Messages

1

Your Turn / Re: Luke 17:5--10

« on: Yesterday at 10:13:46 AM »

To put things in perspective:

The NALC (North America Lutheran Church) has 142,000 baptized members.

The Michigan District of the LCMS has 212,000 baptized members.
The Texas District of the LCMS has 132,000 baptized members

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Your Turn / Re: Luke 17:5--10

« on: October 02, 2022, 02:31:15 PM »

Unless Rev. Stephen W. Bohler files a complaint with Presiding Bishop
Elizabeth Eaton, then Rev. Richard Johnson is home free from his act
of mercy in Houston, Texas.

3

Your Turn / Re: Christian life, Church, and Mission

« on: October 01, 2022, 11:30:15 AM »

In the book of Acts we see the mission of the early church

Acts 14:21,22  "They preached the gospel to the city of Derbe
and made many disciples."   Our mission starts with proclaiming
the gospel and making disciples of those who hear the Good News
of Christ.  In Matthew 28, Jesus had commissioned the apostles
"to make disciples of all nations"

The local congregation in our nation today is more apt to recruit
new members than "make disciples"   Making disciples requires
strengthening the faith of those who follow Jesus.  This happens
when they have a steady intake of God's Word on a daily basis.
They love to read, study, and meditate on Holy Scripture as they
learn of God's will for their life.  They have a strong worship life
in their parish as they hear God's Word & partake of Holy Communion.
 
Disciples of Jesus are alert to the daily opportunities they have to
share Christ with those who do not know Him.  They have a zeal
to use their time, talent, and treasure for the mission of the church.
It is necessary for a healthy congregation to have strong pastoral
leadership to still focused on the main mission of the church.

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Your Turn / Re: The Blessing/Curse of Wealth in Scriptures

« on: September 30, 2022, 08:57:07 AM »

In the book of Acts we see the danger of misusing material possessions & money.
Luke gives the account of the generosity of Barnabas and the greed of Ananias and
Sapphira. The early Christian church tried to meet the challenge of  helping the needy
in their midst.

Barnabas sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money to the Apostles
for distribution to the needy.  Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of their property
but held back some of the proceeds for themselves.  They lied to God and men
about it.  They were both struck dead by God for their sin.  Yes, wealth can become
a curse when greed is involved.

5

Your Turn / Re: United List…Here We Go

« on: September 23, 2022, 03:06:22 PM »

The fact that 60% of LCMS congregations receive one or zero new parishioners
per year is a real sad reality.  When 50% of our nation is non-Christian we need
to wake up and get actively involved in sharing the Good News of  Christ in our
communities.  Whether your parish is rural, urban or suburban there are no good
excuses for lack of outreach.  I maintain that pastoral leadership is a vital part
of a healthy parish that is actively involved in evangelism.

6

Your Turn / Re: United List…Here We Go

« on: September 22, 2022, 01:28:43 PM »

A healthy congregation will have a solid doctrinal confession based on God's Word.
The pastor will preach Christ-centered sermons that proclaim both law and gospel.
The pastor will teach Christ as the Way, the Truth and the Life  in Bible classes,
Youth confirmation classes and Adult Instruction classes.

A healthy parish will also have a passion to reach out into the community with the
Good News of Christ.  Members will be challenged to share Christ with unchurched
family members, unchurched friends and neighbors.  Invitations will be made to
the unchurched to attend worship and adult instruction classes.  The pastor will
demonstrate leadership in parish evangelism efforts.

7

Your Turn / Re: United List…Here We Go

« on: September 21, 2022, 04:17:18 PM »

Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne in its 20 year existence had several
outlets for social life for an all male campus.  There were two friendly places,
Parkview School of Nursing and a Lutheran School of Nursing.   They would
invite the CSC students to their dances and other activities.  Many of my
classmates met their future wife at these events.  I also met my future wife
during my junior year at CSC and we got married after my first year at
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Since she was a registered nurse she worked
at St. Mary's Hospital across from the seminary during my second and fourth
year at the seminary.

8

Your Turn / Re: United List…Here We Go

« on: September 21, 2022, 02:11:26 PM »

Dr. Kimberly Schave is an Assistant Professor on the faculty of
 Concordia University Ann Arbor.  She teaches accounting in
the School of Business Administration.

Good to know that she is on the faculty of an LCMS university.
As an Ohio State Buckeye fan she must have some tense moments
on the same turf as the Michigan Wolverines.  Yet Kim can handle it.

9

Your Turn / Re: United List…Here We Go

« on: September 15, 2022, 06:44:35 PM »

The LCMS Reporter article "On the Manly Office of the Pastor" in the
September 2022 issue fails to remember that the pastoral ministry is
a calling from God. We cannot lose our sense of vocation.

In 1 Timothy 1:12-14, the Apostle Paul reminds us of the real basis
for our ministry:

The Lord's Power....."who has given me strength"
The Lord's Call........"appointing me to his service"
The Lord's Grace....."was poured out on me abundantly"

10

Your Turn / Re: Queen Elizabeth’s faith and a global moment

« on: September 14, 2022, 06:54:13 PM »

During her 70 year reign, Queen Elizabeth ii had the responsibility as the Defender of
Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England to appoint archbishops,
bishops & deans of the Church of England as advised by the prime minister.

Throughout her life Queen Elizabeth credited her personal faith in God and belief
in Christ as her foundation during the many storms both public and private which
she endured. She had a love for the Bible and its gospel message.

11

Your Turn / Re: Marriage - biblical and contemporary

« on: September 12, 2022, 10:39:33 AM »

The 1991 CPH edition of "An Explanation of the Small Catechism"

Question 56  What does  God forbid in the 6th Commandment?
 A. God forbids divorce except for marital unfaithfulness (adultery
and desertion).  see Matthew 19:9, and 1 Corinthians 7:15

As a young boy in the 1950's I remember reading the divorce notices
in our newspaper in Davenport, Iowa.  It was called "The Davenport
Daily Times" Two of the reasons listed for divorces:  1. Mental Cruelty or
2. Incompatible Differences   This was a city of 100,000 people.

12

Your Turn / Re: Marriage - biblical and contemporary

« on: September 10, 2022, 05:19:36 PM »

Romans 1:26-27 is clear about the fact that homosexual passion
among homosexual men and homosexual women is not natural.
Gays are giving up natural acts with women and lesbians are giving
up natural acts with men. it is perversion and sinful behavior which
displeases our God when homosexuals have unnatural sexual acts.

Nothing has changed God's outlook on homosexual behavior in the
21st century.   The U.S. Supreme Court cannot change God's Will
that marriage was instituted as a lifelong relationship between one
man and one woman.

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Your Turn / Re: Marriage - biblical and contemporary

« on: September 09, 2022, 04:52:44 PM »

In his Large Catechism, Martin Luther highlights 3 points
under the 6th Commandment and Marriage:

1. "How highly God honors and praises this walk of life, endorsing and protecting it by
his commandment."

2. "It is a necessary walk of life, it is solemnly commanded by God that in general both men and women of all walks of life, who have been created for it, shall be found in
this walk of life."

3. "This commandment requires all people not only to live chastely in deed, word and
thought in marriage as a walk of life, but also to love and cherish the spouse whom
God has given them."

Kolb/Wengert Edition (2000) Book of Concord

 

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Your Turn / Re: Christian life, Church, and Mission

« on: September 09, 2022, 12:32:47 PM »

In John chapter 21, Jesus gives us the key to the mission and ministry
of the church.   When Jesus reinstates Peter, he asks him three times,
"Do you truly LOVE me?"

In the local congregation, the mainspring of our pastoral ministry is not love
 for the members in our flock. It is our love for Christ that motivates us to
share the Good News of Jesus with others.

The prerequisite for pastoral ministry is not an academic degree or high voltage
enthusiasm or a magnetic personality.  We need a personal and passionate love
for Christ as we ask His blessing upon our ministry among His people.

15

Your Turn / Re: Third Use of the Law Is Legalism

« on: September 07, 2022, 04:30:55 PM »

Pastor Kirchner brought up a real blast from the past.....Don Matzat.

When I was a first year seminarian at Concordia, St. Louis  I pitched
for our Seminary which hosted an annual Fast-Pitch Softball Invitational
Tournament at Forest Park in May.  Don Matzat was also a pitcher on
that team.  On the second night of the tournament under the lights,
Don came to the game and smelled like Ben-Gay ointment.

I asked him what the problem was.  He told me that his arm was sore
and he wanted to heal it quickly. Don was a 4th year seminarian so I
respectfully told him that Ben-Gay would not help him any if he was
needed to pitch that night.  He laughed and did not play that night.