is the title of this weekend's message at Life in Christ. In Acts, chapter one, an election of sorts takes place. Someone has to be chosen to take the place of Judas as an apostle. Two people are put forth. One wins and one loses. Or is that really true? Join us at LICL to find out.
Saturday worship is held at 5 pm. Connie, Dan, Ron and I will provide the music. On Sunday you can join us at either 8 or 10:45 am with Bible classes taking place at 9:20 am. Hope to see you soon at Life in Christ!
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Friday, May 30, 2014
Painful to believe in Jesus
An interesting insight from a favorite book...
It is painful to believe in Jesus. When you believe in Jesus, it means that you have to admit that there is something outside of you far more important and significant than you are. Faith in Jesus means that you must admit that you need Him, that He gives you something you would otherwise never have. It means that you must depend on Him for certain blessings.
Klemet Preus, "What They Need to Hear," page 57
It is painful to believe in Jesus. When you believe in Jesus, it means that you have to admit that there is something outside of you far more important and significant than you are. Faith in Jesus means that you must admit that you need Him, that He gives you something you would otherwise never have. It means that you must depend on Him for certain blessings.
Klemet Preus, "What They Need to Hear," page 57
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Christ, my joy!
What this coming of Christ among us really means, above all, is the joy of God in the world, the joy of God catching fire in humanity, which is hungry for joy. In a thousand ways people ask today, where can we find joy? Church of Christ, you alone know the answer; say it out loud: Christ, my joy!
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Ascension Day Sermon, 1933
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Ascension Day Sermon, 1933
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Did I hear that right?
Recently a pastor told me that he had a "following" at the church where he serves.
Color me overly sensitive, if you will, but I was offended by the remark.
Sure, pastors are shepherds and leaders. But they are servant leaders.
Pastors point people to Jesus. It's in Jesus that there is forgiveness of sins, peace for mind and heart, the promise of eternal life.
Pastors get close to people so that so that they can apply the healing balm of the Gospel to broken hearts. They get close to people so that they can speak the Law to those who are going astray.
Pastors who brag about their following are putting the spotlight on themselves and not on Christ Jesus.
When ministry becomes a popularity contest, when the pastor with the biggest following is considered the best, then Christ loses His rightful place in the church.
John the Baptist once told some of his followers that he, John, should decrease so that Christ might increase.
Sounds like John was saying, "Follow Jesus, not me."
That's what every good pastor will tell his flock. Follow Jesus. Follow Jesus.
Color me overly sensitive, if you will, but I was offended by the remark.
Sure, pastors are shepherds and leaders. But they are servant leaders.
Pastors point people to Jesus. It's in Jesus that there is forgiveness of sins, peace for mind and heart, the promise of eternal life.
Pastors get close to people so that so that they can apply the healing balm of the Gospel to broken hearts. They get close to people so that they can speak the Law to those who are going astray.
Pastors who brag about their following are putting the spotlight on themselves and not on Christ Jesus.
When ministry becomes a popularity contest, when the pastor with the biggest following is considered the best, then Christ loses His rightful place in the church.
John the Baptist once told some of his followers that he, John, should decrease so that Christ might increase.
Sounds like John was saying, "Follow Jesus, not me."
That's what every good pastor will tell his flock. Follow Jesus. Follow Jesus.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
17 years and counting
On Sunday I celebrated my 17th year in the parish ministry. Actually, I didn't celebrate at all. I didn't mention it at church. We didn't throw a party at home. Usually, the 17th of anything doesn't get much notice.
Mostly I just gave thanks to God for seeing me through these years. Serving as a pastor is hard, much harder than I ever imagined. I make so many mistakes. I seem to fail with amazing regularity. I relate to what the apostle Paul wrote in Romans, seven. I do the things I don't want to do and fail to do the things I should really do - and I do so all the time! What a wretched pastor I am! Praise God that we have victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Over 17 years I've watched God at work - forgiving sins, giving and strengthening faith, providing hope for today and eternity - through the Means of Grace, Word and Sacraments. I've seen the joy the Word gives to a Mom and her newborn and I've seen the comfort the Word gives to an elderly wife who has said goodbye to her husband.
I've had the privilege of serving three congregations - in Missouri, South Carolina and now Arizona. Each congregation richly blessed Sherri and my kids and I. I've been on the receiving end of much love and respect and concern. I am one blessed pastor.
On my ordination day I asked the Lord to give me 20 good years of ministry. God has answered that prayer and more. On Sunday I thanked Him for the opportunity to be an under shepherd to the Good Shepherd of the Sheep, the Lord Jesus Christ. To God goes all the praise and glory! Amen.
Mostly I just gave thanks to God for seeing me through these years. Serving as a pastor is hard, much harder than I ever imagined. I make so many mistakes. I seem to fail with amazing regularity. I relate to what the apostle Paul wrote in Romans, seven. I do the things I don't want to do and fail to do the things I should really do - and I do so all the time! What a wretched pastor I am! Praise God that we have victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Over 17 years I've watched God at work - forgiving sins, giving and strengthening faith, providing hope for today and eternity - through the Means of Grace, Word and Sacraments. I've seen the joy the Word gives to a Mom and her newborn and I've seen the comfort the Word gives to an elderly wife who has said goodbye to her husband.
I've had the privilege of serving three congregations - in Missouri, South Carolina and now Arizona. Each congregation richly blessed Sherri and my kids and I. I've been on the receiving end of much love and respect and concern. I am one blessed pastor.
On my ordination day I asked the Lord to give me 20 good years of ministry. God has answered that prayer and more. On Sunday I thanked Him for the opportunity to be an under shepherd to the Good Shepherd of the Sheep, the Lord Jesus Christ. To God goes all the praise and glory! Amen.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Speaking of Hope
is the title of this week's message. St. Peter tells us that we should always be ready to speak of the hope that we have. How does a person do that when faced with a hopeless situation, a hopeless life? Peter will point the way for us. Join us this Sunday at 8 or 10:45 am for worship with Bible classes for all ages at 9:20 am. Or, if you've got Sunday/Monday plans, check out our Saturday service that takes place at 5 pm today. Pastor Pope will be preaching and communion will be celebrated. Have a blessed weekend!
Friday, May 23, 2014
When faith grows best
This faith grows in persecution more than at any other time. Faith perseveres in the most severe trials, and through exercise it becomes strong.
CFW Walther, "God Grant It," page 806
CFW Walther, "God Grant It," page 806
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