Lutheran Habitus

What is the Liturgy? The Service of the Word – Part One

2012-01-31T08:51:00.003-06:00

We continue our simple study of the DivineLiturgy, and how it is the Word of God for you. Remember, the Liturgy is straight from HolyScripture – the right Scripture, inthe right order, for the right purpose. We learned last month that the Liturgyconsists of two main portions, the Service of the Word, and the Service of theSacrament. This month, we’ll take acloser, first look at the Service of the Word:

The INVOCATION:

In the Name of the Father and ofthe Son and of the Holy Spirit.

“Invocation” is Latin for “callupon.” The Pastor calls upon the onetrue God to be present for His people for forgiveness, life and salvation. He calls upon God with His BaptismalName. Also with the Invocation, you arebeing told that this Service is for the baptized. During the courseof the Service, the baptized of God enjoy all the benefits of being His belovedchild. Though everyone is most welcome to attend the DivineService, its purpose is to feed and nourish faith in the baptized members of theparish. It is not a “seeker” service; itis not meant to be a time to convince anyone that they should join our church. Certainly, members of our Parish are to befriendly and welcoming to visitor (that’s what a baptized Christians do). But more than anything, the members ofImmanuel, the family of God gathered here, may know that this service is for them, in Christ Jesus.

The CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION:

I forgiveyou in the Name of the Father and of the Son and ofthe Holy Spirit.

Here the truth of your Baptism isrenewed, strengthened and proclaimed once again. Here you may know that Christ – who speaks thisforgiveness – took all your sin into His Body, so that when He died on theCross, all your sin died with Him. Yoursin is dead, it no longer exists, and you are fully free for each and everysin.

The Confessionand Absolution portion of the Servicewas originally not part of the Divine Service Liturgy. Originally, Confession and Absolution took place privately, with the Pastor, atsome point prior to the Service. AsLutherans came to America, and (at first) had fewer pastors to serve them, theyhad to forego Private Confession andAbsolution, and instead employ the more general Corporate (congregational)Confession.

Sadly, by the 1920’s, when pastorsbecame more plentiful, and congregations were able to have their own, full-timepastors, Private Confession had become misunderstood and rejected, because theLutheran Church had gone so many years without it’s practice, and due to lackof teaching about it. Corporate Confession became then became the norm.

It is important to note, however, thatthe Lutheran Confession of the Faith has never rejected Private Confession andAbsolution, but rather has sought to keep it, and to encourage its use amongthe people of the Parish. More and morecurrent-day Lutherans are employing its use, and enjoying its benefits of Peaceand Joy in Christ.

Next time, we’ll continue with theService of the Word, and discuss the Introit, the Gloria in Excelsis, and theCollect of the Day.

What is Prayer?

2012-01-31T08:33:00.000-06:00

And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and wentto Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli perceivedthat the LORD was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, liedown; and if he calls you, you shall say, Speak, LORD, for thy servanthears.'"

1 Samuel 3

When I ask people “what is prayer?” the answer is almostalways, “Talking with God.” And if itweren’t for human sinfulness, that might be a good answer. But our sin turns us in on ourselves, makingus think always from ourperspective, not God’s…

So maybe it would be better to teach that prayer is not so much talking with God, but rather thatprayer is what it was for Eli and Samuel: Because God is Our Father, He speaks first, and we listen… And then, after we have listened, we speak, using the words OurFather has given us, and not our own.

That’s why we have the Liturgy– to teach us how to pray; that’s why a hymnal should be in every home - andspoken, sung and prayed often, each day – so that you may talk with God on Histerms, as a child of a loving Father…

One of the most-often question I’m asked as a pastor is, “Howshould I pray?” And I answer, pray theway Jesus has taught you. Just as it’sbeen in thousands of homes for thousands of years, the Father teaches thechildren how to speak; children learn to speak form being in their Father’shomes… And so, for thousands of years,Christians have prayed the very words that are in our Lutheran Service Book.

Get yourself a hymnal, and learn to pray asthe Church always has…

God speaks, and we listen… And so our Old Testament reading gives us a good example of this: Samuelwas brought to the house of the Lord as a young boy. But even though Samuel wasin the house of the Lord every day,he was not taught how to recognize theLord, or how to answer when He calls. So when the Word of the Lord came toSamuel, he didn’t know it was theLord, and didn’t know how to answer.And so he went to Eli, his teacher and spiritual father –3 times, in fact. And Eli taught the boy howto answer - that is, how to pray. Eli gave Samuel a Liturgy…

Many people believe that they never hear God, because theythink that they need to do all kinds of extraordinary things in order to hearGod and to learn what He wants.

But because human beings are very much centered on themselves,they forget that when God speaks, the first thing to do is be still, and stop tryingto make something happen, or to feelsomething extraordinary. God has a way of talking to you, and it’svery quiet, and it’s very un-extraordinary… But it is sure, and very blessed; it is HisWord, in the Liturgy.

The Liturgy is the Word of God, and the Word of God is living. Your Faith in Christ always receives the Word of God, andyour Faith is always fulfilled by it– whether you feel it has or not. The hard thing to remember is that Faith inChrist receives God’s Word and, quite often, you won’t know it or feel it. And that’s a tough thing to trust for us 21^stCentury Americans, who are always being told: “Listen to your heart”…

But the heart is selfish and short-sighted, so it’s alwayschanging, and always unsure. But God’sWord never returns to Him empty; italways accomplishes the purpose for which He sends it. And even though we know this, we still chooseto trust our hearts…

But it’s then thatGod shows how merciful He is. Because, while we doubt, our Faith in Christis always believing. When weforget Gods’ Word, our Faith in Christ alwaysremembers; - and this is why Jesus tells us to partake of His Body and Blood oftenin remembrance of Him – because in receiving Christ in His Sacrament,you participate in His faithfulness, and His strength – which is so much betterthan regretting your failure, yourweakness, and the broken promises you’ve made.

This is the lesson for today: We are not the power behind a life lived for God – Jesus Christ is,and He does all things well, and He does them for you, because He loves you.

Let us always strive to learn Our Father’s Word as its givenhere in our Church home – this sanctuaryfrom the troubles of this life, and a homeof grace and love in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Happy New Year: Remember Your Baptism...

2012-01-04T11:09:00.000-06:00

The beginning of a new year is a time of reflection – a time to look back atwhat you’ve done. It's a time tolook at where you are now. And it’sa time to think seriously aboutwhere you’re going – about what youwant your life to be – what direction you’ll take.

The year 2011 is gone. As you face thechanging of yet another year, whatsort of things should you consider?How should you, a Christian, bethinking?

The life of a Christian is a constant cycle of"out with the old, in with the new." The Christian often thinks about where he’sgone wrong, and what mistakes he’s made. As youconsider God's Law, His TenCommandments, you see that you don’t at all measure up… And at first, this kind of thinking may seem negative, and unproductive. And for the unbeliever, it is.

But not you. You’re baptized… You’re a new creation. For you,considering your sin is a blessing –a blessing that comes from your Baptism– in which you lost the love ofsinning. So now, regret and repentanceare common for you… And thankGod that they are.

Because in Baptism, "the old is out and the new is in." As baptismal waters wash away your sin, they cause new life to be born in you. And if it all stopped right there, what a perfect life you’d live.

But while Baptism makes you a new creation inChrist and drowns the old Adam ofsin, the devil and your human nature still constantly attack you. The Old Adam tries again and again toresurface from his drowning. Dr. MartinLuther once said, "The Old Adam is avery good swimmer"… And so, thelife of a Christian is a constantrhythm of "out with the old, in with the new." Daily you sin, and so daily you need to put out the old, and bring in the new. Sin needs to be removed from you and put to death, and Christ’s forgiveness andrighteousness need to be granted toyou.

But how does this happen? By rememberingyour Baptism. What does it mean to “remember yourBaptism”? Many of you could never actually remember the day youwere baptized – you were an infant, with no memory of it at all. For those baptized older, who may rememberthe actual event, you still don’t exactly know what you’re supposed to recall… This is not what God means when He teaches you to remember yourBaptism. God gives you to remember yourBaptism in His way: through the gifts of His Church.

You remember your Baptism first in the Confessionof Sins, where you confessthat you have sinned against God inthought, word and deed – by what you havedone and haven’t done. In confessing sin, you’re speaking the truth (that’s what confession means) and this pleasesyour heavenly Father. Once you confess your sin, Christ Himself - through the pastor, grants you HolyAbsolution – the absolute washing away of all your sin, again andagain, in the same Name by which you were baptized:Father, Son & Holy Spirit.

Holy Communion is the Sacramentof the Altar by which you also “remember your Baptism.” The oldis out and the new is in – literally, sin is removed from youbodily as Christ Himself goes bodily into you, His preciousblood also. This Sacrament is very much the way Christ Jesus takesout the old of sin and put in the new: Faithin Him.

It’s still Christmas. Jesus was born into this worldto signal that the OLD was going OUT, and the NEW was coming IN. His birth in a manger, His first shedding of blood when He wascircumcised, His perfect life, and the finaltime He shed His Blood in His crucifixion – all this did away with the Old, and brought forth the New.

And that Newnessis Jesus living withinyou.

And so youare made new, even as youlook forward to the new year. And as faras the new year goes, the Christian's startedsix weeks ago, with the First Sunday in Advent, the beginning of a new ChurchYear… Now, before you write off theChurch Year as being secondary inimportance to the calendar year,remember that what starts January 1st is the world’snew year; what began with Advent is OurLord’s New year. Which do you – as a baptized new creation – belong to: the world orChrist? Which one that matters inyour daily struggle against sin and death? Which calendar will you follow this year? Pray it is the one that shows you the Life ofChrist.

Remember your Baptism. From this time forward, whenever you hear thephrase “Out with the old and in with the new,” recall Christ’s promise of forgiveness,life and salvation – not by opinionsand feelings, but in receiving His Word and Sacraments, His Means of Grace, because it is these gifts that take out theOld Adam of sin, and bring in theNew Creation of Christ…

Advent has prepared you, and Christmas hasgifted you; baptismal grace goes with you; and you have the promises of a still new Church Year. And so, outwith the old, and in with the new, andall through Christ Jesus Our Lord…

Because Hemakes all things new.

What is the LITURGY? An Introduction

2012-01-04T10:59:00.000-06:00

Over the past 40 years or so, many, many Christians have abandonedformal orders of worship. Instead, they’ve adopted various man-centered,feelings-oriented worship practices. With an emphasis of emotion over faith, most Christians nowadays engagein free-form, informal events that more resemble concerts and “motivational”speeches. Sadly, even many Lutheranshave gone this route, forsaking their rich liturgical heritage – which wastheirs from the earliest days of Christianity.

But in authentic,historic Lutheran Churches, worship is the same now as in the time of theApostles, and even back to Old Testament times: it is liturgical. Our Lord speaks to us through the Liturgy; it’s literally the Word ofGod. All that God would have us know isin the liturgical words He gives us to hear, speak, and sing.

The Liturgy is not simply one way to worship amongmany. It is not just a “style” ofworship. The Liturgy is worship – worship in the only way that Scripture has given us.

The Liturgy is Scripture– but not just any Scripture. Take a quick look at the order of theliturgies in our hymnal, and you’ll see that even though the music and wordsare slightly different, all our liturgies follow the same order. In other words,they each use certain Scriptures, ina certain order, each for a certain purpose.

Lutherans have a unique perspective on the question “What isworship?” The Lutheran understanding ofworship is expressed in the term DivineService. Divine Service is not just a fancy name for “worship”. The times when God calls us together inour Sanctuary is more properly called“Divine Service” – not because it sounds more formal or impressive, but becauseit truthfully defines what God saysshould happen in Church:

Divine =God

Service= Giving What is Needed

“Divine Service” is Godgiving His people what they need – what they can’t give themselves: Forgiveness,Life and Salvation. And DivineService is God’s work, not ours; we’rereceivers, “For the Son of Man [Jesus Christ] did not come to be served, but to serve,and to give His Life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

We also know that “thewages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). We’re dead in our trespasses, and cannotcome to God. God comes to us in the Divine Service and – quite literally – givesus His Life. Dead men can do nothing– least of all praise God.

Once God has served us with forgiveness, life and salvation,only then can we worship Him. Worshipis our response to Divine Service –we praise and thank God for taking our death and giving us His Life. Worship can’t happen without Divine Servicehappening first; it can only come afterGod brings us back to life.

And even then, our worship must be faithful.

When we worship God, shouldn’t it be with the best words possible (after all, Our Lord did give us eternal life when all we deserved was eternalcondemnation)? When it comes to praising and thanking God, we have a choice: wecan use our words, or God’s. Faithfulness says we use the best thereis: God’s Word – which the faithfully provides us in the Liturgy.

Prepare the Way of the Lord: Repentance

2011-12-05T09:44:00.001-06:00

“The voice of one calling in the wilderness: Preparethe way of the Lord.”

You know it’s Advent whenJohn the Baptizer shows up. There he isin all his “wilderness” glory: clothed in camel’s hair, shaggy hairand beard, the strange diet of bugs and the wild honey he’d grab – bare-handed– from the beehive…

John the Baptizer is one ofthose characters in the Bible that makes you just a little nervous. He’s very intense, very driven, and very, veryoutspoken… John made a lot of peoplenervous; not everyone liked John…

But what if John showed up in your church or home – in his camel’s-hairclothing, chewing on a grasshopper, with all his wilderness odor? Would you be comfortable with that?

Probably not; you’d wish hehadn’t come. You’d be veryuncomfortable if the real John theBaptizer came to where you were… But the realreason you’d be uncomfortable is nothis wild, un-tamed appearance. Not even John’s outspokenness would havebothered you – except that he wouldpreach to your sins…

You see, John’spreaching calls you to repent… and mostpeople don’t like that. In fact, thepreaching of repentance is one of the main reasons some people stay away from the Church.

But John came preachingrepentance towards a Baptism of Forgiveness. Now, the people could easily have said, “Nah, we don’t need repentance, we’re God’s people – God already forgives us,” – the way some people nowadays say, “We don’t need the Church or the Sacraments; webelieve in Jesus, that’s enough.”

But that’s not what Faith says. Christ’s gift of Faith never thinks that way. Faith in Christ can’t get enoughof His Word and His Sacraments – thethings that give you more and more repentance, more and more forgiveness, more and more… Jesus. You can’thave Jesus – or His forgiveness – withoutrepentance.

John’s message was: Repent; the kingdom ofGod is at hand… To repent means to turn around - to stop going the wrong way. To repent means to come to a new mind, a new way of thinking. John was calling Israel out of their comfortablenesswith their sin. He did this by callingthem out into the wilderness.

And that was the point. John was preaching repentance to those whom God hadbrought out into the wilderness,just like repentance is preached in the Divine Service, so that we may be brought outof our comfort with your sin – and intoa wilderness we’re not familiar with, where one has only Christ – not his strengths, priorities, or choices… Only Jesus…

John’s preaching of repentance led directly to him baptizing the people, so that they wereprepared for the coming of Christ. And Our Lord’s preaching repentance to you, here, leads you to baptismal forgiveness,so that you’re prepared for Christ’ssecond coming.

Today you’re being calledto see repentance in a new and different way – the same way baptismwas new and different to the people of John’s day. The Church’spreaching of repentance is not aburden; it’s a Gift of God – a holy release from the bondage and tyranny of the Satan and his lies. Repentance is the gateway to forgiveness and new Life.

Repent of your comfortablenesswith your sin. Repent of yourself-centeredness, which makes Christand His Church one of the lowest priorities in your life… Repent of worshiping your idols of popularity,sporting events, and your reputation – they’vebecome your religion… Repent of your all-consuming dedication to the shallow, temporarythings of this world, and of your casualattitude toward Christ's Holy Sanctuaryand its Altar.

Come out into thewilderness where God reforms His beloved People – on His terms and not your own. Dare to be forgiven as a filthy sinnerin need of cleansing. Avail yourselfto the very reason Jesus came as aChild to Bethlehem: To come down among sinners…

And save them from their sin.

“Prepare the way of the Lord.” That means nothing other than “Repent”– nothing other than letting Christpreach to your sins, that you may see your Savior. That’s what Advent is for… The Day of the Lord is coming – sooner and quicker than you can prepare for yourself. In the meantime, let Jesus prepare you, by His Giftof repentance.

He will do so here, by HisWord and Sacrament, and He will do so well, and completely.. to your LifeEverlasting.

Come, Lord Jesus. Come quickly to save us! Amen.

What is Advent For?

2011-12-05T08:58:00.001-06:00

It’s Advent. But the first Pericopes (assigned Scripture) for Advent sound more like they should be for Lent… Now, if Advent is the time when we focus onthe birth of Jesus, and hearing aboutthe Angel Gabriel and his announcement to the Blessed Virgin, then shouldn’tthe assigned Scripture for the First Sunday in Advent be all about theChrist’s birth?

But instead, we hear about the big event that led up to Jesus’ death: His entry into Jerusalem – thecity that would reject Him, the peoplewho would crucify Him… Instead of angel choirs singing "Hallelujah",we hear a crowd of desperate people crying out "Hosanna"… Instead of adoring baby Jesus at his birth,we see the grown Man of Sorrows facing His final few days before He’s murdered.

And that’sa bit of a letdown, isn’t it? This isn’tthe joyous expectation of Christmas thatwe were expecting for Advent... It just doesn’t seem right. Advent should be all about birth, notdeath; joy, not sorrow… Today should be all about Christmas joy…

And that’swhere we’d be wrong… We need to remember something about Advent:it’s not Christmas. Advent is not the Christmas “Pre-Game Show”. Advent is something different – something much more, something hardly recognized: That Advent is a penitential season, a season of somber reflection; a time to ponder the purpose of Jesus' birth: His death.

Think of itthis way: the same blood that flows in the veins of the infant Jesus at His birthwill flow from His hands and side at His death; the same flesh, born of Mary, will be beaten and scourged byPilate's order prior to His death; the same Onewho lays innocently in a wooden manger will die a criminal’s death on a wooden cross.

You can’t separateJesus’ birth from His death; they’re one and the same. Without both, there can be no salvation… Jesus was bornin Bethlehem so that He could ride into Jerusalem to die.

And this shouldcome as no surprise to anyone who lives in the real world – the daily experience ofsin and death. No matter how shelteredor how capable you believe yourself to be, you see death in the midst of every day life.

In fact, death is a reality since the moment of birth. Conceived in sin, we were born into death; it’s the reality of an unrighteous nature… We are born, onlyto die. With each breath, lungs congest; witheach passing year, blood thins, bodies decay, and life ebbsaway.

That’s your reality: From birth to death,you’re a sinner. This shouldn’t surprise; you know it’s true. This isn't just obvious in yourdaily life – it’s also the truth of Scripture: All men are sinners,and the wages of sin… is death.

And so itis good and right on First Sunday of Advent that we hear of Christ's entrance into Jerusalem,where He would save us in His life-giving death. That’s’ the Good News: The Child born in Bethlehem has died to atone for your sin. His death is your birth, your life, and your salvation. From the Crucified Christ, so joyousat birth, so ravaged in death, flows the life-giving reality of sins forgiven,and life restored.

This iswhat Advent is: You being prepared for Him who comes to you, righteous andhaving salvation. He comes humbly, butwith power; quietly, but with Proclamation. It’s not Christmas yet.

ButOur Lord is preparing you for a most joyous one - to your Life Evlerasting. Amen.

A Brief History of the Small Catechism - Part Two

2011-11-21T15:58:00.000-06:00

By Dr. Luther’s time, catechisms taught three things, mainly: the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer. After touring the church parishes of Saxony, Germany (where he lived), Dr. Luther saw the need to add three more chief parts to his Catechism: Holy Baptism, Confession, and the Sacrament of the Altar.

These three things are often called Sacraments or visible Words of God – because they combine physical elements with Gods’ command and promise. In these gifts of God, He comes to us in very personal ways: giving us His Name through the waters of Baptism; speaking to us His Forgiveness in the Pastor’s Absolution of our sins; feeding us His Body and Blood in the bread and wine. Dr. Luther shows us in his Catechism that the reason we teach and memorize these doctrines is so that we may see that our salvation depends not on what we do or say, but rather Our Lord’s Church giving us these Gifts of forgiveness, life and salvation - in His Name, and by His Command.

Many of the catechisms of Luther’s day emphasized what we must do to avoid God’s anger and earn God’s favor. This may sound wrong to us Lutherans, and indeed it is – we are saved by grace through Faith in Christ, not out works – but this error does all too often find its way also into our thoughts about God and our salvation; our sinful nature leads us to think that God and Christianity are only about “rules and rituals”.

But Luther’s Small Catechism is different than the others. The order of our Catechism helps correct the misunderstanding of “works righteousness” and focuses our attention on God’s Gifts to us from Christ Jesus:

1. Luther insisted that Christians begin with the Ten Commandments, which show us God’s holy, perfect Law – and our inability to fulfill them.

2. Then Luther moves us to the Apostles’ Creed, which declares who God is (by His own Word), and in confessing this also shows us what He’s done for us.

3. And then the Lord’s Prayer (the “Our Father”), which teaches us what it means to be baptized: that (along with Christ) we are God the Father’s sons, and that Our Father commands us to pray for no other reason than a Father desiring that His dear children to speak to Him about all things.

4. The Small Catechism teaches us that our “Old Adam” of our sinful nature is drowned and dies in the waters of Holy Baptism, and that we are given God’s Name, that we may then have the birthright of righteousness and eternal life.

5. We learn how to tell God the truth about our sins (Confession), and to hear Christ Himself pronounce us entirely forgiven of all our sins (Absolution).

6. And how, having washed for the meal (Baptism) and having been invited to the Table (Absolution), we partake of Our Lord’s Meal in which He Himself is present in His Body and Blood, and we truly “taste and see that the Lord is Good. We enter heaven itself, “with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven.”

The good and esteemed Dr. Luther used this simple book of questions and answers, to teach us how to listen to and to learn the Holy Scriptures. The better we know the Small Catechism, the easier it will be to understand God’s Word in the Readings and Preaching of the Church. As you listen, you may ask yourself, “What part of the Catechism is this?” And by benefit of Jesus teaching you all things through this little book, the Bible is opened up to you and faith in Him is strengthened. To God be the Glory. Amen.

A Brief History of the Small Catechism - Part One

2011-11-21T15:51:00.000-06:00

On October 31st, Lutherans celebrated the Festival of the Reformation, and gave thanks for the Church’s restoration of the pure Gospel of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

This restoration came about in the only way Our Lord has given: Catechesis. Catechesis is Church teaching. Catechesis imparts the doctrines of Holy Scripture, just as Jesus commanded in St. Matthew’s Gospel (28:20).

The Reformation, really, was simply the Church being catechized back to the Truth of Holy Scripture, in large part by the use of Dr. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.

The Small Catechism is familiar and beloved within our Lutheran Church. But its origins are not well known. Knowing how this little book came about will not only deepen your appreciation for it, but also grant you a better understanding of what it ultimately teaches: The Truth of Christ Crucified, for the Life of the World.

In the year 1529, Dr. Martin Luther was a Pastor in the German town of Wittenberg, as well as a Professor at the University there. That year, he published his explanations of the chief parts of the Christian Faith. These explanations were first published in single sheets and sold for a few pennies each. By the middle of 1529, printers in Wittenberg had collected them into what they called an enchiridion, or handbook. Luther added a Preface, which told pastors how to use the book.

By the end of 1529, publishers gave the book a new title – one familiar to us even today: The Small Catechism of Martin Luther. They gave it this name because also that year, Luther published a set of his sermons on the same topics, which was called “The German Catechism” – what we know today as “The Large Catechism”.

But the term catechism is much older than Luther’s work from 1529. It comes from the Greek word kata-echo, which means “to repeat back.” As far back as the year A.D. 400, Christians used the word catechism to describe the basic instruction that was given to new Christians. As they learned, they recited the things they heard from their teachers. By the Middle Ages, catechism had come to mean the three things that all Christians should know: the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer.

As Dr. Martin Luther was teaching these three chief parts to adults and children in Wittenberg, he saw the need to add three more chief parts to the Catechism. In next month’s article, we’ll discuss them, and why Luther’s Small Catechism was written in the simple fashion that it is, so that all would know the Savior, Christ Jesus, and live.

The Mercy of God

2011-11-02T17:41:00.000-05:00

Mercy… Mercy is the key characteristic of our God. It’s what separates Him from all the false gods. Every other religion on the planet is all about what you have to do to" get right with God." But the God known only through Faith in Christ Jesus is the only God who comes to you, the only God who takes your sin (and it’s punishment) on Himself, and the only God who does all the work of making you right with Him. God the Father does not punish you according to your sins. Rather, He rewards you for the Goodness of His Son.

And that’s what we call mercy: Being given the righteousness of Christ, even though you rightly deserve death and hell. Despite the lies that Satan whispers in your ears, your Lord does not hold your sins against you; in fact, He doesn’t even remember your sins. That’s what the cross has done; Christ’s death erased your sin – put it to death – so that now your heavenly Father has nothing left to judge you with, except Christ’s righteousness. God does this because He is good, and His mercy endures forever…

And this is how Jesus can rightly command you to Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful… “Be merciful.” Now at first, that seems like a command for you to do something, to live a certain way so that you can please God. But “Be merciful” is a Law statement – and you’re not saved by keeping God’s Law – your sin prevents you from doing that. Every day, all day, you sin; you can’t help it. And even though you’d like to keep God’s Law, and be merciful, God rightly demands that His Law be kept perfectly, or not at all. You’re not perfect; you can’t “Be merciful,” by your own thoughts, words and deeds.

That’s why there’s the Gospel. The Gospel is the cross – the Gospel is Jesus Christ taking your sin into Himself and putting it to death when He was crucified. Done deal, debt paid – It is finished…

Christ commands you not to “Be merciful,” but to “Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” There’s big difference between the two. One is Law, the other is Gospel. Only the Gospel saves, because only Jesus saves – and Jesus is the Gospel.

Our Father is not commanding you to “be merciful or else”, nor is He commanding you to be merciful of your own will, your own ability, or your own intentions… All that is tainted with sin; you can’t do it… You’re not being told what to do; you’re being told who you are… who you are because your Father is merciful.

Your Father is merciful – He wanted to have you back after sin stole you from Him. And because your Father is merciful, His Son, Jesus Christ is also merciful – because the Son only does His Father’s will… Your merciful Father sent His merciful Son into this world – sent Him directly to you, in the Church’s Word and Sacraments…

And because you have received this merciful Jesus, then you’re no longer the same. Mercy has done something to you; you’ve been changed… You’ve been forgiven, and you’ve been justified – made right with your merciful Father…

In the waters of your baptism, in the Absolution of your sins, in the preaching of His Word, and most especially in His Body and Blood, given and shed for you – you’ve been given Him who is merciful, and by virtue of this Jesus, who now lives in you… you are merciful.

You’re merciful just as your Father is also merciful… It’s not your mercy you live by now, it’s your Father’s mercy. You’re not merciful by how you feel or what you think. Those things are filled with sin – repent of those things… That’s not who you are anymore…

Mercy is an impossible thing to be without Christ, without His Father’s mercy. What exactly is mercy? Mercy is the gift of God that gives the best, when the worst is deserved. Mercy is that which gives life, when only death has been earned. Mercy is unmerited, it’s unearned, it’s even unwarranted. Mercy is the grace of Gods that says: Since you don’t deserve forgiveness - and that’s exactly why I’m giving it.

You don’t always act mercifully, but in Christ you most certainly live in mercy. Indeed, you are the fruit of God’s mercy.

God never gives a command without also giving the grace to fulfill that command. And so Christ has given you His Father’s command to be merciful, just as your Father is also merciful – not just like your Father is merciful, but just as He is merciful. You’re not being told what you need to do, or how you need to be. Blessedly, you’re being proclaimed merciful – a receiver of God’s mercy in His Son, Jesus Christ.

And that’s now who you are… In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Truth of Pentecost

2011-06-11T22:41:00.000-05:00

No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. This truth is directly from the Scriptures –it’s the perfect instruction from God’s Word for this holy Day of Pentecost…

No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit… Every time men confess that truth, they do so not of their own mind, not by their own conviction. They confess that Jesus is their Lord – their Savior – only by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit…

Whenever men speak the Name of Jesus, it is true and valid in heaven only if the Holy Spirit is inspiring them… And the Holy Spirit reveals nothing but Christ and Him crucified, for your salvation…

In other words, when men faithfully confess Christ, they’re speaking in a tongue not their own… with words that are foreign to their sin-filled ears… This is what the Apostles proclaimed on that first Pentecost – in foreign tongues – led by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Crucified Christ.

You see, the true miracle of Pentecost was neither the fire… nor the smoke… nor the sound of a great rushing wind. The true miracle of that first Day of Pentecost was the Holy Spirit at work through His Word – just as He does here, today – bringing sinful men, women and children to faith in Christ the crucified.

Hear the Catechism’s teaching to you: I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, or come to Him… This is the truth of Holy Scripture: that God does what man cannot – giving new birth to hearts lost in death and condemnation.

And this… is the true work of the Holy Spirit. He calls you by the Gospel, enlightens you with His gifts, that is, He keeps you in this one true faith…

And all this He does by the Word of God. Men seek signs and wonders, but what faith in Christ sees is the truth that leads to eternal life: The crucified Christ, who bled and died and rose again for your salvation…

If you do not believe this Word, this truth, then no miracle, no demonstration of divine power will change your heart. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ…

Faith in Christ is the result of the Holy Spirit at work in Our Lord’s Word, pointing hearts to the salvation – born in the blood of Christ…

And this Holy Spirit does not show off, does not seek to entertain, or wow the senses… He simply points you to Christ – to the life, death and resurrection of Him who was and is and always will be…the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

…And so there are no bells and whistles here… no giant screens with heart-wrenching words… no fancy light shows to dazzle your eyes… just the pure and simple truth of your salvation, as the Spirit points you to… the cross.

We preach Christ… and Him crucified… nothing more and nothing less… For this is what changes men’s hearts; this is what brings men to faith… this is what sustains you. This is the miracle that takes place here week after week: The Holy Spirit at work through the Word of God, pointing sinners to forgiveness in the blood of Christ: in bread and wine; in baptismal waters; in the true Peace of Holy Absolution.

Pentecost is not what did happen, but what is happening at faithful Altars around the world: Sinners, led by the Spirit, receive Christ for their salvation; Faith in Christ fed with the Means of Grace – Christ’s Word and Sacrament… What joy, what Peace… That is Pentecost!

It is simple, and it is pure… and there is nothing in this world more comforting than this: that Jesus Christ has died for you; that your Savior loves you… and most comforting: that He comes to you.

Nothing can corrupt or water down this truth, for there is salvation in nothing else under heaven. The fads of religion come and go… but the Word of God endures forever…

This is your hope, this is your Salvation: Christ and Him crucified – the truth o Pentecost – in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen.

Memorial Day - 4th Commandment Honor

2011-05-30T08:34:00.000-05:00

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

To those who died securing peace and freedom; to those who served in the midst of death and danger to protect our land; to those who’ve kept America the land of the free and the home of the brave for well over two centuries – to these honored ones, today we give our thanks.

Today we remember vividly the lives of sons, brothers, fathers, friends and neighbors – that their sacrifice was made to assure that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness would continue for those they left behind.

It is important today to not only recognize their service, but also to honor the purpose for which they fought. You cannot honor the soldier but dishonor the war he fights. The soldier is there, following his 4^th Commandment duty to honor and obey what his superiors have commanded him to do… A soldier, more than anyone, hates war and death. But let us honor his God-given calling to fight that war. If you honor the soldier, you must honor what God has sent that soldier to do: Win the battle!

Most importantly today, we thank God for those who have given their service, their sacrifice and their lives to keep America free – and also for those who remain prepared to fight for our country today.

On this Memorial Day – as we remember and give thanks for the sacrifice our military men and women have made – let us also pause to remember that their good and honorable sacrifice was not the ultimate sacrifice – for that duty has only fallen to One Man, Jesus Christ the Crucified, who by His death fought and won the ultimate battle against sin and death, so that our loved ones who have gone before us into earthly death would share also in His glorious Resurrection from the dead. On this Memorial Day, we remember that Our Savior has served us in the highest, so that we may know the soon-coming day when wars and rumors of wars shall be no more, and we shall all come home…

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father,

As we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our earthly freedom, we give You thanks through Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Please hold all this nation’s service men and women in Your Fatherly care. Cover them with Your sheltering grace and presence as they serve You in the callings You have conferred on them.

We also remember the families of our troops, and ask Your blessings and Your peace to attend them through Your blessed Word and Sacraments, given through Your one, holy Christian and apostolic Church. We pray this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

That Your Joy May be Full

2011-05-30T08:31:00.000-05:00

It’s all about Jesus. Jesus, who knows all things, who is from God, is God. He came from His Father into the world He created. Once here, He accomplished His Father's will; He redeemed you from death… Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, flesh of your flesh, is to be worshiped with the Father and the Spirit… There is no one else to worship. There’s no other Name under heaven by which men are saved, no other way to the Father, no other Savior… Simply put, there is no one else to pray to.

But these days, society says otherwise. Anything goes when it comes to praying to God. In fact, very few people know, or were ever taught, that the only way the Father hears prayer, is when it’s prayed in Jesus’ Name. And because they don’t – or won’t – know this, praying to any imagined higher power is not only okay, it’s considered admirable. Imagine that: praying to a lie – a false, imagined god who can’t hear you pray – is now considered admirable.

And do you know why? Because it’s finally happened: our society is now purposely, habitually pagan: it worships itself, by way of worshiping the earth… These days, the environment gets more reverence – and is worshiped more – than our heavenly Father. Don’t think so? Pay attention to any radio and TV ad – you’ll hear them boast how” green” and environmentally friendly they are; check out the numerous and unnecessary laws that keep you from using your property in the way that you want; and read the little signs in your hotel room that seem to suggest that you’re destroying the planet simply because you want your towels washed… We’re green, we love the Earth… and that’s the new religion.

Go ahead, though: Teach people the most scandalous, offensive things possible about Jesus Christ, and that’s fine; that’s your right… No one really believes the Bible anymore, anyway. And hey, because the Bible is no longer God’s Word, then there’s nothing wrong with sexual perversity, taking anything you want for your own, and despising God. All that’s fine; just don’t step off the sidewalk onto the grass, or you’ll get 5-to-10 for endangering Mother Earth.

Tolerance for anything new – and intolerance of anything traditional – is the new rule. “Listening to your heart” is now held in higher regard than using common sense. Selfishness is encouraged, in the name of building self-esteem. It’s rare when those radio and TV ads don’t include some phrase about you deserving whatever it is they’re selling… Apparently, you’ve got everything coming to you – it’s your right, and you’re entitled to it – whatever it is…

But this morning, Jesus says there’s something better than entitlement, and that something is Grace. The true God, the One who is, the One who hears His people's prayers, is your God by Grace… He is everyone's God – it’s just that a lot of people refuse to acknowledge that. But in the end, they will. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.

To pray to the Father in Jesus' Name is to confess that Jesus is Lord – Jesus, and no other. He will not stand alongside false gods - not the pagan designer gods of the new age, or the Christ-less, spiteful gods of the Jews and Muslims. These are not the same as our God, because they refuse to acknowledge that Jesus is the crucified and risen Son of the Living God – the Savior…

Jesus is the true God. He’ll tolerate no pretenders. The One who gave His life to make you His own – He’s the One who hears and answers your prayers. Prayer in Jesus’ Name is prayer the Lord hears through His death and resurrection… And it is by that Name you were baptized into His death and resurrection.

God's will is always good, and it’s always done. And even when His will seems bad – like when He did not remove Christ’s suffering from Him - it’s always for the good (as it was then). And even when God’s will means that you will suffer shame and hatred from the world, in the end you always see that His will was not only perfect, but it was also just what was needed.

Pray then, not worrying about forming the perfect request – only that it be to the Father in the Name of His Son, Jesus. For even before you ask, your Father knows your need. You’re not approaching an angry God, but a God who’s been satisfied by His Son’s death. He welcomes your petitions, your praise… and your thanks for that blessed death. It’s always about Jesus.

And that is comfort for a lost, hurting world: The promise of a real God who doesn’t randomly hear some and ignore others, but who welcomes prayers from His children, through His Son!

Your Lord provides not because you pray, but because He loves you. You pray, not to manipulate Him or inform Him, but because that’s what faith does. You call upon God because He’s a good Father – your Father – that your joy may be full...

And you’re not alone in prayer. God speaks to you His Word. And here is that Word for you, in every breath of today’s liturgy, and in the words of our hymns… Don’t know what to pray? You’re in good company – most people don’t (even if they’d like you to think they do). For you, there’s Matins and Vespers, Evening and Morning Prayer; there’s your Catechism, too…

Take some time to look at your hymnal, your personal prayer book. In it, is everything you need to faithfully, powerfully and reverently pray to your heavenly Father – who loves you so much, is such a good, provider, that He’s given you all you need to pray. After all, when it comes to choosing your words, you can’t get any better than God’s.
And there they are, in the book right in front of you. The best and brightest of the world are navel-gazing – looking to themselves and their sinfulness, trying to find God… He’s not hiding; He’s in His Word – clearly, objectively given to you. He’s taught you how to speak – how to pray. He‘s found you, given you His Name, and all you need to speak well with your Father…

It’s all about Jesus. And truly, truly, He says to you, whatever you ask the Father in His Name, He will give you…

Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

And No One will Take Your Joy from You

2011-05-19T14:14:00.000-05:00

The following article is inspired in large part by a sermon of the Rev. Jon M. Ellingworth, of The Lutheran Church of Christ the King - Pawling, NY. To God be the Glory.

Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and you will lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy… You will have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your heats will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

St. John, the 16^th chapter

There are many people who believe that, if you are a Christian, things should generally go well for you – you shouldn’t experience any serious suffering or sorrow in your life – that if you’ve got "true faith", you’ll live a better, victorious life.

But that’s a lie… The inevitable result of that kind of thinking, of course, is that if you, a Christian, in fact do experience significant loss or pain in your life, then you naturally begin to question and doubt your Christian faith; and even more likely, you’ll begin to seriously question and doubt God Himself …

Where do people get this idea that Christians shouldn’t suffer? They certainly don’t get it from the teachings of Jesus, the Word of God – for these clearly teach that pain, suffering and sorrow are the result of sin, and that both Christians and unbelievers are in bondage to sin in this earthly life, and that sin only brings suffering and death.

In fact, Jesus was quite straightforward with His disciples on this point. He assured them that it was because of their faith in Him that they would experience more pain, suffering, and sorrow than unbelievers. He told His disciples that the world would hate them because the world hates Him. Jesus taught His disciples that the way of the disciple is the same way as the way of the Teacher: The Way of the Cross, where Christians die to themselves, lose their lives in this world. And in Christ, they rise to eternal life – no different than Jesus Himself.

And so Jesus is no less straightforward with man today. “Truly, truly,” He says to you, “you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful.” You will endure pain, suffering and sorrow, says your Lord – but, it will come to an end… And then, your sorrow will be turned to joy…

So, lets’ recap: While everyone suffers, the Christian will suffer more. This begs the question: Why be a Christian? The answer is in Jesus’ words: While everyone suffers, only the Christian’s suffering will come to an end. Only the Christian’s sorrow will be turned to joy… The unbeliever’s suffering and sorrow will never end.

And Jesus says to you that your suffering and sorrow will last only a little while, and that in a little while He will come and deliver you from this world of sin and death… in a little while.

Seven times in today’s Gospel Jesus repeats this phrase, in a little while. But, what could Jesus possibly mean by saying a little while? It doesn’t seem like a little while. In fact, it’s been 2,000 years.

Truth be told, we believe Jesus’ words – that our suffering will only be for a little while – about as much as we believe it when the doctor says, “This won’t hurt a bit.” But remember that God is not subject to the passage of time as you are: one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as a day… And so, Jesus’ words seem – at best – indefinite, not specific.

And we don’t like that. We like to have things clear-cut, unambiguous. We’d much rather have a definite answer from Jesus, so that we can prepare – and manage for ourselves – the pain, suffering and sorrow, for their designated times. We want to be in control… But that is exactly what your Lord would release you from: having to be in control of your life – because you know there’s no Peace in that; you can’t do it…

Jesus is on control of your pain, your suffering and your sorrow – and you wouldn’t want it any other way. Because, if Jesus is in control, then His words, “a little while”, promise you that all you suffer is by God’s design, it cannot fail, it is for your good, and the pain will end – all at God’s Command. All authority has been given to Jesus by the Father, and He determines and controls when your suffering will be turned into eternal joy…

Now, knowing this, His words, “in a little while”, give you something other than doubt, don’t they? They give you hope. Your faith indeed hopes in this Word of God: in a little while.

Your Lord Jesus – who has loved by taking on pain, suffering, sorrow and even death – has set you free from the sin that would devour you in eternal suffering and pain. And in that same shed blood and death, Christ Jesus dispels your fear and your doubt, by strengthening you – for a little while – with His very Body and Blood that overcame suffering and sorrow. And in a little while, when He comes again, He will brings you home, through the new birth of water, Word, flesh and blood… and you will be free.

When a woman is giving birth, she has much suffering and pain – and even sorrow – because her hour has come. But when she has delivered the baby, she no longer even remembers the anguish, for joy that new life has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now. And the devil – that liar and murderer – would have you abort your new life of faith – the new life in Christ born from baptismal waters. But your Lord says to you: “I know you have sorrow now – but I will see you again. And your heart will rejoice… And no one – not even the devil – will take your joy from you…”

“No one will take your joy from you…” That Peace be with you, in Christ Jesus. Amen.

“GOING GREEN” – A NEW RELIGION?

2011-03-27T17:43:00.000-05:00

There’s a new religion out there. It doesn’t gather worshippers in any particular building at any particular time. It doesn’t have any formal scriptures or creeds. In fact, it doesn’t even consider itself a new religion… But it is – and its very, very popular…

To what am I referring? I’m referring to something that you see every time you watch TV, hear every time you listen to the radio; it’s all over the popular culture. What is it?

It’s “Going Green”. You’ve very likely heard of it. Celebrities, advertisements, public service announcements and cereal boxes (among other things) are reminding us these days to “Go Green”. I suppose that there might be a few people who haven’t heard the phrase “Going Green”. But even if you have heard this phrase, you may still not be too sure what it means.

Basically, “Going Green” is a way of going about your daily life in a way that protects the earth (nature and the environment). “Going Green” also includes the belief that much of what mankind does is bad for the earth, and that it’s up to all of us to change our way of living. Seemingly innocent and responsible things such as “Hybrid” vehicles, cloth shopping bags (rather than plastic), and heavy taxes on businesses and industries are all just the tip of the iceberg in the changes that the “Going Green” religion is striving for.

Now, maybe you use cloth shopping bags to carry home your groceries. And maybe you drive a fuel-efficient car. Maybe you do other things to take care of the environment. You may be asking, “Aren’t these good, Christian things acts of godly stewardship of the earth God has given us?

Yes, Christian stewardship is good, right and salutary – until it ceases to be Christian – that is, until stewardship is something that we do apart from trust in God. When this becomes the case, our stewardship becomes idolatry. Idolatry means trusting in something more than trusting in God, which is really just following another religion. Webster’s Dictionary defines “religion” this way: A cause, principle or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith.

Most individuals who advocate “Going Green” follow Webster’s definition of “religion”. But their “principles and system of belief” leave God out of the picture. The phrases we hear repeatedly from the “Going Green” crowd include: “Save the planet!”, “The ozone layer is being destroyed!”, “Global warming will end life as we know it!” These sayings all have two things in common: First, they call for radical reform of our daily lives – a new religion; and secondly, they deny that God is the Creator and sustainer of all life.

So we see that there’s a big difference between Christian Stewardship (faith in action) and “Going Green” (fear of the planet being destroyed). See Isaiah 51:12-13, Matthew 6:19-20. Christians are not given to believe that mankind has the power to destroy the earth. Only God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, has that power.

Also, those who preach “Going Green” do not base their beliefs on facts, but upon a false viewpoint that denies God, the Creator. In “Going Green” circles (which includes “global-warming” and “save-the earth” advocates) there is more talk about “Mother Earth” than there is about Father God. The “Going Green” viewpoint says that mankind is to serve nature. But Christians are called to serve God alone. See Deuteronomy 6:13, Luke 4:8.

Christians confess a different faith, based on the Scriptures alone – as opposed to “Going Green” and global-warming beliefs, which are based on fear, non-truths and false teaching. Christians confess the Apostles’ Creed. In the Creed’s First Article, we confess “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.” This means that God not only made the world and all that’s in it, but He also sustains the world in spite of sinful men. Weather is controlled by the Creator, who sees to it that the sun shines on the evil and the good. The Creator supplies everything that is needed for life for all men. God the Father supplies all we need for this body and life. He has never failed to do this, and yet the “Going Green” supporters deny this with their fear-filled message of the earth’s destruction.

“Going Green” has become a new religion – a false one. Do not be drawn in by their message of “caring for the earth”. This is not the real point for them. They are really advocating a fear that denies God as Creator, and that we’re on our own to save the world. They also regard the world as our last and only refuge – as if heaven didn’t exist.

You don’t need to “Go Green” to be a good steward of God’s earth – all you need is to be baptized, that is, forgiven and loved by Christ, who was sent into this word by the Father to redeem the world, and take us to heaven.

Contrast this good Christian confession of faith to the preaching of “Going Green” and “Global Warming”. They ask you to believe that by driving your cars, drilling for oil, and using incandescent light bulbs, you are actually destroying life! Such a belief ignores the gift of a loving Creator, and obscures the real sin of man: unbelief. Our problem isn’t depleting resources and pollution; the world’s real problem is the rejection of God as a loving Creator who sustains our life, and even the life of the whole world.

This is the same Creator who has also sent His Son to rescue us from sin, death and the devil. In the face of the world’s cries to “Save the planet”, we have the assurance that, in Christ Jesus, God has saved us, and will bring us to a new earth, when He comes again in Glory. That Peace be with you. Amen.

IS a CRUCIFIX LUTHERAN?

2011-03-27T16:52:00.000-05:00

There are some things that are Lutheran that Lutherans have forgotten about – things that are biblically faithful – things that have been a part of Lutheranism since its beginning. But over the last century-and-a-half, these things have come to be regarded as un-Lutheran – because they seemed too “Catholic” or too “formal”.

One of those things… is a crucifix. So let’s answer the questions:

Question: Is the use of crucifixes an exclusively Roman Catholic practice?

Answer:
Not at all. History tells us that the crucifix was a regular feature of Lutheran worship during. Luther’s lifetime and for hundreds of years afterward.

The founders of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) continued Luther’s teaching and worship practice when they arrived in the United States.

If one could travel back in time 150 years, he would find crucifixes in most LCMS churches. Many Lutheran parishes still use crucifixes. Crucifixes are not uniquely Roman Catholic; they’re quite Lutheran.

Crucifixes are in the chapels of both of the LCMS seminaries.

Lutherans consider the crucifix to be a powerful reminder of the sacrifice of Christ for our salvation. The Apostle Paul says in 1st Corinthians, chapter 1: “We preach Christ and Him crucified.”

Q: What happened in Lutheran history that makes the crucifix controversial today?

A: Mainly two things:
A movement within the Lutheran Church called “Pietism”. Pietism rejected much of Lutheran doctrine and, consequently, most Lutheran worship practices. Pietists believed that feelings and experience trumped biblical doctrine.

Also, American Lutherans have felt pressure to “fit in” with Reformed Christianity, which became the most common form of Christianity in America during the 20th century. Sadly, and to our detriment, this meant doing away with crucifixes, vestments, chalices, making the sign of the cross, and liturgical orders of Service.

Q: Isn’t it better to focus on Christ’s Resurrection? Isn’t this why we should use a bare cross, to symbolize the Resurrection?

A: Some will reject the crucifix, saying that they worship a resurrected Jesus, not a dead Jesus. But this reasoning misses the mark. The biblical truth is that we worship Christ who was both crucified and resurrected. We must be careful not to downplay the Crucifixion, for it won forgiveness and salvation for us; the Resurrection won us eternal life. Both are true, and both are necessary.
Christ resurrected from the tomb, not the cross. Therefore, a bare cross cannot be a symbol of the Resurrection.

If one wishes to symbolize the Resurrection, an empty tomb is appropriate, for this is what Christ arose from.

The point is that both a bare cross and a crucifix symbolize the same thing: Christ’s Crucifixion for the salvation of the world. Both can rightly be used.

Q: Isn’t the crucifix a “graven image” that Holy Scripture warns us not to use?

A: Those who claim this usually cite Exodus 20:4: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”
In truth, this Word of God does allow for images – just not the worship of them. Verse 5 states: “You shall not bow down to them or serve them.”

Further, the Lord commanded the construction of images, for example in Exodus 25:18-22. He ordered that two cherubim be carved and placed on the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant.

Any of God’s good gifts can be used wrongly, because of our sinfulness. But this is the sin of the worshipper, not the object. Even the Altar or the Baptismal Font can be abused, yet we wouldn’t cease to use these things. Rather, Lutherans are to correct false teaching, and forgive the abuse.

At the time of the Reformation there was conflict between Lutherans and Reformed Christians over the proper use of pictures, images, statues, etc. in the church. Lutherans stood with historic Christianity in realizing that such artwork in the church was not wrong, but rather greatly helped worshippers focus on the truths of God’s Word.

Q: Wouldn’t it be better, in order to avoid misunderstanding, to simply not have a crucifix?

A: Lutherans have never believed that banning something is the solution to misusing it. Rather, we believe that proper and continual teaching is the best way to avoid misunderstanding. This keeps the good things in use, to the Glory of God.

Q: In conclusion, are crucifixes good and right according to the Holy Scriptures?

A: This is the most important point of all: There is nothing contrary to God’s Word, or our Lutheran Confessions, about the proper use of a crucifix. There is nothing wrong with the proper use of either a bare cross or a crucifix, or any other church symbol by which we are reminded of all that Christ has done for our forgiveness and salvation.

In an age in which many things in our society are being “dumbed-down” and changed simply for the sake of change, we should guard against dismissing practices that are historic in the Church, that is, they have roots and teaching that goes back to biblical times. Before rejecting these things, we should learn more about them, and in so doing, have our worship and life enriched and blessed.

INDIVIDUAL CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION

2011-03-27T16:06:00.000-05:00

“When I urge you to go to Confession, I am simply urging you to be a Christian”

Dr. Martin Luther, from the Large Catechism

What is “Individual Confession and Absolution”?

Individual Confession and Absolution is a very important means of pastoral care. Lutheran Pastors use Confession and Absolution in several situations (family struggles, counseling situations, etc.) But whatever the situation, this Means of Grace brings God’s Forgiveness and Peace to those who are troubled and anxious because of certain sins. It is a brief Liturgical Rite spoken between Pastor and Parishioner. It is found on pages 292-293 in our Lutheran Service Book (LSB). Once you see this Rite in the LSB, you will plainly see that Individual Confession and Absolution is exactly what Luther’s Small Catechism teaches (LSB, page 326).

Lutheran Individual Confession and Absolution is not at all like many might imagine it: people sitting in confessional booths, speaking to unseen confessors, and being required to do certain acts of penance (works to prove one’s sorrow for one’s sins). In Lutheran Individual Confession and Absolution, after one confesses his sins, he hears only Christ’s Forgiveness, spoken in His stead and by His Command by the Pastor.

Should Lutherans Confess their Sins Individually?

Our Lutheran Confessions say, “It is taught among us that private absolution should be retained [kept in practice] in the churches and not be allowed to fall into disuse” The founding father of the Missouri Synod, C.F.W. Walther, said that a pastor should carefully instruct and encourage Individual Confession and Absolution, and praise its merits, so that it becomes widely available and enjoyed by all in the congregation, in addition to the Corporate Confession & Absolution of the Divine Service.

Confidentiality is Sacred – and Protected at All Costs

An important thing to remember about Individual Confession and Absolution is that pastors are sworn in their Ordinations never to reveal the sins confessed to them. As one Lutheran pastor put it, “The pastor’s ear is a tomb. What goes in, never comes out.” A Lutheran Pastor would rather face jail time, public humiliation or any other kind of earthly loss before betraying a Parishioner’s confidentiality and privacy. The moment a Pastor would ever do that, he would be finished as a pastor; no one would ever be able to trust him again.

A Gift of Christian Freedom

We Lutherans rejoice in the Forgiveness of Sins – it’s what the Christian Faith is all about. And so we ought to pray that God gives us the strength to resist the temptation to merely write-off the God-given opportunity of Individual Confession and Absolution, by dismissing it as “unnecessary” or “un-Lutheran” – for both would be false assertions.

And yet, no one should ever be compelled or forced to confess sins in this way. Rather this gift of individually addressing the sins that trouble us should be greatly desired when there are certain sins that greatly trouble us, or when one desires to hear Christ’s Forgiveness more personally. It should never be forced or insincere.

But, knowing that Individual Confession and Absolution is a free Gift from God, it is a good and blessed thing for a Christian to go to his Pastor, and hear in his own ears the very Forgiveness of Jesus Christ, specifically addressing that which has caused him sorrow, shame and worry. Thank God in Jesus Christ for this blessedly personal and assuring Means of Grace: Individual Confession and Absolution.

After all, it is simply the Christian thing to do…

ADORING CHRIST JESUS

2011-03-27T15:54:00.009-05:00

The word “Christmas” literally means “Christ sent to us”. The word Mass (another name for the Lord’s Supper) means “sent to”; it is shortened in the word “Christmas”. This means that each Lord’s Supper is a “Little Christmas” (no matter what time of the Church Year), as Christ is sent to us in the bread and wine.

And when He is, we adore Him – just as the Christmas Hymn says.

You may have seen that when the Pastor speaks Christ’s Words of Institution during the Service, he elevates the Host (the bread) and the Chalice (containing the wine). This is done so that you may adore Christ – that is, you may worship and honor your King who has come to save you.

Which brings us to our time at the Communion Rail; there’s more going on there than one might realize. The Distribution of the Body and Blood of our Lord is THE TIME when Lutherans confess that they believe that Christ is truly (not symbolically) present in the bread and wine. We express this confession very simply, by saying “Amen” when the bread and wine are given to us. Here’s how it works:

The Pastor momentarily holds the Host and the Chalice up in front of each Communicant when he comes to them. As he does so, the Communicant may look upon the Host, and the Chalice, and say “Amen”. This is a simple but powerful way to say that you believe Christ is truly present in this Sacrament. It also gives a greater meaning and significance to your time at the Communion Rail.

Please prayerfully consider taking note of this practice as you come forward to receive Christ, your Savior. Please do not be in a hurry at the Rail, but rather take a brief moment to acknowledge that this is Jesus for you – for the Forgiveness of sins, and the strengthening of Faith.

O Come Let us Adore Him, in the bread and in the wine. Amen.

Consuming the Chalice

2010-12-02T14:42:00.000-06:00

Sometimes, there are some things done during the Sacrament of the Altar which we may not fully understand. One of those things may be not knowing why the Pastor consumes the remaining wine in the Chalice. (This is called “Consuming the Reiliquary” – pronounced rel-ih-kwer-ee)

We know, from the Scriptures, when the wine of the Sacrament also becomes the true Blood of Christ, our Lord: it’s when the Word of Christ is spoken (Drink of it, all of you, this is My blood…). From these clear words of Christ onward, His Blood is in and with the wine. (The same is true for the bread, regarding Christ’s Word: This is My Body…)

But where in Scripture does it tell us when the wine stops being the Blood of Our Lord? The fact is, it never does; Scripture never even hints at the possibility of the wine of the Sacrament ceasing to be the Blood of Christ. (The same is true for the bread.)

And this is why we treat whatever bread and wine are leftover after the Lord’s Supper with care and reverence: For this bread and wine remains the very Body and Blood of our Lord, given and shed for our salvation.

But still, why does the Pastor consume this during the Service?

1. First, to show that there is nothing to fear in partaking from the Chalice (the common cup). Even after everyone has partaken of the Chalice, the Pastor drinks the remaining wine to show that we should not fear sharing germs or any such thing – because this wine is also the True Blood of our Savior, which can never harm us, but rather bring us Everlasting Life.

2. Secondly, and more importantly, the Pastor consumes the remaining wine in the Chalice because, biblically speaking, Jesus has given us only one thing to do with the wine that it His Blood: Drink it (St. Matt. 26:27; St. Mark 22:23; St. John 6:55 and 1Cor. 11:25). Lutherans hold to Scripture and it says of the wine: “Drink of it”. This is the clear Word of our Lord.