Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psa 139:23-24 NIV)
Peter said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” (Joh 21:17 NIV)
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope… (Rom 8:20 NIV)
As long as this world stands it is subjected to frustration, because the creator has made it share the lot of humankind. Although forms and patterns in nature are beautiful and exquisite – even beyond measuring out – yet all of that is temporal and passing away. A frustrating vanity clothes all of creation in this world. Plus people take created things and subject them to their own conceit. All of creation is doomed to serve the foolish, trivial and conceited whims of those fallen masters of the universe. Creation does not do this lightly, yet it is forced into this servitude by the creator of all. Even if this now the sorry state of creation, this is to be but a temporary bondage and oppression. On the contrary. The suffering of all creation is passing away and will make way for a glory that is by far greater than the present one as it will demonstrate the triumph of not only the creator, but also its savior and liberator. That is why the apostle describes the present subjugation to frustration as one of hope. There will come a time, when the new creation will be indestructible and a part of the eternal heaven and everlasting earth. Yes, there is no doubt about this, our future is marvelous, exciting and very, very inviting for sure!
O Lord, we are waiting for your kingdom and eternal reign to become visible for all of us. We are waiting for the new heaven and the new earth in with righteousness dwell and we will serve you with all saints in perfect bliss and joyful fulfillment. We are waiting for that future city in which there will be sorrow, no crying, no pain and even death will have been swallowed by Christ’s glorious victory. Lord, come and end all injustice and sinfulness, all violence and calamity, all suffering, death and dying. Strengthen our faith in your coming kingdom and grant living faith to those faithless and desperate. Magnify your hope in our hearts, which are often tempted to give up – despairing, tired, hopeless. Vitalize your love in our midst and in our lives, so that we might encourage, support, help and strengthen each other along the way. Lord, grant that we may prepare your way in our lives and let your kingdom come to us also. Amen. (Church book of Mecklenburg-Schwerin 1927)
What words will fathom our blissful joy, when God’s presence immerses our holy throng in purest light and we worship him the Father, Son and Holy Ghost – one God over all and in all forever and ever? (Heinrich Theobald Schenk 1656-1727)
This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the fourth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 246 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.
And the LORD said to Moses, “I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” (Exo 33:17 NIV)
God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his.“ (2Ti 2:19 NIV)
The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. (Rom 8:19 NIV)
The entire creation and all of nature participates in the fate of those, that belong to Jesus Christ. Their waiting, longing and anxious expectation for a better future is to be fulfilled because God is faithful and keeps his promises. They are not anxious about the glory of humanity in general, but rather care for that of those who are children of God. While it is common and fairly easy to separate the created world from that of grace, the apostle describes something different here. He’s very serious about his Lord’s teaching that the meek will inherit the earth and that they will be Lords of creation and that nature is actually aware of this coming age and that it is full of deep joy and longing for this time already. It is weighed down under the present servitude and is pressing towards liberation and freedom. Just as a horse stretches out its strong neck with wide eyes and nostrils a flair as it is thundering towards its goal ahead, so according to the apostle all of nature is pushing hard to reach the goal up front where all destruction and decomposition is history and the indestructible, imperishable and eternal life in God’s glory will flourish. Yes, it is like a natural consciousness that this new life will appear when the glorification of God’s people and children will come about. This is a remarkable matter of God’s revelation and its best just left as it is without human embellishment. Disbelief smiles derogatively down at this, whereas faith triumphs.
O Lord our God. In your revelation and holy word you have given us a perspective of the world to come and the fate of your church in the age of completion and fulfillment. We are amazed and astonished and full of wonderment at the greatness of your goodness and wisdom. There is nothing too small for your attention. You take it up into your wonderful providence and gracious plan and strategy. Even the speechless nature is to praise and glorify you. Your final triumph at the end of days will be far greater and more magnificent than anything that we can imagine or realize. So allow us to faithfully fold our hands in prayer to give thanks to you that we too praise you and worship your grace, majesty and glory. Amen.
Oh, how I wish to see you best friend of my soul – up on Salem’s green, where there is no calamity or crying, but rather joy and bliss in God’s gracious midst.
Oh come and lead us from this foreign place. Carry us home into our promised fatherland, where quite waters quench our thirst for good and we at last see your face.
Oh that wonderfully prepared home, the lovely dwellings of the Lord. If only I had wings to fly there even now to the celestial cities of our God where he shines as its brightest sun. (Friedrich Konrad Hiller, 1662-1726)
This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after the fourth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 245 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.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. (Psa 51:2 NIV)V)
Our Lord Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. (Gal 1:3-4 NIV)
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Rom 8:18 NIV)
Let’s deal some more with these words from Romans 8:18. The old enemy lives just as the old and good God is alive and well. Yet he does not have a reason to reveal his evil cunning if we don’t prompt him by confession of our savior and a living faith in Jesus Christ. There have been such confessional times and I am confident that they will come again when people will confess Jesus Christ far and wide. In such times suffering multiplies. Burning, pain and hurt become common place. Such rampant suffering make the comparison of St. Paul even more inviting and promising. As long as you don’t suffer because of Christ and your confession to him it is easy to shrug off this coming glory saying: “That’s nothing!” However if you suffer persecution, if your discriminated against and are hurt and tortured because of your confessional witness to Jesus Christ then such words become extra special. Those are times when we need his bright light and a far stronger base to stand on – one of grace and eternal glories – so that you too can intone faithfully with St. Paul: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Rom 8:18 NIV) If the heart is carried by such faith and hope it is already blissfully confident even in the midst of dark valleys of death as it is assured that these sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that is to come. It remains an aberration and a sacrilege if such sufferings are deemed meritorious and the eternal glory as reward of worldly practice.
O righteous, holy God and Lord. Remember your title and name as father and savior and comforter. Do not forsake your congregation eternally, but remember her in all her suffering and do not let the threats and pressures of her enemies torment her too much. We know that it is required of us to bear our cross patiently so that we don’t become arrogant and too haughty, but rather remember you as our only sanctuary and protective shield, our helper and liberator. You have promised that you would not leave us alone in our need. Therefore grant us times of refreshment, recovery, recuperation and healing so that all might perceive how well you take care of your people and inheritance. Do this to silence your enemies and grant that they too will realize that only those who hope in you, are flourishing, whereas evil and those hating you will not triumph, but will pass away in no time. Even if we are afflicted because of your name and righteousness, grant that we may persevere patiently and walk the way of confession bravely and with joy as we carry our cross. You are the one, who stands by us and grants us peace that passes all understanding to those that fear your name. Amen.
Don’t look back or even sideways as you continue towards our good God in eternity. Keep you eyes fixed on Jesus – and your heart and mind and hands – and he’ll save you finally for his name’s and righteousness sake + (Johann Kaspar Lapater, 1741-1801)
This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after the fourth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 244 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.
The heavens declare the glory of God. (Psa 19:1 NIV)
When Jesus was baptized the heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luk 3:21-22 NI
Freundliche Gesprächskultur
SELK: APK-Gäste würdigen konventuales Miteinander
Berlin-Spandau, 22.6.2013 – selk – Die Diskussionskultur und der Umgang der Konventualen miteinander wurde durch die offiziellen Gäste aus Schwesterkirchen auf dem 12. Allgemeinen Pfarrkonvent der Selbständigen Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche (SELK) in Berlin-Spandau positiv gewürdigt. Gefreut habe ihn die geschwisterliche und faire Weise im Umgang miteinander – „gerade auch, weil viele schwierige Themen verhandelt wurden“, erklärte Reverend Tony Booker als Vertreter der Lutherischen Kirche-Missouri Synode gegenüber Pfarrer Jochen Roth (Lehrte-Arpke) von der Redaktion des SELK-Kirchenblattes „Lutherische Kirche“. Auch Präses Gijsbertus van Hattem (Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Belgien) bewertete die Gesprächskultur als gut: „Im Vergleich mit der Situation vor 20 Jahren, wo es auch mal heiß herging, ist man doch heute im Umgang miteinander deutlich freundlicher.“ Präses Dr. Robert Bugbee von der Lutherischen Kirche-Kanada stellte in seinem Kurzinterview fest, „dass im Vergleich mit kirchlichen Versammlungen in Nordamerika die Ausführungen der Redner sehr sachlich blieben. Unsere Leute neigen da eher dazu, in manchen Fragen etwas aufgeregt zu werden.“ Er bescheinigte dem APK eine gute geschwisterliche Atmosphäre.
Er sei gespannt gewesen zu erleben, wie die Konventualen „auf die wirklich schwerwiegenden Fragen“ eingehen würden, die auf dem Konvent angestanden hätten, äußerte Bischof Dr. Wilhelm Weber von der Lutherischen Kirche im Südlichen Afrika gegenüber „Lutherische Kirche“. Er freue sich, wie auf dem Konvent miteinander gearbeitet worden sei „und auf welchem hohen Niveau die Gottesdienste und Gespräche“ stattgefunden hätten.
Superintendent Christof Schorling von der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche in Baden (ELKiB) wertete das Miteinander auf dem Konvent konkret im Horizont des angespannten zwischenkirchlichen Verhältnisses zwischen der SELK und der ELKiB: Die Gesprächsatmosphäre in vielen Einzelgesprächen habe ihn gefreut, so Schorling, es sei „viel Geschwisterlichkeit zum Ausdruck gebracht worden.“ Auch habe er das Bemühen wahrgenommen, „aufeinander zu hören“. Dass das Vertrauensverhältnis zur ELKiB „teilweise doch geringer geworden sei“, habe er feststellen müssen. Er wünsche der SELK – wie seiner Kirche auch – „Geduld im Ringen um den gemeinsamen Weg. Dazu auch Wachstum im Glauben und in der Liebe zum Herrn – in der Gemeinschaft mit der ELKiB.“
Auf die Frage, was er der SELK wünsche, antwortete Präses Bugbee dem „Lutherische Kirche“-Redakteur: „Ich wünsche der SELK dasselbe, was ich auch uns wünsche: Nämlich eine klare Linie und gleichzeitig eine geistliche Wärme in den Gemeinden. Die Menschen sollen sich getragen fühlen können.“ Er wünsche sich auch, „dass die Gemeinden zu Anziehungspunkten werden für die Menschen um uns herum, die von dem Evangelium gar nichts wissen.“
Der Spandauer Konvent war am vergangenen Montag in den Räumen des Evangelischen Johannesstiftes eröffnet worden und gestern zu Ende gegangen.
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The Lutheran Order of Service for the 4th Sunday after Trinity is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon on John 8, 3-11 (Jesus and the adulteress) written by brother Rev. S.E. Sithole PhD (LTS in Tshwane, GP) in isiZulu (wz1334130623 n Tr 4) and translated as usual into seTswana (wt1334130623 nTr 4) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD.
May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for this Sunday: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2 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.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Rom 8:18 NIV)
If we hear such verses dealing with suffering, then we are tempted to think immediately about suffering common to all people living. The application of such words on illness, poverty, sorrow and issues of nourishment are so general that somebody criticizing this is often seen as somebody who robs those affected in this way of basic comfort and that quite mercilessly. Yet, it remains a fact, that the holy apostle is not addressing such common ailments in these verses. He’s addressing something very different. He’s touching those sufferings, which we have often forgotten or have not even experienced before. He’s addressing suffering characteristic to Christians and faithful followers of Jesus Christ. It’s the suffering that Christians endure by the enemies of their Lord. These are the issue here. These are put into relation and compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. We should however be slow to just apply this onto us and ourselves, because who of us is doing things for Christ’s sake and even more, who of us is suffering for Christ’s sake?
Oh Lord of our life, we suffer little for your name’s sake. Yet we find it difficult to even suffer that little bit patiently and with contentment. We are ashamed of our weakness and we mourn our lack of endurance and that we are so little like your faithful apostles and disciples, who rejoiced that they were deemed worthy to suffer shame and disgrace, hardships and persecution, even death for your name’s sake. We are far away from this content endurance that you and your apostles and disciples demonstrated throughout. Oh Lord, fill us with your love and dedication, that we are strengthened to endure all for your name’s sake, so that even here and now you would be able to reveal your glory in and through us. Amen.
You bore patiently and have already died with Christ. Now after cross and torment you are to live in joy without any hurt or pain or tears. You are standing triumphantly before the lamb’s throne – triumphantly bearing the victor’s crown.
O Jesus our joy and bliss. Come and save us! Rise o welcome sun and run your course. O Jesus make an end to all our suffering and hardship. End our conflicts as we are lifting up our heads and hands and are awaiting you most dearly. (Laurentius Laurenti, 1660-1722)
This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the fourth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 243 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.
Wilhelm's space 