Lutheran order of the divine service in isiZulu and seTswana.

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

transfiguration

The Lutheran Order of Service for the last Sunday after Epiphany – the Holiday of Transfiguration – is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s word from the holy Gospel of St. Matthew chapter 17 verses 1-9 written in both isiZulu (wz1511150125 la bofelo morago ga moletlo wa Epifania) and seTswana (wt1511150125 Epi 6) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).

The readings for this last Sunday after Epiphany (Transfiguration):

  • Old Testament: Exodus 3:1-10
  • The Epistle: 2.Corinthians 4:6-10
  • The Gospel: St. Matthew 17:1-9
  • Psalm: 97:1-2.6.12
  • The liturgical colour is white.

May you have a very blessed Sunday and time to meditate on the watchword for this week: The Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. (Isaiah 60:2)

We pray with the Collect for the Holiday of the Transfiguration of our Lord:

O God, in the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah. In the voice that came from the bright cloud You wonderfully foreshowed our adoption by grace. Mercifully make us coheirs with the King in His glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

If you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, insight and wisdom, mercy, compassion, knowledge and clarity of both thought and speech – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will faithfully according to his most precious revelation of his will and promises in both the Old and New Testament! However if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen for God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Rom 1:16 NIV)

We thank the Lutheran Heritage Foundation for supporting the distribution of hard-copies of these orders of worship and sermons throughout Southern Africa. If you also want a copy please do not hesitate to subscribe by writing to EAWWeber@bundunet.co.za.

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Herrenhuter readings for Friday, the 23rd January 2015

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

reconciliation

Be not wroth very sore, O Lord,
neither remember iniquity for ever:
behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people. (Isaiah 64,9 AKJV)

Our Lord Jesus Christ came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. (Ephesians 2,17)

There’s enough reason for our God and Lord to be wroth and very sore in dealing with us. If he would remember iniquity, there would be a pile far too great speaking volumes against us. We are not in the position to clarify that never mind hide or even get rid of it. Still the faithful of all times have not fled away from him, but rather have sought his countenance to look favourably at us, because he alone is God and he alone can help and save us.

In coming before God with supplications and prayer, they did not point out their own merits or worthiness for they knew it was worthless and even non-existent. It didn’t hold any water and was meaningless. Rather they recall that God is their creator and maker, he is the one, who has led, protected, helped and sustained them throughout as their Lord and King. This was the cornerstone of their faith in Israel. God had elected them. They were his people – not because of their size, ability or other seeming credits – but rather, because he had loved them from the very outset. He cared for them. He had made a covenant with them. They were his very own people.

St. Paul writes to the Ephesians that the scope and range of this divine love, care and favourable covenant was not limited to Israel or the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but to all nations and people – even those, who are not considered people in the eyes of the worldly elite like the Dalits and Pariah in India, the Romani/gypsies in Europe, the Pygmies/bushpeople in Congo and the Basarwa/San/bushmen in Botswana. The discriminated and outcast, the marginalised and homeless are not out of bounds for him. He seeks those near by and those far off. Those first, but also the last. Those rich, but also the poor. The healthy, but also the ill – starting off in Jerusalem, but reaching out to the very ends of the earth for: Our Lord Jesus Christ came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. (Ephesians 2,17)

Did he not say, that when he was going to be lifted up (crucified), he would draw all towards him – the Jews and the Greeks, the descendants of Abraham, the Samaritans, the Asians and Africans and Aborigines? That is why he ordered his Church to make disciples of all nations – teaching and baptising all of them. That’s his farewell to his faithful believers. No doubt about it.

That is why Christians across the globe personally confess readily and consistently before God and all people:

“I, a poor, miserable sinner confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor sinful being.” (LSB 184) 

And thank God we all hear the wonderful words of forgiveness and truth through the mouth of God’s servant, who in stead and by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ announces the delightful and most lovely gospel:

“Upon this your confession, I,  by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

And the forgiven penitent responds with a joyful and grateful: “Amen” – and goes his way in the peace of the Lord. Amen.

“Jesus Sinners Doth Receive” by Erdmann Neumeister, 1671-1756

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;
Saviour, 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.

Hymn #324  The Lutheran Hymnal Text: Luke 15:2
Author: Erdmann Neumeister, 1718 titled: “Jesus nimmt die Suender an”
Tune: “Meinen Jesum lass’ ich nicht”

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+ Wilhelm Gerhold 99-jährige verstorben +

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

Wilhelm Gerhold

Wilhelm Gerhold 99-jährige verstorben
Theologe mit SELK-Wurzeln

Erlangen, 22.1.2015 – selk – Im Alter von 99 Jahren ist am vergangenen Freitag Oberkirchenrat i.R. Wilhelm Gerhold verstorben. Gerhold ist aus der Hannoverschen Evangelisch-lutherischen Freikirche hervorgegangen, die zu den Vorgängerkirchen der Selbständigen Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche (SELK) gehört. Sein Vater Heinrich Gerhold war Pfarrer in den Pfarrbezirken Stelle (bei Winsen/Luhe) und Farven.

Wilhelm Gerhold führte sein Weg in die Evangelisch-lutherische Landeskirche Hannovers. Er war als Pastor in Lingen und Hohnhorst tätig, bevor er gesamtkirchliche Aufgaben übernahm, so als Geschäftsführer des Deutschen Nationalkomitees des Lutherischen Weltbundes, als Mitarbeiter in der Bischofskanzlei in Hannover und als Oberkirchenrat.

Der lutherische Theologe war mit Hanna-Renate Elert (1915-2000) verheiratet, der Tochter des früheren Erlanger Systematikers Prof. Dr. Werner Elert (1885-1954), der zu Beginn seines theologischen Berufsweges als Pastor und Seminardirektor der Evangelisch-lutherischen (altlutherischen) Kirche, aus deren Gemeinde in Heldrungen er hervorgegangen war, ebenfalls in einer Vorgängerkirche der SELK tätig war.

Wilhelm Gerhold zog in seinem Ruhestand nach Erlangen, wo er als langjähriger Ephorus des Theologenheims des Martin-Luther-Bundes zahlreiche Studierende begleitete und förderte. Er hinterlässt vier Kinder. Die Trauerfeier mit anschließender Beerdigung findet am morgigen Freitag auf dem Neustädter Friedhof in Erlangen statt.
——————–
Eine Meldung von selk_news / Redaktion: SELK – Gesamtkirche / selk_news werden herausgegeben von der Kirchenleitung der Selbständigen Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche (SELK),
Schopenhauerstraße 7, 30625 Hannover, Tel. +49-511-557808 – Fax +49-511-551588,
E-Mail selk@selk.de
—> Informationen aus Kirche und Gemeinden in Wort und Bild auch unter “SELK-Aktuell” auf http://www.selk.de

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Herrenhuter readings for Thursday, the 22nd January 2015

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

bamberg

For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills. (Deuteronomy – 5.Mose – 8,7)

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river,was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Revelations 22,1-2)

Our good God lets us hear, what is to come, so that we don’t forget, that the best part is still coming. Now that might sound quite utopian to some, but for us, who believe that the Lord is faithful and does all he promises, this is very comforting indeed. It allows us to remember that the sufferings and hardships of this present time and age are but limited and nearly over. It also reminds us that our Lord has good and pleasant thoughts concerning us, favours our wellbeing and eternal salvation and that he is very much on our side and not against us. This gives confidence and hope – especially in sad and troubled times, when the fire’s burn low, the wind’s chill picks up, the tank is running on empty and we feel burned out.

There have always been detractors, who have doubted these promises of the Lord. They have taken up the lead of that old evil foe, who planted those doubts in us initially: “Should God really have said…”? Remember that old tyrant Pharao, who would not let the people go to worship in the desert and leave his slaves  free to go. Or those scouts, who were afraid of the challenges, the obstacles, the opponents and the opposition, which would face the people on the way into the promised land and even when they got there. So they just stayed and did not dare, leave their comfort zone – which was the desert after all, a harsh place and hardly something to hold on too. Or that rich young man, who turned away from Jesus, because he was afraid of giving away all he had to the poor. He did not believe that Jesus offered a viable alternative really. So he missed out on that, which St. Peter and St. Andrew, St. James and St. John and all the rest of it then grasped, when Jesus offered it to them: “Come and follow me! Whoever comes to me, will never again thirst, but will have eternal life!”

Marx put off paradise and the hopes of a promised heaven as human projections a la Feuerbach, preventing people from coming to grips with their situation and getting down to solving the problems here and now. He by far overrated our ability to change things for the better. Just look at the terrible experience of the real existing socialism and godless emancipation. Although they killed countless millions, implemented fundamental changes in society and turned all upside down – things did not work out to the better, but got worse than ever – not only in the Gulags, but also in the villages and most prosperous cities. They were not better than concrete jungles and grey, empty deserts. The revolution ate up its own children. Not heaven on earth, but regression into the worst tyranny and oppression our world has seen – and all in the name of liberation, equality and fraternity. (cf. Bishop Voigt’s sermon at Wartburg Synod 2014)

Sexual revolution following Freudian ideas did not bring liberation to women nor to men, nor did it gain blissful life for them or families and nations, but relations and society deteriorated and the already rotten state of human kind got much worse in that today sodomy & bestiality are being promoted much more than in the most terrible pagan ages. Even incest  is again openly propagated as a viable option. The Barbarians are truly with us. It is as Matthias Claudius composed: “Sie suchen viele Kuenste und kommen weiter von dem Ziel!”

The last in this harmful trilogy was Darwin, who mislead so many to think of this world and our own status without God – all in the name of scientific advancement and human progress. As if life without God would be the best! However that’s the worst. There is no bigger foolishness, than to live as if there is no God. God is in the heavens and he derides these attempts to forget him. The promise: “Masters of the universe!” “Herrenrasse!” “Like God – and God’s itself” – disappointed dramatically and left civilisation in ruins. Not Godlike, but idiots instead, loosing their already corrupted mind, their short life and even substituted eternal salvation with everlasting damnation.  Abortion, euthanasia, genocide and all in the name of progress and as if knowing what would be better for people and humanity even. What terrible illusion and catastrophic delusion. Return to the time, when all was formless and void, dark and chaotic.

After the original fall into sinful doubt and distrust of God’s goodness and perfect providence, man did not rise to heavenly heights, but fell into dismal depths – outside of paradise, missing out on God’s presence, fellowship and communion. Yet God did not just give up on people. He gave his only begotten Son Jesus Christ to call and bring us back home and were we belong. That’s what God did with Israel. That’s what Jesus Christ’s mission was all about – bringing the lost sons and daughters back into the family and to the Father. He did that with the Samaritan women at Jacob’s well – and with her village too. He did that for Zaccheus, for Magdalene and countless others. He’s even doing it today – that we see, how kind and merciful our God is, overflowing in grace and abundant goodness, life and salvation. He heals the individual, but also the nations. That’s what St. John is allowed to see on Patmos – even as he is suffering exile and separation from his seven congregations. Our Lord promises this and we are waiting for the final consummation and their fulfilment when he comes again in glory and we will see, what we have here believed. Amen.

Jerusalem the golden,
With milk and honey blest,
Beneath your contemplation
Sink heart and voice oppressed.
I know not, oh, I know not
What joys await us there,
What radiancy of glory,
What bliss beyond compare.

They stand, those halls of Zion,
Conjubilant with song
And bright with many and angel
And all the martyr throng.
The prince is ever in them;
The daylight is serene;
The pastures of the blessed
Are decked in glorious sheen.

There is the throne of David,
And there, from care released,
The shout of those who triumph,
The song of those who feast.
And they, who with their leader
Have conquered in the fight,
Forever and forever
Are clad in robes of white.

Oh, sweet and blessed country,
The home of God’s elect!
Oh, sweet and blessed country
That eager hearts expect!
In mercy, Jesus, bring us
To that dear land of rest!
You are, with God the Father
And spirit, ever blest.

Hymn 309 from LW Bernard of Cluny 12th century. Tr: John M. Neale, 1818-1866

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Herrenhuter readings for Wednesday, the 21st Januar 2015

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

ascension2

O Lord God of our fathers in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? (2.Chronicles 20,6 KJV)

Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 28:18-19)

God is almighty. That’s a given. A god without power and the ability to do, what he wants, is no god. Jesus Christ is the incarnate Son of the Father. During Epiphany the holy Christian Church remembers and glorifies the revelation of his divine mission and the godly abundance of his goodness and mercy and his miraculous accomplishments here on earth – for us and our salvation. The gospel readings for these Sundays recall, how Jesus showed forth his glory as the only begotten Son of the Father full of grace, power and majesty. Nobody and nothing could withstand him as he went about doing good, seeking the lost, healing the sick, deaf and lame, casting out demons, delivering those in bondage, bringing light to those in darkness and shadow of death, saving, forgiving, restoring those broken down, preaching good news to the poor and calling the disciples to follow him and witness all that he was doing and saying. And they perceived his divine glory and they have told his story, the story of the only begotten Son of the Father – full of goodness and grace.

From the beginning there is also lots of evil opposing the little baby Jesus. Even as he grows up and preaches the kingdom of God, announcing and installing it right there amongst the people, there are those, who try to stop him, trip him, make him fail and abandon his mission, write him off, reject him, cast him out and kill him. That’s not just King Herod, not just the Pharisees and scribes, but also the father of all lies, the fallen angel, Satan – the stinking deceiver and accuser of all and everyone – especially those who come in the name of the triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – to destroy the works of the devil. Conquer the dark forces of corruption, decay and destruction, promoting truth, love and hope instead. Our Lord Jesus Christ goes his way unperturbed. Even after 40 days and nights of fasting, he withstands the temptations of the willy foe and the angels serve him. No storm can pull him under or drown him. No barren wilderness and empty dreariness can prevent him from gathering believing crowds and create flourishing faith. No illness and not even death escapes his authority and commanding power. Rather he speaks but one word and his servant is healed. He calls but the name and Lazarus rises from the dead and from his grave – although he was dead for four days already.   No one and nothing can withstand his power. Even as he suffers and dies willingly, death and the grave can’t hold and keep him, but on the 3rd day he rises victoriously and in his almighty power. He the Lord and God of all +

It is this very God of very God, this Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified and risen Lord, who shows himself alive and in control to the disciples on that mountain in Galilee. They fall to their knees and worship him – although some still doubted. Yet he assures them to not be afraid. He promises that he will be with them always. They will never be alone and they will never fall from his hand. For he is greater than all and everything. Nothing and nobody can snatch us from his hand. With this authoritative and effective encouragement the Lord Jesus Christ puts his disciples at ease. They are not at a loss. They are not alone. They are not a helpless and hopeless bunch, rather they are the Lord’s. They belong to him and just as he took good care of them in the past, so too he would keep and preserve them in the true faith to life everlasting. This special status of Christ’s disciples, people and Church of living in a godly preserve and divine comfort zone, does not mean that they are bored, have nothing to do and just twiddle their thumbs. They are in the good care and company of their divine Lord and good master as they are called and sent into the most challenging, exiting, worthwhile and meaningful mission, business and service of all: Teaching all and everything he has entrusted them with. Starting off with the basic and never ending to delve deeper and further into the divine theology revealed by divine grace and goodness and recorded by the apostles and prophets of old, inspired by the Holy Spirit and led by him in all truth, so that we too would have the firm foundation of the true faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of the heavenly Father from whom the Holy Spirit goes forth to comfort and strengthen us in all truth and saving gospel. Teaching the basic tenants of faith to the young children even growing up in the true faith as summarised in the Catechism of the Church. Telling them the godly story starting off from the beginning when God created heaven and earth and opening up the perspectives right to the very end, when he will judge the living and the dead, create a new heaven and a new earth in which righteousness will abound and we will perceive him as he is. St Paul emphasises this teaching as one of the basic requirements of any pastor, bishop, missionary and evangelist: He must be able to teach! (1.Tim. 3:2) He must know, what Christ entrusted his Church with and he must be able to instruct others too – not just hold random brainstorming, but teaching, what has been entrusted to us in the Law of God, in the ecumenical and catholic Creed of the Church, praying like Jesus himself tutored his disciples and faithfully administering the most holy and precious institutions of the sacraments as Jesus himself instituted them. He’s not so much an innovator, explorer and discoverer, but rather a faithful steward handing out, what has been given to him to those entrusted to him and thus is part of God’s answer to our prayer: “Give us our daily bread!”

Diligent, watchful, caring the pastor and servant of the divine service and calling goes about teaching all that the Lord himself has entrusted to his holy Christian Church. And does not forget to baptise the nations either. It’s the starting and entry point into the Church. Through baptism we are buried with Christ into his death and together with him rise again to live his new life in righteousness and holiness all the days of our life. Through baptism we are his and he is ours. Nothing can separate us ever. The Church is not just a dreary classroom, but a living sanctuary and blessed living and holy community into which we are called, placed and baptised by the grace of God and thus included in the fellowship of Christ’s community – living members of his body of which he is the only head – sharing his teaching, living off his food and sustained by the communion, fellowship and unity with him and amongst each other – all to the glory of God and to the benefit and flourishing of each other.

The divine authority and power of our Lord Jesus Christ as head of the Church, stops all self-indulgent programs and ideas to mushroom in the Church. Here it is not about, what you or he, she or me declare and postulate, but rather about what the Lord has said, is saying and will say. His words of absolution uttered through the mouth of his servant here on earth in the Church are as firm and efficacious as spoken by him in heaven itself. The same holds true for the words of institution at Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. He says and it stands accomplished and as a matter of fact. We pray, he hears and answers definitely.

His power is a deterrent against all other would-be-greats and independents, but it is a comfort and encouragement to all of us, who are dependant and reliant on him, desiring his help and forgiveness, and seeking his grace and goodness, abiding in him – for where else should we go? He has words of life and we have recognised and believed that he is Jesus the Christ – the only begotten Son of the Father. Therefore we are not afraid, but ask him, to stick to his promise and therefore abide with us for the day is far spent and it is nearly night. Amen.

“Fight the Good Fight with All Thy Might” by John S.B. Monsell, 1811-1875

1. Fight the good fight With all thy might;
Christ is thy Strength and Christ thy Right.
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Thy joy and crown eternally.

2. Run the straight race Thro’ God’s good grace;
Lift up thine eyes and seek His face.
Life with its way before us lies;
Christ is the Path and Christ the Prize.

3. Cast care aside; Upon thy Guide
Lean, and His mercy will provide;
Lean, and the trusting soul shall prove
Christ is its Life and Christ its Love.

4. Faint not nor fear, His arms are near;
He changeth not, and thou art dear.
Only believe, and thou shalt see
That Christ is All in all to thee.

Hymn #447  The Lutheran Hymnal Text: 1 Timothy 6:12
Author: John S.B. Monsell, 1863 Tune: “Mendon”

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Herrenhuter readings for Tuesday, the 20th January 2015

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus and centurion

For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. (Psalm 33,9)

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. (Matthews 8,8)

That’s our Lord. That’s how he performs. That’s how he fulfils all his promises. He speaks and it is done. He commands and it stands firm and unshaken. That’s the authority that has been given to him in heaven and on earth as he rules and reigns over all things visible and invisible.

The pagan centurion, who was not a Jew, confessed this. He was confident that Jesus could do this by speaking up and for the healing of his servant. Efficacious words, that’s what he entrusted Jesus with – sure that Jesus could and would do this. That’s why he would not need to go to any more trouble of visiting, performing rites and rituals, hopping and dancing, making a big scene – no, just one word and the servant would be healed.

It’s just like an officer commanding a trooper. The command is given and the foot soldier obeys and carries out the order. It’s very simple really. The officers wish is the soldiers command. The centurion holds that Jesus works in the same efficient manner. He commands all and everything. They bid his calling. Not only all people and nations, but also wars and peace, winds, currents and seasons, good and bad times, health and sickness, life and death.

Jesus agrees with the conviction of the centurion. He does not only speak the word and actually heals the servant, but he also praises this faith and confession of the centurion as exemplary and invites Israel and all the world: “This is what you should expect of me !” I can and will do it, because it is the good will of the triune God that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. Therefore come to me all of you, who are heavily laden and I will give you rest. I will grant you peace. I will forgive your sins and heal all your diseases. Your sins are forgiven. Go in peace + And the servant was healed at that precise hour.

Because Jesus can do this, that is why the faith in him and his promises can move mountains. That is why we should not despair, but rather be hopeful and confident. Does he not invite us to pray: “Ask and it will be given to you”? If you, who are evil can give good things to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those, who ask him for it? Therefore come and seek his presence and fall to your knees like a humble supplicant before his benefactor and ask him, to help, save and heal you. Pray as he has taught you with words of the “Our Father”. Pray a fitting Psalm or two. Call out as those helpless men of old: “+ Kyrie eleison + Christe eleison + Kyrie eleison +” and he will surely do it. Before you have called, he will have answered even. More and above you have ever dared to wish for – a full and overflowing measure of grace, mercy and peace + Who would not rejoice with a Lord like this? Amen.

Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
By: Charles Wesley

Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my god and King,
The triumphs of his grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of your name.

The name of Jesus charms our fears
And bids our sorrows cease,
Sings music in the sinner’s ears,
Brings life and health and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin;
He sets the prisoner free.
His blood can make the foulest clean;
His blood avails for me.

Look to the Lord, who did atone
For sin, O fallen race.
Look and be saved through faith alone,
Be justified by grace.

See all our sins on Jesus laid;
The Lamb has made us whole.
His soul was once an offering made
For every human soul.

To God all glory, praise, and love
Be now and ever given
By saints below and saints above
The Church in earth and heaven.

Hymn # 276 from Lutheran Worship Author: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788

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Herrenhuter readings for Monday, the 19th January 2015

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

monk praying

Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my soul is also sore vexed (Psalm 6:2.3 KJV)

St. Paul writes: And the Lord said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (2.Corinthians 12,9 KJV)

All depends on God’s mercy. And in Jesus Christ he has had mercy on us. We are free, we are forgiven and his grace is sufficient for us. That is what our Lord told St. Paul. That’s what we hear from his holy Word today. That is how he answers our calls in distress, our plea for help and healing even as our soul is sorely vexed.

As we begin the work of the new week, strengthened and at peace through his gracious gifts handed to us in richest measure during his divine service yesterday in word and sacrament, we are encouraged and motivated by our Lords declaration, that his grace is sufficient for us. It’s all we need. He, who grants willingness and accomplishment too, is the same, who uses our shortcomings, failings and misdoings to show his greatness and power.

Remember yesterday’s gospel? The story of Jesus at the wedding of Cana? Well, empty water jars are filled with superb wine. God’s abundance is revealed when our possibilities run empty. No wonder God had to lead his people through the desert initially. Otherwise they would have thought it was they themselves, who had kept, preserved and allowed themselves to flourish in those past 40 years. Yet – in the desert it became clear, that it was God alone, who fed them, who preserved them against enemies, who gave fresh water and prevented them from getting lost and perishing in the wilderness.

It’s not that the merciful God would want us to suffer really. He wants to bring us to the promised land. Yet, the suffering helps towards this goal. It’s a means to an end. It is because of the hardness of our hearts – our soul’s callousness, our incredulity and stubbornness, we know it as our poor, miserable sinfulness, that he has to show, prove and let us experience again and again our own helplessness and his unfailing willingness to help, promote, heal and rescue, save and deliver – so that our hope would not be on our own strength or ingenuity, but rather trusting faithfully in God’s great mercy, which is new ever morning.

The suffering kills off the old sinful self – the old Adam in us – drowning him with all sinful desires, faithlessness and lack of trust, love and fear of God. It also rekindles the new creation in us, started off by the Holy Spirit in us through our Baptism, so that we live in righteousness and holiness all the days of our life. A continual struggle yes as long as the old sinful being is still with us and that is until our dying day, when they finally bury us in the earth from which we were originally taken – only to rise up again as a new man at the final Judgement day at the resurrection of the dead, when we will rise in this very flesh yet sinless to be with our God eternally.

So let us bear with our and others weakness patiently. Knowing it is passing. The Lord is eternal. His mercy is forever and that is why, we too have sure hope and the blessed conviction that there will come a time, when we will at last be free from this sinful burden that is ours from the start and we will at last behold and experience God’s perfection as it is – without end. He in us and we in him – nothing will ever part us. Amen.

Oh, How Great Is Your Compassion by Johannes Olearius:

Ho, how great is your compassion,
Faithful Father, God of grace,
That with all our fallen race
In our depth of degradation
You had mercy so that we
Might be saved eternally!

Your great love for this has striven
That we may, from sin made free,
Live with you eternally.
Your dear Son himself has given
And extends his gracious call,
To his supper calls us all.

Firmly to our soul’s salvation
Witnesses your Spirit, Lord,
In your sacraments and Word.
There he sends true consolation,
Giving us the gift of faith
That we fear not hell nor death.

Lord, your mercy will not leave me;
Ever will your truth abide.
Then in you I will confide.
Since your word cannot deceive me,
My salvation is to me
Safe and sure eternally.

I will praise your great compassion,
Faithful Father, God of grace
That with all our fallen race
In our depth of degradation
You had mercy so that we
Might be saved eternally.

Hymn # 364 from Lutheran Worship
Author: Johann Olearius 1611-1684 tr August Crull 1845-1923
Tune: Ach, was soll ich Suender machen? 

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Auszug aus Vater Wilhelms Rundbrief

Posted on January 18, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber
41fIUx68L1LÜber zwei kürzlich gelesene Warnungen habe ich mich sehr gefreut.
Da schrieb einer davon, dass das gut gemeinte Lob der “bedingungslosen” Gnade irreführend sei, dass sie weder charismatisch an bestimmte Forderungen angebunden noch antinomistisch ausgenutzt werden dürfe, als ob die bedingungslose Gnade, bzw. bedingungslose Liebe auch ein Freibrief sei für ein Leben und Lehren ohne Bindung an Gottes Gesetz und Evangelium. Dazu wurde betont, dass die Gnade und die Liebe Gottes und damit der Grund für die Vergebung aus Gnade und Liebe nicht ohne den Sühne- und Kreuzestod Christi und seine leibliche Auferstehung am dritten Tag und die Bindung ans geschriebene Wort Gottes zu denken und zu verstehen sei.
Die andere Warnung vor dem Missbrauch der Grundsätze von Nida, die Bibel so zu übersetzen, dass sie auch vom Menschen in einem ganz anderen Volk oder in der neuen Zeit verstanden werden kann. Diese Grundsätze dürften nicht dazu genutzt werden, dass durch die Übersetzung  die fragwürdigen Überzeugungen der Übersetzer gegen die urspüngliche Aussage in Griechisch bzw. Hebräisch untergebracht werden. Wörtlich heißt es zu dieser zweiten Warnung in einer Rezension zu dem Buch von Stefan Felmer: Kommunikative Bibelübersetzung: Eugen A. Nida … in der EM 3/14, p. 163: “… Somit reihen sich diese Bibelübersetzungen in eine ‘Tendenz zur Säkularisierung der Sprache’. Laut Felmer herrscht inzwischen ein großer Konsens, dass ‘zwischen Oberflächen und Tiefenstrukturen nicht sinnneutral transformiert werden kann … , d. h. ‘passive Konstruktionen sind nicht neutral auf aktive zurückführbar.’ Transformationen fügen Sinn hinzu, ändern, oder lassen Sinn weg.’” So konnte das schon beim ersten Erscheinen der “Good News for modern man” beobachtet werden, wenigstens bei denen, die die Bibelübersetzung Luthers liebten und von den Ursprachen her dachten.
Die erste Warnung las ich im ersten Band von Bernhard Rothen: “Die Klarheit der Schrift. Martin Luther: Die wiederentdeckten Grundlagen” auf Seite 238-9: “Luther hat die Gnade an das Wort gebunden gesehen, an das Wort allein: ‘Es will dich Christus nirgends anbinden denn an seinen Mund und sein Wort, er will  dich nicht lassen fladdern.’ Damit geht Luther in seiner Verkündigung den Weg zwischen einer ‘gesetzlich verteuerten’ und einer bedeutungslos ‘billigen’ Gnade hindruch. Es ist zumindest irreführend, von einer ‘bedingungslosen’ Gnade zu reden. Die Gnade ist äußerlich bedingt und begründet und nimmt den Menschen in diese ihre Bedingungen hinein: Das Wort, …, ist die Bedingung der Gnade (ohne das Wort wird sie ja nirgends deutlich faßbar), … Sonst könnte der Mensch … entsprechend leben, ohne von der wirklichen, irdisch im Opfer Christi begründeten Gnade gebunden und verändert zu werden. Die Gnade ist für Luther selbstverständlich bedingt durch Christi Werk und ist ohne Bindung an dieses Werk nicht zu haben. …”
Im zweiten Band in seiner Kritik an Karl Barth sagt Rothen deutliche Worte “zum wortreichen Plädoyer für ‘die frei erbarmende Liebensmacht’ des Geistes” Karl Barths ohne die Bindung an das geschriebene Wort und die Geschichte von Jesu Menschwerdung, Tod und leiblicher Auferstehung. Ihr könnt sicher meine Freude und Dankbarkeit nachempfinden für die Begegnung mit solchen Veröffentlichungen anlässslich von Besuchen bei Söhnen, bzw. Schwiegersöhnen im Amt der Kirche, oder auch durch E-Mailbotschaften, die interessante Veröffentlichungen anzeigen, z. B. die Übersetzung in Deutsch von dem Buch von John T. Pless: Handling the Word of Truth: Law and Gospel in the Church Today. CPH, 2004, von Christoph Barnbrock. Hoffentlich findet auch diese Übersetzung viele Leser, und manchen, der es für die eigene Arbeit in Predigt, Unterricht und Seelsorge in Kirche und Mission beherzigt. Es wäre Grund zur Freude und Dankbarkeit, wenn das Buch von C. F. W. Walther: Die rechte Unterscheidung von Gesetz und Evangelium, nach so vielen Jahren wieder neu und effektiv in der heutigen theologischen Auseinandersetzung zum Tragen käme, echte lutherische Unterscheidungskunst zu lernen und anzuwenden.
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Herrenhuter readings for Sunday, the 18th January 2015

Posted on January 18, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

coffin-at-funeral

“Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither.” (Job 1:21)

“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (1.Timothy 6:7-8)

Contentment is a wonderful thing. Something of Spinoza’s “amor fati”, but not just resignation into our sorry state, but rather the blessed conviction of St. Paul:

“I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  (Phil 4)

It is as the wise Job declares and Paul Gerhard sings: “Nackend lag ich auf dem Boden als ich kam, als ich nahm meinen ersten Odem. Nackend werde ich auch hinziehen, wenn ich werd’ von der Erd als ein Schatten fliehen.” (This is translated rather freely “I lay in fetters, groaning…” (LSB 334:3) Knowing were I come from and my destination too is a good antidote against overrating the presence and even absolutising it. It’s just a relative short time of passing through. That of course makes the suffering bearable, but increases our reluctance to let go of the good things. Job confesses in the same breath: “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21b)

This conviction should let us receive our daily bread with thanksgiving, knowing that it is the good Lord himself, who blesses and keeps us together with all good and bad people, letting it rain over all and granting life and its support every day anew.

He knows best, what is good for us and let’s everything serve to our best. Having or not having both has its challenges, burdens and even joys. Therefore however things are, we should recognise thankfully that the Lord favours us so much, that he deals with us personally to our very best and as is most edifying and salvific to us. We however should not be envious of what others have, nor covet what is not ours. Rather we should accept that God knows best and therefore not be dissatisfied with our lot, nor grumble or be discontent. For it is like those old desert fathers taught us: “Less is often more” and “More is not necessarily better.” The wise people from the far East know this too.

This insight also helps us to deal wisely with the goods and materials of this world. Not clinging to them as if they were eternal, but rather as good gifts of our Lord, which we are to use appropriately – and mostly to attain eternal and heavenly treasures, seeking the kingdom of God first and trusting that all else will befall us in good – meaning his – time. So act prudently – like faithful stewards of those things, which the Lord has entrusted to you for a time to do, what is good, meet, right and salutary.

Sometimes the Lord takes away, so that we recognise that having him surpasses all. He is not just a means to an end, but rather the final goal and summum bonum (highest good). Having him is more than heaven and earth even. His grace is better than life. He truly is all in all – and being in him and him in us we lack nothing, but are well taken care of. Our being is fulfilled by being in and with him now and always. Amen.

“O Savior, Precious Savior” by Francis R. Havergal, 1836-1879

1. O Saviour, precious Saviour,
Whom, yet unseen, we love;
O Name of might and favour,
All other names above.
We worship Thee, we bless Thee,
To Thee, O Christ, we sing;
We praise Thee and confess Thee,
Our holy Lord and King.

2. O Bringer of salvation,
Who wondrously has wrought
Thyself the revelation
Of love beyond our thought,
We worship Thee, we bless Thee,
To Thee, O Christ, we sing;
We praise Thee and confess Thee,
Our holy Lord and King.

3. In Thee all fulness dwelleth,
All grace and power divine;
The glory that excelleth,
O Son of God, is Thine.
We worship Thee, we bless Thee,
To Thee, O Christ, we sing;
We praise Thee and confess Thee,
Our holy Lord and King.

4. Oh, grant the consummation
Of this our song above
In endless adoration
And everlasting love!
We worship Thee, we bless Thee,
To Thee, O Christ, we sing;
We praise Thee and confess Thee,
Our holy Lord and King.

Hymn #352  The Lutheran Hymnal Text: 1 Pet. 1:8
Author: Francis R. Havergal, 1870 Composer: Arthur H. Mann, 1881
Tune: “Angel’s Story”

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Herrenhuter readings for Saturday, the 17th January 2015

Posted on January 17, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

gorlitz Gottesdienst

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. (Ps.24:7)

 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately (Lk. 12:36)

There are some dates that are fixed in stone. Dates which we can’t forget. Dates for which we need to make room and plans and space. One of those is 2017. A year of great significance for the Lutheran Church, because that’s its 500th anniversary. The local Lutheran Church in Southern Africa will be commemorating the 50th anniversary of its constitution in Ventersdorp 1967. God willing I’ll be ordained 25 years then too. That’s high on our agenda. Lots of preparations are on the front burner. The rollout has started. Yet daily business often pushes these big dates aside. The telephone needs answering, the post needs to be addressed. The doors need to be unlocked and locked again. Day and night come quicker than we anticipated. Another day has passed and the big dates are looming ever larger. And it already more than half way through the 1st month of 2015.

There is one date, which is drawing near just as relentlessly, yet we don’t know, when it will be. We need to be prepared even if we don’t know the time schedule. Yet it is the one date, which none of us will miss. The date of Christ’s glorious return and the final Judgement day. Nobody knows when this will be, but the Father. It will come like a thief in the night and it will surprise many. Just like in the days of Noah, when everybody was going about their business as usual until the floods started rising and swallowed all except those in the safe sanctuary of the arc. In the same way those, who are members of the holy Church because they are baptised in the name of the triune God and believe in Jesus Christ as their saviour, will also be carried through that final calamity and storm, that will swallow everything even the earth and moon and sun – the entire cosmos. Yet extra ecclessiam nulla salus (Cyprian: “Outside the Church there is no salvation!”)

Today’s reading reminds us to be ready. To remember this crucial date. To plan accordingly and not to go about our daily chores and business with our lots of stuff as if we are going to live like this for ever. The end is coming up – just like the finish of every film even if it is longer than usual. There comes an inevitable end. We all must die even if we might live a little longer than our neighbour or spouse or even our own children. Therefore we should reckon with our death and demise. We should also remember that we are not just dying and that’s it. Even if many faithless and unbelieving people try to convince us of this dissolution into nothingness. No, our death is not the end, but just the passing through to face God’s eternal judgement. That’s where we’re heading. We’ll have to answer him for all we thought, said and did every day of our lives – and also left undone. And we’ll have to answer who and what we were, are and will be. That’s off course far more than we can cope with for we’re but poor, miserable sinners. Yet, we believe and trust that our Lord and God has had mercy on us. He has given his only begotten Son Jesus Christ to live and die for us, so that by his gracious redemption we should have forgiveness of sins, life and eternal salvation. Solus Christus + Sola gratia et sola fide as the Holy Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments inspired by the Holy Spirit and penned down by his inspiration through his apostles and prophets testify in unison, clarity and utter sufficiency. Therefore the 2nd coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is not as intimidating and terrifying for us anymore, because we trust and believe that he is coming for us and our salvation. He is coming to finish off the good work, that he has already started long ago in each one of us. Calling, inviting and tenderly caring for us daily, so that we would trust him and his loving goodness and favour – not doubting because of our weakness, failings and unworthiness, but building on his promises and his faithfulness.

So we’re assured, that the Lord is coming, not when we’re ready, but when he is. For his return does not depend on our work or preparation or accomplishments, but rather on his grace and mercy, which is still drawing closer to him all those, who are lost and without saving faith all over the world, living in darkness and the shadow of death. Afraid, helpless and clueless – but our Lord wants everybody to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. That is why there is still time. It is still day. His good tidings are still being proclaimed. His servants are still going out inviting people to come in for the big wedding feast of the Lord. Inviting, calling: Come all you, who are weary and heavily burdened – our Lord Jesus Christ will give you rest! Peace that passes all understanding. Life and eternal salvation. Come and taste how friendly our God is. Hear of his glorious works, miracles and wonders. Hear and look forward to the wonderful vision of his new creation, which he has revealed to us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

He is coming graciously to take up his blessed bride – the Church, the holy Christian congregation of those, who have been saved through the washing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit in holy Baptism. This Church, which has been fed by his most holy body and his precious blood and which therefore abides in him – come what may. This Church, which is his joy and delight, because through the forgiveness of sins, he has made her lovely, precious and most glorious too. She reflects his grace and goodness. She is the living proof that he is faithful and does what he says. It’s not something to behold with our poor and weak and failing eyes, but rather something to hear from his promises. He has said: Where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, that’s where I am too + So, don’t forsake the assembly of the holy Church. Don’t run off and try and do your own thing. Stay in the congregation of those, who partake and share in the true gospel preaching and the administration of the most precious sacraments according to his mandatory and efficacious institution. And when you art converted, strengthen the brethren. (Lk.22:32) Together wake and be prepared, for the Lord is coming soon. Take comfort and don’t give up. Keep the faith, hold on to Christ’s promises and don’t despair. For he, who has called you is faithful. He will surely do it  + Therefore we pray: Maranatha + Come Lord Jesus + Come soon + Amen.

“Almighty, everlasting God, who through thy Son has assured forgiveness of sins and deliverance from eternal death, we pray thee, strengthen us by thy Holy Spirit, that we may daily increase in this trust in thy grace in Christ, and hold fast to the hope that we shall not die, but fall asleep and on the last day be raised to eternal life through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.” (Dobberstein 54)

Now into thy keeping, O God, I put all my doings, all my delights, all my disappointments, all my negligences, all my sins, and all my work. And to Thee, O Lord, I commit all whom thou lovest, thou Maker, Restorer, Shepherd, Healer and Lover of our souls, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Dobberstein 56)

Seek Where You May to Find a Way by: Georg Weissel

Seek were you may
To find a way,
Restless, toward your salvation.
My heart is stilled,
On Christ I build,
He is the one foundation.
His word is sure,
His works endure;
He over throws
All evil foes;
Through him I more than conquer.

Seek whom you may
To be your stay,
None can redeem his brother.
All helpers failed;
This man prevailed,
The God man and none other,
Our Servant King
Of whom we sing.
We’re justified
Because he died,
The guilty being guiltless.

Seek him alone,
Do not postpone;
Let him your soul deliver.
All you who thirst,
Go to him first
Whose grace flows like a river.
Seek him indeed
In every need;
He will impart
To every heart
The fullness of his treasure.

My heart’s delight,
My crown most bright,
O Christ, my joy forever.
Not wealth nor pride
Nor fortune’s tide
Our bonds of love shall sever.
You are my Lord;
Your precious Word
Shall guide my way
And help me stay
Forever in your presence.

Hymn # 358 Lutheran Worship Georg Weisel 1590-1635 tr  Arthur P. Voss 1899-1955
Tune: Such, wer da will ein ander Ziel die Seligkeit zu finden… 

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