Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Trinity 24, 2024

YouTube

The Hymn # 577 God Bless Our Native Land

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Oh, come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker.

For He is our God: and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.

Psalm. Oh, come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

Stir up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the wills of Thy faithful people that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of Thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual

Gradual

Thou hast delivered my soul from death: mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

V. I love the Lord: because He hath heard my voice and my supplication. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. With Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light. Hallelujah!

The Gospel

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22

The Sermon Hymn #236 Creator Spirit By Whose Aid

Two Examples of Faith and Power

The Communion Hymn # 307 Draw Nigh and Take the Body of the Lord

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #240 Father Most Holy

Prayers and Announcements

Tomorrow Is Veterans Day.
Anita Engleman's birthday is Tuesday.
One year ago. Our Biblical doctrine series has a name - Reformation Seminary.
Medical care - Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris; Sarah Buck; Dr. Lito Cruz and his grandson.
Those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.

Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. 23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. 26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

Matthew 9 begins with a number of episodes and sayings, then a father fearing he had lost his daughter but asking Jesus to bless the girl and give her life. The father has great faith in Jesus, asking that He lay His healing hand on the girl so that she might live.

19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

They were together but all of them responded to the request, Jesus rising up and the disciples following. This beginning of a miracle is framed by another request for healing, the woman with an extended, painful, and difficult disorder. We can see from the Gospel of Mark that Jesus performed miracles, and they were so many that they were grouped together.

A delightful German woman in Ontario had this to say to people who never went to church. "So you are better than Jesus?" The targets would say, "Oh no. I am not saying I am better than Jesus." She always responded, "You must be better than Jesus because he prayed in the synagogue." Jesus' prayers are emphasized in all four Gospels. Miracles are offensive among the modernists, who want the blessings of the Gospel but not faith of Jesus. Others take these celestial matters for granted, as if everything else was important but not what belongs to God Himself.

20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

This is the well known miracle concerning the woman who was suffering from a long-lasting disorder - 12 years. She had so much faith in Jesus - faith comes from hearing the Gospel - Romans 10 - that she was confident of His healing power. On the other hand, Jesus knew the thoughts and understanding of all those around Him. She did not need to touch His robe, but it was good for the crowd to realize what was happening. That spread the Gospel but also incited the works-righteous who found many ways to be offended.

22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Luke 8:43ff has a lot more details.

Mark 5:25ff has details similar to Luke.

This collection of three stories annoys the skeptics because they want everything smooth and rational. Their little-faith content concerns the Son of God having this power, so the writers and editors want to make it smooth and not offensive in any way. That leads to people changing the facts and also exaggerating what they want to enlarge. As Nils A. Dahl said, "What do we know for certain? The text! That is what we know."

The text is the very Word of God, and we should honor that and be patient with the difficulties of life. When we are young, we are impatient about everything. Decades later, we marvel at how fast things went and even how well the worst situations turned out.

23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,

This is especially dramatic. Everyone is already in mourning and certain of the facts. The young lady has passed away and they are engaged in carrying out their duties. The noisy mourners are completely wrong, relying on the problem rather than the divine solution. We can glean quite a lot from a few Biblical miracles:

They may not happen immediately.
They can take a very long time to reveal themselves.
They can take place anywhere .
They can be expressed in many ways.

24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

The truth of Jesus the Messiah is met by laughter and scorn. That is how the Gospel moves forward. Those who harden themselves against the Savior may see their foolishness at times and repent. Here the mourners make matters worse by being coarse and obnoxious.

Luke 8:47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.

50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

Luke 8:51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.

25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. 26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

Jesus response was not to bring fire and brimstone down on the scornful noise-makers. He shocked them the greatest possible way, by taking the young girl's hand so they could feel the sting of their foolishness, the joy of her parents.

America is going through a chastening. People laughed with scorn over a real estate tycoon running for president. His faults were piled up to heaven, but he won the first election. The second election had 15 million (or more) extra votes - higher than either 2016 or 2024. People laughed that he could get past all the obstacles on his way to the 2024 election, including a bullet wound and another attempt.

If we continue on this course of promoting trafficking, abortion, toxic drugs, and every style of life except the traditional family, we will experience fire come down from heaven, as it did before, with Sodom and Gomorrah, Genesis 13 - and Romans 1:28-32.

Sunday, November 3, 2024

All Saints 2024

YouTube

The Hymn #656 Behold a Host Arrayed in White

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

O almighty God, who hast knit together Thine elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of Thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, grant us grace so to follow Thy blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that we may come to those unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love Thee; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

The Epistle and Gradual

Oh, fear the Lord, ye His saints:

for there is no want to them that fear Him.

V. They that seek the Lord:

shall not want any good thing. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden:

and I will give you rest. Hallelujah!

The Gospel

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22

The Sermon Hymn # 463 For All the Saints

The Word of Faith Towards God

The Communion Hymn #313 O Lord We Praise Thee - Luther

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #657 Beautiful Savior

By Norma A. Boeckler

Today we remember - Walter Boeckler, who supported Luther's doctrine and independent congregations; Gary Meyer, who participated in our first Ustream services; Brenda Kielher, who with her parents Cliff and Cleo Kiehler, helped start Bethany in New Ulm, Minnesota; and Gladys Jackson Meyer, who supported Bethany from the beginning and enjoyed helping out. Carl Roper supported independent congregations from the beginning. Carol Olsen, Lori Howell's mother, who worshiped with us, passed into eternal life on October 8th. 2021. Christina Jackson met her Savior August 22nd, 2021. Christina Jackson met her Savior August 22nd, 2021. Besides these, we have many others we name in our hearts, beloved, deeply missed, children, relatives, friends. Randy Anderson asked for more about Luther and Justification by Faith. He passed into eternal life on May 12, 2024.

In Our Prayers

Pastor Jim Shrader is recovering from tests. Dr. Lito Cruz is having some challenges, their grandson as well. My brother-in-law, Kermit Way, is also is our prayers.

Epistle

KJV Revelation 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundredand forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Gospel

KJV Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Click here->Luther's Complete Sermon on the Beatitudes

The Word of Faith Towards God

As long, however, as he is faithful in these two particulars, namely, in the Word of Faith towards God, by which the heart becomes pure, and in the word of the knowledge of what he is to do towards his neighbor in his calling, everything is pure to him, even if with his fists and his whole body he is busy with dirt.

"Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God." The verses - from the Sermon on the Mount and Luther's sermon on the Beatitudes - are enough for study throughout the year. The blessed verses are the "scandal" - the Greek for being the trigger that sets off the trap. That sounds awkward and difficult at first, but it is the goal of Jesus to connect His divine wisdom with our tendency to be tripped up by the truth and the rash claims of fakes.

We enjoy a continuous battle with reason and with faith in God - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is no puzzle - children delight in belief in God, adults fall away from the Biblical truths. Children have often explained to me, "Jesus is God. God can do anything." Adults, especially those with seminary degrees - and worse - say, "I am not sure about that" (any number of stumbling blocks). What the child sees and understands the adult trips over and falls down.

The problem of adults is the inability to believe all that the Lord Jesus Christ teaches. Pure in heart means - trust in all that God has to offer us, made clear by the Incarnation, God the Son in the flesh, born of the Virgin Mary, a great teacher and miracle worker, nevertheless dying to atone for our sins, rising from the dead, and ascending to Heaven.

Adults tend toward their own self-image and not necessarily the faith of Jesus taught throughout the Scriptures. The humanity of Jesus teaches us this Faith Belonging to Jesus because it is there in the original, edited 3 times by the Apostle Paul. What do the hooligans and thieves see? very little. Their big, expensive, calf-leather, gold embossed Biblical versions (paraphrases, expanding, dumbed-down) see faith-in-Jesus only and remain in darkness. If only faith-in-Jesus, then they are lost in darkness because they are measuring their own individual faith (sculpted, changed, edited, omitted) passages.

KJV Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

That has puzzled the great theologians for many decades, because it has to mean that He is both man and God, that forgiveness/absolution passes from God incarnate to us ordinary men and woman. The "new" (corrupted) Bibles teach by erasing words that annoy them and also change clear passages that demand the truth.

Faith in Christ means that everything God can do is also within the boundaries of a human being. For many centuries and especially in these times, the leaders/managers, bishops, DPs, Popes and mini-Popes want to point everyone to them and not to the Good Shepherd.

Luther made that very clear. All the power belongs to the Word of God, and the greatest power comes from the clearest part. Nevertheless, anyone can possess these truths and teach them to spouses, children, and clergy (the most obstinate).

The Word of God spreads through hearing and believing (Romans 10). That is a miracle by itself. The next step is realizing what God and His holy angels are already doing, often without any advice or repentance and forgiveness.

KJV Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power [efficacy, dynamite] that worketh [energy] in us,

[ κατα την δυναμιν dynamite την ενεργουμενην energy εν ημιν}

KJV Romans 10

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Sunday, January 28, 2024

TLH - Behold the Sure Foundation-Stone

"Behold the Sure Foundation-Stone"
by Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

Tune: "St. Anne"

1. Behold the sure Foundation-stone
Which God in Zion lays
To build our heavenly hopes upon
And His eternal praise.

2. Chosen of God, to sinners dear,
Let saints adore the name;
They trust their whole salvation here,
Nor shall they suffer shame.

3. The foolish builders, scribe and priest,
Reject it with disdain;
Yet on this rock the Church shall rest
And envy rage in vain.

4. What though the gates of hell withstood
Yet must this building rise.
'Tis Thine own work, Almighty God,
And wondrous in our eyes.

Hymn #460
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Psalm 118:22
Author: Isaac Watts, 1719
Composer: William Croft, 1708
Tune: "St. Anne"

Sunday, June 27, 2021

If God Himself Be For Me - Gerhardt - #528

Lutheran Library free online books by Morris are linked here.

Tune - Valet will ich dich geben

10. In yonder home doth flourish

My heritage, my lot;

Though here I die and perish,

My heaven shall fail me not.

Though care my life oft saddens

And causeth tears to flow,

The light of Jesus gladdens,

And sweetens every woe.

11. Who clings with resolution

To Him whom Satan hates

Must look for persecution;

For him the burden waits

Of mockery, shame, and losses,

Heaped on his blameless head;

A thousand plagues and crosses

Will be his daily bread.

12. From me this is not hidden,

Yet I am not afraid;

I leave my cares, as bidden,

To whom my vows are paid.

Though life and limb it cost me

And everything I own,

Unshaken shall I trust Thee

And cleave to Thee alone.

13. Though earth be rent asunder,

Thou'rt mine eternally;

Not fire nor sword nor thunder

Shall sever me from Thee;

Not hunger, thirst, nor danger,

Not pain not poverty

Nor mighty princes' anger

Shall ever hinder me.

14. No angel and no gladness

No throne, no pomp, no show,

No love, no hate, no sadness,

No pain, no depths of woe,

No scheme of man's contrivance,

However small or great,

Shall draw me from Thy guidance

Nor from Thee separate.

15. My heart for joy is springing

And can no more be sad,

'Tis full of mirth and singing,

Sees naught but sunshine glad.

The Sun that cheers my spirit

Is Jesus Christ, my King;

The heaven I shall inherit

Makes me rejoice and sing.

The Lutheran Hymnal #528

If God Himself Be For Me

Romans 8:31-39

Paul Gerhardt, 1656

Tune: Valet will ich dich geben

Saturday, May 8, 2021

Hymns of Hope, Peace, and Comfort from The Lutheran Hymnal.
Illustrated by Norma A. Boekler.
Email Your Choices to Greg.Jackson.EDPD@Gmail.com

Heaven Is My Home - #660

Be Still My Soul - #651

A Pilgrim and a Stranger - #586 - Gerhardt

What Our Father Does Is Well - #571

Abide with Me, Fast Falls the Eventide - #552

What God Ordains Is Always Good - #521

Commit Whatever Grieves Thee - Gerhardt - #520

If Thou But Suffer God To Guide Thee - #518

God Moves in a Mysterious Way - Cowper - #514

Art Thou Weary, Art Thou Troubled? - John Mason Neale - #513

The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want - #436

What Is the World To Me? - #430

I Walk in Danger All the Way - Brorson - #413

Just As I Am Without One Plea - #388

From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee - Luther - #329

If God Had Not Been On Our Side - Luther - #267

PS - These are not all the hymns of hope, peace, and comfort, but a convenient selection for now. Vote for the ones you think fit this categories. More categories will follow.

Sunday, December 6, 2020