Resources

Therefore being justified by faith (Rom. 5:1)

Keep Faith and a Good Conscience

Prepared by Jon Bloomquist For: 1998 Phoenix Winter Services 1998 LLC Campwork-Youthwork Week Keep Faith and a Good Conscience “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

Home and Family, Diaconal Workshops Guide and Support

The LLC’s Home and Family committees were established in 2012. In September of that year, committee representatives from many congregations gathered at Stony Lake Camp to discuss and organize this work.

The Believing Home as a Refuge

“I remember from my youthful years, how especially good it sometimes felt to come home.” A brother reminisced of the years of his battles in faith when growing up. Possibly many of us can join with his memories. A believing home is a refuge for all of its members. God has meant it to be such a place.

"Behold I was Shapen in Inquity" (Ps. 51:5)

The theme for this introduction, Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, from Psalm 51, perhaps in some ways takes on special significance, because in 2017 we commemorate a monumental event that occurred five centuries ago: Martin Luther "published" the Ninety-five Theses and, according to tradition, posted these on the door of the Wittenberg Church. It is an event widely recognized as marking the commencement of what we call the Reformation.

"Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness" (Rom.6:18).

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people" (Isa. 40:1).

“Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James 2:5)

“Be Ye Not Unequally Yoked Together With Unbelievers” (2 Cor. 6:14)

“Remember, now thy Creator in the days of thy youth”(Eccl. 12:1)

All Saints’ Day - A Christian Counterpoint to Halloween and Secularization

All Saints’ Day falls on November 1st in our church calendar. The origins of this holy day go back the Early Church’s practice of commemorating the death of Christian martyrs.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. – Josh. 24:15

Choose you this day whom ye will serve…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. – Josh. 24:15

Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it (Luke 12:28)

Why is having a believing mother and father a great gift? I asked this question to a couple of my boys, and they said, “They can forgive our sins.” The gift of faith that we have been given allows us to preach the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name and blood.

Brethren, if a Man be Overtaken in a Fault

The above text from Paul’s Letter to the Galatians teaches us to help and care for one another on our journey of faith. The first part of the text teaches us to help a person who has fallen in sin and also in what manner we ought to help them. The second part of the text teaches us to share one another's burdens.

Children are an Heritage of the LORD - Ps. 127:3

Christian Courtship

Christian Courtship Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord'. Pro 8:22 1 . The Purpose of Courtship is to Lead to Marriage These words from Proverbs show that the purpose of courtship is to find a spouse, and the sole intent of courtship

Christian Courtship

Dan Rintamaki / 06-25-1996 Youth Discussion 1996 LLC Summer Services, Outlook CHRISTIAN COURTSHIP Christian courtship has often been discussed in God's Kingdom. Most recently, this was the topic for a youth discussion at the Winter Services in Phoenix.

Christian Values in a Changing Society

Presentation at Elders and Speakers Meeting 1993 AALC Toronto Summer Services Jim Frantti Christian Values in a Changing Society Societal and Personal Values We can speak about the topic of values on two levels: group or societal values and individual or personal values

Confession

Presentation for Youth Discussion LLC Summer Services 2003, Marquette, MI Markus Korpi Confession In God’s Kingdom we say and believe that confession is a grace gift yet the enemy of souls attempts to deprive us of this grace gift by sowing seeds of confusion and misused

Confession

Did God Really Say?

Faith and Reason

Faith and Reason Section I Matters that reason does not comprehend (paradox) First of all I will consider in section one the following matters that reason does not comprehend: a) The existence of God; b) the Triune God; c) the nature of the Scriptures; d) the nature

Fear of the Lord is Wisdom

Fear of the Lord is Wisdom Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. (Ps. 33:8) Fear the Lord Thy God Fear is defined as a human emotion caused by an expectation of evil or impending danger. This fear is realized at a very

Feed and Guide My Sheep

Presentation for Ministers and Board Members Meeting LLC Summer Services 2001 Feed and Guide My Sheep "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord: thou knowest that I love thee.

Fight the Good Fight of Faith

Fight the Good Fight of Faith, Lay Hold on Eternal Life "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life..." 1 Tim. 6:12 These words are especially fitting for tonight's discussion, as they were written by Paul to a young believing person named Timothy. Paul also writes

Friendship

Presentation for Youth Discussion LLC Phoenix Winter Services February 22, 2003 James Jurmu Friendship “A faithful friend is a strong defense: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure. Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency

God is Lord over Life and Death

In the beginning there was nothing and no one but God. Thus the Holy Bible begins with the words: “In the beginning God.” Everything that is has originated with Him. As John says, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” God made all things by the power of His Word (John 1:3).

God's Kingdom, the Pillar and Ground of Truth

God’s Congregation, the Pillar and Ground of Truth The Congregation, its foundation The Congregation and the Word of God Believers in the Congregation The Security of Its Members The Congregation, its foundation

Gospel of Christ - Power of God

THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST – THE POWER OF GOD For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written,

He Made Them Male and Female

PRESENTATION for Youth Discussion - July 2, 2006 2006 LLC Summer Services By Keith Waaraniemi “He made them male and female” Note: This transcription is taken from the audio recording. It is best used as reference for the PowerPoint presentation as opposed to reading verbatim as a presentation in local congregation gatherings.

He That Hath an Ear, Let Him Hear

He That Hath an Ear, Let Him Hear Presentation outline: 1. Faith cometh by hearing repentance the reconciliation sermon of the Holy Ghost the authority of the keys 2. Faith is preserved by hearing the word of God the effects of inherited sin the gospel is the

He That Hath an Ear, Let Him Hear

The writer to the Hebrews compares God’s Word to a two-edged sword (Heb. 4:15). We understand that one edge portrays the law and the other the gospel. As he later relates, the giving of the law on Mt. Sinai was accompanied by fire, darkness, and storm, the sound of trumpets and a frightening voice. It inspired terrible fear in those that heard it. Surely it frightens all those that still sit in the condemning shadow of the law

Heaven

Here am I, Send Me

HERE AM I, SEND ME 1. Call to Serve These are the words of the Prophet Isaiah. They consist of two separate parts. The first is, "here am I," and the second is, "send me." He said these words in response to the enquiry of God, " Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"

How to Approach Another Person

I Will Seek That Which Was Lost (Ezek. 34:16)

“For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.

If a Man Love Me, He Will Keep My Words

Presentation for Youth Discussion 2002 Summer Services, Wadena, MN Brian J. Johnson “If a man love me, he will keep my words.” John 14:2 When we are believing, the love of God has been shed into our hearts and we desire to remain close to Him. The life of a believer is in a

Let No Man Despise Thy Youth, but be Thou an Example

Love Not the World

Love not the world “Love not the world nor the things that are in the world, if any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.”

Make Straight Paths for Your Feet

Presentation for Congregational Evening LLC Phoenix Winter Services February 21, 2003 Make straight paths for your feet. —Heb. 12:13 Introduction Hymn 310 The hymn that we just sang tells of a journey to an eternal city in a distant land. The journey winds

Music: A Gift of God and a Tool of the Enemy

Music: A Gift of God and a Tool of the Enemy. We have had this discussion now in a few places, and there have been some Voice of Zion articles covering the topic of music in the last year or so and in recent years. As we prepared for tonight, many people talked about how music is a timely matter--and it is and always is; it was when we were young and is today, and it will continue to be. So without any further ado, we will get started.

Mutual Respect, A Basic Christian Principle

Introduction for Phoenix Speakers and Elders Meeting, February 1991 Mutual Respect, A Basic Christian Principle “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind. [Let] nothing We done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord - Prov. 3:11

From a Christian standpoint, I think many listeners would raise their hand if I asked how many here have had an experience where a friend or acquaintance asked this type of question: “What’s different about the way you believe compared to the way I believe?” It’s a basic question, but it doesn’t usually seem easy to answer because we tend to feel that our own understanding is lacking, we naturally want avoid controversy, and we don’t particularly want to offend other people.

Neither Jew Nor Greek

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” Gal.3:28 Would they accept me? I wondered as I entered the hotel’s hot tub in which a few Orthodox Jews were already relaxing. Traveling around Israel, the Orthodox Jews seemed to avoid us non-Jewish American tourists.

Obedience of Faith

Obedience of Faith In the Holy Word of God there is much written of the obedience to God's Holy word, obedience in the life of faith. The gospel changes man When man believes the gospel of the forgiveness of sins, a change of heart takes place in his life. It is evident in his life

Our Societal Mission

Presentation for Congregational Evening LLC Phoenix Winter Services February 22, 2002 Our Societal Mission A Christian and Christianity in the World A Believer and the Church in Society I Introduction 1.1. The love of a child of God toward someone in the world

Prayer

What is prayer? Prayer is a humble and sincere speech with God. James instructs to ask in faith without doubting. The opening words of the Lord’s Prayer already teach us to securely trust our Heavenly Father in faith. A natural child trusts his father and relates to other children what he

Prayer

Statistics show that people in general pray more as our physical safety or our financial security is challenged. It is quite obvious that also believers turn to God more in times of distress. In Christianity we do not boast about our praying, but rather say that we are poor petitioners.

Respect

The word ‘respect’ in the sense that we want to discuss here means "to feel or show deferential regard for: esteem." Another word we could use is reverence. I want to talk about respect in two areas -respect for God, His Word and His congregation, which is where we might use the word reverence

Responsibility for Temporal Talents

Righteousness of Faith, Righteousness of Life

The introduction for this year’s Summer Services youth discussion is entitled, Righteousness of Faith and the Righteousness of Life. The LLC board asks for God’s guidance in selecting presentation topics, and I’m sure that this theme was chosen because of the primary importance that righteousness of faith has to salvation, and that we would have an opportunity to revisit this important doctrinal principle in our time, and with our younger generation.

Sanctity of Marriage

The Sanctity of Marriage "To be married and to understand married life are two very different matters."1 Even the believer may have misconceptions about the meaning, purpose, or sanctity of married life. Such understandings may be the result of observations made during our upbringing or that

Sin and Its Consequences

The boundary between right and wrong, between that which is permitted and that which is forbidden, has dimmed to a great extent in the way people commonly think about matters today. At the same time, people’s morals have become relative. Many are of the opinion that sin no longer has significance for modern man.

That From a Child Thou Hast Know the Holy Scriptures

The Believing Home as a Refuge

“I remember from my youthful years, how especially good it sometimes felt to come home.” A brother reminisced of the years of his battles in faith when growing up. Possibly many of us can join with his memories. A believing home is a refuge for all of its members. God has meant it to be such a place.

The Church Law of Christ

The Church That is Within Thy House

Scriptural Basis First of all, examining the scriptural basis for the title of this presentation, we find that it is a common theme in both the Old and the New Testament. Joshua told the children of Israel, "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye

The Holy Spirit and the Work of the Holy Spirit - English Translation

God works in creation and in the world of mankind as three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Their three modes of work are creation, redemption, and sanctification. The Triune God works to save sin-fallen mankind.

The Joy of Believing

The Joy of Believing Nobody has strength to live if there is no joy in life. Everybody seeks to have joy in their life: children do, young do, elders do. Believers also seek joy. A main question in seeking joy is, where from and what kind of joy does one seek. In the following

The Kingdom of God, the Fellowship of the Saints

What is the Kingdom of God? "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. " (Romans 14:17) The Kingdom of God is a refuge from the temptations and evil that are in the world, a sheepfold where the Good Shepherd cares for

The Law and the Gospel

The teachings of Martin Luther testify, in accord with the Holy Scriptures, that God has given two holy proclamations from heaven-the Law and the Gospel. ln the gospel of John, it is written, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17).

The Office of the Holy Spirit

The Office of the Holy Spirit

The Sacraments

What is a sacrament? Juhani Uljas, in the book Treasure Hid in a Field, answers the question in this way: “The word, ‘sacrament,’ is not found in the English or the Finnish Bible, yet the sacraments are deeply founded in Scripture. In the Latin Bible, the word ‘sacramentum’ corresponds (ex. Eph. 5:31) to the word’mysterion,’ mystery, in the Greek Bible. The mystery of faith, which we cannot fully understand is connected to sacrament. For that reason, we regard it with the timidity and humility of a child, for we remember that God has ordained it.”

The Sparrow Hath Found an House

“How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O

The Triune God

The Triune God God’s Word teaches us that “God has revealed Himself to us as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That is why we speak of God as the Triune God” (Christian Doctrine 43). The content of our Christian faith has been gathered into three articles of faith and is documented in the creeds from the 4th and 5th centuries, namely: the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. The Apostles Creed is the most familiar to us.

The Young and the Old

The young and the old: Saved by faith Dear listener, whether you are young or old, whether you are from the generation that has already seen their own grandchildren, or if you are from the current generation of children - you can believe all your sins forgiven in the name and blood of Jesus

Through Faith We Understand (Heb.11:1-3)

As Christians we often experience that reason positions itself against faith—and faith against reason. We very often experience the affects of reason quite negatively. We know however that in everyday life, at home, at school, in studies, and in work the use of reason is not only permitted but unavoidable. We need good sense or as it's called in Finland common sense or horse sense.

Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet, and a Light

God’s Word “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” —Ps. 119:105 Speakers and Congregation elders! The subject that I have received for this introduction is interesting and also extremely timely. This subject has already

Unity of Faith and Understanding

“If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”(1 John 1:7). Here the Apostle John reveals the central reason for the unity that is a unique trait of the children of God.

Unity of Faith and Understanding - Youth Discussion

What I Say Unto You, I Say Unto All, Watch

The text from the gospel of Mark that is the theme for this presentation contains the words of Jesus. Jesus was speaking about the end times. Although he gave many signs of the end times, he also concluded that no person knows the day and the hour of the end of the world and the second coming of Jesus.

What is God Like

Introduction Today we live in a society that emphasizes individualism: man is all-mighty, all-knowing and in control ozone’s own fate. The statement is often heard: My God is like this. I think of God in this way. The Bible says of the last times that the end will not come before a