The Great Commission' Go And Tell

Matthew 28:16-20 KJV; Go and Tell; go and teach all that our Lord has taught you through the many generations that have come before us.

Joseph Heeds What The Angel Says

Matthew 1:18-25 KJV; Conceived by the Holy Ghost; born of the virgin Mary, Jesus comes into the world and is with us even now even as he will come again in full glory to take us to the place he has prepared for us.

Give; Share the Good News Of Jesus

Gifts For God's Glory

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 

                                                                     (1 Cor 12:1-11 KJV)

We do not all have the same gifts. But, we all have been given gifts by God to use that God might be glorified. Jesus was willing to be tortured and die a cruel death for us; yet, so often we are not even willing to use our gifts for the sake of others; for the sake of the Kingdom; for the sake of glorifying God.

Do not worry about what gifts others have.  If everyone had the same gift not much would be accomplished toward the Kingdom of God. Use the gifts that God has given you and thank him for the opportunity to use them. Do not be afraid to use your gifts for God would not have given them for us just to set them on a shelf in the closet like an unwanted Christmas present. 

You are a child of God and he has given you good gifts for a purpose. Use those gifts for the growth of the Kingdom and ultimately to glorify our Father in heaven!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Buildings Fall While The Word Endures

And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 

                                                                              (Mark 13:1-2 KJV)

One of the biggest mistakes that I've witnessed in house or mission churches is the rush to have a "real" church building.  Too often it costs the mission too much. As the congregation struggles to pay for the building and all of the regular costs and upkeep the mission of the church suffers.  

The mission of the church is as Jesus told the disciples:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.                                                                            (Matt 28:19-20)

Buildings are temporary. The building that you worship in one day will be gone. 

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1 Pet 1:25)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Baptized For Renewal And Regeneration

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matt 28:18:20

What is baptism? Is it something that we choose to do because we want to give ourselves to Jesus or is it truly a gift from God for the growth of His Church; His Kingdom? According to what the Lutheran Church as teaches from Luther's Small Catechism:

First

What is Baptism?

Answer: Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in God’s command and connected with God’s Word.

Which is that word of God?

Answer: Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Matthew: Go ye into all the world and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Second

What does Baptism give or profit?

Answer: It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

Which are such words and promises of God?

Answer: Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Mark: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Third

How can water do such great things?

Answer: It is not the water indeed that does them, but the word of God which is in and with the water, and faith, which trusts such word of God in the water. For without the word of God the water is simple water and no baptism. But with the word of God it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Ghost, as St. Paul says, Titus, chapter three: By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, that, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying.

Fourth

What does such baptizing with water signify?

Answer: It signifies that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts, and, again, a new man daily come forth and arise; who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?

Answer: St. Paul says Romans, chapter 6: We are buried with Christ by Baptism into death, that, like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

                                                   http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

Baptism is not the same as taking a bath. Water alone may wash the outside of the body; but, it cannot cleanse our souls. Water with the Word received in the Sacrament of Baptism; however, washes us through and through.

I am often asked why I would baptize infants. My answer (in short, because this is just a blog) is that first we are commanded to baptize all nations; all people. That does not exclude children. Jesus said we are not to hinder the children from going to him. I have also been told that babies cannot believe so therefore they should not receive this Sacrament. Jesus also said that in order to enter into the kingdom of God we must become like little children. (Matt 18:2-3) Knowledge or intelligence does not necessarily equate with faith. Just because little children do not have the same knowledge that some adults have we should not equate that with an inability to have faith. Faith, itself, is a gift from God and is not something we muster up on our own. Many of the little children that I've known probably have more than most adults Christians as they have not yet been subjected to the doubts of this world.

Most importantly, baptism is a gift from God, for the washing and regeneration of all people and for renewing by the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, the Holy Spirit came down upon him in the form of a dove. When we are baptized, we are anointed by the Holy Spirit, for regeneration and renewal. I would not presume to withhold this gift of God; His very presence, from anyone, especially a child. Would you demand that a child go through life without this gift?

My parents were not church going people. But, they saw fit to have me baptized at home at about age five. I thank God that they did this for me. I thank God that Pr. Leslie Niemi was willing to officiate at our home. I know that it is preferable that baptism take place within the church. But, I thank God that Pr. Les was not willing to withhold this Sacrament from me for any reason. I remember that day; although, it has been so long ago and details are getting a little foggy. I thank God for the regeneration by the power of the Holy Spirit that began so many years ago. I do not want to even consider where and what I would be today if it had not been for the events of that day. Thank you Pr. Les for being a servant of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hope Fills Us With Joy

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13 KJV)

It can be difficult to continue hoping for something for years and years and never get to see that thing that we hope and pray for. Yet, we continue to hope. We continue to believe that no matter how bad things might get today God has a good plan for those who believe. (Rom 8:28)

As difficult as it can be to get through some days and weeks and even years we trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us and to comfort us; to give us hearts filled with peace and with hope.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

                                                                                               (Rom 5:1-5)

May God grant that we should put our faith in the Father who is the great I AM and in the Son who is Jesus the Christ and in power of the Holy Spirit that our hope in God's promises will fill us with joy. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Grace, Mercy, Peace

 

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Greet one another with an holy kiss.

 All the saints salute you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 

                                                                                     (2 Cor 13:11-14 KJV)

About two thousand years ago St. Paul closed his second letter to the Corinthians with words of encouragement. He encouraged them to be of like minds and to live in peace. 

Today we need to hear and take heed of that same encouragement as we pray for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and communion of the Holy Spirit to be with us all. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Hope Rather Than Panic

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

                                                                                    Romans 15:13 KJV

There is a whole lot of panic going around. Panic is usually fueled by fear. What are we afraid of? Nothing in this world is greater or stronger than the power of the Holy Spirit that can bring to us joy and peace in the midst of the worst tempests.

Trust that the Spirit of Christ is with you; with us all, for our good no matter what it may look or feel like to us at the moment. God is the God of hope. Trust Him and go on doing the good that He would have us do; helping our neighbors and living in peace! 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Thicker Than Blood

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

                                                                        (John 19:25-30 KJV)

The world was changed when Jesus hung on that cross and died for us. Of course, there are many things that have not changed. There are still some really ugly things going on in the world. But, when Jesus hung on that cross and died, we received the possibility of being reconciled to God. We who were not His children became His children. We are family. 

On very rare occasions I will refer to brothers and sisters in Christ as "friends" because they are. I don't use that term often; though, because more than friends, we are family. We are children of the most high God; brothers and sisters in Christ. When Jesus hung on the cross he told John, "Behold thy mother" and to his mother Mary he said, "Behold thy son." John was to care for Mary as a son would. Mary was to love John as a mother would. When, through faith, we are made to be children of God, we become family. We are to love and care for one another as our Father in heaven cares for all of us. 

As you gather with your brothers and sisters this Good Friday to remember what Christ has done for us; remember that the person sitting in the pew or chair next to you is your brother or sister in Christ and that together you remember and grieve that Jesus had to suffer and die for the both of you. There is a blood that is thicker than blood. It is the blood of Christ that was shed for you and for all people.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Holy Spirit Sanctifies; Makes Us Holy

The Third Article.

Of Sanctification.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; one holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

What does this mean?--Answer.
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life. This is most certainly true.

  http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 

 

It is by God the Father that we are created. It is by the life giving sacrifice of God the Son that we have been saved. It is by the Holy Spirit that we are sanctified. In the past I have been warned that it might be best not to use the word sanctify as many would not understand what the word means. Sanctify mean to be made holy. The Holy Spirit makes us holy. Jesus died for our salvation. He died that we might be reconciled to God our Father. This is good news. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that this truth is revealed and preached. It is not by our own reason or strength; but, by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to receive this good news as our own truth.

 

May God grant that the eyes, ears, and hearts of the world be open to hear and receive the truth, who is Jesus the Christ, that we might be made holy by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J