He that glories….

Mar 172012
 

But of Him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, both righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that even as it has been written, “He that glories, let him glory in” the “Lord.” 1 Cor. 1:30-31 (Read verses 18-31)

Are we Christians because of our own wisdom or prominence in this world? The Scriptures make it very clear that we have faith in Christ and eternal salvation because of God’s gracious working, both in sending His only-begotten Son to redeem us and in bringing us and keeping us trusting in Jesus alone, and in His blood shed upon the cross, for our salvation.

It is as the Bible says: “For by grace you are saved, through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, that not anyone should boast….” (Eph. 2:8-9).

Consider our calling. Was it because we are wiser than others, richer, more powerful or more influential? No, and in most cases, the opposite is true. We are little and even foolish in the eyes of the world.

And how do people come to faith in Christ Jesus? It is through “the word of the cross,” the preaching of “Christ crucified.” This is foolishness to the wise of this world and an offense to the Jews. It is as St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those being lost, but to us being saved, it is the power of God” (v. 18; cf. Rom. 1:16-17).

Though the world counts it as foolishness and the Jews stumble and fall over it, the truth is that we are saved because God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son to suffer and die for the sins of the world and rise again (cf. John 3:14ff.). Because of Jesus’ blood shed upon the cross for the sins of all, God is gracious and merciful and reaches out to you and me with forgiveness and the offer of life everlasting in His Son (cf. 2 Cor. 5:18ff.).

And this message would be foolish to us too, or we would stumble and fall over it because we are seeking to please God and earn His favor by our own righteousness under the law, but God has graciously assured us of His love and mercy – of His forgiveness and acceptance – through the preaching of Christ crucified for the sins of the world (cf. Eph. 1:3ff.). His Holy Spirit assures us through the preaching of the cross of the forgiveness of our sins and of life everlasting because of Christ crucified.

“Of Him, [we] are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, both righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that even as it has been written, “He that glories, let him glory in” the “Lord.” Can we glory in ourselves or in anything we have done for our salvation? No, he that glories, let him glory in the Lord who has done it all!

Thank you, O Lord, for Your mercy upon us and for granting us salvation in Christ Jesus, our crucified and risen Savior. Amen.

[Scripture taken from Green's Literal Translation (LITV), Copyright 1993 by Jay P. Green Sr., All rights reserved.]

Words of Encouragement for March 15

Mar 162012
 

Watch and Pray

“32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane. And He said to His disciples, Sit here while I pray. 33 And He took along Peter and James and John with Him. And He began to be much amazed and to be deeply troubled. 34 And He said to them, My soul is deeply grieved, unto death. Remain here and watch. 35 And going forward a little, He fell on the ground and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to You; take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will. 37 And He came and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, Simon, do you sleep? Were you not strong enough to watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak. 39 And going away again, He prayed, saying the same thing. 40 And returning, He found them sleeping again, for their eyes were heavy. And they did not know what to answer Him. 41 And He came a third time, and said to them, Sleep on now, and rest. It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise up, let us go. Behold, the one betraying Me has drawn near.” Mark 14:32-42

 

“Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak.” v. 38

How important Jesus’ words are, not only to His disciples, whom He asked to watch and pray in the Garden of Gethsemane while He was in terrible agony over His coming sufferings and death for the sins of the world, but for us as well! The spirit – that new nature created in us by the Holy Spirit when we were baptized and brought to faith in Christ Jesus – is willing, but our flesh – that corrupt and sinful nature in us all – is weak and powerless when it comes to spiritual things.

Consider Jesus’ own disciples, who saw Jesus in terrible agony over the cup He was about to drink. Though their new spiritual nature was willing to watch and pray, their flesh was weak. Instead of watching and praying, they fell asleep and were of no help and comfort to Jesus. They were totally unprepared for the temptations which were about to come upon them. And what happened? Peter denied even knowing Jesus, and the others forsook Him and fled for their lives.

But you and I are no different. Our regenerated spiritual nature is ready and willing to watch which Jesus, contemplate His sufferings and death for the sins of the world and pray that we hold fast to Jesus and not fall into temptation and sin. Our new nature is willing to do as Peter admonishes in his epistle: “Be sensible, watch, because your adversary the Devil walks about as a roaring lion seeking someone he may devour; whom firmly resist in the faith, knowing the same sufferings are being completed in your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9). In addition to putting on the armor of God and walking in His strength, our new nature is willing to watch and pray with all who trust in Christ “through all prayer and petition, praying at every time in the Spirit, and watching to this same thing with all perseverance and petition concerning all the saints” (Eph. 6:18; cf. 10-18).

But like Peter and the rest of the disciples, our flesh is weak and powerless. Instead of watching with Jesus by reading and studying the Scriptures and coming to hear His Word, we occupy ourselves with other things and even fall asleep rather than watching and meditating upon the sufferings and death of our Savior.

And, instead of praying that God would “not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil” (Matthew 6:13), we are oblivious to the dangers which threaten our souls and we sleep on (spiritually) even as the devil lurks about, marks us out and seeks to destroy our faith and rob us of eternal salvation.

How important Jesus’ words are for us: “Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation”!

And how thankful we can be that Jesus watched and prayed in the Garden, that He prayed to His heavenly Father and was strengthened by an angel (cf. Luke 22:39-46)! Even though the thought of bearing the guilt and condemnation for the sins of the world was rightly repulsive to Jesus, the holy and sinless Son of God, He prayed, “Yet not what I will, but what You will” (v. 36). And Jesus, did not give in to the tempter’s power. He willingly submitted to the will and plan of His heavenly Father and went to the cross to bear the just condemnation and punishment – being forsaken of His own Father – for our sins and the sins of the entire human race.

Because Christ Jesus did that, because He suffered and died for the sins of the world and rose again, you and I who sleep and fail to watch and pray, have forgiveness of God. Jesus paid in full for all your sins, all my sins and for the sins of all mankind! In Him, we have forgiveness and in Him we have life everlasting!

This, of course, is all the more reason for us to watch and pray with Jesus. It is reason to set aside time from our earthly cares to watch and consider the just punishment for our sins which was laid upon Jesus. And it is time to consider and take hold of in faith the forgiveness and life He won for us and all by His innocent sufferings and death in our stead and assured to us by His glorious resurrection!

Of ourselves we are weak and powerless to watch and pray with Jesus, but in the power and strength which the Holy Spirit provides, our new and regenerated nature is willing and ready to watch and pray with Jesus and to consider and take hold of all that He has done for us by His submission to the plan of the Father to redeem us lost and condemned sinners.

God grant us the faith and strength to watch and pray with Jesus, our Savior. Amen.

 

From the Lutheran Confessions

The Smalcald Articles

THE THIRD PART OF THE ARTICLES

Concerning the following articles we may [will be able to] treat with learned and reasonable men, or among ourselves. The Pope and his [the Papal] government do not care much about these. For with them conscience is nothing, but money, [glory] honors, power are [to them] everything.

Part III, Article I. Of Sin

1] Here we must confess, as Paul says in Rom. 5:12, that sin originated [and entered the world] from one man Adam, by whose disobedience all men were made sinners, [and] subject to death and the devil. This is called original or capital sin.

2] The fruits of this sin are afterwards the evil deeds which are forbidden in the Ten Commandments, such as [distrust] unbelief, false faith, idolatry, to be without the fear of God, presumption [recklessness], despair, blindness [or complete loss of sight], and, in short not to know or regard God; furthermore to lie, to swear by [to abuse] God’s name [to swear falsely], not to pray, not to call upon God, not to regard [to despise or neglect] God’s Word, to be disobedient to parents, to murder, to be unchaste, to steal, to deceive, etc.

3] This hereditary sin is so deep [and horrible] a corruption of nature that no reason can understand it, but it must be [learned and] believed from the revelation of Scriptures, Ps. 51:5; Rom. 6:12ff ; Ex. 33:3; Gen. 3:7ff Hence, it is nothing but error and blindness in regard to this article what the scholastic doctors have taught, namely:

4] That since the fall of Adam the natural powers of man have remained entire and incorrupt, and that man by nature has a right reason and a good will; which things the philosophers teach.

5] Again, that man has a free will to do good and omit evil, and, conversely, to omit good and do evil.

6] Again, that man by his natural powers can observe and keep [do] all the commands of God.

7] Again, that, by his natural powers, man can love God above all things and his neighbor as himself.

8] Again, if a man does as much as is in him, God certainly grants him His grace.

9] Again, if he wishes to go to the Sacrament, there is no need of a good intention to do good, but it is sufficient if he has not a wicked purpose to commit sin; so entirely good is his nature and so efficacious the Sacrament.

10] [Again,] that it is not founded upon Scripture that for a good work the Holy Ghost with His grace is necessary.

11] Such and many similar things have arisen from want of understanding and ignorance as regards both this sin and Christ, our Savior, and they are truly heathen dogmas, which we cannot endure. For if this teaching were right [approved], then Christ has died in vain, since there is in man no defect nor sin for which he should have died; or He would have died only for the body, not for the soul, inasmuch as the soul is [entirely] sound, and the body only is subject to death.

 

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are: Psalm 19; Exodus 20:1-17; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; and John 2:13-25. Please read them in their context as you prepare for worship on Sunday.

The Sunday Adult Bible Class will continue its study of the book of Hebrews, in chapter six, verse 9ff.

 

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, as well as for God’s help with our church’s financial needs. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – for Dixie Grant who is recovering from injuries received in a traffic accident; for Dawn Hiebert who is undergoing tests and will be undergoing surgeries; for Sam Rusch, that he would remain well; for Bonnie Hawes, who is recovering from heart surgery; for Mel Boren who is in a nursing home; for Pastor Moll, who will be undergoing surgery; for those who have been absent from us, for our extended families and for believers who are alone and have no congregation. Continue to pray for Lutheran congregations and believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus.

 

Events and Announcements

Lenten Worship continues on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m., with a soup and sandwich supper at 6:20 p.m.

On-line video of worship services can be found at: http://goodshepherdrogers.org/blog/worship-service-video.

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.

 

[Scripture taken from Green's Literal Translation (LITV), Copyright 1993 by Jay P. Green Sr., All rights reserved.]

Reason to give thanks

Mar 102012
 

“Give thanks to Jehovah, for He is good; for His mercy endures forever….” Psalm 107:1 (Read Entire Psalm)

God’s people of Israel had every reason to give thanks to Jehovah, their God, for He showed mercy upon them continually, redeeming them from their wanderings and slavery in foreign lands and bringing them into the land of promise, providing for them food and drink, forgiving their rebellion and sin and saving them from all their troubles, afflicting those who went astray but comforting with mercy those who looked to Him for forgiveness and for help in time of need, blessing their land with rain and their labors with abundance.

We too have every reason to give thanks to the LORD our God for His mercy upon us. When we faced trials and temptations which seemed overwhelming, we looked to our God and He had mercy upon us and brought us safely through all our troubles to where we are this day. He preserved us from the attacks of the devil and those who sought to destroy our congregation and He rescued us from foreclosure and the loss of our place of worship.

To some it appeared that our church was doomed to fail, that our doors would soon be shut and the congregation disbanded; but we looked to the promises of God and held fast to His Word and the comfort which it gives, and God delivered us.

And Jesus, who has kept us and preserved us in all our troubles, has a reason and purpose for us to be here. He said, “Behold, I have given a door being opened before you, and no one is able to shut it, for you have a little power and have kept My word, and have not denied My name” (Rev. 3:8). He gives us an open door for ministry – an opportunity to reach out with the saving gospel of forgiveness and life in Jesus’ name.

“Let [us] thank Jehovah for His mercy, and His wonders to the sons of man. He satisfies the thirsty soul, and He fills the hungry soul with good” (v. 8-9). “Let [us] thank Jehovah for His mercy, and His wonders to the sons of man. For He has broken the gates of bronze; and He cut bars of iron in two” (v. 15-16). “Let [us] thank Jehovah for His mercy, and His wonders to the sons of man. And let [us] sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and recount His works with rejoicing” (v. 21-22). “Let [us] thank Jehovah for His mercy, and His wonders to the sons of mankind; and exalt Him in the congregation of the people; and praise Him in the seat of the elders” (v. 31-32). “The upright shall see and be glad; and all iniquity shuts its mouth. Whoever is wise and will observe these things, they shall discern the mercies of Jehovah” (v. 42-43).

We give You thanks and praise, O Jehovah God, for You have had mercy upon us, delivered us from all our troubles and granted us salvation, for the sake of Jesus Christ, the Son and our Savior. Amen.

[Scripture taken from Green's Literal Translation (LITV), Copyright 1993 by Jay P. Green Sr., All rights reserved.]

Words of Encouragement for March 7

Mar 072012
 

Praying for God’s Cleansing

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me out from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:10-12

By nature, all of our hearts are full of “evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, blasphemies” (Matt. 15:19). Instead of loving the LORD and desiring to do His holy will, our thoughts are, by nature, “only evil all the day long” (Gen. 6:5). As Christians, who trust in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, for salvation, the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts and gives us love for God and holy thoughts and desires.

As the Bible says, we are “washed … sanctified … justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11). Our “body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6 19).

Yet in this world, we are still sinners. Like David, we need to acknowledge our sins, turn to the LORD for His grace and forgiveness for Jesus’ sake. With David, we pray that God would create “a clean heart” and “renew a steadfast spirit” within us.

When we consider how we continue to come short and fail to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit through the Word, we deserve to be cast away from the presence of the LORD and have the Holy Spirit taken from us. How we grieve God’s Spirit when we go our own way and sin rather than give heed to the admonition and warning of God’s Word (cf. Eph. 4:30)! With David, we can all pray, “Do not cast me out from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”

When we turn aside from following the Holy Spirit – when we turn into sin and evil – the joy which comes from being an heir of salvation and walking with the Lord is overshadowed by guilt and despair. We feel God’s wrath upon us. We know that we have failed again and are deserving of His everlasting punishment (cf. Ps. 32:3-4; 51:3-5).

But acknowledging our sins and failures to the LORD, and turning to Him for mercy and forgiveness for the sake of the Son, Jesus Christ, and His innocent sufferings and death in our stead as David did in this psalm – “Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your loving-kindness, according to the multitude of Your tender mercies; blot out my transgressions. Wash me completely from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned, and done evil in Your eyes; that You might be justified in Your speaking and be clear when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden parts You teach me wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Cause me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones You have crushed may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities” (Ps. 51:1-9) – we have forgiveness for all our sins and pray with David, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

Only God’s Spirit can restore in us that joy of knowing that in Jesus we have forgiveness and eternal salvation! He assures us that Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all our sins (cf. 1 John 1:7 – 2:2). Only the Holy Spirit can uphold us and keep us in the true and saving faith!

Let us pray: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me out from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Amen.

 

From the Lutheran Confessions

The Smalcald Articles

Part II, Article IV: Of the Papacy.

1] That the Pope is not, according to divine law or according to the Word of God the head of all Christendom (for this [name] belongs to One only, whose name is Jesus Christ), but is only the bishop and pastor of the Church at Rome, and of those who voluntarily or through a human creature (that is, a political magistrate) have attached themselves to him, to be Christians, not under him as a lord, but with him as brethren [colleagues] and comrades, as the ancient councils and the age of St. Cyprian show.

2] But to-day none of the bishops dare to address the Pope as brother as was done at that time [in the age of Cyprian]; but they must call him most gracious lord, even though they be kings or emperors. This [Such arrogance] we will not, cannot, must not take upon our conscience [with a good conscience approve]. Let him, however, who will do it, do so without us [at his own risk].

3] Hence it follows that all things which the Pope, from a power so false, mischievous, blasphemous, and arrogant, has done and undertaken, have been and still are purely diabolical affairs and transactions (with the exception of such things as pertain to the secular government, where God often permits much good to be effected for a people, even through a tyrant and [faithless] scoundrel) for the ruin of the entire holy [catholic or] Christian Church (so far as it is in his power) and for the destruction of the first and chief article concerning the redemption made through Jesus Christ.

4] For all his bulls and books are extant, in which he roars like a lion (as the angel in Rev. 12 depicts him, [crying out] that no Christian can be saved unless he obeys him and is subject to him in all things that he wishes, that he says, and that he does. All of which amounts to nothing less than saying: Although you believe in Christ, and have in Him [alone] everything that is necessary to salvation, yet it is nothing and all in vain unless you regard [have and worship] me as your god, and be subject and obedient to me. And yet it is manifest that the holy Church has been without the Pope for at least more than five hundred years, and that even to the present day the churches of the Greeks and of many other languages neither have been nor are yet under the Pope. 5] Besides, as often remarked, it is a human figment which is not commanded, and is unnecessary and useless; for the holy Christian [or catholic] Church can exist very well without such a head, and it would certainly have remained better [purer, and its career would have been more prosperous] if such a head had not been raised up by the devil. 6] And the Papacy is also of no use in the Church, because it exercises no Christian office; and therefore it is necessary for the Church to continue and to exist without the Pope.

7] And supposing that the Pope would yield this point, so as not to be supreme by divine right or from God’s command, but that we must have [there must be elected] a [certain] head, to whom all the rest adhere [as their support] in order that the [concord and] unity of Christians may be preserved against sects and heretics, and that such a head were chosen by men, and that it were placed within the choice and power of men to change or remove this head, just as the Council of Constance adopted nearly this course with reference to the Popes, deposing three and electing a fourth; supposing, I say, that the Pope and See at Rome would yield and accept this (which, nevertheless, is impossible; for thus he would have to suffer his entire realm and estate to be overthrown and destroyed, with all his rights and books, a thing which, to speak in few words, he cannot do), nevertheless, even in this way Christianity would not be helped, but many more sects would arise than before.

8] For since men would have to be subject to this head, not from God’s command, but from their personal good pleasure, it would easily and in a short time be despised, and at last retain no member; neither would it have to be forever confined to Rome or any other place, but it might be wherever and in whatever church God would grant a man fit for the [taking upon him such a great] office. Oh, the complicated and confused state of affairs [perplexity] that would result!

9] Therefore the Church can never be better governed and preserved than if we all live under one head, Christ, and all the bishops equal in office (although they be unequal in gifts), be diligently joined in unity of doctrine, faith, Sacraments, prayer, and works of love, etc., as St. Jerome writes that the priests at Alexandria together and in common governed the churches, as did also the apostles, and afterwards all bishops throughout all Christendom, until the Pope raised his head above all.

10] This teaching shows forcefully that the Pope is the very Antichrist, who has exalted himself above, and opposed himself against Christ because he will not permit Christians to be saved without his power, which, nevertheless, is nothing, and is neither ordained nor commanded by God. 11] This is, properly speaking to exalt himself above all that is called God as Paul says, 2 Thess. 2:4. Even the Turks or the Tartars, great enemies of Christians as they are, do not do this, but they allow whoever wishes to believe in Christ, and take bodily tribute and obedience from Christians.

12] The Pope, however, prohibits this faith, saying that to be saved a person must obey him. This we are unwilling to do, even though on this account we must die in God s name. 13] This all proceeds from the fact that the Pope has wished to be called the supreme head of the Christian Church by divine right. Accordingly he had to make himself equal and superior to Christ, and had to cause himself to be proclaimed the head and then the lord of the Church, and finally of the whole world, and simply God on earth, until he has dared to issue commands even to the angels in heaven. 14] And when we distinguish the Pope’s teaching from, or measure and hold it against, Holy Scripture, it is found [it appears plainly] that the Pope’s teaching, where it is best, has been taken from the imperial and heathen law, and treats of political matters and decisions or rights, as the Decretals show; furthermore, it teaches of ceremonies concerning churches, garments, food, persons and [similar] puerile, theatrical and comical things without measure, but in all these things nothing at all of Christ, faith, and the commandments of God. Lastly, it is nothing else than the devil himself, because above and against God he urges [and disseminates] his [papal] falsehoods concerning masses, purgatory, the monastic life, one’s own works and [fictitious] divine worship (for this is the very Papacy [upon each of which the Papacy is altogether founded and is standing]), and condemns, murders and tortures all Christians who do not exalt and honor these abominations [of the Pope] above all things. Therefore, just as little as we can worship the devil himself as Lord and God, we can endure his apostle, the Pope, or Antichrist, in his rule as head or lord. For to lie and to kill, and to destroy body and soul eternally, that is wherein his papal government really consists, as I have very clearly shown in many books.

15] In these four articles they will have enough to condemn in the Council. For they cannot and will not concede us even the least point in one of these articles. Of this we should be certain, and animate ourselves with [be forewarned and made firm in] the hope that Christ, our Lord, has attacked His adversary, and he will press the attack home [pursue and destroy him] both by His Spirit and coming. Amen.

16] For in the Council we will stand not before the Emperor or the political magistrate, as at Augsburg (where the Emperor published a most gracious edict, and caused matters to be heard kindly [and dispassionately]), but [we will appear] before the Pope and devil himself, who intends to listen to nothing, but merely [when the case has been publicly announced] to condemn, to murder and to force us to idolatry. Therefore we ought not here to kiss his feet, or to say: “Thou art my gracious lord,” but as the angel in Zechariah 3:2 said to Satan: The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan.

 

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are: Psalm 107; Numbers 21:4-9; Ephesians 2:1-10; and John 3:14-21. Please read them in their context as you prepare for worship on Sunday.

The Sunday Adult Bible Class will continue its study of the book of Hebrews, in chapter five, verse. 11ff.

 

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, as well as for God’s help with our church’s financial needs. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – for Dixie Grant who is recovering from injuries received in a traffic accident; for Dawn Hiebert who is undergoing tests; for Sam Rusch, that he would remain well; for Bonnie Hawes, who is recovering from heart surgery; for Mel Boren who is in a nursing home; for those who have been absent from us, for our extended families and for believers who are alone and have no congregation. Continue to pray for Lutheran congregations and believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus.

 

Events and Announcements

Lenten Worship continues on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m., with a soup and sandwich supper at 6:20 p.m.

A Special Service of Thanksgiving is being planned for this Sunday, March 11, to praise God, who has graciously brought our congregation through so many of its financial difficulties and continues to bless us through His Word and Sacrament. A pot-luck dinner will follow the worship service on that Sunday. Please invite formers members and friends of the congregation to join us for worship and for a fellowship meal.

A Special Voters’ Meeting will be held after dinner on Sunday to ratify a new mortgage agreement for the church.

On-line video of worship services can be found at: http://goodshepherdrogers.org/blog/worship-service-video.

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.

[Scripture taken from Green's Literal Translation (LITV), Copyright 1993 by Jay P. Green Sr., All rights reserved.]

Are you thinking God’s way or man’s?

Mar 032012
 

“But when He had turned around and looked on His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, Go behind Me, Satan! For you do not mind the things of God, but of the things of men.” Mark 8:33 (read verses 27-38)

Do you mind the things of God or of men? That’s an important question for us all to consider because it is so easy for us to fall into the trap of thinking in worldly ways even when it comes to the establishing of God’s Kingdom.

Consider Peter and the apostles of the Lord Jesus, His disciples and closest companions in this world. They recognized that He was the promised Christ – the Messiah and the very Son of God (cf. Matt. 16:16). Yet, when Jesus spoke of His coming sufferings, death and resurrection, Peter rebuked Him, saying, “This shall never be to You” (Matt. 16:22).

“But when [Jesus] had turned around and looked on His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, Go behind Me, Satan! For you do not mind the things of God, but of the things of men.”

Peter, in this case, was the mouthpiece of Satan. Peter’s human way of thinking did not include the cross and the horrific sufferings and death of Messiah Jesus for the sins of the world. But, as Jesus taught His disciples both before and after His sufferings, death and resurrection, “So it is written, and so it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be proclaimed in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46-47). This was God’s way of establishing His kingdom, His way of saving us lost and condemned creatures and giving us life everlasting in His eternal kingdom!

This, of course, raises questions about many of the ways in which men seek to expand God’s kingdom – whether it be huge church buildings, church growth plans, or all sorts of social ministries and activities. The question is this: Does it include the cross? Is the cross of Jesus still central? Are we still preaching and proclaiming Christ crucified for the sins of the world? Do we, like Jesus and all of God’s Word, proclaim that it was necessary for “Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be proclaimed in His name among all nations”?

Without this message as the center and focus of all we do, we may grow “churches” in this world but not Christ’s kingdom (cf. 1 Cor. 2:2). If we are not proclaiming Christ crucified as the center of all we teach and do, we are minding the things of Satan and not of God! Jesus rebukes us and calls us back to Him and to His sacrifice for the sins of the world. Only in Jesus and for the sake of His innocent sufferings and death on the cross can we sinners be forgiven and acceptable in God’s eyes (cf. Eph. 1:6-7). Jesus’ glorious resurrection is our hope and confidence of being raised up again to the glories of heaven (cf. John 14:1-6,19)! Without Jesus’ sufferings, death and resurrection, we have nothing! With it, we have everything!

Dear Lord Jesus, Son of God, Messiah and our Savior, grant that we heed Your rebuke and stay focused on You and Your sacrifice for the sins of the world. Amen.

[Scripture taken from Green's Modern King James Version (MKJV), Copyright 1993 by Jay P. Green Sr., All rights reserved.]

Words of Encouragement for March 1

Mar 012012
 

A Psalm of Hope

Psalm 130 – A Song of Ascents.

1 Out of the depths I have called You, O Jehovah. 2 Lord, hear my voice, and let Your ears attend to the voice of my prayers. 3 If You will keep iniquities, O Jehovah, O Lord, who shall stand? 4 But forgiveness is with You that You may be feared. 5 I wait for Jehovah; my soul waits, and I hope for His word. 6 My soul waits for the Lord more than morning-watchers watching for the morning. 7 Let Israel hope to Jehovah, for with Jehovah is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; 8 and He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

One of the psalms recited or sung as the people of God ascended up to the hill of Jerusalem to worship the LORD on the Old Testament feast days was Psalm 130.

“Out of the depths I have called You, O Jehovah. Lord, hear my voice, and let Your ears attend to the voice of my prayers.”

As the people went up to Jerusalem, they called out to Jehovah from the valleys below, asking Him to hear their worship and prayers. Of course, the depths refers to much more than just deep valleys; it refers to the depths of sin and guilt before God.

The psalm continues: “If You will keep iniquities, O Jehovah, O Lord, who shall stand? But forgiveness is with You that You may be feared.”

If Jehovah God were to keep our sins before Him and hold them against us, who could stand? We’ve “all sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). “There is not a just man on the earth who does good, and does not sin” (Eccl. 7:20).

So how could the people of Israel come before the LORD God at Jerusalem? How can we come before God with our prayers and praises? It is only by God’s grace and mercy – because He forgives sin – that we can approach Him.

We too pray as David prayed: “Be gracious to Me, O Lord, for I cry to You daily. Give joy to the soul of Your servant; for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, O Lord, are good and ready to forgive, and rich in mercy to all who call on You. O Lord, give ear to my prayer; listen to my voice of supplications. I will call on You in the day of my trouble, for You will answer me” (Psalm 86:3-7).

Indeed, as we enter God’s house to worship each Sunday, we call upon the LORD God in the Invocation. We invoke the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But how do we then begin our worship? We acknowledge and confess our sins against the LORD and look to Him for mercy and forgiveness. And, it is only because God graciously forgives our sins that we can then cry out to Him for help in all our needs and offer to Him our worship and praise. It is because God shows us mercy and pardons our sins that we can fear and honor His name.

“I wait for Jehovah; my soul waits, and I hope for His word. My soul waits for the Lord more than morning-watchers watching for the morning.”

We wait for the Lord and trust in His mercy. He is our hope and we long to hear His Word – His promise of forgiveness and everlasting life in His kingdom. Like the watchmen who long for the morning’s light, so we long for the fulfillment of all God’s promises and look for the dawn of that glorious Day when we will all be free of sin and the curse and live forever with the LORD God in holiness and righteousness!

“Let Israel hope to Jehovah, for with Jehovah is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.”

As the psalmist called upon all Israel to place their hope in Jehovah and in His mercy, so we also, having been grafted into Israel through faith in Messiah Jesus, encourage all our fellow believers to place their hope and confidence in Jehovah and in His mercy.

Why? Because, in fulfillment of this ancient promise, He has provided abundant redemption. He Himself has redeemed Israel “from all his iniquities.” Jehovah God Himself – the eternal Son of God – came into this world a true man, fulfilled all righteousness in our stead, suffered and died upon the cross in full payment for our sins and the sins of all the world and rose again in triumph.

For the sake of Jesus and His blood shed for our sins upon the cross, God is gracious to us, merciful, and forgives us all our sins. Because of Jesus, we can worship and praise the LORD God, pray to Him and honor His name. Because of Jesus, we can await with certainty that Day when we will forever be with the LORD God in His glorious kingdom.

O Jehovah God, we cry out to you from the depths of our sin to hear us and have mercy upon us for the sake of Jesus, who shed His blood to redeem us and rose again in victory. Graciously keep our faith and hope in You and Your mercy until that Day when we are with You forever in the glories of heaven. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

From the Lutheran Confessions

The Smalcald Articles

Part II, Article III: Of Chapters and Cloisters.

1] That chapters and cloisters [colleges of canons and communistic dwellings], which were formerly founded with the good intention [of our forefathers] to educate learned men and chaste [and modest] women, ought again to be turned to such use, in order that pastors, preachers, and other ministers of the churches may be had, and likewise other necessary persons [fitted] for [the political administration of] the secular government [or for the commonwealth] in cities and countries, and well-educated, maidens for mothers and housekeepers, etc.

2] If they will not serve this purpose, it is better that they be abandoned or razed, rather than [continued and], with their blasphemous services invented by men, regarded as something better than the ordinary Christian life and the offices and callings ordained by God. For all this also is contrary to the first chief article concerning the redemption made through Jesus Christ. Add to this that (like all other human inventions) these have neither been commanded; they are needless and useless, and, besides, afford occasion for dangerous and vain labor [dangerous annoyances and fruitless worship], such services as the prophets call Aven, i.e., pain and labor.

 

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are: Psalm 22:23-31; Genesis 17:1-27; Romans 5:1-11; and Mark 8:27-38. Please read them in their context as you prepare for worship on Sunday.

The Sunday Adult Bible Class will continue its study of the book of Hebrews, in chapter five, verse. 1ff.

 

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, as well as for God’s help with our church’s financial needs. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – for Dixie Grant who is recovering from injuries received in a traffic accident; for Dawn Hiebert who is undergoing tests; for Sam Rusch; for Bonnie Hawes, who is recovering from heart surgery; for Mel Boren who is in a nursing home; for those who have been absent from us, for our extended families and for believers who are alone and have no congregation. Continue to pray for Lutheran congregations and believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus.

 

Events and Announcements

Lenten Worship continues on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m., with a soup and sandwich supper at 6:20 p.m.

A Special Service of Thanksgiving is being planned for Sunday, March 11, to praise God who has graciously brought our congregation through so many of its financial difficulties and continues to bless us through His Word and Sacrament. A pot-luck dinner will follow the worship service on that Sunday. Please invite formers members and friends of the congregation to join us for worship and for a fellowship meal.

On-line video of worship services can be found at: http://goodshepherdrogers.org/blog/worship-service-video.

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.

 

[Scripture taken from Green's Literal Translation (LITV), Copyright 1993 by Jay P. Green Sr., All rights reserved.]

Jehovah-jireh – Genesis 22:1-19

Feb 252012
 

“And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked. And, behold, a ram behind him was entangled in a thicket by its horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah Will See; so that it is said until this day, In the mount of Jehovah it will be seen.” Genesis 22:13-14 (Read Genesis 22:1-19)

What a test of Abraham’s love for God and his faith that God both could and would keep His promise to bless him and fulfill His promises to send the Messiah and Savior through Isaac! Think of it. After waiting more than 25 years for God to keep His promise and give him a son through Sarah, God then told Abraham to take this son, his only son Isaac, and offer him up as a burnt sacrifice to the LORD God!

And Abraham obeyed (cf. Hebrews 11:17-19). He took his son Isaac to the mountains of Moriah and to the specific mountain which God named for him. On the way, Isaac even asked his father of the sacrificial lamb. Abraham had the fire and the knife, but no lamb. Abraham told Isaac, “My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering” (v. 8).

And when there at the mountain which would later be the site of Jerusalem and the temple (2 Chronicles 3:1), the place where God’s own Son was later sacrificed for the sins of the world, Abraham bound his son Isaac, laid him on the altar and was about to kill him with the knife when the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and stopped him.

Then “Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked. And, behold, a ram behind him was entangled in a thicket by its horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.”

God indeed provided a sacrificial lamb to be offered up in the place of Abraham’s son Isaac, the father of Israel and a spiritual father of all who hold the faith of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And Abraham offered up this lamb in the stead of his son.

Abraham called the place “Jehovah-jireh,” or “Jehovah will see,” because there Jehovah saw and provided a sacrifice to be offered up in Isaac’s stead. And though we deserved to be put to death for our sins on that cross of Golgotha, on Mt. Calvary, Jehovah again saw and provided for our greatest need by sending His only-begotten Son to take our place and suffer our just punishment. Jesus is that Lamb of God who was sacrificed for us upon the cross and took away the sin of the world (cf. John 1:29). And He rose again that we might be assured of forgiveness for all our sins and life everlasting (cf. Romans 4:25)!

We come to Mt. Calvary with our sins and a sentence of death, but God stops us from paying the debt of our sins, spares us from eternal death and punishment and provides a sacrifice for us – His own dear Son. In Him we have forgiveness and life!

Thank You gracious LORD for providing a sacrifice for our sins – Your only-begotten Son, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Amen.

[Scripture taken from Green's Modern King James Version (MKJV), Copyright 1993 by Jay P. Green Sr., All rights reserved.]

Words of Encouragement for Feb. 23

Feb 232012
 

A Penitential Psalm

Psalm 32 – A Psalm of David. A Contemplation.

Blessed is he whose transgression is lifted, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man to whom Jehovah does not charge iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Have you ever considered what a blessing it is to have forgiveness of God? What a blessing to have the LORD not hold our sins and iniquities against us? To be forgiven of the LORD removes all fear of wrath and condemnation and gives us peace with God. To have forgiveness for all our sins gives us the assurance of life everlasting. Indeed, the one who admits his sin to the LORD instead of attempting to hide and cover up his sins is blessed because in the LORD, for the sake of Jesus’ holy life and innocent sufferings and death, he has forgiveness of God. Cf. 1 John 1:5 – 2:2.

What about you? Do you have God’s forgiveness, or are you attempting to hide and cover up your sins? Are you justified of God, or trying to justify yourself? Are you self-deceived and attempting to fool others in regard to your sinfulness, or do you admit your utter sinfulness and look to God for mercy and forgiveness?

 

3 When I kept silence, then my bones became old, through my howling all day. 4 For by day and by night Your hand was heavy on me; my sap was turned into the droughts of summer. Selah.

What happens when we keep silent about our sins? When we are unwilling to admit our sinfulness and look to the LORD for forgiveness? When we are unwilling to give up our sins? God’s hand is heavy upon us. We grow old and weary through our groaning and sighing all day long as we feel the guilt and weight of our sins. Our moisture, our vitality, our joy, is turned into the drought of summer; it is evaporated away.

 

5 I confessed my sin to You, and I have not hidden my iniquity; I said, I will confess over my transgression to Jehovah; and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

To confess our sins is to say and agree with what God says of us and our sin (cf. 1 John 1:9). Confession makes no excuses for sin, but acknowledges sin as sin and deserving of God’s eternal wrath and punishment! When we acknowledge our sin unto the LORD and quit attempting to hide it and cover it up, when we confess our transgressions of God’s commandments unto the LORD, He graciously forgives our sins for Jesus’ sake. “We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

 

6 On account of this let every godly one pray to You; at a time of finding, surely, when great floods come, they will not reach him.

For God’s forgiveness, everyone that is godly will pray now, before it’s too late! “Behold, now is the acceptable time! Behold, now is the day of salvation!” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Don’t put off repentance! Don’t wait another day. Acknowledge and confess your sins now and receive God’s forgiveness. Tomorrow may be too late for you. You may never have opportunity to receive God’s forgiveness again. If you turn to the LORD now, God will have mercy upon you and save you from the judgment to come! “For You, O Lord, are good and ready to forgive, and rich in mercy to all who call on You” (Psalm 86:5).

 

7 You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.

When we turn to the LORD for forgiveness, He also will protect and preserve us from evil and trouble. Cf. Psalm 91. That doesn’t mean that we will have an easy life here in this world. Quite the contrary. But He will preserve us and bring us safely though the difficulties and sufferings of this evil world to himself in heaven.

 

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you, My eye shall be on you. 9 Be not like the horse, like the mule, with no understanding; with bit and bridle, his gear, to be held in, that they do not come near you.

God desires to instruct and lead His children in His ways. He does this through His Word, which is “is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). But, how often are we not like the horse or mule which must have a bit and bridle to get them to go in the right direction! How much easier it would be for us, and better too, to let God instruct and guide us through this life!

 

10 Many sorrows are to the wicked; but he who trusts in Jehovah, mercy embraces him.

Just think about this word of God: “Many sorrows are to the wicked; but he who trusts in Jehovah, mercy embraces him.” The wicked, the impenitent, will have many sorrows. Not only will this life be full of sorrow, not knowing the forgiveness and peace of God; the life to come will be one of eternal suffering and sorrow for the wicked! On the other hand, God’s mercy and forgiveness shall surround and embrace the one who trusts in the LORD!

 

11 Be glad in Jehovah and rejoice, you righteous ones ; and all the upright in heart, shout for joy.

Indeed, those who have God’s forgiveness and pardon, those to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity and sin, have cause to be glad in the LORD and rejoice. And, they can shout for joy; for they are blessed of the LORD forevermore!

 

From the Lutheran Confessions

The Smalcald Articles

Part II, Article II: Of the Mass.

Of the Invocation of Saints.

25] The invocation of saints is also one of the abuses of Antichrist conflicting with the chief article, and destroys the knowledge of Christ. Neither is it commanded nor counseled, nor has it any example [or testimony] in Scripture, and even though it were a precious thing, as it is not [while, on the contrary, it is a most harmful thing], in Christ we have everything a thousandfold better [and surer, so that we are not in need of calling upon the saints].

26] And although the angels in heaven pray for us (as Christ Himself also does), as also do the saints on earth, and perhaps also in heaven, yet it does not follow thence that we should invoke and adore the angels and saints, and fast, hold festivals, celebrate Mass in their honor, make offerings, and establish churches, altars, divine worship, and in still other ways serve them, and regard them as helpers in need [as patrons and intercessors], and divide among them all kinds of help, and ascribe to each one a particular form of assistance, as the Papists teach and do. For this is idolatry, and such honor belongs alone to God. 27] For as a Christian and saint upon earth you can pray for me, not only in one, but in many necessities. But for this reason I am not obliged to adore and invoke you, and celebrate festivals, fast, make oblations, hold masses for your honor [and worship], and put my faith in you for my salvation. I can in other ways indeed honor, love, and thank you in Christ. 28] If now such idolatrous honor were withdrawn from angels and departed saints, the remaining honor would be without harm and would quickly be forgotten. For when advantage and assistance, both bodily and spiritual, are no more to be expected, the saints will not be troubled [the worship of the saints will soon vanish], neither in their graves nor in heaven. For without a reward or out of pure love no one will much remember, or esteem, or honor them [bestow on them divine honor].

29] In short, the Mass itself and anything that proceeds from it, and anything that is attached to it, we cannot tolerate, but must condemn, in order that we may retain the holy Sacrament pure and certain, according to the institution of Christ, employed and received through faith.

 

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are: Psalm 25; Genesis 22:1-18; James 1:12-18; and Mark 1:9-15. Please read them in their context as you prepare for worship on Sunday.

The Sunday Adult Bible Class will continue its study of the book of Hebrews, in chapter four, verse. 1ff.

 

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, as well as for God’s help with our church’s financial needs. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – for Dixie Grant who is recovering from injuries received in a traffic accident; for Dawn Hiebert who is undergoing tests; for Sam Rusch; for Bonnie Hawes, who is recovering from heart surgery; for Mel Boren who is in a nursing home; for those who have been absent from us, for our extended families and for believers who are alone and have no congregation. Continue to pray for Lutheran congregations and believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus.

 

Events and Announcements

Lenten Worship continues on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m., with a soup and sandwich supper at 6:20 p.m.

On-line video of worship services can be found at: http://goodshepherdrogers.org/blog/worship-service-video.

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.

Audio Devotions – In addition to the newsletters and written devotions and articles, the church website, http://goodshepherdrogers.org, has a number of audio devotions which can be listened to on a computer or smart phone.

 

New Website

In addition to our church website at www.goodshepherdrogers.org, a new website has been started as an outreach site for people to send in questions about life issues for Bible-based answers at www.life-issues.org. The site is especially designed to answer questions for today’s young people, but questions of all kinds are welcome.

A new audio of Genesis One is also available at http://mollfoto.com/audio-devotions/GenesisOne.mp3.

 

[Scripture taken from Green's Literal Translation (LITV), Copyright 1993 by Jay P. Green Sr., All rights reserved.]

Transfiguration Glory

Feb 182012
 

“But we all, with our face having been unveiled, having beheld the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are being changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Lord Spirit.”  2 Corinthians 3:18

Moses’ face shone with God’s glory after speaking with the LORD on Mt. Sinai (and in the tabernacle of the congregation); and, after telling the words of the LORD to the people, Moses covered his face with a veil so the people could not see the fading away of that glory (cf. Ex. 34:28-35).

You and I, by the grace and mercy of God, have seen through the eyes of faith the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus. Though we were not present with Jesus when Moses and Elijah appeared with Him in glory on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9:2ff.), we have the testimony of the apostles who “beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and of truth” (John 1:14; 2 Peter 1:16-21).

“It is God who said, ‘Out of darkness Light shall shine;’ who shone in our hearts to give the brightness of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” ( 2 Cor. 4:6; Isa. 42:6-7,16)).

God has graciously removed the veil from our eyes that we might see the fading of the Old Covenant and the glory of the New. He has opened our eyes that we might see that Jesus is not just the son of Mary, descended from David and Abraham, but the Son of God – that Jesus is Jehovah God Himself come into this world to redeem us by fulfilling all the righteous demands of the law for us and bearing in His own body on the tree of the cross the full punishment for all our sins and the sins of the whole world (cf. Gal. 3:13; 1 John 2:1-2).

And not only has God graciously brought us to see Jesus, the Light of the world; He is changing us into the image of Christ’s glory. As the Bible says, “We all, with our face having been unveiled, having beheld the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are being changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Lord Spirit.” The Holy Spirit has shown us the glory of our Lord Jesus and is right now in the process of sanctifying and changing us into that glory. Through the Scriptures, He reveals to us our sinfulness; but, also through the Scriptures, He reveals to us Jesus and His redeeming work and assures us of forgiveness and life everlasting.

And as He reveals to us Jesus, He also draws us ever closer to our Savior and has begun this transforming work in our lives so that we reflect the glory of Jesus and His redeeming love in this dark and dying world. As Jesus said, we are lights in this world, reflecting Him, the Light of the world (Matt. 5:14-16; John 8:12).

Of course, the Spirit’s transfiguring work in us will not be complete in this life. Because of our sinful human nature, Jesus’ glory is never reflected in our lives with all it’s magnitude. But on the Last Day, when the dead are raised up, we will be made like Jesus (1 Cor. 15; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2; Rom. 8:29f.).

We can say with David: “As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with Your image” (Psalm 17:15).

Shine upon us glorious Lord and let us reflect Your glory. Amen.

[Scripture taken from Green's Modern King James Version (MKJV), Copyright 1993 by Jay P. Green Sr., All rights reserved.]

A Washing of Water with the Word

Feb 112012
 

“And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go, and you shall wash seven times in the Jordan. And your flesh shall return to you, and you shall he clean.” 2 Kings 5:10 (Read verses 1-14)

Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if one does not receive birth from above, he is not able to see the kingdom of God … If one does not receive birth out of water and Spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:3,5). Saul of Tarsus, whom we know as the Apostle Paul, after he had met Jesus on the road to Damascus, was told by Ananias, “Rising up, be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). Peter, at the Feast of Pentecost, preached, saying to those whose hearts were troubled over their sins, “Repent and be baptized, each of you on the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all those afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts. 2:38-39). The Word of God also tells us: “The one believing and being baptized will be saved. And the one not believing will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

But how can we be cleansed of our sins and born anew from above through the simple waters of baptism? Wouldn’t it be better if Jesus Himself would appear to us in shining glory and wave His hand over us and say, “Be clean”? Think of leprous Naaman, commander of the army of Syria – a five-star general or greater. Elisha didn’t even come out to him but sent a messenger out to him, telling him to go and wash seven times in the Jordan River and he would be cleansed. Naaman was furious until his servants convinced him to do as Elisha had commanded. He went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times and his flesh became like the flesh of a child.

Now God tells you and me – through a minister, a messenger – to repent of our sinful ways and be baptized. He doesn’t even tell us to travel to Israel and be baptized in the Jordan – any water will do, even water from Beaver Lake! Many still say today that Christian baptism is nothing, just a symbol of what God has already done in the heart; but that’s not what Jesus says. It’s not what the Bible teaches. To disciple the nations, we are not only to be going and teaching Jesus’ Word, we are to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The minister, the servant, applies the water in the name of the Triune God, and God washes away our sins and makes us His children (cf. Mt. 28:18-20; Gal. 3:26ff.; Acts 2:38-39; 22:16; Col. 2:8-15). It is a “washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5; cf. John 3:3,5; Eph. 5:25-27).

Christian baptism is not man’s work; it is God’s work – a “circumcision not made by hands” (Col. 2:11). It is a rebirth from above – a baptism of water and Spirit (John 3:5). It is a means appointed and chosen of God Himself to give to us the blessings which Christ Jesus won for us by His sufferings and death on the cross and confirmed to us by His glorious resurrection (cf. Rom 4:25).

Should we reject it, belittle it or look for another way to be cleansed from our sins and receive the blessings Jesus won for us upon the cross? The Bible says: “The one believing and being baptized will be saved. And the one not believing will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

Grant us faith to believe Your Word, O Lord, and be made clean. Amen.

[Scripture taken from Green's Literal Translation (LITV), Copyright 1993 by Jay P. Green Sr., All rights reserved.]
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