is this true for us yet today? How?

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 is recovering from knee surgery, 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 Rite of Confirmation is planned for our July 4 service. Josie Jackson will be confirmed. A pot-luck dinner will be held following the service in honor of this special day in Josie’s walk with her Savior.

The Congregational Evening Bible Study for July is set at 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 14.

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 16:11: “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy;

at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

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

Read Acts 4:32 – 5:16

What was the sin of Ananias and Sapphira? What did they do wrong that was so great that the apostle Peter rebuked them and God took their lives from them on the spot? Was it that they sold a possession and kept back part of the price for themselves instead of giving it all to the Lord for the care of their fellow believers in Jerusalem?

Notice Peter’s answer to Ananias (5:3-4): “Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”

What was Ananias’ sin? It was not that he kept back part of the price of the property he sold. He would not have had to sell it at all. And once he sold it, what portion of the proceeds he gave to the Lord (if any) was in his discretion. His sin was that he pretended to give it all when he only gave part. He lied not only to Peter, the apostles and the church, but to the Holy Spirit of God. And when Peter asked Sapphira of the price of the land they sold, her answer revealed that she too was a participant in the lie of Ananias.

Ananias and Sapphira were judged of the Lord because of their hypocrisy. They pretended to be what they were not, and they pretended to do what they did not. They tried to appear wholly devoted unto the Lord and to selflessly love their fellow believers in the church when it just wasn’t true. And the judgment was death – they both literally dropped dead on the spot before Peter and the apostles.

As we read the sad story of Ananias and Sapphira, we see the judgment we deserve of the Lord God every time we lie to our fellow believers and the Holy Ghost and pretend to be what we are not. But the very fact that we are still standing here and living and breathing is evidence of the Lord’s mercy.

As we read of the Lord in Psalm 103:10-12: “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

Because Jesus fulfilled all righteousness for us and then suffered and died upon the cross for the sins of the whole world, God forgives our sins and shows to us mercy. He calls us to life with Him by faith.

O dearest Jesus, forgive us for pretending to be what we are not. Instead move us to repent of our evil and selfish ways and look to You and Your shed blood for mercy and forgiveness and life. Amen.

[Scripture Quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.]

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

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]

“This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12

St. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11 cf. Isaiah 28:16; Psalm 118:22). And yet many would set aside Jesus and His redemptive work and build upon another foundation – whether that be the foundation of good works, human will, sovereign election or something else.

The religious leaders of the Jews sought to build upon their system of temple worship and their obedience to the laws of Moses and the traditions of the elders. Thus, when Jesus came preaching repentance and faith in Him and His redemptive work for pardon and life everlasting, the Jewish leaders rejected Him and even had Him crucified.

Strangely enough, even today in so called “Christian” churches, Jesus and salvation through faith alone in his shed blood is often set aside and replaced with other foundations for faith. Simply preaching Jesus and salvation for the sake of His innocent sufferings and death on the cross for the sins of the world gets in the way of man-made doctrines and traditions. Thus, rather than preaching Christ alone and salvation through faith in His name, religious leaders hold up human traditions, specific forms of worship and required works as a means to obtain salvation. They reject the Jesus of the Bible and His exclusive claims to be the only way to the Father.

But the truth is that there is only one way of salvation. “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” To set aside this foundation is to reject the only way of salvation and forfeit the eternal life God offers and gives in His Son. To trust in Him and His sacrifice for sins is to have forgiveness and life everlasting (cf. John 3:18, 36).

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). And the apostle John writes: “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:12).

O precious savior Jesus, graciously keep us trusting in You alone for the forgiveness of all our sins and for life everlasting, for in You we have eternal salvation and apart from You we are lost forever and under the wrath of God. We ask this for the sake of Your innocent sufferings and death in our stead. Amen.

[Scripture Quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.]

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE NOBLEMAN AND THE POUNDS

Read Luke 19:11-27

11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. 12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

Jesus spoke this parable as He was nearing Jerusalem to suffer and die for the sins of the world. Many followers of Jesus expected Him to set up and establish an earthly kingdom when He came to Jerusalem, a kingdom in which He would reign over the nation of Israel. With this parable, Jesus sought to teach His disciples that His visible presence would be taken from them for a time and that they would be expected to carry on His work of seeking and saving the lost (v.10) until He returned.

Jesus is like the nobleman in this parable. After Jesus suffered and died upon the cross to redeem all people, He rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of God the Father. From this position of power and glory He continues to build His kingdom. Before ascending to the Father, Jesus entrusted to His disciples the saving Gospel and the task of preaching this Gospel in all the world, to every creature (Mark 16:15-16).

Like the citizens who hated the nobleman, many of the Jews, who had the Old Testament Scriptures and should have come to faith in Jesus Christ and inherited the kingdom, rejected Jesus as their Christ and King. They rebelled against Him.

When Christ Jesus returns on the Last Day, He will examine His servants in regard to their faithfulness in carrying on His work of discipling the nations. Those who have faithfully used the Gospel and sought to gain others for Christ’s kingdom will receive a gracious reward in addition to the blessings of forgiveness and eternal life which they already possessed through faith in the Gospel. Those servants who knew their Lord’s command and will, but were unfaithful and disobedient, will lose even that which was entrusted to them. All who have rejected Christ and rebelled against Him will be condemned to eternal torment in hell on that Day!

This parable provides a very important lesson to us. We have the pure and saving Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, the good news of forgiveness of sins and everlasting life for Jesus’ sake. It may be a temptation at times to keep it to ourselves, to wrap it up and hide it lest we lose it; but our Lord not only requires us to preserve it in its truth and purity, He requires us to faithfully use it to seek and save lost souls!

Raise up, O Lord the Holy Ghost, from this broad land a mighty host; their war cry, “We will seek the lost where Thou, O Christ, wilt come.” Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #506, Verse 6)

Except the Father Draw Him

“The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 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 6:41-51

Sometimes it happens that people know all about Jesus but do not know Him.

This was the case with the Jews from Galilee who had seen many of Jesus’ mighty miracles and had heard His preaching. They came to Jesus because He had provided food for the multitudes in the feeding of the 5,000, but they did not understand or believe Jesus when He told them, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.”

In fact, they murmured against Him, saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?”

Sad to say, the same is true today. Though it’s hard to think one could be too familiar with the facts about Jesus to know Him, it happens all the time. From little on, people are taught that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem and that He died on the cross and rose again, but somehow those great truths are not translated into a true knowledge of Jesus and the great sacrifice He offered for our sins and the sins of the whole world.

Thus people go through their whole lives knowing about Jesus, but not knowing and trusting Him for the forgiveness of all their sins and eternal life. Often, they are content to know only the basic facts and never really take the time to read and study God’s Word and come to know and trust in Jesus.

Why is this? Why is it that the Jews of Jesus’ day who saw His mighty miracles and were able to see Jesus with their own eyes and hear Him with their ears never really did see, hear and believe?

Why is it that people today – even people who have attended church services all their lives – can recite the facts about Jesus but yet do not know Him and trust in Him?

Jesus tells us why: “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”

The truth is that no one can come to Jesus unless God the Father draws him, and the one whom the Father draws to the Son will be kept and preserved in faith and raised up by Jesus on the Last Day.

Jesus quotes from the Scriptures – from Isaiah 54:13, a verse describing the blessings upon the church of Messiah Jesus – to point out the necessity of being taught by God: “And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.”

Unless the LORD God opens our eyes and reveals to us Jesus as His Son and our Savior, we will never come to know Him. We may know many things about Him, but Him we will not know; nor will we trust in His holy life and innocent sufferings and death for the sins of the world for our pardon and peace with God the Father.

Jesus told Nicodemus he could not even see the kingdom of God unless he were born again of water and the Spirit (John 3:3-8).

Jesus also describes the working of the Holy Spirit in this way (John 16:13-15): “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

Martin Luther, writing in his Small Catechism about The Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed, explained this same truth of Scripture with the words: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life.”

The Apostle John, in his first epistle, writes to believers (1 John 2:20-27): “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [but] he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”

Unless the Father draws us – unless the Holy Spirit, through the reading and hearing of God’s Word, enlightens us and reveals to us who Jesus really is and what He has done for us – we will not come to know Him or trust in Him for forgiveness of sins and life everlasting. Yes, me may know about Him, but we will not know Him and His lovingkindness toward us.

But, on the other hand, when we are taught of God and God’s Spirit, through the Scriptures, opens our eyes and brings us to know and trust in Jesus, we have everlasting life.

Indeed, Jesus is the Bread of life. He is the true bread from heaven, “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” (John 3:16). Unlike the manna given to Old Testament Israel in the wilderness – the bread of which the people ate and yet died – Jesus is a living and life-giving bread. He gave His flesh, His body, up unto death on the cross as full payment for the sins of the world. He shed His blood to redeem us. He gave up Himself and suffered and died for your sins and mine. And all who trust in Him – who partake of His sacrifice by faith in Him – will live forever and never die. Those who partake of Jesus, the Bread of life, have everlasting life.

As Jesus said, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).

God graciously grant us to be taught of the LORD God and know Jesus and partake of His sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world through faith that we might also be raised up of Christ Jesus on the Last Day unto life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers

LORD God, in your mercy, draw us to the Son. Open our eyes that we might see our utter sinfulness but also see the holy life and innocent sufferings and death of Christ Jesus in our stead. Grant us the Holy Spirit and teach us to know Messiah Jesus as our Savior from sin and death. Renew us and regenerate us. Create and preserve in us true faith Christ Jesus, the Bread of Life, that we might partake of Him through faith and live forever with You. In the name of the Son and our Savior we pray. 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 the Antichrist

43. As to the Antichrist we teach that the prophecies of the Holy Scriptures concerning the Antichrist, 2 Thess. 2: 3-12; 1 John 2:18, have been fulfilled in the Pope of Rome and his dominion. All the features of the Antichrist as drawn in these prophecies, including the most abominable and horrible ones, for example, that the Antichrist “as God sitteth in the temple of God,” 2 Thess. 2:4; that he anathematizes the very heart of the Gospel of Christ, that is, the doctrine of the forgiveness of sins by grace alone, for Christ’s sake alone, through faith alone, without any merit or worthiness in man (Rom. 3:20-28; Gal. 2:16); that he recognizes only those as members of the Christian Church who bow to his authority; and that, like a deluge, he had inundated the whole Church with his antichristian doctrines till God revealed him through the Reformation these very features are the outstanding characteristics of the Papacy. (Cf. Smalcald Articles. Triglot, p. 515, @_ 39 to . 1; p. 401, _ 45; M., pp. 336, 258.) Hence we subscribe to the statement of our Confessions that the Pope is “the very Antichrist.” (Smalcald Articles. Triglot, p. 475, @_ 10; M, p. 308.)

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are Psalm 32; Acts 4:1-31; Luke 7:36-50. 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 6:41ff. Why did the Jews murmur against Jesus? How do people murmur yet today? Who will come to Jesus? How? What does Jesus promise in regard to those who come to Him? How is that comforting to us? What is the Father’s will? Can anyone come to Jesus of his own will and decision? How is Jesus, the bread of life, like the manna which God gave in the wilderness? How are they different? What is Jesus saying in verse 51? How do we eat of Jesus’ flesh and drink of His blood as Jesus describes it in this discourse?

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.

Events and Announcements

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

Congregational evening Bible studies will continue again tonight, June 9, at 7 p.m. A sandwich supper will precede the study and begin about 6:20 p.m.

For those who like garage and yard sales, Ray and Bonnie Hawes will be having a huge one at their home Thursday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each 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 134 – A Song of degrees

Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

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

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord….” Acts 3:19

Few preach repentance and Biblical conversion in our day. Rather, most preach a message of love and peace apart from repentance and faith. They do not preach the Law of God in all its severity, nor do they preach the true comfort of the Gospel. In other words, preachers proclaim peace and love to the impenitent and fail to offer comfort to those who are troubled over their sins.

That, of course, was not the message of Peter and the apostles of our Lord Jesus. Peter and the apostles, like John the Baptist and like Jesus Himself (cf. Mark 1:4, 14-15), called upon all to repent and be converted – to acknowledge the wickedness of their hearts and lives and to look to the crucified and risen Christ in faith for pardon and peace everlasting.

This used to be the message of the Lutheran Church as well. The Augsburg Confession, Article XII: Of Repentance, states: “Of Repentance they teach that for those who have fallen after Baptism there is remission of sins whenever they are converted and that the Church ought to impart absolution to those thus returning to repentance. Now, repentance consists properly of these two parts: One is contrition, that is, terrors smiting the conscience through the knowledge of sin; the other is faith, which is born of the Gospel, or of absolution, and believes that for Christ’s sake, sins are forgiven, comforts the conscience, and delivers it from terrors. Then good works are bound to follow, which are the fruits of repentance.”

Preaching the Law of God, Peter pointed out the sin of his hearers in denying and rejecting their Messiah and Savior, Jesus Christ. But to those troubled over their sins, he preached the Gospel and offered pardon – the blotting out of all their sins – when the times of refreshing came from the Lord.

In faithfulness to God and His Word, we still preach the Law of God that the Spirit might convince sinners (all of us included) of the wickedness of their ways; but through the preaching of the Gospel, we offer hope, forgiveness and eternal salvation for the sake of the sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, in our stead.

O dearest Lord Jesus, Son of God and our Savior, forgive us for our sin and rebellion against You and grant that we live in continual repentance, acknowledging and turning from our evil ways to You for mercy, forgiveness and life everlasting. Amen.

[Scripture Quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.]

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE FRIEND AT MIDNIGHT AND EARTHLY FATHERS

Read Luke 11:5-13

5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? 7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. 8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. 9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

How should we come to God in prayer? Jesus here uses two parables or illustrations to teach us the answer to this question. First of all, we are to be persistent in our prayers and not give up if we do not immediately see God’s answer. If a man can get what he requests of a friend at midnight because he continues to ask, seek and knock, certainly we will receive answers to our prayers from our heavenly Father when we continue to come before Him with our requests; for He is not bothered by our prayers but wants us to pray to Him “in every trouble” and “without ceasing.” Jesus says: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Luke 11:9).

Secondly, we should pray in full confidence that our loving Father in heaven will give us those good and needful things for which we ask. Sinful human fathers give good gifts to their sons and do not substitute evil and harmful things for those good gifts which their sons request. Since children can ask their earthly fathers for good things and be confident that their fathers will give them those good things for which they ask, how much more should we expect our sinless, heavenly Father to give us those good things which we request of Him in prayer! He will give the Holy Spirit, together with all the blessings which the Spirit imparts, to all who ask of Him.

When thus my heart in prayer ascendeth, through Thine own Spirit, unto Thee, Thy heart, O Father, kindly bendeth its fervent love and favor unto me, rejoicing my petition to fulfill which I have made according to Thy will. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #21, Verse 5)

Why do you come to Jesus?

“The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:) When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:22-40

Why do people come to Jesus? And, more importantly, why do you come to Him?

After Jesus had miraculously fed more than 5,000 with five barley loaves and two small fish, the people searched for and found Jesus on the other side of the Sea of Galilee and they came to Him, questioning Him as to how He had come there. But Jesus ignored their questioning and got right to the heart of the matter – why they had come.

“Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.”

In other words, they hadn’t searched for and found Jesus because they saw His mighty miracles and believed that He was the Son of God and Savior of the world; they came because Jesus had given them bread to the full.

We may look with a critical eye and wonder about the foolishness of the people as we sit in our homes with more than enough to eat. But why do people come to Jesus today? When and why do we come to Jesus?

Isn’t it true that people turn to Jesus when they are in need – and often after all else has failed? People suddenly come to church or “get religion” when they are down and out. They might be in trouble with the law. They might be sick and even facing death? They might be experiencing a shortage – real or perceived – of the things they need or desire in life. Then, falling on their knees – perhaps for the first time in their lives – they pray, “Jesus, give me ….”

But are we really any different? Why do we come to Jesus in prayer? What do we seek of Him? Isn’t it, more often than not, the things we need or desire for this life? We too pray, “Jesus, give me … oh, uh … if it is Your will.”

What did Jesus say to those who came to Him? Why should we come to Jesus?

“Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.”

Jesus is not telling us to quit working for our daily bread. We are to labor with our hands and provide for ourselves and our families – even to give to those in need (cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:8). But He was telling people then and He tells people yet today to seek first eternal food – food which nourishes the soul and yields everlasting life (cf. Isaiah 55:1ff.; Matthew 6:33).

Rather than turning to Jesus only to supply our earthly desires and needs, He would have us come to Him first and foremost to provide for our greatest need – the forgiveness of all our sins and life everlasting. Indeed, that is why Jesus came into this world.

The Bible tells us (John 3:16-17): “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.”

Jesus said (Mark 10:45): “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

God sent His only-begotten Son into this world as a true man to take our place under God’s law and keep the commandments for us. Christ Jesus came into this world to suffer and die for the sins of the world and rise again that we might have forgiveness and life everlasting.

Most certainly, He cares about our earthly wants – that’s why He healed the sick and fed the thousands. But even more important than food which nourishes the body for a short time is that bread which nourishes our souls for eternity. That should be our first concern and desire. That’s why God would have us come to His Son Jesus!

When the people asked Jesus what work they needed to do to be pleasing to God, He replied, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” We are not saved or made acceptable in God’s eyes by our own works but through faith in God’s Son!

When they asked Jesus for a sign to prove that He was the One sent of God – even after they had seen His miraculous works – they again suggested the earthly: “What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”

The Jews looked at the manna in the wilderness as proof that Moses was sent by God, but Jesus clarified their assertion: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.”

God had given His people manna for the 40 years in the wilderness – not Moses – and now God was giving them true bread from heaven. Jesus said this true bread of God is He which came down from heaven and gives life to all the world.

When the people – still not understanding – asked Jesus to continually give them this bread, He explained, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

As the manna which God provided to His people every day (but the Sabbath) for 40 years sustained them in the wilderness, so Jesus Christ whom God has sent is the One who gives life which shall never end. When one partakes of Christ Jesus through faith and trusts that He indeed is God the Son in human flesh and the atoning sacrifice for our sins and the sins of the world, he will never hunger or thirst again. Why? Because Jesus – and Jesus alone – gives forgiveness of sins and life eternal! When we have faith in Jesus and His blood shed for us upon the cross, we have all that we need to live forever in fellowship with God the Father!

But the people, like most today, did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God and their Savior from sin and death and hell.

Jesus said to them, and He says still today – even to many good church goers: “But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

How sad it is that many who hear of Jesus and learn of His mighty works, even knowing that He suffered and died for the sins of the world and rose again, do not believe on Him! Oh, they believe He lived and died, and may even believe He rose again from the dead on the third day; but they do not trust in Him and His bitter sufferings and death as full payment for all their sins. They do not have the assurance that in Jesus their sins are forgiven, and that in Jesus they have everlasting life. They do not believe that God is reconciled to them for Jesus’ sake – that he reaches out to them in mercy and forgiveness.

But Jesus says all that the Father gives Him will come to Him. “[We] cannot by our [own] reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, [our] Lord, or come to Him…. (Luther’s explanation to the third article of the Apostles’ Creed). It is the work of God that any come to Jesus.

It is as Jesus later says (John 6:44): “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

It is the Holy Ghost who calls us through the preaching of the Gospel and gives us faith and understanding. He opens our eyes to the truth and allows us to see Jesus for Who He truly is – God the Son in human flesh, our Savior and Redeemer. He comforts us with the good news that Jesus paid in full for the sins of all when He suffered and died upon the cross. He assures us that in Jesus our sins, which are great, are purged and washed away and that we are in God’s sight righteous and as white as snow (cf. 1 John 2:1-2; Ephesians 1:6-7; Colossians 1:14, 19-23; Isaiah 1:18).

Jesus tells us that He came into this world to do the Father’s will. He came to seek and to save the lost (cf. Luke 19:10). If anyone, by the grace of God, comes to Jesus, Jesus will not turn Him away or cast him out. Even if his or her faith is weak and struggling, Jesus will not snuff it out. Rather, Jesus will do as the father wills.

Jesus said, “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

What is the will of God the Father? That of all those He gives to Jesus none would not be lost but continue to trust in Christ Jesus unto everlasting life. It is God’s will that we see Jesus as God the Son and the Savior of the world and that all who see the Son and trust in Him for forgiveness and life would continue in that faith and be raised up on the Last Day to life everlasting.

And so, why do you come to Jesus? Is it only for earthly bread? Only for the things you need and desire here and now? Yes, He cares about those things, but He wants to give you so much more. He desires that You come to Him for the bread of life – for the forgiveness of all sins and life eternal He won for you by His innocent sufferings and death upon the cross.

Come to Jesus, the Bread of Life, that He may give you life everlasting!

May God open your eyes and grant you to see the Son through His Word and to trust in Him unto life eternal! 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 the Millennium

42. With the Augsburg Confession (Art. XVII) we reject every type of Millennialism, or Chiliasm, the opinions that Christ will return visibly to this earth a thousand years before the end of the world and establish a dominion of the Church over the world; or that before the end of the world the Church is to enjoy a season of special prosperity; or that before the general resurrection on Judgment Day a number of departed Christians or martyrs are to be raised again to reign in glory in this world, or that before the end of the world a universal conversion of the Jewish nation (of Israel according to the flesh) will take place.

Over against this, Scripture clearly teaches, and we teach accordingly, that the kingdom of Christ on earth will remain under the cross until the end of the world, Acts 14:22; John 16:33; 18:36; Luke 9:23; 14:27; 17:20-37; 2 Tim. 4:18; Heb. 12:28; Luke 18:8; that the second visible coming of the Lord will be His final advent, His coming to judge the quick and the dead, Matt. 24:29, 30; 25:31; 2 Tim. 4: 1; 2 Thess. 2:8; Heb. 9:26-28; that there will be but one resurrection of the dead, John 5:28; 6:39, 40; that the time of the Last Day is, and will remain, unknown, Matt. 24:42; 25:13; Mark 13:32, 37; Acts 1:7, which would not be the case if the Last Day were to come a thousand years after the beginning of a millennium; and that there will be no general conversion, a conversion en masse, of the Jewish nation, Rom. 11: 7; 2 Cor. 3:14; Rom. 11: 25; 1 Thess. 2:16.

According to these clear passages of Scripture we reject the whole of Millennialism, since it not only contradicts Scripture, but also engenders a false conception of the kingdom of Christ, turns the hope of Christians upon earthly goals, I Cor. 15:19; Col. 3:2, and leads them to look upon the Bible as an obscure book.

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are Psalm 30; Acts 3:1-26; Luke 7:11-17. 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 6:35ff. Who is the bread of life? How does partaking of Jesus through faith satisfy the hunger and thirst of the soul? Did the Jews come to Jesus? Why?Who will come to Jesus? What does Jesus promise in regard to those who come to Him? How is that comforting to us? What is the Father’s will? Can anyone come to Jesus of his own will and decision? How is Jesus, the bread of life, like the manna which God gave in the wilderness? How are they different? What is Jesus saying in verse 51? How do we eat of Jesus’ flesh and drink of His blood as Jesus describes it in this discourse?

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.

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.

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” 1 Corinthians 16:23

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