Words of Encouragement for April 21, 2010

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]