Herrenhuter readings for Wednesday, the 21st August 2013

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus the peace makerHe will proclaim peace to the nations. (Zec 9:10 NIV)

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Col 3:15 NIV)

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Lutheran Order of service in isiZulu/seTswana

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

good samaritan 1The Lutheran Order of Service for the 13th Sunday after Trinity is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s word in the gospel of St. Matthew the 6th chapter verses 1-4 by the late Rev. Aaron Ntuli (LC Enhlanhleni, KZN) in isiZulu (wz1343130825 n Tr 13) and translated as usual into seTswana (wt1343130825 n Tr 13) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).

The readings for this Sunday are:

Old Testament:       Genesis 4:1-16a

The Epistle:            1.John 4:7-12

The Gospel:            Luke 10:25-37

The liturgical colour is green.

May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for this Sunday: “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ (Mat 25:40 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 purely and his promises faithfully! 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.

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PREACHING THAT SILENCES SATAN

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus heals 1PREACHING THAT SILENCES SATAN

St. Mark 1:21-29

Hymn: “Spread the Reign of God the Lord” -830 LSB

Psalm: Psalm 138

 Prayer: O King of Grace whose strong Word does silence the demons, speak now to us and put to flight all that would defile us that clothed with Your righteousness alone, we may stand firm against every attack of the evil one and by Your mercy kept safe from all danger and delivered into your everlasting kingdom. Amen.

 Fresh from his victory over Satan’s temptations in the wilderness, Jesus begins to preach. His first sermon recorded by the Evangelist Mark is short and to the point: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. It is preaching with authority; preaching that takes captive the fishermen Simon and Andrew, James and John. They leave their nets and boats behind and follow the Lord to be fishers of men. The authority of our Lord’s preaching is put on display in the synagogue for He teaches with an authority unknown to scribes. His preaching causes the gates of hell to quiver for it a proclamation that heralds the coming of the kingdom. The kingdom of the Lord Christ never simply annexes neutral territory or takes over unclaimed terrain. The kingdom of Christ defeats and displays the kingdom of the evil one.  The kingdom of Satan cannot coexist with the kingdom of God.

The scribes might not know who this new preacher is, but the unclean spirits recognize Him. One cries out “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus silences the confession of this demon. He has come in the flesh to destroy the work of the devil not to give him an opportunity to speak.

Mark tells us that Jesus’ fame spread throughout Galilee. The whole town shows up, drawn to see this man who heals the sick and liberates from demonic captivity. When and where Jesus preaches, Satan wants to have his say as well. Luther once said “where Christ appears, there the devil starts to speak.” That is why Luther understood the pulpit to be the battlefield between the Lord Jesus and the old evil foe. Or has Heiko Oberman says “for Luther, a sermon was an apocalytic event that set the doors of heaven and hell in motion” (Meuser, 25). The devil fancies himself to be a preacher, too. Satan always tries to get a word in as he did in Eden with his cool and calculating sermon “Did God really say?” His tactics are not new. To occupy the preaching office is engage the Temper in battle. It is a war of words, but God has armed you with His Word, the Word of Truth. No other weaponry no matter how cleaver will suffice in this struggle. To preach Christ crucified is to do battle against Satan. Preaching is no detached religious lecture, no soothing inspirational meditation but a declaration of Christ’s victory over sin, death, and hell. Satan is not troubled by platitudes of piety, by ten-ways-to fix-your life sermons. He knows that your piety is like a puff of smoke and your attempts at spiritual self-improvement are likely to end with despair or self-righteousness. But the coming of the kingdom whose king reigns on a cross and who exercises authority by extending mercy, that is another matter altogether. Satan cannot help but howl out in protest when word of absolution, of forgiveness of sins is spoken.

Jesus will not permit the demons to speak because they know Him. Even the demons believe that God is one says St.James-and they shudder. But that does not make them confessors! Satan can quote Scripture but that does not make of him a preacher of the Gospel.

Jesus’ preaching exercises His authority over Satan. Jesus’ words unplug deaf ears and loose mute tongues to confess His mighty works. But these same words tie Satan’s tongue. That is what the preaching of the foolishness of the cross does. Where the living voice of the Gospel is going on, there the crucified and risen Lord Jesus is Himself speaking. He speaks a word of forgiveness and where there is forgiveness of sins, Satan has no say. Where there is forgiveness of sins, the voice of the accuser has no authority for the blood of Christ cleanses you from all sin. No unclean spirit can hold you captive because Christ Himself has washed you with His blood in Holy Baptism. Your life is under the One to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given. By His cross, He has triumphed over principalities and powers. He has rescued you from the kingdom of darkness and given you an inheritance in the kingdom of light.  Satan has no claim on you. The Gospel that has opened your lips to confess that Jesus is Lord renders Satan silent. He has no right to accuse or threaten. Yes his doom is sure. One little word shall fell him.  Where the truth of the cross is proclaimed, the father of lies is muzzled and your lips are open to confess in truth that Jesus is the Holy One of God whose blood sets us free to live before Him in holiness and righteousness now and forever. Amen.

Prof. John T. Pless

Monday in Trinity 12

19 August 2013

LTS Chapel –Pretoria, South Africa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Löhe on 2.Corinthians 3:7-8

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Moses and the lawNow if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? (2Co 3:7-8 NIV)

The ministry of the New Testament as service of life stands in contrast to the ministry of the Old Testament that brought death. The plain and simple pastor at the Altar has something to offer that you can’t find anywhere else. Would you like to know, why he administers this office and service? Would you like to hear, how he, who is possibly quite feeble, even ill, close to death himself – can still offer Spirit and Life itself? The Holy Scriptures calls our sinful nature: “fleshly”, “dead”, “sinful”, “lost” and “condemned” How blessed is the ministry of the New Testament if we keep that in mind. The law doesn’t make us into new people. It can’t. It calls us to do good works – continuously. It reveals our inability to live up to God’s high standards of the perfect divine law. It reveals our guilt, our shame and the coming judgment and condemnation awaiting those, who sin against this law and divine will. The more and harder the ministry of letters and the law is pressed the more desperate or conceited be get. Those are the two natural reactions to the good and holy law of God. The experience of God’s wrath and judgment and condemnation weigh heavy on our soul and heart. For this there is only one remedy and that is the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the gracious service of the gospel, the most holy and blessed means of grace – the Gospel of forgiveness, holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The man bearing this holy office of the ministry does not have the Holy Spirit to dispense as his own, but rather the holy Word of Christ’s death and victorious resurrection through which the Holy Spirit is effective and the Lord’s Sacraments – they are able, they can and they do – thanks be to God!

Almighty and eternal God! Hear my supplication for the holy orders and vocations in your holy Church. Maintain her bishops and pastors by your mercy that they preach your holy Word purely and faithfully and administer your holy Sacraments according to your institution. Grant that their lives and conduct would be sanctified in you and serve your people as good and blessed example and for encouragement. Let our prayers for our pastors and teachers come before your throne as a pleasing offering and serve to praise your holy name. Grant that we would strengthen us in our desire to go home and be with you, that we accompany each other on the way as faithful brethren and by your help and guidance reach your destination in heaven. We ask this in the name of our Lord and savior, your Son Jesus Christ.   Amen.

Faith and truth and life bestowing, Open now the Scriptures, Lord, Seed to life eternal sowing, Scattered on the wind abroad. Let not hearts, Your Word receiving, Like a barren field be found, Choked with thorns and unbelieving, Shallow earth or stony ground.

May the Spirit’s pow’r unceasing Bring to life the hidden grain, daily in our hearts increasing, Bearing fruit that shall remain. So in Scripture, song, and story, Savior, may Your voice be heard. Till our eyes behold Your glory Give us ears to hear Your Word. (Timothy Dudley-Smith, 1926)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after the twelfth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 301 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 20th August 2013

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

paul and silasMy mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. (Psa 71:8 NIV)

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. (Act 16:25 NIV)

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Löhe on 2.Corinthians 3:8

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? (2Co 3:8 NIV)

Wherever the Spirit is, there life is too. And vice versa: Wherever there is not life, there no Spirit is either. That is why Luther translated the expression “ministry of the Spirit” appropriately as the “ministry, which gives the Spirit”. Emperors and kings have an office pleasing to God and instituted by him also. However these forms of government and political authority don’t have a “ministry of the Spirit”. They don’t propagate that and nobody looks for that with them either. Let us look even further back in history and time – right into the age of the Old Testament and concentrate on the office of Moses and his brother Aaron, but also at that of the priests and prophets. Is it justified to call their office and ministry a service that gives the Spirit? The apostle Paul rejects this notion outright. He calls the office of the Old Testament an office of the letter. Therefore the office of the New Testament, the ministry that Jesus Christ instituted by calling the apostles is unique. There is no other office or ministry that gives and transmits the Holy Spirit. That quiet pastor, who serves rather unobtrusively at the altar and preaches faithfully from the pulpit is perhaps disregarded by the high and mighty and all that count in the eyes of men. He might even seem rather helpless if not even a poor burden to most outsiders, who would not consider his demise a loss at all. Yet – in the eyes of God and also in the eyes of those, whom he serves – he has a very precious and high calling and vocation: To preach and to administer the most holy sacraments by which God gives the only saving faith where and when it pleases him in those who hear the gospel. May he never forget it and carry out his duty and obligation joyfully and with gladness and conviction!

Almighty and eternal God, by your inexpressible grace and mercy of your dear Son you have called us to the testament of the Holy Spirit. We plead you: Take the haze and obstructions from our eyes that we may see the clarity of your precious gospel and that it may mirror itself in our lives and we enlightened from one clarity to the next. We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen. (Evangelical Hymn- and Prayerbook 1817)

Equip us poor children with your gifts that we have strength and courage of faith added to a passion for your house and people. Yes, grant that we would gladly give a world with many treasures, all human honour and recognition, our time, body and life for this big and holy challenge.

Grant us that lofty spirit of those early confessors in the apostolic band, who readily defied all ridicule and shame to preach the blood of Christ to all! Let us confess this truth that has made us free and full of joy – oh grant that we don’t give it up, but rather stay in league with you and yours. (Karl Johann Philipp Spitta, 1801-1859)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the twelfth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 302 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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Löhe on 2.Corinthians 3:6

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

CA 5He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant– not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2Co 3:6 NIV)

“Ministry of the new covenant”- what a name is this? Which ministry in the sense of service and office is worthy of this name amongst people in any society? This is not that service of the letter and the law, which was put on stone tables and before the eyes of people and made their burden, which they never really appropriated with delight nor followed with passionate love in daily lives. It rather is the ministry of the Spirit, because it gives the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the gospel. It takes away the lack of joy and also the deep mistrust towards God and fills the hearer with joy and confidence, with love and strength and faith. It transforms the hearer into a new person, reforming him into God’s likeness and builds the Church in this world. What a precious calling and most wonderful ministry, office and service it therefore is. Splendid and to be held in highest esteem and practiced with greatest diligence and persistence. Nobody is competent for this very high and treasured office. If somebody is competent it is because the Holy Spirit has made him so. And who is faithful and trustworthy in this service? Go to those people, who are striving to find eternal life even as they pursue their vocation in daily struggles of this life. Look at their endeavor and dedication. Look how joyful, enthusiastic and hardworking they go about their daily routines. Yet compare how difficult some pastors make out their unique vocation to be. Pastors need the comfort of the gospel just as others do if not even in more and richer measure, because their high and magnificent calling is too often dishonored by their own unfaithfulness and lack of responsibility. All congregants and every Christian is called to pray  that their pastor will be comforted with the gospel that he has used to comfort others himself. A pastor can pass away in bliss and salvation – thank God for that. Yet without affliction and temptation? Hardly!  In peace? In joy? Lord – have mercy over all pastors and ministers and servants of your holy new testament – this service of the Holy Spirit, the holy office of the ministry in preaching your gospel purely and administering your most precious sacraments according to your divine institution. Have mercy on them especially as in deaths dark vale they are confronted with the high expectations and esteem of the office, that they were called to carry out in faithfulness, love and utmost dedication and in which they failed so often and so dismally. Let them not despair, but trust in your grace and forgiveness +

We thank you Lord Jesus that you have revealed yourself as the truly good shepherd and as such are always taking good care of your Church and congregation. We are comforted by your strength and wisdom, your great mercy and patience with which you lead and guide your flock daily. You take best care of our lives too and you bless us in richest measure. We thank you from the bottom of our heart, that you have given your Church the office of the holy ministry, the service of the New Testament. By it you have bestowed on us the greatest blessings from the day of our holy Baptism. Make us faithful in prayer and intercession for those, who bear the yoke of your office among us. Promote and strengthen the priesthood of all believers among us too and let pastors and congregants be saved by your grace and mercy.  Amen.

Send, O Lord, your Holy spirit On your servant now, we pray; Let him prove a faithful shepherd That no lamb is led astray. Your pure teaching to proclaim, To extol your holy name, And to deed your lambs, dear Saviour, Make his aim and sole endeavour.

You, O Lord, yourself have called him For your precious lambs to care; But to prosper in his calling, He the Spirit’s gifts must share. Give him wisdom from above, Fill his heart with holy love; In his weakness, Lord, be near him, In his prayers, Good Shepherd, hear him.

Help, Lord Jesus, help him nourish All our children with your Word That in fervent love they serve you Till in heaven their song is heard. Boundless blessings, Lord, bestow On his faithful toil below Till by grace to him be given His reward, the crown of heaven. (Frederick W. Herzberger, 1859-1930)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after the twelfth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 300 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 Monday, the 19th August 2013

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Paul preaches IX crucifiedTeach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness. (Psa 86:11 NIV)

St. Paul writes: And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. (1Th 2:13 NIV).

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Löhe on 2.Corinthians 3:4-5

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

DSC_0020-003Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. (2Co 3:4-5 NIV)

The apostle St. Paul has a living confidence in God’s special and divine doing in the congregation of Corinth through him. God had blessed his ministry and gospel activity in Corinth exceedingly and beyond any expectations. This acknowledgement of God’s great blessings by the apostle could also be misinterpreted as if he’s praising his own person and achievement. That is why St. Paul makes this helpful distinction and clarification. He does not ascribe any competency to claim anything for himself, but freely acknowledges and confesses: Our competency comes from God! Thus he ascribes his aptitude and proficiency to teach and to carry out his apostolic ministry just to the divine calling. It is no natural merit or inborn worthiness or human genius, but rather the gift of the holy office of the divinely instituted ministry (Amtsgabe). This is an admonition to humble ourselves and a warning not to follow the satanic temptation to call natural speech, rhetoric and ideas divine. God acts in nondescript and unimposing ways. Noise is not required, but sometimes quiet – even silence. No big lights, but often utter darkness. He looks right down for humility, proper evaluation of our true self and recognition of our own miserability, sinfulness and utter dependence on God’s grace and goodness as proclaimed in his gospel and most holy word of Scripture. This is but a very narrow track leading to salvation for sure. Easy to fall down either shattered on the Scylla of self-despair or wrecked on the Charybdis of self-righteous hubris. We should beware that we don’t speak, teach and defend our own musings and conceptions with all the trappings of the divine office – even if they very clearly are misleading or plainly false and bad. Rather continue to wait on God, be patient as you listen to him, practice self-criticism, humble yourself before him and retract into deeper silence to listen even more and only to him as he speaks to you in his written word of Holy Scripture of the Old and New Testament. In all humility continue to wait, long and desire for his godly influence on your life and you will notice that even as your eyes loose their attachment to the vain things of this world, your heart is detached from passing passions and your ears become deaf to the alluring enticing of this time and age – there is still lots more to see, to be passionate about and more glorious and encouragingt to hear – for God himself is the most beautiful, his life surpasses by far even the most fulfilled life on earth and grants us all in all without subtractions – through faith here and there to see.

Oh just and righteous God fix my mind and senses on you alone, that I fear you more than all else and faithfully serve you in love and compassion and with all my strength and from the bottom of my heart. Sanctify my completely – from the inside but also outside. Turn everything away from me that is not yours. Grant that I continue to be yours and you mine – and let my will be totally subject to your direction, determination and good will. Create in me a clean heart and give me a new and confident spirit to praise your name and trust your grace. Keep me from sinning. Let me not fall into sin. Let me not remain in sin either. Kill off all sinful desires and passions in my heart, mind and being. Take away my pride and self-centeredness, disperse hatred and envy, remove all harmful passion and false dedication and commitment. Gather my soul and being to yourself. Maintain a good conscience in me. Praise, glory, thanks and worship, power and strength be yours o God from eternity to eternity. Amen.

How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds In a believer’s ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear. Jesus! my Shepherd, Husband, Friend, O Prophet, Priest and King, My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, Accept the praise I bring. Weak is the effort of my heart, And cold my warmest thought; But when I see Thee as Thou art, I’ll praise Thee as I ought. Till then I would Thy love proclaim With every fleeting breath, And may the music of Thy Name Refresh my soul in death! (John Newton 1725-1807)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the twelfth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 299 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 Sunday, the 18th August 2013

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

 

Kreuz in IrlandWho can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD or fully declare his praise? (Psa 106:2 NIV)

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2Pe 1:3 NIV)

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