Löhe on Galatians 6:6.9.10

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

offering1Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor…Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:6-10 NIV)

What does a Christian do with that money and property that he does not need for his and his families daily support and nurture? I am presupposing that such Christians take care of their own people, their parents and even relatives. Even taking this into account many Christians still have more than required for these basic family needs. The Holy Scripture does not know much about storage and  putting away for years to come. That is why it gives this practical suggestion of sharing with the instructors of the congregation. Besides that the care of poor siblings in the faith is entrusted to his conscience and finally all those that need support and care – even beyond the congregational borders. Obviously there is no need for this sharing if no need exists, yet the helping hand should reach out to those who are in need. In the early years of the Church teachers, pastors and bishops of the Church lived off those gifts donated by the congregation on the altar. The teachers were not ashamed to receive and the congregation was willing and grateful to give. All of them lived from day to day by the grace of their Lord Jesus Christ looking forward to the promised eternal life. In the same way it worked with those in the family of believers. Whoever supported the needy in the Church supported the Church at the same time, for she upholds and proclaims the gospel. The mild light of love shone brightly in the Church giving her good reason to and calling the unbelievers to Church and eternal life too.

Lord – our God! We thank you for the good gifts with which you have filled our hands and homes, so that we have more than enough to share with those in need. Show us the need of your Church and also that of her members here and abroad. Open our hearts and hands to gladly share and offer with deeds of loving kindness and mercy. Bless our gifts that they may confirm our brothers and sisters in the faith and establish them on the firm foundation of the gospel. Grant to us that as members of the one body of Jesus Christ we would share sorrows and cares amongst each other and grow steadfastly in the communion with you and towards you as our head – Jesus Christ. Amen.

Yea, Lord, ’twas Thy rich bounty gave My body, soul, and all I have In this poor life of labor. Lord, grant that I in every place May glorify Thy lavish grace And serve and help my neighbor. Let no false doctrine me beguile, Let Satan not my soul defile. Give strength and patience unto me To bear my cross and follow Thee. Lord Jesus Christ, My God and Lord, my God and Lord, In death Thy comfort still afford. (Martin Schalling 1567 tr Chatherine Winkworth, 1863)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Friday after the fifteenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 325 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 13th September 2013

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

jesus-iconOnly be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen (Deu 4:9 NIV)

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and he went around doing good (Act 10:38 NIV)

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Confessional address

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

malawi-green-future488Here’s this weeks confessional address from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane on 1.Cor.7:20-24: 

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Löhe on Galatians 6:3-4

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

aloneIf anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else. (Gal 6:3-4 NIV)

Whoever doesn’t think too highly of himself will not do as if he is something special either. He will not be opposed on this and will remain unafflicted and at peace. Yet whoever thinks highly of himself, will achieve the opposite. He will either continue arrogant and haughty in his own ways or he will be convinced to change his ways and get done from his high horse. Test yourself and your actions! Test them in the light of God’s commands and regulations. Evaluate them from the divine and godly perspective of his most holy law. That will elucidate your shortcomings and failures so that your pride will be dented if not reduced to size. That is why such critical self-evaluation in the light of God’s word is so vital for sanctification and holy living. You should not compare yourself so much with other people, but rather measure yourself according to God’s most holy and perfect will. This divine perfection which is personified in Jesus Christ the Lord is the proper benchmark and standard for Christian living. That reduces all human self-esteem to nothing and makes us entirely dependent on God’s gracious forgiveness and mercy. There is no reason whatsoever to become proud or self-conceited, nor is there any cause for envy or hatred either. In the light of God’s law we recognize our own poverty and lowliness. There is no room for proud self-conceit or -aggrandizement, just humility and keeping down with the lowly.

Alas, my God, my sins are great, My conscience must upbraid me; And now I find that in my strait No human power can aid me.

But curb my heart, forgive me still, Oh, make my patience firmer; For they ignore your kindly will Who at your chastenings murmur.

All that you do is for my best; Your grace will help me bear it If but at last I see your rest And with my Savior share it. (Johann Major 1613 tr Chatherine Winkworth, 1863)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Thursday after the fifteenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 324 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 12th September 2013

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

cross and crucifiedSing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away your punishment. (Zep 3:14-15 NIV)

Jesus Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. (1Pe 2:24 NIV)

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Löhe on Galatians 6:2

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

carry burdensCarry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2 NIV)

“Burdens” signify all that can bear heavily on somebody, be it their mistake, some sin, particularity or foible. Perhaps it also includes those things that we would summarize under  “antipathy”. Even if only sins were targeted here, it would still include enough admonition to bear these with peaceful forbearance and such promise could strengthen the will and heart of the weak. Whoever bears these burdens patiently fulfills the law of Christ. Christ’s law is no hard or threatening, but rather a holy rule of life which was revealed in his word’s and blessed example. The Sum and pinnacle of this law is the joyful endurance of other’s mistakes, faults and shortcomings – all those things that even Christians view as burdensome and taxing. Therefore we should not just withdraw ourselves as some lonesome recluse, isolating ourselves in self-satisfied sanctuary of our own choosing, but rather seek the fellowship and communion of other Christians – weak, stressed, afflicted, sinful and hurting like ourselves – seeking sanctification and healing together. Even if this means bearing some or other burden, we should recognize this as holy calling and remember that we too give more than our fair share of burdens to others to carry also. It is a sign of true spirituality and wholesome attitude if we are patient and forbearing to those, who burden us with weights and loads and troubles.

Merciful and gracious God! Invigorate us with the Spirit of your love and mercy so that we would serve each other and bear each others burdens, troubles and sorrows too. Bless the orders of civil society and all humanitarian care and welfare – and those in our congregation and church. Let us experience your truth that it is far more blessed to give than to receive. Strengthen our love that will not be embittered. You are such a rich God: Grant us all that we need for our souls to flourish and that we would confess joyfully and truthfully: I lack nothing for you refresh my soul even as I pass through death’s dark vale I fear no ill, for you are with me. Amen.  

Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above.

Before our Father’s throne We pour our ardent prayers; Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one Our comforts and our cares.

We share each other’s woes, Our mutual burdens bear; And often for each other flows The sympathizing tear.

From sorrow, toil and pain, And sin, we shall be free, And perfect love and friendship reign Through all eternity. (John Fawcett 1772)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the fifteenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 323 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 11th September 2013

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

king and his armyNo king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. (Psa 33:16 NIV)

Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. (Mar 10:43 NIV)

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Löhe on Galatians 6:1

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus sinners does receiveBrothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. (Gal 6:1 NIV)

In this life a lot goes against this bible verse. Even amongst Christians there is common talk like: That can’t be a Christian if he did this or that sin. Or: How can he speak like that if he is a Christian? Or: She can’t be a Christian as she was linked up there and then. Or: Since he/she has done this, I can’t stand him/her. Etc etc. This strict judgment mostly does not expect any improvement or even insight into wrongdoing and consequently repentance even if love hopes everything and doesn’t give up on anybody. It seems as if it was never written: “Whoever stole, shall steal no more!”, but rather “Whoever sins, is lost!” What do these very fine and illustrious judges say about David, Peter and so many other saints, whose lives don’t follow the sure and peaceful course of a brook in the field, but rather represent a turbulent cascade of some waterfall in the hills, which speeds towards its goal over numerous obstacles and breaches? And this judgmental prejudice is even called “Christian prudence”. Don’t they realize that this is rather hypocritically and vain? O Jesus – friend and companion of sinners – grant us patient forbearance with sinners!

Jesus sinners does receive; Oh, may all this saying ponder Who in sin’s delusions live And from God and heaven wander. Here is hope for all who grieve Jesus sinners does receive.

We deserve but grief and shame, Yet his words, rich grace revealing, Pardon, peace, and life proclaim; Here their ills have perfect healing Who with humble hearts believe Jesus sinners does receive.

Sheep that from the fold did stray Are not by the Lord forsaken; Weary souls who lost their way Are by Christ, the shepherd, taken In his arms that they may live Jesus sinners does receive.

Oh, how blest is it to know, Were as scarlet my transgression, It shall be as white as snow By your blood and bitter passion, For these words I do believe Jesus sinners does receive. (Erdmann Neumeister 1718)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after the fifteenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 322 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 10th September 2013

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

DOUBLOONSAnd the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times. (Psa 12:6 NIV)

Jesus Christ said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (Joh 8:31-32 NIV)

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Lutheran Order of service in isiZulu/seTswana

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

NainThe Lutheran Order of Service for this years 16th Sunday after the high holiday of the most holy and venerated godly Trinity is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s word from the gospel of the evangelist St. Luke in the 7th chapter verses 11-16 (Jesus raises the son of the widow at Nain from the dead) by the late Pastor Sibiya in isiZulu (wz1346130915 n Tr 16) and translated as usual into seTswana (wt1346130915 n Tr 16) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).

The readings for this Sunday are:

Old Testament:       Lamentations 3:22-26.31-32

The Epistle:            2.Timothy 1,7-10

The Gospel:            John 11,1 (2) 3. 17-27 (41-45)

The liturgical colour is green.

May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for this Sunday: Our Saviour, Christ Jesus has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2Ti 1:10 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 and faithful words, biblical pictures and stories to preach his holy will purely and his promises faithfully! However if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen for 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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