displays of weaknesses

AELW 7:221-222

"Jacob’s decision to keep Benjamin at home to prevent him from perishing is altogether human and foolish, as though Benjamin could not die at home or as though his welfare and life were placed in Jacob’s power. If such a great patriarch, a man provided with such great promises, displays such weakness, what courage do you think you or I will have in dangers and trials?

These things, then, are written to instruct and comfort us (Rom. 15:4), in order that we may learn to trust God steadfastly and nevertheless to be concerned about our descendants and the duties entrusted to us by God. For one should not think: “I am the pastor of a church about which I know that God is concerned. Therefore I shall do nothing and shall not be concerned about my ministry.” Thus the head of a household should not be lazy and slothful; but everyone must be vigilant and toil in his station. For God does not forbid toil and does not want us to be idle, even though He governs everything by His presence and will. But the flesh must be trained by dangers, trials, terrors, and uncertain events. Nevertheless, the promise and faith must be preserved. Faith must precede, and at the same time prayer and the works that one’s vocation requires must be practiced. Although works contribute nothing to the matter, still God wants us to eat our bread in the sweat of our faces (cf. Gen. 3:19)."

Ordered to believe...

Genesis 42:1-2,"1. When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons: Why do you look at one another? 2. And he said: Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live, and not die."

AELW 7:219

"I reply that we are ordered to believe, and to trust in the goodness of God, but not to tempt God. For we cannot live our life according to the rule which He Himself has, but we must live as opportunities and the times decide. Yet faith and hope must be preserved. Therefore Jacob does not say: “Remain. Wait. The Lord has the power to send bread from heaven. Perhaps He will cause grain to rain in this land and nourish us.” This is not what the promise means. Although there is no doubt that God is able and willing to nourish and defend you, you must not avoid the opportunities offered for help and protection. You can avail yourself of these without sin. Otherwise you will be tempting God."

"From this rottenness, these worms, this foulness, and this dust I will raise you."

Genesis 41:52. "The name of the second he called Ephraim. For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."

AELW 7210-211

"this is the meaning of the word עָנְיִי. It is employed in the same meaning in Is. 53:3. “I was,” says Joseph, “a captive in prison, where I had given up all hope of life and liberation, so that I could have been called a dead trunk and log which would never sprout.” But just as Isaiah speaks of the branch that will come forth from the root of Jesse, so Joseph says of himself that descendants are arising from a sterile and dead trunk, and from an Egyptian woman at that. This is a wonderful God.

These examples serve to buoy up and strengthen faith. For if we, too, could persevere in trials, then we would certainly learn to know the name and nature of God, namely, that He not only brings it about that we forget our troubles but that those who have been reduced to nothing even grow and are multiplied.

And this was outstanding praise and glorification of God, whereby Joseph praised the wonderful works of God, namely, that He makes all things out of nothing. We should also acknowledge these works and exercise ourselves in them. For we must be humiliated and mortified, and the grain of wheat that has been thrown into the ground must die and rise again with manifold fruits (John 12:24). For He is the God of אֶפְרַיִם, that is, of fruits, but in the land of עָנְיִי, that is, of mortifications. And it is a perpetual and unparalleled rule of the works of God to make all things out of nothing.

For we are buried and committed to the earth, to rottenness and worms. We are sown (cf. 1 Cor. 15:42–44) in weakness, corruption, dishonor, and foulness, in such a mean and disgraceful form that it is almost more desirable not to have been born than to be gnawed and consumed so ignominiously by worms and rottenness. Thus we are reduced to nothing. But God says: “From this nothing and עָנְיִי, from this rottenness, these worms, this foulness, and this dust I will raise you and make you not only a Manasseh but also an Ephraim brighter than the sun.” Thus this will finally come about, for we have a most certain promise. Accordingly, although all things in this life do not flow according to our will and good pleasure, nevertheless in the future life we, too, will declare: “God has made me forget my father’s house and all my trouble.”

This forgetting should gradually come upon us even in this life. For although at the present time, while worms and rottenness are before our eyes, we cannot be unmindful of them, nevertheless there will be a time when God will wipe away every tear, as is stated in Rev. 7:17. Therefore faith should begin to forget tears and dishonor which it does not see. Although the eyes see the rottenness, the ears hear the complaints and sobs, and the noses smell the stench of the corpses, nevertheless it is the part of faith to say: “I do not know this. I see nothing. Indeed, I see a multiplication and a brightness surpassing the sun itself and the stars.”

Therefore such examples are set before us in order that we may learn that God is the Creator of all things, restores the dead to life and glorifies worms and the foulest rottenness. And He wants this to be acknowledged and celebrated by us in this life in faith. Later, however, in the future life, we shall experience it in actual fact."

Hmmm, what does this remind you of?

AELW 7:205

"in the functioning of the church faithful bishops and inspectors are required to keep watch earnestly over purity of doctrine and the true use of the sacraments, and to separate false and godless teachings from those that are true. And their watchfulness must increase in proportion to the greed with which rapacious wolves gape at the flock. Thus we see that the heretics and the pope are most watchful. They do not sleep in safety. Nor do they snore. But they are intent on all opportunities by which they may lure the hearts of the godly into deception."

God is NOT uncertain, ambiguous, equivocal, and slippery

AELW 7:154

"Accordingly, it is a right and sure Spirit who makes us sure concerning the will of God, who does not allow us to doubt but carries out what Paul admonishes: “Let everyone be fully convinced in his own mind” (Rom. 14:5). Likewise in 1 Thess. 1:5: “For our Gospel came to you not only in word but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” This certitude is necessary in every kind of teaching, especially in sacred teaching. For I must be certain what I am to think about God, or rather what He thinks about me. It was a horrible error of the papal doctrine which caused men to become doubtful of the forgiveness of sins and grace. “You should acknowledge that you are a sinner,” they said, “and a sinner of such a kind that you cannot be certain of your salvation.” Thus the whole world was submerged in doubt and in erroneous opinions about God.

Therefore one must learn that God is not uncertain, ambiguous, equivocal, and slippery like a wavering reed, but that He is unequivocal and certain. He says: “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; I absolve you of your sins, etc.” Here the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit make no mistake; they are not tossed about by the wind but are rocks and Selah, as God is often named in the Psalms because He is absolutely firm. You may rely solidly on Him and say: “I am holy and saved; I am God’s son and heir, because I have been baptized.”

He counts even our tears...

AELW 7:137-138

"He counts not only the hairs of our head (Matt. 10:30) but even our tears, and gathers them into a bottle, as Ps. 56:8 attests: “Thou hast kept count of my tossings; put Thou my tears in Thy bottle! Are they not in Thy book? (56:8.)” No little tear must be shed in vain; it is recorded with large, mighty letters in heaven.

Accordingly, we do not groan, weep, and suffer in vain. Everything is written and noted down in God’s commentaries. This means that He looks carefully at everything. God does not look at us from afar but is close to us. He counts my fancies and thoughts (cf. Ps. 94:11), my sorrow and griefs, even during the night; and He wants to remunerate me far more richly than I have asked for or understood (cf. Eph. 3:20). This is the source of Paul’s well-known statement (2 Cor. 4:17), which should always be kept in our hearts. What we suffer is exceedingly little and light, since we know that the glow and redemption will be greater than what we can attain by any thoughts or words. Nevertheless, God observes that light and little suffering.

Whose fault, therefore, is it that we are so wretchedly tormented and troubled? Who is to blame for the weakness of faith, hope, and the wickedness of the flesh? O slay me, dear Lord God! Am I worthy of having a God who is so careful that He guards me even during the night, when I am sleeping and dreaming? Is it not sufficient for Him to protect us and direct our steps while we are awake? Beyond this, does He trouble Himself even about our rest and our dreams? This certainly means having a propitious God, who guards us and does not permit a hair to fall from our head or the apple of the eye to drip—a God who surely has a record of every drop that falls from our eyes. If you weep, He has a golden basin or dish and catches the tears! But whose tears does he gather? The tears of sinners. Who gathers them? God, the Creator of all things. This, therefore, should often be reflected on, to awaken faith, hope, and love in us, since we have the Word, the examples, and the proper experience of the boundless goodness of God."

Depend on the Word

AELW 7:136-137

"Learn, therefore, to trust, believe, wait, and endure, and to depend on the Word and say with St. Paul: “The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18). It is too little. “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Cor. 4:17)."

"Ah, our God is a fine God, if only we could believe it!"

AELW 7:135

"But the wretchedness and weakness of our flesh, which does not allow us to believe what we teach, is to be deplored. For we have the Word, and we know that it is true and immovable. In use and practice, however, faith totters and trembles pitiably. Accordingly, it is a great favor on God’s part that He has shown us this consolation: “A dimly burning wick I will not quench” (cf. Is. 42:3). On the Last Day we will accuse ourselves, blame our impatience, and say: “If I were still permitted to live my former life, I would not refuse to suffer a thousand deaths and crosses.” But now is the time to stir up our heart to patience and obedience.

But the Lord takes pity on our weakness and loads us with countless favors beyond our merit and thought. Thus Augustine’s mother testifies that a greater abundance was given to her by God than she dared ask for.She prayed and sobbed for her son, only that he should be baptized. But after his baptism she was very glad to die, for she was content with this gift and the conversion of her son. She thought that satisfaction had been given to her prayer. But after her death Augustine became an illustrious and distinguished teacher of the church who freed countless souls from many errors and was second only to the apostles in conquering so many monstrous heretics. The tears and sobs of his mother undoubtedly achieved this. Ah, our God is a fine God, if only we could believe it!"

God sculpts the eternal body

AELW 132-133

"In this manner Holy Scripture awakens and strengthens faith in God, so that we say: “Lord God, Thou hast absolved me through a brother, hast baptized and fed me with Thy body and blood. Do as it pleases Thee with Thy servant. I shall not be angry or blaspheme, but I shall bear everything patiently. For I do not want Thy covenant with me, which was entered into in Baptism and in the Lord’s Supper, to become void.” Christ surely pronounces those who persevere in this way to the end blessed, but concerning the others Sirach says: “Woe unto those who have lost their endurance” (cf. Ecclus. 2:14); for although they hope and wait for a time, yet they soon waver and are broken by unbelief and despair. The wife of Tobias and the wife of Job are an example of this. Perhaps they did not immediately murmur at first; but afterwards, when they had been broken by the delay and by the magnitude of the misfortunes, they burst forth into the blasphemous words “Curse God, and die” (Job 2:9), as though they were saying: “You keep your patience and hope and are deceived; you are not using any wisdom or remedy; you keep on praising and blessing. Ah, keep on praising, and die in the devil’s name!” But Job replied: “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10.) “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

These examples should be carefully observed and should be inculcated in the minds of the godly. For carnal men despise them and do not perceive the inner qualities of the virtues recorded and set before the church for its consolation in order that we may learn that our afflictions are the surest argument and pledge that we are the sons of God. There is a saying of Tauler’s—although he does not speak in terms of Holy Scripture but employs a strange and foreign way of speaking—“Man should know that he has done great damage if he does not wait for God’s work,” namely, when God wants to crucify him, mortify him, and reduce the old man to nothing. This does not come about except through suffering and the cross; for then you are upholding the work of God, who forms you, planes you, and cuts off the rough branches. With ax, saw, and mattock He cuts down everything that hinders the eternal building, as David says: “Be still before God, and be formed for Him” (cf. Ps. 37:7)."

What more should I ask for?

AELW 7:131-132

"Thus today we are tormented and afflicted by Satan and the world in various ways. The pontiffs and cardinals persecute us; the heretics, the Sacramentarians, the Anabaptists, and others harass us. But what else should you do than wait for the Lord? You have the promise that God is your Father. Add faith and love to this, have no doubt about the promise, and wait, since what is promised is not shown immediately. For although “hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Prov. 13:12), nevertheless what the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews points out should be kept in mind: “God is treating you as sons” (12:7). Thereupon we should encourage and arouse ourselves by such examples to bear any difficulties, dangers, and griefs. But if we are killed, it is certain that by this means we are truly liberated and rescued from all evils, just as no evil at all befell the martyrs in former times, but they obtained the end of all their troubles. But if we are preserved, we should persevere and wait in hope and faith; for God does not hate us or turn us away in hostile fashion, no matter how He may conduct Himself toward us otherwise. Let us rather conclude: “I know that I have been baptized, that I have eaten the body and drunk the blood of the Son of God, that I have been absolved by divine authority, that all my sins have certainly been forgiven me, and that victory over the devil, death, and hell has been promised me. What more should I ask for?”"

Close your eyes

AELW 7:105

"Therefore close your eyes, and all disputations about heaven and earth will vanish. Indeed, just as heaven and earth were nothing 6,000 years ago, so now, if you close your eyes, as though they had been reduced to nothing, they will present no further obstacle to faith and the words of Christ. For the Word, which created all things, must be compared with the creature, which, in comparison with it, is nothing at all.

“He commanded and they were created,” says Ps. 148:5. It is always God’s wonderful practice to make all things out of nothing and again to reduce all things to nothing. And one should accustom oneself to this practice and cling to the Word, in order that those things which disturb and hinder faith, no matter how great and splendid they are, may be removed from our eyes."

We do not prescribe means to God, God gives us the means of grace

AELW 7:104

"Therefore let us learn this rule and order which God is wont to employ in governing His saints. For I, too, have often attempted to prescribe to God definite methods He should use in the administration either of the church or of other matters. “Ah, Lord,” I have said, “I would like this to be done in this order, with this result!” But God would do the very opposite of what I had sought. Then the thought would come to me: “Nevertheless, my plan is not disadvantageous to the glory of God; but it will contribute very much toward the hallowing of Thy name, the gathering and increasing of Thy kingdom, and the propagation of the knowledge of Thy Word. In short, it is a very fine plan and excellently thought out.” But the Lord undoubtedly laughed at this wisdom and said: “Come now, I know that you are a wise and learned man; but it has never been My custom for Peter, Dr. Martin, or anyone else to teach, direct, govern, and lead Me. I am not a passive God. No, I am an active God who is accustomed to do the leading, ruling, and directing.”

Continued advice for Pastors

AELW 7:97-98

"Thus today many who at the beginning were aflame with boundless zeal for the Gospel now most bitterly hate its doctrine and those who teach it. Therefore our life will have to be set up in such a way that we prepare ourselves for this outcome and these fruits of our labors; and if anything happens contrary to our hope, let us reckon it all as gain. You will not change the world. But this is the way you must speak: “I must keep at it, because I have taken up this office for God’s sake, not for the sake of the ungrateful world.” Just as the vine provides wine in great supply and pleasantness to the worst of men, so also, since we are the sons of God, let us imitate the clemency and kindness of our Father, and also the examples of other creatures. And let us not bear this ingratitude with impatience, since we have been born and placed into this life and station by God to serve the world and to gather the elect for eternal salvation. If there are any good men who acknowledge our services, there is reason for self-congratulation on our part. But if the greater part curses, condemns, and slays us, we should know that this is our reward. And in this we should become like the Son of God and all the saints, who, in return for the greatest services, experienced the utmost ingratitude of men."

Interesting advice for Pastors

AELW 7:97
"In great part we serve, teach, admonish, suffer, give consolation, and do the things commanded by God for unworthy men. Here we gain nothing for our services but hatred, envy, and exile; and our whole life is nothing else than the loss of kindnesses.

Therefore you must never hope that the world will acknowledge and remunerate your faithfulness and diligence; for it does the opposite, as this example attests. Set another goal, therefore, for your service and your life than the thanks of the world. Its gratitude is suddenly changed into fury. Reflect as follows: “If I am a pastor or the director of the studies of young people or in any other position, I shall perform my duty diligently, not because I am expecting some reward from those whom I serve—for I am simply giving up all hope of gratitude—but I shall imitate the kindness of my heavenly Father, who scatters His blessings, gives gold, silver, fruits, peace, and good health even to the unthankful and the worst men. And I shall be mindful of the admonition of Christ, who says: ‘You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect’ (Matt. 5:48); that is, serve even the wicked, the unworthy, and the unthankful, and not only the worthy, the thankful, and the good.” There will be a few who will make acknowledgment and be grateful."

satan blows hot and cold from the same mouth

AELW 7:85

"for a married man or husband who has been joined to a woman for some time it is easier. Indeed, lasting and constant love in matrimony is even very rare. Thus among the things that are approved by God and men alike Ecclesiasticus enumerates a man and his wife who agree well with each other (Ecelus. 25:1). The Germans also praise a happy marriage as the highest good. “Ah, this is a good marriage!” they exclaim. For Satan commonly sows the seeds of hatreds and quarrels by which hearts are torn apart, with the result that they pollute themselves with adultteries and promiscuous lusts. In the beginning, before they contract matrimony, they burn inflamed with mutual ardor; but after they have entered the matrimonial compact, the devil, who tries to quench their ardor in various ways, is soon present. He can blow hot and cold from the same mouth. And when a youth is aflame with love and lust, this is not simple and natural love but the breath of the devil. Thus Job says: “Out of his mouth go flaming torches; sparks of fire leap forth” (Job 41:19). Accordingly, he blows into the blood of a harlot and a whoremonger and kindles a most vehement fire. On the other hand, he blows cold breath into the hearts of married people, and as a result of this the fervor of married love grows cold. Hence these and similar words of adulterers have arisen: “Wife is a name for respectability, but woman is a name for pleasure.” Among such people a wife’s passion for her husband ceases, and vice versa. For the devil blows a horrible cold and frost from the north. Accordingly, he who wants to take a wife should seek from God the grace to live with a woman in mutual love, in order that their hearts may not be drawn apart, and when concord remains between married people, that the devil may not butt in with his icicle. Then the blessing and gift of God are manifest."

Any man is a miracle

AELW 7:71

"Any man is a great miracle per se; and even if the whole world and the angels were to gather all their strength, they could not create even one hair on a human being. Thus we see that heaven is moved and that the sun shines, but we are not at all impressed by this. Yet when the Word of God teaches that these most beautiful bodies were created out of nothing, we can in some way estimate the greatness of the wonderful work, which is not perceived with the eyes, to be sure, but can be learned and grasped by hearing alone, when the Word of God points it out."

The Golden Mean - via regia

AELW 7:44 "One must stay on the royal road. "(for context see previous post)

What does this mean? From AELW 4:277, note 51" Luther’s Latin is regia via, which he sometimes uses to refer to the idea of the golden mean."

and the context...

"There is a time for feasting, fasting, mourning, and rejoicing. It is proper to mourn with those who are mourning, and God says (Is. 66:2) that He will dwell with the humble and contrite heart that trembles at His words. On the other hand, He does not hinder an upright and believing heart when it rejoices in the Lord. As a matter of fact, He praises it. One should live a spiritual life, but in such a manner that the physical life, too, has its recreation, especially among those who are in great troubles or trials and are plagued by sleeplessness. They should drink more plentifully, in order to induce sleep; for Holy Scripture says (Ps. 104:15) that wine was created to gladden man’s sad and afflicted heart. Let him eat and drink, in order that body and soul may come together again.

Hence we ought to steer a middle course, lest we become either Epicureans and dissolute or hypocrites and gloomy monks. Weddings should not be stripped of respectable displays and of respectable pleasures; but excesses by day and by night, extravagance in clothing, or unseemly pranks should in no wise be tolerated, because they are condemned in Holy Scripture."

Great saints must make great mistakes

AELW 7:44-45

"Great saints must make great mistakes in order that God may testify that He wants all men to be humiliated and contained in the catalog of sinners, and that when they have acknowledged and confessed this, they may find grace and mercy. If one falls, how is he to get help? Nevertheless, those who crucify Christ hear this prayer: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). To be sure, one must beware of sins; but if anyone has fallen, he should not become despondent on that account. For God has forbidden both despair and presumption, turning aside to the left hand and to the right. There should be no presumption on the right and no despair on the left. One must stay on the royal road. The sinner should not abandon his confidence in mercy. A righteous man should not be proud. For “the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him and in those who hope in His mercy” (Ps. 147:11). He hates those who are proud and presumptuous, and He loves those in whom fear still retains some hope and confidence, not in ourselves but in the mercy of God.

In this way, then, the saints are humbled and celebrated together with their lapses, in order that they may instruct us by their examples and show us the royal road between despair and pride."

Hysteron Proteron

Luther speaks of Hysteron Proteron, meaning latter before. What does this mean? An example would be from Aeneid written by Virgil, "Let us die, and charge into the thick of the fight."

So what does this mean for Luther and what is the context?

In his Genesis Lectures, Chapter 38 verses 1-5, (AELW7:3) Luther states...

"On several occasions above I have suggested that the historical order should be observed in the narrative about the death of Isaac and the selling of Joseph. For Moses has used the figure which men call hysteron proteron, after the custom of other historians. At the end of chapter 35 he said that Isaac, having fulfilled his days, died at the age of 180 (vv. 28–29). Later on, in chapter 37, he says that his father Isaac wept for Joseph (cf. v. 35). Therefore this chapter, too, should be considered carefully, and it should be noted that the events it embraces were enacted long before Isaac died or Joseph was sold."

In his Genesis Lectures, Chapter 25, verses 1-4, (AELW 4:300), Luther stated

"In the previous chapter Abraham concluded his span of life, drew up his testament, and made Isaac the heir of all his goods. Now however, after his son’s wedding, he himself also takes a wife. It is not sufficiently evident what one’s reaction should be, and I am altogether uncertain whether there is a hysteron proteron or, on the other hand, a proteron hysteron. But if we follow the order of the text, a strange question arises. Paul himself explains in Rom. 4:19 that “Abraham’s body was as good as dead and unfit to procreate, because he was now 100 years old.” Hence it seems somehow that this part of the chapter should have been inserted earlier and that Abraham married the girl Keturah before he begot Isaac. Perhaps it would be possible to answer that pressing question in this manner. But I am not making a positive statement."

In addition, Note 1 on AELW 4:300 also states,

"In his Computation of the Years of the World (WA LIII, 69) Luther considered the possibility that many of the accounts in the Pentateuch had been written per hysteron proteron, but he was inclined to reject it."

One important lesson here is that while one may speculate as to occurrences in the Bible, if definitive conclusions may not be drawn from scripture...at the end of the day one must fill very comfortable not filling in the blanks.

AELW Volume 7 - Genesis 38 - 44

LUTHER’S
WORKS

VOLUME 7

LECTURES ON GENESIS

Chapters 38–44

The Ministry of the Law and the Gospel

AELW 6:399-400

"it is the mark of Christians not to be angry and not to be indignant in regard to evil inflicted on themselves. Although the flesh is accustomed to grumble after its own fashion, the spirit is not angry, but rather thinks: “Woe to you! You have not done this to me, you have done it to yourself. You have offended yourself in particular, not me!” In this way Jacob and Joseph were able to say: “You do not sell, cast off, and kill me, but yourselves.” The flesh, indeed, thinks otherwise, but this is how the spirit feels.

But now someone will ask: “What, then, is to be done? Is the rein to be loosened to ungodliness and no curb to be placed upon the fury and ill will of men by laws or punishments, but, in addition, should thanks be rendered to a wicked man for injury inflicted on us, and must we say: ‘You have done me no harm. Do what pleases you, and I shall be glad to suffer it!’? Will not evil men in this way be invited to increase and augment their outrageous sins when, indeed, we teach that troubles placed in our way by others should be borne with joy and a good conscience?”

My reply is that to us there has been entrusted the ministry of the Law and the Gospel according to the direction of Paul: “Rebuke, be urgent in season and out of season, be confident in reproof and blame, and even be angry and indignant with sin” ( cf. 2 Tim. 4:2). This pertains to the ministry of the Law and the duty of fathers, teachers, magistrates and, indeed, private citizens also for the sake of brotherly reproof and admonition which has been entrusted by God to individuals so that as far as possible we may resist evil, each one in his own station, and take precautions that evil men do not rage with impunity either against us or against others. If that is done and nothing helps, I must be content and say: “You will punish not me, your teacher, but yourself.” When we have made no progress by all these means, the only thing left for us to do is to be content at heart and wait for the vengeance of God. For they will experience to their great loss that they have gravely injured not others but themselves. The devil will be able to attend to their tortures!

But we have this consolation, that the more they vex, afflict, and torment us, the more they increase our glorious crown in heaven. In the meantime, however, they must be reproved, not in such a way that we harm them but that we may bring evildoers back onto the right way, lest they run up against the hatred and wrath of God, who is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29) for those who do not repent. In this manner we resist evil with the ministry of Word and sword, and yet, the evils which cannot be averted we bear to our great advantage but to their detriment and destruction.

This is the theology and wisdom of Christians; and although we have not yet attained thereto, we should nevertheless be exercised therein and accustomed thereto daily so that in a crisis and the disasters which we endure we may be able to say with steadfast and tranquil heart: “You cannot harm me; I am a Christian. You are not harming me but benefiting me. Take heed to yourself!” What harm does the selling and exile do Joseph? Indeed, for what did it not benefit him? Or how could the brothers have provided him with greater honor and dignity? For in the very thing by which they try to hinder and crush him, they most conveniently raise him to that pinnacle and peak of sovereignty which he had dreamt of a little while ago."

Old guilt not rusting

AELW 6:377

"We must be on our guard against sins with all zeal and watchfulness, for they never depart with impunity unless the punishments are removed by very earnest repentance and God’s mercy. Otherwise it is a case of old guilt not rusting. Moreover, when dangers are impending, we pray: “O God, do not avenge old guilt; do not remember our iniquities, O Lord.” Simeon and Levi sin quite freely, and for a time the sin lies dormant. But it is sleeping at the door (cf. Gen. 4:7) so that sometime later it may be aroused for punishment. Then it is suddenly present and bites so that the sinner cries out: “O wretched man that I am! I have merited this punishment by some sin or another. Alas! This is what I learned thereby.” Here sin is a horrible and sad matter, carrying punishment from God with it, especially if we do not judge ourselves, just as, on the other hand, our good deeds never lack their own rewards."

The cross, sword, and fire

AELW 6:375

"when the ungodly threaten us with death, the cross, sword, and fire by which they plan to kill us and bury us, let us know for certain that God, who said (Gen. 15:1): “I will be your Protector,” is laughing at their folly and setting the opposite in motion. For Joseph’s brothers say: “Come, let us kill Joseph!” God, on the contrary, says: “Let him live and preserve him unharmed.” They say: “We will bury him in a pit.” He says: “Raise him up.” They promise themselves praise for justice and innocence; He, on the contrary, says: “Accuse yourselves and hurl yourselves into eternal damnation.” In this way God changes and overthrows the plans of men, and those who have the Holy Spirit and have experienced God’s help and liberation from dangers understand this."

You were a Jacob, so you will be an Israel

AELW 6:262

"The Law of God sets up and ordains the active life; it does not ordain monastic traditions but those things which belong to our vocation in external life. Let men individually consider in which kind of life they are engaged, and in that let them serve their vocation and carefully practice the duties commanded in the Decalog. Afterwards, in trials you will become an Israelite by retaining and practicing faith in the promise. As you were a Jacob in the Decalog, so you will be an Israel in the promises, which urge you on to prayer. The outstanding example of this is the Canaanite woman in Matt. 15:22–28, who is very well exercised in the speculative life and who presses on in such a manner that she does not allow herself to be repelled by any words, however harsh. She knocks at and pounds the door so long until Christ is compelled to yield and listen to her and to praise her faith and perseverance."

You are given a new Name

Genesis 35:10

10. And God said to him: Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.

AELW 6:258

"We are born into this life as sons and daughters of carnal parents and, as Paul says (Eph. 2:3), as “children of wrath,” bringing with us the name of sinful and corrupt nature because of original sin. But when we are baptized, we receive a new name. He who is baptized is no longer called the son of John, or Peter, etc., although among men there is need of these names in the associations of civil life. But before God his name is changed and abolished, and he is called by a new name as a result of Baptism and faith, namely, he is called a Christian. This name reminds us of Baptism, which should be practiced in daily tribulations and produce its effects so that we grow into a new and perfect man (cf. Eph. 4:13–15) and in this way the name of Christian be perfected until our name and Old Adam are abolished.

Therefore it should be noted that GOD Himself gives a name to the patriarch Jacob, and by this new name a difference is made between the flesh and the spirit. For Israel is a divine name, and God has a different reason for giving a name from that which is customary with parents, relatives, neighbors, the fatherland, and the condition in life. But the name by which God calls and recognizes us is a special one, as He says to Moses in Ex. 33:12: “I know you by name.” Paul also had regard to this when he said: “Not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel” (Rom. 9:6). Not all are Israelites who are descendants from the flesh and bear the name of Israel. But the true Israelites are spiritual and have a spiritual name given by God. This is explained fully and learnedly in Rom. 9.

God, however, wants to say: “Hitherto I have not revealed your name to you by which you are named in My presence, but I allowed you to be called by your paternal name and according to the flesh. But now I am giving a name to you in accordance with what I have done with you, even as I have not exalted you as a son of the flesh. But I have led, governed, afflicted, purged, and sanctified you by many vexations that I might make you a new man and a new creature, and now I give a new name to you not of the flesh but of the spirit.”

God speaks through us...

AELW 6:257

"However, those things which the saints speak should be regarded as being spoken by God Himself. When, for example, we teach the Gospel, baptize, call men to the ministry of the Word, and ordain ministers, we ourselves do not preach, we do not baptize, we do not ordain, but God is speaking through us. So it is called God’s Word, God’s sacrament, God’s ministry, and it is rightly said: “God is speaking, God is baptizing” when He does it through ministers, since indeed all things are attributed to God which holy men have spoken."

The examples of the fathers...

AELW 6:221 Genesis 35:1

"these examples of the fathers are set forth for the churches to be read and learned so that the godly may see that they are disciplined in a wonderful manner through weakness and strength, through triumph and dejection, through good fortune and bad fortune so that by being tossed to and fro in various ways they might at length become martyrs, a very sweet odor and a “column of smoke,” as is stated in the Song of Solomon (3:6), and that their flesh might be completely destroyed in them. Secondly, these examples teach us that our sufferings are trivial and light over against such troubles. Therefore let us seek consolation from here and prepare our hearts for patience. For we have not yet been smitten by such great difficulties and troubles as this one patriarch endured in his life."

Good times and bad...the struggle of faith

Genesis 34:30. "Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi: You have brought trouble on me by making me odious to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites; my numbers are few, and if they gather themselves against me and attack me,
I shall be destroyed, both I and my household."

AELW 6:218-219

"...this is the nature of faith. When the sun is shining and the sky is clear, we find satisfaction in the consolations set before us and sing “We Praise Thee, O God, etc.,” and “I will bless the Lord at all times” (Ps. 34:1). Again, Ps. 30:7–9 says: “Thou didst hide Thy face, I was dismayed. To Thee, O Lord, I cried; and to the Lord I made supplication: ‘What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to corruption?’ ” These seem to be the words of those who despair, for the psalm says: 'Lord, Thou hast brought up my soul from Sheol, Thou hast saved me from those who go down into the Pit. I was already done for.'

In this manner faith struggles with weakness when the devil and the flesh exercise dominion, and it appears to the one struggling that faith is no longer present. Thus Jacob complains here: “I have become abominable to all my neighbors, I have been thrown into extreme danger, and I think of nothing but destruction.” Where is faith here and the remembrance of the promises? Why does he not induce his heart to say: “You have prevailed against God. How much more, then, will you prevail against neighboring nations?” All this has slipped away from him. Trial devours the splendid promises and most glorious victories of faith. But he does not yet despair, although he is very similar to one in despair. He does not fall into misbelief and is not an unbeliever, although it appears so. This is trial, just as Paul says of himself: “So that we might not rely on ourselves, we had the sentence of death in ourselves” (cf. 2 Cor. 1:8–9). It is necessary for the saints to be disciplined in this way, to descend into hell and the abyss, and to be recalled from there into heaven."

The docrine of Scripture

AELW 6:180

"This is the doctrine of the entire Holy Scripture, which is set forth in this passage in the example of Jacob, namely, that there are alternations of tribulation and consolation for this reason, that the body of sin may be mortified and that it may not be exalted by pride, and then that the spirit may not be devoured by sorrow and exhausted by terrors. It is God’s will that precautions be taken against both courses, that we should not be proud according to the flesh and not despair according to the spirit but that we should proceed by the middle way between sorrow and joy, between boasting and disgrace. For in this way the patriarch Jacob had many temptations, but after all these he received consolation when he saw God’s face and that of his brother appeased. For after he crossed Penuel, his life was preserved, the night was past, and the sun shone forth. A little later another temptation will follow. There is a second reason why the Holy Spirit set forth these matters, namely, to testify that all the works of the saints, however lowly and childish they may be, are pleasing and acceptable as good fruits in the sight of God. Included are not only those sublime theological virtues like contests with death, sins, and other temptations and the victories over the same fraught with great perils, but even those lowly, domestic, and humble services, so that we may learn to regulate our life in this manner that we may be certain that we are pleasing to God in all our acts of duty. I do not always pray, nor do I always meditate on the Law of the Lord and struggle continually with sin, death, and the devil; but I put on my clothes, I sleep, I play with the children, eat, drink, etc. If all these things are done in faith, they are approved by God’s judgment as having been done rightly."

Where is the church?

AELW 6:149

"if you ask where the church is, it is nowhere in evidence. But you must not pay regard to external form but to the Word and to Baptism, and the church must be sought where the sacraments are purely administered, where there are hearers, teachers, and confessors of the Word. If the church is still not in evidence, you should remember that our blessings are hidden and that their magnitude cannot be perceived in this life. Man is still wrestling, but he is not in any danger; indeed, this contest obtains a very joyful outcome."

Let us gather together....

AELW 6:128-129

"He wants us to be gathered in connection with the Word and Baptism as by a sure and infallible sign because He wants to save us and help us, just as He promised He would listen at the mercy seat among the people of Israel.

If you want to be absolved from your sins in this manner, go to your pastor, or to your brother and neighbor if your pastor cannot hear you; he has the command to absolve you and comfort you. Do not invent a special absolution for yourself. If you want to receive the Lord’s Supper, go to the assembly of the church and the public congregation and receive it there. Do not devise a special administration and use of the sacraments. For God does not want us to go astray in our own self-chosen works or speculations, and so He gathers us together and encloses us within the limits of the Word so that we are not tossed about by every kind of doctrine (cf. Eph. 4:14)."

Three conditions of a good prayer

AELW 6:114-115

"Therefore, there are those three conditions of a good prayer, which make it very pleasing and a sweet-smelling odor before God which cannot fail to be heard. The first is that you should take hold of the promise. The second is that you should be mortified in your distress. The third is that you should give thanks and acknowledge that you are not worthy of one act of mercy but are seeking and hoping for help through mercy alone. These virtues—chastity, sobriety, and kindness in helping the poor—are indeed praiseworthy and commanded by God, but confidence should not be placed in them. Our confidence should not rely on the Law and its works, although they should be present, but on the mercy and truth of God. Then prayer and groaning is a golden sacrifice."

Sermon for the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Ordination of Rev. Stephen P. Starke

The Church Season of Trinity

Trinity 6, (Pentecost 8)

St. Peter and St. Paul Apostles

25^th Anniversary of Rev. Stephen P. Starke’s Ordination

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Amelith, MI June 29, 2008

“WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?”

Readings: Psalm 100

Acts 15:1-12

Gal. 2:1-10

Matthew 16:13-20

+INI+

The text for today is as recorded in the Gospel Lesson from the 16^th chapter of St. Matthew, especially the following verses,

Matthew 16:13-20 (NIV)

¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵ “But what about you?” (Jesus) he asked. “Who do you say I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Members of St. John Lutheran Church, fellow Pastors, honored guests, friends, and family. Pat, and the entire Starke family, and my dear, dear brother in Christ, the Reverend Stephen Starke...

Grace, Mercy, and Peace be to you from the Father,

and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

A few years ago Pastor Starke and I found ourselves in the city of Wittenberg, Germany in the place of Martin Luther’s home which is now a museum. As we viewed the historical writings, the documents, and artwork relating to the life of the great theologian Martin Luther and as we contemplated Luther’s impact which led to the Protestant Reformation, we came upon a larger than life-size statue of Moses. There chiseled in marble was Moses with staff in one hand, the tablets of the Law in the other. This was an awesome statue of Moses the patriarch who parted the Red Sea, who led the Israelites out of slavery, who received the ten commandments etched by the very finger of God. And as we stood there gazing at that statue I quickly noted to Pastor Starke a possibly un-noticed detail in the very room. How unusual, I commented to Pastor Starke, that in this very room, right behind the statue of Moses, there was hanging on the wall, a rather large fire extinguisher. There was the man Moses, who was chosen to be God’s spokesman, and to whom God spoke from a burning bush. Yet next to his side was a fire extinguisher placed there by a man who wanted to be ready to snuff out any burning flames. Upon hearing my comment and without thinking for even a moment, Steve’s only remark to me was, “Larry, you and I think differently.”

How true it is, we do think differently. But it is not only I, but many who are not capable of the lofty thoughts and words which Pastor Starke carefully crafts into hymnodic poetry. He writes hymns that will stand the test of time, for he knits and weaves together in blessed verse the magnitude of Christ’s life and the heavenly gifts which Christ bestows upon us. And these verses which are sung by God’s Saints here on earth give answer to Jesus Christ’s question in our Gospel lesson today,

“WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?”

Over the last 25 years, Pastor Starke has continually written words which not only answer Christ’s question, but they also speak, they sing to the very souls of men. And in every occasion the words of his carefully crafted hymns, points sin stricken souls to the splendid glory of Christ enthroned at God’s right hand. Over thirty hymns in our new hymnal, over 200 hymns and counting throughout his entire pastorate. Each and everyone of these hymns without exception, have been written to the Glory of God, enjoining all who would sing these verses that, “We Praise You, and Acknowledge You, O God to be the LORD,” proclaiming not us, but that it is Christ who is the great, “I am.”

Those who know Pastor Starke, know that accolades do not sit well him, and he is probably rustling in his chair at this very moment. But know that his collected hymns are bound in a volume with a cover inscribed with the title, “O Sing of Christ” which also displays Christ’s Name and Christ’s cross. Steve has chosen this cover in a time and in an age when it would have been all too common to take the more familiar ground of printing a portrait of himself. But rather than binding his works with self promoting artwork, even here Pastor Starke points to Christ who cannot be bound by earthly works.

In today’s second reading St. Paul’s comments about earthly works. In his letter to the church in Galatia, St. Paul speaks of a great battle regarding earthly works which occurred, “because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.” And St. Paul further states, “ ⁵ We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.”(Gal. 2:4-5) Here St. Paul stands firm in the truth of the gospel and in so doing proclaims and reflects the obligation, the responsibility, and the honorable task that a man undertakes when he is called to be an under shepherd of Jesus Christ. And while this is a blessed calling, a noble task, it is not an easy one. For the world we live in desires the clatter of busyness and change. But as Martin Luther stated about those who would add to or revise the Gospel, “They do not base their theology on the objective divine truth, but on subjective human opinions. They all have something to sell. Their aim is not to reveal Christ and His mystery, but their own mystery.” (St. L. XIV:397)

Repent. For in Jesus Christ you have been given a gentle Shepherd, and He has given you a pastor, an under-shepherd, who cares for God’s people and is not a slave to public whims or tributes or any other earthly works. Rather in all that he says and does, Steve proclaims the heavenly works of Jesus Christ, faithfully answering Christ’s question, “Who do you say that I am?”

He answers through his commitment to the Holy Scriptures, to the historic Lutheran Confessions and to our rich Lutheran liturgy which not only speaks to past generations, but to this generation, and to the generations to come. Pastor Starke faithfully responds to Christ, by feeding his flock when he reads the Gospel of Jesus Christ in rooms filled not with hundreds or thousands, rather he points to Christ in rooms inhabited by the sick, by the lonely, by the despondent, and the dying. Whether it be in the light of day or the middle of the night, these are not crowded rooms, but to most people these are forgotten places. But the devoted shepherd faithfully goes to those rooms where only two or three may be gathered because where the Gospel is proclaimed there Christ is and Martin Luther would add, “where Christ is there He always goes against the flow.”

Your pastor responds to Christ, by feeding his flock with the true body and blood of Jesus Christ who upon the cross gave His life for you so that all your sins may be forgiven, so that your faith may be renewed and refreshed. Your Pastor responds to Christ by baptizing God’s people with the water combined with God’s Word just as he does today. And while the name of this Pastor or the name of Pastor who baptized you fades as the years pass by, the Name of Christ which was placed both upon your forehead and upon your heart will never fade. For in your baptism you are marked as one redeemed by Christ the crucified, and so you are forever enjoined with all Christ’s saints who sing not of themselves but who, “Sing of Christ!”

Pastor Starke, mein Christlicher Bruder, my beloved brother in Christ, my beloved brother in the Holy Ministry, my family and I are extremely blessed to know you. You have a loving caring and supportive wife Pat who has stood by your side all these years, and you have been blessed with wonderful children. May God continue to grant you a long and blessed ministry in the service of His people.

Dear members of St. John Lutheran Church, in the Reverend Stephen Starke, his wife Pat, and his family you have received a wonderful blessing from God who has given you a loving and faithful shepherd. God has blessed you with a Pastor who points not to what he has done, nor does he point to that which the people of this world think they need. Rather he points you to Christ through his brilliant poetry which shines the light of the Gospel to those in this age and ages to come. And while your Pastor has faithfully fed his flock with the Word and Sacraments, also know that he has fed and is feeding many others even as we speak. For in the radiance of his compassionate hymnody, Pastor Starke reflects the shining light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to countless congregations throughout this country and beyond. These and all the voices who sing Starke hymns are joined together in proclaiming the depth, the richness, and the glory of Jesus Christ who died on the cross so that we may live.

It is somewhat obscure family story but a very important one, that Pastor Starke’s Father Eugene and his beloved mother Dorothy always arrived very early for church on Sunday morning. And while they sat there silently in devotion before church would begin, a young Steve Starke thumbed through the hymnal reading and learning hymn after hymn, stowing away in his mind words and tunes, meter and verse. Now Steve pens his own hymns making painstakingly certain that the focal point is always upon Christ’s work alone. And so in his hymns and in his faithful pastoral ministry of over 25 years, he answers Jesus Christ who asks, “Who do you say that I AM?” In Pastor Starke’s, words,

“You, Jesus, You alone deserve all glory!

Our lives unfold, embraced within Your story,

past, present, future-You, the same forever-

You fail us never!”(LSB 667)

To which we the saints on earth can only join in saying. AMEN!

The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

+SDG+

Sermon for the Installation of Rev. Jeffery Frechette Sr.

The Church Season of Pentecost

The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, LSB Proper 6, Three Year Series

The Installation of the Reverend Jeff Frechette, Sr.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Roseville, MI (June 15, 2008)

“he had compassion on them”

Readings: Psalm 100
Exodus 19:2-8
Romans 5:6-15
Matthew 9:35 – 10:20

Sermon Form Deductive

+INI+

The text for today is as recorded in the Gospel Lesson from the 9^th chapter of St. Matthew, especially the following verses:

Matthew 9:35-10:20 (NIV)

³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, fellow Pastor’s, honored guests, friends, and family. Laurie, Emma, Jeffery, and my dear, dear brother in Christ, the Reverend Jeff Frechette...

Grace, Mercy, and Peace be to you from the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Jeff, or more appropriately, Pastor Frechette. Today is a day, that at times, you and your family thought would either never get here or couldn’t come soon enough. Tomorrow is a day that you will face with respect, fear, and trepidation. And quite frankly, if you’re not even a little bit nervous about what you will face in coming days, then you would certainly not be human. But you are indeed human, and you are worthy and well prepared for the awesome duty and responsibility of being an under-shepherd of Christ, and being the Shepherd of this flock here in this place.

Dear members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, I met your new pastor late one night as he came out of the chapel of the Fort Wayne Seminary. On that night, Jeff had just been assigned to serve his vicarage church, his one year internship, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Albion, Michigan. Jeff and Laurie, Emma, and Jeffrey were all smiles just like they are right now, ready to go on a new adventure. I was the “old” Vicar at St. Paul, finishing my year, ready to hand off the torch to this new guy. I had spent a year there, and I learned so much from those people those treasured saints of God. I was praying that the “new” Vicar would serve these people well. Little did I know at that time, at that very moment, history was repeating itself. For not so many months later I would have to admit, just like St. John the Baptist, that I was not even worthy to tie the sandals of this man’s feet. God had sent the right man, to the right place, at the right time, to care and have compassion for His people. For God saw His people and...

“he had compassion on them”

Today, God has sent the right man, to the right place, at the right time, to care and have compassion for His people here at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. In our Gospel lesson, “Jesus Christ went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”(v. 35) And on His journey of teaching and preaching, Jesus saw what others could not or did not want to see. He saw that His people were, “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”(v. 36) And so Jesus gathered together those who He called from their vocations, their jobs, and Jesus called them into His service. Those twelve apostle’s came from various positions, one was a tax collector, some were fishermen, another was a Pharisee, literally men from all walks of life. And none of these men came with theological or academic credentials a mile long, nor were they sent out by Christ with any of those things either. The point is that Jesus called twelve men endowed with differing gifts, and He sanctified and purified their natural gifts and abilities for His service. In the same way Christ has called you Jeff, from your former career to serve, care, and to have compassion on His people.

And from our reading we know that the apostles were sent out with compassion and to do this they were given authority from Christ Himself. Jesus would say to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”(Mt. 28:18) This is the same authority, Christ has conferred to you Pastor Frechette. You are called and given this awesome authority and with it comes awesome responsibility.

In our Old Testament lesson, God gave Moses awesome authority and responsibility as He called Moses to speak to His people. And God, through the lips of Moses would tell His people that “they were a treasured possession” and that “they would be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”(Ex. 19:5) And so these people heard God’s Word from Moses’ mouth and scripture tells us that, “The people all responded together, ‘We will do everything the LORD has said.’”(Ex. 19:8) Here is a lesson of the difference between the promises of God and the words of man. For in these few verses we see that God’s promises are always kept, and the words of promise from men are all too easily broken.

Jeff as a Pastor, you are called to speak and to proclaim God’s Word to your people and to all who would hear. And you will hear them respond to you over and over again saying, “We will do everything the LORD has said.”(Ex 19:8) But the truth of the matter is that not a single one of them is telling the truth, and for that matter no human, whether sitting in a congregation, or whether standing in a pulpit can say they are without sin. For if they do, they “deceive themselves and the truth is not in them.”(1 John 1:8) But this indeed will happen, neither some of the truth, nor part of the truth, nor the whole truth or anything like the truth will always be told. And as a pastor, when this does happen, you will know that it is because all God’s people of their own will and accord are harassed and helpless from the forces of evil and satan himself. You as the Shepherd of this flock are called to defend the Gospel by having compassion on them, by “teaching them, by rebuking and correcting them, and training them in righteousness.” (2 Tim. 3:16)

And I will say without hesitation that I know you to be a wonderful servant of God and of His people. The German word for this caring compassionate pastor is Seelsorger. The word Seelsorger does not translate well into English, we often translate the word as Pastor, but Pastor is not nearly enough to explain what it means. It means one who comforts and cares for the souls of God’s people. I know you will comfort and have compassion on the souls of God’s people here by proclaiming to them the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. For the Gospel reveals the ultimate care and compassion of God Himself. And as the good shepherd of this flock you will convey God’s compassion for the souls of His people when you preach His Holy Word. You will convey His compassion for the souls of His people when you forgive repentant sinners and as you teach and seek out those who would not repent. You will convey Christ’s compassion as you baptize with the water and God’s Word all those who have been brought to faith by God’s free grace. You will convey compassion as you administer the Sacrament of the Holy Supper of our Lord to those who come to be fed and to have their faith renewed and refreshed. You will have compassion on the souls of this flock as you read the scripture to those who are homebound, or in hospital beds, and even to those who are on their deathbeds. For in all these places you will not point to that which you have, but rather you will point to Christ the one who had compassion for His people. For Jesus Christ had so much compassion for His people, He cared for their souls so much, that He drank the cup which His Father had given to Him, and that was to die for us on the cross. And in that ultimate act of compassion Jesus gave His life for us so that our sins may be forgiven.

Pastor Frechette, Jeff my dear brother in Christ, my brother in the Holy Ministry, I and my family are extremely blessed to know you, and equally blessed to know your family too. Do not forget that your family is your part of your flock too. Take time, make time to feed them with your love, care, and comfort because they need you not only as pastor, but they need you as their husband and father too. May God grant you a long and blessed ministry in service to His people.

Dear members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, in the Reverend Jeff Frechette and his family you have received a wonderful blessing from God who has sent you a compassionate Shepherd. Do not forget to have compassion on him too. Have compassion when he does things right, have compassion when he makes a mistake. Because he is a human, and deserves compassion and forgiveness too.

And I guess I will have to admit that I made just a slight error at the beginning of this sermon, because I implied that Jeff will begin his pastoral duties tomorrow. But, indeed they will begin in only a few moments as your new Pastor feeds this flock in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and as he prays for us and conveys God’s Word of Blessing upon us all. And all these blessings are through Jesus Christ whose care and compassion brings us into His kingdom for all eternity. Amen.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

+SDG+

The life to come...

AELW 6:99

"Psalm 93:19: “When the cares of my heart are many, etc.” Such is this life, full of griefs and troubles! The life to come has been promised so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (cf. Rom. 15:4). In the meantime, these two are mingled, steadfastness, or encouragement, and tribulation. For if encouragement is present, all is prosperity and joy; again, when darkness and tribulation break in, the devil reigns and Christ is crucified."

Kingdoms and Empires of the world

AELW 6:9

"Therefore there is no reason why we should be distressed and concerned about how the kingdoms and empires of the world are governed. But let us give thanks to God that we know that we are the object of His care in such a way that He even knows all that we do, suffer, and think.

But men should be individually certain about this, that they are the people of God, or members of the church. Above all things this faith is necessary which firmly apprehends the following syllogism. The whole people of God is blessed, holy, pleasing, and acceptable to God in such a way that it cannot be torn from the hands of God. We are the people of God. Therefore God exercises care for us. The major premise is eminently true, because even the death and blood of the saints are precious in the sight of the Lord (cf. Ps. 116:15); all they do and suffer is pleasing to God. On the contrary, their errors and lapses have been covered and forgiven, as Ps. 32:1 testifies."