Once there was a briar growing in the ditch. A man came with a spade, and as he dug around it, the briar said, “What is he going to do with me? Doesn’t he see that I am worthless? In spite of that, the gardener dug up the briar and planted it in his garden among the finest flowers. Again the briar thought, “What a mistake to plant a good-for-nothing briar among such beautiful flowers.” But the man, having planted the briar, went away, never heeding the words. After some time he returned with a sharp knife, made a small slit in the briar, and grafted onto it a flower. In due time on that old briar bush began to bloom a great number of fragrant, beautiful flowers. Then the gardener said to the briar bush: “Your present beauty is not due to what came out of you, but what I put into you.” (Catechetical Helps, Revised and Expanded, 122, Concordia Publishing House)
So it is with the briar, so it is with us. Praise God for his grace in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This coming Sunday is the Fifth Sunday of Easter. The appointed lessons are Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-7, and John 16:12-22. The appointed Psalm is Psalm 148. The antiphon is verse 13. We will be using the Service of Prayer and Preaching (page 260) for our liturgy. The opening hymn will be “Our Paschal Lamb, That Sets Us Free” (LSB 473). The Sermon hymn will be “Were You There” (LSB 456), The Closing hymn will be “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” (LSB 469). The sermon is based on the lesson from John and is titled “Follow Your Heart?” The text is John 16:16.
Some hymns seem to me to be a perfect blend of text and music. The hymn “Were You There” is one of them. However, when professionals get a hold of such hymns, they find it almost impossible to not jazz them up, schmaltz them up, or in some other way ‘make the song their own. I kind of feel that such songs are the Church’s songs and are best when not tinkered with. The following video of “Were You There” is done straight, which is the way I like it.
You can hear the melody for most of Sunday’s hymns at Better Noise (see the link on the side bar).
Preview of the Lessons
Acts 11:1-18: At the first Pentecost people from all over the Roman Empire heard Peter preach (Acts 2:9-11), many becoming Christians. At first these new believers stayed in Jerusalem so they could learn more from the Apostles. In other words, they were handling the Great Commission by saying, “We will proclaim the truth, if you want to hear the truth come to Jerusalem.” First pressure to stop sharing the Gospel, and then outright persecution developed, in order to force the fledgling Church to reach beyond Jerusalem and Jews (Acts 3-7). This led to the disbursement of the believers (Acts 8:1) and the Gospel (Acts 8:4). However the Gospel remained mainly within Jewish circles. Acts 10 deals with the Gospel breaking through to the Gentiles. Acts 11:1-18 is Peter’s report to the leaders of the Church in Jerusalem, many of whom were not happy that Gentiles were becoming Christians. Our reading is the report from Peter. The bottom line is that Gentile believers are not second-class Christians. In the world there are people who might be called “second class.” These might be the poor, the uneducated, those from “foreign” lands, and so on. In the Church there are no second class people. All have an equal need as sinners before God. All are equally dependent on God’s grace in Christ Jesus for forgiveness, life, and salvation. All are equally citizens of the Kingdom of God.
Revelation 21:1-7: John sees a vision of eternal life after the Second Coming of Jesus. There is a “new heaven and a new earth.” The present creation, corrupted by sin, has been destroyed and replaced. The presence of a new earth accents the physical resurrection of the dead on the Last Day. John sees a “new Jerusalem.” This is contrasted with the city of Babylon in Revelation. Babylon represents all that is corrupt, all that is sinful, the fallen world with its fallen political systems. The new Jerusalem is adorned like a bride (what that looked like I don’t know). The Old Testament often depicted the people of God as the wife of God. In the New Testament the image of being the bride of Christ is used for the people of God. This city being adorned as a bride accents the truth that the new heavens and earth is people by the people of God from all ages, those who have trusted in Christ. In the new heavens and new earth there will be no separation between God and humanity (3). This accents the absence of sin, for sin is what separates us from God. There will also be no more consequences from past sins (4), sorrow, pain, etc. The accent that all this is by grace is brought out beautifully in verse 8 where we receive the waters of life without payment of any kind. In the world to come we will all be “sons,” that is, the child that inherits.
John 16:12-22: The setting for this text is the Upper Room on Maundy Thursday. John’s Gospel includes far more of the teaching Jesus did that night that the other three Gospels. In verses 12-15 he is speaking of the Holy Spirit. It would be a great text for Trinity Sunday. Consider verse 15: “All that the Father has is mine [Jesus]; therefore I said the He [the Holy Spirit] will take what is mine and declaim it to you.” Many today are quite confused about the Holy Spirit. They think the Spirit’s work is to glorify the believer or to glorify himself. Verse 14 speaks volumes, “He [the Holy Spirit] will glorify me [Jesus]. In verse 16 Jesus refers to his impending death, which the disciples do not understand. Jesus knows that his death will bring sorrow to his followers (20) but that the sorrow will turn to joy when Jesus is resurrected (21-22). It is instructive that this passion and resurrection revelation follows immediately after Jesus tells us that the Spirit will glorify Jesus, and take what is his and give it to us. All too often we freight “glorify” with carnal, human, fallen ideas of glory, power, riches, prestige, and the like. The glory of Christ is the cross (John 12:23). The way of the cross is also for us the way of glory (Matthew 10:38).
Sunday’s Collect
O God, You kame the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, whol lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Gradual (adapted from Matt 28:7; Heb 2:7; Ps 8:6)
Christ has risen from the dead. God the Father has crowned him with glory and honor, He has given him dominion over the works of his hands; He has put all things under his feet.
Verse (Romans 6:9; John 20:14)
Alleluia. We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. Alleluia. If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Alleluia.
Introit
Psalm 148 will be used instead of the appointed Introit.
Adult Bible Study
We continue, in our adult Bible class, our series titled Puzzlers and Questions About the Bible. Every week we deal with a question submitted by someone. The question for this week is “Does God change His mind as a result of Moses plead? (Numbers 14:11-20)” Join us Sunday morning at 9:00 AM as we dig deeper into the Word of God.
Anselm of Canterbury died April 21, 1109 and so April 21 has been set aside to commemorate him. He was born in Italy in 1033 and is most closely associated with England, where he served as archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 until his death. A brilliant scholar and writer, Anselm used his political skills with the British kings on behalf of the established Christian Church, affirming that it is the leadership of the Church, not the state, that is responsible for establishing structure and maintaining order among the clergy. Anselm is especially remembered for his classic book, Why God Became Man, which taught that the reason for the incarnation was that Jesus, the Son of God, would suffer and die in place of sinners.
What follows is a quote form Anselm, which I found in Treasury of Daily Prayer, published by Concordia Publish House.
The restoration of human nature by God is more wonderful than its creation. Both were equally easy for God; but before man was made he had not sinned so that he ought not to be denied existence. But after man was made, he deserved, by his sin, to lose his existence together with its design, though he never has wholly lost this, viz., that he should be one capable of being punished or of receiving God’s compassion. For neither of these things could take effect if he were annihilated. Therefore God’s restoring man is more wonderful than his creating man, inasmuch as it is done for the sinner contrary to what he deserves; while the act of creation was not for the sinner and was not in opposition to what man deserved. How great a thing it is, also, for God and man to unite in one person, that, while the perfection of each nature is preserved, the same being may be both God and man! Who, then, will dare to think that the human mind can discover how wisely, how wonderfully, so incomprehensible a work has been accomplished?
Like everyone, I suppose, I had an immediate negative emotional response to the revelations about sexual miss-conduct among the ministers of the Roman Catholic Church. Though I am not Roman Catholic, I recognize that such revelations “tar” the image of all Christian churches. The accent in the news that I have heard depict the way things were handled by the Roman Catholic Church as a cover-up. Thanks to this slant, I also had an immediate negative emotional response to how the Roman Catholic Church handled information. In all of this I suspect that I am quite typical of both Christians and non-Christians alike.
However I have had a chance to ponder a little bit about this sad chapter in the life of the Roman Catholic Church. Some questions have arisen in my mind. I thought I’d share them on my blog.
When a person confesses a sin to their pastor, they do so with the understanding that this confession is confidential. The pastor listens, offers guidance from the Word of God, and if the person is repentant, absolution. The person should have no fear that their sin will be pointed out in next Sunday’s sermon or appear on the nightly news. For example, John Doe should not have to worry about his pastor saying in Sunday’s sermon, “Lusting in ones heart, like John Doe does, is just as much a sin of adultery as that committed by the hookers downtown.” John should also not have to wonder if his pastor will call his wife up right after he leaves the office, or that his sin will become the topic of conversation among the church staff or civic club to which his pastor belongs.
Sins of the past often have an ongoing impact on the lives of people. Maybe something done in a person’s youth continues to dog the conscience of an adult. In such a case the Christian should be able to come to their pastor, confess their past sin, receive council according to the Word of God, and absolution. They should not have to worry about their past sins being exposed. When a person confesses to their pastor, it is as if they are praying to the Lord in that it is strictly confidential. One difference is that they can expect guidance from a mature Christian pastor that is tailored to their specific situation. They can get real help.
What if there was a sign on the pastor’s office that read, “All minor sins will be kept confidential, all major sins will be made public. The pastor gets to decide what a major or minor sin is.” Who would come to such a pastor seeking his guidance?
Returning now to the accusation of sexual miss-conduct against some Roman Catholic priests; one thing the news is not telling us is how this or that official came to know that this or that priest was engaged in sinful sexual practices. Was it in the context of private confession? If so, do the “rules” that apply when a member of the laity confesses to his pastor not apply when a priest confesses to his Father Confessor? Does concern for those sinned against trump concern for the sinner? Does public opinion concerning this or that sin determine what sins should be made public? Does civil law determine what Church practice should be? If people (even pastors) cannot confess their sins, receive guidance and absolution, from their pastor (or ecclesial supervisor) to whom can they turn?
These are not easy questions to answer, especially for those in the pastoral office. No matter how they are answered, there is real impact on the ministry, on people’s trust in their pastor.
I do not wish to exonerate anyone who has used the office of the holy ministry to victimize others. I also do not wish to suggest that I think the ecclesial authorities in the Roman Catholic Church acted in the wisest fashion, or in keeping with the Christian Faith. All I am saying is that there are real and important considerations which the national news outlets are not dealing with. In fact, I do not think they are capable of honestly and equitably dealing with some of the issues. They are issues, though, that every pastor has to consider as soon as someone comes to him and says, "Can I talk to you privately?".
This coming Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Easter. The appointed lessons are Acts 20:17-35, Revelation 7:9-17, and John 10:22-30. We will be using the third setting of the morning service (page 184). We will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper. The opening hymn will be “Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won” (490). The sermon hymn will be “Spread the Reign of God the Lord” (830). The distribution hymns will be “Our Paschal Lamb, That Sets Us Free” (473), “Your Table I Approach” (628), and “He is Arisen! Glorious Word” (488). Our closing hymn will be “Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense” (741). The sermon is titled “Christ for a Changing World” and is based on the Gospel lesson.
You can hear the melody for most of Sunday’s hymns at Better Noise (see the link on the side bar).
Preview of the Lessons
Acts 20:17-35: Paul is on his way to Jerusalem with an offering from the Gentile churches. The gift will be given to the Church in Jerusalem for distribution to the poor. His ship has docked in Miletus and so the pastors from “Asia” (today’s Asia Minor) have come to him for some parting words. Paul knows he will be arrested in Jerusalem. Just a few nuggets from the text include the divine position of the pastor (28), the content of what ministers are to proclaim (20-21, 27), the sure fact that false teachers will trouble the Church (29-30) and our call to help the weak (35).
Revelation 7:9-17: John sees a scene in heaven where saints from all over the globe sing God’s praises for their salvation. It is clear that they consider their salvation a pure gift which they did nothing to earn or deserve. They are joined in their praise by the other beings in heaven, for our salvation is so awesome that all feel compelled to praise God for it. However the saints in glory have had their share of tribulations in this life (14). Such mistreatment for the sake of Christ is amply testified to elsewhere in the New Testament (Matt 10:16-25; Mark 4:17; James 1:2; 1 Peter 1:6; etc.). These saints now receive the prize of joy everlasting (16-17), which Paul looked forward to in our Epistle lesson (Acts 20:24)
John 10:22-30: Jesus is in Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication. The Jewish leaders ask Jesus if he is the Christ. Jesus says he has already answered that question, but the leaders simply do not want to believe. It reminds me of a child asking their parents for something. Mom and dad say “no.” The child doesn’t like the answer and so asks again (and again, and again). Jesus’ words and actions all proclaim him to be the Christ. His sheep hear his voice and believe in him, the leaders do not hear because they are not Christ’s sheep. Once again we see that our salvation “eternal life” is a gift from God (28-29) and not something earned.
Sunday’s Collect
Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Gradual (adapted from Matt 28:7; Heb 2:7; Ps 8:6)
Christ has risen from the dead. God the Father has crowned him with glory and honor, He has given him dominion over the works of his hands; He has put all things under his feet.
Verse (Romans 6:9; John 20:14)
Alleluia. We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. Alleluia. I am the good shepherd, I know my own and ny own know me. Alleluia.
Introit (Psalm 78:70-72; 79:13; antiphon: John 10:14, 15b)
I am the good shepherd, I know my own and my own know me, and I lay down my life for the sheep. He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance. With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. I am the good shepherd, I know my own and my own know me, and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Adult Bible Study
We continue, in our adult Bible class, our series titled Puzzlers and Questions About the Bible. This week we will conclude our sub-series which looks at some “really old laws.” This week we will look at Deuteronomy 22:24-28 (laws concerning rape) and Deuteronomy 25:11 (a law concerning a woman aiding her husband while he is in a fight with another man). Some have said these laws force a woman to marry her rapist. Some feel the punishment prescribed in Deuteronomy 25:11 needs defending. Join us Sunday morning at 9:00 AM as we dig deeper into the Word of God.
Commemoration of Johannes Bugenhagen, Pastor April 20, 2010
The Lord be with you
On the Liturgical Calendar used in the LC-MS, today is set aside to commemorate Johannes Bugenhagen (1485-1558). He was from Pomerania in northern Germany and was appointed pastor of Wittenberg in 1523 through the efforts of Martin Luther. He, therefore, served as Luther’s own pastor and confessor. One of the greatest scholars of the Reformation era, Bugenhagen helped translate the New Testament into Low German and wrote a commentary on the Psalms. He also worked to organize the Lutheran Church in northern Germany and Denmark. In 1539, Bugenhagen became superintendent of the Church in Saxony. After the death of Luther (1546), Bugenhagen took care of Luther’s widow and children. Bugenhagen died in Wittenberg in 1558.
I’m a little late in posting these notes because I was out of the office all this week at either a District Convention or a Circuit Pastors’ retreat. Both represent time well spent, but they have seriously but a dent in my time for doing my regular duties. If I have time, I will post something about each of these gatherings, but for right now I will focus on Sunday’s service.
This coming Sunday is the Third Sunday of Easter. The appointed lessons continue to be from Acts, Revelation and the Gospel of John. We will be using the service of Matins for our liturgy. Our opening hymn is the one we are learning, “Our Paschal Lamb, That Sets Us Free” (LSB 473). Our Sermon Hymn will be “This Joyful Eastertide” (LSB 482). Our closing hymn will be “Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain” (LSB 487). As we are in the Easter Season, each hymn is an Easter Hymn. Our appointed lessons are Acts 9:1-22; Revelation 5:8-14; and John 21:1-14. The appointed Psalm is Psalm 30. The Antiphon is a little unusual. I will chant the first half of verse 11. The congregation will chant with the second half of verse 12. Look below to see how that works. The sermon is based on the Gospel lesson and is titled “Do Over.”
The hymn “Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain” is truly a “good old hymn.” It was written by John of Damascus and is based on Exodus 15. John lived in the 8th Century AD. He is considered one of the last of the Fathers of the Greek Church and has been called the greatest of her poets. He wrote many theological works and hymns, and his music for worship continues to this day to have a major impact on the Greek Orthodox liturgy.
The following video was found on YouTube. It is of the choir at Kings College, Cambridge singing “This Joyful Eastertide.” You can hear the melody for “Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain” at Better Noise (see the link on the side bar).
Preview of the Lessons
Acts 9:1-22: This is one of the accounts of the conversion of Saul/Paul as he traveled to Damascus to persecute the Christians in that city. The Resurrected Lord appeared to him and turned his world upside down. He would no longer live his “religious” life in a fashion he felt, right down to the core of his bones, to be correct. Instead he would follow Jesus. It is like Paul was given a “do over.” This time, instead of doing whatever was right in his own heart (Judges 21:25), he would listen to the Lord Jesus (who often leads us in ways quite contrary to our hearts).
Revelation 5:8-14: The readings from Revelation are always too rich to do justice in these notes. In this case John sees a scene where Jesus has ascended and we see a piece of what we confess in the Creeds with the words, “ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.”
John 21:1-14: This is the text for Sunday. Jesus has risen, but not yet ascended. Peter and some of the other Apostles return to fishing. Jesus appears on the shore after they have spent a fruitless night plying their old trade. Our Lord not only gives them a miraculous catch of fish, but also prepares breakfast for them.
Sunday’s Collect
O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the perils of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Gradual (adapted from Matt 28:7; Heb 2:7; Ps 8:6)
Christ has risen from the dead. God the Father has crowned him with glory and honor, He has given him dominion over the works of his hands; He has put all things under his feet.
Verse (Romans 6:9; John 20:29b)
Alleluia. We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. Alleluia. Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures? Alleluia.
Psalm 30 (antiphon: vv. 11a, 12b)
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; (verse 11a) O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever! (verse 12b)
I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed. To you, O Lord, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever! Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
Adult Bible Study
We continue, in our adult Bible class, our series titled Puzzlers and Questions About the Bible. We are in a little sub-series which looks at some “really old laws.” This week we will field two questions: In “Genesis 38:10 – Was Onan masturbating or practicing early withdrawal? And why is either a sin at all, let alone worthy of death?” and “What was … the strange fire offered by Nadab and Abihu? (Leviticus 10:1-2)” The study is called “Onan, Nadab and Abihu.” As always, our Bible study hour begins at 9:00 AM.
he words. After some time he returned with a sharp knife, made a small slit in the briar, and grafted onto it a flower. In due time on that old briar bush began to bloom a great number of fragrant, beautiful flowers. Then the gardener said to the briar bush: “Your present beauty is not due to what came out of you, but what I put into you.” (Catechetical Helps, Revised and Expanded, 122, Concordia Publishing House)
he words. After some time he returned with a sharp knife, made a small slit in the briar, and grafted onto it a flower. In due time on that old briar bush began to bloom a great number of fragrant, beautiful flowers. Then the gardener said to the briar bush: “Your present beauty is not due to what came out of you, but what I put into you.” (Catechetical Helps, Revised and Expanded, 122, Concordia Publishing House)
