“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” John 16:13-14

How is it that a person can truly come to know Jesus and what He has done for all by His innocent sufferings and death upon the cross and His glorious resurrection on the third day? Who teaches and reveals to us the truth of God’s Word and assures us of forgiveness and life everlasting in Christ Jesus?

It is as Luther explains (in his explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed), “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him.” And why not? Because we are by nature spiritually dead, blind and unable to comprehend the Word of the Gospel which tells us of God’s mercy and our salvation in Jesus Christ (cf. Ephesians 2:1ff.).

Luther further explains that “the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.”

And this is what our Lord Jesus teaches us: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

The Holy Spirit not only gave to us the Holy Scriptures by inspiration, He uses the Scriptures – the very Word of God – to teach us the truth about God’s will, our sinfulness and God’s salvation in the Son, Jesus Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who opens up the Scriptures to us, enlightens us and gives us understanding of the truth. And He glorifies the Lord Jesus, for the Scriptures testify of Him and the Holy Spirit reveals the true Christ to us through the Scriptures. He takes the things of Christ Jesus and shows them to you and to me through His Word.

As Jesus said, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” ( John 14:26).

John also writes in his first epistle: “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things … But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him” (1 John 2:20, 27).

The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus poured out upon us and all believers, reveals to us Jesus – the true Jesus of the Bible – and what He has done for us by His death upon the cross. The Holy Spirit assures us that, though we are sinners who have come far short of God’s expectations revealed to us in the law, in Christ Jesus and for the sake of His innocent sufferings and death in our stead we have forgiveness for all our sins and a place in Jesus’ everlasting heavenly kingdom.

O Spirit of the Living God, open up my heart and mind and let me understand Your Word. Show to me Jesus and all He has done for me and my salvation. And grant me faith to trust in the risen Lord Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.

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

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE UNFORGIVING SERVANT

Read Matthew 18:21-35

“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

How often should we forgive a brother who sins against us? This is the question Peter asked of Jesus. Note Jesus’ answer: “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” Jesus did not mean only 490 times, but all the time! Like our Lord, we are always to be ready to forgive. “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” (Psalm 86:5).

The parable of the unforgiving servant illustrates Jesus’ point to Peter. A certain servant owed the king such a great amount that he would never be able to work off and repay his debt. When the king justly would have sold him and all that he had to recover at least a part of this debt, the servant pleaded for mercy. The king was moved to compassion and forgave the entire debt. But then this servant went out and found a fellow servant who owed him only a very small and insignificant amount in comparison with the huge debt which had been forgiven him. Rather than showing mercy to this servant, as he had been shown mercy by his lord, he refused to forgive this small debt and “cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.” When the king saw that his compassion and forgiveness had no effect on this unforgiving servant, he was angry and “delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.”

We, like the first servant in this parable, owe to God a greater debt than we can ever repay. Our sins against the LORD God are so great that we deserve only to be cast into the eternal fires of hell! But God, in His grace and mercy, has forgiven our great debt of sin. Because Jesus Christ took our great burden of sins upon Himself and bore on the cross the just punishment for them, God has canceled out our debt of sin and has given to us complete pardon and forgiveness!

In our earthly lives, others sin against us many times; but this debt of sin, though it may seem great to us, is small and insignificant in comparison with the great debt of sin that the LORD God has forgiven to us. As a fruit of our faith in Christ Jesus, and as a result of God’s great mercy to us in Christ, we ought also to forgive those who sin against us, even “until seventy times seven.” If we refuse to forgive from our hearts those who sin against us, neither will our heavenly Father forgive us; instead, He will cast us into the fires of hell!

Forgive our sins, Lord, we implore, remove from us their burden sore, as we their trespasses forgive who by offenses us do grieve. Thus let us dwell in charity and serve our brother willingly. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #458, Verse 6)

Pastor Randy Moll

Christ’s Ship on the Sea of Galilee,

a Picture of the Church of Our Times

Matthew 8:23-27

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

By C. F. W. Walther

(Translated by Rev. Donald E. Heck)

(Editor’s Note: C.F.W. Walther was one of the founding fathers of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, then the Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. He was the first professor and president of Concordia Seminary in Altenberg, Mo., and later in St. Louis. He was also the first president of the Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. He vigorously fought for the true doctrine of God’s Word and opposed those who compromised any part of God’s truth.)

Grace be with you, mercy and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. Amen.

Dear friends in Christ Jesus.

Reading the history of the Christian Church, we find that men think the Church is always in great danger of being annihilated; yet it has always regained its strength.

How small Christ’s Church was when he left the world after his work of redemption! It consisted of no more than a few hundred souls, and most were poor simple folk. Even the twelve apostles were uneducated, timid men; through the preaching of the Gospel they of all people were to spread the Christian Church throughout the whole world. This appeared to be wholly impossible.

But what happened? Miraculously equipped on the first Pentecost with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, they went out into all the world to preach the Gospel to every creature; after no more than about thirty years, Paul, who himself became a Christian after being a persecutor, could report to the Colossians that the Gospel was “preached to every creature which is under heaven.” (Col 1:23). A few years later he could write to Timothy, “God was manifest in the flesh … preached unto the gentiles, believed on in the world,” I Timothy 3:16. When all the apostles had died, the Christian Church had already spread over the whole world; there were Christian congregations in all the lands of the world.

If the Christian Church was founded during the bloody persecutions by the Jews and heathen, these persecutions really first began after it had been founded – the more numerous Christians became, the more the worldly rulers feared that the Christians could become dangerous. Hence, they and particularly the Roman emperor decided to wipe out the Christian Church. The Roman emperors and their officials used every imaginable device to torture the Christians, in order to cause them to deny Christ and thus exterminate the Christian Church.

They did not only behead, drown, strangle, and burn Christians but also dreamed up every possible way to make their death especially frightful and painful. Christians became food for wild animals; they were roasted slowly over a fire; smothered in sewers; crucified head down and ravening animals were allowed to gnaw at them; killed by thirst; the heathen tore off little by little every piece of flesh from their bones with shells or white hot tongs; they poured boiling oil and pitch into their mouths; they tied their naked bodies to corpses, threw both into dark and stinking pits, and let them die of hunger and rot with the corpses. In the first three centuries many hundreds of thousands of Christians were killed. When the persecution of Emperor Diocletian and his coregents ended in the year 310, they issued as a remembrance of their victory over the Christians edicts with the superscription, “After wiping out the name Christians who wanted to overthrow the kingdom,” or, “After the complete extermination of the Christian heresy everywhere.”

But was this proud superscription really true? No! Just before a Church father had written, “The more you cut us down the more we increase. The blood of the Christian is a seed.” Yes, the church historian Eusebius writes, “The very swords at last became dull and broke in pieces as though worn out; the hangmen became tired and had to relieve one another; but the Christians began to sing songs of praise and thanks until their last breath to the honor of almighty God.”

All the persecutors died a frightful death. The last such, Emperor Galerius, his body rotting with inexpressible pains, feeling God’s wrath, published in the year 311 another edict. He declared that his intention of bringing the Christians back to the religion of their fathers was not attained, and they themselves were only hindered in the worship of their own gods. They should therefore be tolerated and now pray to their God for the welfare of the kingdom and their emperor.

When this fanatic had died and Emperor Constantine became a Christian himself in the year 323, the Christians with but brief interruptions enjoyed complete rest from persecution. But now even more dangerous enemies, false teachers, arose in their own midst; they did not seek the temporal life of the Church but the truth on which it was founded and thus slay it spiritually. But see! No matter how many heretics arose, God always awakened men who exposed the heresy and defended the truth. The Church faced even greater danger through the rise of the papacy. It seemed to have become a worldly kingdom of priests, Christ pushed from his throne, the saving Gospel done away with, and thus the Church surely wrecked. Even the earlier bloody persecutions arose again, and now in the midst of the Church herself. But lo! Just when all help seemed to be gone, it was at the door. God awakened Dr. Martin Luther who carried out the work of a complete reformation of the Church.

Alas, today the Christian Church again lies in the dust. It is true that hundreds of millions of men still are Christian in name, but they are either unbelievers who laugh at the mysteries of the Christian religion, or they are the sects who cling to comfortless human doctrines. The true Christians who stand in the true faith are only a very small flock. The enemy of the Church again triumphs and predicts in a thousand writings that the Christian Church will soon be completely wiped out.

What now? Do we have reason to fear that the Church will at last perish? No, no! My friends! According to God’s Word this is absolutely impossible. Today’s Gospel guarantees that no matter how severely the storms may rage now, Christ’s little ship will not be wrecked. Let us now hear and consider this Gospel for the purpose of strengthening us in this belief.

Scripture text: Matthew 8:23-27. And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves; but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

On the basis of this text let the subject of today’s consideration be: Christ’s ship on the Sea of Galilee, A picture of the church of our times: A Picture of the dangers in which it hovers, A Picture of the members it has, and A Picture of the protection under which it stands.

1. A picture of the dangers in which it hovers

The day on which the event related in our text took place was the same day in which Christ had miraculously healed the leper and the servant of the centurion at Capernaum. That we heard in the Gospel of last Sunday. This had been a day of especially hard work. Matthew tells us that Christ that same day healed not only Peter’s mother-in-law, but in addition whole crowds of possessed and sick. Evening finally came and many people still crowded around him; perhaps they merely wished to see still more miracles; he therefore commanded his disciples to prepare ship for a trip to the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Whereupon we read in our text, “And when he entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.” (v. 23).

In any case, the ship was no palatial merchantman, but one of Peter’s small simple fishing boats. No vessel had ever carried a more precious cargo than this little boat. It carried something more precious than all the gold, pearls, and precious stones in the world. It bore the Savior of the world and the twelve apostles who were to carry the message of salvation into all the world. It carried the Lord of the Church himself and its twelve pillars. One can indeed say that had this ship sunk the Church would have gone down and the whole world would have been lost.

Now one would have supposed that if any ship would have had smooth sailing then this would have been the one. But what do we hear? We read in our text, “And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves.” (v. 24).

“And, behold,” the evangelist writes. With this little word he shows that something which no one expected suddenly arose. When the ship had thrust from land, the evening sky was clear and bright. Wind and sea were calm, but behold, scarcely had they reached the high seas than suddenly, as we read in our text, “a great tempest” arose “in the sea.” As we see from the original text, this “storm” was a swell which came from the lake bottom as would arise from an earthquake. The sea suddenly swelled and created waves which, rising and falling rapidly, lifted the ship like a ball, now to giddy heights, now hurling it down into the trough. Mark adds that also a “great storm of wind” or a hurricane was added to the “swell” from the depths of the sea. It seized the little ship and spun it like a top. Sky, wind, and sea seemed to have rebelled.

The result was that the waves not only smote the ship but, as our text says, “the ship was covered with the waves.” Covered by the sea, it appeared to be about to sink. All human help, strength and wisdom was helpless. Even those in the ship, fishermen familiar with the sea, who certainly had passed through many a dangerous storm, now feared for their lives.

And what was the most frightening, we read that Christ the Lord, in whose presence the disciples otherwise feared nothing, “was asleep.” He seemed neither to know of nor care about the danger in which his disciples were. Yes, Mark informs us that he lay on a pillow near the helmsman. Christ seemed to be the reason why the ship was in this danger. Only one push – and ship and crew would sink into the depths of the sea.

What does our text vividly picture to us? Nothing else than the great danger in which the ship of the Christian Church is at all times, especially in our day! Like a ship the Church sails from country to country on the sea of time. Christ is the captain. The preachers of the Gospel are the helmsmen. Faith with baptism is the ship’s gangplank, hope its anchor, the cross its mast. The word is the sails; the wind which swells these sails is the Holy Ghost, its flag the creed, the Christians compose the crew, and the harbor toward which the ship sails is heaven.

What happened to this ship of the Church? It had no sooner quietly weighed anchor at the time of the apostles and sailed upon the world, when behold there arose a swell from beneath and a hurricane from above. Hell, world and heaven itself seemed to have conspired against the ship of the Church and resolved to destroy it. Then, the swell of bloody persecution raged; now, the hurricane of false doctrine.

If the ship of the Church always was in danger of running aground, shattering, and sinking, it is really the case today. It is true we today do not groan under the cruel rod of persecution. Yes, God be eternally praised we here in America enjoy a degree of religious freedom which God has scarcely granted any other land. Nevertheless, here the ship of the Church hovers in greater danger. Our America is not only the land of the sects who preach their false faith everywhere with great show of being the only true saving faith, but also the very enemies of Christ and his Church are here in great power. Unless God prevents it they can, after they are in power, take our freedom from us. In many newspapers and other periodicals they rail at everything holy. They organize secret societies into which they draw the unsuspecting, but from whom they hide their plans. They beguile more and more with their sweet talk of light, enlightenment, progress and freedom.

Truly, the ship of the church is again in great trouble. The spirit of the times like a hurricane sometimes lifts it up to giddy heights and sometimes pulls it down into frightful depths. Countless baptized Christians have already fallen away and daily more follow. And what is most frightening, Christ seems again to sleep and watch peacefully how the storm tears the sail of the Word and the flag of the creed into tatters, snaps the mast of the cross, and covers the ship of the Church with the waves of sin and unbelief.

2. A picture of the members it has

Christ’s ship in the storm on the Sea of Galilee pictures not only the dangers in which the Church now hovers, but secondly the members it has.

We read in our text, “And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us; we perish.” (v. 25). This tells us two facts about the disciples. First, that they truly believed, but secondly, that their faith was extremely weak. They had forsaken the whole world and its enticing splendor to follow Christ even into the ship on the sea. And when great trouble and danger befell them and human aid was of no avail, they did not doubt but turned to Christ, awakened him, and offered this ardent prayer to him, “Lord, save us!” Had they not believed that Christ was the almighty Son of God, they would not have turned to Him, when only an experienced seaman would know what to do.

Nevertheless their faith was weak. Had it been a strong faith, they would have thought of Christ’s many miracles which they had witnessed. In the middle of the storm they would have, after their prayer for help, certain of an answer, joined in a song of praise and thanksgiving. There would be no room in their hearts for the faintest suggestion of the thought that their ship would sink. With David they would have thought, “Yea, though I walk through the dark valley of mountain high waves, I will fear no evil, for the Lord is with me.”

But what did they do? It is true they pray in faith, “Lord, save us!” But full of anxiety and fear they immediately add, “We perish!” Yes, Mark tells us that several even cried out, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (4:38). We see from this that their faith was very weak and no doubt bordered on unbelief. It was no more than a smoking flax and a bruised reed. Hence, Christ did not reject them but rebuked them saying, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” (v. 26a).

This is the picture of the membership of the Church. There still are, praise God! people who have left the enticing world, cling to Christ, confess that he is God’s Son, and, in their troubles in true faith call on him, “Lord, save us!” even when man is helpless. Alas, the age of the strong in faith, the heroes of faith, as we repeatedly meet them by name in the first 300 years and in the time of the Reformation, is past. The believers of our times are almost without exception weak and small of faith. Very much smaller storms than the storm on the Sea of Galilee, much weaker attacks and temptations now cause Christians to waver and totter. If a bloody persecution would break out today and Christians were no firmer in their faith than they are now, most would deny the faith and fall away.

Now, my very dear friends, does not this present a sad, hopeless prospect? Must we not fear that the Church will go under after all? Must we not expect that in the last times of the Church increasingly greater troubles, attacks, and temptations are near? Yes, we must expect the latter; but we do not have to fear that for this reason the Church will perish. Christ does not reject even the weak in faith, put out the smoking flax, nor break the bruised reed. For the ship of Christ upon the Sea of Galilee is not only a picture of the dangers in which it hovers, and the weakness of its members, but also the protection under which it stands. And it is of this which I speak to you now.

3. A Picture of the Protection Under Which it Stands

It is true that Christ slept while the disciples were in the greatest danger. It seemed as if Christ neither knew of the danger to his disciples nor cared. Yet it only seemed so. Christ did actually sleep but only as a true man. Even then He was and remained the Keeper of Israel who does not slumber and sleep, for according to His divinity He watched; He saw everything which took place, and took care that in spite of the storm and waves the ship did not become wrecked while He slept. To the disciples He seemed to sleep, only to tempt and test them, to strengthen their faith through temptation, and to make them pray. When Christ was therefore awakened by the disciples’ cry for help, he fearlessly let the storm rage on for a while and first of all stilled the storm in the hearts of the disciples. “Then,” we read, “he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” (v. 26b.) This was an incomprehensible miracle. At times it happens in a natural manner that a hurricane on the sea suddenly stilled. But then the waves would rise for a longer time and only gradually diminish after the wind had been calm for a long time. But Mark tells us, as soon as Christ had said to the wind and sea, “Peace, be still!” both were immediately and absolutely quiet. The howling winds and the raging sea quieted. It became a glassy surface in which the evening sky quietly reflected the glittering stars; those in the ship cried out in amazement, “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” (v. 27).

Here we have the last picture of the Church of our times. It is an inexpressibly comforting one. We see that though the Church may be like Christ’s ship on the Sea of Galilee, though the whole world with all its mighty and wise may surprise the Church like a sea whipped by the wind, though its sinking may seem to be inevitable, though it may seem as if Christ is asleep again at the helm and his (unspoken) Word the hindrance to the only possible deliverance of the Church, though the very members of the Church seem to be ever so faint-hearted today and in despair cry out, “Lord, save us; we perish! Yes, though many today desperately jump out of the ship into the sea of the world, we nevertheless have no reason to fear and despair. Christ is in our ship, and He does not sleep according to His divine omniscience, omnipotence, and care. When His hour is come, he will arise, chide our faint-heartedness, and say to the world, “Peace, be still.” It will then become absolutely quiet and in triumph the ship of the Church will sail into the harbor of heaven. Christ has promised, “On this rock (he means himself) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18). “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20).

Oh, therefore, do not despair, even in these last troublesome times. Do not leave the ship of the Church, because you think it will soon go down. Otherwise you will regret it eternally, because outside this ship is no salvation, as once outside Noah’s ark there was no deliverance. And as Noah’s ark sailed successfully over the waves of the flood and finally, safe and sound, landed on the mountains of Ararat, so will also the ship of the Church sail safely over the stormy sea of the world and land on the eternal mountains of divine grace. There if you have remained in the faith, you will also in amazement cry out, “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” and will eternally rejoice. For …

The Word they still shall let remain

Nor any thanks have for it;

He’s by our side upon the plain

With his good gifts and Spirit.

And take they our life,

Goods, fame, child, and wife,

Let these all be gone,

They yet have nothing won;

The kingdom ours remaineth. Amen.

(TLH 262, st. 4)

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 Church

24. We believe that there is one holy Christian Church on earth, the Head of which is Christ and which is gathered, preserved, and governed by Christ through the Gospel.

The members of the Christian Church are the Christians, that is, all those who have despaired of their own righteousness before God and believe that God forgives their sins for Christ’s sake. The Christian Church, in the proper sense of the term, is composed of believers only, Acts 5:14; 26:18; which means that no person in whom the Holy Ghost has wrought faith in the Gospel, or – which is the same thing – in the doctrine of justification, can be divested of his membership in the Christian Church; and, on the other hand, that no person in whose heart this faith does not dwell can be invested with such membership. All unbelievers, though they be in external communion with the Church and even hold the office of teacher or any other office in the Church, are not members of the Church, but, on the contrary, dwelling-places and instruments of Satan, Eph. 2:2. This is also the teaching of our Lutheran Confessions: “It is certain, however, that the wicked are in the power of the devil and members of the kingdom of the devil, as Paul teaches, Eph. 2:2, when he says that ‘the devil now worketh in the children of disobedience,”‘ etc. (Apology. Triglot, p. 231, @_ 16; M., p. 154.)

25. Since it is by faith in the Gospel alone that men become members of the Christian Church, and since this faith cannot be seen by men, but is known to God alone, 1 Kings 8:39; Acts 1: 24; 2 Tim. 2:19, therefore the Christian Church on earth is invisible, Luke 17:20, and will remain invisible till Judgment Day, Col. 3:3, 4. In our day some Lutherans speak of two sides of the Church, taking the means of grace to be its “visible side.” It is true, the means of grace are necessarily related to the Church, seeing that the Church is created and preserved through them. But the means of grace are not for that reason a part of the Church; for the Church, in the proper sense of the word, consists only of believers, Eph. 2:19,20; Acts 5:14. Lest we abet the notion that the Christian Church in the proper sense of the term is an external institution, we shall continue to call the means of grace the “marks” of the Church. Just as wheat is to be found only where it has been sown, so the Church can be found only where the Word of God is in use.

26. We teach that this Church, which is the invisible communion of all believers, is to be found not only in those external church communions which teach the Word of God purely in every part, but also where, along with error, so much of the Word of God still remains that men may be brought to the knowledge of their sins and to faith in the forgiveness of sins, which Christ has gained for all men, Mark 16:16; Samaritans: Luke 17:16; John 4:25.

27. Local Churches or Local Congregations. – Holy Scripture, however, does not speak merely of the one Church, which embraces the believers of all places, as in Matt. 16:18; John 10: 16, but also of churches in the plural, that is, of local churches, as in 1 Cor. 16: 19; 1: 2; Acts 8: 1: the churches of Asia, the church of God in Corinth, the church in Jerusalem. But this does not mean that there are two kinds of churches, for the local churches also, in as far as they are churches, consist solely of believers, as we see clearly from the addresses of the epistles to local churches; for example, “unto the church which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified, in Christ Jesus, called to be saints,” 1 Cor. 1: 2; Rom. 1: 7, etc. The visible society, containing hypocrites as well as believers, is called a church only in an improper sense, Matt. 13:47-50, 24-30, 38-43.

28. On Church-Fellowship – Since God ordained that His Word only, without the admixture of human doctrine, be taught and believed in the Christian Church, 1 Pet. 4: 11; John 8:31,32; 1 Tim. 6:3,4, all Christians are required by God to discriminate between orthodox and heterodox church-bodies, Matt. 7:15, to have church-fellowship only with orthodox church-bodies, and, in case they have strayed into heterodox church-bodies, to leave them, Rom. 16:17. We repudiate unionism, that is, church-fellowship with the adherents of false doctrine, as disobedience to God’s command, as causing divisions in the Church, Rom. 16:17; 2 John 9,10, and as involving the constant danger of losing the Word of God entirely, 2 Tim. 2:17-21.

29. The orthodox character of a church is established not by its mere name nor by its outward acceptance of, and subscription to, an orthodox creed, but by the doctrine which is actually taught in its pulpits, in its theological seminaries, and in its Publications. On the other hand, a church does not forfeit its orthodox character through the casual intrusion of errors, provided these are combated and eventually removed by means of doctrinal discipline, Acts 20:30; 1 Tim. 1: 3.

30. The Original and True Possessors of All Christian Rights and Privileges. - Since the Christians are the Church, it is self-evident that they alone originally possess the spiritual gifts and rights which Christ has gained for, and given to, I-!is Church. Thus St. Paul reminds all believers: “All things are yours,” 1 Cor. 3: 21, 22, and Christ Himself commits to all believers the keys of the kingdom of heaven, Matt. 16:13-19; 18:17-20; John 20:22, 23, and commissions all believers to preach the Gospel and to administer the Sacraments, Matt. 28:19,20; 1 Cor. 11:23-25. Accordingly, we reject all doctrines by which this spiritual power or any part thereof is adjudged as originally vested in certain individuals or bodies, such as the Pope, or the bishops, or the order of the ministry, or the secular lords, or councils, or synods, etc. The officers of the Church publicly administer their offices only by virtue of delegated powers, conferred on them by the original possessors of such powers, and such administration remains under the supervision of the latter, Col. 4:17. Naturally all Christians have also the right and the duty to judge and decide matters of doctrine, not according to their own notions, of course, but according to the Word of God, 1 John 4: 1; I Pet. 4:11.

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 5:17-30. Why did Jesus say He worked on the Sabbath? Who was He claiming to be? Did the Jews recognize this? What work, does Jesus say, which the Father does is also a work which is done by the Son? Who does the Son raise to life? To whom is the judgment of all people committed? Cf. Acts 10:42; 17:31; Matthew 11:27. How will the Son judge? Cf. John 3:18-21, 35-36; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10. Can one know and honor God the Father if he does not know and honor the Son? Cf. 1 John 2:23. What of those groups and organizations which claim to serve God but do not acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God and Savior? Cf. John 14:6. What does Jesus mean in v. 24? What comfort may we draw from this truth? What does Jesus mean in verse 25? Which dead does He speak of here? How are they raised up from spiritual death to spiritual life? How did this happened to you? What is meant by v. 26? Why should we not be amazed or marvel at this truth? What will happen on the Last Day? How will they be judged? Cf. 2 Cor. 5:10; Matthew 25:31-46; Rev. 20:11-15. Whose will does Jesus carry out in the judgment?

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 146; Acts 11:1-18; Revelation 21:1-8; and John 16:12-22. 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. Psalm 146 – Who are we called to praise? When? Why is it foolish to trust in human leaders? Who should be our refuge? Why can we be happy and rejoice? What does this psalm say of the work of the LORD? Acts 11:1-18 – What is the setting of this portion of Scripture? Why did the Jewish believers contend with Peter? How did Peter explain his actions? What was the result? How might we apply this Scripture truth yet today? Revelation 21:1-8 – What did John see? What happened to the first heaven and earth? What was not present? Cf. Isaiah 65:17ff. What did John see coming down from God out of heaven? What is this? Who is a part of it? Cf. Ephesians 2:11-22; 5:22ff.; Hebrews 11:10; 2 Cor. 11:2. What did the voice out of heaven say? What is significant about this? What will not be there in heaven? What does God say? What does this mean? (Verse 8 was omitted from the appointed readings but we include it.) Who will be have their part in the lake of fire? What is this called? John 16:12-22 – Who does Jesus say would come? What would He do? How would He guide them into all truth? What would He show Jesus’ disciples? Who would He glorify? How? What things would He reveal? Is this true yet today? How? Cf. 1 John 2:19-29. What did Jesus mean when He said in a little while His disciples would not see Him, but then in a little while they would see Him again? Why was it necessary for Jesus to go to the Father? cf. John 16:7ff. Why would Jesus’ followers weep and lament? How is it that their sorrow would be turned to joy? To what did Jesus compare this? Why could no one take this joy from Jesus’ disciples? How does this yet apply to us as believers in Christ Jesus?

Remember to Pray

Remember to pray for our church and for all our members, that none be lost to Christ’s kingdom but that all continue in repentance and be strengthened and built up in the true and saving faith in Christ Jesus through the hearing and study of His Word. We pray for God’s healing and strengthening of our congregation. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – especially for Sam Rusch, who is again hospitalized – 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]

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE CREDITOR AND TWO DEBTORS

Read Luke 7:36-50

“And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

Jesus told the parable of the creditor and two debtors in order to illustrate the truth that one who is forgiven a great debt of sin will have more love for His Lord and Savior than the one who is forgiven little. If one does not see his great debt of sins and appreciate the redemptive work of Christ – the fact that Jesus Christ shed His holy, precious blood to redeem us sinners from the eternal wrath and punishment of God which we so deserve (I Peter 1:18-19) – he will have little love for the Lord Jesus and little desire to serve Him.

The woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and then anointed them with ointment knew she was an unworthy sinner; but she also believed that Jesus forgave her great debt of sin. Simon the Pharisee, on the other hand, did not see the greatness of his sins or believe that Jesus was God’s Son and his Savior. As a result, he did not love the Lord Jesus or serve Him as this woman had done.

Before we can truly love the Lord and serve Him, we too must see our great debt of sin and know the grace and mercy of God in forgiving our sins for Jesus’ sake. We were not redeemed with gold or silver, but with the holy and precious blood of Jesus Christ which He shed for us when He suffered and died upon the cross for our sins (1 Peter 1:18-19). When we see His great love and forgiveness for us, we will be moved to love Him and serve Him with our lives as well (1 John 4:9-10,19; 2 Cor. 5:15).

Jesus, Thy boundless love to me no thought can reach, no tongue declare; unite my thankful heart with Thee and reign without a rival there. To Thee alone, dear Lord, I live; myself to Thee, dear Lord, I give. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #349, Verse 1)

Pastor Randy Moll

Causes of Offense

“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” Matthew 18:6-7

Sad to say, offenses – those things, whether it be false doctrine or a sinful life, which cause people to fall into sin and unbelief – come! People, as a result of their own rebellious and sinful nature, cause others to join with them in their unbelief and sin and often bring about their eternal ruin.

That is why Jesus has such strong words for those who cause others to sin and to turn away from Christ and His Word. And this is especially so when it comes to harming the faith of children and new believers.

Jesus said: “Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

Thus, we must say with Jesus that it is a most serious matter when parents do not teach their children to know the LORD and His ways or when they deny them baptism and keep them from their Savior? And it is a grievous offense when one causes another who has come to believe on Christ and to hear His Word to turn away. As Jesus said, “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” It would be better to be drowned in the sea then to stand before the LORD God on judgment day responsible for the eternal ruin of souls. “Woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”

This is also why it is so important, when we have erred or fallen into some public sin which could be a cause of stumbling for others, that we give God the glory and acknowledge our own sin and wickedness and turn to Him with a penitent heart seeking His mercy and forgiveness in Christ Jesus. The way to remove an offense is not by hiding it or covering it up. It’s not by justifying or excusing our own sinfulness. It is by taking ours sins to the foot of the cross and having them washed away and cleansed by the blood of the the Lamb who suffered and died for the sins of the whole world.

Offenses will come, Jesus said. We can expect, as long as we are in this sinful world, that there will be those who cause others to sin and who lead weak believers away from Christ and His Church with their lies. There will always be those who fight against Christ and the Gospel of forgiveness and life in His name. And we must say, Woe to those who cause offense and destroy souls redeemed by Christ’s holy and precious blood!

And lest we offend, let us also continually examine our own faith and life, agreeing with God’s Word and confessing and acknowledging our sins and errors, and looking to Christ Jesus for mercy and forgiveness (cf. 1 John 1:7 – 2:2). And let us then follow Christ and heed His Word! He alone is our hope and salvation, and His Word is our only true light.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). Amen.

Pastor Randy Moll

Letters to My Children

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

Who Is God?

My Dear Children,

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

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

The Bible says that God created the heavens and the earth and everything in them (cf. Genesis 1 and 2; Nehemiah 9:6). Now, look at God’s artwork. Look at the heavens, the sky, the stars, the moon and the planets. Look at the oceans, the lakes and the rivers. Look at the fields, the woods and even the deserts. Look at a leaf, a flower, a butterfly. Look at your own body and how it is designed and works. What does all this tell you about God?

The Bible says: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof” (Psalm 19:1-6). What can you learn about God if you look up at the sky or into the heavens?

Psalm 139:14 says: “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” What can you learn about God from the intricacies of your own body and soul? Could any of this just happen by chance? Or did an all-wise and all-powerful God make you and all things? The answer is obvious: An all-wise and all-powerful God designed and created the universe and each one of us!

Do you think it is wrong to commit murder, to hurt other people, to steal, to lie, to hate, to commit adultery? Why? How do you feel when you hurt someone else? When you disobey your parents? When you tell a lie? Why is that? How do you feel when you help someone in need? When you tell the truth? When you do what your parents or teachers ask you to do?

The Bible says: “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another….” (Romans 2:14-15).

Even people who do not have God’s Word know in their hearts that it is good to help others, tell the truth, and not hurt others or murder and steal. When they do wrong, their consciences bother and accuse them. They feel guilty and are afraid of God’s judgment. When they do right, their consciences excuse them, and they feel good about what they have done. This is because God’s laws are written in their hearts and they know, deep down in their hearts, that God will one day be their Judge. This too is a testimony to the existence of God and to His goodness and holiness.

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

Though much can be learned of God from His works, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psalm 19:7-8).

Over the centuries, people have worshipped and served many different gods and many different ideas of God. Even today, people have different views of God, of who He is, and how we should worship and serve Him. But we look to God’s Word. What does God say of Himself?

In Isaiah 44:6, God says: “Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” In 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, we read: “There is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” So, in spite of the great number of religions and the great number of religious views of God, there is only one true God. And the way to learn who He is and what He does for us is to read and study His own Word, the Bible.

In Deuteronomy 6:4, God says: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.” Thus we see that the true God – JEHOVAH God – is one God and not many gods as numerous poly-theistic religions have taught. But, when Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize people in God’s name, He said: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost….” (Matthew 28:19). Thus we see that the one true God is three persons, the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit). This too is why the blessing of God is pronounced three times in Numbers 6:22-27: “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.” Cf. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

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

In 1 John 5:7, we read: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” What does this passage of Scripture teach us about the Triune God. Is it not that the one true God is Three Persons, the Father, the Word (or Son) and the Holy Ghost? And though there are three Persons, there is but one God.

To further help you see that this is how God has revealed Himself throughout the Scriptures, I’ll ask you to look up some additional passages for yourself:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You might consider the following summary statement about 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.

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 Means of Grace

21. Although God is present and operates everywhere throughout all creation and the whole earth is therefore full of the temporal bounties and blessings of God, Col. 1:17; Acts 17:28, 14:17, still we hold with Scripture that God offers and communicates to men the spiritual blessings purchased by Christ, namely, the forgiveness of sins and the treasures and gifts connected therewith, only through the external means of grace ordained by Him. These means of grace are the Word of the Gospel, in every form in which it is brought to man, and the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and of the Lord’s Supper. The Word of the Gospel promises and applies the grace of God, works faith and thus regenerates man, and gives the Holy Ghost, Acts 20:24; Rom. 10:17; 1 Pet. 1:23; Gal. 3:2. Baptism, too, is applied for the remission of sins and is therefore a washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, Acts 2:38; 22:16; Titus 3:5. Likewise the object of the Lord’s Supper, that is, of the ministration of the body and blood of Christ, is none other than the communication and sealing of the forgiveness of sins, as the words declare: “Given for you,” and: “Shed for you for the remission of sins,” Luke 22:19, 20; Matt. 26:28, and: “This cup is the New Testament in My blood,” 1 Cor. 11:23; Jer. 31:31-34 (“New Covenant”).

22. Since it is only through the external means ordained by Him that God has promised to communicate the grace and salvation purchased by Christ, the Christian Church must not remain at home with the means of grace entrusted to it, but go into the whole world with the preaching of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments, Matt. 28: 19, 20; Mark 16:15, 16. For the same reason also the churches at home should never forget that there is no other way of winning souls for the Church and keeping them with it than the faithful and diligent use of the divinely ordained means of grace. Whatever activities do not either directly apply the Word of God or subserve such application we condemn as “new methods,” unchurchly activities, which do not build, but harm, the Church.

23. We reject as a dangerous error the doctrine, which disrupted the Church of the Reformation, that the grace and the Spirit of God are communicated not through the external means ordained by Him, but by an immediate operation of grace. This erroneous doctrine bases the forgiveness of sins, or justification, upon a fictitious “infused grace,” that is, upon a quality of man, and thus again establishes the work-doctrine of the papists.

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

The Adult Bible Class will resume its study of the Gospel of John in chapter five. To prepare, read John 5. Why did Jesus go to Jerusalem? Why did people suffering from various infirmities wait by the Pool of Bethesda? What does this pool’s name mean? Who did Jesus find there? How long had this man been suffering from an infirmity? What did Jesus ask him? How did this man answer Jesus? What did Jesus say to him? What was the result? On what day of the week did this miracle occur? With what accusation did the Jews confront this man who was made whole? How did this man answer them? Did this man know who had healed him? Why? What did Jesus tell this man when He found him? What does this mean? Cf. John 8:11. What did the Jews seek to do when the man told them who had made him well? How does this type of thing happen yet today? How do the words of Hosea 6:6 have application? Do people today ever let their religious traditions and practices keep them from trusting in Jesus? (Would this section of Scripture make sense if verse 4 is omitted as is done in just a few old manuscripts and some modern translations rather than being included as it is in the great majority of texts and manuscripts and most older translations?) Why did Jesus say He worked on the Sabbath? Who was He claiming to be? Did the Jews recognize this? What work, does Jesus say, which the Father does is also a work which is done by the Son? Who does the Son raise to life? To whom is the judgment of all people committed? Cf. Acts 10:42; 17:31; Matthew 11:27. How will the Son judge? Cf. John 3:18-21, 35-36; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10. Can one know and honor God the Father if he does not know and honor the Son? Cf. 1 John 2:23. What does Jesus mean in v. 24? What comfort may we draw from this truth? What does Jesus mean in verse 25? Which dead does He speak of here? What is meant by v. 26? What do the dead hear? Cf. Ephesians 2:1ff. Why should we not be amazed or marvel at this truth? What will happen on the Last Day? Whose will does Jesus carry out in the judgment?

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 23; Acts 20:17-35; Revelation 7:9-17; and John 10:22-30. Please take the time to read them in their context in preparation for Sunday. The sermon text for Sunday is the reading from Revelation 7. Psalm 23 – Who is our Shepherd? How does He nourish and care for our spiritual needs? What does it mean when it says He restores our soul? In which way does He lead us? Cf. Isaiah 40:11. Do we need to be afraid when we face danger and even death? Why not? What does He prepare for us even in the presence of our enemies? What will follow us all our days? Where will we dwell forever? How alone can we have this assurance? Acts 20:17-35 – With whom did the apostle Paul meet? Where? How did the apostle Paul carry out his ministry among the churches in Ephesus? To what did Paul testify? What did he declare? Did he hold back any part of God’s Word? What commandment did he give to the pastors and rulers over the flock? Whose flock was it? Who made them overseers? Whose church is our congregation? How had Jesus purchased the flock? Against what does the apostle warn the church leaders? Does this happen yet today? Do men still arise and attempt to spoil God’s church by misleading members and seeking a following for themselves rather than for Christ and His Word? To whom and what does Paul commend the church leaders and the churches? Why? What did the apostle not covet or take from the church? Why was this important? Revelation 7:9-17 – Who is this great multitude which no man could number? How were they clothed? How did they come to be before the throne of God and before the Lamb? How were their robes made white? What does this mean? What had they come through? What was their reward? How is this text comforting to us as we face persecution and suffering in this world at the hand of the devil and his allies? John 10:22-30 – What do Jesus’ sheep hear? Who do they follow? Who gives them eternal life? Can anyone pluck them out of Jesus’ hand? Who gave them to Jesus? Is anyone able to pluck them out of the Father’s hand? What does Jesus say of Himself and the Father (v. 30)? What does this mean? Did Jesus’ Jewish audience understand what Jesus was claiming (v. 31ff.)? If one will not listen to the Word of God and accept what it says, is he one of Jesus’ sheep?

Remember to Pray

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

Events and Announcements

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

A Congregational Voters’ Meeting will be held on Sunday. A pot-luck dinner will follow the worship service. The meeting will be held after the dinner.

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.

“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Acts 20:32

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

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.” 2 Corinthians 5:1-4

Because Christ Jesus suffered and died for all our sins and rose again on the third day, we have the assurance that our sins are forgiven and that we also will be raised up on the Last Day.

And so, what if we die? What happens when our earthly body wears out and no longer holds our soul?

The Scriptures tell us: “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

We have a new body awaiting us – a recreated spiritual body, not made by man, but by God Himself. This body, as the Scriptures say, is awaiting us in the heavens.

Even Jesus’ body was changed when He was raised up. Though it was His same body which had been crucified for our sins, yet when Jesus was raised to life and appeared to His disciples after His resurrection on the third day, His body was different. It was a spiritual and immortal body. It was a glorified and heavenly body made for eternity. And not only that, His human nature was exulted – He now made full use of the divine attributes shared with His human nature.

But what will our heavenly bodies be like? St. Paul, in his first epistle to the Corinthians, wrote: “It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body” (15:42-44).

He writes further: “And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (49-53).

To the believers in Philippi, he wrote: “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Philippians 3:20-21).

And so we will be raised up on the last Day – or be changed if we are still alive when Christ returns – and be given a heavenly and spiritual body in the image of our Savior. It will be a body free from sin and the corruption we know in this world. It will be a perfect body and an eternal body.

As the Bible says, “When he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

In this life, we groan because of the sinfulness and weakness of the flesh which prevents us from living for our Lord Jesus in accord with God’s Word. We groan because our bodies are mortal and wear out and die. We groan, not because we long to put off our earthly bodies, but because we long to put on our heavenly ones and be with our Savior forever.

We do not long for death, but we long for life everlasting with our God and Savior and to serve Him without sin forevermore. And all that is ours because Christ Jesus went to the cross for us, suffered and died for the sins of the world and rose again in victory.

Dearest Lord Jesus, graciously keep us in the true and saving faith until we are clothed with new bodies, immortal bodies, made for life everlasting. We ask this for the sake of Your bitter sufferings and death and Your glorious resurrection. Amen

[Scripture from the King James Version of the Bible]

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE PATCH, WINE SKINS AND OLD WINE

Read Luke 5:36-39

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

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

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

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

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

Pastor Randy Moll

Devotions from Isaiah 53

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pastor Randy Moll

Letters to My Children

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

My Dear Children,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until next time, with all my love,

Dad

Pastor Randy Moll

The Brief Statement

of the

Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod as adopted in 1932

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

Of Justification

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

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

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

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

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

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

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

Remember to Pray

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

Events and Announcements

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE RICH FOOL

Read Luke 12:13-21

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pastor Randy Moll

Lenten Devotions from Isaiah 53

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pastor Randy Moll

What’s Wrong with America?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pastor Randy Moll

The Brief Statement

of the

Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod as adopted in 1932

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

Of Conversion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

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

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

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

Remember to Pray

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

Events and Announcements

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

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

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

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

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

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

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:10-14 (Read 1-21)

Why did Christ Jesus come into the world and suffer and die on the cross for our sins? Why did He give us His Holy Spirit and bring us to know and trust in Him? Why has He “apprehended” and saved you and me?

We are not saved by our own righteousness under the law, for even our best righteousness does not measure up. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23; cf. Isaiah 64:6).

That is why the apostle Paul, even though he more than anybody could boast of his righteousness under the law, ceased trying to be counted righteous by his own works and placed his confidence in the perfect righteousness of Christ and in Christ’s atoning sacrifice upon the cross for the sins of the entire world of sinners.

Paul wrote: “If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Philippians 3:4-9).

Yet, though Paul placed no confidence in his own works for salvation, he knew that Christ had apprehended and saved him that he might live for Christ. Christ “died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5;15; cf. Ephesians 2:8-10). And so, Paul, knowing that Christ died for him and redeemed him that He might live for Christ in accord with God’s perfect will, sought to live for Christ – to attain the holy and sinless life for which Christ redeemed him and which he will have in the resurrection (cf. v. 20f.).

Neither the apostle Paul nor any believers today have attained perfection already in this world. We continue to come short. That is why we do not trust in our own works but continue to trust in Christ as our Savior, that we might be clothed in His perfect righteousness (cf. 1 John 1:5 – 2:2).

The apostle writes: “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

Paul had a goal in mind. Christ died for his sins that He might walk in fellowship with God and do that which is pleasing in God’s sight. Paul knew his failures and shortcomings and trusted in Christ Jesus, his perfect Savior. But Paul also sought to live for Christ and walk in righteousness and holiness already now in this world. Why? Because that is the reason for which Christ apprehended him and saved him from sin and the eternal torments of hell.

Rather than dwell on his sins and failures, Paul left them at the cross of Jesus and moved forward in living for his Savior. He pressed on toward his goal of being like Christ.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

And Paul urges us to think in the same way. “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded” (v. 15).

You and I are redeemed by Christ. Being sinners, we trust in Christ alone for our salvation. We seek to be found clothed, not in our own works and righteousness, but in the perfect righteousness of Christ. But at the same time, we know that Christ redeemed us that we might live for Him. We long for the day when we are changed and become like our Savior, but even now we press toward that goal and seek to live for Him, leaving our sins and failures at the cross and pressing on toward the goal – “for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

O Lord Jesus Christ, let us be found clothed in Your perfect righteousness, but also move us to live for You and seek to apprehend that for which You have apprehended us. Amen.

[Scripture from the King James Version of the Bible]

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE HIDDEN TREASURE AND THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE

Read Matthew 13:44-46

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

Jesus told these two parables, the hidden treasure in the field and the pearl of great price, in order to illustrate the great value of being a part of God’s kingdom. In these parables, all else was sold and given up in order to possess the hidden treasure or the pearl of great price. So great are the treasures of God’s kingdom that a man, when he finds them, is willing to give up all else to possess them. The treasures of God’s kingdom include complete forgiveness for all sins and the everlasting glories of heaven. What can compare with such blessings?

One who, by the grace of God, comes to know of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life which God offers and gives for the sake of Christ Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross will be willing to give up all else to possess these priceless heavenly treasures. God’s kingdom is an eternal kingdom, and those who have saving faith in Jesus Christ will dwell forever with Him in the mansions of heaven.

When this present world comes to an end, all that we have here will pass away. Nothing we possess here is even worth comparing to the eternal treasures of God’s kingdom. Instead of being weighed down with all the cares and concerns of this life, let us remember the great and eternal blessings which have been won for us by Christ and are offered and given to us through the Gospel. May they be so precious to us that we willingly lay aside all else to possess them.

Jesus, priceless Treasure, Fount of purest pleasure, truest Friend to me. Ah, how long in anguish shall my spirit languish, yearning, Lord, for Thee? Thou art mine, 0 lamb divine! I will suffer naught to hide Thee, naught I ask beside Thee. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #347, Verse 1)

Pastor Randy Moll

Lenten Devotions from Isaiah 53

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6

This verse sums it up so well! All of us are like lost and wandering sheep who have turned away from our true Shepherd and Maker. We have each turned aside to go our own way.

What an accurate description! Instead of following the LORD God and living in accord with His perfect will and design for us, we follow our own will and desires, go our own way and direction, and rebel against God and His Word. Instead of loving God and living for Him, we love ourselves and do as we please. Instead of listening to God’s commandments and obeying them, we shut our ears, justify our sins and seek to establish our own compromising values in the place of His absolute truth.

Lost, wandering and scattered sheep, each one going in a different direction, is a picture of our world, with people wandering here and there and looking for life, happiness and fulfillment in everything but the LORD God who created them. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.”

“And the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” God took all our sin and all our guilt and punished it in the innocent sufferings and death of His own beloved Son, Jesus Christ! Our sins and iniquities were placed upon Jesus and He was punished in our stead. That is why darkness covered the earth as Jesus hung there upon the cross; and that is why Jesus cried out, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which is to say, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46).

Though Jesus died an agonizing and horrible death upon the cross because of our turning away from God and sinning against Him, the beauty in this is that all of our sins and all of our guilt have been punished in Christ Jesus. “It is finished” — the debt of our sins has been paid in full (cf. John 19:30)! Therefore, through faith in Jesus the Messiah and Savior, we have forgiveness and life everlasting!

Instead of being judged and condemned for our own sins, God judged and condemned His own holy and innocent Son and offers and gives to us pardon and peace with Him. What could be more beautiful to the lost and condemned sinner!

O dearest Jesus, we have, like lost sheep, turned and gone our own way. We have sinned against You. Thank You for bearing upon the cross the just punishment for our sins and iniquities. Grant us forgiveness and life with You in Your eternal kingdom. Amen.

Pastor Randy Moll

The Brief Statement

of the

Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod as adopted in 1932

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

Of Man and of Sin

6. We teach that the first man was not brute like nor merely capable of intellectual development, but that God created man in His own image, Gen. 1: 26, 27; Eph. 4: 24; Col. 3: 10, that is, in true knowledge of God and in true righteousness and holiness and endowed with a truly scientific knowledge of nature, Gen. 2:19-23.

7. We furthermore teach that sin came into the world by the fall of the first man, as described Gen. 3. By this Fall not only he himself, but also all his natural offspring have lost the original knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, and thus all men are sinners already by birth, dead in sins, inclined to all evil, and subject to the wrath of God, Rom. 5:12,18; Eph. 2:1-3. We teach also that men are unable, through any efforts of their own or by the aid of culture and science,” to reconcile themselves to God and thus to conquer death and damnation.

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

The Adult Bible Class continues its study of the Gospel of John. To prepare, read John 4:43-54. What did Jesus mean by His saying that a prophet has no honor in his own country? How was this true of Jesus? How might it have application today? Why did the people of Galilee receive Jesus? Who came to Jesus in Cana of Galilee? Why? What is a nobleman (basilikos)? What did he ask of Jesus? How far was it from Cana to Capernaum? How did Jesus respond? Why? What was the nobleman’s plea? What did the nobleman fear might happen before Jesus would arrive? How are our prayers like the prayer of the nobleman? What did Jesus say to the nobleman? Why did Jesus say this rather than going down to Capernaum? Did the nobleman believe Jesus’ words even though, at the time, he had no other way to know or see that they were true? Do we believe Jesus’ words to us when He tells us our sins are forgiven, He is preparing a place for us in heaven, He is with us always or He will care for all our needs? Did the nobleman live and act by faith? How? How do we live and act by faith (cf. Habakkuk 2:4; Hebrews 11)? What happened as the nobleman was on the long walk (or ride) back to Capernaum? What was he told by his servants? What did he ask the servants? What did their answer prove? What was the result of this miracle? What other miracle had Jesus performed in Galilee?

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

The Sunday Readings are Psalm 32; Isaiah 12:1-6; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; and Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. Please take the time to read them in their context in preparation for Sunday. Who is blessed, according to Psalm 32? Why? What does it mean when the LORD does not impute iniquity? What happens when we are silent about our sins and cover them up? What happens when we acknowledge and confess our sins unto the LORD? How does this compare to what John writes in 1 John 1:5 – 2:2? When should one seek God’s forgiveness? What will the forgiven sinner escape? Who instructs and teaches us in the way we should live? How? What does He use? How are we not to be? Are we ever like a horse or mule? How? What will come upon the wicked? The righteous? How is God’s anger turned away from sinners, as described in Isaiah 12? Who is our salvation? How is this true (cf. Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35)? How do we draw water out of the wells of salvation? Who do we praise for our salvation? Who died for all, according to 2 Corinthians 5? What does this mean for you and me? For whom should we then live? How are we a new creation in Christ? What has passed away? What has become new? How did God reconcile us to Himself? What is the ministry of reconciliation? To whom was God reconciled? How? What is the word of reconciliation? How are we individually reconciled to God? What glorious exchange took place when Jesus went to the cross? How are we counted righteous before God? How is God like the father in the parable of the prodigal son? How are we like the prodigal son? How are we sometime like the older brother? What are the points of Jesus’ parable? How do they apply to you and me?

Remember to Pray

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

Events and Announcements

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

Wednesday evening lenten worship continues tonight. Worship will be at 7 p.m. A light supper will precede the service at 6:20 p.m.

The Church Council will hold its March meeting following lenten worship tonight.

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

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” 2 Corinthians 13:14

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

“Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11 (Read v. 1-13)

Most Christians have heard and read of the failings of God’s people Israel. They were all graciously redeemed of the LORD God and delivered from slavery in Egypt, but not all entered into the land of promise.

The Apostle Paul wrote of this to the believers in Corinth: “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”

In the same way as Christians are all baptized into Christ and partake of His body and blood in the Lord’s Supper, so the people of Israel were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They partook of the manna which God provided them and drank water from the spiritual Rock which followed them, which was Christ. Yet “with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.”

God’s Word says, “These things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.”

What is the apostle saying to us? Just because we have been baptized into Christ and have partaken of Christ does not mean we cannot fall away and lose the salvation God has so graciously provided for us. If we lust after and desire evil things instead of what the LORD God has given us and turn back into sin and unbelief, we too will lose the life Christ Jesus so desires to give us. If we do not walk and live by faith in God and the promises of His Word, we will also, like many of the Israelites, be overthrown in the wilderness of this world.

We ought not ever to think that we are Christian and all is well with our soul if we are living in the sins of the flesh. The Bible clearly warns us: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).

True Christians are sorry for their sins, trust in Christ’s atoning sacrifice for forgiveness and then, as a fruit of faith, seek to live for Christ in accord with His Word. They are led by God’s indwelling Spirit. Read 1 John 1-2.

Alone, we would most certainly fall and perish. But we have been redeemed by Christ. He walks with us and leads us. His Spirit dwells within us. He is with us always and never permits us to be tempted above that we are able. If we walk with Him, being led by God’s Spirit, He will bring us safely through the wilderness of this world to Himself in heaven.

It is as the Bible says, “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2 Tim. 4:18).

Dearest Lord Jesus, forgive me for failing to follow You in faith. Lead me in the way everlasting for Your name’s sake. Amen.

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

Meditations in the Parables of Jesus

THE GREAT SUPPER

“And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.” Luke 14:15-24

Jesus told this parable in the home of one of the chief Pharisees. When Jesus made mention of “the resurrection of the just,” someone said, “Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.” To this Jesus responded with the parable of the “Great Supper.”

Since someone at the meal had just spoken of the great blessings of which those who enter God’s eternal kingdom of glory will partake, Jesus spoke this parable to warn His Jewish audience concerning their rejection of God’s invitation to take part in this kingdom. They had the promises of the Old Testament Scriptures concerning the coming Messiah and Savior and His eternal kingdom, and they were called and invited by God to be a part of this kingdom through faith in the Messiah and Savior. Yet when Jesus – that promised Messiah and Savior – appeared to redeem all mankind by His holy life and innocent sufferings and death, and when the Gospel invitation went out again: “Come, for all things are now ready,” did they come? No, they excused themselves for various reasons. They were too concerned about worldly things and too deceived by their own false religious beliefs to see God’s kingdom or enter into it. Jesus warns that those who reject God’s gracious invitation to enter His eternal kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ will never taste the blessings of salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus.

God has also graciously invited us out of the streets and lanes, highways and hedges, to “come, for all things are now ready.” Jesus Christ, by His holy life and innocent sufferings and death for all men, has won for us forgiveness of sins, life and a place in God’s eternal, heavenly kingdom! Let us not be so busy with the things of this world that we neglect to hear and accept God’s gracious invitation in Christ.

Dear Lord Jesus, Today Thy mercy calls us to wash away our sin. However great our trespass, whatever we have been, how ever long from mercy our hearts have turned away, Thy precious blood can cleanse us and make us white today. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal., Hymn #279, Verse 1)

Pastor Randy Moll

Why Does God Allow This Evil World Go On?

Perhaps you’ve heard someone ask the question: “If God is a good God, why does He allow so much evil to go on in our world?” This is a good question for all of us to consider, but the answer comes much closer to our own lives than we might think.

What happens when God puts an end to evil? Old Testament Israel and Judah were conquered by enemy nations because of their evil, and those who survived the sieges and battles were carried away into exile. God rained down fire and brimstone upon the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and their surrounding communities because of their evil. Only Lot and two of his daughters escaped. The world was filled with evil, much like our day, back in Genesis 6, and God destroyed every person and land animal in the Great Flood. Only Noah, his family and the animals on the ark were graciously spared. So, what if God were to put an end to evil in the world? What would happen? Would we escape? Are we without sin and evil in our own lives?

In fact, the Bible tells us that God is going to put an end to evil in this world very soon! St. Peter writes, in his second epistle: “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (2 Peter 3:7). Paul also wrote to the Thessalonian Christians that “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….” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; cf. Revelation 20:10 and 21:8).

Why hasn’t God already come in judgment and put an end to evil in the world? Peter writes again: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:9-10).

So, the Day of the Lord is coming! God will put an end to evil in this world! But why the delay? He is being patient with us, not wanting any of us to be condemned and perish along with the wicked on that day, but desiring that we repent of our evil ways and trust in the Son, Jesus Christ, for salvation! God is allowing this evil world to go on a little longer to allow us time to repent and be saved!

God sent His Son into this world, a true man, that He might live a righteous and holy life for us and then suffer and die upon the cross for our sins. Jesus did this for us and rose again, ascending to the right hand of God the Father. He sent His Holy Spirit into this world to convince us of our sins and to bring us to faith in Jesus, our Savior. And, when the last of God’s elect turn to Christ for forgiveness of sins and life, the end will come.

That is also why our Lord Jesus commanded us to go “into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” adding, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15, 16). Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19-20). He desires all to repent of their evil ways and place their faith and confidence in Him.

This evil world and its works will be burned up, and all who do not repent will suffer forever in the eternal fires of hell! But, having been saved by the grace and mercy of God, “we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13; cf. Revelation 21:1ff.)!

So, why does our good God allow this sin-filled and evil world to go on? He is being good, merciful, and patient toward you, me and all mankind, allowing a little more time for us to repent and be saved through faith in His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ!

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 Holy Scriptures

1. We teach that the Holy Scriptures differ from all other books in the world in that they are the Word of God. They are the Word of God because the holy men of God who wrote the Scriptures wrote only that which the Holy Ghost communicated to them by inspiration, 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1: 21. We teach also that the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures is not a so-called “theological deduction,” but that it is taught by direct statements of the Scriptures, 2 Tim. 3:16; John 10:35; Rom. 3:2; 1 Cor. 2:13. Since the Holy Scriptures are the Word of God, it goes without saying that they contain no errors or contradictions, but that they are in all their parts and words the infallible truth, also in those parts which treat of historical, geographical, and other secular matters, John 10:35.

2. We furthermore teach regarding the Holy Scriptures that they are given by God to the Christian Church for the foundation of faith, Eph. 2:20. Hence the Holy Scriptures are the sole source from which all doctrines proclaimed in the Christian Church must be taken and therefore, too, the sole rule and norm by which all teachers and doctrines must be examined and judged. With the Confessions of our Church, we teach also that the “rule of faith” (analogia fidei) according to which the Holy Scriptures are to be understood are the clear passages of the Scriptures themselves which set forth the individual doctrines. (Apology. Triglot, p. 441, @_ 60; Mueller, p. 284). The rule of faith is not the man-made so-called “totality of Scripture” (“Ganzes der Schrift”).

3. We reject the doctrine which under the name of science has gained wide popularity in the Church of our day that Holy Scripture is not in all its parts the Word of God, but in part the Word of God and in part the word of man and hence does, or at least, might, contain error. We reject this erroneous doctrine as horrible and blasphemous, since it flatly contradicts Christ and His holy apostles, sets up men as judges over the Word of God, and thus overthrows the foundation of the Christian Church and its faith.

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

The Adult Bible Class continues its study of the Gospel of John. To prepare, read John 4:1-42. Why did Jesus leave Judea? Which route did He take back to Galilee? At what city did Jesus stop? Why? What is significant about the location? Who met Jesus there? What did Jesus ask of her? How did she respond? Why do the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans? What did Jesus tell the woman in verse 10? How is this a fitting response yet today? How did the woman respond? What did Jesus tell her? What is the living water which Jesus offered (cf. Isaiah 12; John 7:37-39)? How does Jesus offer and give this water even yet today? Did the woman understand Jesus? What did she say? What did Jesus tell her to do? What did He say to her when she said she had no husband? Is there anything about us He does not know? Read Psalm 90:8. What did the woman then say of Jesus? What question did she ask Him? What is the significance of her question? How did Jesus answer? What does Jesus answer mean? How does that apply to our worship yet today? What did the woman say the Messiah would do when He came? Why? Cf. Deuteronomy 18:15-19. Who did Jesus claim to be? At what were Jesus’ disciples amazed when they returned? Did they say anything to Jesus about it? What did the woman do when Jesus’ disciples returned? Who did she tell? How? What did she tell them? What was the result? What did Jesus say when His disciples offered Him food? What did He mean? What was Jesus’ food? To what did Jesus compare the men of Samaria coming to Him? How is it true that one sowed and another reaped? How is this true today in evangelism and mission work? Why did some of the people believe that Jesus was their Messiah and Savior? Why did many more come to believe? What did they say to the woman? How is this true today in evangelism and mission work? How can we apply this to our witness for Christ?

The Catechism Class continues studying the Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed and learning of Jesus and what He has done to redeem all mankind.

The Sunday Readings are Psalm 91; Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Romans 10:8-13; and Luke 4:1-13. Please take the time to read them and their context in preparation for Sunday. The sermon text will be the Gospel Lesson. When was Jesus tempted? Where? Who led Him there? How long did Jesus fast? What were the temptations put forth by the devil? How were these indeed temptations for Jesus? How did Jesus resist each temptation? From which book of the Bible did Jesus quote in each of His answers? Did the devil also use Scripture? How? What is so significant about this temptation account for our salvation? What can we learn from Jesus in dealing with the many temptations we face, whether from the devil, the world or our own flesh?

Remember to Pray

Remember to pray for our church and for all our members that none be lost to Christ’s kingdom, but that all continue in repentance and be strengthened and built up in the true and saving faith in Christ Jesus through the hearing and study of His Word. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – especially for Sarah Hardigan who is having trouble in the early stages of pregnancy, for Ron Wellander who underwent surgery and is recovering, and for Bonnie Hawes who underwent tests – for those who have been absent from us, for our students who are away at school, for our extended families and friends, and for our adopted soldiers. Pray for God’s help with our church’s financial needs. Continue to pray for the Lutheran Churches in the Philippines, for Christians in Haiti, and for believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering.

Events and Announcements

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

Wednesday Evening Lenten Worship begins tonight, Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17. Worship will be at 7 p.m. A Soup and Sandwich Supper will precede the service at 6:20 p.m.

The Church Council will hold its February meeting following the Feb. 17 Lenten service.

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

“Now 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]