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“...The Scripture Cannot Be Broken. ” — John 10:35
February 2012 VOL. 54 NO. 8 • Online Version : www.lutheranspokesman.org
2 February2012•LutheranSpokesman
The hymnwriter John Montgomery (November 4, 1771 - April 30, 1854) was
a British editor, hymnwriter and poet.
ThehymnwriterJohn Montgomerywrote,“Prayeris
theChristian’svitalbreath.”Howimportantitisto
rememberthatprayerisavitalsignofthespirituallifeofaChristian—muchlikeaspiritualpulse.Ifprayer-lifeislacking,thenmostlikelyfaithneedsaspiritualjump-startfromtheWord.Ormaybewehavebeendoingalotofprayingwithanincorrectfocus—prayingmoreforphysicalblessingsthanforspiritual.OldTestamentbeliever
Nehemiahprovidesawonderfulexampleofafaithfulprayerlife.ThroughNehemiahtheHolySpirithasrecordedabalancedmodelprayerwhichcanhelpuskeepaproperfocus(pleasereadNehemiah1:1-11).Nehemiah’sprayercan
bedividedintofourparts:Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.(ThisformatcanbeeasilyrememberedwiththeacronymACTS.)Nehemiahbeganhisprayerwith
Adoration,praisingtheLord(1:5).TheGodtowhomNehemiah
prayedwasnotaman-madegodofwoodorstoneoraPersiandeity.TheGodthatNehemiahwasplacinghistrustinwastheGodofheaven,Jehovah.Nehemiahwentontomake
Confessionofhisownsinsaswellasthesinsofhispeople(1:6-7).Nehemiahknewhehadsinned.
WetooknowwehavesinnedagainstGodinmanyways.Wetoohaveactedcorruptly,disobeyingGod’swillbythethingsweshouldnothavedoneandalsobynotdoingwhatweshouldhavedone.
“The Christian’s Vital Breath”PastorNathanaelMayhew•Lawrenceville(Atlanta),Georgia
VOL. 54 NO. 8 3
ConfessionofsinsisanimportantpartofourrelationshipwithGod.WeneedtorealizeourownunworthinessandthencometotheLordforHisgraceinforgiveness.Confessionleadsusto
Thanksgiving(1:10).Aftermakingconfessionofhissinandthesinsofhispeople,NehemiahthankedGodfornotforgettingthemandleavingtheminthisforeignland.Wealsowanttorememberto
thankGodforguidinguswithHisgreatpowerandstronghand.WeshouldthankHimforthemanywaysthatHehaskeptusfromtemptationanddeliveredusfromevil.Aboveall,wewanttobe
thankfulforthatgreatestdemonstrationofGod’spower—howHehasovercomesin,eternaldeath,andeventhedevilforusthroughtheperfectlifeofHisSonJesusandHisatoningdeathonthecross,wherebyHetakesawayalloursins!
Nehemiah 1:1-111 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the citadel, 2 that Hanani one of my breth-ren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and re-proach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” 4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said: “I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, 6 "please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned. 7 "We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. 8 "Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; 9 'but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.’ 10 "Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. 11 "O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”
4 February2012•LutheranSpokesman
Then(1:11)NehemiahbroughthisSupplicationtothe Lord.Nehemiahwasprayingthatthe
Lordwouldblesshismeetingwiththeking(seechapter2).WhenheheardabouttheproblemsinJerusalem,Nehemiahwantedtogoandhelpout,buthewasstillemployedbythekinginaveryimportantoffice.The Lordgrantedhimmercyinthesightoftheking,andthekingallowedNehemiahtoreturntohishomeland—morethanonce!Justasthe Lordheard
Nehemiah’sprayer,soHehearsourprayers.Nehemiah’sprayerisabalanced,
modelprayerthatwecanuseandbenefitfrominourowndifficulties.LetusbringourprayersbeforeGodwithAdorationofagreatandmercifulGod;withConfessionofourownsinsandshortcomings;withThanksgivingfortheLord’spastmercyanddeliverance;andfinallywithSupplications—requestsforbothphysicalandspiritualhelpandstrength.Andwecanhaveconfidencethat
theLordwillhearandanswertheprayersweofferuptoHisthroneinJesus'savingname.
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T h e S A C r A M e N T O f h O L y B A p T i S M
A True AcT of GodPastorAndrewSchaller•Watertown,SouthDakota
“AnactofGod”iswhatitiscalledinourlegalsystemwhenaneventoccursthatisentirelyoutsideofhumancontrol.Floods,tornados,earthquakes,hurricanes,tsunamis,andthelikearenaturaldisastersforwhichnohumanbeingcanbeheldresponsiblebecausethey'reconsidered“actsofGod.”
ThoughtheTriuneGodprovidesrichlyanddailyforeverylivingthing,whentheworstimaginabledisastersoccurthatmayresultinthousandsoffatalities—thesearelabeled"actsofGod"?!Isn'titsad?!Letmeremindyouthatsomeof
thegreatestthingseverdone—inapositivesense!—arealsoactsofGodbecauseonlyGodcouldanddidaccomplishthem!
"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ"
(Galatians3:26-27).
VOL. 54 NO. 8 5
Forexample:ThecreationofthisworldwasanactofGod—NOTtheresultofsomeaccidental,cosmicka-boom!The redemptionofhumankind
wasanactofGod—forGodaccomplisheditwithoutinputoraidofmankind.WeareredeemedbecausetheSonofGodtookuphumanfleshandbloodandlivedasinlesslifeaccordingtoGod’sLawandthenwillinglylaiddownthatlifetoatoneforeveryhumansin.ThisisanactofGodwhichcausesourheartstoleapforjoy!InourScripturetext(Galatians
3:26-27)theSpiritofGodrevealstwogreatactsofGod.
The first one mentioned is — faith!
TheGalatianshadbecomesonsofGod(God’sbelovedchildren)throughfaithinChristJesus(andsohavewe).GodsaysplainlyinHisWordthatthisfaithiscreatedbytheSpiritofGod.ThustheimpartingoffaithisproperlyanactofGod(cf.Ephesians2:8-10).Itisnotsomethingmanbringsabout,butsomethingtheHolySpiritworks.
The second one mentioned is — Baptism!
GodcandowhateverHewantstodo.ButHehasrevealedinHisWordthatHeworksthroughmeans—thatis,throughthegospelinWordandSacrament.Baptismisasacramentand,as
such,itisatrueactofGod,forHe
Himselfworksinit.BaptismisanactofGod,forin
itHedoeswhatnooneelsecando—Hecleansesofsin.WeknowthatHedoesthisbecauseHesayssoinHisWord(Acts22:16;Acts2:38-39).BaptismisanactofGod,which
iswhytheApostlePaulcallsitawashingthatregenerates: "But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit…"(Titus3:4-5).BaptismisanactofGod,foronly
GodcouldmakespirituallydeadpeoplecomealivethroughsimplewaterandHisWord.BaptismisanactofGod—and
becauseGodistheonlyactiveagentthroughHisWord,ScripturealsosaysthatBaptismsaves,for"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark16:16).AndPeterwritesbydivineinspiration,"whichnowsavesus—baptism(nottheremovalofthefilthoftheflesh,buttheanswerofagoodconsciencetowardGod),throughtheresurrectionofJesusChrist…"(1Peter3:21).MaywetreasurethisactofGod
andlookbackuponthedayofourBaptismwithgreatjoy.OnthatdaywewerefirstgrantedsavingfaithandreceivedintoGod’sFamilyandKingdom.
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6 February2012•LutheranSpokesman
ThechurchseasonknownasEpiphanyislargelymisunderstoodandtoa
certainextentevenignored. UnliketheseasonsofAdventand
Lent,Epiphanyisnotmarkedwithspecialservicesinmanychurches.TherearenospecialEpiphanysalesatthedepartmentstoresnorarethereanyspecialEpiphanyfamilydinnerswhichrelativesdrivegreatdistancestoattend.
So what is epiphany all about? Epiphanymeans“anappearance
ormanifestation,especiallyofadeity.”OnthecalendardateofJanuary6theChurchmarksthevisitationoftheGentileWiseMentotheBabyJesus,ledbytheappearanceofthestar.Whenwelistencarefullyto
ScripturesreadinchurchduringtheEpiphanyseason,wenoteanemphasisonthedifferentwaysJesusshowedor“manifested”HimselftobetheSonofGod.OneEpiphanytextinparticular
drivesthispointhome.ItistheaccountofJesus’baptismintheJordanRiver.AsimportantasthebaptismofJesuswas(… to fulfill all righteousness,”Matthew3:15),whathappenedafterthebaptismisequallyimportant.
TheHolySpiritemphasizesthisbyleadingMatthewtousethewordBEHOLD.Thoughit'snotusedverymuchinoureverydayconversation,it'sagoodword!Thewordissimilarto“Checkitout!”or“Lookatthat!”Itfocusesaperson'sspecialattentiononwhatisabouttohappen.AfterJesushadcomeoutofthe
JordanRiverafterbeingbaptized,"BEHOLD, the heavens were opened to him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest upon him; and BEHOLD, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew3:16-17,ESV).TheHolySpiritwantedHis
readerstopaycloseattentiontowhatwasbeingrevealedhere.GodtheHolySpiritandGodtheFathermadetheirpresencevisiblyandvocallyknownatJesus’baptism.Andwhy?BecauseatHisbaptismJesuswas“revealed”tobethebelovedSonofGodanointedtobeourSavior!ThisJesus,whohadsuchahumbleservant'sform,wasHimselfthealmightyandeternalGod!Thusweseethegreatsignificance
ofEpiphany.IthelpsusmakeapropertransitionfromthecradleofChristmastothecrossofLent.
A N e p i p h A N y D e V O T i O N
“BEHoLd, THE SoN oF God!”(Matthew3:16-17)
PastorNathanPfeiffer•Spokane,Washington
VOL. 54 NO. 8 7
It'sgoodtoberemindedagainandagainthatitwasnomerehumanwhowasfirstlaidinthemangerandwhothenlaiddownHislifeonthecross.TheOnewhowaslyingina
mangerandwasthennailedtoacrosstrulywas/isGodHimself.JesusisthebelovedSonofGodwithwhomtheFatheriswellpleased.JesusisourSavior-Godwhowent
toincrediblelengthstorescueusfromthedevil’sirongrip,tosaveusfromoursins,andtogiveusthegift
ofeternallife.“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1John3:8).Soletusnotpassoverorignore
theblessedseasonofEpiphany.Rather,aswegofromthecradleofChristmastothecrossofLent,letusstandincompleteandutteramazementthattheFathersentHiswell-belovedSononHismissiontosaveusfromsinandallitsconsequences!PraisebetoGod!
A sweviewtheintenseassaultsonChristianityinourday,wemayfeel
thatsuchassaultsarerecentphenomena.Ifwefeelthatway,itisonlybecausenowisourtimeto
endurewhathasbeenhappeningeversincesinenteredtheworld.ThroughouthistoryChristians
havebeensubjectedtohatred,ridicule,anddeathfortheirfaithinJesusChrist.Referringtoevents
how to stand fast in an evil day"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15
PastorEm.DanielFleischer•Oakdale,Minnesota
S T U D i e S i N S e C O N D T i M O T h y
2 Timothy 3:10-1710 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
•
8 February2012•LutheranSpokesman
recordedinthebookofActs(seechapters13-16),theapostlePaulsaystoTimothy,“But you have carefully followed my…persecutions, afflictions which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured." RecallalsotheReformationeraandtheexperiencesofLuther.Whatwefacetodayisdiscon-
certingbutnotunexpected,forPaulalsowrotetoTimothy:“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come” (3:1), and “Yes, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”(3:12).TheapostletoldtheEphesiansthatafterhisde-parture“savage wolves[falseprophetsandteachers]will come in among you, not sparing the flock.” Suchwouldariseeven“ from among yourselves”(Acts20:29,30).Andyes,Paulwritesthat“evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse” (3:13),seekingtomisleadthebelieverinbothfaithandlife!Weshouldnotexpectittobe
differentintheselatterdays!IntheScriptureversesbefore
us,weareprivilegedtoheartheapostle’sinstructiveandsupportivewordsinhisfarewellletterasheequippedTimothyforhisministryinagodlessworld.Paulspokefirstofallofhisdoctrine.“But you have carefully followed my doctrine..."(3:10).ItwasPaul’sdoctrinebecausehe
preachedwhathadbeencommittedtohimbytheLord.Asthebearerofthedoctrinecommittedtohim,hetestifiedtoeternalsalvationbygracethroughfaithinChrist
Jesus(Ephesians2:8),andhewasastalwarttestifieroftheresurrectionoftheLordJesusChristfromthedead(1Corinthians15).Furthermore,Paul’s“manner
of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance” (3:11)witnessedtothepowerofthegospel.HeexpendedhislifeproclaimingChrist.Hislovewasevidentinhisconcernforhispeople(seeRomanschapters10&11).Hisperseverancewasevidentinthefaceofthemanyassaultsheenduredforhisproclamationofthegospel.Paul’sexampletestifiedtoTimothywhatitmeantto“endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2:3).
Continuing in what we have learned
AswestudyHolyScripture,weseethatnoevilcanbefallusbeyondwhatothershavealreadyendured,whichbythegraceofGodtheywereabletoovercome!TothesuccessofTimothy's
ministryaswellasforhispersonalassurance,Paulencouragedhisyoungco-workerto“continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them” (3:14).TimothyhadbeenpersuadedbythedoctrineofPaul,andhetrustedthefaithfulspiritualfatherwhohadnurturedhim.Timothyshouldavoidanyphilosophyorflatteringspeechthatcontradictedthedoctrinewhichhehadlearnedandofwhichhehadbeenconvinced.Forhisministry
VOL. 54 NO. 8 9
Timothy—andwe—shouldholdfasttothedoctrine,beingsteeledtoperseverealsobythesameexampleofPaul!Wewillbeblessedaswecontinue
inthethingswehavelearned,“knowing from whom we have learned them.” Somemaypiouslyobjecttoour
respectforthefathers,suggestingthatweshouldforgetthemandgetbacktoScripture.TothisDr.NormanMadsonSr.saidtotheSynodicalConference(atits75thanniversaryin1948),“ButwhatifScripture,towhichtheyappeal,hassomethingtosayaboutthosefatherswhohavespokentoustheWordofGod…AndthisiswhatHolyWritenjoinsuponusall: ‘Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct’”(Hebrews13:7).[Madson,Preaching to Preachers, p.203].Respectforourfaithfulspiritual
fathersbegetsblessingsinministryandlife!WhatTimothylearnedfrom
PaulwasnodifferentfromwhatTimothyhadlearnedonthekneesofhisgrandmotherandmother(2Timothy1:5),for“ from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are
able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (3:15).Allwhoarewiseuntosalvationcanendureagreatdeal,forwhenthispassinglifeisover,thenreallife—eternallife—isgainedbecausethevictoriousRedeemerlives.Continuethereforeinthethings
whichyouhavelearnedfromtheHolyScriptures—ScriptureswhichareinspiredofGodandthusastrueandeternalasGodHimself!TheeverlastingWordofGodis“profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”(3:16).TheScriptureisGod’sWord
which“takesmaninhand,laysthegentleyokeofHisSavioruponhim,putshisrecklesslifeinorder,andmakesofhima‘manofGod…complete,equippedforeverygoodwork’”(3:17)[Franzmann,Concordia Bible with Notes, p.421].TheWordofGodisspiritandit
islife.Itenergizesthebelievertoserviceandconfirmstohimperfectrestfromthetoilandtroubleofthispresentworld.Takeourhand,OLord,andlead
ustothatperfectrest.Amen!
†
respect for our faithful spiritual fathers begets blessings in ministry and life!
10 February2012•LutheranSpokesman
V A L e N T i N e ' S D A y
“in This is Love…”TeacherDavidBernthal•FondduLac,Wisconsin
It'snotonlyaroundValentine'sDaythatwehearaboutlove.Throughouttheyearwehear
and/orusetheword'love'inanynumberofcontexts.“Loveisamanysplendored
thing.”—“Iloveyournewhaircut!”—“I'dlovetoseethemgetintotheplayoffs.”—“IloveMooseTracksicecream.”—“Iloveyou,Mommy.”—“I'dlovetoseethatguygetwhat'scomingtohim!”—“IloveYou,LordJesus.”Theword'love'isoftenover-used,
abused,andmisunderstoodintheEnglishlanguage.IsitanywonderthatourGodchosethemorepreciseverbiageoftheGreeklanguagetoexpressthelovewereceivefromHimandthelovewithwhichwerespondtoHislove?TheBible'saccountofSimon
Peter'srestorationbytheLordJesusisanexcellentexampleofGod'sdesiretohelpusunderstandthedepthofHisloveandourgreatneedforHisloveinourlives.Thisnarrative—seethe
entireepisodeinJohnchapter21—actuallybeginsintheGardenofGethsemanebeforeJesus'arrest.PeterhadboldlystatedthathewouldneverabandonnordenyhisSavior,eventothepointofdeath.“I won't
denyyou,Lord.I'd neverdosuchathing!Evenifallothersturnawayfromyou,I'llremaintruetoYou.”Peter'sfirst-person'I's'werevery
near-sighted.HewaslookingtohisowncourageandstrengthtoclingtoJesus.OurLordwarnedPeterofthefateoftheprideful,tellinghimthathewoulddenyhisLordandSaviorthreetimesthatverynight.Fast-forwardpastJesus'atoning
sacrificeonthecrossandHisvictoriousresurrection.Thediscipleshadseenandbeen
withtheresurrectedLord.BytheseatheyweregatheredwithHimforathirdtimesinceHisreturntolife.WehearJesusask,“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me…?"( John21:15)IntheGreeklanguagetheword
Jesuschosefor'love'wasagape—alovewhichdoesnotseekitsownbutisself-sacrificing;itisalovewhichgives,notwaitingorworryingaboutgettingsomethinginreturn(That'sthekindofloveJesushasforus!).Perhapsnotlikingwherethis
conversationwasgoing,Peteranswered,“Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.”ButPeterwasnotclaimingasuperiorloveforJesusanylonger.Instead,heusedtheGreekwordphilia,meaninga"brotherlylove."TheLordJesusthenaskedPetera
VOL. 54 NO. 8 11
secondtimeifhehadunconditionalloveforHim.AndPeteronceagainclaimedonlybrotherlylove.WhenJesusquestionedPeter
thethirdtime,Peterwascuttotheheart,notonlybecauseoftherepeatedquestionbutbecausetheLordusedPeter'sownwordforlovewhenHeasked,“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me[evenwithabrotherlylove]?"
And in Our Own hearts?ThistimePeterrespondedwitha
heart-wrenching,“Lord, You know all things; You know that I love you"—asmuchastosaythatheknewtheLordcouldseeintohisheartandtherediscoverthatbrotherlylovewasallPetercouldclaim!WhenourLordJesussearches
ourhearts,whatkindoflovedoesHefind?Evenasredeemedchildrenof
God,dowehaveanddemonstrateanall-consuming,passionate,selflessloveforourSavior?Godrequiresourunconditional
loveinthe'firstandgreat'commandment:“Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind'”(Matthew22:37).Howeasyitistodiscoverthat
wedon'talwayshavethegreatagapeloveforGodorforourneighborinourhearts.Forexample,howdowerespondtothosearound
us?Friends,family(beginningwithourspouse),acquaintances,eventotalstrangers?Isitourlife'sgoaltoliveforthesepeople,alwaysseekingtheirbestinterest,neveraskinganythinginreturn?Whatabouttowardourenemies?
DowehaveunconditionalloveforthemasJesuscommands?(Matthew5:44).Ifnot,thenhowcanweclaimtoloveGod,“ for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” (1John4:20)ThanksbetoGodthatour
salvationreliesnotonthelovewehaveforHim,butratherontheloveHehasforus!“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [perfectpayment] for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (1John4:10-11).OurlovingGodhasnotonly
shownusanexampleofpurelove,butthroughtheSavior'sworkofredeemingusHehascoveredoursinandcoldhard-heartednesswithHislove.AtthesametimeHehasgivenusHispowerfulWordthroughwhichtheHolySpiritisabletoshapeourstonyheartstomoreresembleHis.MaytheLordfillourhearts
withHislove,enablingustoshowandsharethislovewithallpeople—beginningwithour"lovedones"athome!
û
12 February2012•LutheranSpokesman
p O r T r A i T S O f C h r i S T — T h e U p L i f T e D C h r i S T
Too Much to Ask?PastorJohnKlatt•RapidCity,SouthDakota
IthasbeensaidthatnoteacherhaseveraskedasmuchofHisdisciplesasJesushasaskedofHis.
AnditistruethatwhatJesusasksofHisdisciplesisastonishing.Hecallsforadevotiongreaterthan
thatextendedtofatherormother,sonordaughter(Matthew10:37).HecallsonHisdisciplestodeny
themselvesandtakeupthecross,atthesametimedeclaringthatwhoeverisunwillingtodosocannotbeHisdisciple(Luke14:26f).HeasksofHisdisciplesthatthey
confessHimopenly(Matthew10:3f)andthattheybefaithfultoHimuntildeath(Revelation2:10).Whetherornotanyoneelsehas
askedsuchdevotionofdisciples,itiscertainthatJesusistheonlyonewhohastherighttoaskit.WeunderstandwhyasweseeHim
lifteduponthecross.ItistherethatweseeHisdevotiontous—adevotionthatinspiresthehighestdevotiontoHim.Jesus’devotiontouswas,firstof
all,devotiontoHisheavenlyFather.HissubmissivedeathonthecrosswasanactoflovingobediencetotheFather’swill.InGethsemaneHestruggledwiththehorrorofthecrossyetwentforwardtofaceitwithprayertotheFather,“Yourwillbedone.”John’saccountofthecrucifixion
showsthatitwasGod’swillthatJesusshouldsubmittoitbypointingouthowtheScriptureswerefulfilled:thesoldierscastlotsforJesus’clothing;Hecalledforsomethingtodrink;noneofHisboneswasbroken;theypiercedHissidewithaspear—alloftheseeventswereforetoldintheOldTestament.Jesuswenttothecrossjustasitwas
33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” 38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. John 19:33-40
VOL. 54 NO. 8 13
writtenofHim(Matthew26:24).ItwasGod’swillthatHisSonshouldbeartheworld’ssinandsufferthecurseofsinbyhangingonatree(Galatians3:13).Thiswasthedivineplanof
salvationdevisedbeforecreationandrevealedtofallenmankindbytheHolySpiritthroughtheprophets.InJesus'acceptanceofdeathon
thecross,weseeHisdevotiontoallmankind.ForaworldofsinnersJesusenduredthemostpainfuldeaththatcruelmancoulddevise.AndHealsosufferedtheagonyofhellwhen,duringthosehoursofdarkness,Hecriedout,“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” InallthisJesustooktheplace
ofsinners.Hesufferedthefullmeasureofdivinewrathforhumansintofreesinnersfrombeingcastintohellfortheirsins.HereconciledustoGodandmadeusGod'schildrenandheirsofeternallife. Such devotion inspires devotion!Weseethisalreadyimmediately
afterthedeathofJesuswhentwosecretdiscipleswereemboldenedtocomeoutintotheopen.Josephof
ArimatheawenttoPilateandaskedpermissiontotakechargeofJesus’body.HewasjoinedbyNicodemuswhohadcometotalktoJesuslateatnightforfearofbeingseenwithHim.Nowhecameindaylightandspentlavishlyonmyrrhandaloes.ThesetwomenpersonallypreparedJesus’bodyforburialandlaiditinJoseph’snewtomb.TheupliftedChristhadbecome
paramounttothem!Considerationsoffamily,fortune,andhonorhadfadedintothebackground.Theytookupthecrossandfollowed.TheresponsesofJosephand
NicodemustotheupliftedChristhelpusunderstandHiscallforunqualifieddevotionfromallthosewhowouldbeHisdisciples.Jesus'unspeakablygreatsacrificeFORUSinspiresthatunqualifieddevotionwhichHedesiresFROMUS.ToseetheupliftedChristandto
believethatwhatHesufferedonthecrossHesufferedforusistoseeHimassupreme.EveryoneandeverythingelseinourlivesfallsbackandtakesitsplacebehindHimwholovedusandgaveHimselfforus.
Ã
Ch. 1 The Son of GodCh. 2 The Son of ManCh. 3 The Divine TeacherCh. 4 The Soul-WinnerCh. 5 The Great PhysicianCh. 6 The Bread of LifeCh. 7 The Water of Life
Portraits of Christ in John’s Gospel:
Ch. 8 The Defender of the WeakCh. 9 The Light of the WorldCh. 10 The Good ShepherdCh. 11 The Prince of LifeCh. 12 The KingCh. 13 The ServantCh. 14 The Consoler
Ch. 15 The True VineCh. 16 The Giver of the Holy SpiritCh. 17 The Great IntercessorCh. 18 The Model SuffererCh. 19 The Uplifted SaviorCh. 20 The Conqueror of DeathCh. 21 The Restorer of the Penitent
14 February2012•LutheranSpokesman
Parade of graduates outside the auditorium
C r O S S p U r p O S e S
“Living Our faith in This present World”PastorEm.DanielFleischer•Oakdale,Minnesota
OnasportstalkshowrecentlythesubjectwasTimTebow,
quarterbackfortheDenverBroncos.ThroughhiscollegeyearsTebowhadareputationofbeingaconfessingChristianonthefieldaswellasoff.Thisreputationhasfollowedhimintoprofootball,wherehehashadmildsuccessandhisshareofcritics.Onecommentatorsaidthathe
handlesthecriticismwell,notingthatforTebowthereismoretolifethanfootball.Heisanchoredinhisfaithandhasahighergoalthanaccomplishmentsinfootball.Hisgoalsarebeyondthislife.Consequently,criticismofhisfootballabilityisnotabigissuewithTebow.Hesimplygoesabouthisbusiness,usinghisgiftstothebestofhisabilityandlettingthechipsfallwheretheymay.(Therewasnosuggestionofridiculeonthepartofthereporter.)Tohearsuchanassessment
wasabreathoffreshair.ItwasimpressivethatareporteroftheathleticscenewouldspeaksowellofthisyoungplayerwhoshowsthathegrewupinaBaptistpastor’shome.DuringhiscollegefootballcareerTebowworebiblicalversesonhis"eyeblack"(blackenerundertheeyeswhichdeflectsthesun).
Whenhedisplayed"John3:16"onhiseyepaintinthe2009BCSChampionshipGame,92millionpeoplesearched"John3:16"onGoogleduringorshortlyafterthegame.MessagesintheeyeblackenerhavesincebeenbannedbytheNCAA.AsChristiansweareencouraged
byHolyScripturetobereadytogiveareasonforthehopethatisinus(1Peter3:15).Weneednotwaittobeaskedforthatreason,andweprayforthecourageandstrengthtospeakofourfaithandhopewithoutprompting.ButunlessitisapparentthatweareChristian,itislikelythatfewwilleveraskusofourfaithandhope.Bythemselvesourliveswillnot
convertheartsofinquirers,foronlytheWordofGodconvertstheheart.Nevertheless,ourlivesarealwaysawitness—eitherforgoodorforbad.WhenourlivesarelivedtothegloryofGod,theycanbecomeinstrumentswhichmovepeopletoaskwhatwebelieveorwhyweconfess,live,andactaswedo.WeservetheLordChristby
preachingthetruthofGod'sWord,andbylivingasHischildren.Ourlivesfrequentlyspeaklouderthanourwords—forbetterorforworse.Bylivingourfaithwearereflecting
VOL. 54 NO. 8 15
thepowerofGodandthepowerofthegospel.SurelythatwillbethepurposeofourlivesasweawaittheentranceintoheavenwhichourLordhaspreparedforus.Ifourwalk“isheavenwardalltheway,”itwillbefardifferentfromthewalkofthosewhoareearthboundandwhoseanticipationreachesnofurtherthanthedreadedgrave.TheChristianwalkisonethat
desirestopleasetheHeavenlyFatherandnottheworld!Itisawalkthatinvitesthosewhowatchandheartojoinusinthatwalk.OurwalkwillbeonethatseeksthefavorofGod,that
people"may see [y]our good works and glorify [y]our Father in heaven”(Matthew5:16).Weliveourfaithinwordanddeed
nottoattractpeople’sattention,butbecausetheloveofChristconstrainsussotoconductourselvesinwaysthatbringglorytoourFatherinheaven.Furthermore,theChristianfaithinactionarmorsusagainstthecriticismoftheworld.Aswearesecureinourfaithand
eternalhope,wewillunderstandthatwhatisimportantisnotwhatcriticsthinkofus,butwhatourFatherhasgivenusinChristJesus!
Location Pastoral Contact Lay ContactAlaska, Anchorage Pastor David Fuerstenau (907) 225-2842 Josh Schultz (907) 350-6981
Alaska, Fairbanks Pastor David Fuerstenau (907) 225-2842 Erich Hoffmann (907) 488-3017
Arizona, Casa Grande Pastor Delwyn Maas (602) 919-0519 David Althoff (520) 836-4632
California, Pasadena Pastor Terrel Kesterson (650) 204-9751 Mr. Mike Collins (818) 883-1749 (L.A. area)
California, Modesto Pastor Steven Karp (510) 581-6637 Mr. Roy Cameron (209) 772-0934
Florida, Orlando Pastor John Schierenbeck (863) 299-4084 Mr. Paul Kuehne (407) 595-5589
Iowa, Sioux Center Pastor James Albrecht (507) 853-4417 Mr. Roger Ver Mulm (712) 722-2805
Michigan, Cadillac Pastor Timothy Holland (616) 532-0198 Mr. Bob Remus (231) 832-2097
Michigan, Iron Mountain Pastor Ed Starkey 906-265-2124
Minnesota, Eden Prairie Pastor David Schierenbeck Mr. Allan Johnson (SW Twin Cities area) (651) 454-1915 (952) 474-6671
New Mexico, Albuquerque Mr. Robin Vogsland (505) 892-6934
Ohio, Cincinnati Pastor Todd Ohlmann (314) 517-0177 Dr. David Menton (859) 534-5987
Ohio, Cleveland Pastor Walter Schaller (248) 677-7242
Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Pastor Matthew Hanel (973) 733-4535
South Carolina, Rock Hill Pastor Vance Fossum (803) 796-0770 Mr. Walt Raffel (803) 328-9496
Tennessee area Pastor Nathanael Mayhew (770) 962-9034
Texas, Austin Pastor Matthew Hanel (973) 733-4535 Mr. Chuck Kurth (512) 794-8991
Virginia, Fairfax Pastor Glenn Oster Mr. David Loop (Washington, DC area) (803) 926-0603 (703) 250-202
Washington, Withrow Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer (509) 327-4203 Mr. Ray Lillquist (509) 683-1192
Wisconsin, Green Bay Pastor Paul Krause (920) 398-2778 Mr. Craig Youngerberg (563) 568-8318
CLC Preaching Stations Many CLC congregations have members who live a great distance from their home congregation or other sister CLC congregations. As the Lord gives the opportunity, preaching stations have been established. Pastors from several congregations serve these small groups with the Word and Sacrament on a regular basis. Some of these groups meet in homes, others in rented facilities. Visitors are always warmly welcomed. Those who are considering a move, or are just traveling through the area, are encouraged to contact these preaching stations and worship with them.
•
16 February2012•LutheranSpokesman
AtfirstglanceitmayappearthatofallGod’scommandments,"Youshall
notmurder"istheonewewouldbemostsuccessfulatkeeping.Theverythoughtofmurderbringstomindgrislycrime-scenephotographsandserialkillerssuchasJeffreyDahmer.Unlawfullyendingaperson’s
physicallifeisanactfromwhichweChristiansshrinkinhorror.Wewouldnevereventhinkofdoingsuchahorrificthing!Soitfollowsthatwehavekeptthis
commandment,right?Thereligiousleadersandcourts
ofJesus’timewouldhaveagreed."Whoevermurderswillbeindangerofthejudgment,"theysaid.Itiscertainlytruethatthephysical
actofmurderisasinagainstthiscommandmentandrightfully
bringsdownthefullweightofthecivilcode’scondemnationuponthecriminal.ButtothinkthatthetakingofphysicallifeisallGodforbidsinthiscommandmentistomissthepoint.Thefactis—notonlyistheactof
murderwrongbutalsothatwhichprecedesit!Ofcourse,civilcourtscannot
renderjudgmentsonwhatcan’tbeseen,butGodisnotlimitedtoexternals."The word of God...is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews4:12).InGod’ssightmurderis
committedevenbeforetheangrywordcrossesthelips(seev.22).Itiscommittedinthemindandheart,asJohnwrites:"He who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him" (1John3:15).
M e D i T A T i O N S O N J e S U S ' S e r M O N O N T h e M O U N TM A T T h e W C h A p T e r S f i V e T h r O U G h S e V e N
T h e D i S C O U r S e S O f C h r i S T
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother
without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has some-thing against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get
out of there till you have paid the last penny." Matthew 5:21-26
Dealing With An AdversaryPastorPaulKrause•Markesan,Wisconsin
T h e D i S C O U r S e S O f C h r i S T
VOL. 54 NO. 8 17
”
Yes–thesinofmurderhasitsbeginningsinthesinfulhumanheart!Jesusoncesaid,"For out of the heart proceed...murders" (Matthew15:19).Thedevilwillbetherewithhisrationalizationstotemptustothinkthattheconnectionbetweentheintentandtheactionistenuousatbest.Butdon’tbedeceived!Sinfulangerinthoughts/wordscanleadtoassaultandmurderindeed.
pursue reconciliationRecallthebiblicalaccountofhow
CainbecameangryathisbrotherAbel.Abel’sofferingbroughtintruefaithhadbeenacceptabletoGod,whereasCain’sofferingbroughtinunbeliefwasnot."‘Why are you angry?’" GodaskedCain,andadded:"‘Sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.’ ... And it came to pass ... that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him" (Genesis4:6-8).TheLawofGodservesasamirror
toshowusoursinfulhearts.ButasJesusspeakstoHisbelieversinthisSermonontheMount,HeisgivingHislawalsoasaguideornormforChristianliving.AndastheheartandcoreofsuchChristianlivingisforgivingandbeingforgiven,Jesusmakesafittingapplication.IfaJewwasabouttomakeagiftattheLord’saltar–andatthatinopportune
momentrememberedhisbrotherhadsomethingagainsthim,Jesusdirectshim:"Leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."OurLordwouldalsohaveus
faithfullypursuereconciliation.Doyouremembersomethingyoudidtoa"brother"?Didithappenmanyyearsago?Areyouhundredsofmilesapart?Isthefriendshipnolongerascloseasithadbeeninyourcollegeyears?Ordoesthetimingseemtobe
"bad"?Nomatter!Call!Text!Visit!MaketheefforttocommunicatewiththeoneyouhavewrongedsothatGod’sblessedforgivenesscanbegivenandreceived!"Agree ... quickly, while you are on the way..." (v.25).Noneofusknowswhichday
maybeourlast.Soletusnotprocrastinate;rather,assoonaspossible,strivetobereconciledwithanoffendedbrother,tocorrectwhateverwrongswecan!AstheApostlePaulsays,"Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil….Let all ... wrath, anger, clamor... be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians4:26,27,31,32).
Our Lord would also have us faithfully pursue reconciliation.
18 February2012•LutheranSpokesman
It’smorethananovelnotionthatweliveundergreatexpectations.Evenifwe
don’tnormallyphraseitthatway,wedorealizethatGodhasgreatexpectationsofHischildren,forJesushasinscribeditonourhearts,“For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required” (Luke12:48).Thisdivineformulaisvalidated
alsointherecordofExodus,chapters19through24.AssoonastheLordopensHis
mouthtoMosesonMountSinai,thisprinciplepopsup:“You have seen what I did to the Eg yptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.”That'stheintroductiontoHis
greatexpectations: “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all the people; …And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus19:4-6).SinceGodgivesmuch,He
expectsHisredeemedpeopletoliveuptoHishighhopesforthem.HeexpectsthattheywilladmireHimandbedevotedtoHimforhavingdeliveredthemfromtheirenemies.HeexpectsHisbelovedpeopletodefendHishonorable
nameandreputation.HeexpectsthatHischildrenwillgladlyfindrestfortheirsoulsinHisWord,personifiedinJesus.Further,Heexpectschildren
toappreciatetheirparentsasHisrepresentatives,underwhosecaretheywillprosper.Heexpectsustoappreciatehumanlifeenoughtoprotectourselvesandothersfromharm.Heexpectsustovaluespousallove,tofosterthehumanrace,torespectthemarriagesofothersandtopracticefidelityinourown.HeexpectsustohonorHisdecisiontoblessotherswithearthlyassets.HeexpectsustoloveourneighborenoughtodefendhimagainstverbalassaultandtobehappythatGodhasgiventootherstheirspouses,employees,andassets.ThosearesomeofHisgreat
expectations;wecallthemtheTenCommandments.AndatthebottomofHisgreat
expectationsisthis:“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Eg ypt, out of the house of bondage” (Ex.20:2).Inotherwords,“Youbelongto
Me,andIexpectyoutobehaveaccordingly.”
" A L L h i S T O r y i S G O D ' S S T O r y ! "
O L D T e S T A M e N T B i B L e h i S T O r y
Great expectations inExoduschapters19-24
Prof.Em.PaulR.Koch•EauClaire,Wisconsin
VOL. 54 NO. 8 19
That’struereligioninanut-shell.God’sgreatexpectationsmean
respectingtheLordenoughtoavoidfalsedeities(20:22-26);appreciatingtheirownfreedomwillpromptHispeopletobeconsiderateofslaves(21:1-11);theirexperiencesinEgyptwouldbere-mindersthatalllifedeservestobeprotectedfromviolence(21:12-27).GodexpectsHischerishedpeople
totreatothersastheywishtobetreated,makingrestitutionforlosscausedbycarelessness,theft,ormismanagement(21:28-22:15).GodexpectsHispeopletobehavewellunderHismoralprinciples,cappedwithHisgreatestex-pectation:“You shall be holy people to Me” (ch.22).Indeed,personalconductshouldbeexemplary,respectforGodshouldgovernthework-week,thecalendaryear,andnationalrelationships(ch.23).Ofcourse,that’sexpectingalot!Itprobablytookhalf-an-hour
forMosestocarefullyrepeateverythingwehavejustreadinfourchaptersofthesacredtextwhileallIsraelstoodatattention.WhenMoseshadfinishedwithGod’ssay-so,itwasIsrael’sturntorespond.Howwouldtheyreact?Were
God’sgreatexpectationsjusttoomuchtoswallow?When“Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgments” (24:2),(thanksbetoGod!)“All the people answered with one
voice and said, ‘All the words which the Lord has said we will do.’”Didyougetthat?“ALL the people
answered with ONE voice.”Thismeansthatnotasinglein-
dividualobjected;nobodyprotestedthatGodexpectedtoomuch.Hisdear,redeemedpeople,oneandall,wereconvincedthattheywereprivilegedtobeconsideredworthyofGod’sgreatexpectations.Thismiracleisworthpondering:
WhenapersonisconvincedinhisheartthathehasbeenrichlyblessedbytheGodofhissalvation–then(andonlythen)ishemovedtomakethegiantstepofdeclaringthatheishappytoliveaccordingtoGod’sholywill.ItislikewisefundamentalthatwhentheSpiritofGodmakesHimselfathomeinthebeliever’sChrist-centeredheart–thenthatpersonhasthespiritualwill-powertobegintodoGod’swillinconsecratedliving,dayinanddayout.ThatmakesforHallelujahliving.Wecannotclosewithoutthis
soberingthought:Whenwesin,wearenotonlydisappointingGod’sgreatexpectations—wehavealsobecomedefectors,fortonotrevere,love,andhonortheTriuneGodaboveallelse/othersmeansthatwehaveswitchedourallegianceovertotheenemy.Theold,evilfoenowmeansdeadlywoe,forwhenSatanstealssoulsawayfromtheirsalvation,heintendstorapeandmurder!
20 February2012•LutheranSpokesman
“...The Scripture Cannot Be Broken. ” — John 10:35Postmaster: Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN 55113 and additional offices (825-580). ISSN#0024-7537. Send address corrections (Form 3579) to Lutheran Spokesman, 2750 Oxford Street North, Roseville MN 55113The Lutheran Spokesman is published monthly by the Church of the Lutheran Confession, 2750 Oxford St. N., Roseville, MN 55113, and is an official organ of the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC). Website address: www.clclutheran.org. Editor: Paul Fleischer, 1741 E. 22nd Street, Cheyenne, WY 82001-4138, E-Mail to [email protected]; Assistant Editor: Paul R. Koch; Art Director/Designer: Matthew Schaser; Staff Artist: Nate Ude, Staff: Theodore Barthels, David Bernthal, Wayne Eichstadt, Warren Fanning, Daniel Fleischer, David Fuerstenau, Mark Gullerud, John Klatt, Paul Krause, Joseph Lau, Nathanael Mayhew, Nathan Pfeiffer, David Reim, Andrew Schaller, Thomas Schuetze. Material submitted for publication should be sent to Editor Paul Fleischer six weeks before date of publication. Announcements and other short notices should also be sent to Editor Fleischer. Business Manager: Benno Sydow, 2750 Oxford St. N., Roseville, MN 55113. E-Mail to [email protected]. Individual subscriptions {foreign-U.S. currency only}: $18.00 {$22.00} for one year; $34.00 {$42.00} for two years; $50.00 {$62.00} for three years; sent in bulk to congregations: $15.00. • Spokesman Online Version at: www.lutheranspokesman.org Printed in U.S.A.Cover Design by Matt Schaser.
Lutheran Spokesman www.lutheranspokesman.org
EvenifdisappointingGod’sgreatexpectationsmaynotseemlikeahellishmaneuver,it’sSatan’sworkallthesame,stealingusawayfromGod’sfamilytojointheentourageofthedamned.Dearreader,SatanandGodareatwar
overyoursoul,andyouaretheprizetobelostorgained!Don’tletSatantakeyoubysurprise(asourmilitaryforcesweretakenbysurpriseatPearlHarbor),forallhellcanbreaklooseuponyou!TheBibleremindsusthatsincethefall
intosin,wearebynaturesinfulthroughandthrough.SinceGodinHismercy,grace,andgoodnessbringsusbacktoHiminrepentance,weasGod'schildrenstrivedailyto"putofftheoldmanandputonthenew."FellowChristian,sinceyouhaveseenwhat
theLordhasdoneinyourlifeandhowHehasborneyouoneagles’wingsandbroughtyoutoHimself,asanewcreaturebaptizedintoChrist,standfastinGod’sWord,agreewithGod’swill,andasHisdearchildcommit—withtheSpirit'spower—toservingHiminwillingandlovingobedience.Helpus,dearLordJesus,tosayitand
meanit,“AllthewordswhichtheLordhassaidwewilldo.’”Amen!
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