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Paul Honkala | The Voice of Zion June/July 2023 - The Sabbath Word -- Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about? They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. – Psalm 49:5–9,15–20 The theme for the second Sunday after Pentecost is perishable and imperishable treasure. What does perishable mean? Perishable means something that will decay or go bad quickly, while imperishable means something that endures forever. It is not difficult for us to determine what kind of treasure we would want. We all want the kind of treasure that endures forever. When we own living faith we have that kind of a treasure. Faith is a gift of God, and it is the believer’s desire to keep it. However, in order to keep faith, one needs to travel putting sin and doubts away in the name and blood of Jesus. As children of God, we live under grace each day. However, we cannot boast, but rather we fall short of God’s glory, and we fall into sin each day. As children of God, we know that the power to live in faith is the gospel. Our psalm text was written by the sons of Korah. We remember the fathers of the sons of Korah; they rebelled against God and eventually perished by God’s judgment. The Old Testament relates of this event. The sons of Korah remained believing and trusting in God’s care. When they wrote this psalm they wanted to remind of the dangers of worshiping false gods, such as idols and the love of money. In verse 6 of our psalm, the writer reminds us about trusting in one’s wealth; no amount of earthly riches is sufficient to buy one’s way into eternal glory. This 49th psalm also reminds us of human glory and its danger. When we begin to think too much of ourselves, or how good we are at something, we forget that God has granted to us all that we have in this life. It is dangerous to rely on our possessions and skills, to prioritize earthly wealth over the spiritual treasures of living faith. The psalmist reminds us that when we close our eyes to this life, we take nothing with us; our money and our vain glory remain here. There is only one matter that is the most important, and that is whether one owns living faith. For that reason, the psalmist wants to remind us of that imperishable gift which endures forever. We live in a time when riches and things of this world seem to be most important to many. As the psalmist explains, these give the ungodly people a false sense of security. We can say that these matters are not far from us; we also desire the riches of this time. We are also made of flesh and our mind would desire the things of this world. As believers we pray that God would preserve us in living faith and that our priorities would always be in correct order. Faith comes first and all other matters second.

Arvin Pirness | The Voice of Zion May 2023 - News and Notes -- May is a month of celebration. We celebrate the special occasion of Mother’s Day on which we can serve our mom and show thanks to her. We can also remember with gratitude those mothers whose time on earth has ended. We wish our mothers God’s rich and bountiful blessings! May marks the beginning of graduation season. Congratulations to all 2023 graduates! May you serve God and your neighbor with the skills and gifts God has placed in you. Camp activities increase throughout the month of May. Remember to serve your brothers and sisters in faith by signing up for a camp shift online. Visit our website to sign up for camp work or a kitchen shift. 2023 Summer Services The service dates this year are July 6–9. The service schedule can be found on the LLC website. A children’s service will be held in the tent on Friday afternoon and a Sunday school lesson will be held in the tent on Sunday morning. A special program in honor of LLC’s 50-year anniversary will be held Saturday afternoon. This program will feature a history presentation. Songs by North American songwriters will be sung by a continent-wide choir. A detailed 50-year LLC history exhibit will be set up on the service site. All youth activities will be hosted at the service site. RV Sites for 2023 Summer services are currently full. Please visit the website to sign up for the waitlist. Tent camping areas for families, adults, and youth ages 18 and older will be available during the service weekend. The new restroom facility will be ready for services this year. The shower facility will remain where it has been at previous services at Silver Springs. SignUpGenius will be used to coordinate work shifts. The link is available on the LLC website. Information has been sent to congregations. Please consider signing up to help Summer Services function smoothly. 2023 LLC Annual Meeting The 2023 LLC Annual meeting will be held at Rockford church on July 7. In preparation for the upcoming LLC 2023 Annual Meeting, your congregations have received the meeting material package including the proposed 2024 Operating Plan. May you prayerfully consider what has been proposed and review these items at your delegate meetings ahead of the annual meeting. Updates on LLC Activities Education A workshop for Sunday School Directors was held on April 15 at the LLC office with online participation. Twenty participants examined the updated support materials for third grade Sunday School materials. In addition, there was discussion about greater support in congregations for expanding needs relative to Sunday School. An updated curriculum for Preconfirmation will be piloted at this year’s Preconfirmation Schools. Camp Evaluation forms will be sent via email to parents and guardians following attendance at LLC-owned camp centers this year. Parents and guardians are being asked to complete these evaluations with the attendees. Information gathered from the evaluations will be used to improve future experiences at camp. Facilities Final planning was completed in April for RV Site expansion at Silver Springs. Now that our Minnesota winter is over, scheduling of the work can be completed. This effort will provide 220 electrical connections for RVs. Planning for non-electric RV sites is also being completed. The hope is to have 24 non-electric sites for use this year. Requests for additional RV sites are beyond what Silver Springs site permits; however, we continue to look for ways to accommodate all that are requesting to attend 2023 Summer Services at Silver Springs. Stony Lake lodge restoration work is planned to be completed by the end of May 2023. Mission Department We have entered a busy time, with many brothers from Scandinavia and North America traveling on mission trips. The current and upcoming trips are noted on page 13. Please remember in your prayers the brothers traveling as well as the brothers and sisters in faith that they serve. The annual plan is to hold four Ministers Webinars per year. The next webinar will be on May 25. These webinars support brothers in their duties as servants of God’s Word. Communications Department History project work continues. The manuscript of a book to be published this summer has gone through a final round of reviews and is now in the proofreading and layout stage. We extend a note of gratitude to those individuals who have diligently served over the last years in our History Project Reading Group. The regular meetings and discussions on the contents of the book are an essential part of producing the book. We are thankful our heavenly Father has given the group the heart and mind to serve in this way. In April we had our annual Subscription Drive. Efforts were made to increase awareness about our periodicals and our publications app. Ultimately we hope that the contents of these Christian publications support believers in life and faith. Our Broadcast team is yet hard at work preparing programming for our Summer services broadcast. We will be looking for volunteers to fill shifts in this area of work as well. Camp season brings camps that touch on our areas of work, including music camps and language camps. This is just one way we can foster interests and gifts that will serve Zion for years to come! Thanks to all who support these camps by sending campers and serving at camps! Meanwhile, other educational efforts continue in e.g. the form of our monthly writers workshops. Let us know if you would like to learn more and be involved in these. Did you know that our most used publication is our hymnal? It is used by thousands of people many times a week, in both print form and as our digital Songbook app. Songs and hymns of Zion are not only a historical work. There are new songs written and composed in our day as well! The LLC Hymnal Subcommittee meets regularly to review submissions of new or revised songs and translations of songs. When in coming years we have a large enough collection of fully vetted material, it will be time to plan a supplement to our current hymnal. May God bless all the work done in His kingdom!

Tom Prophet | The Voice of Zion May 2023 - Home and Family Article -- Since the beginning of time there has been unrest and violence. We live in a time when there seems to be little peace on earth. People and leaders strive for wealth and power, which causes turmoil. When we listen to or read the news, it seems that it would be better not to be involved since much of the news seems so negative, causing distress and anxiety. We children of God pray that there would be peace among nations. We know and pray that God will protect us, come what may. When I think of the peace that a child of God experiences, it reminds me of the heresy in God’s kingdom 50 years ago. At that time I supported the wrong spirit that was causing a division in God’s kingdom. I recall a visit to Arizona where I visited with my aunt. She said to listen to the Spirit speaking in God’s kingdom. I returned home from the trip to Arizona with services scheduled that same day. I attended the services at which Finnish minister Lenna Anttila spoke. The services touched my heart. I believed he spoke from the Holy Spirit; I heard the voice of the Good Shepherd. After the service, I told my wife that I wanted to visit with the minister, which I was able to do the next day. After our discussion, I was able to believe this wrong spirit forgiven. The peace of God came to me. I remember from the book of Acts how Saul was blinded on the road to Damascus (9:18). When Ananias laid hands on him and forgave him his sins, it was as if scales fell from his eyes and he was able to see God’s kingdom. This is how I felt when the gospel was preached to me: I also could see the beauty of God’s kingdom. The gospel brings heavenly peace to the undying soul. When we struggle in faith, we have a difficult time greeting one another with God’s peace. But when the gospel frees us from sin, we joyously greet our dear brothers and sisters in faith with God’s peace, that godly peace that comes from our heavenly Father. We have now experienced another heresy, and we want to thank God for protecting us from the sin of heresy that can lead to eternal damnation. We also wish to pray for those who have been deceived, that they could once again have God’s heavenly peace in their hearts and consciences. We Wish Each Other Peace Duane Pirness | The Voice of Zion May 2023 - Home and Family Article -- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. – Galatians 5:22,23 The Apostle Paul, in his Letter to the Galatians spoke of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. When we travel as God’s children, believing our sins forgiven in Jesus’ name and blood, we are united in love, which is the first fruit of the Spirit which Paul lists. Paul reminds us that if we live in the Spirit, we should also walk in the Spirit. Thus, if there are no fruits of the Spirit in the life of a person, there cannot be any faith either. In my endeavor of faith, I see and marvel over the fruits of the Spirit which so are evident in my brothers and sisters in faith but seem to be so lacking in me. However, I find comfort in this that if I began to see these fruits in myself; would I then be able to see them in other believers anymore? Peace is one of the fruits of faith listed by Apostle Paul. I often feel that I don’t understand how to be sufficiently thankful for the fact that the Heavenly Father allowed me to be born into the peace and security of a believing home, a secure refuge in this world surrounding me. As a child in this home, it always felt so good when believing visitors came or we went to visit other believing families. I grew up hearing the greeting of “God’s Peace” during these occasions; also when we went to services, or met believers at other occasions, we greeted each other in the same way. Why do believers use this greeting with each other? Is it just a routine greeting, a tradition which we continue to follow? We own this peace, when we own faith in a clean conscience, and when we greet another believer we acknowledge this along with our joy that we are united in faith through the Holy Spirit. Greeting a fellow traveler in God’s Kingdom with “God’s Peace,” wherever we meet them, does bring us joy and a feeling of unity. I have often experienced this when I have been somewhere where I may not have known there are other believers present or even have expected to see other believers; like in a store, for example. I have been so happy to see another believer there, and to be able to greet them with “God’s Peace.” When we are traveling with sins on our conscience, a fellow believer’s greeting of “God’s Peace” is a reminder to us to hasten to put sin away through the grace privilege of confession, believing the gospel of the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name and blood. It is good to ponder whether we are becoming lax in greeting each other. As we enter and leave services, at haps, or in home visits, do we greet those we encounter? A greeting even in passing can strengthen our connection with others and even serve to erase loneliness one may be feeling. Older ones can serve as an example to younger ones in this seemingly small act which nonetheless serves to spread God’s love and peace. During the time of COVID restrictions, a general greeting of God’s Peace not accompanied by a handshake came more into use. Certainly we have complete Christian freedom in whether to shake hands as we greet, but where possible this small physical connection with another believer also can be appreciated by many. Without peace, a person has feelings of unrest, distress, fear and lack of trust. Let us continue to be watchful that we remain in the peace of God’s kingdom through believing the gospel of the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name and blood. Questions for Discussion Describe the feeling of peace. Is it the same for every person? How does peace come to someone who is given grace to repent? Believers greet one another with “God’s Peace.” How did this come to be? Has it always been so? How does it feel to say “God’s Peace” if you are not feeling peaceful inside? What brings us peace amid a restless world?

Natasha Warwaruk | The Voice of Zion May 2023 - Column -- The Lord is in His temple. Whiteness of the snow on this sunny day causes me to squint. Sunlight creates warmth on my cheek. I tilt my head to enjoy it. It is the time of year when winter yet holds on, not wanting to give up its place for spring. But certainly spring will come! I drive my scooter down to the river where I can watch the water cascade over the pier. Pelicans swim about, searching for fish in the turbulence below. It feels good to sit and watch. A black bird catches my eye as it lands on the rocky shore. I’m pretty sure it’s a crow. I notice it’s hopping on one leg. The right claw is curled up, somehow deformed. I watch in fascination. You see, I suffer from an illness that has rendered my right limbs almost useless. The bird nimbly hops rock to rock, making it look so easy! Is it searching for food? I wonder what has happened to it and how it has survived and adapted. I soon am endowed with watching a one-legged take-off as the bird stretches its wings and flies effortlessly to its next destination. My child why are you standing outside the temple doors? My desk taunts me as I reach over my computer screen to place my water bottle out of the way. There’s a minor crash and I tip my computer screen forward a bit to see what’s going on. My heart sinks a little when I see my Willow Tree angel, the one that has a bird ready for flight in its cupped hands. A wing has broken off the grey bird. I sigh and reassure myself that I can try glue it back on. It makes me think of another angel I have, one that stands at attention beside a picture and a poem. The picture is of my nephew who died in the first year of his life, and the poem relates of a miraculous happening that night. Well, somehow that angel’s wing had gotten broken too but is glued back together so well one doesn’t notice unless it’s closely examined. There’s honey here and manna. And as I’m pondering these broken wings, I think of a message I received from a fellow traveler on heaven’s way. “Greetings from my nest. God has to clip our wings for the purpose that we don’t fly so high. Your wings have been clipped with loving care and attention...it’s wonderful to be within the flock of God’s children.” We land, pausing in our flight. Nourishing rest is provided and feathers rustle close with contentment. From day to arid darkness, oh, may I never leave. I’m not sure if I’m writing this for myself or for you. Perhaps for both of us. Do you ever experience times when the spirit of God leaps in your heart? I think it must be for joy. Joy for being with other believers, sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening with rapt attention to what He has to tell us. That has been my experience at the recent winter services in Phoenix and then in the following week listening to the radio broadcasting programs. Dear child of God: go to the gatherings of the believers. There God’s spirit of love, the gospel of the forgiveness of sins, miraculously heals our broken wings. Once again we can “trill with happiness and soar” (SHZ 564). Italicized passages are from song of Zion 155. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. – 2 Cor. 4:10

Olli Vänskä interviewed Adrian Pirness | The Voice of Zion May 2023 - Mission Work Field Notes -- In January 2023, LLC Mission Director Adrian Pirness traveled to Ghana and Togo, sent by LLC on a mission trip. He was joined by Olli Vänskä of Jyväskylä, Finland, whom the SRK sent. Together these brothers served in eight locations in Ghana and nine locations in Togo. Olli: This morning we left from Badou where we had services last night. Now we are traveling through a mountain range called Atokara, near the Ghana-Togo border. We’re traveling today to Lome. Dear brother, tell us who you are and what work you do. Adrian: I’m Adrian Pirness from Minnesota. My area of responsibility at the LLC is mission work, in particular the work and operations supporting believers here in Togo and other African countries, also in Ecuador. And I arrange the trips which Olli and I are now experiencing. Olli: This is your second mission trip to Africa. What are your thoughts? Adrian: It has been a joy to travel again to Africa. My first trip was last August in The Gambia and Sierra Leone. It is a joy to be warmly received here with love by brothers and sisters in faith. Olli: You are involved in Humanitarian Aid work. What kind of needs are there in this work today? Adrian: Humanitarian Aid work is quite broad. There are emergency needs. For example, if somebody becomes ill and needs medical care, humanitarian aid reacts through local committees when those requests come so we can support that. Additionally there are regular need grants that are to generally support the believers. When we celebrated Christmas, a Christmas grant was sent. When we were in Ghana we met a sister who had submitted a request that she would be able to buy equipment to open a sewing business. The humanitarian aid committee received this request, they considered it and decided this was a good use of humanitarian aid funds. We were able to visit this sister in her sewing shop one morning. She has been able to purchase the equipment and pay for the structure where her business is. We remembered in prayer to God that He would bless her efforts and in this way she could be able to support herself. Maybe her business is able to grow and she’s able to hire other people to work for her. Humanitarian Aid also supports these opportunities. Olli: It certainly was nice to see how thankful she was for this donation and help that she got from believers. It’s a concrete way to help dear brothers and sisters. Was there some specific moment on this trip that you would like to share with other believers? Adrian: On a long day of travel, we had to stop for car repairs. Then we gathered that evening in Hatsukope and as night had fallen, we went to a courtyard where they had lights on. Adults and children were waiting there. It was a warm gathering, and I particularly remember that that evening we experienced that love that we feel between believers. We had a Sunday school lesson and a sermon, and then we were able to visit afterwards. One brother asked how we show love for our brothers and sisters in faith. It prompted a warm and open discussion on how we can of course bless one another with the forgiveness of sins, but how else do we show love? Others answered that we can show love by acknowledging one another, greeting one another, asking how is it going and visiting in each other’s homes. It just felt that there was such a desire in this congregation to gather in that way. Olli: Yes, it was a very nice evening. What comes to mind when you think about mission work? Adrian: Mission work is God’s work. I marvel that there are places you don’t even know exist before you travel there. And God has called His own in these places. And we are able to come and gather together around God’s Word to discuss the way and journey with brothers and sisters in faith. It is God’s work, He continues to call His own and then when we’re asked to serve, we simply serve with that gift God has given. We hope and pray that God then blesses the work. God opens the possibilities for the work of His kingdom to go forward. This time of visitation remains as long as there are those who wish to endeavor and travel in faith. God knows the length of this time. Olli: Thank you, Adrian. I wish God’s blessing in your work there at the LLC office. Thanks for traveling with me here in Africa. Adrian: Thank you, Olli, it’s been a joy to travel together with you.

Todd Maki | The Voice of Zion May 2023 - What Does the Bible Say Article -- The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7 “God’s peace!” We share this warm, loving greeting with other believers in many languages and cultures. We receive this gift of peace from God and we wonder and marvel at its meaning and implications. We read in holy Scripture how believers in the past also greeted one another in a similar manner. For example, apostle Paul begins his letters with “Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians). We do not fully comprehend God’s peace, but as believers we experience and share in this blessing He has given. When we greet one another, we mutually confess that we believe the same true doctrine of faith, endeavoring to keep the unity of Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3–7). Through this bond, we know one another through the Holy Spirit. We share joys and sorrows in mutual Christian fellowship and comfort one another with the gospel. When we greet one another with God’s peace, we acknowledge to each other our endeavor in faith and that we believe the same way. In these two words of greeting, we share with whom we greet our journey in faith and our obedience to our Creator. We aren’t able to comprehend how this deep mutual understanding can exist, but we rejoice that we can experience it. How does God’s peace keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus? This happens through the Holy Spirit, as Jesus reminds us in John 14: “My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (v. 26–27). We trust that the Comforter will lead and guide us in faith, and preserve peace among us, all the way to the end. A World without Peace We live in a world of tumult, unrest, fear that our planet will not last, and economic crisis, along with many other temporal concerns. These topics are on the news every day, and they cause people to live in fear and anxiety. We believers are also affected by the state of our society, and we too worry and fear. Planning for our future can be difficult amid turmoil, not knowing what is around the corner. It seems the world has forgotten its Creator and relies on itself for salvation. In song of Zion 566 we are encouraged: “See the mighty Hero who won the war walks in the midst of His flock as before.” Many comforting words follow this excerpt from verse 1. Dear brothers and sisters in faith, seek to simply place your trust in the hands of our heavenly Father, as Jesus exhorts us in His Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6). God knows all our temporal needs before we need them. He will care for us, just as He cares for His creation. Though we struggle in these matters, what is the most important? God reminds us of the correct priority to place on matters in this life: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (Matt. 6:33,34). God’s Word tells us that His kingdom is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost (Rom. 14). When cares of life overtake us, how quickly we cease to remember that the most important thing in life is our gift of faith. Sometimes the duties and worries seem endless when life is busy, but let us remember to trust in the heavenly Father! We can cast our cares and sorrows on Him. Christ takes our burdens of worry and anxiousness, faults and doubts upon Him, as He promises. We can be at peace, believing moment by moment with hope of heaven in our hearts. We have no continuing city here on earth, but we seek the one to come (Heb. 13:14). We live in this world, but we are not of this world. As we tarry a short time on this earth through the life we’ve been given, we can fully trust that our Father in heaven knows us better than we know ourselves. We have a wonderful inheritance waiting for us. He has given us all we need for our endeavor of faith. In the care of His grace kingdom, we yet carry God’s peace in our hearts.

Dan Wuollet | 1991 LLC Phoenix Winter Services - Speakers and Elders Meeting -- “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 mind let each esteem other better than themselves." (Phil. 2:2-3) It may be useful to consider the title of this introduction, Mutual Respect, a Basic Christian Principle. The word 'basic' means relating to or forming the base or essence. If we think about this in the sense of a structure or building, the base is the foundation. It is the foundation that carries the entire weight of the building. It has this characteristic that it does not move, but rather is permanent. The word 'principle' means a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine or assumption. Thus a 'basic principle' is a fundamental law or assumption that is stable and unchanging. It endures the passage of time, serving as a guidepost that guides our behavior on the walk of faith. The word 'mutual' means directed by each to the other or others. It carries a sense of reciprocity or having to do with the give and take, the back and forth of human relationships. It also has a sense of joint or shared activities or interests. Thus mutual in the sense that we use it here, deals with both the respect we show for each other, and also the respect we show for the joint or shared congregational activities and possessions. Finally, the word 'respect' means high or special regard: esteem. It follows, then, that mutual respect is the high or special regard that we as believers have for each other and for our shared congregation. The admonitions and instructions that we receive on these matters are those enduring principles dealing with how we as believers deal with each other, both individually and with the collective congregation. It has been said that the flock of the believers is a levelheaded flock. This means that one does not stand out by virtue ofGod given gifts, or by position, or by standing in the congregation as better or of greater value than the other members. In Leviticus 19:15 it is written "Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shaft not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: [but] in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour." There are numerous other such instructions. No one of us has greater value in the sight of God than another. We are all God's created beings. God has not been sparing with His instructions to His children as to how we should treat each other. Paul writes the Bible portion that was quoted in the beginning to encourage the Phillipian believers, and us today, to remain of one mind, of one heart and of one accord in our faith in Christ Jesus. This instruction tells us how we should approach each other, "in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" in order to avoid strife. This is the kind of respect that we as believers have for each other. I have to admit that my flesh regards this teaching as a hard lesson. I, and perhaps some others with me, would be tempted to make granting this kind of respect conditional, dependent on how my brother might first treat me. This kind of temptation may well be the strongest in those relationships that are the closest, such as between spouses or in the same family. We know the other so well, and know so well how the other is likely to respond, that we may already be anticipating the rebuttal while we are still preparing our own speech. It may even happen that in discussion we use the time that the other speaks to plan our own follow up speech rather than listening to what the other has to say. One may become so intent on presenting his own view that the basic courtesy that would readily be extended to a stranger is not given to those that may be the dearest. As parents we realize that it is our obligation, and perhaps our most fundamental and important obligation, to teach our children the precepts of living faith. We do not teach faith as one might teach an academic subject, but we also teach by example. We teach respect to our children by showing respect for them. Jesus teaches us 'And as ye would that men should do to you do ye also to them likewise." Luke b:31. Here Jesus is telling how we should behave with anyone, not just believers. Again the instruction is unconditional. It is simply the right way to live. The matter of respect is evident even in simple courtesy and manners. In these areas there seems to be a pressing need on the part of parents to understand the world in which our children live. We believers are in the world but not of the world. Still we cannot help but be influenced by the world around us, and so are our children. Manners change with the times. What may be considered rude in one generation may be acceptable in the next. Bowing, for example, would seem very quaint and outdated today, but was at one time required to be mannerly. We must acknowledge that less formality is required today than a generation ago. It may be easy then to accept an erosion of respect along with a reduction in formality. Formality is not of God, but respect is. It seems, therefore, that an extra burden rests with the parents, the youth work activities, the Sunday school and so on to ensure that our children understand this matter of respect. Respect for each other and for our mutual congregational affairs. We recall the Old Testament story of Elijah, who after he brought down fire from heaven and slew the prophets of Baal was forced to flee to the wilderness. He lived for a time in a cave. There the Lord appeared to him (I Kings 19:11-12) "And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; [but] the LORD (was) not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; [butt the LORD [was] not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; [but the LORD [was] not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice." Elijah had at that time dried up in the spirit and God wanted to show him that he was not alone in his fight against the false prophets and wrong spirits. God revealed himself to Elijah in a still small voice and not in the more spectacular displays of a wind storm or an earthquake. I have wondered if this applies to us today as a reminder that God will isn't revealed just at large congregation meetings, at camps and at other larger events, but is there in the small everyday interaction between, say, parents and children. The instruction at home, the visiting between parents and children, mealtimes, family get-togethers, and so on may be more important in teaching respect to our children than all the formal lessons that they will ever receive. Perhaps this extends to other interaction between believers, also. Simple respect shown for each other, even greeting each other with "God's Peace", reminds the fellow traveller that he too is a child of God. Visiting other believers and inviting them to our homes provides many opportunities to discuss this way and journey of faith. These small, everyday exchanges between believers offer encouragement to our lives of faith. These seemingly unimportant events are a source of strength to the believer. In congregational activities the matter of respect is also apparent. One might feel, for example, that in order to maintain oneness of mind that there is not freedom to express a differing opinion on some congregational issue. Paul devotes the entire twelfth chapter of Romans to the topic of how we get along on matters of mutual concern. He points out how there are many gifts, many offices, many members of this one congregation. All gifts are necessary for the upbuilding of the one congregation. We all have the freedom to speak openly of our understanding on congregational affairs. Not only is there freedom to bring out our views, but also an obligation. We each have our unique place of watching in this kingdom. We are under an obligation to the rest of God's children to speak of the matters as we each come to understand them. Paul also points out how these opinions are to be brought out. In Romans 12:3 it is written "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." And in the tenth verse, “[Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;". Thus by showing honor and esteem for the other, various views can be brought out in a respectful manner that most assuredly will not bring offense. When opinions and thoughts are spoken with respect for the other members of the congregation, there need be no fear of restricting Christian freedom. Finally, Peter writes that we "as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house". We are the members of that living congregation of God on this earth. Love, stirred in with mutual respect, is, perhaps, the mortar that is between these stones. That mortar conforms to the contour of the individual stone, allowing for its unique shape, while at the same time joining it with the other stones to make a solid structure. Mutual respect allows for individual differences while joining each to the other, thereby making one unified congregation of God.

Jim Frantti | 1993 AALC Toronto Summer Services - Speakers and Elders Meeting -- Societal and Personal Values We can speak about the topic of values on two levels: group or societal values and individual or personal values. On the first level, we know that a set of values is characteristic of every society. Usually, the basis for societal values has been religious beliefs. In our countries, for example, the founding principles have been based, to a large extent on Christian principles, even though not all individuals live by them. On an individual level, ones personal values are vital in influencing actions, motivating behavior, and determining life-styles. Our values are reflected in the judgments we make and the solutions we choose. They are real and relevant. Christians find that their personal values are often different from the values of others and from many societal values, especially in the changing world in which we live today. In this presentation, we will consider some of the features of today's society, Christian values and their basis, and how we deal with the differences between our values and those of others. Features of Today's Society We live in a time of changing values. Such times have existed also in the past. Believers have always had to deal with differences between their own values and those of the society in which they lived. Jesus even compared the end times to the time in which Noah lived. "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matt. 24:37-39) However, I think that it is safe to say that this is a time in which change is happening more broadly and more rapidly than in the past. While not all of the changes that are taking place affect the values of our society, many of them do. This period of rapidly changing values had its beginnings in the 1960's and continues today. This is not a phenomenon that only Christians notice, but it is noted by many in our society. One aspect of life in which we see significant change today is that of home and family. The family unit has been a fundamental unit of any society. Scripture bases all authority on parental authority. For these reasons, changes in the family unit and its role cause concern. Today, many families are unstable. In our schools, we find that a large percentage of children come from so-called "non-traditional" family situations. One extensive study done in the late 1980's found that out of every 100 school children only 41 will reach age 18 in a normal family setting. In such unstable homes and families, the teaching of fundamental values is often lacking. In the past these values were taught and fostered in the home and family, and the schools supported the family's teaching. Now the schools are often called on to function in lieu of the family. This has been recognized by educators. Beginning in the 1970's, there has been a movement toward so-called "values clarification" in our schools. I will quote from two widely used resource books: "People are finding more and more trouble making meaning out of their lives. This seems to make values clarification more important in these vastly changing times." "Schools should help students examine, develop and rationally choose their values. Students need help with sorting through the conflicting values of television, newspapers, peers and parents. Students need to judge these values for themselves. And they need to feel good about their own decisions and behaviors. Students must process society's confusing signals in a way that will let them live with themselves and interact with others." What is taught in the schools in the way of values will often be that which is encouraged and accepted in today's society. This especially includes acceptance of alternative lifestyles and values. Today, we see the erosion of the basic family unit in the many broken homes and children born to unwed mothers. We also see a tolerance and acceptance of promiscuity, couples living together outside of wedlock, and even homosexual relationships. Such lifestyles are clearly the result of deteriorating values and disappearing morals. In many societies, values have changed significantly during the last 30 years. The fear of God is disappearing. As this happens, the foundation for morals and for the teaching of morals to the young shifts away from the Word of God. There are pressures to remove mention of God from all aspects of public life. Those who would base morals on the Bible are labeled "fundamentalists," a label that has acquired a decidedly negative connotation. At the same time, there are pressures for greater tolerance of so-called "alternative life-styles" and individual rights of expression. These changes are reflected in many ways, and they are mirrored in our children and young people. In our schools, the conduct and attitudes of the young reflect the conditions in their homes and in society. Many of the signs that we see in our schools are disturbing. Many school age youth are quite well-behaved and cooperative. However, studies and surveys of students show that a growing number of them are involved in sexual relationships and the use of alcohol. This is also happening at younger ages. These behaviors are promoted through the media of printed material, television, radio, and movies. Indiscrete use of improper and explicit language has increased. Basic manners are often lacking. There is more disrespect shown to peers, to other people (especially authority figures), and for property. Occasions that were once formal and treated with dignity are no longer treated in that way by some. In many ways, the lifestyles of today reflect a preoccupation with fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. It is often said that we should not discourage our youth from engaging in such behaviors or lifestyles, but rather teach them how to participate in them in a safe way. This attitude is also reflected in the popular music, reading material, and dress styles of today. In the midst of such teachings, the pursuit of ones own pleasures becomes foremost. It is not surprising then that we also witness a diminishing of basic manners, respectfulness, and humility. The Apostle Paul has aptly described these times in his second letter to Timothy: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (II Tim. 3:7-7) The Christian's Foundation Already in the Old Testament time, the foundation for Christian values was revealed. Moses explained to the children of Israel, "And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy Fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live." (Deut.8:2-3) The psalmist has written, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (Ps. 119:9-10) The Word of God thus forms the foundation for the life of a believer and is the basis for Christian values. Paul explains this to the Ephesians by telling them that they "are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." (Eph. 2:20) In the same way, Jesus said, "Therefore whososever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock." (Matt. 7:24-25) By faith, the child of God has, as the foundation for his life, the Word of God and Jesus Christ as the chief corner stone. Even in the midst of a rapidly changing world, this foundation is secure. Jesus Christ is "the same yesterday, and today, and forever." (Heb. 13:8) And His Word is enduring and timeless. Jesus himself said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (Matt. 24:35) For that reason, we want to treasure the Word of God, as expressed in the words of the Psalm that we just heard, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart." Throughout Psalm 119, the importance and preciousness of God's Word is expressed. There also the psalmist writes, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Ps. 119:105) Especially in these times, it is important that we read and study God's Word. This is true for all of us, but I would like to especially emphasize this to the young believers. It is a great joy when the Word of God is dear to a young believer. This will provide a sure foundation in all of the storms of life. The Apostle Paul had this joy for his younger brother-in-faith Timothy, and mentions in his second letter to Timothy, "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (II Tim. 3:14-15) Christian Values The Word of God shines as the bright sun of grace into the heart of a believer. The Heavenly Father, by His grace and through the Holy Spirit, teaches and guides us on the way of faith. The Apostle writes to Titus: "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:11­14) The child of God, as a pardoned sinner, knows the truth of the Apostle Paul's words when he writes, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Eph. 2:8) Jesus Christ revealed the depth of God's love when He gave Himself for us. In the heart of a child of God has been born a love for Him who has first loved us. With Paul, the Christian says, ". . .the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Gal. 2:20) In this way, God's love and grace work in a believer's heart to effect an inward, personal humility and a desire to walk in obedience of faith. The believer does not want to lose this great treasure that he has received. Because of this, the believer chooses to avoid those things that war against faith and a good conscience. For that reason, he does not wish to go to the dance hails, theaters, drinking places, and sports arenas of this world. For that reason, he wants to avoid that music and literature that appeals to the flesh and its lusts. For that reason, he does not want to bring television into his home. For that reason, he wants to keep the sanctity and permanence of marriage; he avoids intimate relationships outside of marriage; he wants to keep the right priorities in his home in the care and upbringing of his children. Also for that reason, at the work place, a Christian endeavors to do his duties honestly and diligently. At school, he wants to be diligent in his work and obedient to his teachers. He wants to be content and thankful for the school and work opportunities that God has given him and not join with those who complain and resist the people whom God has placed in positions of authority. A Christian wants to conduct himself so that he shows respect for other people and their belongings. He wants to keep holy the Sabbath day. In short, a Christian wants to "abstain from all appearance of evil." (I Thess. 5:22) Why does a child of God want to so live? It is not so that he by his good life might be saved. Rather, he wants to keep faith and a good conscience. Because his conscience is sensitive, the child of God wants to avoid those things that offend the conscience. When sins have wounded the conscience, he wants to put sin away and believe it forgiven in the name and blood of Jesus. He has not wanted to be found having his own righteousness, "but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." (Phil. 3:9) The Apostle Paul characterizes Christian values near the end of his letter to the Philippians: "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Phil. 4:5-8) In the World, but not of the World In the face of differences between his values and those of others, the Christian can encounter difficult questions. How do I relate to the world and to people in our society? How do I deal with differences between my values and society's values? How do I tell those on the outside of God's kingdom how I believe and why I continue to cling to traditional Christian values? The fact that the values of a child of God differ from some of the values in our society does not mean that we avoid contact with the world. It simply means that we choose to avoid those things that war against faith and a good conscience. The prayer of Jesus on behalf of His own was this: "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." (John 77:1,4-76) We live our lives in the midst of our society. A large part of our lives are spent in our neighborhoods, in our schools, in our universities, at our work places, perhaps at community events, and in certain civic duties. This we cannot and do not try to avoid. Jesus did not pray that we would be taken out of the world, but that we would be kept from evil. Yet, believers often encounter differences between their values and those of the world in which they live. This is not new. The Bible gives us many examples of former believers who also encountered this. Joseph, in Egypt, served in the house of the Pharaoh's captain of the guard. There he tried to serve faithfully. But he also faced temptations and suffered injustice because he endeavored to live as a child of God. Moses experienced the same things when he was raised in the house of the Pharaoh. His choice was "rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." (Heb. 11:25) Daniel and his friends had similar experiences in Bablyon. And we could go on listing the experiences of former travelers. When we examine the lives of those believers, we notice that even though they suffered because of their faith, they nonetheless endeavored to humbly and faithfully perform the duties that had been given them in this life and in their societies. The greatest example of this is the life of Jesus. His life was one of servitude. Often He was wrongly criticized and ridiculed. When He was brought to be crucified, He was beaten, a crown of thorns was placed on His head, He was spat on and mocked, and finally He was nailed to the cross to die. Nonetheless, on the cross, He spoke to God on behalf of those who had treated Him in this way and said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) By His example, Jesus showed us what our attitude should be toward all people. It has been said in this way that we should "hate sin but love the sinner." In this, a child of God often feels that his measure of faith is small and his confession of faith is weak. The child of God is also aware that he is lacking in understanding. Because of this, he can wonder, "How will I answer those who ask about my faith? How can I explain that my values are and why I live as I do?" Often the simplest answer is the best. One can simply say, for example, "I am a child of God, and I do not want to do anything that will offend God." The Apostle Paul was once called on to confess his faith in a very difficult situation. He stood before King Agrippa and his wife and a large group of people that included high ranking officials. Paul's confession is recorded in the book of Acts, chapter 26. It is a simple confession, in which Paul confessed his faith in Jesus and spoke about his own life and how he had been called to repentance. But, a believer does not confess his faith by words only. The life of a believer shines as a light in this world. In it is reflected his faith, his peace with God, and the values that he holds. The world observes the lives of believers, even of their young children at home or at school. Other people can sense that there is a special force at work in the life of a believer. The values by which they live are not confused and inconsistent. Nor are they the values that parents, school, or society force upon them. On the contrary, their values are personal convictions and serve as the foundation of their lives. Very often, the life of a child of God is a sermon that reaches the heart of a person who is seeking meaning and direction for his or her life. And if such a person comes to question us about how we believe and live, we can then in a simple way speak about God, who has been gracious to us, and about His Son, who has redeemed us, and about the gospel, that is "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." (Rom. 1:15) Conclusion We live in a time of rapid change and of deteriorating moral values. The fear of God is disappearing and, with it, personal humility. Nonetheless, it is our duty and desire as Christians to publicly express our understanding and the values that we hold. This we can do without apology. We want to do so because we love our countries and people and because we believe that respect for God's Word and observance of its teaching will also gain God's blessing for our nations. We want to yet hold in our hearts the timeless truths of God's Word. The Prophet Micah has written words that seem to provide a foundation for our value system. "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8) The child of God is on a journey through life. Jesus said of this journey that it is on a narrow way that leads unto life. (Matt. 7:14) The destination is heaven. To find this way and to remain on it, a person must receive God's grace. God is gracious. He gives His grace to the humble. (I Peter 5:5) We humbly ask God that He would hear the prayer of His Son also on our behalf and keep us from evil. We ask, as the psalmist David did, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)

Keith Waaraniemi | 2013 LLC Phoenix Winter Services - Congregation & Youth Evening --

Markus Lohi | 2017 LLC Summer Services, Cokato, MN - Board Members and Ministers Meeting -- 1) Sacraments Introduction “Sacramentum” was a Latin word for a sacred oath, a holy pledge that a new soldier made to the Roman army when joining the ranks. Church father Tertullian began using this word in the early 3rd century for the sacred acts in the Christian church (McGrath, 2007: 420). That word stuck until today and that is how we today will talk about the Sacraments. If you will think on your way home tonight that “even with all that discussion on the Sacraments, they still remain a mystery to me,” then we did not add too much of our own rationale to this topic. No matter how hard we try, the Sacraments do not fully open to our reason. We have to humble ourselves before God and receive them by faith. The Eastern Orthodox Church uses the word “mystery” for their sacred acts after the New Testament Greek word “mysterion” - “hidden” - “secret” or “mystery.” Sacraments are sacred mysteries. What is the purpose of the sacraments? Faith comes first as a gift already at mother’s womb or through the gospel Word. Then God confirms and strengthens it through the Word and Sacraments. In Sacraments God’s Word is joined to the visible element so that we are assured how real God’s grace toward us is. Martin Luther puts the Instruments of Grace in a correct order, exclaiming, The Word of God is the greatest, most necessary, and most important thing in Christendom. For the Sacraments cannot be without the Word, but the Word may well be without the Sacraments. (Plass, 1959: 913, 918) According to Luther, even if the administering minister does not have saving faith, God nevertheless makes the sacrament by joining His Word to the elements (Plass, 1959: 918). The covenant of good conscience is made in baptism and body and the blood of Jesus is given at communion. Although the minister does that which we can physically see and hear in the Sacrament, it is the Triune God who shows his good will towards us in them. (AC, 1530: Article XIII) May our hearts be refreshed and thankfulness take over our cold hearts as we marvel at God’s goodness to us through the Sacraments. I love the song of loons on a calm lake. Maybe you have heard it? Everyone from Minnesota has heard it! One approach would be to go catch the loon, kill it, dissect it, and do detailed research into the anatomy of its voice production. The other approach is to sit on the boat, listen, marvel, and be touched by its song. Dear Brothers and sisters, it is right and necessary that we discuss the doctrine of the Sacraments as we will today. And we should always be diligent students of God’s Word. But let us not lose sight of this that faith is not a collection of facts (Plass, 1959: 468). It is a gift of God. It opens our eyes and ears, it changes our heart. It allows us to receive the Sacraments not as a technical analysis but as something beautiful just as we hear the beautiful song of a loon on a calm lake. Let us listen in awe God’s marvelous works! What is the Role of Sacraments in the Salvation of the Soul? Luther discusses this with the help of Jesus’ baptismal command: Thus Christ says: "He that believe and is baptised, shall be saved. He that does not believe shall be damned." He shows us in this word that faith is so necessary a part of the sacrament that it can save even without the sacrament. For which reason He did not see fit to say: "He that does not believe, and is not baptised..." (BC, 1520) Believers often remember an old saying that is in line with the teaching in the baptismal command: “Mere lack of the Sacraments does not condemn, but contempt for them does.” What Should Be a Sacrament? In the New Testament narratives the new converts who believed the gospel were baptized. The believers gathered in homes for the Lord’s Supper first daily, then once a week on the day of the Lord’s resurrection, Sunday. Over time the Church began to call some holy acts as Sacraments. During the first millennium, the number of sacraments grew to seven. Luther and other reformers in the 16th century held on to the Sola Scriptura principle: The Bible is the highest authority in life and faith. They desired to seek for the old paths of the Scriptures and agreed on the basis of Scriptures that in order for a holy act to be a Sacrament: 1) It must be commanded by Christ, and 2) In the holy act, a physical element must be connected to the Word of God. (Plass, 1959: 1235) How Many Sacraments Do We Lutherans Have? During the early phases of the Reformation, a third Sacrament was considered in addition to baptism and communion. It was Penance. Its name comes from Matt 4:17 where Jesus says: “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand…” The Latin Vulgate, the only authorized translation in the Papal church for many centuries at the time of Luther, reads: Poenitentiam agite - Do penance. (LT, 1517) This formed the foundation for the Church’s Sacrament of Penance, which we can think of as believer’s daily repentance. Luther soon dropped Penance as a sacrament as it had no physical sign attached to it and also realizing that the correct parts of it already belonged to baptism. In his Large Catechism of 1529, he wrote: Baptism, both in its power and signification, comprehends also the third Sacrament, which has been called repentance, as it is really nothing else than Baptism. For what else is repentance but an earnest attack upon the old man that his lusts be restrained and entering upon a new life? Therefore, if you live in repentance, you walk in Baptism, which not only signifies such a new life, but also produces, begins, and exercises it. For therein are given grace, the Spirit, and power to suppress the old man, so that the new man may come forth and become strong. (LC, 1529: Holy Baptism) Ever since confirmation school I have pondered: Why is the chapter on Confession right by the Sacraments in the Small Catechism? (SC, 1529) The background on the third sacrament has shed some light on it. Confession was deemed very important and was placed into Luther’s ABC book of faith. Dr. Martin lived of the gospel like you and me. He once spoke in a sermon: The devil would have slain me long ago if confession had not sustained me. For there are many doubts and false matters which a man cannot settle by himself… So he takes a brother aside and tells him his trouble. What harm does it do him to humble himself a little before his neighbor and put himself to shame? When you receive a word of comfort from him, accept and believe that word as if you heard it from God himself. (Plass, 1959: 330) We still believe that the focus in Confession is not in enumerating sins or elaborating on the depth of our remorse but rather receiving the forgiveness by faith. Now, let’s go to the Scripture! But let’s take with us memory work from an earlier quote by Luther: If you live in repentance, you walk in Baptism. Let’s check if it aligns with the Apostles’ teaching. 2) Baptism: Life-long Sacrament of Good Conscience and God’s Promise to Save Was There a Predecessor to Baptism? Baptism’s Old Testament predecessor was the covenant of circumcision. The cut was done once the baby was 8 days old. Surely the sign of circumcision would not go away. But the true lifelong impact was not in the sign but in the covenant relationship with God and in believing God’s promise. In the same way in baptism, the focus should be on the life in the covenant, keeping faith and a good conscience and believing God’s promise to save into eternal life everyone who stays in the covenant fellowship. What Did Apostle Paul Teach About Baptism? The primacy of the gospel was clear to Paul. He claimed: “Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect” (1. Cor 1:17). The simple sermon of the gospel was the great Apostle’s primary tool. He remembered, though that he had baptized some people. His other point to Corinthians was: Do not elevate the person of the baptizer. You are baptized in the name of Jesus, not Paul, Peter, or Apollos. We note here that baptism in the name of Jesus is also a baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. John baptized by completely submerging the person and then pulling him above the water. It is no wonder then that he was once baptizing in a place called Aenon according to the Bible “because there was much water there.” (Joh. 3:23)This mode of baptism completely under water is evident in Paul’s descriptions of the baptism. He speaks of “burying” and “raising up” as the steps of the baptism. Being plunged under water is “being buried to death” and being pulled above water is “being raised up to life.” This happens first in a physical way, as a sign, during the initiation into the covenant, the baptism ceremony. But this is to continually happen in life through a life of repentance, in newness of life. Paul writes in Romans 6: “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. … For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace”(Rom. 6:1-4, 10-14). What Paul is teaching here is our memory work from Luther: If you live in repentance, you walk in Baptism. According to Luther: Putting to death the old Adam, and after that the resurrection of the new man, both of which must take place in us all our lives, so that a truly Christian life is nothing else than a daily baptism, once begun and ever to be continued. (LC, 1529) In Romans 6 Paul also speaks about the promise of the covenant. Eventually all those who remain in the covenant of a good conscience will be raised up in the resurrection of life. In Galatians 3, Paul teaches that the social group barriers are broken as we have all put on the same Christ in baptism. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26-28). The author of the letter to the Colossians speaks of baptism in Chapter 2. That narrative gives a similar picture of baptism as Romans 6 but it has a special emphasis in walking in Christ. The Colossians portion gives a warning for us to not put our faith in philosophy or in science but in Christ instead! What Words Did Jesus Speak to Institute Baptism? 40 days after the Easter, right before ascending to Heaven, Jesus commanded His own: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned”(Mark 16:15-16). Matthew records the following from that speech: “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 alway, even unto the end of the world”(Matt 18:18-20). Jesus’ word “teach” in verse 19: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” is more precisely translated as “make disciples.” We can conclude 4 key points from Jesus’ baptismal command: 1)Make disciples to Jesus through the gospel of forgiveness of sins. 2)Baptize anyone who believes but has not been baptized yet. 3)Once converts are baptized into the covenant, they are to be taught how to live in that covenant. Life in the covenant of baptism is life according to the teachings of Jesus. 4)Jesus will be with His own until the end. What Did the Early Christians Think of Jesus’ Baptismal Command? Peter is speaking a sermon in the house of a heathen, a Roman centurion. After he proclaims the public absolution, much the same way as we hear here at Summer Services, Luke records in the Acts: “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. … Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10: 44, 46-48).Peter paid attention to the order of Jesus’ command: First faith, then baptism. This was real! Cornelius’ place was not the only place where the oral gospel brought the Holy Spirit to the hearts of the listeners! That is why Paul can write to the Romans, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Paul’s eyewitness account on the power of the gospel in the Word and the meaning of baptism was highly personal. He was once blinded for 3 days after Jesus appeared to him. Believing Ananias approached him in his misery, put his hands upon him and declared: “Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 9:17).Luke writes how“immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith”(Acts 9:18).Then, Ananias said: “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord”(Acts 22:16). Already believing, Paul was instructed to be baptized. In that baptismal covenant he was to continue to wash away his sins, calling on the name of the Lord. It seems that his focus on the primacy of the gospel is a clear testimony of the great Apostle’s understanding of what personally gave him faith. On Pentecost, Peter was preaching another sermon on repentance. Whoever gladly received his word, was baptized. God added “unto them about three thousand souls”(Acts 2:41). Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue and his house believed and they were baptized (Acts 18:8). Lydia, a seller of purple believed. She was baptized along with her family (Acts 16:14-15). The same thing happened to the jail guard and his family. Do you remember the narrative when Peter and Paul were chained deep inside the prison? In their misery, what did they do? They had song services. It is never a bad time to have song services! It must have been quite the experience to the jail guard: From deep despair of self-destruction to believing the gospel! He and his family were then baptized. (Acts 16:30-33) After hearing that the Eunuch of Ethiopia was able to believe, Philip baptized him in the river. (Acts 8:36-38) The Early Christians took Jesus’ baptismal command seriously! Whoever was able to be baptized with the Holy Ghost through believing the gospel was then baptized with water in Jesus to die for sin and live a Godly life with a good conscience. In some instances the water baptism was connected very closely in time to the conversion, believing the gospel. There might have been only a few minutes in between these two separate events and so it is not surprising that receiving faith through the gospel and entering into the covenant with God through baptism, were sometimes lumped together in some early Christians’ minds. That delusion can overtake us today also if we do not pay close attention to the detail in the Scriptures. What Did Peter Teach About Baptism? While Paul talks about battling sin and living a Godly life when discussing baptism, it is no surprise that the just Peter, when briefly mentioning baptism in the portion of his letter that focuses on good morals such as humility, modesty, caring for marriage etc., talks specifically about conscience. “When once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1. Pet. 3:20-21). This part of his letter is difficult to follow. But suffice it to say that Peter uses the example of Noah to make his point. He says that water saved the 8 souls. He does not mention that the water also destroyed everyone else. His point seems to be in comforting those who believe. What was floating above the water? It was the ark! Everyone who believed was in the ark and was saved. Ark is a picture of the kingdom of God. Remember that Jesus had promised: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you"(Matt 6:33). Peter proceeds to mention that baptism saves us. It is immediately followed by a clarification that certainly was necessary for the recipients of the letter in various areas, whether of Jewish heritage or not. It is not the cleansing of the flesh that saves in baptism. We could think he is speaking to the people of Jewish heritage that were used to the various ritual baths for cleansing of flesh. Or Peter could also be making a reference to something else that we don’t know. But none of that is what saves in baptism. What saves is the answer of a good conscience toward God! Even in baptism, it is faith that saves. That is what we learnt earlier from Jesus’ words. Peter and Paul agree that saving faith can be kept in a good conscience. Living in the covenant of baptism is living in the covenant of good conscience. Power to that comes from God. Conclusion on Baptism: 1)Faith comes by hearing. 2)Baptism is much more than the ceremony. The ceremony is the sign and initiation into a lifelong covenant. God’s promise in baptism is to save those who believe. 3)Not by the lacking of a sacrament, but by the despising of a sacrament is one damned. 4)Luther Memory work: “If you live in repentance, you walk in Baptism” In our language: Keep faith and a good conscience and you remain in the covenant of baptism. 5)The way we are used to caring for matters with the gospel of forgiveness of sin belongs to the “walk in baptism.” Let us not be ashamed of the very core of the gospel. 3) Holy Communion - Meal and Fellowship That Gives Strength on the Journey Since we discussed baptism at length, we will consider Holy Communion only briefly here. With What Words Did Jesus Institute Communion? “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:26-28). “And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed and brake it, and gave it to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it”(Mark 14:22-24). “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you”(Luke 22:19-20). What Do We Receive in Communion? Catholics believe that during Eucharist the substance of the elements change so that the substance is flesh and blood. This transformation is called trans-substantiation. The Swiss reformed tradition went to other extreme that is pleasing to reason: The meal is just a rememberance meal with signs of Jesus body and blood consumed. Luther’s view and our view is that in a way that doesn’t ever open to our understanding, the body and blood of Christ are present in the bread and wine. (Gritsch, 2010) Believers have often referred to the Svebelius Catechism’s simple and clear teaching on Holy Communion. Let us consider it now. The following section has some direct quotes from it: What Benefit Is There in the Lord’s Communion For Us? Our faith is strengthened and assured of the forgiveness of sins. We become united with Christ, so that He is in us and we in Him. Our faith in the resurrection to eternal life is strengthened. Matt. 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for the remission of sins. Gal. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. How Should We Conduct Ourselves as We Proceed to the Lord’s Table? When we have received absolution by the office of preaching, we should— 1.Step forth in true repentance, putting away all foreign and worldly thoughts; 2.While partaking of the sacrament, conduct ourselves in godly, sober, and meek manner, remembering that we are not communicating with man but with God. 3.When we leave, we should rejoice in spirit over God’s renewed grace, and praise Him from our heart for this, retaining good intention and will to walk in the new life. Who Are the Proper and Acceptable Guests to the Lord’s Supper? Only the believers; be their faith weak or strong, only that it is right and living. Who Are the Unacceptable Guests at the Lord’s Supper? All who do not have living faith upon Jesus, their Savior. (SCa) Dear brothers and sisters! With our natural eyes, we see the elements in communion, but in faith we receive Christ’s body and blood. References: Holy Bible, (1611) King James Version AC, (1530) Augsburg Confession BC, (1520) The Babylonian Captivity of the Church by Martin Luther LC, (1529) Luther’s Large Catechism LT, (1517) Luther’s 95 Theses SC, (1529) Luther’s Small Catechism SCa, (1746) Svebelius Catechism Gritsch, E. (2010) A History of Lutheranism, Fortress Press McGrath, A. (2007) Christian Theology, 4th edition, Blackwell Publishing Plass, M. (1959) What Luther Says, Concordia Publishing House