Thursday, October 21, 2010
things to do.
going to bodega bay for lsf retreat. then going to benson, az for english dist conference. then ref day. then i preach all saints. mom visits and i preach. then bec's fam comes and thanksgiving. then i preach first sun of advent, preach midweek service a bit later. then preach 4th sun of advent and preach midnight mass christmas eve. then comes christ's mass, new year. epiphany, lent, our baby is born and baptized and easter.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The Three Solas
Happy almost Refomation Day.
The Three Solas
Sola Gratia. Grace Alone. Only by Grace.
Ps 51:5 - Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
At the heart of what we believe is the conviction that salvation is the free gift of God's grace (undeserved mercy) for Christ's sake alone. "Since the fall of Adam all men who are born according to the course of nature are conceived and born in sin" (Augsburg Confession II, 1), the Lutherans confessed before Emperor Charles V in Augsburg, Germany, in 1530. This "inborn sickness and hereditary sin" makes it utterly impossible for people to earn forgiveness. If salvation were dependent on human initiative, there would be no hope for anyone. But God forgives our sins, says Luther in his Large Catechism (1529), "altogether freely, out of pure grace" (LC III, 96).
The basis for the grace of God that alone gives hope to sinners is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe, as Luther put it in his explanation to the second article of the Apostles' Creed, "that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person . . . not with gold or silver, but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. . . ." (Luther's Small Catechism with Explanations, p.14).
Romans 3:20-24 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Sola Fide. Faith Alone. Only by Faith.
Eph 2:8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Luther had learned from Augustine that only the grace of God could save him. But Luther's rediscovery of the Gospel in all its clarity took place when he came to see that he did not first have to do something to merit God's saving grace. Philip Melanchthon, Luther's colleague at the University of Wittenberg, writes in the Augsburg Confession: "Our churches also teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for Christ's sake through faith when they believe that they are received into favor and that their sins are forgiven on account of Christ, who by his death made satisfaction for our sins. This faith God imputes for righteousness in his sight (Rom. 3,4)" (AC IV, 1-3).
The implications of salvation "through faith alone" permeate everything we Lutherans believe and teach. For example, we believe that the conversion of sinners is a gift of God and not the result of any human effort or decision. Lutherans therefore confess in the words of Luther's explanation to the third article of the Apostle's Creed: "I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel." (Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation, p. 15).
Sola Scriptura. Scripture Alone. Only by Scripture.
2 Tim 3:14-17 - 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
While maintaining a deep appreciation for the church catholic, Lutherans believe that Scripture alone -- not Scripture and tradition, Scripture and the church, Scripture and human reason, or Scripture and experience -- stands as the final standard of what the Gospel is.
Luke 24:45-47 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
But we also believe that confidence in the reliability of the Bible is not possible apart from faith in Jesus Christ. Christians believe what the Scriptures teach because they first believe in Jesus Christ. Christ is the object of faith, not the Bible. The Bible remains a dark book apart from faith in Christ, for He is its true content. But when sinners are brought to faith in Him, Christ points them back to the writings of the prophets and apostles as the sole authoritative source for all the church believes, teaches and confesses.
The key to understanding Scripture properly, we believe, is the careful distinction between the Law and the Gospel. The Law tells what God demands of sinners if they are to be saved. The Gospel reveals what God has already done for our salvation. The chief purpose of the Law is to show us our sin and our need for a Savior. The Gospel offers the free gift of God's salvation in Christ. The whole Bible can be divided into these two chief teachings. It is in the proper distinction between Law and Gospel that the purity of the Gospel is preserved and the three solas of "grace alone," "faith alone" and "Scripture alone" are united.
Info via “An Introduction to the Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod,” CPH, 2009
The Three Solas
Sola Gratia. Grace Alone. Only by Grace.
Ps 51:5 - Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
At the heart of what we believe is the conviction that salvation is the free gift of God's grace (undeserved mercy) for Christ's sake alone. "Since the fall of Adam all men who are born according to the course of nature are conceived and born in sin" (Augsburg Confession II, 1), the Lutherans confessed before Emperor Charles V in Augsburg, Germany, in 1530. This "inborn sickness and hereditary sin" makes it utterly impossible for people to earn forgiveness. If salvation were dependent on human initiative, there would be no hope for anyone. But God forgives our sins, says Luther in his Large Catechism (1529), "altogether freely, out of pure grace" (LC III, 96).
The basis for the grace of God that alone gives hope to sinners is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe, as Luther put it in his explanation to the second article of the Apostles' Creed, "that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person . . . not with gold or silver, but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. . . ." (Luther's Small Catechism with Explanations, p.14).
Romans 3:20-24 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Sola Fide. Faith Alone. Only by Faith.
Eph 2:8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Luther had learned from Augustine that only the grace of God could save him. But Luther's rediscovery of the Gospel in all its clarity took place when he came to see that he did not first have to do something to merit God's saving grace. Philip Melanchthon, Luther's colleague at the University of Wittenberg, writes in the Augsburg Confession: "Our churches also teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for Christ's sake through faith when they believe that they are received into favor and that their sins are forgiven on account of Christ, who by his death made satisfaction for our sins. This faith God imputes for righteousness in his sight (Rom. 3,4)" (AC IV, 1-3).
The implications of salvation "through faith alone" permeate everything we Lutherans believe and teach. For example, we believe that the conversion of sinners is a gift of God and not the result of any human effort or decision. Lutherans therefore confess in the words of Luther's explanation to the third article of the Apostle's Creed: "I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel." (Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation, p. 15).
Sola Scriptura. Scripture Alone. Only by Scripture.
2 Tim 3:14-17 - 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
While maintaining a deep appreciation for the church catholic, Lutherans believe that Scripture alone -- not Scripture and tradition, Scripture and the church, Scripture and human reason, or Scripture and experience -- stands as the final standard of what the Gospel is.
Luke 24:45-47 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
But we also believe that confidence in the reliability of the Bible is not possible apart from faith in Jesus Christ. Christians believe what the Scriptures teach because they first believe in Jesus Christ. Christ is the object of faith, not the Bible. The Bible remains a dark book apart from faith in Christ, for He is its true content. But when sinners are brought to faith in Him, Christ points them back to the writings of the prophets and apostles as the sole authoritative source for all the church believes, teaches and confesses.
The key to understanding Scripture properly, we believe, is the careful distinction between the Law and the Gospel. The Law tells what God demands of sinners if they are to be saved. The Gospel reveals what God has already done for our salvation. The chief purpose of the Law is to show us our sin and our need for a Savior. The Gospel offers the free gift of God's salvation in Christ. The whole Bible can be divided into these two chief teachings. It is in the proper distinction between Law and Gospel that the purity of the Gospel is preserved and the three solas of "grace alone," "faith alone" and "Scripture alone" are united.
Info via “An Introduction to the Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod,” CPH, 2009
Friday, October 15, 2010
LSF Bible Study notes100610
The Parable of the Unrighteous Judge and the Persistent Widow
The Long Suffering God who vindicates quickly wants his elect to pray constantly and confidently
Luke 18:1-8
1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Verse 1
What does “always pray” mean?
-not every second, continuously. (ie uninteruppeted) Continually – regualarly consistently and with perserverence
What does “not lose heart” mean?
-other translations say, “give up, faint” I like faint. Don’t become discouraged or give up with prayers are not anwswered immediately
Verse 2
It would be very odd for someone not to “fear God” or “respect man” in Jesus’ culture, but society was very centered around God and also shame/honor among other people. Do you think the judge would fit well into our culture today? Does he remind you of anybody?
-Yes. Everyone.
Verse 3
The widow, one of the most helpless people in Jesus’ society, is asking for protection and defense against her adversary/opponent/enemy. Who is helpless and defenseless in our society?
-poor people. She and the judge are both outside the norms of their society. Shouted at him. No shame.
Who else does scripture mention is our “adversary”?
-1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
-court of law Jesus is our defense attorney. Satan is the prosecution accusing us before God
antidikos - an adversary or opponent in a lawsuit, any enemy or accuser (from, ἀντί (anti 473), against, and δίκη (dikē 1349), a cause or suit at law.
Verse 5
Why does the judge give the widow justice?
She is annoying. He doesn’t want a “beat down”
on account/because (emphasis) she gives me trouble/bothers/PESTERS!
inorder not to the end – continually, perpetpually she comes to - give one a black eye!, bruise, batter down, wear out me
- to strike/give a blow under the eyes, hit and beat the face black and blue/to cause bruises, make give in through being beaten “hit someone in the face so that he receives brown and blue marks under the eyes”
pieper – daily repentance
boxing language paul 1 cor 9:27
reputation? end up giving me a black eye
annoying – us, God – heathen judge. See if you can annoy God.
Verses 6 and 7
How do you know you are one of God’s elect?
-Baptism, Lord’s supper – outside yourself, not your own faith. What about when you are asleep, in a coma, mentally handicapped, sick.
Chosen at Baptism.
What does “cry to him day and night” mean in light of verse 1?
Regular pattern of prayer. The psalms mention this pattern. Jesus followed it, Morning and evening, meals. Kind of time DEVOTIONS!!!!
Ps 88:1 O LORD, God of my salvation; I cry out day and night before you.
Ps 222O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.
Verse 8
Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. What will soon take place by which Jesus will ultimately “vindicate his elect?”
– Jesus’ death and resurrection. God will vindicate Jesus in resurrection by way of a cross Jerusalem is the revelation of God’s final justification
When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” What is the point of this question?
-Rhetorical question to urge faithfulness?
The principle character is God, not us The long suffering God who vindicates quickly wants his elect to pray constantly and confidently.
Good news – God is merciful and long suffering and will deliver the elect in Christ.
Our Sin: Our perception of God as a callous judge and just that.
-Our "poor widow" attitude: we accept our plight, we give up our hope, we live complacent lives as if the Son of -Man would never come again.
The Good news: God will eventually vindicate His people.
-Recieve the gift of faith which issues in continual pleading before God's throne: "Thy kingdom come!"
-The privilege of crying out: "Give me justice and defend me against my enemy!"
The church is not complacently waiting for the return of Christ; she "wrestles" with God in prayer
The Long Suffering God who vindicates quickly wants his elect to pray constantly and confidently
Luke 18:1-8
1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Verse 1
What does “always pray” mean?
-not every second, continuously. (ie uninteruppeted) Continually – regualarly consistently and with perserverence
What does “not lose heart” mean?
-other translations say, “give up, faint” I like faint. Don’t become discouraged or give up with prayers are not anwswered immediately
Verse 2
It would be very odd for someone not to “fear God” or “respect man” in Jesus’ culture, but society was very centered around God and also shame/honor among other people. Do you think the judge would fit well into our culture today? Does he remind you of anybody?
-Yes. Everyone.
Verse 3
The widow, one of the most helpless people in Jesus’ society, is asking for protection and defense against her adversary/opponent/enemy. Who is helpless and defenseless in our society?
-poor people. She and the judge are both outside the norms of their society. Shouted at him. No shame.
Who else does scripture mention is our “adversary”?
-1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
-court of law Jesus is our defense attorney. Satan is the prosecution accusing us before God
antidikos - an adversary or opponent in a lawsuit, any enemy or accuser (from, ἀντί (anti 473), against, and δίκη (dikē 1349), a cause or suit at law.
Verse 5
Why does the judge give the widow justice?
She is annoying. He doesn’t want a “beat down”
on account/because (emphasis) she gives me trouble/bothers/PESTERS!
inorder not to the end – continually, perpetpually she comes to - give one a black eye!, bruise, batter down, wear out me
- to strike/give a blow under the eyes, hit and beat the face black and blue/to cause bruises, make give in through being beaten “hit someone in the face so that he receives brown and blue marks under the eyes”
pieper – daily repentance
boxing language paul 1 cor 9:27
reputation? end up giving me a black eye
annoying – us, God – heathen judge. See if you can annoy God.
Verses 6 and 7
How do you know you are one of God’s elect?
-Baptism, Lord’s supper – outside yourself, not your own faith. What about when you are asleep, in a coma, mentally handicapped, sick.
Chosen at Baptism.
What does “cry to him day and night” mean in light of verse 1?
Regular pattern of prayer. The psalms mention this pattern. Jesus followed it, Morning and evening, meals. Kind of time DEVOTIONS!!!!
Ps 88:1 O LORD, God of my salvation; I cry out day and night before you.
Ps 222O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.
Verse 8
Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. What will soon take place by which Jesus will ultimately “vindicate his elect?”
– Jesus’ death and resurrection. God will vindicate Jesus in resurrection by way of a cross Jerusalem is the revelation of God’s final justification
When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” What is the point of this question?
-Rhetorical question to urge faithfulness?
The principle character is God, not us The long suffering God who vindicates quickly wants his elect to pray constantly and confidently.
Good news – God is merciful and long suffering and will deliver the elect in Christ.
Our Sin: Our perception of God as a callous judge and just that.
-Our "poor widow" attitude: we accept our plight, we give up our hope, we live complacent lives as if the Son of -Man would never come again.
The Good news: God will eventually vindicate His people.
-Recieve the gift of faith which issues in continual pleading before God's throne: "Thy kingdom come!"
-The privilege of crying out: "Give me justice and defend me against my enemy!"
The church is not complacently waiting for the return of Christ; she "wrestles" with God in prayer
bible study notes. What is the truth about eternity?
Eternity. Life after death.
Our culture is obsessed with it: ghost, vampire, zombies, time travelers, superheroes, spirit guides – symbols of our desire for life without end.
-products that promise to last forever (unbreakable, lifetime guarantee)
-to keep us from aging
-give us a new life
Even those who don’t believe in God or of an after life speak about people who “passed away” “went to a better place.” We all want eternal life.
There is Fear. In everyone
where does it come from? We were designed to live forever. Adam and Eve. They rebelled, sinned, but we all long for eternal life
Ecc 3;11. God set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Jesus became flesh and over came death and our rebellion and sin. We have new life now and for eternity.
Immortal God, thank you fro sending your Son in a mortal body to win for us immortality through his death and resurrection. Send your spirit to help us grasp the value of this gift. Through Jesus’ name Amen.
What lasts forever?
Eternity is forever.
We have no experience of forever.
a year in school seems to take an eternity, until you reach the end.
WE pledge to love someone always, or we at least think it. But do you know anybody has broken up with someone they love? Even the best marriage relationship ends when death parts us.
Have you ever heard the statement “this has forever changed the course of human history.?”
But everyone agrees (scientists and religious people) that the universe will end one day, human history will cease. Is there anything that lasts forever?
yeah, lets check it out.
each read one – write next to the verse what is eternal.
-
immortality imagined
Ecc 3:11
Brainstorm movies that depict eternal life or an alternate immortal life.
Left – immortality (what form – ghosts, elves, appearing after death
Right – imagination (how is this different from eternal life as we know it in God’s Word? Met a ghost? Elves?)
Why is immortality so popular in movies and books?
Who has eternal life?
Why doesn’t everyone get it?
(via cph Truth series)
Our culture is obsessed with it: ghost, vampire, zombies, time travelers, superheroes, spirit guides – symbols of our desire for life without end.
-products that promise to last forever (unbreakable, lifetime guarantee)
-to keep us from aging
-give us a new life
Even those who don’t believe in God or of an after life speak about people who “passed away” “went to a better place.” We all want eternal life.
There is Fear. In everyone
where does it come from? We were designed to live forever. Adam and Eve. They rebelled, sinned, but we all long for eternal life
Ecc 3;11. God set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Jesus became flesh and over came death and our rebellion and sin. We have new life now and for eternity.
Immortal God, thank you fro sending your Son in a mortal body to win for us immortality through his death and resurrection. Send your spirit to help us grasp the value of this gift. Through Jesus’ name Amen.
What lasts forever?
Eternity is forever.
We have no experience of forever.
a year in school seems to take an eternity, until you reach the end.
WE pledge to love someone always, or we at least think it. But do you know anybody has broken up with someone they love? Even the best marriage relationship ends when death parts us.
Have you ever heard the statement “this has forever changed the course of human history.?”
But everyone agrees (scientists and religious people) that the universe will end one day, human history will cease. Is there anything that lasts forever?
yeah, lets check it out.
each read one – write next to the verse what is eternal.
-
immortality imagined
Ecc 3:11
Brainstorm movies that depict eternal life or an alternate immortal life.
Left – immortality (what form – ghosts, elves, appearing after death
Right – imagination (how is this different from eternal life as we know it in God’s Word? Met a ghost? Elves?)
Why is immortality so popular in movies and books?
Who has eternal life?
Why doesn’t everyone get it?
(via cph Truth series)
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