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Happy Inconsistency

Pastor Hale Bible

A Message from Pastor Hale

We learned at Seminary the phrase “felicitous inconsistency” or “happy inconsistency.” It is instructive when we deal with other churches and Christians who have false beliefs. While we do say that churches that teach falsely are not to be accepted or joined with in any official way – so we do not show approval of what is against Christ’s Scripture – we do not condemn Christians in other churches that hold to the same God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit that we do. How can we be so concerned about pure doctrine and following all that Christ taught us, yet not say that people in heterodox (false-believing) churches are damned, even if they hold tightly to partially incorrect religious teaching?

The answer is that people are not robots or computers. An error in doctrine endangers faith, but it does not necessarily prevent faith, depending on the error and how consistently the person carries that error through in his thinking. Most people believe what they are taught, and the false teachers of other churches bear a lot of the responsibility for misleading God’s sheep. But error can be mixed with true doctrine, because no person thinks completely rationally. The Christian churches who deny baptism, thinking it doesn’t do anything or have any benefit, thankfully do not deny the words of Baptism (the Mormons, however, do and are not a Christian church). These erring Christians can confess the name of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, while denying the institution of Baptism – the only place in Scripture God’s name is fully spelled out for us (which is in the giving of Baptism in Mt. 28).

It is the same for Holy Communion. Most protestant churches think the Lord’s Supper is only a time to remember – so that the Christian does all the work in it. So they say it is not Christ’s body and blood, because it can’t be in their mind. But if they really denied the words of the Supper fully they would have no faith at all. The Supper states the Gospel: Christ’s blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins; His body was given for us. Who could argue against these words? But in denying the essence of the Lord’s Supper, they separate themselves from the gift of forgiveness in the Supper – refusing to acknowledge what Christ gives as a precious gift. But most happily, many Christians rejoice and believe in Christ’s forgiveness, even while they think Christ cannot give his body with bread and His blood with wine for us to eat and drink for the forgiveness of sins. They actually hold to words of Communion, in part, but do not want the Supper Christ gave for Christians to have. They are inconsistent, but still saved by faith alone in the risen Christ.

So how can people believe and be Christian who refuse the truth? Because doctrine is piecemeal, while faith is always whole, there can be wrong ideas and understanding mixed with true teaching. But faith is never partial. No one can believe 50% in Christ and 50% in a false god. Faith receives forgiveness from Christ. And even if someone unfortunately rejects Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, the spoken and written Word of Christ offers the same exact forgiveness from Christ’s resurrection as do those two sacraments. Though, without a doubt, they have less of a foundation and assurance than we do, who hold to all the means of forgiveness that Christ gave His Church.

Not all doctrinal errors are the same. Some lie closer to the essence of our faith than others. Take the evil theory of evolution, for example. Someone who believes it sincerely and consistently should deny that we are specially made and that God would love us more than the animals or plants. Evolution puts chance in place of God’s providence. It says there is a cold, loveless, and pointless reality for mankind. But many simple Christians do hold evolution as true, in part, without connecting it to the nature of God. They still think God has called them personally out of slavery to sin to live a new life in Christ. This does not fit with evolution in the least, but many do not carry the tenets of evolution to the final conclusion. They put faith in jeopardy, since evolution goes against what God says and who He is, but many partake of a “happy inconsistency,” not fully making the connections that could be made – since evolution is a man-made theory invented to put God entirely out of the picture.

Another example is the veneration of Mary, the mother of our Lord. Many pray to her and practically worship her. If Mary is worshiped truly, that person has a different God and cannot be Christian. But it is possible to honor Mary highly and attribute more to her than one should, without denying the true God and that forgiveness and mercy are only due to Christ, rather than a sinner like Mary. Some Roman Christians misguidedly venerate Mary, while trusting fully in Christ – so that true faith does exist. So we condemn the error, while praying there is an inconsistency in a person who prays to someone who is not God.

However, just because someone can be a weak Christian who holds to error, does not mean we should partake of error or tolerate it in our midst – God forbid. Or that any particular person will withstand Satan while on a foundation of doctrinal sand. It is like saying how much poison can I ingest and still live? It depends on the individual and his body. False doctrine is poison and no amount of poison is ever good. So we should care about the teaching of Christ and keep it pure from human opinion. It is how we recognize each other as Christian, since we cannot judge faith in the heart: Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting (2 Jn. 2:8-10).

This is why we do not condemn Christians in awful Christian churches, but we do condemn the false teaching that these churches stand for. The cause of salvation is God’s grace and Christ’s work, not our doctrinal perfection. Perfect understanding does not save one. But our pure Lutheran doctrine preserves God’s goodness and keeps us strong against error and Satan, so faith may believe in the correct Christ – the one who forgives us. The Spirit, not our understanding, creates faith – yet a false understanding can lead to a denial of God’s grace in Christ. But it does not always do so.

An Old Testament example would be the sin of polygamy. Abraham and Jacob had multiple wives. They do not seem to have repented publicly of this sin. However, God did not condemn them, but forgave their weakness, though they did suffer on earth for their failings. It was not like people sleeping around today for pleasure. They wanted more children and saw them as the highest blessings, and did not avoid the extra responsibilities that came with them. It was not like fornication today. They had good motives, but the wrong execution. The in vitro (meaning “in glass” – a test-tube or lab-created baby) procedure falls in the same camp. Its goal is children, which are always good, but the procedure disassociates children from God’s marital union. It is not what God intended. The goal of having children can become a god just as much as not having children. Children are a gift, not a goal. But many Christians do this procedure, not trusting God to act through His appointed means, but still rely on Christ for forgiveness. But that does not make it a Christian act or good in itself. It is contrary to marriage and the unity God blesses marriage with. It is dangerous to take the matter of life into our own hands. But many unknowingly do what does not please the Lord and are forgiven in their weakness.

The example of sinful Abraham doesn’t mean that we can safely break our marriage vows today. That is a sin against God. The patriarchs saw divorce as worse than having a concubine. But it is the opposite today in our culture, which despises children, life and caring for a spouse. Their weakness is not our weakness. But we are all weak, which is why we do not judge people’s hearts, even if we must judge their un-Christian actions.

God’s goodness is greater than our weakness. We are to be patient and understanding with the weak and erring. But we do not tolerate error against Christ and what puts our faith in mortal danger. So we lovingly warn those who are going astray and confess the truth proudly.

Scripture condemns false doctrine and we do not recognize fellowship with churches that only have a little doctrine wrong. But we can safely assume that a person living a Christian life and confessing in a church that upholds the Gospel of forgiveness, for the sake of Christ, is a Christian. We leave the rest to God, knowing that even in ourselves, we have “happy inconsistencies” – since we know only in part. Amen.

Rev. Philip W. Hale is a pastor of  Zion Lutheran Church in Omaha, NE.
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Published: 07 June 2019 07 June 2019
Last Updated: 07 June 2019 07 June 2019

Pastor's Pen 06/04/2019

Pastor's Pen for 05/22/2018Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves. (Genesis 11)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The people of Shinar are a very ambitious bunch. Hard workers. They wanted to build a tower that reached into the heavens. They wanted to make a name for themselves. “Look at me.” “Look at what I have done.”

The Lord is NOT pleased. God brings the wrecking ball against all our sinful pride that tries to break into heaven. The Lord’s Holy Law is brought against our sin. To expose the sinful condition as a lost and condemned creature. The Law is preached against arrogance, idolatry and hate. REPENT – Repent of your sin. The Tower of Babel is abandoned. The LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. (Genesis 11)

The Lord has His building project that is good, right and salutary. God builds Zion, the heavenly city, His Bride the Church. I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16)

Jesus’ building project for His Church – Christ gives His life. Jesus comes for sinners. Jesus’ building project has a hammer, nails and the wood of the Cross putting to death your sins. This is the Father’s will – sending His Son to die for you. We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us.

Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (John 2)

No one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3)

In Zion the gifts flow. The Word of the Lord ringing in your ears. Building you up in the faith. Repentance and forgiveness. Gifts flow from Jesus in His Living Waters. In Holy Baptism the gift of the Holy Spirit comes down washing you through Water and Word.

Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2)

The Day of Pentecost comes in the gift of the Holy Spirit. Peter is preaching Jesus Crucified and Risen for you. Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. (Acts 2)

Scattered no more. You are God’s chosen people. You are His Baptized Children on whom the Lord lavishes His rich gifts of mercy and grace. By the Spirit’s power you hear and believe the Good News of Jesus Christ bringing life and salvation. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame. (1 Peter 2)

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Published: 07 June 2019 07 June 2019
Last Updated: 07 June 2019 07 June 2019

Pastor's Pen 05/08/2019

Pastor's Pen for 05/22/2018Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10)

Christ has Risen! He has Risen indeed! Faith NEEDS GOD’S WORD. By the Power of the Holy Spirit you believe in Jesus. No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12)

Scripture clearly teaches that faith can be lost. The one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. (Matthew 13)

What do you love the most? Pleasure? Money? Self? Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6)

Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10)

By the Holy Spirit's power you confess Jesus as Lord. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved…. Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame. (Romans 10)

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mk 16)

Baptizing and teaching God's Word. I can recall a number of Confirmation days when it was the last day I would see those who were confirmed. All kinds of reasons are given why people leave the church. Selfishness. Rebellion. Sin. Living for pleasure. But NO EXCUSES will be accepted on Judgment Day. Walking away from Jesus means to walk away from salvation. Some of Christ’s disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” (John 6)

Repent and believe in the gospel. (Mark 1)

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John)

The promises that are made on Confirmation Day:

  • Do you intend to live according to the Word of God, and in faith, word, and deed to remain true to God, Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, even to death?
  • I do, by the grace of God.

Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev. 2)

Stay with Jesus. WHERE? CHRIST’S WORD. If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8)

Living in and from your Baptism. Waters of Life. Gladly hear God’s Word and hold it sacred. God's Word PREACHED into your ears and hearts. Feast on the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Lord's Supper. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God. (John 6)

Happy hearing the WORD OF GOD. Happy having your sins FORGIVEN. Happy believing in Christ. Happy Confessing Jesus as Lord. Christ has Risen! He has Risen indeed! Amen.

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Published: 07 June 2019 07 June 2019
Last Updated: 07 June 2019 07 June 2019

Pastor's Pen 04/25/2019

Pastor's Pen for 05/22/2018Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise. (Luke 24)

Christ has Risen! He has Risen indeed! Jesus comes to save sinners. Christ preached again and again that He would die and rise. Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (John 2)

The wages of sin is death. Jesus dies in the place of sinners. Jesus has come to bring you back to God. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. (1 Corinthians 15)

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, life would be hopeless. Death, sin, guilt and shame would run sinners into despair. BUT CHRIST HAS RISEN! The stone is rolled away. Christ’s resurrection DESTROYS DEATH. I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15)

Christ Risen from the dead. This is how you know what Jesus says is TRUE. Christ did everything that He promised. God's LIFE GIVING WORD.

Our God is a God of LIFE. True life lived in the RESURRECTION OF JESUS. I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. (John 11)

Resurrection power. Life everlasting in Christ. The TOMB is Empty. Christ has Risen to fill you with LIFE.

Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. You also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6)

Every Sunday is a celebration of Good Friday and Easter. The first Christians gathered on Sunday to worship God because Christ rose from the dead on Sunday. The first day of the week.

Christians gather together to hear the living Voice of Christ. Jesus’ Word preached into our ears and hearts. It is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations. (Luke 24)

Faith comes from hearing the Word of Christ. God at work on you. By the Holy Spirit's power – working through the Word – you are brought from death to life. Christ Resurrection Power at work in your life. You live in faith toward God and love to your neighbor.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15)

Happy gathering around the Crucified and Risen Lord Jesus. Happy hearing Christ’s Spirit-filled Word. Christ has Risen! He has Risen Indeed.

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Published: 06 June 2019 06 June 2019
Last Updated: 06 June 2019 06 June 2019

Pastor's Pen 04/03/2019

Pastor's Pen for 05/22/2018For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus is marching His way to the Cross. Salvation. Christ makes everything READY. Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. (Mark 11)

Palm Sunday

Everything is made READY. The donkey is ready to carry Christ the King into the holy city. Palm branches are laid before the King. Jesus rides in to battle your sin. Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!” (John 12)

Maundy Thursday

“Take, eat; this is my body.” He took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26)

Jesus makes everything READY. All preparation complete. The upper room is ready for Jesus and His Disciples. Christ Institutes the Lord's Supper. Christ’s Body and Blood for you to eat and drink for the forgiveness of sin. The Words of Jesus from Maundy Thursday are declared in the Lord’s Supper. Jesus is the host. Jesus is the meal.

Good Friday

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. All of Jesus’ preparation intersects at the CROSS. Jesus does SALVATION. Salvation full and free in the BLOOD OF CHRIST. You were a lost and condemned person. Jesus comes to save sinners. Jesus declares from the Altar of the Cross: It is Finished.

You are died for. Your sins are buried in the Body of Christ. Everything is DONE. All is READY. In Christ’s death and resurrection. Come to hear Christ Crucified and Risen.

The Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations. (Luke 24)

Gladly believe Christ’s FINISHED work. I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is READY. Come to the wedding feast. (Matthew 22)

Holy Week

Passion Week. God's love for sinners. Christ Crucified and Risen. God's Steadfast Love that endures forever. Salvation is not potential – but FINISHED. Your sins are forgiven.

Repent and believe the Gospel. Everything is READY. Gather around God's Living Word. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

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Published: 06 June 2019 06 June 2019
Last Updated: 06 June 2019 06 June 2019

Pastor's Pen 03/19/2019

Pastor's Pen for 05/22/2018Jesus bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus MUST go to the Cross. It is NECESSARY. There is no other way for your salvation. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4)

God’s Holy Law shows us our sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight. (Psalm 51)

God’s anger burns hot against sin. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.”…It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10)

Jesus has come to stand in the place of sinners. Christ is your substitute. Jesus’ face is set resolutely on the Cross. Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1) God's righteous anger burns against sin.

The Holy God coming in judgment against law-breaking-sinners.

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

The surprise is that God does not bring His anger against you. Rather, God’s wrath is poured out on the Holy One of God – Jesus.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5)

On Good Friday's Tree all the sins of the world are buried in the Body of Christ. Jesus kills your sin on the Cross. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. (1 Timothy 1)

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23)

This Holy Absolution is the same one proclaimed to you each week by your Pastors. Pastors are sent by God to proclaim to the penitent sinner that their sins are forgiven. Where there is forgiveness of sin there is life and salvation.

You believe God's Word that is faithfully preached into your ears and hearts. This same forgiveness that Jesus has finished in His death is what the Christian lives in. Hearing and believing that your sins are forgiven ALL FOR CHRIST’S SAKE.

God's steadfast love that endures forever. This forgiveness is the GOSPEL TREASURE. You are to speak this word of forgiveness one to another. "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4)

You have been reconciled to God. Living in the forgiveness of sin. Speak this forgiveness to those who sin against you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

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Published: 06 June 2019 06 June 2019
Last Updated: 06 June 2019 06 June 2019

Pastor's Pen 03/06/2019

Pastor's Pen for 05/22/2018Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. (Matthew 16)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Lent beings. The Christian 40- day journey to Jesus’ Cross and Empty Tomb. Jesus’ work for you and your salvation. The JOY of Lent is that Jesus has come to save sinners.

Jesus is marching His way to Calvary. He will not be deterred. Peter tries, "may this never happen to you." Jesus tells him “Get behind me Satan”. The Devil tried to stop Jesus with the temptation in the wilderness. Jesus answers Satan with the Word of God, sending the Devil running. “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” (Matt. 4)

Jesus is relentless when it comes to you and your salvation. The Cross is His goal to do the salvation job completely.

He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53)

This Lent REJOICE that JESUS does all this FOR YOU. Jesus dies the death of a sinner. Jesus suffers the wrath of God FOR YOU. Jesus ROSE from the grave FOR YOU. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5)

What Jesus has won with His all-sufficient death and glorious resurrection He delivers to you in His Word. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1)

Rejoice in repenting of your sins. Rejoice in the gift of Holy Absolution. Your sins are FORGIVEN ALL for Christ’s sake. We confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1)

I have Good News of great joy FOR YOU! Rejoice in coming to church to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ Crucified and Risen FOR YOU!

It is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations. (Luke 24)

Rejoice in hearing a sermon all about Jesus FOR YOU. Rejoice in the GIFT of Holy Baptism. Baptism...now saves you. (1 Peter 3)

This Lent rejoice in your Savior Jesus Christ FOR YOU. Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross. (Hebrews 12)

Fix your eyes, ears and hearts on Christ our Crucified and Risen Lord serving YOU with life everlasting. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

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Published: 06 June 2019 06 June 2019
Last Updated: 06 June 2019 06 June 2019

Pastor's Pen 02/21/2019

Pastor's Pen for 05/22/2018God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. How do you know that God loves you? Is it how well you pray? Is it because of your good works? NO! God loves you all for the sake of His beloved Son. Jesus’ Good Friday Dying and Easter Rising. While we were still weak. While we were still in our sin. Rebelling. Hating. Fighting. Lusting. Gossiping. God gifted you His beloved Son.

God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2)

The Blood of Jesus is the price – for your redemption. The Good News of the Gospel brings you peace. We have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (Romans 5)

Brought back to God. Once you were not the people of God. The doom of the wrath of God looming. But Jesus took it for you. In Christ you have been reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5)

The love of Christ. You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2)

Be baptized, every one of you. Here is where God is giving out His Good Friday and Easter gifts; through water and the Word. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6)

You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Honor God in your bodies. The righteous will live by faith. Christ’s Church will live by the power of God's Word. Hearing, trusting and believing the Word preached into your ears and hearts. You are the New Creation in Christ, living by faith.

What does the New Creation do? Living in faith toward God and love to our neighbor. We love one another as Christ has loved us. Unconditional. Sacrificially.

How to live the sanctified life? Die – Die to your sin. Rise – Rise as the New Creation in the baptismal waters every day living in Christ.

You also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6)

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2)

Rejoice in God's love for you in Christ. Rejoice in hearing and believing God's Word. Happy living as the New Creation in Christ. Living by faith in Christ. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

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Published: 06 June 2019 06 June 2019
Last Updated: 06 June 2019 06 June 2019

Pastor's Pen 02/07/2019

Pastor's Pen for 05/22/2018

Now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Valentine's Day. Gentlemen, time to buy your beloved gifts. Chocolate, flowers or maybe something that sparkles. Do not fall into the worlds trap in regards to LOVE. The world seeks love in all the wrong places.

What is LOVE? In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4)

LOVE is NOT a feeling or emotion that comes and goes like a mist. Many times people will describe love as something that they have fallen into. As if you have fallen into the ditch. Falling describes being out of control. God is LOVE. You, the Lord's Church, are the RECIEVER of God's LOVE. The church is described as “the Lord’s Beloved Bride."

God's LOVE looks like Jesus going to the Cross. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (Romans 5)

Christ’s Passion for His Church – Christ gives His Life for you. The Cross and Empty Tomb of Jesus is God's LOVE for you, forgiving all your sins. God's STEADFAST LOVE that endures forever. . The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who LOVED ME and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2)

Christ the GIVER – YOU the Church are the RECIEVER OF GOD’S LOVE. The Baptized Children of God are now the New Creation in Christ.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5)

Christians live in Christ’s LOVE – in FAITH toward God and LOVE for your neighbor. Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5) Walking in love means to serve, give, and sacrifice on behalf of your neighbor. So gentlemen, the flowers and chocolate are fine. But to serve your spouse is more than one day a year, then check it off your list. The life of a Christian is one that is marked by LOVE and SERVICE to your neighbor.

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Corinthians 5)

The best way you can love your spouse and children is to serve them with what you SAY and DO. Love your family by serving them with God's Word. Love your family by bringing them to church. Forgiving one another as the Lord has forgiven you. Now because of God's LOVE, you love your family unconditionally. Without limits. Without conditions. We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4) Happy receiving God's LOVE for you in the Good News of the Gospel. Happy loving one another as Christ has loved you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. (1 John 4)

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Published: 17 February 2019 17 February 2019
Last Updated: 17 February 2019 17 February 2019

Pastor's Pen 01/23/2019

Pastor's Pen for 05/22/2018When Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him. (Matthew 3)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Heaven is opened by Christ Jesus. Here at the Baptismal font in the River Jordan. Jesus standing in the place of sinners. What do sinners deserve? Death. For the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6)

From the banks of the Jordan – Jesus’ face is set resolutely on His journey to Calvary's Cross. Jesus paying your debt of sin. Jesus dying in the place of sinners. It is by the Blood of Jesus that heaven is open for you.

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1) God the Father is well pleased with His Beloved Son. Jesus has come to bring you back to God. You are no longer separated from God by your sin because Jesus has made atonement for you. We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 1)

Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11). Believing in Jesus you are pleasing to God. There is no other way to the Father except through the Son. The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus, crucified and risen, comes to you through the power of His Word. In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3)

In Holy Baptism heaven is open for you. God proclaims that He is well pleased with you. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1) Jesus WINS salvation for you. Jesus DELIVERS salvation to you in His Word.

You are the baptized Children of God. Washed clean in the flood of forgiveness at the font.

You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6) Heaven is open. Great boldness and confidence to live as the Children of God.

BUT what about my sin? The sins that continue to war against me? What about my struggles? Where do we turn? THE WORD OF GOD! Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7)

Return to your baptism. The flood of forgiveness never runs out. Your sinful nature does not take days off. As long as you live in the body the Old Adam is at war against your new life in Christ. What to do with sin? Kill it! Let your sins die at the bottom of the baptismal font. What comes forth from the waters? New Creation. Resurrection. Life lived by faith in Christ.

Luther says: (Baptism) indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sin and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever. (LS Baptism IV)

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. (Romans 6) Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved. (Mark 16) Heaven is open. Happy living as the Lord's Baptized Children. Repenting of your sins and believing in Christ. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

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Published: 27 January 2019 27 January 2019
Last Updated: 27 January 2019 27 January 2019

More Articles ...

  1. Baptism and Abortion
  2. A Calvinist Critique
  3. Pastor's Pen 01/02/2019
  4. Pastor's Pen 12/18/2018
  5. Pastor's Pen 12/04/2018
  6. Pastor's Pen 11/20/2018
  7. Pastor's Pen 11/05/2018
  8. Pastor's Pen 10/23/2018
  9. Pastor's Pen 10/12/2018
  10. Pastor's Pen 09/25/2018

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Hymn of the Church Season

  • A hymn for Lent is called A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth (LSB 438). More info about this hymn is available here.
  • A hymn for Transiguration Sunday O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair (LSB 413).  Two different version and the text can be seen here.
  • Built On the Rock, the Church Shall Stand (LSB 645)
  • Behold a Host Arrayed in White (LSB 676) -   More Info
  • Jesus Priceless Treasure (LSB 743) -   More Info
  • Come Holy Ghost, Creator Blest (LSB 498) -   More Info
  • Shepherd of Tender Youth (LSB 864) -   More Info

Other Hymns

Other hymns of the seasons can be found on the Church Hymns page.


T

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
- Matthew 28:5-10

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Zion Lutheran Church is a member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. This is an international church consisting of over 6,000 congregations in the U.S. and missionaries in over 50 foreign countries. To learn more about the LCMS, please visit www.lcms.org.
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Zion Lutheran Church
14205 Ida Street
Omaha, NE 68142