Herrenhuter readings for Sunday, the 4th August 2013

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus stills the stormDo not be afraid, for I am with you! (Isa 43:5 NIV)

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” (Luk 8:25 NIV)

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Löhe on 1.Corinthians 10,13

Posted on August 3, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

cross IXNo temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1Co 10:13 NIV)

This is a threefold comfort. Firstly, God takes our weakness into consideration. St. Paul wrote: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.” That means, the temptations have been cut to size, made to fit and suit us common people. Then secondly, God equips us with the necessary endurance and capacity to be able to bear the coming temptations: “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” Oh, these are truly words of great comfort and sure consolation. By nature we are weak and incapable to face these challenges, yet God’s faithfulness is far greater than all necessities and burdens. “He does burden us, but he helps us too!” Finally while no hardship endures eternally, his grace does and carries us through. The temptations will run its course, but in such a way that we will be able to stand up under it. The apostle encourages and comforts us: “He will surely do it!” Whoever grasps this, has it all and as much as he needs – eternal comfort and everlasting joy.

In conclusion let us address the questions, whether it is God, who brings on these temptations. Well, he does not tempt anyone, yet he knows them and helps us to provide a way out so taht you can stand up under it. He is with us in temptations also. Therefore take courage. Don’t despair. Rather remember that it will not be as deep and harrowing as we might fear. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial” (Jam 1:12 NIV)

Lord God, heavenly Father! Childlike we pray: Strengthen us in our weakness, empower us with your grace and mercy and don’t allow the glowing wick to be extinguished. Rather give us new courage and hope while dispersing anxiety and fear of lurking dangers and encompassing evil. Grant that we will faithfully withstand all attacks by sin, world, devil and hell so that we finally will be victorious and triumph against these evil monstrosities, bearing your gift – the crown of eternal life. We ask this in Jesus Christ’s name, he our triumphant Lord, our God and King. Amen.  

1 Thanks to Thee, O Christ victorious! Thanks to Thee, O Lord of Life! Death hath now no power o’er us, Thou hast conquered in the strife. Thanks because Thou didst arise And hast opened paradise! None can fully sing the glory Of the resurrection story.

2 Thou hast died for my transgression, All my sins on Thee were laid; Thou hast won for me salvation, On the cross my debt was paid. From the grave I shall arise And shall meet Thee in the skies. Death itself is transitory; I shall lift my head in glory.

3 For the joy Thine advent gave me, For Thy holy, precious Word; For Thy Baptism, which doth save me, For Thy blest Communion board; For Thy death, the bitter scorn, For Thy resurrection morn, Lord, I thank Thee and extol Thee, And in heav’n I shall behold Thee. Thomas Hansen Kingo, 1634-1703 tr George A.T. Rygh, 1860-1942)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the ninth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 284 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 Saturday, the 3rd August 2013

Posted on August 3, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Pharoah‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?  (Exo 10:3 NIV)

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luk 18:14 NIV)

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21st Ordination anniversary

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber
In this church I was ordained to serve as pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church on the 2nd August 1992. God is gracious, merciful and his love is unending! Praise be to him now and forever. Amen.

In this church I was ordained to serve as pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church on the 2nd August 1992. God is gracious, merciful and his love is unending! Praise be to him now and forever. Amen.

21 years ago President Ernst-August Albers assisted by Bishop Georg Schulz DD and President emeritus Gunter Scharlach and various brothers from both FELSiSA, LCSA and SELK/LKM ordained me into the holy office of the pastoral ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Wittenberg, Mpumalanga.

God is good and his apostle is so right: Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer , he desires a noble task. (1Ti 3:1 NIV) Πιστὸς ὁ λόγος. Εἴ τις ἐπισκοπῆς ὀρέγεται, καλοῦ ἔργου ἐπιθυμεῖ. (1Ti 3:1 BGT) For us Germans Luther has translated that most appropriately: Das ist je gewißlich wahr, so jemand ein Bischofsamt begehret, der begehret ein köstlich Werk. (1Ti 3:1 L45)

And together with the holy Christian Church we teach and confess, that this office was instituted by God himself to create saving faith through the gospel and sacraments for: Through these, as through means, he gives the Holy Spirit who produces faith, where and when he wills, in those who hear the gospel. It teaches that we have a gracious God, not through our merit but through Christ’s merit, when we so believe.” (CA V,2-3)

We off course know that puts us under divine compulsion and responsibility: Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1Co 9:16 NIV)

Praise God’s word and calling with me by joining in the hymn we so often sing at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane: “God’s Word is our great heritage And shall be ours forever; To spread its light from age to age Shall be our chief endeavour. Through life it guides our way, In death it is our stay. Lord, grant, while worlds endure, We keep its teachings pure Throughout all generations.” (Nikolai Fredrik Severin Grundtvig, 1783-1872 tr O.G. Belsheim 1861-1925. 

 

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Löhe on 1.Corinthians 10,11

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

broad and narrowThese things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us. (1Co 10:11 NIV)

This reminds me of the great festivities of the living God recorded in the Old Testament, during which the people joyfully celebrated God’s goodness and mercy, thanking and praising him and worshipping his glory while eating, drinking, singing and being merry with dance and music. I think too of the celebrations of the living God in the New Testament – Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and Church anniversaries – and there too people eat, drink and are merry. And then the people refer back to the Old Testament and want to excuse their merriment while eating, drinking and dancing with this historic referral: These are not pagan festivals, that we are celebrating. Yet the people are misguided. I regret this from the bottom of my heart. It is true: The early Christians ate their meals together. Body and soul rejoiced in the living God while at it. Yet, when many Christians rejoice in celebrations and festivities, then they go beyond the merriment of the early Church in their revelry and carousing. Many eat and drink too much. Their merriment is not just in praise of the living God, nor does it reflect the love of Jesus Christ, but rather forgets the creator and giver of all good and perfect gifts. His word is ignored, talk is uncouth and downright rude. Food and drink are spiced up with cursing and swearing. Such entertainment is more sinful than good, serving the archenemy and his evil cause and thus becoming more of a pagan party than one of faithful Christians. Therefore this word is also written as a warning for us and I pray earnestly that we would heed his warning and return to the good old ways of the Church in humility, sobriety, purity and holiness. After all that is joy and happiness in the Lord! O faithful Lord Jesus, you are our teacher and guide in all things. Keep us on the right track. Grant that we don’t sin against you. Especially if we are merry and happy together, let us not forget to invite you as our main guest and that we consciously eat and drink in your presence, that we listen and speak with the assured that you are in our midst and listening too. Grant us the sensitivity to realize where we should not go or be without betraying you and your holy ways. Let us live in your holy and gracious presence all our lives – also in this coming night – until the very end, so that we will be with you now and forever. Amen. “Away from us!” the demon cried When Christ, the Lord, drew near. “Our dank, disordered world is lost When You, the Light, appear!” But Jesus spoke with God’s own pow’r; “Come forth!” was His command; For evil cannot bear the Light Nor sin the Truth withstand. O risen Christ, God’s living Word, To us, we pray, draw near. Come, speak the truth that cleanses sin With love that conquers fear. Drive out the doubt that cripples faith; Expel our pride and greed That we, from pow’rs that threaten us, May, by Your grace, be freed. Then help us, Lord, to greet each day With hearts and wills made new And, when You call us forth to serve, To rise and follow You. (Hermann G. Stuempfle Jr. *1923) This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Friday after the ninth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 283 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 Friday, the 2nd August 2013

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

tuscany-vineyardI, the LORD, watch over my fruitful vineyard; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it. (Isa 27:3 NIV)

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Th 5:23 NIV)

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Löhe on 1.Corinthians 10,12

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

pilgrims progressSo, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (1Co 10:12 NIV)

So what if you see the precipice and still fall in? If you notice the trap and yet are caught? If you’re aware of the temptation and don’t side-step it anyway? The Lord wants truth, clarity and transparency to save, to sanctify and finally lead to blessed salvation. It’s not just about mind-games or some ideology. He’s not just taking us to the portal, but wants us to enter in and get right to his very heart and centre. So, who does the apostle have in mind when writing: “If you think you are standing firm…” (1Co 10:12 NIV) Who is this thinking of standing firm? Is this somebody lying down? No, obviously not. Otherwise the apostle would advise to get up. He’s addressing those, who are standing upright and who believe their good standing is something to rely on, be proud of and to trust in. There are plenty of those around. More perhaps than we would have thought. I would nearly say, all people have a tendency to take their status for granted. We should all take this as a friendly warning and test ourselves so that we may escape this threat and lurking danger. This kind of thinking is rather biased and we’re most often somewhat deluded about our own position. That is why St. Paul warns us: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1Co 10:12 NIV) Open your eyes and look carefully. Be alert against falling darkness and the coming night. There is a blindness, which God wants to overcome and heal. This blindness parts when Jesus Christ goes by and the blind call like Bartimaeus of old: “Lord, help me that I may see!” The blindness goes, the path becomes apparent, the stumbling blocks too and all lurking dangers flee.

O Lord, you delight in humility and oppose all haughtiness. Take good care of us, that we don’t hold to highly of ourselves, but rather tend to those that are lowly and meek. Let us hold on to your hand firmly so that we don’t fall into the dangerous traps that threaten our progress. Grant us eyes that will see your light and path that we will follow your directions and guidance. Bless and keep us in the darkest night, so that your peace will encompass us so that we can walk as in the brightest sunshine enlightened by your grace and mercy, drawn closer and closer to you and your eternal salvation. Amen.

From God can nothing move me; He will not step aside But gently will reprove me And be my constant guide. He stretches out His hand in evening and in morning, My life with grace adorning wherever I may stand.

Yet even thou I suffer the world’s unpleasantness, And though the days grow rougher and bring me great distress, That day of bliss divine, which knows no end or measure, And Christ, who is my pleasure, forever shall be mine.

For thus the Father willed it, who fashioned us from clay; And His own Son fulfilled it and brought eternal day. The Spirit now has come, to us true faith has given; He leads us home to heaven. O praise the Three in One! Amen (Text: Ludwig Helmbold, 1532-98)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Thursday after the ninth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 282 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 1st August 2013

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

word and sacrament“Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared.” (Num 14:17 NIV)

Christ is powerful among you. (2Co 13:3 NIV)

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Confessional Address at LTS

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Faithful_Steward (825 x 346)Wednesdays we have Confession and Absolution at the Seminary. This morning we sang hymn: “Seek where you may to find a way…”(LSB 557) and heard the reading from 1.Samuel 16, 1-23. The following address was also given on James 3,3: 

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Lutheran Order of service in isiZulu/seTswana

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

JerusalemThe Lutheran Order of Service for the 10th Sunday after Trinity (“Destruction of Jerusalem”) is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s word through the prophet Jeremiah in the 7th chapter verses 1-15  by my brother Rev. P.C. Weber  (LC Ohlangeni, KZN) in isiZulu (wz1340130804ntr 10) and translated as usual into seTswane (wt1340130804 n Tr 10) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).

The readings for this Sunday are under the theme “Destruction of Jerusalem”:

From the Old Testament:   Exodus 19,1-6

The Epistle:                      Romans 9,1-8.14-16

The Gospel:                      Luke 19,41-48/Mark 12,28-34

The liturgical colour is green.

May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for this Sunday: Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. (Psa 33:12 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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