Löhe on Romans 6,6

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

buried by him into baptismFor we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. (Rom 6:6 NIV)

Our old self has been crucified with Christ. That means we have been crucified with Christ as we were born und as we were. This crucifixion happened there on Golgotha, where he was crucified for us and our salvation – even though we have never been in Jerusalem or even near there. This is not easily comprehensible. It really is quite unnatural and mysterious – very much miraculous. It’s wonderful – this vicarious atonement and justification by Jesus Christ in our stead – entirely without our doing, merit or worthiness. We have been crucified, when we were not even aware of it and could not be, because we were not even conceived or born yet. This Christological crucifixion was for all and everybody – without any exceptions. Yet not all believe or trust this good news. Far too many don’t even hear about it and its glorious consequences of divine kinship and celestial inheritance. The vicarious sacrifice of Jesus Christ in our stead can be summarized in the brief “for us” (pro nobis). Because this happened for us, we are no longer slaves to sin and aught to live holy lives. This wonderful miracle and gracious occurrence from God’s side should motivate us daily to be what we are and to live lives that are modeled on the example of our Lord Jesus Christ’s life.

Lord Jesus Christ, our true good Shepherd! You are the Lord and master of God’s treasures. We thank and praise you for the richness of your grace, which you have imparted to us in our Baptism. Grant that this baptismal grace will lead and guide us through our lives with the accompanying comfort and strength, which pour so abundantly from it. Give that we would praise your for this shower of grace with a live appropriate to faithful Christians. Amen. (H. Lauerer)

This is the Spirit’s entry now: The water and the Word, The cross of Jesus on your brow, The seal both felt and heard.

This miracle of life reborn Comes from the Lord of breath; The perfect Man from life was torn; Our life comes through Christ’s death.

Let water be the sacred sign That we must die each day To rise again by His design As foll’wers of His way.

Renewing Spirit, hear our praise For Your baptismal pow’r That wasches us through all our days; Lord, cleanse again this hour. (Thomas E. Hebranson 1933)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the sixth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 260 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 10th July 2013

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

icon-of-jonah-and-the-whale-juliet-venterJonah said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.” (Jon 2:2 NIV)

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  (Luk 12:7 NIV)

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65 Jahre Vereinigte Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

VELKDAndacht in Eisenach erinnert an Gründung der VELKD am 8. Juli 1948

Hannover/Eisenach. Mit einer feierlichen Andacht wurde an die Gründung der Vereinigten Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche Deutschlands (VELKD) heute vor 65 Jahren am 8. Juli 1948 in Eisenach erinnert.

Der Festakt fand im Vorfeld der Kollegiumsklausur der Evangelischen Kirche in Mitteldeutschland (EKM) in der dortigen Kapelle Hainstein statt. Zu den Gästen zählten Landesbischöfin Ilse Junkermann (Magdeburg/Erfurt) sowie der stellvertretende Leiter des Amtes der VELKD, Oberkirchenrat Christian Frehrking.

In seiner Predigt zu Lukas 11, 14-23 hob der Regionalbischof von Eisenach-Erfurt, Propst Dr. Christian Stawenow, das einheitsstiftende Wirken der VELKD und die Qualität ihrer kontinuierlichen Grundlagenarbeit hervor. „Dankbar dürfen wir sein für die theologische Arbeit und die vielen theologischen Einzelschriften der VELKD, für den Erwachsenenkatechismus, auch für alles Ringen um ökumenische Beziehungen und Verständigung“, so Propst Stawenow. Dabei sei für die VELKD gestern wie heute stets der Gedanke leitend, „die Gemeinschaft im Bekennen und Handeln“ zu stärken. Deshalb sei es so wichtig, „dass wir als Mittelpunkt unseres kirchlichen Lebens beim Gottesdienst bleiben“. Ihn gelte es, „in seiner liturgischen Kraft zu stärken“ und einer Tendenz zur „Verflachung und Ausdünnung“ vorzubeugen.

„Kirche muss sich damals wie heute den Herausforderungen ihrer Zeit stellen“, ergänzte Oberkirchenrat Christian Frehrking in seinem Grußwort vor der Festgemeinde. Dies gelte gerade für die Feier des Gottesdienstes, die „eine kulturelle Nähe zu den Menschen unserer Tage gewinnen“ müsse.

Weitere Informationen unter www.velkd.de/downloads/65_Jahre_VELKD_65_Seiten_2013.pdf

 

Montag, 8. Juli 2013

Gundolf Holfert
stellv. Pressesprecher der VELKD

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Löhe on Romans 6,5

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Melanchthon-tauftIf we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. (Rom 6:5 NIV)

The apostle writes about the unity of Christians with their Lord’s death and resurrection. I know, that I deserve death. Yet, death that is awaiting me is of such a nature that I could never deal with it on my own in such a way as to write it off and finish with it. It would hold me for ever. As our holy God is utterly faithful and trustworthy both in his punishments as with his salvation, he has sent a substitute into this death for me – who dies vicariously, for me and in my place. AS he is innocent, he has achieved a salvation for me and others which suffices for eternal life. Something we would have missed out for sure on our own. By this godly and divine intervention we are judged to have been punished, crucified and killed with Christ and have also been resurrected and reborn to a new life with him. When we were born the bloody sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ was already there for us in our cradle. It is for us and for our salvation ever since! So since our conception we, who are children of sin and death, have the hope for salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ and his vicarious satisfaction and liberation. If we have died with Christ, then he as our faithful Lord will not leave us standing half-way. Rather he will help us on to reach his final destination for us. Just as his death so also his life has profound influence on our lives. The unity with him carries with it a continual reduction and killing off of our old sinful being together with a vitalization and invigoration to live a better – god-pleasing – live in and with him.

To me He spake: Hold fast to Me, I am thy Rock and Castle; Thy Ransom I Myself will be, For thee I strive and wrestle; For I am with thee, I am thine, And evermore thou shalt be Mine; The Foe shall not divide us.

The Foe shall shed My precious blood, Me of My life bereaving. All this I suffer for thy good; Be steadfast and believing. Life shall from death the victory win, My innocence shall bear thy sin; So art thou blest forever.

Now to My Father I depart, The Holy Spirit sending And, heavenly wisdom to impart, My help to thee extending. He shall in trouble comfort thee, Teach thee to know and follow Me, And in all truth shall guide thee.

What I have done and taught, teach thou, My ways forsake thou never; So shall My kingdom flourish now And God be praised forever. Take heed lest men with base alloy The heavenly treasure should destroy; This counsel I bequeath thee. (Martin Luther 1483-1546 tr Richard Massie 1800-1887)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after the sixth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 259 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 9th July 2013

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

castleBe silent before the Sovereign LORD, for the day of the LORD is near. (Zep 1:7 NIV)

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. (Luk 12:37 NIV)

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Löhe on Romans 6,4

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

TaufeWe were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Rom 6:4 NIV)

This does not mean that we are to live a new life then only. The Apostle rather wants to encourage the Christian congregation in Roman o this life here and now. His words point us to our grave and that of our sinful existence, but also the fresh, blessed and holy life of the new creation in Jesus Christ. In this way these words help us to recognize the moral consequences of our communion and fellowship with Christ’s death and resurrection. Just as faith alone grasps the results of this holy association, so it too draws the consequences of this union for our daily life and practiced sanctification. Faith alone receives the heavenly grace as gift. Faith alone brings forth the fruit of sanctification. Faith alone is God’s working in us bringing forth the fruit of a new life and bringing them to full bloom and fruition too. If the communion with Jesus Christ’s death and life are so crucial and decisive, then it should be our utmost priority to get to this fellowship or if we are called into it, to remain in it constantly. That’s what the faithful reference and return to Holy Baptism accomplishes. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved!

Lord Jesus Christ! From the very bottom of our heart we bring praise, glory and thankfulness to you our savior and redeemer. You have taken all power away from death by your death and you have liberated us from the fear of death and dying so that we would be free and released from this fearful bondage and servitude. We humbly ask you: Grant us your grace, that in communion with your death we would die to all sin and godlessness to rather life in the fellowship of your new life and creation. In the hour of our death strengthen us in faith that your holy and most precious blood was shed for us also and that your merits and worthiness have been granted to us as ours vicariously and salvifically in and through the most holy and precious Baptism. Amen. (Prussian Agenda 1895)

You have inscribed me into the book of life – you the life of my life. Oh, let me my baptism into your death not be in vain. Rather grant that no curse can wipe me out from there and from the holy union with you.

Keep me through this holy Baptism in the communion of life with you and all saints and lead me all the way from this earthly abode to your celestial glory so that I may pass through Jordan’s waters and reach the promised land! (Banjamin Schmolck 1672-1737)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after the sixth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 258 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 8th July 2013

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

scalesGod blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” (Gen 1:28 NIV)

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luk 12:48 NIV)

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Löhe on Romans 6,3

Posted on July 7, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

baptismal fontDon’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (Rom 6:3 NIV)

To be baptized into Jesus Christ is nothing else than being joined to him and made part of him through holy Baptism. Being baptized into his death is also being made part of his death to then being raised up with him through his resurrection. All this happens in Holy Baptism. God grants this our immersion and inclusion into Christ’s death and resurrection through the most effective means of Holy Baptism. All those baptized into Christ by the triune God are therefore part of this most salvific union and organic communion. If we want to understand our divine connection, we need to concentrate on our initiation into the godly family by Holy Baptism. If we are looking for our fellowship with Jesus Christ, we need to focus onto the baptismal font and the procedure by which we were immersed into his life’s story and fate at that joyous occasion, which brought about the critical juncture of our life and future. Remember what happened in your baptism and recall, what your God has done to you there and then. There you were connected with Christ for good. In Baptism God made you part of his family and an heir of heaven. Our faith is based on God’s actions in Holy Baptism and what he did there for us. Without Holy Baptism we are at a loss and can’t really be convinced, that we are truly part of Christ and his eternal salvation. However in Holy Baptism he has granted us this safe and secure foundation of faith and Christian confidence. His word points us to this firm foundation. His word highlights the miraculous powers invested by him into Holy Baptism. That’s the sermon of his word – it praises the treasures inherent in this most holy and Christian Baptism.  There are far too many looking for deep communion and fellowship with Christ, who just miss the fact that they have this all in their initial connection with him through Holy Baptism already.

Faithful and merciful God! We are yours thanks to our baptism in Jesus Christ. You have demonstrated your immeasurable love towards us by making us your children and heirs of heaven through this holy water sanctified by your holy word and promise. We thank you for your goodness and we ask you, bless us with the strength of baptism even as we enter this new day and prepare for the coming night. Disperse all bad thoughts from our hearts and grant that we are awake by your grace in truth and love to serve you and yours day in day out. We ask this in your most precious name, God Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Baptized into your name most holy, O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I claim a place, though weak and lowly, Among your seed, your chosen host. Buried with Christ and dead to sin, I have your Spirit now within.

My loving Father, here you take me Hence forth to be your child and heir; My faithful Savior, here you make me The fruit of all your sorrows share; O Holy Ghost, you comfort me Though threatening clouds around I see.

O faithful God, you never fail me; Your covenant surely will abide. Let not eternal death assail me Should I transgress it on my side! Have mercy when I come defiled; Forgive, lift up, restore your child.

All that I am and love most dearly, Receive it all, O Lord, from me. Oh, let me make my vows sincerely, And help me your own child to be! Let nothing that I am or own Serve any will but yours alone. (Johann J. Rambach)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the sixth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 257 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 the 7th July 2013

Posted on July 7, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

eyesThe commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. (Psa 19:8 NIV)

Jesus said: “Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Mat 5:19 NIV)

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Lutheran Order of service in isiZulu/seTswana

Posted on July 6, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Baptism1The Lutheran Order of Service for the 6th Sunday after Trinity for the 7th July 2013 is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s word from the prophet Isaiah 43,1-7 written by brother Rev. F.Mtshali (LC in Fernie, MP) and translated as usual into seTswane (wt1336130707 n Tr 6) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN), who also wrote the sermon in isiZulu (wz1336130707 n Tr 6).

May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for this Sunday: This is what the LORD says– he who created you: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isa 43:1 NIV) The liturgical colour is green.

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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