Tag Archives: Faith

Sola gratia (5th Sunday after Trinity)

Looking forward to this coming 5th Sunday after Trinity. Some 29 years ago tomorrow, Präses Ernst-August Albers preached at the official dedication of our Afrikaans congregation in Piet Retief. He was my confirmand and ordinand, but also strong backer of … Continue reading

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Ride on, ride on in Majesty…

Looking forward to the 6th Sunday in Lent: “Palm Sunday”: Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The lessons forbid getting lost in facinations of glorious fantasies and focus our hearts and minds on what´s at hand: “For just as Moses lifted up … Continue reading

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All eyes on Jesus…

Another bible study coming up. This time on Hebrews 11 and 12. The verses chosen are but a guideline. The entire chapter gives the proper line of thought. It´s all about faith as the watchword for this coming 6th Sunday … Continue reading

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Therefore both rains are necessary, the early and the late…

Dr. Martin Luther continues his commentary on Deuteronomy with this summary of chapter 11 – and it´s good reading in this translation by Richard R. Caemmerer in Luther´s Works Volume 9, pages 117-119: This chapter is a sort of conclusion to … Continue reading

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It´s still all about the 1st commandment…

Do we love God as such or rather just as a means to an end? Well, trials and temptations go a long way to reveal that as Moses explains: First Moses says that the nation was afflicted and tried by … Continue reading

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The silver bells of St. Cyriacus

The Benedictine abbey Wimmelburg – just north of Lutherstadt Eisleben and south of Mansfeld – founded just after the turn of the 1st Millennium was dedicated to the legendary martyr St. Cyriacus, who is one of the 14 Holy Helpers. … Continue reading

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Sermon for the Sunday after Christ´s Ascension

In 1522 Dr. Martin Luther uses tomorrow´s gospel (John 15,26-16,4) to preach of comfort and admonition. Here is an audible version of the German sermon. Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord, With all Your graces now outpoured On each believer’s … Continue reading

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In short: Apart from me, You can do nothing +

I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit. John 15:5a Here Christ repeats His foregoing words almost verbatim. He wants to be sure to … Continue reading

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Abide in me and I in You

Jesus Christ says: Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. Gospel of St. John 15:4 Luther comments this … Continue reading

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On being alone and together

The following „Solitariness & brotherhood“ is from Hermann Dietzfelbinger´s: „Pastoral care of the pastor” One thing more must be added. It is true that Christ meets me in my brother, but that brother is not Christ. And brotherhood is not … Continue reading

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