Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS

Read Matthew 25:31-46

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Mark of a Believer”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Dear Children

Who Is the Almighty God?

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

My Dear Children,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GOD

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

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

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

The Augsburg Confession

Article VII: Of the Church

Also they teach that one holy Church is to continue forever. The Church is the congregation of saints, in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments are rightly administered.

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

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

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

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

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

Remember to Pray

Remember to pray for our church and for all our members, that none be lost to Christ’s kingdom but that all continue in repentance and be strengthened and built up in the true and saving faith in Christ Jesus through the hearing and study of His Word. We pray for God’s healing and strengthening of our congregation. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – especially for Dawn Hiebert, who will undergo knee surgery in September; Dick Stueland, who is recovering from knee surgery; for Sam Rusch, who has had repeated stays in the hospital; and for the mother of Dick Rusch – for those who have been absent from us, for our extended families, for Christians who are alone and have no congregation, and for our adopted soldiers. Pray for God’s help with our church’s financial needs. Continue to pray for the Lutheran Churches in the Philippines, for Christians in Nigeria, Haiti and Chile, and for believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus.

Events and Announcements

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

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

Information for bulletins or newsletters may be sent to Pastor Moll by calling him at 479-233-0081 or by e-mail at goodshepherdrogers@yahoo.com.

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

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

“Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” Psalm 33:8-9

How foolish it is for people to exclude the LORD God from their lives and imagine they can live without Him. How foolish it is to fail to honor and respect the LORD who made us and all things and gave us life.

They forget that “in Him we live, and move, and have our being” – that He holds our very breath in His hands (Acts 17:28; Daniel 5:23).

The Bible tells us: “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth” (Psalm 33:6).

And not only did He create the heavens and all the stars by His almighty Word, He created the earth and mankind as well.

“Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee” (Nehemiah 9:6).

Therefore, “Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.”

Those who are wise will acknowledge and fear the LORD God and give Him the honor and glory due unto His name. They will offer unto Him their worship and praise.

“Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise” (Psalm 33:1-3).

And since the LORD God looks down upon the sons of men and considers all their works, it is foolish to place our confidence in human might and strength. Rather, the wise will place their trust in the LORD, their Maker. They will look unto Him for mercy and trust in His name.

“Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy” (Psalm 33:18).

And the LORD is merciful. He so loved the world that he gave His only-begotten Son to suffer and die for mankind’s sin and then rise again. For the sake of Christ Jesus, God the Son in human flesh, God is merciful and forgiving toward us and offers us life with Him.

“Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee” (Psalm 33:20-22).

[Scripture from the King James Version of the Bible]

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE TEN VIRGINS

Read Matthew 25:1-13

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

Are you ready for Jesus Christ to return on the Last Day? Jesus told this parable to admonish us to be watchful and ready at all times for His return.

Jesus here compares the kingdom of heaven to ten virgins who “took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.” The wise virgins took extra oil for their lamps so that they would be ready even if the “bridegroom tarried.” The foolish took only the oil in their lamps and did not consider the possibility that their lamps would go out before the bridegroom arrived. As a result, these foolish virgins were not prepared and ready when the bridegroom came; and they did not enter with the bridegroom into the marriage feast.

With this parable, Jesus warns us against being foolishly unprepared for His return on the Last Day. It is foolish for us who believe in Christ today to fall asleep and not be watching for His return. It is foolish not to have our faith continually nourished and kept burning through the regular use of the Word of God and the Sacraments (Baptism and the Lord’s Supper). If we do not make such provision through the continued use of the Word of God in our homes and Word and Sacrament in our church, we may find our lamps empty and gone out at Jesus’ coming.

Those who have no living, saving faith in Jesus Christ when He returns in Judgment will be shut out of heaven, for it will be too late to rekindle faith at that time! But those who have wisely provided oil for their lamps – those who continue to nourish their faith by remembering their Baptism, using the Word of God, and receiving the Body and Blood of Christ given and shed for the remission of sins, that the Holy Ghost may through these keep their faith burning and assure them of forgiveness for all their sins and of life everlasting for Jesus’ sake – will enter into heaven with Jesus and enjoy its blessings forever (cf. Revelation 19:7-9; 21:24).

With my lamp well trimmed and burning, swift to hear and slow to roam, watching for Thy glad returning to restore me to my home. Come, my Savior, Come, my Savior, O my Savior, quickly come. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #606, Verse 4)

“Don’t Die in Your Sins”

What a terrible thing to die in your sins – to die and stand before the holy Judge of all, still bearing the uncleanness and guilt of your sins! Yet, this is what was soon to happen to a great many of the Jews in Jesus’ day. Jesus warned them, “I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come” (John 8:21).

Because so many of His Jewish hearers saw no need to repent of their sins and trust in Jesus as their Messiah and Savior, they would die in their sins and face the eternal wrath and condemnation of God. Where Jesus was going – to be glorified at the right hand of God the Father in heaven (cf. John 14:1ff.; Eph. 2:20f.) – they would not be able to come! Instead, they faced a Christless eternity and the everlasting torments of hell!

Again, Jesus warned them, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24).

Jesus’ words still ring out today! Many are headed to an eternity of everlasting punishment for their sins. Unless people repent and turn to God’s Son, Jesus Christ, who was lifted up upon the cross to suffer and die there for us and bear the full punishment for our sins and the sins of the whole world, they will die in their sins and come before the holy God in their own uncleanness and guilt to be judged and condemned to hell forever! Apart from faith in Jesus, people will die in their sins.

What about you? Will you die in the guilt of your sins and face the eternal wrath of an angry God? Or, will you, by the grace of God, turn to Jesus and receive His full and complete forgiveness for your sins and enjoy the everlasting blessings of life in heaven with Him?

The Bible tells us: “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:27-28).

Jesus has already died and paid in full for your sins. His resurrection on the third day is proof that God accepted His death as full payment for the sins of the world (cf. 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; Rom. 4:25)!

Why die in your sins and be condemned of God? Trust in Jesus and His shed blood and be saved! (Cf. 2 Cor. 5:19-6:2.)

O dearest Jesus, have mercy upon our wayward hearts and draw us to You that we might not enter into eternity bearing the guilt of our sins and standing condemned, but having instead the assurance of forgiveness for all our sins and life everlasting for the sake of Your holy and precious blood, shed for us upon the cross. Amen.

My Dear Children

O Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You have created us and all things and desire that we know You, trust You and glorify You. You have revealed Yourself to us in Your holy Word, the Bible. Open up our hearts and minds to understand Your Word and learn of You. Amen.

My Dear Children,

You believe in God and worship Him, but do you know who He is? Take a moment and think about it. What do you know about the God you worship and serve? How can you learn of Him?

If you go to an art museum and look at the paintings, what can you learn about the people who painted them? If one artist’s work is simple in composition and lacks any detail, what might that tell you about the artist? If a painting is well composed, has a beautiful blend of complimentary colors and fine detail, what might this tell you of the artist?

Now, look at God’s artwork. Look at the heavens, the sky, the stars, the moon, the planets. Look at the oceans, the lakes, the rivers. Look at the fields, the woods and even the deserts. Look at a leaf, a flower, a butterfly. Look at your own body and how it is designed and works. What does all this tell you about God?

The Bible says: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork…..” (Psalm 19:1). What can you learn about God if you look up at the sky or into the heavens? Psalm 139:14 says: “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” What can you learn about God from the intricacies of your own body and soul? Could any of this just happen by chance? Or, did an all-wise and all-powerful God make you and all things?

Do you think it is wrong to commit murder, to hurt other people, to steal, to lie, etc.? Why? How do you feel when you hurt someone else? When you disobey your parents? When you tell a lie? Why is that? How do you feel when you help someone in need? When you tell the truth? When you do what your parents or teachers ask you to do? The Bible says: “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another….” (Romans 2:14-15). Even people who do not have God’s Word know in their hearts that it is good to help others, tell the truth, and not hurt others or murder and steal. When they do wrong, their consciences bother and accuse them. They feel guilty and are afraid of God’s judgment. When they do right, their consciences excuse them and they feel good about what they have done. This is because God’s laws are written in their hearts, and they know, deep down in their hearts, that God will one day be their Judge.

While we can, from God’s creation and from our own consciences, learn many things about God and His will (Natural Knowledge of God), God has also revealed Himself to man in His Word, the Bible (Revealed Knowledge of God). In the Bible God tells us about Himself (Read all of Psalm 19).

Over the centuries, people, because they know there is a god, have worshiped and served many different gods and many different ideas of God. But who is the true God and what does He tell us of Himself?

Please consider the following questions and the answers given in God’s Word, the Bible:

1. In Isaiah 44:6, God says: “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” In 1 Corinthians 8:4, we read: “There is none other God but one.” How many true Gods are there? Were there ever any other true gods beside the LORD God of the Bible? Will there ever be another true god?

2. In Deuteronomy 6:4, God says: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.” How many Gods is the LORD God (Jehovah God) of the Bible?

3. When Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize people in God’s name, He said: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost….” (Matthew 28:19). If the LORD God is one God, why did Jesus command His disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”? How many Persons are in this one God? Who are these Persons? Cf. 2 Corinthians 13:14 and 1 Peter 1:2.

We speak of the God of the Bible as the Triune God. You will not find the word “triune” in the Bible, but it simply means that God is the Tri (three)-Une (one) God. This is certainly taught throughout the Bible. God is One God, and God is Three Persons (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit).

4. 1 John 5:7 reads: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” What does this passage of Scripture teach us about the Triune God.

5. Look up and read Isaiah 48:16-17. Can you find the Trinity (three Persons) in this passage? How? Who is speaking? Who sent Him?

6. Read John 1:1-3. Who is the Word (cf. John 1:14, 18)? Who was already in the beginning? Who was and is God? Who created all things?

7. Read 1 Corinthians 3:16. Whose temple are we? Who dwells in us? Is the Holy Spirit God?

8. Read Genesis 1:1-2. Was the Holy Spirit present in creation? Was He there already in the beginning?

9. Read Hebrews 9:14 and 1 Peter 4:14. What do these passages teach us about the Holy Spirit?

10. Read John 3:18, 36; 5:23; 14:6; 1 John 2:23; 5:11-12. Can a person worship and serve the true God if they do not believe in Jesus as God the Son and their Savior? What if they do not believe that the Holy Spirit is true God with the Father and the Son? Cf. the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds (in your hymnal).

11. Some organizations and religions do not believe that the only way to serve God is through saving faith in Jesus Christ. Do they worship and serve the true God when they believe and teach this? What are some examples of such groups?

GOD

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

Please Memorize: Isaiah 44:6; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19.

The Augsburg Confession

Article V: Of the Ministry.

That we may obtain this faith, the Ministry of Teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted. For through the Word and Sacraments, as through instruments, the Holy Ghost is given, who works faith; where and when it pleases God, in them that hear the Gospel, to wit, that God, not for our own merits, but for Christ’s sake, justifies those who believe that they are received into grace for Christ’s sake.

They condemn the Anabaptists and others who think that the Holy Ghost comes to men without the external Word, through their own preparations and works.

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are Psalm 100; Acts 9:1-31; Luke 12:13-21. Please read them in their context as you prepare for worship on Sunday.

The Adult Bible Class will continue in the Gospel of John at chapter 8:1ff. Who did the scribes and Pharisees bring before Jesus when He was teaching at the temple? Why did they bring her? How was their question like a double-edged sword? Cf. What did the Law of Moses require? What did the law of the Romans forbid? What did Jesus do? Do we know what He wrote? What did Jesus finally say when the woman’s accusers pressed Him for an answer? What happened? Why? Who was left to throw the first stone? Would Jesus have been justified in so doing? Why? What did He do instead? What admonition did He add? Why? What comfort can you draw from this passage of God’s Word? What did Jesus mean when He called Himself the Light of the world? Cf. John 1:1-14; Psalm 119:105, 130; Psalm 36:9; 1 John 1:1ff. How can we have the light of life? What does this mean? How did the Pharisees answer Jesus’ claim? What proof did Jesus offer that His testimony was true? Where did Jesus speak these words? Why did no one arrest Jesus?

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; for Sam Rusch, who has had repeated stays in the hospital; and for the mother of Dick Rusch – for those who have been absent from us, for our extended families, for Christians who are alone and have no congregation, and for our adopted soldiers. Pray for God’s help with our church’s financial needs. Continue to pray for the Lutheran Churches in the Philippines, for Christians in Nigeria, Haiti and Chile, and for believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus.

Events and Announcements

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 August evening Bible study will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 11. The Bible study will begin at 7 p.m. A light supper will be held at 6:20 p.m. for those who choose to come early.

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

“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalm 119:130

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

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him …” Colossians 2:6 (read Colossians 2:1-10)

The Apostle Paul warns his hearers, both at Colosse and around the world today, to beware “lest any man should beguile you with enticing words” (v. 4). Much is preached and proclaimed in the name of Christianity which is nothing of the sort. The messages may be enticing, but the result – even if the spokespersons are well meaning – is to deceive and take people away from saving faith in Jesus Christ!

The believers at Colosse had heard the Gospel message from Epaphras. He had proclaimed to them that Jesus Christ, the very Son of God and Creator of all things, had reconciled them to God the Father by suffering and dying upon the cross for their sins and rising again on the third day. In Jesus they had “redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (1:14). Through faith in Jesus, God the Father had “delivered” them “from the power of darkness” and “translated” them “into the kingdom of His dear Son” (1:13). For the sake of Jesus’ shed blood, they were “holy and unblameable and unreproveable in [God’s] sight” (1:19-22). And as a result, they had a certain hope of the everlasting blessings of heaven (1:5).

Therefore, Paul lovingly wrote to the believers in Colosse, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (2:6-7). They had all they needed in Jesus their Savior – nothing more was required of them to be saved.

But Paul also warned: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power” (vv. 8-10).

The apostle did not want them to be stripped of their faith and assurance in Jesus by human doctrines dealing with what foods they should eat, on what days they should worship and regarding spiritual knowledge and angelic intermediaries (cf. 2:16-18). They were complete in Jesus; for He fulfilled all of the righteous demands of God’s holy law in their stead, and He suffered and died and paid in full for all their sins and rose again on the third day. In Jesus they had forgiveness for all sins and the certainty of life everlasting! In Jesus, we too have forgiveness for all our sins and the certainty of a place in God’s eternal kingdom!

The Old Testament ordinances dealing with the Sabbath Day, holy days and foods were only a shadow of things to come to point us to Christ (2:17). Now that Christ has come and accomplished our salvation, it would be foolish to return to a mandatory observance of mere shadows and give up the blessings won for us by our Savior!

Rather, we should continue in the faith in Messiah Jesus, as taught to us in the Holy Scriptures. We should continue in the hope and assurance that He has redeemed us from all sin by the shedding of His holy and precious blood for us upon the cross. We have all we need in Jesus – we are complete in Him!

O dearest Jesus, thank You for fulfilling all the holy demands of the law for me, and thank You for paying the just penalty for my sins that I might have forgiveness and life everlasting with You in heaven. Graciously keep me in the true faith and let no false doctrine rob me of Your blessings. Amen.

[Scripture from the King James Version of the Bible]

“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

What is your walk with the Lord Jesus like? Are you more like Martha or more like Mary?

Both Mary and Martha loved the Lord Jesus. Martha received Jesus into her home and served Him. Mary was there, too, to see and hear her Savior. But, as the Scriptures reveal, there was a difference between the two. And these things were recorded for us that we might learn the will of our God and Savior for each of us.

As we read, Martha received Jesus into her house and was busy with much serving. She wanted to make sure everything was just right and that Jesus was treated with the utmost honor. She was much concerned with pleasing the Lord Jesus by her work and service.

Her sister Mary, on the other hand, sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. Instead of seeking to serve Jesus and prove her love and devotion by hard work and service, she let Jesus serve her and teach her the saving truths of God’s Word.

Mary’s behavior was troubling to Martha – so much so that she even scolded Jesus for not asking Mary get up and help with the work of serving.

Who are you like? Are you like Martha? Do you become so busy with serving Jesus and doing good that you don’t have time to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear His teaching? Are you sometimes even upset that no one is helping you with all the work you’ve taken on to do? Or, are you like Mary, who sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His Word?

Notice Jesus’ response to Martha: “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Mary took the time to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear His Word and teaching. She learned of the salvation God was providing for her through Christ Jesus. That was the one thing needful for Mary and for Martha and is still needful for you and for me – to sit humbly at Jesus’ feet and hear His life-giving Word, which offers and gives blessings which can never be taken away from us (cf. 2 Timothy 3:14-17).

O crucified and risen Lord Jesus, grant that we not neglect that one thing needful but take the time to sit at Your feet and hear and learn Your life-giving Word. For in Your Word, we learn of You and the salvation You won for us by Your innocent sufferings and death for us upon the cross. Amen.

[Scripture from the King James Version of the Bible]

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE GOOD MAN OF THE HOUSE AND THE WISE AND UNWISE SERVANTS

Read Matthew 24:42-51

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Jesus Christ could return to judge the living and the dead at any time. He could come today, next week, next year or in the next century. We do not know the day or the hour of Jesus’ return, but we are to be watching and ready for that Day! Jesus told two parables to warn against being unwatchful and unprepared.

If a man knew at what time a thief was coming, he would have been ready and watching; he would not have allowed his home to be broken into. So also, a Christian who knows that his Lord could return at any time will not permit that Day to come upon him like an unexpected thief. He will be ready and watching, having faith in Christ Jesus his Savior and, as a fruit of that faith, living his life for his Lord. Those trusting in Christ for salvation will not be condemned at His return; they will inherit the eternal blessings of His heavenly kingdom.

As servants of Christ – especially those placed over God’s household to feed and nourish their fellow-believers with the Word of God – we are to be faithful in our service to the Lord Jesus Christ. If, as a fruit of saving faith in Jesus Christ, we are found faithfully serving our Lord when He returns on the Last Day, we shall be graciously rewarded. But if we are like the evil servant who says in his heart, “My lord delayeth his coming,” and if we continue in sin, our Lord will return in a day and hour when we are not expecting Him. Then we will have our “portion with the hypocrites” where “there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth,” for one cannot have true faith in Christ and also continue to live willfully in sin.

O Christ, who diedst and yet dost live, to me impart Thy merit; my pardon seal, my sins forgive, and cleanse me by Thy Spirit. Beneath Thy cross I view the day when heav’n and earth shall pass away, and thus prepare to meet Thee. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #604, Verse 4)

“Comforted by an Adulteress”

John 8:1-11

1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

First of all, we have to acknowledge that some modern Bible translations, following the more liberal textual critics, omit this text (along with verse 53 of the previous chapter) altogether or include it with a note saying that the “best Greek manuscripts” omit it or place it in a different location in the Gospel. Yet, there is strong evidence that it truly is God’s inspired Word in spite of the fact that a number of ancient Greek manuscripts do not include it here or leave a blank space where it belongs.

This passage, often called the Pericope De Adultera (the Adultery Reading), is included in numerous Greek uncials such as D, G, H, K, M, U and Gamma. Among the minuscule or cursive manuscripts it is in 28, 700, 892, 1009, 1010, 1071, 1079, 1195, 1216, 1344, 1365, 1546, 1646, 2148 and 2174. Many Greek manuscripts contain the passage. It also is in early translations such as the Bohairic Coptic Version, the Syriac Palestinian Version and the Ethiopic Version, all of which date from the second to the sixth centuries. It is clearly the reading of the majority of the Old Latin manuscripts and Jerome’s Latin Vulgate. The passage has patristic support: Didascalia (third century), Ambrosiaster (fourth century), Ambrose (fourth century), the Apostolic Constitutions (which are the largest liturgical collections of writings from Antioch Syria in about 380 AD), Jerome (420 AD), and Augustine (430 AD).

The question then arises as to why this passage was ever omitted from a number of ancient manuscripts. A likely answer is found in church history. Augustine makes an astounding statement concerning the authenticity of the passage. After citing the forgiving phrase of Christ, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more,” he wrote:

“This proceeding, however, shocks the minds of some weak believers, or rather unbelievers and enemies of the Christian faith: inasmuch that, after (I suppose) of its giving their wives impunity of sinning, they struck out from their copies of the Gospel this that our Lord did in pardoning the woman taken in adultery: as if He granted leave of sinning, Who said, Go and sin no more!”

Augustine implied that some fearful scribes who thought the inclusion of this passage might lead to adultery omitted this passage. This could also explain why some manuscripts which omit this section leave a space where it belongs and why some attach it to the end of the Gospel.

Most certainly it could also be argued that these verses – included in Bibles for centuries and read and preached in churches around the world – have been used by the Holy Spirit to convict sinners and to comfort them with the grace and forgiveness offered us for the sake of the shed blood of Christ Jesus. I myself draw comfort from the fact that Jesus does not condemn me but forgives me and accepts me. He doesn’t offer a license to sin, but tells me that I, in response to His forgiveness, should go and sin no more.

Fully convinced that these verses are the inspired and unerring Word of God and belong here in the Gospel (the attempt of the Pharisees to trap Jesus fit with the surrounding context), I offer the following insights for your consideration.

When Jesus returned to the temple early in the morning (after spending the night on the Mount of Olives), the people gathered around Him and He was teaching them. To discredit Jesus’ teaching and to trap Him, the Jewish scribes and Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus and set her before Him, saying they had caught her in the very act of committing adultery. Why the man was not brought, or how they knew just where to find her, we are not told.

Their challenge to Jesus came in the words: “Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?” The Bible also tells us: “This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him.”

It was, of course, a trap. If Jesus said to release her, he would have been contradicting the Law of Moses – the Scriptures and God Himself (Leviticus 20:10). If He commanded her to be stoned to death, He could be accused before the Roman governor because the Jews were not permitted to carry out capital punishments (cf. John 18:31).

Jesus’ response was most remarkable: “But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.”

What Jesus wrote on the ground, the Bible doesn’t say. Some have speculated that He wrote the commandments in the dirt. Others suggest that he may have revealed the private sins of the woman’s accusers. The point is that the only one left with the woman, who had the just right to condemn her, was Jesus. He alone had kept all of God’s commandments, and He alone was perfect and without sin.

Certainly, we as sinful people can relate to this woman’s accusers. We are so often quick to judge and condemn others for their disobedience and sin. But when we hear the Law of God, we realize, too, that we are just as guilty. We deserve to be judged and condemned by the almighty and holy God who created us.

“If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O LORD, who shall stand?” (Psalm 130:3).

When I was a sheriff’s deputy and had to help care for prisoners in the jail who were there because of numerous crimes, I realized that in God’s court I was no better. God judges not only our outward acts but our words and the thoughts and intents of our hearts. The Bible plainly tells us that “the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Genesis 8:21). It says that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

Had I been standing there before this sinful woman, I could not have picked up a stone to throw at her. I too am a sinner and guilty before God. The older I have gotten, the more apparent this truth has become to me. My conscience convicts me. When I see another judged and condemned for some sin, I have to admit, “There go I but for the grace of God.”

The real comfort of this pericope – this cut-out from Scripture – is what happened next. “When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

Was the woman guilty of sinning against God’s commandments? Yes, without a doubt! She was caught in the very act. Could Jesus have justly condemned her and picked up the stones? Yes, without a doubt! He was and is the holy and sinless Son of God and the Judge of all the earth. Did Jesus condemn this sinful woman caught in the very act of committing a grave sin, a capital crime in Old testament Israel? No, He did not! Instead, Jesus forgave her, pardoned her and released her. He said, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

How could He do it? How could the holy and just Son of God pardon and forgive this sinful woman? God’s Word tells us: “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” … because … “He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 1:9; 2:2). Jesus suffered and died on the cross and paid in full the just punishment for this woman’s sins. God’s justice was satisfied and Jesus showed to this woman mercy and forgiveness!

The same is true for you and me. Though guilty of wickedness and sin, Jesus satisfied God’s just wrath against us. He has every right to condemn us but He, instead, reaches out to us with mercy and forgiveness. Though the devil and all the world might accuse us, Jesus tells us – no matter how great our sins have been – “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

“If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared” (Psalm 130:3,4).

Jesus does not condemn us. He died on the cross for all our sins – even the sins of all the world – and rose again that He might acquit us, forgive us and give us a place in His everlasting kingdom.

But why did Jesus say to this woman: “Go, and sin no more”? Was He adding terms and conditions? If this woman sinned again, would her forgiveness and salvation be lost?

And what about you and me? We confess our sins and receive God’s absolution in Word and Sacrament every Sunday. We are assured of God’s mercy and pardon. If we fall again, is all lost?

Jesus’ pardon and forgiveness to this woman was not conditional. He did not say, “I won’t condemn you if you go and sin no more.” He fully and freely forgave her all her sin. But He urged her, as a response to His mercy, to go and refrain from sin and disobedience to God. He gave her no license to keep on committing adultery or to live in an adulterous relationship. He called upon her, as a fruit of His mercy and pardon, to amend her sinful ways and live for Him in obedience to God’s Word. If she stumbled, if she fell, Jesus’ mercy was not gone. It was still there for her to cling to and depend upon. Jesus was still her Savior!

If we sin again, if we fall – and we all do – Jesus is still there for us too, with His mercy and grace. He doesn’t pardon us so that we can live as we please and indulge in our sinful desires, for the wages of sin is still death (Romans 6:23). But He continues to call us to faith in Him and His mercy. For the sake of His innocent sufferings and death in our stead, He continues to offer us His pardon and forgiveness. He continues to offer us life in His name.

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness … My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 1:8-9; 2:1-2).

How comforting this account of the adulterous woman is to us sinners! It assures us that though we too are guilty and worthy of death and hell, Jesus does not condemn us. He forgives us and accepts us and gives us life. Jesus says to us sinners who are accused by our own consciences, the devil and the world: “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

May God’s Spirit grant you comfort in Jesus’ words. Amen.

The Augsburg Confession

Article III: Of the Son of God.

Also they teach that the Word, that is, the Son of God, did assume the human nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary, so that there are two natures, the divine and the human, inseparably enjoined in one Person, one Christ, true God and true man, who was born of the Virgin Mary, truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, that He might reconcile the Father unto us, and be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for all actual sins of men.

He also descended into hell, and truly rose again the third day; afterward He ascended into heaven that He might sit on the right hand of the Father, and forever reign and have dominion over all creatures, and sanctify them that believe in Him, by sending the Holy Ghost into their hearts, to rule, comfort, and quicken them, and to defend them against the devil and the power of sin.

The same Christ shall openly come again to judge the quick and the dead, etc., according to the Apostles’ Creed.

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are Psalm 27; Acts 8:1-25; Luke 10:38-42. 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 7:19ff. Who was seeking to kill Jesus? Cf. John 5:18. Why? What law were they breaking by seeking to kill Jesus? Did the Jews regard it a sin if one was circumcised on the Sabbath? What had Jesus done on the Sabbath (cf. Chapter 5)? Was this right or wrong? Why? Do people today ever get so focused on one commandment that they neglect other weightier commandments? How? Do the words of Hosea 6:6-7 have application here? Did the people think they knew Jesus’ origins? What did they believe about Christ? How were they mistaken in their understanding? What did Jesus say of His origins? Did the Jews recognize Jesus for who He is? Did they know the Father who sent Him? Cf. John 14:6. Can one know God if he doesn’t know Jesus? Why did many of the people believe on Jesus? What did they say? Why were the Jews unable to arrest Jesus at this time? What did Jesus say to His enemies? What did He mean? Of what was He warning His hearers? What did Jesus say on the last day of the Jewish feast of tabernacles? What does this mean? How does it apply yet today?

Remember to Pray

Remember to pray for our church and for all our members, that none be lost to Christ’s kingdom but that all continue in repentance and be strengthened and built up in the true and saving faith in Christ Jesus through the hearing and study of His Word. We pray for God’s healing and strengthening of our congregation. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – especially for Dick Stueland, who is recovering from knee surgery; for Sam Rusch, who is back in the hospital; and for the mother of Dick Rusch – for those who have been absent from us, for our extended families, for Christians who are alone and have no congregation, and for our adopted soldiers. Pray for God’s help with our church’s financial needs. Continue to pray for the Lutheran Churches in the Philippines, for Christians in Nigeria, Haiti and Chile, and for believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus.

Events and Announcements

The Congregational Evening Bible Study is set for tonight at 7 p.m. Some will be meeting earlier – about 6:20 – for a sandwich and all are invited to join in that as well.

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 Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

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

“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.” Acts 7:51-53 (Read Acts 6:8 – 7:60)

The Book of Acts, in chapters six and seven, tells the story of the first New Testament Christian martyr to follow in the steps of the Lord Jesus and to be murdered for his witness to the truth. In fact the English word “martyr” comes from the Greek word “martus,” which means to bear witness or testify. Stephen testified to the truth about Jesus and about his own hearers and was killed at the hands of the Jewish council by stoning.

In his defense before the council, Stephen summarized God’s gracious dealings with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants, the children of Israel. From the call of Abraham down through the times of Moses, David and the prophets, God sought to deal with His people in grace and mercy for the sake of the promised Messiah and Savior, but again and again God’s people rejected God’s grace and mercy and rebelled against Him. They disobeyed God’s commandments, doubted God’s love and mercy and even persecuted and killed God’s messengers who pointed ahead to the Messiah.

Stephen’s point to his hearers was that they were doing the same thing as their unbelieving fathers. They were being stubborn and stiff-necked. Instead of listening to the witness of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God which testified to the truth that Jesus was and is the promised Messiah and Savior – the Just One, without sin, who bore upon the tree of the cross the sins of the whole world – they resisted the Spirit’s testimony to the truth, betrayed and crucified God’s own Son. They placed their hope in the law of Moses, given through the dispensation of angels, but they did not keep it. And as their fathers had done to the prophets of old who testified of the coming Savior, they killed Stephen for his witness to the truth.

The question, of course, for each of us to consider is whether we are resisting the Holy Spirit’s witness to the truth and rejecting God’s grace and mercy in Christ Jesus. Stephen prayed that God would not hold his persecutors’ sin against them but continue to reach out to them in mercy, but sooner or later our time to partake of God’s grace and mercy in Messiah Jesus will run out. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). Don’t reject God’s grace but believe on the Lord Jesus Christ! In Him, we have God’s grace and mercy and life everlasting!

Thank You, dear heavenly Father, for Your gracious dealings with me for the sake of the Just and Holy One and His innocent sufferings and death in my stead. Grant that I not reject Your grace and forgiveness but hold fast to Jesus, my only Lord and Savior. Amen.

[Scripture from the King James Version of the Bible]

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

“And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” Luke 10:25-37

We are to love our neighbor as ourselves (Lev. 19:18), but who is our neighbor? With this parable, Jesus teaches us that our neighbor is not only the man next door, our friends or even those whom we might consider worthy of our love and respect. Our neighbor includes anyone with whom we in some way have contact or the ability to help and serve. Our neighbor includes all men.

Like the good Samaritan, we should care for the stranger in need even if he is our enemy! We should not be as the priest or the Levite in this parable who, probably out of fear for their own safety, passed by the man who was in need and failed to be a good neighbor to this man who had fallen among thieves. If we truly love our neighbor as we love ourselves, we will use every opportunity and do all that we can to help those in need.

Jesus told this parable to a certain Jewish lawyer who was testing Jesus with the question: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” When Jesus asked him, “What is written in the law? how readest thou?,” he answered, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” Jesus then told him, “Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.” If a person were able to do this perfectly, he could earn his way into heaven; but “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23), and “there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” (EccI. 7:20). No one has such perfect love for God! And while men may think they love their neighbor, this parable reveals our failures here too!

But all who have come short of the demands of God’s perfect Law are also “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24). We cannot justify ourselves with God’s commandments as this Jewish lawyer sought to do; but through faith in Christ Jesus we stand forgiven and justified in God’s sight (Rom. 3:28). As a fruit of our faith, we seek to love our Lord and Savior above all things and to love our neighbor as ourselves (I John 4:19ff.).

Oh, teach me, Lord, to love Thee truly with soul and body, head and heart, and grant me grace that I may duly practice fore’er love’s sacred art. Grant that my every thought may be directed e’er to Thee. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #399, Verse 5)

“Confused about Jesus”

John 7:25-53

25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? 26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? 27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. 28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. 29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me. 30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. 31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done? 32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him. 33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. 34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. 35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? 36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come? 37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) 40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. 41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? 43 So there was a division among the people because of him. 44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. 45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? 46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. 47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? 48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? 49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed. 50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) 51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? 52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. 53 And every man went unto his own house.

There was much confusion about Jesus during His days on earth. Some thought He was the promised Messiah and others thought He was just a deceiver of the people. Some believed Jesus when He said He had come down from God the Father in heaven, and others argued that they knew Jesus’ origins in Nazareth of Galilee and no prophet was to come from Galilee. The Jewish rulers sought to arrest Jesus and have Him put to death, but others argued in His defense, citing the many miracles He had done as proof that Jesus’ claims must be true.

Not much has changed in 2,000 years. People are still confused about Jesus. Some believe He is the Christ, Son of God in human flesh and the Savior. Others think He was just a prophet or significant religious figure. Some see His miracles as proof of His claims, and others doubt His miracles altogether. Some would seek to silence Jesus and have any reference to Him or His teaching removed from public view. Others still proclaim Him as one who should be heard in our day.

Jesus warned His hearers that their time was running out. “Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.”

Of course, our time, too, is short. We live in this world only a little while and then must stand before our Maker and Judge (cf. Hebrews 9:27). If we continue to put off the invitation of Christ Jesus in the gospel and refuse to believe and trust in Him, time will run out and we will never find Him and know Him as our Savior. We will not go to be with Him in the mansions of His Father’s house. Where He is we will not be able to come!

We read that “in the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

Do we hunger and thirst for the living God? Do we desire to be right with Him and walk in fellowship with our Maker and Redeemer? Jesus offers and gives life-giving water to quench our thirsty souls. He offers and gives the Holy Spirit who, through the Word of God, creates faith in Christ Jesus and raises us up from spiritual darkness and death to life in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit assures us that Jesus is indeed God’s Son in the flesh, the Messiah and Savior, and that in Him and for the sake of His blood shed upon the cross all our sins are cleansed away and forgiven.

Jesus pours out upon us His Holy Spirit and saves us, “by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed[s] on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour” (Titus 3:5,6).

As God says in Isaiah 55:1-3: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”

Jesus, David’s Son and David’s Lord, has won for us mercy and peace with God our Father. For His sake, God accepts and receives us as his own dear children. He calls us to believe on Him and come to Him and drink.

1 John 1:1 – 2:2

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

The Augsburg Confession

Article II: Of Original Sin

Also they teach that since the fall of Adam all men begotten in the natural way are born with sin, that is, without the fear of God, without trust in God, and with concupiscence; and that this disease, or vice of origin, is truly sin, even now condemning and bringing eternal death upon those not born again through Baptism and the Holy Ghost.

They condemn the Pelagians and others who deny that original depravity is sin, and who, to obscure the glory of Christ’s merit and benefits, argue that man can be justified before God by his own strength and reason.

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are Psalm 41; Acts 6:8 – 7:60; Luke 10:25-37. 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 7:19ff. Who was seeking to kill Jesus? Cf. John 5:18. Why? What law were they breaking by seeking to kill Jesus? Did the Jews regard it a sin if one was circumcised on the Sabbath? What had Jesus done on the Sabbath (cf. Chapter 5)? Was this right or wrong? Why? Do people today ever get so focused on one commandment that they neglect other weightier commandments? How? Do the words of Hosea 6:6-7 have application here? Did the people think they knew Jesus’ origins? What did they believe about Christ? How were they mistaken in their understanding? What did Jesus say of His origins? Did the Jews recognize Jesus for who He is? Did they know the Father who sent Him? Cf. John 14:6. Can one know God if he doesn’t know Jesus? Why did many of the people believe on Jesus? What did they say? Why were the Jews unable to arrest Jesus at this time? What did Jesus say to His enemies? What did He mean? Of what was He warning His hearers? What did Jesus say on the last day of the Jewish feast of tabernacles? What does this mean? How does it apply yet today?

Remember to Pray

Remember to pray for our church and for all our members, that none be lost to Christ’s kingdom but that all continue in repentance and be strengthened and built up in the true and saving faith in Christ Jesus through the hearing and study of His Word. We pray for God’s healing and strengthening of our congregation. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – especially for Dick Stueland, who is recovering from knee surgery; for Sam Rusch, who is back in the hospital; and for the mother of Dick Rusch – for those who have been absent from us, for our extended families, for Christians who are alone and have no congregation, and for our adopted soldiers. Pray for God’s help with our church’s financial needs. Continue to pray for the Lutheran Churches in the Philippines, for Christians in Nigeria, Haiti and Chile, and for believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus.

Events and Announcements

The 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.

Hebrews 9:27-28: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

[Scripture in this Newsletter is taken 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]