Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost (A)

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you." But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."

Matthew 16:21-28



SELECTION FROM MESSIAH, PART TWO
Georg Friedrich Handel, 1742

Tenor:
He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgressions of Thy people was He stricken. (Isaiah 53:8)

Tenor:
But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell; nor didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption. (Psalm 16:10)

Chorus:
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in.

Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in.

Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory. (Psalm 24:7-10)

Saints Increase on Planet Earth

Elizabeth Anne Gottschall was baptized this morning at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hillsdale, MI. Rev. Dan Johnson presided.

















Ellie, we receive you in Jesus' name as our sister in Christ, that together we might hear His Word, receive his gifts, and proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.



LIEBSTER JESU, WIR SIND HIER
Words: Benjamin Schmolck, 1704, cento
Translation: Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.
Music: Johann R. Ahle, 1664

Dearest Jesus, we are here,
Gladly Thy command obeying;
With this child we now draw near
In accord with Thine own saying
That to Thee it shall be given
As a child and heir of heaven.

Yea, Thy word is clear and plain,
And we would obey it duly:
"He who is not born again,
Heart and life renewing truly,
Born of water and the Spirit,
Can My kingdom not inherit."

Therefore hasten we to Thee,
In our arms this infant bearing;
Let us here Thy glory see
Let this child, Thy mercy sharing,
In Thine arms be shielded ever,
Thine on earth and Thine forever.

Gracious Head, Thy member own;
Shepherd, take Thy lamb and feed it;
Prince of Peace, make here Thy throne;
Way of Life, to heaven lead it;
Precious Vine, let nothing sever
From Thy side this branch forever.

Now into Thy heart we pour
Prayers that from our hearts proceeded.
Our petitions heavenward soar;
May our warm desires be heeded!
Write the name we now have given,
Write it in the book of heaven.

Peter's Confession of Christ

Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost (A)

Peter's Confession of Christ

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Matthew 16:13-20



THE CHURCH'S ONE FOUNDATION
Text: Samuel J. Stone, 1866
Tune: Samuel S. Wesley, 1864
Setting: Augustana Alumni Brass Choir

The Church's one foundation
Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
She is His new creation
By water and the Word.
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.

Elect from every nation,
Yet one o'er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.

The Church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord, to defend,
To guide, sustain, and cherish,
Is with her to the end.
Though there be those that hate her.
False sons within her pale,
Against both foe and traitor
She ever shall prevail.

Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping;
Their cry goes up, "How long?"
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song.

Mid toil and tribulation
And tumult of her war
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore,
Til with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.

This Day in History

On this day in history:

Our sweet corn is finally ripe enough to eat and the tomatoes are turning red. Life is good.

I realized how difficult it is going to be to work on my MBA with three children under three. Even only taking one class at a time, we're going to have to figure something out. And I was/am seriously considering full-time seminary studies at some point in the future...

Ellie had her first bath. I think she liked it. That is, at least she didn't cry.

Ellie had her first introduction to classic hymnody; specifically, the tune "Nun freut euch." It put her to sleep--a common enough complaint about old German hymns. We'll have to work on that.

I think I finally figured out what "bahgah" means in toddler-speak.

I found some real gems among the research problems in my federal tax research textbook. For example:

The Reverend Shaman Oracle is an ordained minister in the Church of Prophetic Prophecy in Palm Desert, California. In the current year, Shaman receives payments from the church for his services of $150,000. Of this amount, the church designates $60,000 for compensation and $90,000 as a housing allowance. Shaman and his wife own a home and have actual expenditures during the year for the home of $72,000. The house is located in a well-established rental market, and the fair rental value of the home for the current year is $55,000. Shaman wants to know how he and his wife should report these amounts on their current year's tax return. After appropriate research, write a letter to Shaman explaining your findings.

My question is, Why does the Rev. Shaman Oracle of the Church of Prophetic Prophecy need ME to do tax research for HIM? Heck, if the man is worth his housing allowance at all, I'd be referring clients to him and collecting a fat commission while spending office hours at the lake.

Funny how the gift of prophecy never seems to work when the IRS is involved.

Sinners Increase on Planet Earth

James Christopher and Abigail Christine welcome their new sister, Elizabeth Anne, to the family. Elizabeth arrived this morning around 3:00 AM. She measured 20 1/2 inches and weighed 8 lbs., 6oz. at birth. Both mother and baby are doing very well. Praise be to God for his blessings!

Gracious Savior, Gentle Shepherd
Text: Jane E. Leeson, 1807-1882

Gracious Savior, gentle Shepherd,
Children all are dear to Thee;
Gathered with Thine arms and carried
In Thy bosom may they be;
Sweetly, fondly, safely, tended,
From all want and danger free.














Tender Shepherd, never leave them
From Thy fold to go astray;
By Thy warning love directed,
May they walk the narrow way!
Thus direct them, thus defend them,
Lest they fall an easy prey.














Cleanse their hearts from sinful folly
In the stream Thy love supplied,
Mingled stream of blood and water
Flowing from Thy wounded side;
And to heavenly pastures lead them,
Where Thine own still waters glide.














Let Thy holy Word instruct them;
Fill their minds with heavenly light;
Let Thy powerful grace constrain them
To approve whate'er is right;
Let them feel Thy yoke is easy,
Let them prove Thy burden light.














Taught to lisp Thy holy praises
Which on earth Thy children sing,
Both with lips and hearts, unfeigned,
Glad thank-offerings may they bring;
Then with all the saints in glory
Join to praise their Lord and King.

Jesus Praises a Canaanite Woman's Faith

Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost (A)

Jesus Praises a Canaanite Woman’s Faith

Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."

Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."

He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.

He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."

"Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Matthew 15:21-28



WENN WIR IN HÖCHSTEN NÖTEN SEIN
Text: Paul Eber, 1511-1569
Translation: Catherine Winkworth, 1858, alt.
Organ Setting: Johann Sebastian Bach, BWV 641

When in the hour of utmost need
We know not where to look for aid;
When days and nights of anxious thought
Nor help nor counsel yet have brought,

Then this our comfort is alone,
That we may meet before Thy throne
And cry, O faithful God, to Thee
For rescue from our misery;

To Thee may raise our hearts and eyes,
Repenting sore with bitter sighs,
And seek Thy pardon for our sin
And respite from our griefs within.

For Thou hast promised graciously
To hear all those who cry to Thee
Through Him whose name alone is great,
Our Savior and our Advocate.

And thus we come, O God, today
And all our woes before Thee lay;
For sorely tried, cast down, we stand,
Perplexed by fears on every hand.

Ah! hide not for our sins Thy face,
Absolve us through Thy boundless grace,
Be with us in our anguish still,
Free us at last from every ill,

That so with all our hearts we may
To Thee our glad thanksgiving pay,
Then walk obedient to Thy Word
And now and ever praise Thee, Lord.

Pray for the Fish

So I'm a Randy Travis fan. Big deal. That still doesn't explain my fascination with this song since its release a few years back. I never get tired of hearing it.



PRAY FOR THE FISH

Everybody gathered where the river runs wider
At the edge of town
To see that Eddie Lee Vaughn baptism
Was really gonna go down
Folks bet their hard earned money
That water wouldn't change a thing
They set the odds at a hundred to one
His soul wouldn't never come clean
Then the preacher said
People take a moment or two
There's something we need to do

Pray for the fish
They won't know what's coming
When the sin starts rolling off the likes of him
Lord be with em, they ain't done nothin'
Please won't you leave them just a little bit ‘a room to swim
Pray for the fish

Well the preacher ducked him under
That cool clear water
Then he did it again
Eddie came up yelling
Lord in Heaven Hallelujah!
I'm a brand new man
Well the water got to bubbling
Sky got to rumbling
And the thunder backed up the choir
The fish started jumpin'
It was like they was swimmin'
In a lake of fire
Then Eddie's momma stepped out of the crowd
And started yelling out loud
Pray for the fish
They won't know what's coming
When the sin starts rolling off the likes of him
Lord be with em, they ain't done nothin'
Please won't you leave them just a little bit ‘a room to swim
Pray for the fish

He said everybody cross your fingers
Fold your hands
Pray for Ole Eddie
But before we say amen
Pray for the fish

Lord be with em, they ain't done nothin'
Please won't you leave them just a little bit ‘a room to swim
Pray for the fish
Lord pray for the fish

The 10 Most Important Things You Can Say to a Catholic in the Bathroom

I worked in a Christian bookstore for several years before moving to Michigan and beginning my current career in accounting. Like any retail job, the bookstore gig had its ups and downs. One day you have to listen to an angry pastor exclaim, “Someone needs to pray for your ass!” over an imaginary offense. The next day some poor old widowed saint comes in and asks where the Bible Suppositories are kept. Maintaining composure at all times is an indispensable skill in this line of work.

Anyway, we Book and Bible Specialists invented a few games to relieve the periodic tension and hold on to our sanity when dealing with customers. One of the classics was “In the Bathroom.” The game was simple: We merely appended the words “in the bathroom” to the end of any title we saw in the store. For example:

• One Month to Live in the Bathroom
• Do Hard Things in the Bathroom
• Twelve Ordinary Men in the Bathroom
• Don’t Waste Your Life in the Bathroom
• How Can We Be Silent in the Bathroom?
• Facing the Giants in the Bathroom
• The Sky’s the Limit in the Bathroom
• Get Out of That Pit in the Bathroom
• When the Man in Your Life Can’t Commit in the Bathroom
• How to Begin the Christian Life in the Bathroom
• Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be in the Bathroom
• What Makes a Man Feel Loved in the Bathroom
• Experiencing Jesus in the Bathroom
• Jesus Speaks to Teens in the Bathroom
• With God on a Deer Hunt in the Bathroom
• Breaking Free in the Bathroom
• Getting Unstuck in the Bathroom
• Finding Mr. Right in the Bathroom
• Tips to Romance Your Wife in the Bathroom
• Searching for Hope in the Bathroom
• Trouble with Jesus in the Bathroom
• A Guy’s Guide to Life in the Bathroom
• Showdown with the Devil in the Bathroom
• The Power of Letting Go in the Bathroom
• How to Live and Not Die in the Bathroom
• Finding God in the Bathroom
• I Saw the Lord in the Bathroom
• Looking for Love in the Bathroom
• Make It Real in the Bathroom
• Who Moved the Stone in the Bathroom
• Be Patient in the Bathroom
• The 10 Most Important Things You Can Say to a Catholic in the Bathroom
• Time to Dance in the Bathroom
• Managing Your Time in the Bathroom
• Don’t Get Comfortable in the Bathroom
• He Touched Me in the Bathroom
• Just Another Rainy Day in the Bathroom
• Havin’ a Good Time in the Bathroom
• The Greatest Discovery in the Bathroom
• Prayers That Rout Demons in the Bathroom
• Charismatic Chaos in the Bathroom
• Experiencing Spiritual Breakthroughs in the Bathroom
• Confronting Jezebel in the Bathroom
• Finding the Groove in the Bathroom
• Maximize the Moment in the Bathroom
• Flowing Streams in the Bathroom
• A Miracle a Minute in the Bathroom
• Live Full, Die Empty in the Bathroom
• Everyone’s a Coach in the Bathroom
• Trading Places in the Bathroom
• We Need to Talk in the Bathroom
• What in the World Is Going On in the Bathroom?
• Left Behind in the Bathroom
• The Final Act in the Bathroom
• Assassins in the Bathroom
• What Have You Got to Lose in the Bathroom?
• The Secret to True Happiness in the Bathroom
• Mama Says Cookies Cure a Lot of Things in the Bathroom
• How Women Help Men Find God in the Bathroom
• When God Writes Your Love Story in the Bathroom
• God Allows U-Turns in the Bathroom
• What Would Jesus Eat In the Bathroom?
• I Would Die for You in the Bathroom
• Self Incrimination in the Bathroom
• Blind Dates in the Bathroom
• From a Mess to a Miracle in the Bathroom
• Six Secrets to a Powerful Quiet Time in the Bathroom
• Prophetic Evangelism in the Bathroom
• Roll Away Your Stone in the Bathroom
• Secret Sources of Power in the Bathroom
• Making Ripples in the Bathroom
• What You Say Is What You Get in the Bathroom
• Prophetic Etiquette in the Bathroom
• When Godly People Do Ungodly Things in the Bathroom

I suppose you can play this game anywhere, but for some reason it seems especially funny when played in a Christian bookstore. Go ahead, give it a try the next time you stop by Jesus 'R Us. It will probably turn out to be the most worthwhile part of your visit.

Jesus Walks on the Water

Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost (A)

Jesus Walks on the Water

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

"Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Matthew 14:22-33



ETERNAL FATHER, STRONG TO SAVE
Words: William Whiting, 1860
Music: Melita, John B. Dykes, in Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1861

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who biddest the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy Word,
Who walked on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

O Trinity of love and power!
Our family shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect us wheresoever we go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

Jesus First: Not to Be Confused with Jesus First

As an alumnus of Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA), I regularly receive e-mails from the school. Today I received this auction advertisement:

Showcase a poignant token from the late Dr. Jerry Falwell’s Christian ministry in your home or office. Own a gold Jesus First pin, matted inside a 16x20 frame, along with a beautiful artist rendering of a Jesus First pin nestled inside a rose.

Whaa-huh?

I thought the "Jesus First" slogan belonged to a group of Lutherans! Not a group of Lutherans with whom I agree on some very important issues, but a group of Lutherans nonetheless.

Nope. Apparently Falwell put Jesus First twenty years before the Lutherans did:

In 1977 Dr. Jerry Falwell began wearing the Jesus First lapel pin on his nationally televised show, The Old Time Gospel Hour. The ministry offered any viewer a free Jesus First lapel pin for simply pledging to pray for the ministry and agreeing to use the pin as a tool for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Over the years, Dr. Falwell distributed more than 30 million Jesus First pins throughout his work with Liberty University, Thomas Road Baptist Church, and The Old Time Gospel Hour. Countless souls have come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior because of Dr. Falwell’s use of this special pin. We have taken one of the few remaining plated Jesus First pins and matted it with a limited edition 11x14 print of the pin and the rose. The print was displayed worldwide on television and the Internet to commemorate Dr. Falwell’s life and ministry following his homecoming on May 15, 2007.

This item is available for bid on Liberty University’s charitable auction site on eBay, and all proceeds will benefit Liberty University projects.

Wow. Falwell's lapel pin was quite the pectoral outreach tool. I'd suggest that we send out 30 million of our own "Jesus First" pins and set the Ablaze! critical event counter a-spinning, but apparently the results are "countless"!

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost (A)

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."

Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."

"We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.

"Bring them here to me," he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Matthew 14:13-21



SCHMÜCKE DICH, O LIEBE SEELE
Words: Johann Franck, 1844.
Transalation: Catherine Winkworth, 1858, alt.
Composer: Johann Crueger, 1649.
Organ Setting: Johann Sebastian Bach, BWV 654.

Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele,
Laß die dunkle Sündenhöhle,
Komm ans helle Lieht gegangen,
Fange herrlich an zu prangen;
Denn der Herr voll Heil und Gnaden
Läßt dich itzt zu Gaste laden.
Der den Himmel kann verwalten,
Will selbst Herberg in dir halten.

Soul, adorn thyself with gladness,
Leave behind all gloom and sadness;
Come into the daylight's splendor,
There with joy thy praises render
Unto Him whose grace unbounded
Hath this wondrous supper founded.
High o'er all the heavens He reigneth,
Yet to dwell with thee He deigneth.

From Revivalism to Reformation

I originally wrote this short essay in 2006 for a Lutheran pastor interested in how I made the leap from Protestant Fundamentalism to historic Lutheranism. I've revised it a few times already and hope to continue expanding, revising, and polishing the essay as time goes on.

My journey to Lutheranism began in the fall of 2000, during my third year at Bob Jones University, a school known for its strict fundamentalist separatism. One of my roommates, an ardent Calvinist, suggested we discuss doctrine during our room Bible studies, and conversations quickly centered on the TULIP simplification of Calvinism. My other roommate, a staunch Arminian (infants don’t even have a sinful nature!) predictably opposed the Calvinist at every point. I, who had never before considered doctrine, was quickly caught in the middle.

But I was interested, I knew how to do research, and the library at BJU holds a treasure trove of theological thought. My examination of Calvinism, however, was only the beginning. I soon discovered that Christian doctrine is an organic whole, and what I believed in one area (say, Holy Communion) is inextricably linked to others (the Incarnation, to continue the example). But because I could not discern between form of Christianity in which I was reared (pietism and revivalism) and true substance of Christianity (faith in Christ crucified for my sins), my own faith began to fail as the ripples of doubt widened: first, the TULIP question; then, the dispensational premillenial interpretation of Scripture, followed closely by the legitimacy of evangelicalism and Protestantism; ending, finally, with the truth of the Christian faith itself, in any form.

So I, a student at Bob Jones University and a doubter of the Christian faith, continued to attend daily chapel services and serve as a campus spiritual leader even in the midst of growing doubt and despair. Yet I knew deep within my soul that something, somewhere would lead me aright again, and I must find it. I struggled on in my quest throughout the spring semester, devouring everything from the church fathers to Soren Kierkegaard to John Shelby Spong and Alister McGrath in my search for the truth.

Working and living on campus during the summer of 2001 allowed me to continue haunting the library in the evenings. Although doubt and despair still plagued me occasionally, my faith began to reform around those things I discovered the church has believed, taught, and confessed at all times and in all places. Although I didn’t yet realize it, I was really a nascent Lutheran as I began to describe myself to my friends as an “evangelical reformed catholic.”

That August I determined to visit a congregation associated with some branch of historic Christianity, be it Anglican, Lutheran, Catholic, Orthodox, whatever. It just so happened that the closest such congregation was the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, only a ten-minute walk from my dorm room. One humid Sunday morning I skipped the campus service and hiked down to the small church, where I discovered the fullness of faith, the beauty of the liturgy, and the assurance of Christ crucified for my sins for which I had been searching. I continued attending services occasionally (and secretly, as I may have been expelled if caught!) throughout the fall 2001 semester, my last at BJU. I attended several catechesis classes and once attended a seminar on St. Luke’s Gospel taught by Dr. Art Just of Concordia Theological Seminary.

When I returned home to Macon, Georgia that winter, I began attending and working for the Baptist church I had formerly frequented. My parents and my fiancé, Martha, taught at the Christian school associated with the congregation, and unless I really wanted to cause trouble, I had no other choice of church home. Martha and I were married in the summer of 2002, and the first worship service we attended the Sunday after our honeymoon was at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, one of only two Lutheran congregations in Macon. Since we both worked for the Baptist church and school, we could only attend the Lutheran services occasionally. Occasionally soon grew into regularly, however, and on Easter Sunday, 2003, we were formally received into membership following weeks of catechetical instruction. We have not looked back.