Löhe on Romans 13:14

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

baptism_infantRather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 13:14 NIV)

The apostolic admonition encourages the Christian to live constantly in the trusting faith and confidence, that our Lord Jesus Christ has forgiven us all our sins and that since our baptism we are covered with the clothes and garments of his vicarious righteousness and that his all-availing sacrificial death on the cross is our justification and redemption by the grace of God, our Lord and Saviour – sufficient and effective. The Lord grants all his gifts and graces. He does not make a big scene about this. Rather grants them to us in the insignificant lowliness and humbleness of his most precious word and sacraments. Still we too often doubt and even oppose the sanctifying measures of our Lord. That is why the Lord sometimes needs to take so that he can give. Harm so that he can heal. Sanctification is a perpetual struggle against our sinfulness. That is why we need the apostolic admonition: Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ!  Amen.

Almighty God heavenly Father! Graciously support us that we fight all temptations valiantly and thus retain your victory. If we trip, support us; if we sink, hold us by your hand; if we fall, pull us up again. Lead us in your truth and teach us; you are our God, who helps us. Daily we wait on you. Do not remember us according to our sinfulness, but rather remember us according to your grace and mercy. Revive us with the comfort of your forgiveness and ensure us in all struggles of your fatherly goodness and love. Grant us strength to become stronger according to the richness of your peace. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen. (Johann Arndt)

Strive aright when God doth call thee, When he draws the by His grace, Cast off all that would enthrall thee, And deter thee from the race. (Johann Joseph Winckler, 1670-1722)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Friday after the first Sunday in Advent. It is found on Pg. 12 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Friday, the 6th December 2013

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

jesus-prayingThe Sovereign LORD wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. (Isa 50:4 NIV) and Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mar 1:35 NIV)

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Lutheran Order of Service in Zulu & Tswana

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

open portalThe Lutheran Order of Service for the second Sunday in Advent is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s word from Revelations in the third chapter the verses 7-13 written by Rev. E. Mkhabela (Gamalakhe, KZN) in isiZulu (wz1402131208 Adv 2) and translated as usual into seTswana (wt1402131208 Adf 2) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).

The readings for this Sunday are:

Old Testament:                Isaiah 63:15-16(17-19a)19b; 64,1-3

The Epistle:                      James 5:7-8

The Gospel:                      Luke 21,25-33

The liturgical colour is purple.

May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for this week: “Stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luk 21:28 NIV). If you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, enthusiasm and wisdom, knowledge and insight – 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 as if 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 mailto:eawweber@bundunet.co.za

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Löhe on Romans 13:12

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

knight in shining armourThe night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light. (Rom 13:12 NIV)

Whoever wears the amour of light, bears the weapons of God and carries his mighty sword of the holy Word of God too. Those waiting for the glorious return of their Lord and master Jesus Christ, are aware of the struggle facing them until then. They are alert and don’t trust any fake truce the devil might grant as he waits to deceive and catch us out. They expect his treachery at any time and place. They know they are not immune against his mean and aggressive onslaught as long as they live. Just as you deem to have scored a victory over this wily foe, he’ll attack all the more ferocious and malicious. The holy saints of God always face this precarious situation. That is why their status is so strenuous. Yet even in this most difficult position they are surrounded and kept by the peace of their Lord, that passes all understanding. Yes, his most precious comfort grants them true rest and safety even in the most hazardous conditions. They are satisfied by heavenly food. They are carried most caringly in the almighty hands of their Lord and saviour. Nothing can pull them asunder. That is why they would not swop their lot for anything in the world.  Amen.

Almighty God and Lord! You have protected us with your coat of armour. You have shown us the way to heaven. Let us rest in peace this night and then go about our daily chores when the new day comes. Let us go about the works of our calling faithfully and diligently, patiently and lovingly, disciplined and with dedication. Grant us victory after victory against the vile and evil foe. Especially if we tire and grow weak, let your eternal light shine upon us and help us out to reach your heavenly courts, where no night will ever fall again. Amen. (Arper-Zillessen)

Rise! to arms! With prayer employ you! O Christians, lest the foe destroy you, For Satan has designed your fall. Wield God’s Word, a weapon glorious! Against each foe you’ll be victorious; Our God will set you over them all. Is Satan strong and fell? Here is Immanuel. Sing hosanna! The strong ones yield, With Christ our shield, and we as conquerors hold the field. (Wilhelm Erasmus Arends, 1677-1721 tr John M. Sloan 1876)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Thursday after the first Sunday in Advent. It is found on Pg. 11 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Thursday, the 5th December 2013

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus am Jacobs brunnenBlessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. (Psa 66:20 KJV) And Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (Joh 4:10 NIV)

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Löhe on Romans 13:13

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Brueghel_der_Jüngere,_Pieter_-_Bauernhochzeit_(München,_Alte_Pinakothek)Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. (Rom 13:13 NIV)

There might be some, who disagree with the apostle on these issues. He’s very clear on the things that are incompatible with a lifestyle in the light of Jesus Christ and as faithful Christians. Some of us might excuse or even laud the things he calls pagan, sinful and works of darkness. That does not just happen amongst raw people, but even amongst those, who are called highly educated and sophisticated. Sin and its vices, spiritual blindness and godless being is not restricted to lower classes, certain nationalities or poor education. No – they are found throughout society and in all places. It was like that in Rome too, when the apostle addressed them with this most precious letter. Even amongst the most gifted congregations like that in Rome, you still need to hear the apostolic admonition: Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Amen.

True faithfulness wages lifelong warfare with sin even unto death. It does not just go with the flow, but rather strives for victory in every temptation and conflict. (Johann Joseph Winckler, 1670-1722)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the first Sunday in Advent. It is found on Pg. 10 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Wednesday, the 4th December 2013

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

regenbogenI will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. (Isa 65:19 NIV) and Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2Pe 3:13 KJV)

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Sermon on Hebrews 10:19-25

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

open doorIt’s Advent: IX is coming + he’s calling you even today as his coming again is drawing near and yes you have admission to the holy of holies. The door to heaven and to our heavenly Father is open, because Jesus Christ has opened it wide open. Listen to what was preached in Ventersdorp over the weekend: 

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Löhe on Romans 13:12b

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

dawn fieryThe night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness. (Rom 13:12 KJV)

The apostle teaches us, how we should use the time aright and approach the last day appropriately. He does not restrict himself to the illustrations of the nightdress and rest of the night. Rather he elaborates the misuse of the night for evil works and the practice of sinfulness. All this bothers even faithful Christians, because it sticks to us throughout our lifetimes. Still we are under the obligation to oppose these works of darkness and cast them off like we do with our pyjamas in the morning. The night is gone, the day has come. Therefore forget the issues of the night and live according to the rules of the day. We would not be caught by surprise and in our pyjamas at noon time. Help o Lord Jesus and let it be done. Hosanna, we praise you and your glory. Let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the amour of light!  Amen.

Help us, O Jesus, Thou mighty Defender, Help when the forces of evil appear; Help us to battle and never surrender, Help us to conquer, and drive away fear; Satan is cunning, the prince of deceivers, Bringing disaster to many believers.

Help us, O Jesus, in hours of temptation, When both our faith and our courage are weak; Teach us to look to the sign of salvation, And near Thy cross a new armor to seek; Then we shall conquer, if Thou wilt befriend us, Thou wilt prevail and our faith will defend us.

Help us, O Jesus, when death shall spread terror, And our poor eyes are too feeble to see; Cleanse us and purge us from sin and from error; That we may blindly in faith cling to Thee; Help us, O Jesus, we conquer in dying, Unto the last on Thy mercy relying. (Johann Heinrich Schröder, 1667-1699 tr Rudolph A. John 1922)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after the first Sunday in Advent. It is found on Pg. 9 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Tuesday, the 3rd December 2013

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

IX the judgeI will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. (Exo 6:7 NIV) And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Eph 1:22-1 NIV)

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