Grace Evangelical-Lutheran: 2024

Sunday, May 12, 2024

John 15,26-16,4. Exaudi

John 15,26-16,4 3224

Exaudi 43

Vitalis of Ravenna, Italy. Martyr 171

12. Mai 2024

1. ℣ Hear my voice, O Yahweh, when I cry:

℟ Have mercy on me, and hear me. (Psalm 26,7 vul lxx).

О Christ, You have rescued us from hell. Whoever believes in You should not perish but have eternal life (John 3,16). O glad day, on which our salvation is seated and happiness is confirmed to us! Jesus lives and we will live also! We are united with Him now in faith and will be after this life in glory. Amen. (Stark 516 © 1852; English 89).

2. »Jesus said to His disciples: „But when the Comforter arrives, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about Me. And you also bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning. I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is approaching when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor Me. But I have said these things to you, so that when their hour arrives you may remember that I told them to you. I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.“«

3. On Maundy Thursday, Jesus promised His apostles that He would send the Holy Spirit to them. This promise was kept on Pentecost, which is next Sunday. The Holy Spirit testifies (μαρτυρήει) of Jesus, He helps the apostles testify (μαρτυρούν) about Jesus and He helps the Church testify about Jesus to this very day.

4. The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the Church, for false teachings and heresies are always on the horizon to rob Christians of the certainty of the gospel. Already in the Apostolic Church there were false or heretical teachings trying to supplant the gospel. The Apostle John composes in his first epistle: »I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also« (1. John 2,21-23). John is contending with the Gnostic philosophy in his epistle.

5. Gnosticism means knowledge; γνωσις. The Gnostics believed that matter is evil and the spirit is good. God who is a Spirit is infinitely separated from the physical world. Gnostics rejected the belief that the Son of God became a man. Salvation, then, is not through Christ but by gaining secret knowledge of the universe and magical formulas that would enable one to free one’s spirit from the body’s evil corruption. Some tried to merge gnosticism with Christianity but the two polarized views of God and the world made such a merger short-lived.

6. Gnosticism rejected the Son of God coming to earth as a man. The Apostle John’s response is: if you reject Jesus, then you reject God the Father. »And now, little children, abide in Jesus Christ, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His advent« (1. John ,28).

7. Aspects of Gnosticism still show up in our culture. That the soul is inherently good and the body is evil is one aspect of Gnosticism that is engrained in our culture. That you don’t need the Bible to know about God is another aspect of Gnosticism. That you don’t need Jesus to obtain salvation is yet another aspect of Gnosticism.

8. The Church and her Christians are intimately connected to Jesus and with Jesus. „If we are with Jesus, then we have conflict with all that is antichrist, and the supreme antichrist is the one who operates in the name of God. … This we do when we displace Christ with our own notions; when we say, “Thus says the Lord,” when the Lord has not spoken; when we put God’s name on our own wishes, plans and programs, the unchurch those who disagree with us“ (Nagel 148).

9. As Western Christians, we confess in the Creed that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. This proceeding Spirit comes to us to bear witness to the Son and to empower us to bear witness to the Son. The cornerstone of this testimony is the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus for our redemption. The Spirit brings Christ alive in us and brings us resources to live out His forgiveness and His love (Nagel 149). How we live out His forgiveness and love takes a different and unique shape in each Christian (Nagel 149).

10. The primary task of the Holy Spirit is to be our Comforter. How does He comfort us? Luther in his Small Catechism teaches: In the same way, the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps her with Jesus in the one true faith. In this Christian Church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers (Small Catechism). Each time we take and eat Christ’s body and drink His blood that was given and shed for us for the forgiveness of sins, the Holy Spirit is sustaining our faith that receives and believes this Sacramental promise of Christ. By the comfort of the Holy Spirit we testify and bear witness to our Lord’s death by which He redeemed the world back to the Father.

11. With the Holy Spirit and unafraid, we are bold to act, bold to prepare to act, even when things may look as if they are crashing down on us (Nagel 149). With joy we go into God’s world testifying to Christ Jesus our Savior.

12. Χριστός σταυρωμένος. Χριστός αναστήθηκε. Ο Χριστός ανέβηκε. Ο Χριστός θα επιστρέψει. Christus crucifixit; Christus resurrexit; Christus ascendit; Christus revertetur. Christ crucified; Christ resurrected; Christ ascended; Christ will return! Alleluia!!

13. Now I firmly believe and knowest,

I proclaim it without any fear,

That God, the Best and Highest,

Is my Friend and Father dear,

And whatever comes my way

By side He will always be,

And calms the storms and the waves,

And whatever woe afflicts me.

(Ist Gott für mich elkg 529,2 2021 Paul Gerhard 1607-76).

This is most certainly true.

14. Et pax Dei, quæ exuperat omnem sensum, custodiat corda vestra, et intelligentias vestras in Christo Jesu. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7). Amen.

15. Let us pray. Almighty and Everlasting God, who lovest peace and concord and hast called us in Christ to love and unity, we pray Thee so rule our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit that we, being delivered by the true fear of God from all fear of man, may evermore serve Thee in righteousness, mercy, humility and gentleness towards one another. Amen. (Exaudi, Vespers Collect 2. The Daily Office. Copyright © 1965 Concordia Publishing House.)

To God alone be the Glory

Gode ealdore sy se cyneþrymm

✠

All Scriptural quotations are translations done by The Rev. Peter A. Bauernfeind using the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, 4. Edition © 1990 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, Septuaginta, Vol. I and II 2. Revised Edition © 2006 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart and the Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 28. Revised Edition © 2012 Deutsch Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart.

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Exodus 32,7-14. Rogate

Exodus 32,7-11 3124

Rogate 41

Gotthard, Bishop of Hildesheim, Germany. ✠ 1039

Frederick the Wise, Landgrave of Thuringia & Elector of Saxony, Defender of Luther, ✠ 1525

5. Mai 2024

1. ℣ Announce in a voice of exultation:

℟ Make this heard, and bring it forth to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 48,20b vul).

O Christ, in You we have the redemption through Your blood, namely, the forgiveness of sins. Death cannot harm us, for You have overcome death. Yes, You have changed death into a sweet sleep and made it our departure to our Father in heaven. Whoever believes in You shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3,16). Amen. (Stark 516; English transl. 89).

2. »And Yahweh said to Moses: „Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said: ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’ I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.“ But Moses implored Yahweh his God and said: „O Yahweh, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people, whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say: ‘With evil intent did He bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your burning anger and relent from this disaster against Your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them: ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’“ And Yahweh relented from the disaster that He had spoken of bringing on His people.«

3. Rogate. Ask. Pray. The old Rogation days (c. 604 with Gregory the Great) in the Western Church are 25. April and the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Ascension Thursday. These 4 days are days of prayer: prayers of repentance, for protection from calamity and for a bountiful harvest (Bittage, Bittwoche or Kreuzwoche).

4. As the text of Exodus 32 reminds us, God’s people are prone to sin, even idolatry. The particular idolatry of Israel who weeks earlier had been been delivered out of Egypt was syncretism: Aaron and the people merge together worship of Yahweh and Baal. The Sinai covenant expressly forbade creating an image of Yahweh, so Aaron makes an image of Baal, a golden calf, and says this calf image represents Yahweh, confusing and mingling together Yahweh and Baal, is who lead them out of Egypt. In short order, the people are breaking the first 3 Commandments at the very base of Mount Sinai where they had just received them while Moses is on the mountain receiving the physical tablets of these Commandments. Yahweh is so angry that He ponders annihilating all of Israel and starting over with Moses.

5. The Church and Christians are just as prone to sin as Israel was. In 318, Arius, a pastor and presbyter in Alexandria, took issue with his bishop, Alexander, who taught that Jesus is begotten of the Father. Arius concluded: if the Father begot the Son, then there was a moment in time where the Son had a beginning. Arius wrote: He who is without beginning made the Son a beginning of created things. … For the Son is not equal to, nor is he the same being (ὁμοούσιος) as the Father (Thalia). Thus Arius’ hierarchy became: God the Father begets and creates the Son, then the angels, then all creation and finally mankind. Jesus therefore, as a created being, is similar to the Father’s Divine nature, but is not, and cannot, be of the same Divine nature as the Father.

6. To deny Jesus’ full and complete Divine with that of the Father will inevitably lead to the denial of salvation and justification. If Jesus is not fully God as the Father is fully God, then was Christ’s sacrifice sufficient to redeem the world? Am I saved? Are you saved? The gospel is about certainty and assurance, but Arius’ teaching replaced that certainty with doubt.

7. Contrary to Arius, Jesus proclaimed: »I and the Father are one« (John 10,30). Jesus was speaking of the Divine nature: both the Father and the Son have the same Divine nature and both are fully God. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus consistently teaches that He is Divine, and the Pharisees each time seek to charge Him with blasphemy by equating Himself to God the Father.

8. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God’s people have weathered false teachings, heresies and idolatry. The faithful prayed and asked God deliver them. »My house shall be a house of prayer« (Isaiah 56,7; Jeremiah 7,11). Domine, exaudi orationem meam. ... Et non intres in judicium cum servo tuo. O Yahweh, hear my prayer for the sake of Your faithfulness and do not enter into judgment with Your servant (Psalm 143,1.2). The prayer of a righteous person is able to do much because it is effective (James 5,16). We should be certain that our petitions and prayers are pleasing to God our Father, are heard by Him and that He answers them. Time and again, God sends people to call them back to Him and right doctrine. We pray for the Church for the gospel to create and sustain faith. We pray for the State that we have good government and wise leaders. We pray for good and plentiful harvests.

9. Jesus suffered, died and rose again for us. He told us that the Father hears our prayers and answers them. Jesus is the Yes to our prayers. He is the Answer given by the Father to our petitions. He is our Intercession before His Heavenly Father. Jesus absolves us of our sin. He delivers us from calamities. He provides our bountiful harvest.

10. Give us joy and strength to stand

In battle with Satan’s hand;

His kingdom and his works each day

We face as foes in every way.

Help us fight with honor true

And overcome, as we pursue

A life of service, pure and bright,

No Christian shall surrender in this fight. (Zieh ein zu deinen Toren elkg 482,12 2021 Paul Gerhardt 1653)

This is most certainly true.

11. Et pax Dei, quæ exuperat omnem sensum, custodiat corda vestra, et intelligentias vestras in Christo Jesu. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7). Amen.

12. Let us pray. O Almighty God, who hast caused the light of eternal life to shine upon the world, we beseech Thee that our hearts may be so kindled with heavenly desires, and Thy love so shed abroad in us by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may continually seek the things which are above and, abiding in purity of heart and mind, may at length attain unto Thine everlasting kingdom, there to dwell in the glorious light of Thy presence, world without end. Amen. (Rogate, Vespers Collect 2. The Daily Office.)

To God alone be the Glory

Gode ealdore sy se cyneþrymm

✠

Sunday, April 28, 2024

Revelation 15,2-4. Cantate

Revelation 15,2-4 3024

Cantate 40

Vitalis of Ravenna, Italy. Martyr 171

28. April 2024

1. ℣ Sing to Yahweh a new song:

℟ For He has done wonderful things. (Psalm 97,1a vul mas).

О Jesus, dearest Friend, Your resurrection brings us a three-fold comfort: the resurrection of Jesus is our victory. Now our sins can no more condemn us. By the blood and wounds of Christ, by Your resurrection, we have obtained forgiveness of all our sins, no matter how many or how great and grievous they may be. Amen. (Stark 515-16 © 1852; English 89).

2. »And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: „Great and amazing are Your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your Name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.“«

3. When the Apostle John received his revelation, imperial persecution against Christians were still fresh in the Church’s memory. Nero’s persecution of Christians began in Rome, and reached to other provinces; it lasted from ad 64-68; the Apostles Peter and Paul (ad 67/68) were martyred in Rome and the Evangelist Mark, now a bishop, was martyred in Alexandria (ad 68). The Church also commemorates 3 Christians who were martyred under Nero: Anastasia, Basilissa (ad 66) and Pudens (ad 64-68). Then Domitian’s persecution martyred more Christians and lead to John’s imprisonment on Patmos (circa ad 95), which is where he received his revelation. When Domitian died in a 96, so did the persecution of the Church, temporarily. Numerous Christians had been persecuted and martyred. In this terrifying conflict, though they are conquered by the beast and its image (Revelation 13,5-7), through death and martyrdom they come out of the struggle victorious, just as their Lord did on their behalf (Revelation 19,15; Isaiah 63,1-6) (Brighton 400).

4. Tertullian (115-220) wrote: Plures efficimur, quotiens metimur a vobis: semen est sanguis Christianorum (Apologeticus L.13). The more we are mown down by you, the more we spring up in greater numbers: the blood of Christians is the seed. The Church on earth is always the Church militant; more often than not the Church suffers and is persecuted; through it all the Church testifies to Jesus and the gospel of His crucifixion and resurrection. Iubilatemus et cantatemus. We rejoice and we sing. Sometimes we sing laments; other times we sing imprecations, i.e. for justice; we always sing praises to Jesus, for salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb! (Revelation 7,10).

5. Since the Holy Spirit convicts the world in regard to righteousness, then the prince of this world has been judged (John 16,8.11). In his revelation, John sees the victorious saints standing before the throne of God, singing a song of praise to the Lord. This is a song of victory, for they have conquered the beast and its image through the blood of the Lamb. This victory is not their own, but it is the victory of Christ Jesus, who has conquered sin, death and the devil through His death and resurrection.

6. Jesus is our Rock, our Fortress and our Might; He is our Captain in the well fought fight; in the dreary darkness, Christ is our one, true Light (lsb 677,2). To Jesus who is the Lamb that was slain we sing hymns and songs rejoicing in His victory over every earthly and spiritual power that seeks to enslave and control us.

7. The Christian life is one of agonizing struggles (Anfechtungen, tentatio; Bayer xiii). Such agonizing struggles are not pleasant, but our Lord Jesus Christ uses them to strengthen us as persons and Christians. Meditate upon the words of the Apostle Paul concerning the thorn in the flesh Jesus had put in his life: »But Jesus said to me: „My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.“ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong« (2. Corinthians 12,9-10). Paul can say this because he knows that »Jesus is gentle and lowly in heart, and in Him we find rest for our souls« (Matthew 11,29).

8. So when agonizing struggles bear heavy upon your body and soul, turn to Jesus, let Him take upon Himself your struggles, for His yoke is light and His shoulders are more than capable of bearing your soul-wrenching struggles and tribulations. Do not bear such things by yourself. Jesus is here for you, and he wants to bear your burdens. You are not bothering Him when you pray and ask Him to take your troubles upon Him. Jesus wants to do this for you. He bore all your sins upon the cross; He can handle whatever struggles you are over-burdened with.

9. Iubilate Deo, omnis terra; cantate, et exsultate, et psallite (Psalm 97,4 vul). Rejoice in God, all the earth; sing, rejoice and make music. Christ is risen!! Alleluia!

9. O people, heed this lesson wise,

It will be useful in your task:

Do not be fooled by the disguise

Of the world’s alluring mask.

Trust not in the power and grace

Of princes, for they too, in the end,

Are nothing but a haze, a trace,

No more than a fleeting trend.

(Du meine Seele, singe elkg 583,2 2021 Paul Gerhard 1653 nach Psalm 146).

This is most certainly true.

10. Et pax Dei, quæ exuperat omnem sensum, custodiat corda vestra, et intelligentias vestras in Christo Jesu. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7). Amen.

11. Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast promised in Thy Holy Gospel that Thy disciples shall know the truth and the truth shall make thee free, give us, we pray Thee, the Sprit of truth, sent by Thee and leading to Thee, that we may find the truth in finding Thee, who art the Way, the Truth and the Life, forever and ever. Amen. (Cantate, Vespers Collect 2. The Daily Office. Copyright © 1965 Concordia Publishing House.)

To God alone be the Glory

Gode ealdore sy se cyneþrymm

✠

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

Sunday, May 12, 2024

John 15,26-16,4. Exaudi

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Exodus 32,7-14. Rogate

Sunday, April 28, 2024

Revelation 15,2-4. Cantate