Being properly Worded.

That is one of the sayings of a seminary professor Dr Norman Nagel of Concordia Seminary. He is originally from Great Britain and has a wonderful way of teaching truths from scripture.

John 17: 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. ESV

When speaking with Christians about the subject of sanctification one will find many who will think of it as something that is his or her job. That is what has been taught for years in many Christian churches. It is put forth that God expects, now that you are His child, to have the ability to muscle up against sin and conquer it with His help. In addition He expects you to search out ways in which to serve Him in order to get Him more on your side.

If a person comes to faith later in life one will see an initial change in behaviour. Old habits which used to be of interest will not longer capture a person’s want. Rather than hours sitting in a tavern getting drunk a person will be satisfied with sitting visiting with family or other Christians. When confronted with lust of the flesh revulsion will strike that person rather than hours of feeding the thought and perhaps sharing this with others. These and many others will appear to be the choice of the believer and he or she will be understandably happy and rejoice in it.

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. ESV

St Paul puts it out there that all those things we have a change in our minds about and the good deeds we want now to do is actually God doing them. However, why should it be done with fear and trembling? Due to the fact that a Christian is indeed a saint he or she remains a sinner. The mixed motivation of self interest is contained in everything he or she does or refuses to do. This self motivation falls short of the glory of God who gives gifts and care totally out of love for the person receiving the gift. It is impossible to accomplish that as a finite person in a sinful body and world. Each and everything is laced with fear of punishment or hope or reward.
Jesus when on earth did His work totally for our good out of love for us. Nothing was in it for Him other than the joy of fulfilling the law for us and suffering, dying and rising again for our salvation and sanctification. We cannot fathom how that suffering could contain any joy for Him especially doing it for those who by nature are His enemies and to this day spit at him with our sin. Amazing!

In the Name of the Father and of the † Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Defined by mercy.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. NSV

Receivers of mercy are what Christians are. A chosen group of people describes the holy Christian church. We are royal priests unto our God who speak to God on the behalf of people and speak to people on the behalf of God. This is pretty cool stuff indeed. Out of darkness we have been called and into the light.

So it is no surprise we do not fit into the world. We are rejected by those who still walk outwardly in darkness as well as by erring and false brothers. The Chief Cornerstone was rejected as well. The builders despised Jesus when He was making His way to the cross. We have the honor of serving Him who is our foundation and become our cornerstone and we His living stones. But what will happen to the unbeliever and the false and erring brothers? They will stumble over Jesus. The rock of Salvation will grind them to powder Matt 21:44.

Now how do we respond to this? What difference should this make in our lives? St Peter had something to say about that.

1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. ESV

Abstaining from the passions of the flesh does not only have to do with lust of the eyes, flesh and pride of life but in addition reacting to the rejection in hopes of seeking revenge. These passions will war against the soul. This activity will hinder growth in the Christian’s life. In addition God seeks to use us as clay jars to do good deeds in front of the unbeliever so they will see it and glorify God when He comes to them.

1 Peter 2:1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. ESV

These actions are what the people who are defined by the mercy of God do. They put away all the reactions which define humans. Indeed are still guilty of them but put them away and do not feed those passions and cause them to grow. This is the response of those who have tasted and know that the Lord is good.

In the Name of Jesus. Amen †

It Kills!!!!

Today we find many Christians who look to the law for motivation to good works. This is a complete misunderstanding on what the law does. Mainly it is due to the lack of firm execution of the law in sermons. This was pointed out recently by Pastor Tom Baker of the Law Gospel broadcast.

In a recent television commercial a local Baptist Minister was inviting people to tune into the worship broadcast for practical insights for living to aid them. This is an historically conservative fellowship similar to the one in which I was raised. Years ago from the pulpit one would hear how miserably we are doing when compared to the Holy requirements of God. There were no pointers on improvement. No invitation to look to Jesus to help you with stress. The law was laid down with all its crushing force. Only then was the sweetness of Jesus’ finished work on Calvary was proclaimed. Jesus was not held out as an example we can follow. He was not presented as a cheerleader giving us a rah rah in our daily race.

2 Corinthians 3: 4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. ESV

Due only to the finished work of Jesus we have full confidence toward God. He is not sitting up there shaking His head back and forth at our failures to keep His commands. He determined long ago we were unable to do this. No when God looks upon those in Jesus He is well pleased with the fruit of the Holy Spirit that we do. These are activities that He has called us to do in our daily rounds. The faith that we have which receives His gifts of forgiveness of sins and trusting in His promises is well pleasing to Him as well.

Why are these fruit and faith so pleasing to God? For they are His doing and nothing from us contributes to them. We are passive receivers. That is what is so tragic with sermons such as this minister was promoting. It is causing people to either become secure or terrified sinners. Christ and Him crucified is to be the main thing in all sermons not a seminar for successful living. People need to be killed with the law and given life in the Gospel. This does not draw large crowds any longer. However, it does keep people from going to eternal death because of His promises of the gift of life through hearing the words of Christ.

Amen

Motivated to Believe?

Recently a young friend of mine asked me what I think motivates someone to believe. Much of what passes for preaching these days is encouragement to stop not believing and trust in Jesus and everything will be better. Tell that to the early church many members of which suffered severe persecutions many of them were killed for no other reason then the testimony of Jesus. To this day in many parts of our world brothers and sisters are robbed of livelihood, beaten, outcast and killed for the same reason. No the idea that one can come to faith under the sweet talk of a so called preacher is nothing but the Theology of Self Glory. This strokes our flesh by telling us we can do something to change our relationship with God. Just by making a decision to accept Jesus is all it takes in these fevered imaginations. They will say that making a decision is not a work. Don’t believe that for a minute. Many executives get paid massive amounts of money for decisions.

Matthew 18:12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. ESV

The passage above is commonly referred to as the Parable of the Lost Sheep. Rev. Tom Baker of the Law and Gospel broadcast says it is misnamed. The name of it should be rather Parable of the Rejoicing Shepherd. This title places the emphasis where it belongs on Jesus the Good Shepherd.

Jesus is the one who motivates one to the Christian faith. He seeks out the lost, breathes life into her and carries her back to His fold. What is placed upon His shoulders is the curse of the law which He carries up Calvary and pays the penalty with His own precious blood.

Once the person is given new life she will see Jesus as a loving God not the ogre which used to scare her. That god is the devil masquerading as God in order to keep people in enmity with Him. This is part and parcel as to the reason one cannot claim any credit for coming to God. Prior to the gift of faith one had a caricature of God not the real Creator.

Yes many people are scared of God and with good reason. Each and every person knows there is a problem between them and God. But they think it is God’s problem and they must find ways to get on His good side. Some have committed suicide by drinking poisoned Kool-Aid and others have flow jets into buildings in order to placate this angry Creator. Given the viewpoint the unbeliever has of God who can blame them for trying to become atheist.

No. We have a kind and loving Shepherd who gave His life for each and everyone of us. He gives us the faith by which to receive His gifts of Baptism, eternal life, preaching of the word of forgiveness, and the Lord’s Supper for the forgiveness of sins and strengthening of our faith.

What does He ask in return? Not a thing. Out of love and gratitude we want to do things for our neighbors that will please Him. But those acts of charity do not add anything to our salvation for it is finished.

God’s peace. †

In the Image of Jesus

In the Name of Jesus. Amen

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. ESV

Those are great promises of comfort. God has it all planned out for us that all things work together for our good and we are conformed to the image of Jesus. Romans 8 is a wonderful thing to behold. Some have understood that to be conformed to the image of Jesus to be able to be well respected, honored, appreciated etc. Pretty heady stuff to appear to be like God the Son isn’t it?

Those are not things that one who seeks to walk close to the Crucified One will necessarily have. Throughout history those who believed in Jesus from the early older testament time prophets, our Lord Himself, the Apostles, many early church fathers and many Christians down to our present age are conformed to the image of Jesus through persecution and martyrdom.

Matthew 16: 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. ESV

This world is not on the same operating system, if you will, with which God created it. In this world the Creator became man was rejected, persecuted and killed rather than greeted with open arms. As followers of Jesus we can expect the same thing. In this world we have the unholy trinity of the world, flesh and the devil with which to deal.

Jesus said the world hated Him and will also hate us who follow Him. We are not greater than He are we? So it will come as no surprise when we endeavor undertakings that we meet with resistance. Just take the message of Jesus out in the world and see the rejection and loss of relationships that will happen. This is to be expected by those who wish to walk with Jesus each and everyday.

We are also in constant struggle with our own sinful flesh that will never do the right thing and rebel against holy living. Add to that dealing with those around us unbelievers, false and erring brethren one can end up quite alone and feel rejected. Jesus had that happen where even His close disciples took a powder and abandoned Him on the night of His betrayal. A servant is not greater than his Master.

And our adversary is prowling about like a lion wanting to devour us. He will personally and through others blame you for all the problems in this life. His aim is that you at the least stop growing in the Lord but his ultimate purposes are for you to lose your faith. Jesus said some would believe and due to temptation and persecution reject the faith. A pastor one time said that when a baby is baptized he or she has a target painted on his or her forehead that the devil will see and go to work on them. The same with an adult convert. In baptism we have the Name of our Father, Son and Holy Spirit placed on us and we see Satan is always working at counter purpose from his creator. Yes he indeed hates all of humanity but especially those redeemed by God.

Rather bleak isn’t it? But on the other hand we have the Holy Trinity on our side. We are in the image of Jesus in being perfectly holy in the sight of God. Even though our best works are in themselves sinful God looks upon those in Jesus and is quite pleased. What a wonderful peace to know that in spite of how things are going here is that we have a loving Father Who will neither reject us nor let anything grab us out of His hand.

Jesus gives us these crosses we do not choose them. This is special suffering we have only due to the fact of being a child of God. While cross bearing in this life we also know that someday we will be raised to new life to the fullness. At that time we will see Jesus for we will be like Him united forever with the Holy Trinity in eternal love and bliss.

In the Name of Jesus. Amen. †

Growing in Grace

Luke 5: 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. ESV

Indeed when God shows His power in an obvious way it can cause fear. Ask anyone who has escaped certain death in war, car wreck or illness. That was St Peter’s reaction to Jesus telling them to cast nets one more time after a night of fruitless work. Some have dared suggest that perhaps he did not believe in Jesus at the time and came to faith later. To prove this point the next section of scripture is used:

John 21: 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, "Children, do you have any fish?" They answered him, "No." 6 He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. ESV

So what could have made the difference? We are dealing with the same sinner and the same Saviour. In fact this second occurrence happened after St Peter messed up big time with denying Jesus on the night if His crucifixion. In the second account St Peter was bold in approaching Jesus so much that he did not want to wait for the boat to arrive at the shore. The difference is St Peter found out what a complete sinner he was and what a complete Saviour is Jesus.

This can happen and should to all those who trust in Jesus. For certain when one comes to understand the original sin of which we are all guilty it is an amazing grace we behold. However, when afterward we continue to screw up, repent, receive forgiveness and realize no matter how hard we try all we can do is promise to sin again we see what a much greater Saviour we have. So we too with Simon look forward to being with Jesus more and more as time rolls on. Like a little child looks forward to seeing a loving and accepting adult we look forward to seeing Jesus.

Luke 7: 41"A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." 48And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" 50 And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." ESV

Praise to you O Christ. †

Raging Hordes of Enthusiasts. Part 3

Genesis 3: 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" ESV

Did God say that? Did He really mean it? This is the oldest doubt cast upon God’s word and we still face it today. In the Holy Bible we are faced with some incredible claims by God. Not the least of these made by our Lord Jesus Himself.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ESV

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." ESV

The Enthusiast believes teaches and confesses that God works in a non tangible and ill defined manner in our lives. In the above recordings of the words of Jesus He states that one is born again of water and Spirit and that baptism makes disciples. The Enthusiast will contradict this vehemently. “How can water save anyone or make a disciple? That only makes a person wet.” These questions about the word of God are quite similar to the one the serpent made to Eve at the temptation.

A real danger to the faith of the believer is set in motion when the word of God is made subject to human reason. Reason is a gift of God to help us muddle through this world from day to day when His word is silent on a matter. “Which job should I take?” “Which car should I buy?” These are both decisions which God will bless in the life of a Christian. Reason will aid in making these decisions about the economy and comfort of the car and the prospects for earning a living in the employment. When it comes to something about which God has spoken specifically reason is to play a servant role to the word rather than the teacher.

In the case of baptism reason will learn about it by looking at what the rest of God’s word teaches to see if it matches up or if it indeed teaches one is only getting “wet for Jesus.”

Ezekiel 36:24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. ESV

These are sure promises of God. Notice who is doing the action. God will take us from the nations. God will sprinkle clean water on us, His people, to cleanse us from uncleanness and idols. God will give us and new heart and spirit; God will remove the hard from us and make it flesh.

Father, thank you for your word which you have given us to know You and the promise of adoption in baptism. Forgive us for times we harden our hearts against what you have clearly promised in Your word. Jesus, thank you for believing the word perfectly for us and dying for our guilt for not believing it like our parents and transferring these to us in baptism. Holy Spirit, thank you for Your presence in baptism. Please make our hearts tender to those things in scripture which are for our good and our peace. Amen †