Herrenhuter readings for Wednesday, the 24th February 2016

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

King David prays: “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” (Psa 51:11 NIV) And the apostle St.Paul writes: “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Th 5:9 NIV)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you + now and always +

Dear friends of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ: The prayer of King David reminds us this morning of the terrible possibility that we’re cast from the presence of God and that his Holy Spirit is taken from us. The terror of this option is unimaginable. Even looking through the illustrations of Dante’s “Inferno” by Doré can’t get near to the horror and trepidation of this isolation and desertion. Homesickness is but a weak reflection of this utter desperation as is any illness with the most sickening feeling of weakness, nauseousness, pain and agony. The frightening awfulness of a stricken conscience probably comes closest to this. Knowing that I’m in the wrong and God is out to get me, punish and strike me with condemnation and all out attack, to strike me down and to wipe me out and off from the community of the living in his vitalizing and favorable presence.  That’s much worse still than even the expulsion from paradise was, because then God’s punishing hand was stayed by the promise of the coming Messiah and the hope of coming reprove. In comparison with the verdict then the final condemnation will be without leniency and utter despair. Then it was the bad news: “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Gen 3:17-19 NIV) Still, that was not final and there was hope of eventual rest and reprieve. Yet the final cut-off with the damning words: “Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.” (Mat 25:11-12 NIV) will be truly desperate news. The “depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mat 25:41 NIV) will know no acquittal nor amnesty ever. Rather his negative verdict and punishment: “Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Mat 22:13 NIV) and “He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Mat 24:51 NIV) knows no end. It’s painful and sore and suffering beyond anything we know: Eternal damnation! That is why king David pleads, don’t deal with me as I deserve. Rather have mercy and think of your own goodness and forgiving love and fatherly compassion. Taking me away from your presence and leaving me without the gift of your Holy Spirit are cutting off my life-blood and the very goal of my existence. Without you I am nothing. Your grace (Chesed) is better even than life. You are all and everything.

The truly good news is summarized in apostles St.Paul’s sentence to the Thessalonians: “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Th 5:9 NIV) See, it’s God’s good and gracious will that we be not lost, but saved. He doesn’t want the sinner to die in his sin, but rather that he repent and turn from his evil ways and be converted to God’s good and healing ways. God did not create us people to suffer wrath or final condemnation, rather he wants us to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. That is why he is so ready to forgive sins. That’s why he sent out prophets, apostles, evangelists, missionaries, pastors, bishops, teachers and many, many more carriers of his good tidings. They all do and teach, what the Lord of all himself taught and entrusted them to do: Teaching, baptizing, making disciples, winning souls for Christ. That’s why the triune God still goes all out even today to call and invite and bring in people from the very ends of the earth, from the most stubborn nations like the Germans, the Zulu and the Oromo , Indians, Arabs and Chinese into the sanctuary and apothecary of his church – handing out medicine of healing, pardon of sin, gracious favour to cover up the multitude of our iniquities. Forgiving, remitting, writing off debt, granting instead gifts of grace, love, mercy and peace. Changing our fear, hatred, rebellion, vice and crime into trust, hope, faith and love. There is still room. There is still time. It is still day time. The mission is still going on. There still are far too many unreached. They too are to hear this delightful and encouraging gospel of the apostle St.Paul: “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Th 5:9 NIV) The example of king David, who was forgiven for murder and adultery by the prophet Nathan in the stead and by the command of our Lord and God, is to encourage us to put all our hope and faith in the triune God. He is the one, who can save us. He has done it already and we are forever grateful for his mercy. He will finish the good work too. Therefore we thank and praise him now and always. Amen.

The peace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you always + Amen.

  1.  Jesus sinners doth receive;
    Oh, may all this saying ponder
    Who in sin’s delusions live
    And from God and heaven wander!
    Here is hope for all who grieve–
    Jesus sinners doth receive.

    2. We deserve but grief and shame,
    Yet His words, rich grace revealing,
    Pardon, peace, and life proclaim.
    Here their ills have perfect healing
    Who with humble hearts believe–
    Jesus sinners doth receive.

    3. Sheep that from the fold did stray
    No true shepherd e’er forsaketh:
    Weary souls that lost their way
    Christ, the Shepherd, gently taketh
    In His arms that they may live–
    Jesus sinners doth receive.

    4. Come, ye sinners, one and all,
    Come, accept His invitation;
    Come, obey His gracious call,
    Come and take His free salvation!
    Firmly in these words believe:
    Jesus sinners doth receive.

    5. I, a sinner, come to Thee
    With a penitent confession;
    Savior, mercy show to me
    Grant for all my sins remission.
    Let these words my soul relieve:
    Jesus sinners doth receive.

    6. Oh, how blest it is to know;
    Were as scarlet my transgression,
    It shall be as white as snow
    By Thy blood and bitter Passion:
    For these words I now believe:
    Jesus sinners doth receive.

    7. Now my conscience is at peace,
    From the Law I stand acquitted;
    Christ hath purchased my release
    And my every sin remitted.
    Naught remains my soul to grieve,–
    Jesus sinners doth receive.

    8. Jesus sinners doth receive.
    Also I have been forgiven;
    And when I this earth must leave,
    I shall find an open heaven.
    Dying, still to Him I cleave–
    Jesus sinners doth receive.

    Author: Erdmann Neumeister, 1718
    Titled: “Jesus nimmt die Sünder an”

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Morning prayer on Tuesday

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

Here is Rev. Dr. Karl Böhmer’s sermon during this morning’s devotion in St.Timothy on Acts 5:27-32: Prayer in the Morning 2016.2.23 KB

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Herrenhuter readings for Tuesday, the 23rd February 2016

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. (Isa 61:11 KJV) Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness.” (2Co 9:10 KJV)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you + now and always +

Dear friends of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ: The budding of seeds in spring is a never-ending reason for amazement and awe. It’s fascinating to see the snow melt and the green grass shoots growing as far as the eye can see just as it is truly wonderful to see the desert blossom and bloom after good summer rains. Where previously there was just dust and sand and stones, you suddenly are welcomed with endless stretches of flowering profusion of beauty and lovely abundance. It’s all very much magnifying the glory of our God, the creator of all. Isn’t it reason for praise and adoration, that he has designed it so exquisitely and magnificently? That’s not just pragmatic utilitarianism, but much more. It doesn’t just work sustainably over centuries, but even in the most hidden corners and ends of the world – you find beauty,  splendor and divine brilliance in wide open spaces. Practically poured out on the empty wastelands. So rich, benevolent and magnanimous is our God. And if he takes care of the sparrows, how much more will he take care of you, who are so much more than those little brown birds of the sky? It is cause for great wonder and amazement too, how one seed can bring forth fruit 30, 60 and 100 fold. The millet, sorghum or corn seeds illustrate the ample and exponential multiplication of these grains just like the Jack tree, grape vine or potato plant.

The great prophet of the Old Testament Isaiah records God’s promise that he will let righteousness spring forth in a similar way like the flowers of the fields and the fruit even in the most desolate and dry places. Just like that miracle of seed sprouting as if out of nowhere, so too God’s righteousness will come up in places we would expect it least – like amongst sinners, enemies of God and the lost generations of this world. There amongst the unrighteous the living God, the creator of all, who calls that is not there and lets it be, who creates out of nothing and grants and bequests riches to the poor and have-nots – he promises to grant justice, righteousness and integrity where nothing of the same is present presently. God will do it by his creative productivity and the goodness and mercy of his fatherly benevolence and the overflowing generosity and gracious favour of his heart.

As we eat our daily bread, we should remember this divine amplitude and the bounty of his caring goodness, which is new every morning and day of our life. Just as he fills the empty storeroom after the abundant harvest of his gracious gifts, we should trust in him that he will fill our longing for righteousness and justice and lasting peace too – even as we are still seeing and experiencing so little of it as yet. Yet, because he is the almighty creator and gracious father of all, we should not give up hope, but rather take courage and look forward to the day, when after the dry winters and the hot spring winds of persecution, discrimination and injustice he will at last let righteousness, justice and peace flow like a large river bringing flourishing and plentitude to barren landscapes and turning deserts into flowering and blooming fields bringing forth much fruit and plenty rewards of his goodness, mercy and favour. Orphans and widows will receive help. Refugees and migrants will not be left to their own devices. Poor and neglected will see, that there is a God, who does not forsake them, but let’s them hear peace, righteousness and justice. Yes, the gospel will be preached to the poor and they will rejoice and praise Gods name, for he has lifted us up and granted us hope, life and salvation. Then we together with all people will sing his praises and thank his name for he is the creator and saviour of all. Our living God – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – one God, who rules and reigns now and forever. We thank and praise him now already in anticipation of the fulfilment of all his wonderful promises in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The peace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you always + Amen.

1 When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Refrain (may be sung after final stanza only):
It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul.

2 Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control:
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul. Refrain

3 My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! Refrain

4 O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
even so, it is well with my soul. Refrain

Horatio G. Spafford, 1828-1888.

 

 

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Herrenhuter readings for Monday, the 22nd February 2016

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

King David confesses before the living God: “For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.” (1Ch 29:15 KJV) And the writer of the epistle to the Hebrews agrees: “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” (Heb 13:14 KJV)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you + now and always +

Dear friends of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ: Ernst Käsemann titled his commentary on Hebrews “Das wanderende Gottesvolk. Eine Untersuchung des Hebräerbriefs.” (1961) And Lumen gentium, the dogmatic constitution on the church propagated by Vatican II (1964) describes the church in this way in its 2nd chapter: “Israel according to the flesh, which wandered as an exile in the desert, was already called the Church of God.(96) So likewise the new Israel which while living in this present age goes in search of a future and abiding city (97) is called the Church of Christ.(98) For He has bought it for Himself with His blood,(99) has filled it with His Spirit and provided it with those means which befit it as a visible and social union. God gathered together as one all those who in faith look upon Jesus as the author of salvation and the source of unity and peace, and established them as the Church that for each and all it may be the visible sacrament of this saving unity. (1*) While it transcends all limits of time and confines of race, the Church is destined to extend to all regions of the earth and so enters into the history of mankind. Moving forward through trial and tribulation, the Church is strengthened by the power of God’s grace, which was promised to her by the Lord, so that in the weakness of the flesh she may not waver from perfect fidelity, but remain a bride worthy of her Lord, and moved by the Holy Spirit may never cease to renew herself, until through the Cross she arrives at the light which knows no setting.”

The one holy Christian Church is this wandering people of God seeking the future city, which is prepared for them and which is waiting for them and to which they have been called and which they will see and enter at the end of time, because our Lord Jesus Christ is the centre of it, he holds it together and is its all and everything – and where the head is there will the limbs be also!

Now this wandering is not just plain hiking, but rather entails not being at home and not finding a place to really call “ours” with any permanence. It is what our Lord Jesus Christ indicates with his own description: “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” (Mat 8:20 KJV) From when Abraham was called out from the East by the living Lord of hosts to a place that he would show him, this moving from one place to the other on the way to the final heavenly homes has marked the Christian existence. Again and again they had to move on – and leave their beautiful and lovely homes behind, because they were not the real thing yet. That was the case with Jerusalem, when it was destroyed 70 A.D. and the Christians fled after the sacking of Rome nearly four hundred years later by the barbarians (410 A.D). Lutherans from Austria fled the persecution during the reformation years and again in the 19th century in Prussia to settle in America and Australia.  Now Christians are fleeing Syria, Eritrea, Sudan and other places and even if they stay, they know very well: We don’t have a real home here. We are strangers, migrants, outcasts and even outlaws like our brothers and sisters must endure even today in muslim or communist or egalitarian worlds. We are not better than our fathers. Like them we remain on the move, run or in hiding and sometimes even as free game for all. Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. Just when we think we can settle down and finally come to rest, we have to get up, pack our few belongings and start moving, fleeing, running again. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

Now that is of course a warning not to get to comfortable anywhere. We are firstly citizens of heaven and owe our allegiance to the highest Lord more than any constitution, king or parliament. It is the triune God alone, whom we must fear, love and trust above all things. This is however a true blessing and promise too, because as everybody else is building on sand and will face the demise of the highest mountain fortresses and the deepest bunkers when this world passes away, we will come to the eternal city of God – that beautiful and most lovely Jerusalem, which will see not end and will be the perfect dwelling and home for us and all of God’s people. That’s where we’re on the way to. That’s our goal and sure destination – and when we can no longer go or move, he will lift us up and carry us home – he our good and faithful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Thanks and praise be to him now and forever. Amen.

The peace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you always + Amen.

  1. From God can nothing move me; He will not step aside
    But gently will reprove me And be my constant guide.
    He stretches out His hand in evening and in morning,
    My life with grace adorning wherever I may stand.
  2. When those whom I regarded as trustworthy and sure
    Have long from me departed, God’s grace shall still endure,
    He rescues me from sin and breaks the chains that bind me.
    I leave death’s fear behind me; His peace I have within.
  3. The Lord my life arranges; Who can His work destroy?
    In His good time He changes all sorrow into joy.
    So let me then be still: My body, soul, and spirit
    His tender care inherit according to His will.
  4. Each day at Hhis good pleasure God’s gracious will is done.
    He sent His greatest treasure in Jesus Christ, His Son.
    He every gift imparts. The bread of earth and heaven
    Are by His kindness given.  Praise Him with thankful hearts!
  5. Praise God with acclamation and in His gifts rejoice.
    Each day finds its vocation responding to His voice.
    Soon years on earth are past; but time we spend expressing
    The love of God brings blessing that will forever last!
  6. Yet even thou I suffer the world’s unpleasantness,
    And though the days grow rougher and bring me great distress,
    That day of bliss divine, which knows no end or measure,
    And Christ, who is my pleasure, forever shall be mine.
  7. For thus the Father willed it, who fashioned us from clay;
    And His own Son fulfilled it and brought eternal day.
    The Spirit now has come, to us true faith has given;
    He leads us home to heaven. O praise the Three in One!

Text: Ludwig Helmbold, 1532-98

 

 

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Rector’s report at St.Pauls annual meeting

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber
After action, satisfaction [Old Lexington Ad]

Here’s my brief summary of the rector’s report delivered at St. Paul’s annual meeting this afternoon in the short time slot as allocated by Pastor Martin Paul – in writing: LTS RRStPaul 2016 and for listening: 

 

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Herrenhuter readings for Saturday, the 20th February 2106.

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

The Lord our God said to Joshua: „Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.“ (Jos.1:9 KJV)

And his apostel St. Paul writes to the pastor and bishop St. Timothy: „For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.“ (2.Timothy 1,7 KJV)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you +

Dear friends of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ + In trying times it is necessary to remember that our living God would not want us to be timid or even cowards, but rather to fear no ill nor evil, being strong and of good courage, not afraid nor dismayed filled with his Holy Spirit, who grants strength, love and a sound mind. The triune God does not just demand this positive attitude, but rather equips his saints with power from on high and more still he himself is with us (Immanuel) and not just on Sunday mornings, but rather „whithersoever thou goest!“ That is his encouragement to Joshua in those trying times, when Moses had to stay behind and Joshua was now to lead God’s people over the river Jordan and into the holy and promised land. Joshua is not to be afraid to carry out God’s sacred command. Rather he is to be strong, stick to his guns and courageously do, whatsoever his high and precious calling as leader of God’s people demands of him. This calling is not some vague idea, but rather God’s holy law and prescepts, his rules and regulations. God wants Joshua to be faithful and to lead his people according to God’s revealed will – in all that his brother Moses had recorded faithfully in the Torah. Through these five books of Moses God would continue to direct, lead and guide his people as they were now facing a new world – no longer in Egypt and in slavery, no longer in the desert and on the move, but settling down, farming, doing business and going about their daily lives in towns and cities as God’s holy people: A light amongst the nations and a beacon of hope to those, who didn’t know the true God yet. He – the living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – was with them and he would rule and reign as the true Lord and saviour of his people forever.

The greatest challenge for God’s elected and chosen people is to think, feel and be neglected, forgotten, deserted and rejected by God himself. It’s the greatest affliction and the worst fear there is. „God is dead!“ is not just a slogan, but our worst nightmare and most terrible threat there is – even if it is a contradiction in terms. God is the source of life and even better, more and greater than life itself. But for us without him there is no hope, love or light. Without him we are lost, condemned and dead. And the worst punishment throughout history was never this or that, but the threat, that God had left his people to their own devices.  See the stories of Joseph and how he gets mistreated by his very own brothers, by his trusted master in Egypt and forgotten by that baker/foodtaster, whom he had helped. Still, he was doing just fine – even in slavery, in prison and always. Why? Because God was with him. Same with Daniel in Babylon – right there in the lion’s den. Same with Job even as he was filled with sores and sitting on the ashheap. Same as St.Paul and Silas there in the prison of Philippi. As long as God was with them, there was no cause for overt concern, anxiety or despair. Rather God filled out their every need. He cared for them and kept them even in the darkest of times. Yet, if God hides his face, rejects us and departs from us, then we have all reason to fear and to give up. That really is the worst scenario. It can’t get worse than that. Then we even dread the rustling of falling autumn leaves. We can’t see the light anymore. We are truly alone. There is nothing that can help us. It’s when people rather commit suicide than try to carry on – Judas and king Saul are frightful examples of this.

Our Lord Jesus Christ on Golgotha went through this very great tribulation and worst nightmare, but it was not just a dream, but harshest reality. There on the cross, when the sun stopped shining and the earth was trembling and all was falling apart, he our Lord and God cried out: „My God, my God why hast Thou forsaken me!“ That was the very pit of the deepest and most dismal abyss. That was the cup of wrath that he drained for us and on our behalf. The bitter pain of death and the very poison of sin and all devilry and evil too. It all was laid on his shoulders. That was the burden he bore for us, on behalf of us and on account of our sin, but for our good and eternal salvation. In this vicarious sacrifice there on that Mt of Calvary he soothed the wrath of the Father that was against us. By going through with this work of suffering and dying, bleeding and giving up his Spirit even being obedient to his very last breath, not in vile rebellion against the Father, but in perfect harmony and obedience he fulfilled the will and law of the Father, placated him, met his highest demands absolutely and even in the last moment committed his all and everything into the hands and being of the Father: Not my, but your will be done! Thus this only begotten Son of the Father, the Son of Mary there in Bethlehem begotten by the Holy Spirit made everything right again. Caused the change of favour in the heart of the living God. No longer against us, but for us in loving care and gracious favour. That’s how he was victorious and triumphed over sin, death and devil for us.

Now he rules and reigns at the right hand of the Father – in our favour and for our best even as we still struggle along in the world and fight against our own anxieties, fears and tribulations. So many things seem to get out of hand. We don’t see the dominance and rule of our Lord so clearly. Our faith is weak and we often feel alone and left to our own devices.  Like those miserable Emmaus disciples on the way home!

That is why our Lord Jesus Christ so repeatedly says to his disciples after his resurrection: „Don’t be afraid!“ „Do not fear!“ „It is I“ „JHWH“ and „See, I am with you all the days of your life!“ „I will not forsake you. I will not leave you. I will strengthen and keep you in the true faith now and always.“ He wants us to trust his promises faithfully, rely on his gracious presence in his holy Word and sacraments and thus be strong, confident and full of hope and godly conviction: „He does all things well and for our very best! That is why we can go about our daily chores as pastors, teachers, missionaries, evangelists, deaconesses, mothers, father, shopowners, soldiers, farmers, grandparents, children, politicians, lawyers, sportsmen, hunters and gatherers, doctors, nurses, engineeers, accountants and taxcollectors, fishermen and musicians etc etc with confidence, joy and gladness. He is there with us. We need to fear no ill. All is going to be all right. He’s our Lord and our saviour. He will not desert or leave us. Not even in our last hour and in the time of death. Rather he is with now and always with his grace, mercy and peace, which passes all understanding. He will carry us through so that we will eventually see and behold, what he has prepared for us onhigh in the heavenly mansions. Nobody and nothing can harm us ultimately,  because he is with us. His goodness and mercy endures forever. His rod and staff comfort me. Even in the shadows of death I fear no ill, for you are with me… Therefore get up, do what you are supposed to do, be manly and be strong – don’t whine, cringe and growel. Rather do your work, carry out your job, be faithful and hard at work, mindful, sober, think straight, get things right, do the right thing, strive to improve and work hard too so that when your Lord comes, he will not find you asleep, loafing or just being good for nothing. Rather let him find a faithful servant doing, what he’s called to do joyfully, gratefully and with dedication.  Thanks, praise and mercy be to him, our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns together with the Father and the Holy Spirit – one God – now and forever. Amen.

The peace of the Lord be with you always + Amen.

“All Depends on Our Possessing” by unknown author, c.1673
Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1828-1878

1. All depends on our possessing
God’s abundant grace and blessing,
Though all earthly wealth depart.
He who trusts with faith unshaken
In His God is not forsaken
And e’er keeps a dauntless heart.

2. He who hitherto hath fed me
And to many joys hath led me,
Is and ever shall be mine.
He who did so gently school me,
He who still doth guide and rule me,
Will remain my Help divine.

3. Many spend their lives in fretting
Over trifles and in getting
Things that have no solid ground.
I shall strive to win a treasure
That will bring me lasting pleasure
And that now is seldom found.

4. When with sorrow I am stricken,
Hope my heart anew will quicken,
All my longing shall be stilled.
To His loving-kindness tender
Soul and body I surrender;
For in Him alone I build.

5. Well He knows what best to grant me;
All the longing hopes that haunt me,
Joy and sorrow, have their day.
I shall doubt His wisdom never,–
As God wills, so be it ever,–
I to Him commit my way.

6. If on earth my days He lengthen,
He my weary soul will stengthen;
All my trust in Him I place.
Earthly wealth is not abiding,
Like a stream away is gliding;
Safe I anchor in His grace.

Hymn #425
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Prov. 10:22
Author: unknown, c. 1673
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1858, alt.
Titled: “Alles ist an Gottes Segen”
Composer: Johann B. Koenig, 1738
Tune: “Alles ist an Gottes Segen”

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Herrenhuter readings for Friday, the 19th February 2016

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

The holy Christian Churches believes and confesses the biblical truth: “The living God in his holy dwelling is a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows. Our God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” (Psa 68:5-6 NIV)

Our Lord Jesus Christ said: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Mat 25:40 NIV)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you + now and always +

Dear friends of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ: Well, this seems to be right in line with today’s hot topic of what it means to be Christian and how we should deal with those trying to flee wars and terror, financial poverty and social isolation and destitution. Is it by building higher walls and fences around what we perceive as our own – our birthright or the right we have worked for or that was granted to us in this or that way – and keep others from infringing on that very personal, private and priced possession? Or is it something else?

Pope Francis I said that building walls along the Mexican border to keep out those migrants and illegal immigrants would disqualify a party’s policy from being seen as Christian and a president, who’d promote such a strategy would very much be outside the Church. He probably would consider the wall along the Canadian border in the same categories, but he’s probably talking very closely to his catholic constituency, his followers and adherents on both sides of the borders – in Mexico and in the US. Pushing the political ticket and trying his catholic luck. Trying to regain political clout, which the Roman church has always coveted and tried to manage more or less successfully to its very own benefit and startling enrichment. Probably the pontiff’s reasoning was something like this: Brothers and sisters in the USA, but also in Mexico – don’t do as if you don’t belong together and are called to live together in a common continent, one catholic church and Christian community and koinonia. Building up walls between you – to keep brothers and sisters in Christ apart – is not the Christian way of doing things. It seems to be a very simple matter. In this way Francis I is just addressing this complicated situation rather superficially and perhaps with a little to much ease.

On the other side it does seem to go accord with those, who oppose the European nations option of constructing their own fences and barricades to try and limit, control and regulate the migratory influx of those millions of migrants and refugees coming in from the Middle East and also from Africa in the South. Even the deep Meditaranean and the wide desert stretches of the Sahara have not been able to put off the flood of migrants, so higher fences, more deterrents are coming into play. And there too, everybody will hear the papal verdict: “If you do that you’re not Christian!” It seems to be the consensus there too.

The biblical verses we read today seem very clearly suited to speak right to this dilemma. The holy Christian Churches believes and confesses the biblical truth: “The living God in his holy dwelling is a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows. Our God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” (Psa 68:5-6 NIV) Obviously there is a lot of history, which seems to draw this into question. It’s because we’re not God and we just don’t see all and everything as clearly as it is. Much suffering seems to go right against this declared good will and best intention of our God. It’s the affliction of our faith, which struggles so much to believe God’s good word and gospel and not be put off by the damage, evil and sin around us. Yet our Lord Jesus Christ encourages us with the promise of the eschatological justice to be implemented at the final end and judgment, when he is going to complete and finish off the good work he has started: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Mat 25:40 NIV) Therefore we should not fear any ill, but trust in his good promises and do what is right, good and salutary for our families, friends and neighbours, but also for our enemies and those that persecute us.

Angela Merkel – the pastor’s daughter – has got some basics right. We need to provide shelter, protection and sure defense to those, who are helpless like the orphans and widows. We can’t just turn our backs on them as if they are not our problem. These desperate people, who have lost all and everything because of war are our neighbours and thus our responsibility too – especially if we are in the powerful position to help and grant assistance like the Germany and the USA are. This is not just the personal responsibility of this and that individual, but also of congregations, churches and people, who call themselves Christian. Remember who your God is and what he did for you and all the world and consider, what you can do to help and assist and alleviate the pressing need of these fleeing people in the most dire straits. And it remains an incentive that our Lord has promised that every one of these good deeds done in favour of these poor, helpless and most needy will not go unrewarded. He himself stands as the faithful guarantee for this promise. However that is to be fulfilled under the opposite – in faith – and not to be seen by our very own eyes as yet. It remains under eschatological reservation – already in faith, but not yet visible.

Still I doubt that the Roman bishop has the authority to expel somebody from the Church and to deny him the membership in the Christian community and ultimately sever him from the body of Christ because he plans to build a wall between us and them. I think he is confusing the temporal and spiritual powers that be. Politics is different from matters of faith. That does not dispense either from the clear laws and mandates of God, but there are issues of the law and those of gospel. The one is under human authority and uses the sword and military force and coercion & compulsion, whereas the other is by the power of the word alone, no brute force there, but only promise and forgiveness and grace and turning of the other cheek.

I can’t remember that a roman pontiff ever declared the East German communists to be excommunicated because of them building that wall and erecting that iron curtain, which thank God has been leveled since. I don’t think my neighbour, who just finished building a higher wall around his property has now stopped to be a Christian. I don’t think it is as simple as that. The Pope is not Jesus Christ after all – he can’t make divine law or godly promises at will – he can only proclaim, what has been entrusted and taught to us by the good Lord himself in the Word of the old and new Testaments. He as pope and bishop of the church remains subject to the Word of God or if he put’s himself over and above it he would be accursed as St.Paul writes to the Galatians. After all in the best construction of things this first Jesuit pope is also only but one of God’s pastors and bishops on earth and even that might be an exaggeration as it remains highly debatable and some would rather follow Luther and the Confessions who still have him as the Antichrist after all for preaching something contrary to the pure and divine gospel of Jesus Christ our one and only saviour!

See, the issue of building a wall is not just about keeping widows and orphans out, there are legal and official ways for them after all even if they admittedly can be very thorny and lengthy processes and nearly impossible to manage for some. Yet these walls, fences and controls are to regulate a border traffic, controlling in the best way possible the illegal influx of terrorists, trying to stop the drug smuggling, human trafficking and highly dangerous border crossings of those, who have no regard for human life and have shown that they are just so keen to strike at the very nerve and heart of American way of life with the brutal attack on the Twin towers or the free and easy going western society and its secular ways in the vicious murder in Paris. There’s a big difference whether the walls were built to keep people in or out too. Keeping people imprisoned against their will is much different from keeping people out, who have no right to come in.

In the letter to the Romans St.Paul writes: “For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” (Rom 13:4-5 NIV) See, those walls, fences and borders are not aimed against helpless orphans or widows or persecuted Christians in the Middle East or against law-abiding citizens in the S.Americas. They need not fear these barriers, because they are after all somewhat permeable. There are legal means and ways to cross them. However the proper routes need to be followed and transgressors, evil doers and outlaws should be afraid. They should be kept out in the cold and not be allowed to carry out their works of destruction, terror or brutal violence. Rather they must be stopped, kept out and be isolated.  That’s a good purpose and sense of such a border fence and wall. I don’t think they are unchristian either. The borders are like burglar guards in my house. Off course my friends, family and visitors are allowed in through the door, but the railings are to keep the one out, who wants to crawl in by the window and surprise me and my loved ones in our sleep.

The happenings in Syria show that there are exceptions to the rule too. If you’ve got nowhere to hide and can only run from brutal terrorists like Isis or what these muslim radical and extremist vandals and barbarians are called, then there is no time or place to send these refugees back into the hands of their persecutors – especially if those persecuted are being persecuted for their Christian faith.  They – together with the entire Christian church on earth and with the triumphant church comprising all saints and martyrs too – know that nobody and nothing can keep us from the love of God in Jesus Christ. He will grant us life and salvation in his good time – in or outside of the worldly borders and fences and walls. Until then we put our trust in him alone, for he is God and nobody else. He alone can grant life and salvation – nobody else – not even the secular state and their highest authorities. They are but instruments and tools to safeguard the safety and peace of their subjects. Even and although they sometimes fail dismally, our God never fails and he will help, protect and keep us from all evil of body and soul – now and forever. Thanks and praise be to him our God and savior, he our Lord and king, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit – one God now and forever. Amen.

The peace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you always + Amen.

  1. God of grace and God of glory,
    on your people pour your power;
    crown your ancient church’s story,
    bring its bud to glorious flower.
    Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
    for the facing of this hour,
    for the facing of this hour.
  2. Lo! the hosts of evil round us
    scorn the Christ, assail his ways!
    From the fears that long have bound us
    free our hearts to faith and praise.
    Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
    for the living of these days,
    for the living of these days.
  3. Cure your children’s warring madness;
    bend our pride to your control;
    shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
    rich in things and poor in soul.
    Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
    lest we miss your kingdom’s goal,
    lest we miss your kingdom’s goal.
  4. Save us from weak resignation
    to the evils we deplore;
    let the gift of your salvation
    be our glory evermore.
    Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
    serving you whom we adore,
    serving you whom we adore.

Harry Emerson Fosdick 1878-1969

 

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Matins on Thursday

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber
St.Timothy Chapel

Here is this mornings sermonette on Hebrews 12:1-7 for reading: Hb12,1-7 Matins 2016.2.18  and also for hearing: 

 

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Herrenhuter readings for Thursday, the 18th February 2016

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

“Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.” (Psa 96:3 KJV) And when Paul and Barnabas were come to Antioch, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. (Act 14:27 KJV)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always +

Dear friends of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ: From the very beginning it was always too little, narrow and exclusive for the only living God – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – to be worshipped by one or two individuals, people or nations of this world only. It was always good, right and salutary that his glory would be declared amongst all of humanity and right to the very ends of the world – including the furthest nations, tribes and families of even the most exotic religions and pagan fancies. For his miracles and wonders are just too awesome and wide ranging to be limited to but a single tribe or people. Rather it is his prerogative to be God of gods, King of kings and Lord of lords – ruling over the entire globe, cosmos and universe. There is none other – but he alone.

So when the prophets of old pointed to the Messiah to come it was always the Messiah of all nations and not just of Israel. It was to small and little for him to serve but the twelve tribes of Joseph’s sons, rather he wanted his mission to go out to all and everybody – including the Egyptians, Babylonians, Romans, Chinese and Aborigines of Australia. That is why when the true Messiah came – the son of David, Jesus of Nazareth, the true Christ, God’s only begotten Son born of the virgin Mary, he the godly anointed saviour of all the world and mankind – he let those Greeks know: “When I am raised up from the earth, I will draw all towards me!” And to his disciples he said: “Go to the ends of the world and make disciples of all nations!”

This they did. Starting off in Jerusalem, going to Judea and Samaria and to the very ends of the world. They even came to Africa and to the very South of that continent too. He is reaching out even today as we repeat those ancient words of the Psalmist: “Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.” (Psa 96:3 KJV) It is a standing invitation to the heathen to also acknowledge him as the only Lord and saviour, he who is the only creator, saviour and sanctifier of each and every one. There is none other. Nobody but he deserves this honour and glory. For his wonders in creation, salvation and sanctification are but his due. Therefore they need to be proclaimed, declared and preached, taught and laid out – just as all of Christianity teaches, confesses and professes in great unanimity and clarity to this very day the confession of the one holy Christian and apostolic faith and thus preparing the people of the world for that great day, when all knees will bow before him and every tongue will confess, that he is Lord and God alone +

The Word of the Lord continues to grow across the globe (cf. Martin Franzmann). St. Peter preached on Pentecost and 3k were baptized. Then a crowd of 5k. Then the numbers got out of hand. Even today statistics remain a challenge. Yet at the end when all will be gathered around the throne of the victorious lamb, then the number of the elect and chosen will be full and complete. Nobody will be missing, because nothing and nobody can pull God’s people from his very hand for he is more, better and greater than all and everything. On one of the first mission festivals of sorts St. Paul and Barnabas told what God had accomplished through them throughout the Mediterranean world and “how God had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles”. Well, that’s just how God works. He wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. To attain this true and saving faith: “he has instituted the service/ministry of teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments. For through the Word and Sacraments, as through instruments, the Holy Ghost is given, who works the one and saving faith; where and when it pleases God, in them that hear the Gospel, to wit, that God, not for our own merits, but for Christ’s sake, justifies those who believe that they are received into grace for Christ’s sake.” (Augsburg Confession Article 5)

Even today pastors, missionaries, evangelists, teachers and bishops go about teaching, preaching and confessing the miracles and wonders of our Lord publicly and in the open sphere. Christians in the only holy Christian Church throughout the world confess this very same faith, sharing their saving conviction and the true testimonies of their Lord with those, that need it most – going out of their comfort zone, bridging the gap of unbelief and interacting with pagans, heathens, atheists and other convictions and faith with a faithful witness of our Lord’s glories and wonders in faith, love and hope. Praying that the Lord would open doors for the true confession and declaration of his gospel amongst all nations – especially amongst those still behind closed doors, electric fences and prison walls – like in the muslim world, Hindu subcontinent, communist fortresses of China and N.Korea. He has pulled down iron curtains, opened up previously shut continents and is still building his church across the world and amongst all people and nations. Thanks and praise be to him our God and savior, he our Lord and king, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit – one God now and forever. Amen.

The peace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you always + Amen.

1.  Preach you the Word and plant it home
        To men who like or like it not,
     The Word that shall endure and stand
        When flow’rs and men shall be forgot.
2.  We know how hard, O Lord, the task
        Your servant bade us undertake:
     To preach Your Word and never ask
        What prideful profit it may make.
3.  The sower sows his reckless love
         Scatters abroad the goodly seed,
     Intent alone that all may have
        The wholesome loaves that all men need.
4.  Though some be snatched and some be scorched
         And some be choked and matted flat,
     The sower sows; his heart cries out,
        “Oh, what of that, and what of that?”
5.  Of all his scattered plenteousness
        One-fourth waves ripe on hill and flat,
     And bears a harvest hundredfold:
        “Ah, what of that, Lord, what of that!”
6.  Preach you the Word and plant it home
        And never faint; the Harvest Lord
     Who gave the sower seed to sow
        Will watch and tend His planted Word.
Martin H. Franzmann 1907-1976

 

 

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Herrenhuter readings for Wednesday, the 17th February 2016

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, pardon everyone who sets their heart on seeking God– the LORD, the God of their ancestors– even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people.” (2Ch 30:18-20 NIV)

“A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.” (Luk 19:2-3 NIV)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always +

Dear friends of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ: In this mornings readings we are reminded that all depends on God’s gracious favour and mercy to grant pardon even to the best of us and even if we are convinced that we are but “a poor soul, whose intentions are good” (The Animals). That was true from the very beginning and continued to be so even in the heydays of Israel. There is nobody, who can just enter the forecourts of God, demand an audience with him or even just catch a glimpse of his face without he himself granting this privilege, honour and right to do so. Not even the greatest of old prophets Moses himself could do that without God conceding this license and noblest of freedoms. It was the essence and joy of paradise that Adam and Eve could walk, talk and be with their God and creator face to face on a daily basis. That’s what was lost with the fall into temptation trusting the serpent’s charms more than God’s clear rules and regulations. With paradise lost (Milton), mankind was on an ongoing quest to seek God’s face yet unable to find it. Restless he would transverse the globe, plodding the pathways through jungle and desert, across mountains and oceans he would go, seeking the lost grail, the vanished arc and the elusive unicorn – only to realize in the best scenario that it was all in vain and trying to catch the wind. Not even by philosophies profundities or religious complexities and extremes was this goal attainable. It remains the sad truth of fallen man, “that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him.” (Martin Luther’s Explanation of the 3rd Article of the Apostolic Creed) and without him, there is no finding of God, never mind getting to him, seeing, appeasing or staying with him on good terms. Outside of Christ – the centre, head and life of the Church – there is no life and salvation, but only condemnation, empty vanities and desolation and never ending death and dying.

The wonderful tiding in this context however is, that the triune God himself did not let man just vanish from his presence to get lost and perish. Rather from the very beginning it has been God’s mission to call Adam back to him and restore him to paradise and the lost privileges of his enduring  care and most merciful and gracious presence and favour. So God opened up the way to him. He let his son Jesus Christ go and seek and find the lost, so that he would repair the broken relationship of those lost sons and daughters with their heavenly father, return them to the family mansions in heaven and open up the communication so that they could call upon him as the little children do with their dearly beloved and most trusted father. That is why he has taught us to pray with the “Our Father” for “God would thereby [with this little introduction] tenderly urge us to believe that He is our true Father, and that we are His true children, so that we may ask Him confidently with all assurance, as dear children ask their dear father.” (Martin Luther’s introductory explanation of the Lord’s prayer). See, God himself encourages us to pray and has promised to hear us for Christ’s sake – just like he heard Hezekiah’s prayer for the people and consequently healed them. He still does so today: Hear and answer our prayers and do great things, because he’s our heavenly Father and wants us to love, trust and fear him above all things. That is why he daily and mercifully fills us with goodness in the works of his creation, salvation and sanctification.

He even sees the hidden desires and hopes in our hearts like he did with Zacchaeus. He goes and calls him down from the tree, visits him at home and restores him to the holy family of God consisting entirely of forgiven sinners, who are at peace with their heavenly Father through the gracious forgiveness worked by the Lord and saviour of the world: Jesus Christ. Wherever he enters in, there life and salvation follow suit. Thanks and praise be to him our God and savior, he our Lord and king, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit – one God now and forever. Amen.

The peace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you always + Amen.

  1. Hear us, Father, when we pray, through Your Son and in Your Spirit. By Your Spirit’s Word convey all that we through Christ inherit, that as baptized heirs we may truly pray.
  2. When we know not what to say and our wounded souls are pleading, my Your Spirit, night and day, groan within us interceding; by His sighs, too deep for words, we are heard.
  3. Jesus, advocate on high, sacrificed on Calvry’s altar, through Your priestly blood we cry: hear our prayers, though they may falter; place them on Your Father’s throne as your own.
  4. By Your Spirit now attend to our prayers and supplications, as like incense they ascend to Your heav’nly habitations. May their fragrance waft above, God of love.

(Chad L Bird: * 1970.)

 

 

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