Löhe on Colossians 1:14

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus in the winepressIn Jesus Christ we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. (Col 1:14 KJV)

Here the cross of Golgotha is elevated before us. The expression “redemption through his blood” is the objective justification achieved by our Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday. There he attained the redemption for all our guilt and forgiveness of all our sins and iniquities. He fulfilled and completed the vicarious satisfaction on our behalf and in our stead – even if this had not be subjectively transferred through his means of grace (word and sacrament) to the individual in holy baptism and by his own holy word. Generally speaking we can say: We were granted forgiveness of our sins on the mount of Golgotha and that is where we were saved. Yet this salvation was applied to us in holy Baptism and it was declared ours in the word of forgiveness and absolution. All of us are saved by grace alone through the redemption through the very blood of Jesus Christ. This is assured by God’s holy word and confirmed by his gracious gospel preached and administered. Enjoy it – it is yours to have. May the Lord strengthen your faith and hope and love through this wonderful gift of his – now and always. Amen.

Praise be to you Lord Jesus Christ, that you died for us and hast attained an eternal salvation for us through the redemption by thy holy blood. Grant us that we will build solely on this wonderful gift of yours. If Lord we tire, then grant us wings as of eagles that we may continue in your strength and mercy. Let us not give up before we reach your cross and praise you forever more. Amen.  (Hermann Bezzel)

O Savior, precious Savior, Whom yet unseen we love! O Name of might and favor, 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.

O Bringer of salvation, Who wondrously hast 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 gracious Lord and King.

In Thee all fullness 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 glorious Lord and King.

O grant the consummation Of this our song above, In endless adoration, And everlasting love! Then shall we praise and bless Thee Where perfect praises ring, And evermore confess Thee Our Savior and our King. (Frances R. Havergal; 1836-1879)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the twenty fourth Sunday after the high holiday of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 389 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.

Posted in Meditations by P.Wilhelm Löhe (Translation) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Herrenhuter readings for Saturday, the 16th November 2013

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

shellsGod performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. (Job 9:10 NIV)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. (2Co 1:3 NIV)

Posted in Losung & Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lutheran Order of service in isiZulu/seTswana

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Christ the kingThe Lutheran Order of Service for the 2nd last Sunday in the Church year is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s word from the prophet Jeremiah in the eighth chapter the verses 4-7 written by missionary Rev. Peter Rehr (LC in Salem, Mpumalanga 2001, 2007) in isiZulu (wz1355131117 n Tr 26) and translated as usual seTswana (wt1355131117 n Tr 26) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).

The readings for this Sunday are:

Old Testament:       Jeremiah 8:4-7

The Epistle:            Romans 8:18-23

The Gospel:            Matthew 25:31-46

The liturgical colour is green.

May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for this week: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2Co 5:10 NIV) and 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 EAWWeber@bundunet.co.za.

Posted in Lutheran Order of service | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Löhe on Colossians 1:13

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

6 Communion FinalFor He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son. (Col 1:13 NAS)

What a high and lofty word! You can see the bright and lovely kingdom of Jesus Christ opened up and filled with salvation and gracious forgiveness of all sins. Here the doors are opened to a sunny, friendly and blessed home to which it is just too easy and inviting to go – leaving behind the earthly abode quite readily as this was too often associated with mourning and tears. This lovely kingdom belongs to him, whom we know from the gospel. He is the one, who revives the daughter of Jairus and saves her from the clutches of death. Thus he helps the father too. The domain of darkness, suffering, illness and death gives way before this glorious king. Just as light goes forth from the sun and precedes its course, so too light and brightness, joy and salvation go forth from the son Jesus Christ. He is promoting his kingdom and builds it wherever he comes. We rejoice that we too have been called into this kingdom and are part of it. It makes all our burdens relative and bearable, because no suffering weighs up to the wonderful salvation that we are expecting on account of his faithful promises. In this conviction all hardship becomes bearable, because we realize that it is only a temporary interception and just an interval and break. However we do press on forward here in this world, knowing that his time is coming, when all this hardship will be past and gone and there will be no more trouble, crying or tears.

Lord God! Let that day appear soon, when we will be led out of all evil and hardship, when we’ll be released from satanic tribulations and mortal afflictions here. Stand with us o Lord as we are waiting for your salvation. Let us not give up even if we don’t see you and help us like a true Father and let us always remember that we are your children even if we are hard pressed with sin, death and devil. The bright morning star is already promising the rising sun and coming morning as we await the glorious fulfilment of all your promises, o Lord our God. Amen. (Chr. Blumhardt)

1 Christ is surely coming Bringing His reward, Alpha and Omega, First and Last and Lord: Root and stem of David, Brilliant Morning Star: Meet your Judge and Saviour, Nations near and far!

2 See the holy city! There they enter in, All by Christ made holy, Washed from ev’ry sin: Thirsty ones, desiring All he loves to give, Come for living water, Freely drink, and live!

3 Grace be with God’s people! Praise His holy name! Father, Son, and Spirit, Evermore the same; Hear the certain promise From the eternal home: “Surely I come quickly! Come, Lord Jesus, come!”

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Friday after the twenty fourth Sunday after the high holiday of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 388 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.

Posted in Meditations by P.Wilhelm Löhe (Translation) | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Herrenhuter readings for Friday, the 15th November 2013

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

sternbildGod alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south. (Job 9:8-9 NIV)

Paul and Barnabas said: We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. (Act 14:15 NIV)

Posted in Losung & Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Löhe on Col 1:12

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Christ the kingGive joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. (Col 1:12 NIV)

The Apostle draws an impressive picture of a Christian congregation in his letter to the Colossians. He depicts holy, pure and just images for sure. This imagery is held together by a determinative gratitude which surrounds the Church like a hallow. To be gifted like this and to have such wonderful virtues and characteristics truly is enough reason to be grateful beyond measure. When these things match up – gracious gifts, virtues, holy living and thankfulness – then you have a holy icon of the Christian congregation and Church. It truly is the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. Here on earth it is still very much an article of faith, trust and hope. However by the grace of God and the mercies of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is about to return in glory to judge the living and the dead, but also to fulfil and complete effectively his holy mission and work in glorious consummation – we will see, what we now believe by the gracious goodness and kindness of the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Show, o Lord Jesus Christ your grace and goodness to your servants, whom you have cleansed from harmful sin and hast assured of your faithful love, so that they will gratefully wait on you and receive new gifts and mercies from your abundant goodness as you are the light, power and grace of all those, who belong to you. Praise be to you now and forever. Amen. (Hermann Bezzel)

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (Thomas Ken, 1637-1711)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Thursday after the twenty-fourth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 387 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.

Posted in Meditations by P.Wilhelm Löhe (Translation) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Löhe on Col 1:10ff

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

father-and-child handsSo that you may … grow in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience and giving joyful thanks to the Father. (Col 1:10ff NIV)

Every level of spirituality has its special blessings and grants growth and progress for the life of the inner being. Diligence in good works also promotes a wonderful development in the recognition of God’s will and ways and even an appropriate personal relationship with him – the source and fount of all goodness. In this verse the Apostle hints at a twofold lack on the side of the Colossians: Patience and forbearance together with an ongoing thankfulness. Patience burdened with hardship carries a heavy load. If sin, discrimination and evil inflicted by others is added to this, forbearance is necessary to hold out. Natural virtues go far, but before God they are not meritorious and rather ineffective. Patience and forbearance however which give joyful thanks to the Father are signs of a spiritual and heavenly attitude appropriate to the servants of Christ the King. This is the depiction of a spiritual carrier of burdens, who is going about his calling with joyful thanksgiving. That is something truly wonderful and even beautiful drama – and is really only to be found in perfection with Jesus Christ.  Yet the apostle prays that the Colossian congregation be like this – every member of it. Thus we are encouraged to pray for this amongst us, our congregation and worldwide Church too.

Just, holy God and Father! If ever injustice and sinful evil should distract us from your rule and will, then help us to be patient and to stand faithfully even as we are in danger of falling and being felled. Nurture trust and hope in us, that we trust you more and more, so that we fix ourselves to your guidance and recognize it as our privilege as children to be led safely and surely by your loving and caring hand.  Whatever people inflict on us, let us bear it without grudge and animosity. Rather focus our mind, soul and heart, spirit and being on to your grace and glory. In all affliction, temptation and misery direct our eyes onto the end, when your Son will return visibly to complete your good will and all most gloriously and you will take us up into your heavenly kingdom as you have promised. Amen. (A. Hermann)

1 God, take my hand and lead me upon life’s way; direct, protect, and feed me from day to day. Without your grace and favour I go astray, so take my hand, O Saviour, and lead the way.

2 God, when the tempest rages, I need not fear; for you, the Rock of Ages, are always near. Close by your side abiding, I fear no foe, for when your hand is guiding, in peace I go.

3 God, when the shadows lengthen and night has come, I know that you will strengthen my steps toward home, and nothing can impede me, O blessed Friend! So, take my hand and lead me unto the end. (Julie von Hausmann, 1825-1901)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the twenty-fourth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 386 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.

Posted in Meditations by P.Wilhelm Löhe (Translation) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Herrenhuter readings for Thursday, the 14th November 2013

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

sunflowersSustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. (Psa 119:116 NIV)

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1Pe 3:15 NIV)

Posted in Losung & Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Löhe on Col 1:10

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

lietchiesSo that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. (Col 1:10 NIV)

Just go to high places of government or into the houses of important people and you will notice something with the officials and servants. They behave in a manner appropriate to their high calling and office. The bigger and more important a boss or lord, the more dignified the employee or servant appears. However the opposite holds true if the boss or lord is bad, coarse and common, then those in his service will be likewise if not worse. Without any doubt our Lord Jesus Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords, therefore his great, friendly and gracious bearing should be reflected in us his servants. We  ought to be holy and dignified, patient and loving, patient and full of goodwill and mercy. We should be diligent in meeting his expectations in all things. This is verbalized most aptly in the apostolic wording: “live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way”. The apostle knew what the Colossians were missing and it fits our lack perfectly too so that we “may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” That’s what we want too, is it not? Don’t believe that somebody is sanctified if he is not bearing fruit in good works. A good tree is recognized by its fruits.

Dear heavenly Father! Grant us enlightened vision to recognize the glory of your kingdom and that our inward being would become fortified by your Holy Spirit. Guide our mind and thoughts away from the vain and sinful things of this world and concentrate them on your holy Word and on those things that remain eternally. Enable us to all good works and give to us, what is pleasing in your sight. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.   (H. Greiner)

1 O Holy Spirit, grant us grace That we our Lord and Savior In faith and fervent love embrace And truly serve Him ever, The hour of death cannot bring loss When we are sheltered by the cross That cancelled our transgressions.

2 Help us that we Thy saving Word In faithful hearts may treasure; Let e’er that Bread of Life afford New grace in richest measure. O make us die to ev’ry sin, Each day create new life within, That fruits of faith may flourish.

3 And when our earthly race is run, Death’s bitter hour impending, Then may Thy work in us begun Continue till life’s ending, Until we gladly may commend Our souls into our Savior’s hand The crown of life obtaining. (Bartholomäus Ringwaldt, 1532-1599 tr Oluf H. Smeby 1851-1929)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after the twenty-fourth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 385 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.

Posted in Meditations by P.Wilhelm Löhe (Translation) | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Herrenhuter readings for Tuesday, the 12th November 2013

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

ascension-iconThus says the Lord: “I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Gen 28:15 NIV)

Jesus Christ says to his disciples: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses … to the ends of the earth.”
(Act 1:8 NIV)

Posted in Losung & Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment