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JANUARY - 2002 - FEBRUARY
| News and Notes to date |
| Not "Both/and" but "Either/or" |
| Christ the only Hope of Man |
| Not Conformed ... but Transformed |
| Two Kinds of Righteousness |
| Announcements |
| 2002 Convention information |
| Note from the Publisher |
CALIFORNIA FELLOWSHIP NEWS
On Sunday, January 13, 2002, a worship service with Holy Communion was held at the Marriot Residence Inn, San Diego, California. The service and Bible class following it were conducted by Pastor Mark Latsch of Eternal Savior Ev. Lutheran Church, Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin.
Members of Grace Ev. Lutheran Church, New Lennox IL (living in Walnut, CA) and Eternal Savior Ev. Lutheran Church of Arbor Vitae WI (living in Santee, CA) were present as well as other California residents, and the pastor and his sister visiting from Wisconsin ; 10 souls in all.
websites for the ILC and lrh : watch for them!
They're not open yet ; but Static IP's have been established.
REFORMATION LUTHERAN CHURCH: Tinley Park, IL
Lenten Services: will be held every Thursday at 7:30 pm, starting on Jan. 14, including Maunday Thursday, and Good Friday - Communion .
Funeral: Viola Hartman was called Home by the Lord on Jan. 17, '02. The Funeral Service was Jan. 22 at 11:00 am in Randolph, WI and was officiated by Pastor Richard Finke.
under instruction: One confirmand & One seminarian.
GRACE EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH of New Lennox, IL
There are currently four confirmands in instruction classes.
OUR SAVIOR'S LUTHERAN CHURCH : Morris, IL
Special services: will be held during this lenten season on Ash Wednesday, Maunday Thursday, and Good Friday.
BAPTISM : Emily Katherine Pearce, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Ken Pearce, was baptized on November 4, 2001.
training: Five confirmands are currently training.
ETERNAL SAVIOR EV. LUTH. CHURCH: Arbor Vitae, WI
BAPTISM : Daniel Robert Yeomans, (born Feb. 5, 2001), son of Dave R. and Julie Yeomans, was baptized Feb. 18, 2001.
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH of Ballwin, MO
Has several members who are ill. Please keep them in your prayers, that they be kept strong in the faith and content with the Grace of God through their time of affliction.
cross of christ luth. church: Midland, MI
Sends greetings in Christ to the brethren. No special news.
ST. JAMES LUTH. CHURCH: Laporte, MN (in fellowship)
A few members have moved away, so please keep them in your prayers . . . and Sunday service time is now 12:00 noon.
THE LUTHERAN REFORMATION HOUR
The effort is underway to copy the LRH sermons of yesteryear onto audio CD's, to preserve them for the next generation of hearers. Progress is going slowly, but it is going! ... we'll keep you informed.
The Lutheran Reformation Hour radio ministry supports the ministries of the ILC churches over the airwaves of America and abroad. Please tune in to the station nearest you; and we invite you to contact us with any questions or comments. You will find the stations and station times, and the address to contact, listed on the back cover of this Journal. We hope to hear from you soon, and we extend sincere Thanks to all those who support this outreach with their prayers and gifts. Please pray that our Gracious God continues to bless this effort to bring His Glorious Truth of Salvation through Jesus Christ alone, to this sin-sick, dying world of strife and unbelief.
Isaiah 55 : 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
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Lord, let thy Servants preach abroad -- And let the hearers hear.
That all may know their Holy God -- For the Last Day draweth near!
Help us to spread thy Priceless Word -- And never mind the cost.
Help us witness to all the world -- And let no souls be lost.
Please make our goal in life to be -- The Salvation thou hast given.
Then bring us there to live with thee -- Eternally in Heaven.
. d. r. y. '02
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NOT "BOTH / AND" BUT "EITHER / OR"
"He that is not with me is against me" (Matthew 12:30)
(reprinted)
How plain and down to earth God's Word is. It is truly the "rock" (Matthew 7:24) and "foundation" (Ephesians 2:20) of that "pillar and ground of the truth, the Church of the Living God." (I Timothy 3:15) People are, indeed, either for Christ or against Him; there is no middle ground. When Paul powerfully preached and "proved" from the Scripture that Jesus is "the Christ," (Acts 9:22) the Son of God, "the Jews took counsel to kill him" (Acts 9:23). As it was then, so it is today for those who fight God's Word are made a thousand times worse in their attack against their God and His true believers in this world by the unadulterated, uncompromising preaching of the Law and Gospel. They practically foam at the mouth in their impotent rage and contempt, and hold every true Christian and his Christ in total derision, even though their own hearts are pierced by the truth of God's Word and they cannot deny it. Like a harpooned whale they thrash mightily raving and raging against the truth.
This adamantine stubbornness, this stygian darkness emanating from the citadel of hell itself, can create a problem for the Christian. This well known, haughty attitude of a world that now thinks it is God almighty can prove a temptation to close our mouths and pull in our horns. We must, therefore, approach the Father boldly at "His throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16) and ask Him kindly to "increase us the more in strength" (Acts 9:22) every day as He so graciously did with Paul the newly converted Christian. Since it is our Lord Jesus Christ who so comfortingly and assuringly says "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32) let us ask Him please to surround His little flock of poor, wretched sinners, that tattered "remnant," (Isaiah 1:9) with His continuing grace and protection and to cause His dear Word to be mighty in us. There is a saying among the children of men: he who laughs last, laughs best - and there is much truth in that. And when all is said and done at the awesome assize of the great and last Judgment we will know and see with our own eyes that our Lord Christ will hold all these smug, sophisticated, sneering mockers "in derision" (Psalm 2:4) while Christ and His Word will win the day - the day of eternal life.
r.w.s.
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2073 Christ the Only Hope of Man
When the question is under consideration how God is to be appeased, how forgiveness of sins may be attained, then either kiss the Son, or you will perish; there is no alternative. So John asserts: The wrath of God abideth on Him who does not believe the Son (John 3:36); again: "He that believeth not is condemned already" (John 3:18), whether he is a king or a shepherd, a Carthusian monk or a soldier, whether he lives in celibacy or in marriage, whether he is a doctor or a lawyer. If a man does not kiss the Son, that is, if he does not place his entire hope of salvation on the Son, he will perish by the wrath of God, though he kill himself with fasting and let his body be consumed by fire.
(What Luther says - Plass)
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A Sermon
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind,"
Romans 12:1-5 -- Epiphany I
Whether he is new in faith or has believed for many years -- and no matter what position God has given him in the church -- the Christian naturally delights in doing things that are pleasing to God. Not to his own glory but to the Glory of God, and to the glory of the Only Begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Yet so many times the works of a Christian fall far short of his own expectations to where when he would glorify God he could say as Paul says in Romans 7:18 & 19:
So how do we, as Christians, do that which we would delight in doing to the glory of God and His Son, the only Savior of the world?
First of all, we need to be ever mindful that even though we are Christians -- saved through the faith God has given us in the shed Blood of Jesus Christ -- we are yet sinners, continually subject to the lusts and temptations of our own sinful flesh. So that while our spirit would follow after the things that are pleasing to God, our flesh would follow after the things that please the devil and the world.
Then we need to heed the warnings and encouragements that God has given us in the Bible to keep us in the right way. To this end God here tells us by the hand of Paul:
With the help of God's Holy Spirit for understanding, let's consider the text in it's entirety and see:
I. What it means to "be not conformed ... but transformed."
II. How this transformation manifests itself in a Christian.
Beginning in verse 1 the apostle writes:
In order to understand what it means to "be not conformed to this world", think for a moment what it means to be conformed to this world. The world teaches us from little on to compete with our fellow man in just about everything we do, so that by the time we reach adulthood, we are fully prepared to pursue the pleasures of this life in an attitude of self-pride and greed; with little or no consideration of God or our fellow man.
For example: the first 3 Commandments teach that we should love God with our whole heart, mind, and soul. But the world would have us love ourselves first, then if there is any love left over, then we should love God -- or whatever we might consider to be God.
Concerning the last 7 Commandments, Christ says in summary: "thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
But the world would have us believe that we should love our neighbor as long as it serves our own goals in this life. The Bible commands, for example, that we honor our parents. And this applies especially to supporting them during what the world now commonly refers to as "their golden years". But our flesh and the world would interpret that to mean we should call our parents once in a while on the phone so that they know we're still around, and so that maybe they will remember us in their wills. To many today the ultimate way to show honor and love toward a parent is to spare them the pain and suffering of sickness or old age by helping them to "die with dignity" by the hand of someone like Dr. Kervorkian, (who rightly sits in jail), as if the 5th Commandment said: "Thou shalt not kill unless the person is sick or old or in some other way a burden to society" -- or: "thou shalt not kill unless the person's death would somehow elevate my own standing in the world" -- or something like that.
The world looks at every Commandment in a different way to what the Christian looks at them. And a Christian is not immune to the attitudes of the world.
For example it's awfully tempting sometimes to act as if the Commandment says: "Thou shalt covet whatever your neighbor has that serves the lust of your own flesh" -- Or: "thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor unless you can somehow do it by an outward show of right to your own advantage." This might seem extreme, but where the flesh is allowed to go unchecked, that is, if there were no civil laws to set limits on the pursuits of the flesh, the world would be in utter chaos.
If we follow the ways of our flesh and of the world, we are conformed to this world. On the other hand if we refrain from such things, we are misfits in the world -- NonConformists, in other words.
That's what Paul means here, a Christian is to be a non conformist in the world. And in order that we might be non conformists, he says:
"be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind."
The word "transformed" in verse 2 is from the Greek word "metamorphosis", which means "to change". In this case it means a change of heart and mind, brought about and constantly renewed by the hearing of the Gospel of Christ. Because it is the nature of our flesh to sin, and because we will always have our sinful flesh with us in this life, this metamorphosis, that is, this transformation will never be complete in this life. But as long as we remain in this process of change, we are able to present our bodies a living sacrifice acceptable to God. In other words -- by God's grace, and in the faith that He gives us, we are able to keep our flesh under submission to the point that we are able to offer holy, acceptable service to God, according to both body and soul.
The person whose mind is renewed in the spirit of the Gospel looks upon his body as an instrument of God's will -- something to be used in God's service and to God's honor. And he considers his service to God not unreasonable, but reasonable service.
A believer delights in serving the Lord. He doesn't need to be coerced or commanded to serve; if you will notice, Paul makes no command, but says: "I beseech you therefore, brethren..." which is to say, according to our own language: I urge you, or I beg of you, by the mercies of God.
To command a good work, or to command that someone serve God, is un-Christian; but, when a Christian is reminded of the mercies of God, he has a willingness to do that which is good and acceptable in the sight of God. A willingness brought about by the faith and trust he has in God. Faith brought about and renewed and strengthened by the continual hearing of the Word of God, which reveals Christ as the only Savior of the world. He is the Son of the virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Ghost; He is the Son of God -- true man and true God; without sin. And now, by His sacrificing His own body and the shedding of His own righteous blood from the cross of Calvary, no other sacrifice is needed, nor will be accepted, to appease God for sin. Whoever believes on Him has complete forgiveness for all their past sins. This is the Christian's motivation to do good -- to be a nonconformist in the world. And it is by the continual hearing of the Gospel that the Christian is continually renewed in the spirit of Christ wherein by his own actions and deeds the Glory of Christ is revealed.
Someone who thinks more highly of himself is still in conformity with this world. For self pride and greed are still uppermost in his mind, and none of us are above these things - it's natural for us to think of ourselves more highly than we do of non-believers, and even worse yet, we are prone to think more highly of ourselves than we do fellow-believers. But Paul reminds us to liken the members of the church to the parts of our bodies. Think of your eyes, and your ears, fingers, arms, legs, etc. Each of these different members has a different function - you wouldn't expect the hand to perform the same work as the eye, or the ear to perform the function of the foot or any other part of the body. But while all the different parts, have different work to do, they all work together as one complete human body.
Likewise the church is made up of many, vastly different, individual members, each having a different office or calling.
What does it matter if one was called to faith prior to another. We are all members of Christ's Church, serving according to the measure of faith which He has given us.
We are all in the same boat, so to speak; we each need God's gift of salvation just as much as the other person, whether we are the pastor, or an officer in the church, or whether we are someone that has been called to faith more recently than anyone else.
So, though we be many we are one in Christ. We should therefore work together as one body. Supporting and encouraging one another, even admonishing one another in love and patience, that we all might peaceably endure in faith.
Let none of us consider ourselves above any other , but let us work together to the glory of Christ and the building up of His Church. Let us by the grace of God continue diligently in His Kingdom, not to satisfy our own haughtiness and pride, but purely out of thankfulness to Him. In this way, all glory will be given properly to Christ.
And when we glorify Christ by our actions we reveal that, by the grace of God, the transformation spoken of here has taken place in us. We are no longer conformed to the world but by the Gospel we have been transformed by the renewing of our minds.
Amen.
c.e.c.
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Watch your mail next month for a special Easter issue!
It is of the utmost importance that we constantly give due thanks and praise to our Heavenly Father for His perfect plan of salvation, fulfilled by His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who willingly, lovingly, endured all our temporal and all our eternal punishment on His cross, and conquered Death itself, and The Devil, once and for all . . .
. . . for us ! ! !
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" T w o K i n d s o f R i g h t e o u s n e s s "
( reprinted )
1. Civil Righteousness: Civil Righteousness is that kind of righteousness of a person, community, city, state or country which is outward and conforms closely to the Ten Commandments. It is the righteousness mentioned in Proverbs 14:34:
"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."
This is the common, ordinary righteousness based on character and good works. It is better, for example, before God and man, to be honest in your work than to be dishonest; decent than indecent; kind than cruel; etc.
This outward righteousness God also rewards outwardly since it is in agreement with His holy Ten Commandments. For over 130 years the United States has not been subjected to the ravages of war on the soil of our nation - with the exception of a short occupation of some of the Aleutian Islands by the Japanese during World War 2. This kind of peace and prosperity is almost unprecedented in all of history and is largely a result of civil, civic, or political righteousness. Two things, both dear to God, are involved here. First of all, our nation has always welcomed the huddled, hungry, exploited and miserable multitudes of people from other lands and nations. It has afforded sanctuary to tens and millions of refugees, outcasts, persecuted, exploited, etc., not a few of whom were our own ancestors from Europe. The virtue called mercy (which is always present among people where Christ's Gospel goes) is especially pleasing to God - and He alone is able to work it in a nation. Secondly, the United States has always helped its former enemies, whom it has defeated, to get back on their feet, enabling them to rise from their well - deserved ruins and to become prosperous, e.g., Japan, Germany, etc. And all this after many brave and self-sacrificing men and women in our armed forces have given their lives defending our nation. All of this comes under the heading: Civil Righteousness
2. Then, according to Scripture, there is a righteousness we denominate "Christian Righteousness" and it is delineated in Romans 3:21&22
Jeremiah calls Christ, "The Lord, our Righteousness" (Jer. 23:6).
This righteousness is the righteousness that justifies us before God, since it is totally flawless and perfect and gained for all men by the efforts of the Holy One of Israel, namely our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Luther called this righteousness: "Die Gerechtigkeit die vor Gott gilt" -the righteousness that avails before God. Rom. 3:23 (German Bible)
It is absolutely necessary to make the distinction between these two kinds of righteousness. For example, if in all the United States, abortions were banned; and all women would bring children to term without exception; and if all homosexuals were banned from all of society so that only the decent, hard working people were left with scrubbed faces, clean hands; moral minds full of tolerance, patience, good will, and lots of love - not one such citizen, great or small, young or old, could or would be saved by such civil righteousness. For without Christ and faith in Him before God:
Nor would a perfect keeping of the Law be possible -
Therefore, everything that is noble and righteous, that is: "civilly righteous", before men, is perverted before God since man does his good deeds in order to gain glory before God and man - which is to rob God of His due. In this manner a Boy Scout is a hundred times further from God's kingdom than a drug addict. For the latter has his sins preached to him every day in his body as he wastes away in misery.
To such a heart, which the Lord may graciously open by the Gospel, the forgiveness of sins is sweet indeed. The scout, however, trusts mightily in his good deeds and merit badges before God and man and thereby seeks his own glory and "honor" and is deceived by his false trust. Verily as Christ says:
"...They have their reward." Matt.6:2 (the adulation of men), but they are not going to heaven since they refuse to ascribe all glory and honor to Jesus Christ and to His righteousness alone, (as in John 5:23).
Therefore, dear Christian, make sure you know, and that you know well, the difference between Civil and Christian Righteousness. Civil Righteousness is based on works, character and human rectitude. Christian Righteousness, the one thing needful to live before God forever, is based entirely on the work and righteousness of ANOTHER, that is, our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
r.w.s.
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Dusty Bibles
lead to
Dirty Lives
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A N N O U N C E M E N T S
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"But, witnessing to others puts me on the spot and I get nervous!"
Keep in mind that there are many good orthodox tracts and booklets available that you can distribute to inquiring parties, and/or leave around your town to reach others with the saving Gospel Truth of Forgiveness of Sins through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ alone.
Ask your ILC Pastor about what materials are available and where to get them. Don't be afraid to spread God's Word! Luke 2:8ff : the angel called the message of Christ our Savior: "good tidings of great joy, ... to all people." Share that joy -- it could make someone's day go better (and yours too) !
A note from the publisher:
Greetings in our Lord Jesus Christ.
As you may be aware, it has been some time since the last publication of this journal. I hope and pray that the Lord has kept you well physically and, even more importantly, spiritually.
To those of you who long to read the issues of this journal as I do, I ask your forgiveness for not having "stepped up to the plate" sooner, to pitch in and do what I could to help the dedicated Pastors in our midst, who, by the grace of God have endured for so long, and labored steadily for Christ in keeping the ILC afloat; yet not they; but God alone, through His Holy Precious Word preached in our midst, has sustained our little group through our many trials, and lovingly continues daily to preserve us in His grace and mercy.
I will be publishing this journal here in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin, and I will try, with the help of God, to keep this publication going even till our Lord returns in final judgment of this wicked world (or at least as long as I'm physically able). I hope to pass this responsibility on to another servant in our fellowship when my Eternal Savior calls me to go finally Home with Him.
Please join me in thanking and praising and glorifying our Blessed Redeemer, Jesus Christ, for the Power of His Holy Spirit, enabling and guiding us to continue in His Truth; and pray for me, that I may serve Him well, however he would guide me to do so.
You may contact me with comments, thoughts, and concerns, or just to say 'Hello' ; and if you have any doctrinal questions or spiritual issues, please direct them to one of the Pastors listed in the front cover of this journal. We look forward to hearing from you.
Humbly, in His service,
Dave R. Yeomans / ILC secretary
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