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Opisto Scholarship Program In cooperation with its sister organization, the SRK in Finland, the LLC provides 14 scholarships annually for students to attend three different cultural/folk schools called "opistos." The three schools are located in Jämsä, Ranua, and Reisjärvi, Finland. Scholarship applications are reviewed by the LLC Scholarship Selection Committee and approved by the LLC Board of Directors. Hundreds of students have participated in the program since its inception in 1982. ​ Students have benefited from Laestadian Lutheran faith-based teaching, an opportunity to study the Finnish language and culture, and learning practical topics in academics, craft and trades, and music. Member LLC congregations often participate in the support of students, and places are also available for students who pay their own way. ​ To learn more about the Opisto Scholarship Program, please contact Ruth DeLacey (rdelacey@llchurch.org ) for further details. ​ ​ Opisto W ebsites Jämsä Ranua Reisjärvi Would you like to apply for an opisto scholarship? ​ ​ ​ 1. Download the application to your own computer . 2. C hange the file name to include your first and last name. 3. Complete the application on your computer and remember to save it. 4. Email the completed application and all letters of reference to rdelacey@llchurch.org Applications are due May 15. If you have any questions about the application or the process of applying, please be in touch! rdelacey@llchurch.org Opisto Application

Wedding Announcement If you'd like to place a wedding announcement in The Voice of Zion, please fill out the form below. ​ Ads must be submitted by the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. Cost: $17.00 Bride's First Name Bride's Last Name Groom's First Name Groom's Last Name Wedding Date Wedding Location Comments Submit Thank you!

Position Statements INTRODUCTION LLC Position Statement - adopted July 2006 ​ We live a time during which the concept of right and wrong has blurred. It appears that many people accept the philosophy of moral relativism, denying the existence of moral truths. As a result many base their beliefs on the ever-changing tide of popular opinion and thus have no enduring foundation upon which to build their lives. The Bible, once widely respected and esteemed as the foundation for Christian faith, is now commonly believed to have only symbolic value, more significant as a source of history and culture than moral guidance. ​ Our beliefs direct our lives and guide our actions. They have consequences with regard to both eternal life and this life. As individuals and as a society we will reap the consequences of our actions. Thus with heartfelt concern we wish to draw attention to the following issues and present our position on them. GOD'S WORD THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD We believe that the Bible is God's Word. While men have written the Scripture, they have not done so as an expression of their own will, but God has moved them by His Spirit to express His own will (2 Pet. 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16). God's Word is not to be treated or regarded in the same manner as man's word but rather granted our highest esteem and reverence. ​ GOD'S WORD IS CHRISTIAN FAITH'S HIGHEST AUTHORITY We believe that God's Word is Christian faith's highest authority and thus Christian faith's guiding principles and doctrine must be examined and evaluated in the light of God's Word. ​ GOD'S WORD IS UNCHANGING AND ETERNAL The claim that God's Word is bound to time and shackled to the culture of its time does not do justice to God's revelation. According to Jesus, the content and the message of the Word of God does not change along with changes in the world. God's Word is always timely. We cannot relinquish this principle. Jesus says of the permanence of His Word: “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away” (Luke 21:33). THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE IS SALVATION IN JESUS CHRIST The teaching about Jesus Christ and the salvation that God in His love has prepared in Christ is the central message of the Bible. Man is saved alone by grace, through faith, on the merits of Christ. Only faith in Christ justifies man and makes him acceptable to God (John 20:31; Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8). FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES CONCEPT OF GOD Increasing numbers of people have rejected belief in the Triune God revealed in the Bible. They prefer instead to create a concept of God that conforms to their own notions. We believe that there is no living God beside Him who has revealed himself in Jesus Christ and His Word. God is love. He is also holy, righteous, and unchanging. He hates sin but loves sin-fallen mankind. ​ CONCEPT OF MAN Modern man's self-image has become both more individual-centered and human-centered. Understanding of the fact that man is responsible to both God and his fellowman has dimmed. The view that man is basically good is also widely held. This view is contrary to God's Word. While God created man in His image (Gen. 1:26) and has intended that man live in unity with Him, man was corrupted when the first human pair, Adam and Eve, fell into sin. As a result of this original sin, man's basic nature is no longer good but corrupted by sin and inclined to evil (Gen. 6:12, 8:21; Rom. 3:10-12, 23). It is because of sin that there is so much evil in the world. ​ SIN Sin is one of the principal concepts of the Bible. Simply stated, sin is the falling away of the heart from God. Every person has a conscience and some kind of understanding of right and wrong. The voice of the conscience, however, is corrupted if it is not joined to God's Word. Knowledge of and reverence for God's Word has dimmed in our time and with it people's concept of right and wrong, of sin, has also dimmed. If teaching about sin ceases, man's awareness of his need for God's grace also ceases. ​ MAN'S VALUE IS BASED ON CREATION AND REDEMPTION Because every person is created in God's image (Gen. 1:26) and has been redeemed by Christ, every individual is of value, unique, and irreplaceable regardless of age, position, occupation, race, gender, or other attributes. God wishes us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. True love for our neighbors is to help them when they are in need and to encourage them to live according to God's Word and support them in their endeavor to do so. It also includes warning them of the dangers of living contrary to the will of God (Lev. 19:17; Eph. 5:11; 2 Tim. 4:2). ​ GOD IS LORD OVER LIFE AND DEATH As knowledge increases and technology advances, man strives to take decisions of life and death into his own hands. This manifests itself, for example, in the prevention of conception, the termination of pregnancy, some kinds of gene manipulation, efforts to clone humans, and euthanasia. People have forgotten that God is the Creator and upholder of all, Lord over life and death. He alone has the power to create life and take it away (1 Sam. 2:6; Job 10:12; Ps. 139:13-16). He has not authorized man to control life. The duty of medicine is to protect life, alleviate suffering, and promote and maintain health while respecting humanity. ​ DOCTRINE AND LIFE GO TOGETHER Doctrine and life are closely joined. God blesses those who live according to His will. The gospel brings man freedom in Christ and gives him the power to serve God and his fellowman. It does not give him permission to live in sin (Gal. 5:13; 1 Pet. 2:16). God has lovingly set limits for man, like loving parents do for their children. The grace of God teaches us to reject sin and to live according to the instruction of His Word (Tit. 2:11, 12). CHRISTIANITY IN SOCIETY GOD'S LAW AS A FOUNDATION FOR SOCIETY AND ITS LAWS Just as God has established the so-called laws of nature, which govern the physical world, He has also established a moral law, sometimes called higher or natural law, which governs the lives of men. This law is universal, eternal, and unchanging. God reveals this law to all men by general revelation, that is, through nature, the fate of men's lives, and history (Rom. 1:19, 20; 2:14, 15), as well as in His Word. There it is briefly expressed in the Ten Commandments and even more briefly in Jesus' Two Great Commandments (Matt. 22:37-40). ​ Previous generations have recognized the existence and immutable nature of this higher law. They have understood that by His law God does not seek to hinder and oppress man but rather to protect life and all that which is sacred and precious in life. As a result, they strove to emulate God's law in the laws of our land. Recent generations and their elected leaders, legislators, and judges have challenged or denied the existence or validity of a higher law. Deviating from the truths of God's law and the teaching of His Word shakes the foundations of our society and threatens its survival. ​ THE FEAR OF THE LORD GRANTS SECURITY It is a benefit to our society that this and upcoming generations are given wholesome models for life and secure conditions for growth. These rise from the correct fear of God and from personal faith. “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge” (Prov. 14:26). ​ SOBER LIVING IS A PART OF CHRISTIAN MORALITY Sober living has always been part of Christian morality. The Scripture warns of the dangers of alcohol and other intoxicants. It teaches that the power of alcohol wars against the will and power of God (Isa. 5:11, 12; 1Cor. 6:10; Eph. 5:18). The use of intoxicants causes immeasurable suffering and hardship in our society, affecting not only the user, but also others around them. Individuals in the public eye, including elected officials, civil servants, and educators, can teach the value of a positive, unimpaired lifestyle by providing an example of sober living in their own lives. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY ISSUES GOD CREATED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY God has established marriage and family in His creation work and they are thus defined and governed by the natural law of God's creation (Gen 2:18, 23, 24). Attempts to redefine marriage and family and to alter or resist their intended purpose thus injure families and society. ​ MARRIAGE-A LIFELONG COVENANT BETWEEN MAN AND WOMAN A fundamental change of values and concepts marked the so-called sexual revolution of the 1960s. Marital fidelity lost its significance. Sexual cohabitation has gained moral acceptance in our society. The fulfillment of nearly all one's inclinations has become permissible. This is manifested, for example, in legislation legalizing same-sex unions. God, however, instituted marriage as a lifelong covenant between man and woman. God's will is that sexual life between man and woman takes place only in the estate of marriage. The Bible always calls sexual relations outside of marriage fornication. ​ DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE God hates divorce (Mal. 2:16). Moses allowed divorce, but, as Jesus explained, he did so only because of the hardness of men's hearts, that is their unbelief, and that it had not been so from the beginning. Jesus taught: “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matt. 19:6; Mark 10:9). The effects of increasing divorce are evident in our society. Truly divorce, in a person's innermost being, is always a wounding and pivotal change-not to mention the degree to which children and youth suffer when their parents part ways. Because God established marriage as a lifelong covenant it ends only when one of the spouses dies. According to the Bible remarriage is acceptable only after a spouse has died (Luke 16:18; 1 Cor. 7:39). ​ HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR IS SIN The Bible teaches that homosexual behavior is immoral and as such is sin (Rom. 1:24-27; Lev. 18:22). Appeals to God's creation work and genetics do not justify homosexual relations, for even if in some cases the individual may not be responsible for the onset of the homosexual tendency, God's Word nonetheless obligates him or her to abstain from its practice in the same manner that it obligates an individual with normal sexual inclination to abstain from extramarital sexual relations. God does not approve the sexual relations of partners of the same sex and He does not bless such relationships. It is with good reason that the Bible warns against this sin. The increase of homosexuality and its acceptance has always been an expression of moral decline. ​ GOD WISHES TO PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN MARRIAGE AND FAMILIES God's Word seeks to protect and strengthen the family (Exod. 20:12; Prov. 1:8; Eph. 6:1-3). The family forms the fundamental unit of society and strong families are crucial to the health and preservation of society. Our society needs to value lifelong marriage and to support parenthood. Governments, policy makers, and public institutions at all levels should strive to support and strengthen marriage and families. ​ CONCLUSION The Bible teaches that true wisdom begins with the fear of God. He and His Word are eternal and unchanging. A life built upon the enduring values of God's Word brings blessings to both the individual and society: “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). ​ God's Word is a bright and true light. It exposes evil and gives man knowledge of his sin and convicts him of it, but it also tells of the forgiveness and life that God has provided in Jesus Christ and the keys of the kingdom of heaven with which His children forgive penitent sinners on His behalf and thus release them from the bondage of sin.

Bus Information Bus transportation is arranged from Southern Minnesota to Youth Camps and Pre-Confirmation Camps at Stony Lake Camp and to Pre-Confirmation Camps at HLC. Busing is also arranged for LLC Confirmation schools. ​ ​ ​ Stony Lake Camp Bus Schedule ‍There will only be one pick-up spot for Stony Lake Youth Camps. ‍ PICK UP STOP: Bus departs LLC Office @ 9:30 a.m. Campers should be at the LLC Office by 9:15 a.m. Bus returns to the LLC Office about 3:15 p.m. on return date. Brainerd campers catch the bus at Travel Center, Motley. Bus Fee: Stony Lake Camp: $35 Hasscib Lake Camp: $150 LLC Office Address: 212 West 3rd Street, Monticello, MN 55362 2024 Camp Bus Schedule

< Back Confirmation Day 2: God, the Triune God Day 2, Lesson 3: The Bible, God's Written Word Objective God reveals His will in the Bible; The Bible is a Holy Book needing the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to open understanding Learning Outcome Give an example of how God reveals His will in the Bible. Confirmation Exercise Questions #7. Where did the Scriptures come from? Holy men of God spoke and wrote as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. #8. What is the main message of the Old Testament? The promise of the coming Messiah, our Lord, Jesus Christ. #9. What is the main message of the New Testament? The fulfilment of the Old Testament promise concerning Christ. #14. The living Word of God is compared to a two edged sword. What are the two edges? The Law and the Gospel Reference Material Booklet Song: The Lord has given us His Word / That we may learn of Him. / A precious book He gave to say / We may be free from sin. (SHZ 446 v.1) ​ Booklet Text: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:20,21) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Scripture: Eph. 6:17; Gal. 1:8; Ps. 119:105; 12:6; Isa. 40:8; Jer. 23:29; John 12:48; Rom. 2:16; John 14:26; 1 Cor. 2:10-14; Eph. 1:17; 3:15; 1 Pet. 1:12; 2 Pet. 1:20,21; John 5:39 ​ CURRICULUM Lesson 1.1 ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS While God speaks to us in nature, the fate of our lives, and the phases of nations, He especially speaks to us in Holy Scripture and our Redeemer Jesus Christ. Holy Scripture is given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit and is thus God’s own word. The Bible is not an encyclopedia of history, the world, and nature and its phenomena, but rather the revelation of God's works for the redemption and salvation of man. The Bible speaks of God. Pictures and narratives attempt to illustrate what God is like. • The Bible is Christian faith and life's highest guide. The Bible is a closed book that is opened by the Holy Spirit. It is to be read with prayer. Students will be able to use the Bible and want to study it daily. Students will become acquainted with Jesus’ teachings by reading together or individually one of the gospels during confirmation school. RESOURCES ​ By Faith 2; Christian Doctrine 4, 5, 6, and 7. (p1) By Faith 2; Christian Doctrine 4, 5, 6, and 7. (p2) The Treasure Hidden in a Field, J. Uljas, p. 19-26; God’s Word is the Highest Authority, J. Frantti - Crossing the Current, Pages 11-14 LLC Website: From a Child Thou Hast Known the Holy Scriptures, J. Frantti, LLC Winter Services, 1999, Youth Presentation Previous Next

< Back Confirmation Day 6: Caring For Faith Within the Congregation Day 6, Lesson 5: Music, "Sing, O People of the Lord" Objective Music is a gift from God, and a tool of the enemy of souls; Wholesome music helps to fight against temptation and sin Learning Outcome Give examples of music that please God and strengthen my faith. Confirmation Exercise Questions None Reference Material SCRIPTURE Gen. 4:21; Exod. 15:1,20,21; Jdg. 5:1; 1 Sam. 16:16-23; 1 Ch. 6:31,32; 15:16,22,27,28; 16:7,41,42; 23:5,27,30; 25:1,7,8 ; 2 Chr. 5:8,12,13; 7:6; 20:19-28; 29:25-28; Ps. 137:1-5; Ps. 147:7; 150:1-6; Ezra 3:10,11; Neh. 12:27-29; Amos 6:5; Mark 14:26; Ps. 33:1-3; 89:1; 92:1-3; Isa. 5:12; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Gal. 6: 7,8; 1 John 2:15-17 ​ CURRICULUM Lessons 8.1, 8.2 ​ ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS Songs and hymns are important in the lives of God's children. Role of music in the worship service. Some music is unsuitable and other music suitable for a Christian. Student will recognize the power and effect of both the words and the music on the listener. Student will understand the benefits and proper use of music RESOURCES​ VZ: Music Matters*–The Role of Zion’s Music in Our Lives, B. Strand, Oct. 2001, Page 6 The Therapeutic Aspects of Music, B. Huhta, Nov. 2001, page 2 Planning Your Wedding Music, C. Simonson, June 2006, page 5 Several articles about Music, June 2008, Pages 8, 9 Opisto Students Thankful for Music Offerings at Jämsä, June 2009, page 8,9 LLC Website: Music: A Gift from God and a Tool of the Enemy, K. Waaraniemi, Summer Services Youth Presentation, 2009. NOTE: There is a series of “Music Matters” articles in all issues of 2001 VZ’s Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Gen. 4:21; Exod. 15:1,20,21; Jdg. 5:1; 1 Sam. 16:16-23; 1 Ch. 6:31,32; 15:16,22,27,28; 16:7,41,42; 23:5,27,30; 25:1,7,8 ; 2 Chr. 5:8,12,13; 7:6; 20:19-28; 29:25-28; Ps. 137:1-5; Ps. 147:7; 150:1-6; Ezra 3:10,11; Neh. 12:27-29; Amos 6:5; Mark 14:26; Ps. 33:1-3; 89:1; 92:1-3; Isa. 5:12; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Gal. 6: 7,8; 1 John 2:15-17 ​ CURRICULUM Lessons 8.1, 8.2 ​ ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS Songs and hymns are important in the lives of God's children. Role of music in the worship service. Some music is unsuitable and other music suitable for a Christian. Student will recognize the power and effect of both the words and the music on the listener. Student will understand the benefits and proper use of music RESOURCES​ VZ: Music Matters*–The Role of Zion’s Music in Our Lives, B. Strand, Oct. 2001, Page 6 The Therapeutic Aspects of Music, B. Huhta, Nov. 2001, page 2 Planning Your Wedding Music, C. Simonson, June 2006, page 5 Several articles about Music, June 2008, Pages 8, 9 Opisto Students Thankful for Music Offerings at Jämsä, June 2009, page 8,9 LLC Website: Music: A Gift from God and a Tool of the Enemy, K. Waaraniemi, Summer Services Youth Presentation, 2009. NOTE: There is a series of “Music Matters” articles in all issues of 2001 VZ’s Previous Next

< Back Confirmation Day 7: Mission Work: Go Ye Therefore and Teach All Nations Day 7, Lesson 2: Luther and the Reformation (Video) Objective Understand the main reason for the Reformation Learning Outcome Name two results of the Reformation that are still in practice for believers Confirmation Exercise Questions Booklet Song: Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice, / With exultation springing, / And with united heart and voice / And holy rapture singing, / Proclaim the wonders God hath done, / How His right arm the vict’ry won; / Right dearly it hath cost Him. (SHZ 272 v.1) ​ Booklet Text: For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.(Romans 1:17) Reference Material SCRIPTURE Check the video for scripture references CURRICULUM Lesson 5.1 ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS Most significant contributions are doctrine, the Catechism, and the songbook The Word of God is Christian faith and life’s highest guide The video discusses the following points: Lutheran theology Scripture alone – vs. tradition Man is saved by faith alone – vs. works Grace alone – vs. human merit Priesthood of the believers The Small Catechism was written by Luther Three songs from our SHZ hymnal are mentioned in the video Luther is attributed to over 20 songs in our SHZ hymnal RESOURCES Note: The video link is to a OneDrive shared folder. The video can be downloaded from this folder. It is the first of the four videos. Introduction to Luther and the Reformation video, Dan Wuollet, 2017 VZ: Reformation 500 Articles, each issue, Jan. to Dec. 2017 ; The Bible-Christian Faith’s Highest Authority and Guide, VZ May 2017 ; Luther on Marriage, VZ June/July 2017 ; Mikael Agricola, Finnish Reformer, VZ Aug 2017 ; Luther Experienced Loss of Loved Ones, VZ Oct 2017; Luther, the Musician, VZ Nov 2017; Reformation 500 Bible Camp—Stony Lake, VZ Jan 2018 ; Christian Freedom, VZ Feb 2018 ; We Partake of Holy Communion in Remembrance of Jesus, VZ Mar 2018 Ref 500 Project: LLC Files – all articles, presentations, music and videos covered in 2017 Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Check the video for scripture references CURRICULUM Lesson 5.1 ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS Most significant contributions are doctrine, the Catechism, and the songbook The Word of God is Christian faith and life’s highest guide The video discusses the following points: Lutheran theology Scripture alone – vs. tradition Man is saved by faith alone – vs. works Grace alone – vs. human merit Priesthood of the believers The Small Catechism was written by Luther Three songs from our SHZ hymnal are mentioned in the video Luther is attributed to over 20 songs in our SHZ hymnal RESOURCES Note: The video link is to a OneDrive shared folder. The video can be downloaded from this folder. It is the first of the four videos. Introduction to Luther and the Reformation video, Dan Wuollet, 2017 VZ: Reformation 500 Articles, each issue, Jan. to Dec. 2017 ; The Bible-Christian Faith’s Highest Authority and Guide, VZ May 2017 ; Luther on Marriage, VZ June/July 2017 ; Mikael Agricola, Finnish Reformer, VZ Aug 2017 ; Luther Experienced Loss of Loved Ones, VZ Oct 2017; Luther, the Musician, VZ Nov 2017; Reformation 500 Bible Camp—Stony Lake, VZ Jan 2018 ; Christian Freedom, VZ Feb 2018 ; We Partake of Holy Communion in Remembrance of Jesus, VZ Mar 2018 Ref 500 Project: LLC Files – all articles, presentations, music and videos covered in 2017 Previous Next

< Back Confirmation Day 5: I Need the Word Of Grace Each Day Day 5, Lesson 3: Internet and Social Media Objective God has provided a useful tool to spread His word throughout the world; Believers need to battle against temptations on the Internet and through social media Learning Outcome Explain how Internet and social media support living faith Confirmation Exercise Questions None Reference Material Booklet Song: Our tongue is one, it is quite small, / Yet what it does surpasses all: / A little word can be so great / And cause such pain, unrest, and hate. (SHZ 463 v.2) ​ Booklet Text: But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. (Colossians 3:8) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Matt. 15:11; Col. 3:8; James 5; ​ CURRICULUM Lesson 9.1 ​ ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS There are three parts of conversion identified in the Augsburg Confession. Through the means of repentance narratives in the Bible and real-life experiences, the student will understand that God has established a single means of entering the fellowship of His grace which we call conversion. Conversion happens in only one way; it is not a process of evolving, but is a particular event which happens in the twinkling of an eye. RESOURCES ​ VZ:The Internet – Good and Evil, (4-page spread, several writers), June/July 2017, pages 6-9; Visits and Text Messages, M. Pudas, At the Crossroads of Choosing, pages 143-146 Our Speech in an Electronic Age, A. Pirness, Crossing the Current, pages 84-86 Previous Next

The Kingdom of Heaven ​TREASURE HIDDEN IN A FIELD "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth,and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field." Matt. 13:44 ​ ​THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN There is no subject which was more prevalent in Jesus' preaching than the kingdom of heaven, that is, the kingdom of God. It was the most common subject of His parables and was the theme of His preaching.(1) In fact, Jesus said that the first thing that a man should search for in life is God's kingdom and His righteousness.(2) ​ It is important to find God's righteousness, for He has declared man's righteousness, or our very best deeds, impure and unacceptable in His sight.(3)The righteousness which is acceptable before God is found in His kingdom. ​ Jesus was once asked to explain when the kingdom of God would come. In His reply, He reveals two essential points: first, the kingdom of God is not visible to the human eye, and, second, it is present in the midst of men.(4) ​ ​A HIDDEN KINGDOM It might seem impossible to find a kingdom that cannot be seen, but with God's help it can be found. Jesus said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matt. 7:7). In the parable at the top of the page, Jesus shows us that while the kingdom is hidden, it can indeed be found. ​ The parable illustrates why the kingdom of God cannot be seen. It is like treasure buried in the dust and dirt of a field, hidden from man's sight. It is certainly an apt picture. In this world God's kingdom is hidden beneath the flaws and faults of believing people, people whom God has made from the dust of the earth.(5) ​ ​A GREAT TREASURE The parable also illustrates what happens when a man finds God's kingdom. He hides its treasure, sells all that he has, and buys it. Simply said, God's kingdom becomes the most important matter in his life. He wants, above all else, to protect and preserve his new-found treasure and follow the people of God and the Lord Jesus.(6) ​ Like the man in the parable, we have found the kingdom of God and obtained its treasure. We now carry this treasure in our sin-corrupt bodies. We wish to share it with you. ​ ​YOU CAN HAVE THIS TREASURE What we can offer you is God's forgiveness in Jesus Christ. This forgiveness is the very essence of the gospel and the essence of God's kingdom. Martin Luther said: "Forgiveness of sins is nothing more than two words in which the whole kingdom of Christ consists...This word of consolation shall not cease among Christians until the last day: 'Thy sins are forgiven, be of good cheer.' Such language a Christian always uses and openly declares the forgiveness of sins."(7) ​ Luther was right. This word of consolation has not ceased. God's children live of it and use it constantly. We declare it to any sinner who longs for God's forgiveness. ​ We can give you this treasure because Jesus has given us the power to forgive men their sins. He said that what we forgive on earth is also forgiven in heaven, that is, it is forgiven before God.(8) Belief in this gospel of forgiveness obtains what it promises, namely, God's forgiveness and the righteousness of Jesus Christ, the righteousness that is acceptable to God. You can have it too. ​ ​END NOTES 1 "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:14­15) "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." (Matt. 9:35) ​ "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." (Luk 9:1, 2) ​ 2 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matt. 6:33 ) ​ 3 "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." (Isa. 64:6) ​ "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." (Rom. 3:10­12) ​ 4 "And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20, 21) ​ 5 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." (2 Cor. 4:7 ) 6 "And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost." (1 Thess. 1:6) ​ 7 Luther, Martin, "Sermon for the 19th Sunday after Trinity" in Luther's Church Postil, Vol.V, trans. John Nicholas Lenker (Minneapolis: Lutherans In All Lands Co. : 1905) 201, 202, 209 ​ 8 "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." (John 20:21­23) ​ "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matt. 18:18) ​ "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." (2 Cor. 5:18­20)

Confirmation Resources Download Curriculum Confirmation Lessons Teacher Manual 2010 Curriculum Christian Doctrine Student Booklet Schedule Template Schedule, One-page Exercise, Examination Videos Confirmation Lesson Videos Reference Check Email Template LLC Conduct and Sexual Misconduct Program