Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE HOUSEHOLDER

Read Matthew 13:51-52

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Dear Children

The Omnipresent God

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

My Dear Children,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GOD

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

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

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

The Augsburg Confession

Article VIII: What the Church Is

Although the Church properly is the congregation of saints and true believers, nevertheless, since in this life many hypocrites and evil persons are mingled therewith, it is lawful to use Sacraments administered by evil men, according to the saying of Christ: The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat, etc. (Matt. 23:2). Both the Sacraments and Word are effectual by reason of the institution and commandment of Christ, notwithstanding they be administered by evil men.

They condemn the Donatists, and such like, who denied it to be lawful to use the ministry of evil men in the Church, and who thought the ministry of evil men to be unprofitable and of none effect.

Significant Events in History of Mankind

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As the Bible says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come….” (2 Peter 3:9,10).

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

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

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

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

Remember to Pray

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

Events and Announcements

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

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

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

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

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

“And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:42-43

The Bible plainly teaches us that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). But how can sinners like you and me stand in that judgment? We have come short. We have sinned. We have failed. We indeed stand guilty and condemned on the basis of our lives and works. Cf. Rom. 3:8-23.

The Bible says, “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” (Psalm 130:3). But, thankfully, for sinners like you and me there is hope. The Word of God does not stop there. It goes on to say, “But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared” (Psalm 130:4; cf. Rom. 4:24ff.).

Jesus commanded His disciples to preach unto the people not only that He was ordained and appointed of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. They were also to preach the truth to which all the Old Testament prophets had testified: “That through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” (Cf. Psalm 130:7-8; Isaiah 11:10-12; 44:22; 53:1-12; Daniel 9:24ff.; Joel 2:32; Micah 7:18-20; Zech. 13:1.)

And, as we learn from Acts, chapter 10, this message of forgiveness of sins through faith in the crucified and risen Christ Jesus was not only for the Jews, but for the Gentiles also. Jesus died for the sins of all people, regardless of descent, race or nationality.

As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19). By His holy life and innocent sufferings and death, Christ reconciled the entire world of sinners to God. Every one of us can take comfort in the message that God, for Jesus’ sake, no longer holds our sins against us but reaches out to us in love and mercy and with forgiveness. And through faith in Christ Jesus, that forgiveness – that remission of sins – becomes our own!

And not only is it ours. We have the great privilege of proclaiming that remission of sins in Christ Jesus to all people, regardless of race, color, background, upbringing, dress or wealth. God is no respecter of persons. Christ died for all, and God desires that all come to faith in Christ Jesus and be saved!

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross for my sins that I might be forgiven and stand acquitted before You on the Last Day. Move me to share that message of forgiveness with all people, everywhere. Amen.

[Scripture from the King James Version of the Bible]

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.]

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE TALENTS

Read Matthew 25:14-30

“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

We do not know when our Lord Jesus Christ will return. That Day could be very soon, or it may be many years from now. What are we to be doing while we await the return of our Lord and Savior, who died upon the cross to redeem us from sin, death and the power of the devil? With the parable of the talents, Jesus teaches us that we are to be faithfully serving Him and carrying on the work of His kingdom until He returns.

All of us, as Christians, have been given talents, abilities and spiritual gifts to use in carrying on the Lord’s work until He returns on the Last Day (I Peter 4:10; Rom. 12:4ff.). Whatever our gift, talent or ability is, we are to faithfully use it for the Lord and for the upbuilding of His kingdom and Church. We have also been entrusted with the Word of God; this we are to faithfully use and proclaim. Since Christ Jesus suffered and died upon the cross to redeem us and make us children of God, He expects us to respond to His gracious gift of salvation by living our lives for Him; and, as a fruit of our faith, we also desire to do this (2 Cor. 5:15; 1 John 4:19ff.).

When Jesus returns on the Last Day to take to heaven all who trust in Him alone, He will examine our faithfulness. We are His stewards, having been entrusted with His Word and with gifts and abilities to use for the work of His kingdom. “It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2). If, as a result of our faith in Christ as Savior, we faithfully serve Him, we will be graciously rewarded with greater opportunity for service when we enter the joy of our Lord in heaven. If we are found to be unfaithful servants who cared to do nothing for our Lord, we will lose not only what has been entrusted to us, but eternal life as well; for such unfaithfulness is the denial of true faith in Jesus Christ as Savior (cf. John 15:1-6).

O God of mercy, God of might, in love and pity infinite, teach us, as ever in Thy sight, to live our life to Thee. …And may Thy Holy Spirit move all those who live to live in love till Thou shalt greet in heaven above all those who live to Thee. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #439, Verses 1,6)

“Continue in the Word”

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32

Where can we find the truth? How can we know and be assured of forgiveness for all our sins and a place in God’s everlasting kingdom? Jesus answers those very questions when He said to the Jews who believed on Him: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Like the Jews of Jesus’ day, we may not think of ourselves as slaves and servants of sin? We may not consider ourselves bound by anything because of our religious upbringing. But Jesus says otherwise. He tells us that all who commit sin are the servants of sin, and that the servants of sin will not abide in the house forever – only the Son (v. 34-35). As Ishmael was cast out and Isaac received the inheritance, so it is only the sons of the kingdom who will receive the eternal inheritance of heaven (cf. Genesis 21 and Galatians 4).

As servants and slaves of sin – conceived in sin and shapen in iniquity (Psalm 51), whose hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), and who are inclined to evil continually (Genesis 6:5; 8:21) – we cannot free ourselves or make atonement for our own wickedness (cf. Psalm 49:7-9). Only the Son can set us free and give us a place in His eternal kingdom. And this He did when He bore the guilt and punishment of our sin, suffered and died in our stead, and then rose again on the third day (cf. John 3:14-18; 1 John 2:1-2).

Jesus urges us to continue in His Word that we might know the truth and that the truth might make us free. It is in His Word that we learn the truth. We see our sinfulness and the hopelessness of our condition. But we also see Jesus, God’s Son and our Savior, who fulfilled all righteousness for us and on the cross paid in full the just punishment for our sins and the sins of the whole world. We see that for Jesus’ sake, God is merciful, forgiving and accepts us as His own dear children (Eph. 1:6-7). We see Him reach out to us with love and forgiveness and offer us son-ship and a place in His eternal kingdom.

When we continue in Jesus’ Word and are His disciples, the Holy Ghost, working through that Word, reveals to us Jesus and all He has done for us. The Holy Spirit assures us of forgiveness, son-ship and life in Jesus’ name – of a place in heaven. When we continue in Jesus’ Word – the Bible – the Holy Spirit will reveal to us the truth about ourselves and about Jesus our Savior, and that truth will set us free. Through faith in Christ Jesus, we are forgiven sons of God and free indeed!

“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. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29).

Grant, O Lord Jesus, that we might continue in Your life-giving Word, learn the truth and be made free through faith in You as our God and Savior. We ask this for the sake of Your blood shed upon the cross for our sins. Amen.

My Dear Children

Who Is the Eternal God?

O Eternal God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, before anything else was, You were there. And, even when all that we now know passes away, You will still be. Without beginning and without end, You always have been and always will be the Living God. Open up our hearts and minds and give us an understanding of Your Word that we may receive its truths by faith. Amen.

My Dear Children,

Everything we know in this world has a beginning and an end. Days begin and days end. We buy something that is new, but eventually it becomes old and is discarded. We start school and we finish school, We start a job and, one way or another, we finish our work. We ourselves are born and sooner or later we die. Yet God is different. He had no beginning. He always has been God! He has no end. He always will be God! This is hard for us to grasp with our limited understanding, but it is what God has revealed to us about Himself. Consider His Word.

1. Psalm 90:1-2 says: “LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” Who has been there and sustained mankind throughout all our generations? Who is God “from everlasting to everlasting”?

2. In Deuteronomy 33:27, the Scriptures say: “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” What does this passage say about God? Who upholds us and cares for us all the time? How long will He be there for us?

3. Read Hebrews 1:10-12 (Psalm 102:25-27). What will happen to the present heavens and earth? Who was there before the heavens and earth were created? Who will remain after they are dissolved?

4. Read Exodus 3:1-16. By what name does God reveal Himself to Moses? What does this name mean? The name “Jehovah” (LORD) comes from this name. How long was this God’s name? How long will it be God’s name?

5. Read John 8:56-58. What did Jesus say about Himself? Was Jesus the living God in the days of Abraham (approximately 1800 to 1900 years before the birth of Jesus)? Did Abraham see Him? See Genesis 18:1ff.

6. Read John 1:1-5. Who is the Word in these verses? Cf. v. 14-18. Was the Word there in the beginning? Read Revelation 1:8, 9-18. Jesus died once for our sins. Will He ever die again?

7. Read Hebrews 9:14. What is the Holy Spirit here called?

8. Can you think of anyone else, or anything else, that is eternal? Can you comprehend what it means to be eternal? Describe it.

9. Was God created? Was God the Father created? Was God the Son created? Was God the Spirit created? If God (or any Person of the Trinity) was created, would He be eternal?

10. Was there ever a time when God was not? Will there ever be a time when God is not? If so, would God be eternal?

11. When God threatens to punish the evil angels and unbelieving people with everlasting torment in hell, can He do it? When He promises everlasting life to all who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus as their Savior, can He do this too?

GOD

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

Please Memorize: Psalm 90:1-2; Deuteronomy 33:27; Revelation 1:8

Scripture Taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1994 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Augsburg Confession

Article VI: Of New Obedience.

Also they teach that this faith is bound to bring forth good fruits, and that it is necessary to do good works commanded by God, because of God’s will, but that we should not rely on those works to merit justification before God. For remission of sins and justification is apprehended by faith, as also the voice of Christ attests: When ye shall have done all these things, say: We are unprofitable servants (Luke 17:10). The same is also taught by the Fathers. For Ambrose says: It is ordained of God that he who believes in Christ is saved, freely receiving remission of sins, without works, by faith alone.

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are Psalm 33; Acts 9:32-43; Luke 12:22-40. 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 8:23ff. Who did Jesus say He was, and from where did He come? Why did Jesus say to the Pharisees and Jews that they would die in their sins? How is this true yet today? Who will die in their sins? Where did Jesus get his words and doctrine? Whose words are Jesus’ words? When would they recognize that Jesus was doing the will of His Father in heaven and speaking the words of God? What was Jesus saying about His work here in this world? What had He come into this world to do? Cf. John 3:14ff. Who was with Jesus? Whose will was Jesus doing here in this world? What did Jesus say to those Jews who believed on Him? How are these words applicable to you and to me today? How can we be disciples of Jesus yet today? How can and should we continue in His Word? What will the result be? Who works through that Word? What does He reveal to us in the Word? 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?

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.

Due to a scheduling conflict, the August evening Bible study will be rescheduled and announced on Sunday and in next week’s newsletter.

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

“The Word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.” Psalm 33:4

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

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE LIGHTNING

AND THE SIGN OF THE FIG TREE

Read Matthew 24:27, 32-33

“For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be … Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.”

Jesus compares His return on the Last Day to a flash of lightning coming out of the east and shining to the west. Our Lord Jesus will return quickly and suddenly – “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor. 15:52). There will be no time for repentance when we see Christ coming in the clouds of glory with all His holy angels! When that time comes, the Judgment will take place. Those who have believed the Gospel and trust in Christ as their Savior will be taken to heaven to enjoy the eternal blessings of the LORD, but those who have not turned from their sins to Christ their Savior will be condemned to eternal torment in the fires of hell! Cf. Mark 16:16; John 3:18,36; 2 Thess. 1:6-10.

While we do not know the day or hour of Christ’s return, we do not need to be caught off guard. We can tell from a fig tree (or from other deciduous trees), when they sprout and put forth new leaves, that summer is near. So also, we should know that with the fulfillment of the signs spoken of in Matthew, chapter 24, the Day of Christ’s return is imminent, “even at the doors.” Since all these things have happened and the Gospel has been “preached in all the world” (v. 14), we can soon expect to see “the powers of the heavens . . shaken” (v.29) and the return of Jesus Christ to judge the living and the dead!

If you wanted to take a still photograph of a flash of lightning, you would never catch it on film if you waited until you saw the lightning streak across the sky and then lifted your camera to shoot. You would always be too late! In order to catch a streak of lightning with a still camera, you must point the camera in the direction of the threatening clouds, open the shutter, and wait until the lightning strikes. In the same way, if we want to be found in the faith at Christ’s return, we cannot wait until we see Him coming in glory! Instead we should take note of the imminent return of Christ, turn from our sins to Him for salvation, and look for His coming to take us and all other believers to be with Him in heaven.

Great God, what do I see and hear? the end of things created; the Judge of mankind doth appear on clouds of glory seated. The trumpet sounds; the graves restore the dead which they contained before: prepare, my soul, to meet Him. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #604, Verse 1)

“Jesus, the Light of the World”

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

Have you ever tried to walk some place in total darkness? Perhaps in a cave, or on a moonless light? What happened? Without any light, we lose our way and begin to trip and stumble over everything. But what if a friend has a bright flashlight? If we walk with him, we can see and find our way. But if we do not follow closely, we again begin to stumble and grope in the darkness.

We live in a world of darkness when it comes to a knowledge of the truth. People don’t know or understand who they are, how they got here, why they are here or how to live. People do not know God their Maker or how to walk in fellowship with Him. Instead, people deny the existence of God, believe they are freak accidents of evolution, and have no idea of their purpose here in this world or what will happen to them after they die.

To the people of this dark and sinful world who are groping about in spiritual darkness, trying this and that to find happiness and fulfillment, Jesus says, “I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

Jesus truly is the light of the world. He spoke the truth about our utter sinfulness before God and the judgment we deserve, and He spoke the truth when He called upon lost sinners to repent and trust in Him for forgiveness of sins and life everlasting (cf. John 8:23-24; 8:44; 8:34-36; 8:51; 3:3-6, 14-21).

Jesus, the very Son of God, took on human flesh and blood and came into this world to save sinners like you and me. He lived a holy life under God’s law and then suffered and died upon the cross to bear the punishment for our sins. And Jesus’ resurrection is proof that God accepted His sacrifice for sin and we are justified before God (Rom. 4:25). Jesus is “the Light of Life.” In Him alone can we sinners have life in fellowship with God our Maker, both now and forever!

What shall we do? Shall we continue to grope around in darkness, trying to find our own way? Or, shall we follow Jesus, the Light of the world? Like the person walking next to one with a flashlight, if we walk with Jesus by trusting in Him as our Savior and being led and guided continually by His Word, we will “not walk in darkness,” but “have the light of life.” We will be comforted with the knowledge and assurance of forgiveness of sins and life everlasting through faith in His name! And, we will be led and guided in the right way through this life.

On the other hand, if we wander off and do not follow closely after the Lord Jesus, we will quickly find ourselves groping and stumbling through the darkness of sin and death, not knowing the way to God or how to live for Him.

O Dearest Jesus, “in Thy light shall we see light” (Psalm 36:9). Graciously shine upon our hearts, revealing our sin, but comforting us with Thy forgiveness; and lead us safely through this life to Thyself in heaven. Amen.

The Augsburg Confession

Article IV: Of Justification.

Also they teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor, and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, who, by His death, has made satisfaction for our sins. This faith God imputes for righteousness in His sight. Rom. 3 and 4.

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are Psalm 138; Acts 8:26-40; Colossians 2:6-19; Luke 11:1-13. 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 7:37ff. What did Jesus say on the last day of the Jewish feast of tabernacles? What does this mean? How does it apply yet today? What did the people say of Jesus? Who is the Prophet? Cf. Deuteronomy 18:15-19. Why did some people doubt Jesus was the Christ (Messiah)? Cf. Micah 5:2. How did God fulfill this passage in Jesus’ birth? Cf. Luke 2:1ff. Did the officers arrest Jesus for His claims? Why? What did they tell the chief priests and Pharisees? How did the chief priests and Pharisees respond? What did Nicodemus say? How did they respond? What argument did the chief priests and scribes use to justify their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah and Savior? How were they mistaken? What excuses do people make 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 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.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1:1-3

[Scripture in this Newsletter is taken 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 UNJUST STEWARD

Read Luke 16:1-13

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

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

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

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

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

“Jesus, the Bread from Heaven” cont’d

Scripture Reading – John 6:60-71

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

Jesus had told His hearers (John 6:53-58): “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.”

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

All these things were above and beyond the understanding of Jesus’ hearers. It’s not that they are so difficult to understand. Rather, they are spiritually discerned and sinful human beings cannot understand apart from the gracious enlightening of the Holy Spirit. It was as the Bible teaches, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

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

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

“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:13-14).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It is as the Scriptures declare: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36).

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

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

The Brief Statement

of the Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod as adopted in 1932

(Editor’s Note: This remains the official position of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod yet today, though in practice, many have departed from it.)

Of the Symbols of the Lutheran Church

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

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

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

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

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

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are Psalm 16; Acts 5:17-42; Luke 9:51-62. Please read them in their context as you prepare for worship on Sunday.

The Adult Bible Class will continue in the Gospel of John at chapter 7:1ff. Which Jewish feast was at hand? What did Jesus’ brothers tell Him to do? Why? Did they yet believe? How did Jesus respond? What does this mean? Why did the world hate Jesus? Does the world still hate Jesus? Why? Why does the world hate true believers? Cf. Matthew 5:10ff. If the world does not hate a church or group of believers, what might that say of their testimony to the truth of God’s Word? Should churches seek to be loved by the world or to be faithful to Christ and His Word? Is it possible to do both at the same time? Cf. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. Did Jesus go to the feast? What were the people saying of Him? Is this any different than what people say of Him yet today? How did Jesus answer their objections to His teaching? Is this true for us yet today? How?

Remember to Pray

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

Events and Announcements

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

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

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

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

at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN

Read Luke 18:9-14

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

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

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

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

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

Pastor Randy Moll

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pastor Randy Moll

The Brief Statement

of the Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod as adopted in 1932

(Editor’s Note: This remains the official position of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod yet today, though in practice, many have departed from it.)

Of Church and State

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

Remember to Pray

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

Events and Announcements

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

Congregational Evening Bible studies will resume tonight at 7 p.m.

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

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

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

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE TWO SONS

Read Matthew 21:28-32

“But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.”

Which of the two sons in this parable did the will of his father? the one who at first refused to obey, but then repented and obeyed? or the one who promised to obey, but did not? With the chief priests and elders of the Jews, we too must answer and say that the son who repented and then obeyed did the will of his father. The son who said that he would obey but did not actually do as he said, did not obey his father’s will.

Jesus used the illustration in this parable to show to the chief priests and elders that many tax-collectors and harlots would enter the kingdom of God before them; for they, though they at first refused to do God’s will, repented upon hearing the preaching of John the Baptist and trusted in Jesus as their Messiah and Savior. The chief priests and elders, on the other hand, did not believe the Word of God which John proclaimed; nor did they later repent and believe.

It is God’s will that we turn from our sins and trust in Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:3-4). To just pay lip-service to the will of the heavenly Father will do us no good. God wants us to truly repent – to have godly sorrow over our sins and to know what punishment we deserve, to trust in Jesus Christ and His redemptive work for forgiveness and life, and to then, with God’s help, amend our sinful lives and live for Him.

No matter how great our sins have been, if we, by the gracious working of the Holy Ghost, truly repent, we have forgiveness in Christ Jesus and a place in God’s eternal kingdom!

I, a sinner, come to Thee with a penitent confession; Savior, mercy show to me; grant for all my sins remission. Let these words my soul relieve: Jesus sinners doth receive. Amen. (TLH, Hymn #324, Verse 5)

Pastor Randy Moll

Will we be condemned in the day of judgment?

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:24-29

Dear fellow-redeemed sinners, ransomed by the shed blood of Christ Jesus, our Savior.

Facing death and the ultimate judgment of the almighty God can be frightening – and especially so, when we consider our sinfulness and the judgment of a holy God upon those who set aside His commandments in thoughts, desires, words and deeds.

And which one of us hasn’t sinned? The Bible tells us: “Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). God’s Word says, “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Galatians 3:10). And so, even if we could claim to have kept every commandment except for one small failure, we are guilty of all. A single misdeed – even a single evil thought – is already enough to make us guilty before God and deserving of His everlasting wrath and punishment.

And which of us loves and honors God with all his heart? Which of us always trusts Him? Which of us always remembers to pray and always listens attentively to His Word? Which of us always loves our fellow human beings as he loves himself? Who never has an evil thought or desire? Who never utters an unkind word? Who never fails to act rightly toward others?

Indeed, “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

We remember, from previous verses in John, chapter five, that Jesus said the Father had committed all judgment into the hands of the Son so that all would honor the Son even as they honor the Father. In fact, those not honoring the Son cannot and do not honor the Father who so loved the world that He sent His only-begotten Son to suffer and die for us (cf. John 5:19-23).

Jesus, God the Son and true man, conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of the virgin Mary, came into this world to fulfill all the righteous demands of God’s law for fallen mankind and He suffered and died upon the cross for the sins of all people, rising again on the third day. This same Messiah Jesus is appointed of the Father to judge all people on the Last Day.

He Himself tells us: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

Our Judge says – Jesus says – with the utmost certainty, the one who listens to Jesus’ word and message and trusts in the Father who sent Him has everlasting life and will not ever be condemned. We sinners, who most certainly deserve to be condemned for our evil works, will not be condemned if we but hear and believe the words of Jesus and trust in God to show us mercy for the sake of the Son and His innocent sufferings and death in our stead.

How comforting it is to know that, though we deserve God’s wrath and punishment because of our sins, we have everlasting life and will “not come into condemnation”! Instead, when we believe the words of Jesus – that He is God the Son and our Savior come into this world to redeem us by shedding His blood in our stead upon the cross for the remission of all our sins – we have “passed from death unto life.”

Think about this as you consider your own death and the impending judgment of God to follow. Have you continually kept all of God’s commandments as He requires? No. Have you done things amiss? Yes. Have you sinned in your thoughts, desires, words and actions? Yes, we all have. If God were to judge us on the basis of our obedience to His law, could any of us stand? Most certainly not!

Yet, the Bible says – Jesus Himself says – “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

Did you hear that? Those who hear and believe the message of Jesus and trust in the One who sent Jesus to die for our sins and rise again will not come into condemnation! Instead, they have everlasting life!

Jesus went on to say: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”

Jesus is not here speaking of the Last Day when He calls all to rise and stand before Him. He says, “The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” The hour was here when Jesus walked on this earth with His disciples, and it is still here today. It is the hour when those in spiritual death and darkness – those who continue in their sinful ways and do not know the LORD God or the salvation He has provided in His Son, those who think they can please God by their own lives and works, and those who do not even care about the LORD God or His ways – will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear shall live.

What is Jesus saying? He is saying that His Word has power. He is saying that, when His Word is rightly proclaimed in this lost and sinful world, it will have an effect. He is saying that He Himself is speaking and calling in the words of Scripture. He is saying that, by the mighty working of the Holy Spirit, those who are dead in their trespasses and sins, when they hear of God’s mercy and forgiveness in Christ Jesus, will be raised to spiritual life and brought to trust in Jesus as their Savior. Jesus is saying that those who, by the gracious working of the Holy Ghost, hear and believe His life-giving Word will be assured that, indeed, their sins are forgiven because Jesus died for them and paid in full. They will be assured that they have everlasting life because Christ Jesus was raised up from the dead and has ascended to the right hand of God the Father in heaven and will come again to raise us up on the Last Day to the everlasting joys of heaven.

As Jesus said, “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.” As the Father gives life, so the Son gives life and graciously raises us up from spiritual darkness and lack of understanding to spiritual life and trust in Him and His Word.

Should we be amazed at this? Not at all! Jesus said, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

The day will soon come when Christ returns. Then all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth to be judged by Him. Those who have done good will go unto the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned forever in hell.

If Jesus’ voice can raise all the dead on the Last Day, should we be surprised that His voice can raise the spiritually dead to spiritual life now? No, His Word is powerful. When He said, “Let there be.…” it was and remains even to this day (Genesis 1:1ff.; cf. Hebrews 1:1-3).

“The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

St. Paul wrote: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16-17). “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

And, on the Last Day, when all the dead hear the voice of the Son of God and come forth to stand before His throne for judgment, will we be condemned? Jesus said of that resurrection: “They that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

Will our evil thoughts, desires, words and actions be brought up on that day and used against us? If so, we all would be condemned – none could stand (cf. Psalm 130:3-4). But the answer is no. Those who, by the gracious working of God’s Spirit, hear the voice of Jesus calling now and look to Him for forgiveness and life – those who believe Jesus’ Word and trust in the One who sent Him to die for sins and rise again – have passed from death unto life. They will most certainly not be condemned on that day for their sins, for they have a Savior – Christ Jesus – who suffered and died for all sins and rose again in victory!

The Bible tells us: “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:11-12).

“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:18-19).

In Jesus, and for the sake of His innocent sufferings and death in our stead, our sins have been removed from us as far as the east is from the west – they are cast into the depths of the sea – never to be held against us again. Our sins are forgiven in Jesus. Those trusting in Jesus will not be condemned!

Have we done good works by which we may be judged? Not of ourselves, but God has worked good in us and brought us to faith, whereby we now love God and seek to serve Him and do His will.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10). We are saved entirely of God’s grace, but God saved us to do good works and has recreated us in Christ Jesus to live for Him.

And so, Jesus calls us through His Word, and His voice raises us from spiritual darkness and death to life in Him. His voice assures us that all our sins are forgiven and forever forgotten because of the shed blood of Jesus. For Jesus’ sake, we will not come into condemnation on that last great day, but enter into the eternal joys of heaven. We have, by His grace, passed from death unto life! Amen.

Pastor Randy Moll

The Brief Statement

of the

Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod as adopted in 1932

(Editor’s Note: This remains the official position of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod yet today, though in practice, many have departed from it.)

Of the Public Ministry

31. By the public ministry we mean the office by which the Word of God is preached and the Sacraments are administered by order and in the name of a Christian congregation. Concerning this office we teach that it is a divine ordinance; that is, the Christians of a certain locality must apply the means of grace not only privately and within the circle of their families nor merely in their common intercourse with fellow-Christians, John 5:39; Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:16, but they are also required, by the divine order, to make provision that the Word of God be publicly preached in their midst, and the Sacraments administered according to the institution of Christ, by persons qualified for such work, whose qualifications and official functions are exactly defined in Scripture, Titus 1:5; Acts 14:23; 20:28; 2 Tim. 2:2.

32. Although the office of the ministry is a divine ordinance, it possesses no other power than the power of the Word of God, 1 Pet. 4: 11; that is to say, it is the duty of Christians to yield unconditional obedience to the office of the ministry whenever, and as long as, the minister proclaims to them the Word of God, Heb. 13:17; Luke 10: 16. If, however, the minister, in his teachings and injunctions, were to go beyond the Word of God, it would be the duty of Christians not to obey, but to disobey him, so as to remain faithful to Christ, Matt. 23:8. Accordingly, we reject the false doctrine ascribing to the office of the ministry the right to demand obedience and submission in matters which Christ has not commanded.

33. Regarding ordination we teach that it is not a divine, but a commendable ecclesiastical ordinance. (Smalcald Articles. Triglot, p. 525, @70; M., p. 342.)

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

The Adult Bible Class will continue its study of the Gospel of John in chapter five. To prepare, read John 5:31-47. What does Jesus mean when He says, “If I bare witness of myself, my witness is not true”? Cf. John 8:13ff. Who else bore witness to Jesus, who He is and what He would do? What did He say of Jesus? Cf. John 1:6ff.; 15ff. Did Jesus need testimony from man? Why did He speak of John’s testimony? How did the Jews receive John’s testimony? What else witnessed to the truthfulness of Jesus’ claims to be the Son of God and the Messiah? What do Jesus’ works prove about Him? Who else testified of Jesus’ person and work? How did He testify of Jesus and His work? Did the Jews accept His testimony? What proof does Jesus offer? What does Jesus direct His hearers to do? Why? Is this true for us yet today? What did Jesus offer His hearers? Would His Jewish hearers come to Him? What did they forfeit? How is this true yet today? Did Jesus receive or seek honor from men? Why did Jesus say His hearers did not have the love of God in them? Cf. John 8:41ff. Whose honor did Jesus’ hearers seek? How did this keep them from Jesus? Does this happen yet today? How? Whose honor should we seek? Cf. Matthew 23:1ff. Who does Jesus say would accuse them before the Father? Why? How did the Jews not believe the testimony of Moses and the Prophets? What does Jesus say of this? Can one reject Jesus as the Messiah, Son of God and Savior and still believe the Bible or part of it? Why not? Will one believe in Jesus if he rejects the testimony of the Bible?

The Catechism Class continues studying the Lord’s Prayer and the Sacraments and learning of Jesus and what He has done to redeem all mankind.

The Appointed Sunday Readings are Psalm 67, Revelation 21:9-27 and John 16:23-33. Please take the time to read them in their context in preparation for Sunday. The sermon text for Sunday is the reading from John 16:33. Psalm 67 – What is the prayer of the first two verses of this psalm? How does this compare to the Aaronic Benediction used at the close of our church services and recorded in Numbers 6:22-27? What does the psalmist pray will be known among all the nations? Why does the psalmist pray that people would praise God? What does he say will happen if people all over the world know, trust and honor the God of the Bible? Revelation 21:9-27 – What did John see coming down out of heaven? Who (or what) is this? Cf. Ephesians 5:22ff. How is it described? What is the temple in the new and holy Jerusalem? What is the light in this vision of the Church in glory with Jesus? Who will be in this city of God? Will its gates ever be shut? What will not be there? John 16:23-33 – When would Jesus’ disciples understand what Jesus was telling them? What does Jesus say of asking in His name? Cf. 1 John 5:14-15. Do we, as believers in Jesus, have access to the Father? How? Cf. Hebrews 10:19ff. What does Jesus mean in v. 28? What did the disciples say of Jesus? What does Jesus say would happen to them? How was this fulfilled? Who would continue to be with Jesus? Why did Jesus speak all these words – His discourses in John 13-17 – to His disciples? What would they experience in this world? In whom would they have peace? Why could they be of good cheer? How is this true for you and for me?

Remember to Pray

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

Events and Announcements

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

Congregational Evening Bible studies will resume on the second Wednesday in May, at 7 p.m.

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

“God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.” Psalm 67:1-2

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