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Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).  "Smoking Flax" October 3, 2013  (The LORD says) "He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth ...." Isaiah 42:2-4aBob and Julie Clark were happy members of Faith Community Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. That is, they were happy until they received a letter from their congregation asking them to "participate in the life of the church" or worship elsewhere. Commenting about the letter, Julie said, "They basically called us freeloaders." Her husband Bob says, "We were freeloaders." Now some of you might be wondering why a mega-church would send out such letters. The head pastor explained, "No more Mr. Nice Church. Providing free services indefinitely to complacent Christians is not our mission." He continues, "When your bottom line is saving souls, you get impatient with people who interfere with that goal." Another staff member adds, "Before now, we made people feel comfortable and welcome, and tried to coax them to give a little something in return. That's changed. We're done being the community nanny." And if you are curious about how the recipients reacted to the letter, Bob spoke for many men who were delighted that their church has some standards. He said, "A church that doesn't allow wussies -- that rocks." Indeed, he admires, and has become more active, since his congregation told him to take a hike. Me, I have mixed feelings about the letter. I can understand those who support the letter from Faith Community Church and are pointing to Revelation 3:14-22 where the Lord said He wasn't overly pleased with the church at Laodicea, which had become lukewarm in its response to the Gospel. And I can also see the point of those who disagree with the letter and refer to the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 42:3), who prophesied the Redeemer wouldn't snuff out a smoldering wick, that is, a very small and smoldering faith. The reality is this: no such letter should ever need to be sent to those who have been saved by the Christ. Indeed, any person who has made a complete inventory of the sins he has committed must be totally terrified of the punishment that awaits him, the punishment which he cannot escape. When that same individual sees that, in spite of those sins, the Lord sent His only Son to pay the penalty and take the punishment for him, he must be overwhelmed with eternal gratitude and unending thanks. When that moment comes, a Christian will, without prodding and pushing from anyone, do his best to live a life that shows His gladness for God's gracious gift of salvation. And if a person does not have such a response, he needs to go back and do two things: take another look at who he was and who he has become because of the Savior's sacrifice. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, by the Savior's suffering, salvation has become available to all sinners. By the Holy Spirit's power and intervention that sacrifice has saved me. Forgive me for those times when I take these gifts for granted, and replace lukewarmness with a burning desire to thank and serve You. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.  In Christ I remain His servant and yours, Pastor Ken Klaus Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour® Lutheran Hour Ministries | |
Thursday, October 3, 2013
"Smoking Flax" or "You Are Lukewarm" - How is your Walk?
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
"Telling Others" - This devotion is about Pastor Jamal in Iran (and more).
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Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). "Telling Others" October 1, 2013  Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." Acts 16:30-31Abdi Ali Hamzah was a member of Islam who became Pastor Jamal, a Christian missionary. As a witness to the Savior, Pastor Jamal traveled around Iraq, distributing food to those in need. As he went, he shared the Savior's story of salvation. That was the way it was until July of 2011 when Pastor Jamal was arrested. The evangelist was held for 14 months before any charge was placed against him. Finally, the authorities decided to put him on trial for having been an Iranian spy. The supporters of Pastor Jamal said the charge was bogus. They maintain the preacher was in jail because he converted from Islam and was inviting other Muslims to follow him into Christianity. To shorten the story, Pastor Jamal was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. That might well have been the end of the story for the preacher. After all, other Christians have gone into Iraqi jails and never come out alive. Thankfully, and by God's grace, there is a "rest of the story." In telling you the rest of the story, I am pleased to share that something most amazing, something almost miraculous has happened. Although Christians are seldom, if ever, pardoned in that Islamic nation, today, because of an amnesty order given by President Barzani, Pastor Jamal is a free man. But there's more. Pastor Jamal says that while he was in prison the Holy Spirit was alive and active. Like St. Paul who shared the Savior's story of salvation in the jail at Philippi, Pastor Jamal told Iraqi prisoners about how Jesus, God's perfect Son, came into this world and gave His life so anyone who believes on Him as Savior is forgiven and saved. That message didn't fall on deaf ears. During the 21 months Pastor Jamal was in prison, the Holy Spirit placed saving faith into the hearts of 28 previously lost souls. What a wondrous thing the Lord has done. It is cause for rejoicing on earth, even as it is in heaven. Still, there is one more idea that I would like to place before our Daily Devotioners. I would like you to remember that the same Lord who can use a prisoner's preaching in an Iraqi jail to win souls for Him can do the same with you. Our situation and circumstance may be different than that of Pastor Jamal, but the needs of the lost remain the same. To accomplish His purposes, the Lord needs willing hearts and ready voices to tell the lost that God's Son has come into this world to save you. Come with me to Bethlehem, stand at Calvary, and look into the Savior's empty tomb. See the Savior's sacrifice and know that through Him you can be forgiven and saved. If we are willing to do as God asks, the Comforter will join other lost souls to the 28 who were saved through the message proclaimed by the preacher who had a willing heart and ready voice. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I am saved because the Holy Spirit used someone to tell me of the news of the Savior's sacrifice. Now may I tell others what Jesus has done. In His Name. Amen. In Christ I remain His servant and yours,Pastor Ken Klaus Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour® Lutheran Hour Ministries | |
You Are Not Alone
The Lord be with you
The video below is titled “You Are Not Alone.” It is about
Mental Illness. Rev. David Preus shares real comfort for those who are impacted
by this issue, either those who have such illnesses or those who know such
people (family, neighbor, etc.). By extension, it also brings real insight and
comfort to those facing other challenges such as crippling illnesses, natural
disasters, being the victim of a violent crime, etc. It is a hair over half an
hour long. I feel it is very good.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor
Friday, September 27, 2013
"Confused"
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Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). "Confused" September 26, 2013  For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes .... Romans 1:16aWhen I was young, I had a hero: the Lone Ranger. How could you not like a guy who didn't shoot to kill, who rode a white horse, and never stuck around for any embarrassing "Thank you, masked man. Whoever you are?" When I became an adult, I had a hero: Clayton Moore, the fellow who played the Lone Ranger on television. Knowing he was the hero of millions of children, he tried to live his life worthy of that honor. (Try to find some star or athlete or singer or politician who does that today!) Most of us have idols. Ten-year-old Erin Shead of Lucy Elementary School in Millington, Tennessee, has an idol. When her teacher asked her to write an essay about a person she idolized, she wrote, "I look up to God. I love Him and Jesus, and Jesus is His earthly Son. I also love Jesus." I hope that Shead keeps her promise that God will "always be the number one Person I look up to." That might be easier said than done. You see, Shead's teacher told her she could not use God as an idol for the assignment. She had to take her essay home because it couldn't stay on school property. Of course, it is possible this might have been an honest mistake made by a teacher who doesn't understand the First Amendment. It's possible, but not likely. A spokesman for the Shelby School District said, "Teachers are prohibited from promoting religious beliefs in the classroom." He also said, "The school doesn't have a policy about students expressing their religious beliefs." So, why couldn't Shead write about God? The district's spokesman didn't have an answer. Amazing! Last week the U.S. Supreme Court said, "In God We Trust" will stay on our coins and during that same week a teacher in Tennessee basically said, "We may trust God, but we can't write about Him." All of this means I have a new hero. I'm going to look up to and, as best as I can, encourage students like Erin Shead who not only love the Lord, but aren't afraid to say so. Sadly, they are growing up in a country that is mighty confused. It is my prayer all of us old veterans may do all we can to encourage these young folks to be witnesses for the Savior who gave His life, so they might have life. Oh, by the way, you should know the teacher approved of Shead's second choice of heroes: Michael Jackson. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, be with our courts and our schools. May they learn to send a right and consistent message to the young of America. And, even if they don't, may our young trust in and hold fast to You and Your only Son, their Savior. In Jesus' Name. Amen. In Christ I remain His servant and yours, Pastor Ken Klaus Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour® Lutheran Hour Ministries | |
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Worship for St. Michael and All Angels - 2013
Tuesday after Pentecost 18
The Lord be with you
This coming Sunday is the Feast
of St. Michael and All Angels. Michael is an Archangel , and so it seems odd to say “saint” Michael. However, when we remember
the word “saint” literally means “holy one,” then calling an angel a saint doesn't seem that odd. We are saying “holy” Michael. Of course, all the angels
are holy.
The readings reflect the
angel/Michael theme. Our Old Testament lesson is Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1-3. Our
second lesson is Revelation 12:7-12. For our Gospel lesson, we are given a
choice, either Matthew 18:1-11 or Luke 10:17-20. I have chosen the Luke
reading. As we will be using the service of Prayer and Preaching (page 260) for
our liturgy, we will be using the appointed Psalm for the Day instead of the
Introit. It is Psalm 91. The antiphon is verse 11. Many of you will recognize
it as the Psalm that inspired Luther’s great hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our
God.”
Our opening hymn will be
“The Son of God Goes Forth to War” (LSB
661). Our sermon hymn will be “Stand up, Stand Up for Jesus” (LSB 660). Our closing hymn will be
“Onward, Christian Soldiers” (LSB
662).
Our sermon is titled
“Combat” and the text will be Revelation 12:10. Typically I preach thematic
sermons. However this Sunday I will deliver an “expository” sermon. What that
basically means is that I will go through the lesson from Revelation, verse by
verse, and “expound” on it. It will be a little bit more like a Bible study.
In our prayers, we will
remember the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Presbyterian Church in America Tajikistan South Africa Africa . Of course we will also pray the collect of St. Michael and All Angels.
Don’t forget that our
“Opening Worship Moments” actually begin a little before 10:30 . During these moments we receive prayer requests
and greet each other in the name of the Lord. This way we are singing our
opening hymn at 10:30 .
Each of the hymns Sunday
are well known. Below is a video of our opening hymn, “The Son of God Goes
Forth to War” (LSB 661).
We continue in the Gospel
of Luke in our Sunday morning Bible study. All are welcome. Bible study begins
at 9:00 am .
Preview of Lessons
Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1-3
Daniel’s book is a
fascinating read, though portions can be difficult to understand. He was one of
the Jews that were taken into captivity by the Babylonians in 605 bc. He was selected, along with others,
to be trained as an adviser and administrator in the Babylonian empire. He continued on in that position when the Persians conquered the Babylonians. He
interpreted dreams and had visions of his own. This reading comes from his
visions. In Daniel 10:1-10 the prophet had a vision he did not understand. He
prayed for understanding. In verses 10-14 an angel appears to explain things.
The angel says that as soon as Daniel began to pray he was given the job of
coming to Daniel, but Satan interfered. Michael then came and engaged Satan,
freeing up the other angel to complete his mission. Satan here is called the
“prince of Persia
Revelation 12:7-12
Verses 1-6 tell of how
Jesus came to earth and returned in the ascension. Satan opposed this, and
lost. Verses 7-12 will be the topic of the sermon, but in summary we can say
that Satan looses the right to accuse us and he isn't happy about that. Verses
13-17 have Satan being cast down onto the earth, where he rages against
Christ’s Church. As this is the text for the sermon, I’ll write no more here.
Luke 10:17-20
As I said above, there are
two options for Sunday’s Gospel. The reading from Matthew speaks more of angelic
activity. This reading speaks more of the defeat of Satan. Jesus sent 72
disciples out, preparing towns for his anticipated visit. They come back and
report on their activity, very excited. Jesus first interprets what they have
done. Every time the word of God is received, Satan is defeated. We should
understood the words “serpents” and “scorpions” in a symbolic way. Calling
Satan a serpent dates back to Genesis 3 and the Fall of humanity. The scorpion
image comes much from the sting of scorpions. (1 Corinthians 15:55-56;
Revelation 9:5). However the real joy for a believer is not any moment by
moment victory of Satan, but the eternal victory we receive because our name is
written in the Book of Life.
Lesson Synopsis (from the LC-MS)
Our Father in
Heaven Protects His Children
by Giving His
Holy Angels Charge Over Them
We live in “a time of
trouble” (Dan. 12:1), in the midst of great tribulation; for Satan and his
wicked angels have been thrown out of heaven and have come down to earth “in great wrath,” with woeful “temptations to sin” and with constant
accusations (Rev. 12:8–12; Matt. 18:7). Even so, we are encouraged by the
presence and protection of St. Michael and the holy angels, whom God sends to
help us in the strife (Dan. 10:11 –13). By “the authority of his Christ,” His holy
angels guard and keep us in body and soul. These heavenly servants of God
preserve His human messengers on earth, the ministers of “the blood of the Lamb,” against all the power of the enemy; for by
“the word of their testimony,” the
Church is saved and the devil is defeated (Rev. 12:10–11; Luke 10:18–19). By
their preaching and Baptism of repentance, the old Adam and the old evil foe
are “drowned in the depth of the sea”
(Matt. 18:6); and as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, so are His people
delivered and raised from the dust of the earth through the forgiveness of
their sins (Dan. 12:1–3).
Tidbits
- As those who were in Church this past Sunday know, I am in
- The LWML is having a Tea after our worship service this coming Sunday.
- The newsletter should be available Sunday.
Well, I pray we will see
you Sunday.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Rivers of Disappointment
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(God said) "And call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." Psalm 50:15
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Worship Notes for Pentecost 18 - 2013
Thursday
after Pentecost 17
September 19,
2013
The Lord be
with you
This coming
Sunday is the 18th Sunday after Pentecost. It is also the first day
of Fall. And it is the Commemoration of Jonah. Some deny that the book of Jonah
is historical simply because it is unlikely that any large fish would swallow a
man whole, only for him to escape three days later. Others point to the
documentation that shows men have indeed been swallowed whole by a large fish,
only to escape later. Such arguments reduce the book to just a few verses. They
also ignore the reality that the God of heaven and earth is not bound by
probability tables. The book reads as an historical account. Jesus speaks of
Jonah as an historical figure. These two facts are enough for me. Focusing on the
fish’s role misdirects our attention. You might say the book is about a
reluctant prophet or evangelist. You might say the book is about how human
priorities are not God’s priorities. You might say the book presents Jonah as a
type of Christ. All these things would be more to the point of the book. Jonah
is commissioned by God to bring God’s Word to a Gentile nation. The Father
sends the Son to bring God’s saving Word to a sinful humanity. In bringing his
message Jonah is swallowed by a great fish (buried), only to be “resurrected”
three days later. Jesus’ message is confirmed and empowered by his death and
resurrection. The people of Nineveh
repented, came to faith through the word preached by Jonah, and received
salvation. In like manner, those who hear the word of Christ and believe in the
promises made concerning him in that word, receive life and salvation. Of
course, types are never as great as their fulfillment. Jonah was a reluctant
prophet while Jesus willingly came. Jonah could be self-centered while Jesus
was selfless. So we can see Jesus, not only in how Jonah was like our Lord, but
also in how he was different from Jesus.
We will be
receiving the Lord’s Supper Sunday. To prepare you may reread Luther’s
treatment of the Sacrament of the Altar in the Small Catechism, page 326 of the
hymnal. For our liturgy we will use Divine Service 3, page 184 in the hymnal.
Our opening hymn will be “O Savior, Precious Savior” (LSB 527). Our sermon hymn
will be “Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” (LSB 528). Our closing hymn will
be “O Jesus So Sweet, O Jesus So Mild” (LSB 546). Our distribution hymns will
be “Come, Let Us Eat” (LSB 626), “Christ, the Word of God Incarnate” (LSB 540),
and “Drawn to the Cross, Which Thou Hast Blessed” (LSB 560). The appointed lessons
are Amos 8:4-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-15; Luke 16:1-15. The text for Sunday’s sermon
will be 1 Timothy 2:4. The sermon is titled “Access.”
Don’t forget
that our “Opening Worship Moments” actually will begin a little before 10:30. During these moments we receive
prayer requests and greet each other in the name of the Lord. This way we are
singing our opening hymn at 10:30.
In our
prayers, we will remember The Episcopal Church of the United States of America
and their Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori. We
will remember the persecuted believers in Syria. We will remember Ginger
Taff-Lagergren, our missionary in South Africa. She asks that we
pray, that God would use her to spread His love and that she would be a help to
others with challenges in their day-to-day life, also that the Lord protect her
and keep her in good health, so that she may serve to her fullest capacity.
Finally, to thank the Lord that she has answered His call to serve in South Africa! We
will continue to remember the churches in our denomination. This week we lift
up before our Lord Trinity, Chestertown, MD; Our Shepherd, Columbia, MD; St.
Paul’s, Crofton, MD; Trinity, Cumberland, MD; and Mt. Olive, Irmo, SC. We will
continue to remember all those who have been misled by our cultures advocacy of
sexual immorality and abortion. We ask, not only that the Lord turn our country
around, but also that he bring healing to the lives damaged by our current
culture. We will remember the modern slave trade and ask God to bless all
efforts pleasing in his sight to end this sinful practice. We will remember the
Lutheran Malaria Initiative as we seek to end Malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. We will remember those threatened by the floods
in Colorado.
Below is a
video of our opening hymn, “O Savior, Precious Savior.” It is sung by St.
Andrew’s Evangelical
Lutheran Church.
We continue
in the Gospel of Luke in our Sunday morning Bible study. All are
welcome. Bible study begins at 9:00 am.
Preview of
Lessons
Amos 8:4-7
Through
Amos, God condemns those who economically oppress others. This is part of an
extended vision concerning the Latter Days and God’s judgment of humanities
sin. Whether we do it through government programs, or through some charitable
institution like Lutheran World Relief, or through individual involvement, as
Christians we know that we are indeed our brother’s keeper.
1 Timothy 2:1-15
Sunday’s
message will be based on this reading, so I’m not going to say a lot. Something
I probably will not mention in the sermon is the subtle rebuke of Caesar
worship. We are to pray for all who are in high positions, not to them. To
bring that forward to today, the government is not the source of all good, but
God is. We pray for our president, governors, etc., but not to them. There is
only one mediator between god and men, and it ain’t the president … it is
Jesus. As Christians, we remember that all we say and do does indeed reflect
our faith and that others are watching (that is all the “braided hair” stuff).
Paul’s comments about the fall into sin is interesting. He says Eve was
deceived, but man wasn’t. However, Adam also sinned. In other words, Adam chose
Eve over God. Perhaps that is why our sin-nature is identified as our “Old Adam”
and not our “Old Eve.” Verse 15 is difficult, but probably should be understood
as a reference to the birth of Jesus.
Luke 16:1-15
This parable
has confused many. It has been called the parable of the unjust steward. The “hero”
in the story is the rich man. He is the image of God. The steward is us. He
waists his owners resources. Soon, the steward will lose his position. The
steward proceeds to reduce the debt others owe the master. The master commends
the steward for acting shrewdly. Today this doesn’t make much sense because of
the difference in our cultures. What the steward did made the rich man look
good in the eyes of the neighbors. Now the rich man could either repudiate the
actions of the steward, and look heartless, or endorse his actions, and look
like it was his own generosity. The steward is wise as he relied on his belief
that the master desired to be known as merciful. The true riches are, of
courses, spiritual riches, God’s word and sacraments. Christ goes on to point
out that money makes a very poor god. In this section he echoes the sentiment of
our Old Testament reading.
Lesson Synopsis (from the LC-MS)
The Lord Is Rich in His Grace and
Mercy
Because God
our Savior “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the
truth” (1 Tim. 2:4), He urges “that supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and thanksgivings be made for all people” (1 Tim. 2:1). Christians
should so pray “without anger or quarreling,” but “adorn themselves in respectable apparel,
with modesty and self-control” (1 Tim. 2:8, 9). For the Lord does
not forget “the poor of the land” (Amos 8:4). He remembers them
according to the foolishness of the cross. “For what is exalted among men is an
abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15). Though we try to justify ourselves “before
men,” God knows our sinful
hearts and calls us to repentance (Luke 16:15).
Though we are “not strong enough to dig” and are “ashamed to beg”
(Luke 16:3), He justifies us by His grace and welcomes us into His “eternal
dwellings” (Luke 16:9). More shrewd than even “the sons of this world”
(Luke 16:8), He requires His stewards of the Gospel to bestow forgiveness
freely.
Tidbits
- Church council has been moved to this Sunday.
Well, I pray
we will see you Sunday.
Blessings in
Christ,
Pastor John
Rickert
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