The Millenium

God’s Peace!

Please enjoy this week’s article by John H. Lumijarvi, one of our church fathers from Finland. He wrote this article in February 1920.

May God bless your week.

John R.

The Millennium

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)

Many expounders of the Scriptures believe that a time is at hand when Christ will come to earth with His saints to reign here a thousand years. They believe this to be the first resurrection. These truly are deep and high matters to comprehend. We will state our understanding in a few words.

Before the birth of Christ, the old pharisaic church expected an earthly savior, even as the Jews still await His coming. This is the result of a wrong understanding of the Holy Scriptures. Only a few awaited a spiritual Savior, namely those who sighed in their sorrow and cried to God in the spirit. The Savior came not to be an earthly king, but to save the souls of men, or the world, from the power of sin, death and the devil, as was promised already in paradise. Today, also, there are but few who long for and await the spiritual Savior to save their souls from the power of the prince of hell. We believe that by the blessing of Jesus and the grace of God, we have food, clothing, and all the supports of the body already here in this world, and eternal life in the world to come. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13) The millennial teachers explain this Scripture to mean that Jesus will come with His saints to reign a thousand years on this earth. But Jesus Himself says ...lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:20)

He has come once, born in the stable of Bethlehem years ago, and fulfilled all His Father commanded Him. Reconciliation came through Him on the cross at Golgotha, not for us only, but for all the world. He will come in glory a second time to judge all men and will not tarry here a thousand years. We may read of His coming to judgment (in Matthew 25:31-46, and in other parts of the Scripture), wherein all the ungodly will be destroyed, and the righteous shall be invited to partake of their gracious reward before Him and the glorious face of the Father and the holy angels from everlasting to everlasting.

There are two deaths and two resurrections, according to the Holy Scriptures. There are spiritual death and eternal death. The words quoted above treat of the first resurrection and the second death.

The first resurrection takes place in man in new birth. Therein he is changed from death to life, from sin to righteousness. This new creation occurs in the Holy Spirit by the death of Jesus and by the power of His resurrection. In it the sins of one who is penitent and has heartfelt sorrow are forgiven in the name and blood of Jesus. He is thus freed from the accusation of the law. He who believes is born a child unto God and is raised from the dead by the power of Jesus, as the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 2:6: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This is the first resurrection. He also says, And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. (Ephesians 2:1) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses. (Colossians 2:13) Then follow these words of advice to the awakened: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

Christ reigns on earth with His born-again children a thousand years. Every born-again child of God has begun to live a thousand years with Christ and His saints. Christ reigns by His holy doctrine in His own congregation, which is the kingdom of heaven. His law is written in Matthew 18, and other places in the Scriptures. He reigns in grace and truth.

The ungodly and heretics are not obedient to Christ's government on earth. No form of government seems to be acceptable to them. Therefore it is said, But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. (Revelation 20:5) Peter says, For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. (1 Peter 4:6)

All the dead have not risen from under the power of sin, and on them rests eternal death. The voice of God cries powerfully by the mouth of His prophets...Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. (Ephesians 5:14) A whole generation has passed since the beginning of this precious visitation when God awakened Provost L. L. Laestadius to cry out to the spiritually dead [in Scandinavia at the turn of the 19^th century]. Thus throughout the ages our dear Lord has called the nations unto repentance. Thanks be to God that He has awakened us when we were dead in sin!

A great multitude in white robes still follows God and the Lamb in Europe and America [and around the world]. Let us, in faith, in hope, and in love follow Him: Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5-6)

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. (Revelation 20:7-9)

The spirit of antichrist is now in the world. It has always persecuted Christ and His holy congregation and shall do so to the end. Read 2 Thessalonians, chapter 2. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (2 Thessalonians 2:7) The Revised Version [says it this way]: "The mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now until he (the antichrist) be taken out of the way." Then it will be loosed. This spirit teaches disobedience to God's Holy Word and strives to bring about lawlessness on earth. Oh, the times and customs that already are in the "Christian" world!

However, blessed are they whose names are written in heaven. Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (Psalm 32:2) Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. (Luke 12:42-43)

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (2 Peter 3:8) The martyrs and all the righteous have been partakers of the millennium, as we now are also, in the kingdom of grace and the forgiveness of sins. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7) The overcomers are the believers. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)

We Are to Pray and Not Worry

Dear Weekly Readers!

I am still traveling throughout the United States visiting different churches here and sharing about how God is working around the world. Therefore, I’m still away from the office and may not be able to reply to you immediately. I will be back in the office within a few weeks. Please enjoy this week's article by Al Wuori!

May God Bless your week! 

John

We are to Pray and Not Worry

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6)

We, as oft-erring mortals as well as Christians, seem prone to worry about our spirituality as well as all matters in our lives, our children and families, finances, homes, work, etc. We are sometimes led to worry night and day over situations close to us. Yet we are told by God's Word that we are not to worry but to pray instead. Worry accomplishes nothing, whereas prayer avails much. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)

That is not to say we should not be concerned. There is a great difference between concern and worry. Concern is a caring attitude, as for example the Word tells us to care for one another, And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32) This caring attitude includes doing things for others. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:17-18) There are other matters that certainly may and should concern us, such as our families and lives, even our faith. However, rather than worry we should prayerfully submit those concerns to our Heavenly Father.

We may wonder why worries beset us so easily. If we consider closely our own hearts, we know that therein is a measure of unbelief. This unbelief may manifest itself as not fully trusting that God will take care of matters or that He will not take care of them as We would hope. We sometime put more trust in ourselves, when we should put our trust in God. That causes worry, even worrying that maybe we should, but can't, take care of our own problems.

We have a loving, caring Heavenly Father who implores us to submit our cares unto Him. May we be led by His Word and by the Holy Spirit to put our full trust in God. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Al Wuori

Words Without Knowledge

Dear Weekly Readers!

Please enjoy this week's article!

May God Bless your week! 

John

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken. Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth? Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all. Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof? (Job 38:1-20)

Only a gracious God could have spoken such kind words. It is one of the greatest temptations known to human beings to try to speak for God, and Job and his friends had just succumbed. They had indeed spoken words without knowledge. Yet God in His infinite mercy responded with fatherly care by refocusing their attention on Him who knows all things because He made them. He confronts Job not with anger, but with correction. He restores Job to his right mind. God alone fixes and determines events; He alone knows a thing from beginning to end.

We often need the lesson of Job because it is too easy in today's world of mindless information to begin to think that we can speak for God. We utter words without knowledge and literally "darken counsel." Still God with a fatherly heart forgives our misspeak and brings us by His Spirit to the right mind of an obedient child. This is one of the reasons there is great comfort in reading Job: to see how our marvelous God and Father gently chastises His children, bringing them to repentance through kindness and renewing their steps on the path He has designed for them. Thanks be to our God and Father for Jesus' sake.

Pastor Jay Weidner

Judge Not

Dear Weekly Readers!

Today is the beginning of the annual convention for the Apostolic Lutheran Church of America. Please pray for our meetings and services over the next five days! I will continue to be available via email during this time and during the next few weeks, however I may not be able to respond immediately due to convention duties or travel.

Please enjoy this week's article! 

May God Bless your week! 

John

Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” (James 4:11-12)

In what ways do we judge one another?

1. Telling an outright lie about another that harms their reputation in the eyes of others.

KJV Proverbs 10:18: “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.”

2. Making a judgment in our own mind of a matter before hearing of the whole matter.

KJV Proverbs 18:17: “He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.”

3. Passing along an evil report about someone which we know is true, but there is no good purpose to pass it on.

KJV Proverbs 17:9: “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.”

4. Assigning of evil motives to a person’s actions when we are merely surmising.

KJV 1 Timothy 6:4: “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings. . .

5. Drawing negative conclusions and sharing our conclusions with others when we do not have all the facts.

KJV Proverbs 18:13: “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”

When we speak evil of one another, we assume the place of the Giver of the law, rather than being under the law of the Spirit of life, that which leads and empowers us to honor and obey the counsel of the Word of God in all matters of life.

KJV James 2:13: “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”

We should ask ourselves these questions in order to avoid entering into wrongful judgment:

1. Is what I heard true?

2. Have I heard the whole matter?

3. Is it necessary to repeat it?

4. Am I assuming something to be true without facts?

5. Am I repeating a matter based on my assumptions without facts?

"Sin is not some inevitable subterranean stream that binds us all together. Rather it is a consequence resulting from individual acts of wrongdoing. Sadly, we never sin without the sin having some consequence for others. In this we are responsible for compounding the evil in our world. And just as an act of goodness can have implications beyond our immediate sphere, so an act of evil can have results far beyond its apparent impact. We need only think of how damaging, unsubstantiated gossip can spread like dandelion plumes in the wind. Clearly, we need God's grace to help us stop at sin's point of genesis."   Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Thought: "Sin has a way of compounding its effect."

May we be sensitive to the Spirit of the Lord as we consider the importance of loving one another in word and in deed. God bless each one of us in our meditations in His Word.

Pastor Orval Wirkkala

Rain: the Great Work of God

Dear Weekly Readers!

Please enjoy this week's article!

May God Bless your week! 

John

Rain: the Great Work of God

“I would seek unto God, and into God would I commit my cause: Which doeth great things without number: Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields.”- Job 5:8-10

If you said to someone: “My God does great and unsearchable things; He does wonders without number,” and they responded, “Really? Like what?”—would you say, “Like rain”?

When I read these verses from Jon recently, I felt, at first, the way I did on hearing some bad poetry that went something like this: “Let me suffer, Let me die, just to win your hand; let me even climb a hill, or walk across the land.” Even? I would suffer and die to have your hand, and even walk across the land. As if walking across the land were more sacrificial than dying? This sounded to me like a joke.

But Job is not joking. “God does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number. He gives rain on the earth.” In Job’s mind rain really is one of the great, unsearchable things, wonders that God does. So when I read this a few weeks ago, I resolved not to trat it as meaningless pop musical lyrics. I decided to have a conversation with myself (which is what I mean by meditation).

Is rain a great and unsearchable wonder wrought by God? Picture yourself as a farmer in the Near East, far from any lake or stream. A few wells keep the family and animals supplied with water. But if the crops are to grow and the family is to be fed from month to month, water has to come from another source on the fields. From where?

Well, the sky. The sky? Water will come out of the clear blue sky? Well, not exactly. Water will have to be carried in the sky from the Mediterranean Sea over several hundred miles, and then be oured out on the fields from the sky. Carried? How much does it weigh? Well, if one inch of rain falls on one square mile of farmland during the night, that would be 27,878,400 cubic feet of water, which is 206,300,160 gallons, which is 1,650,501,280 pounds of water.

That’s heavy. So how does it get up in the sky and stay up there if it’s so heavy? Well, it gets up there by evaporation. Really? That’s a nice word. What does it mean? It means that the water stops being water for a while so it can go up and not down. I see. Then how does it get down? Well, condensation happens. What’s that? The water starts becoming water again by gathering around little dust particles between .00001 and .0001 centimeters wide. That’s small.

What about the salt? Salt? Yes, the Mediterranean Sea is salt water. That would kill the crops. What about the salt? Well, the salt has to be taken out. Oh. So the sky picks up a billion pounds of water from the sea, takes out the salt, carries the water (or whatever it is, when it is not water) for three hundred miles, and then dumps it (now turned int water again) on the farm?

Well, it doesn’t dump it. If it dumped a billion pounds of water on the farm, the wheat would be crushed. So the sky dribbles the billion pounds of water down in little drops. And they have to be big enough to fall for one mile or so without evaporating, and small enough to keep from crushing the wheat stalks.

How do all these microscopic specks of water that weight a billion pounds get heavy enough to fall (if that’s the way to ask the question)? Well, it is called coalescence. What’s that? It means the specks of water start bumping into each other and join up and get bigger, and when they are big enough, they fall. Just like that? Well, not exactly, because they would just bounce off each other instead of joining up if there were no electric field present. What? Never mind. Take my word for it.

I think, instead, I will just take Job’s word for it. I still don’t see why drops ever get to the ground, because if they start falling as soon as they are heavier than air, they would be too small not to evaporate on the way down. But if they wait to come down, what holds them up till they are big enough not to evaporate? Yes, I am sure there’s a name for that too! But I am satisfied for now that, by any name, this is a great and unsearchable thing that God has done. I think I should be thankful—lots more thankful than I am.

John Piper

My Boast

Dear Weekly Readers!

Please enjoy this week's article. May God Bless your week! 

John

My Boast

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. (Psalm 34:2)

In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah. (Psalm 44:8)

Dear Lord, I do not want to boast of my strength or lament too much of my weakness, but to boast of Thy strength in my weakness. I do not want to boast of my goodness or my lack of doing good, but of Your goodness and Your ability to work only Thy good within me.

Dear Lord, I do not want to boast of my love for others, or the lack of love or ability to show it, but to boast of Thy love and complete omnipotence to work within this statue of marble, only by Thy power. I do not want to boast of my wish to speak and do all in truth and honesty, but to boast of Thy will and power to instill it and to unleash this tongue of clay to speak it, this body of iniquity to live it.

Dear Lord, I do not want to boast of my strength and capability to forgive my fellowman, or to cry too much over my inability to forgive him, but to boast of Your love and power within this earthen vessel, to give love where there is none and forgiveness that I cannot feel and know.

Dear Lord, I cannot boast of my love for Thee, but of Thy love for me. I cannot boast of my will to follow and live for Thee, but of Thy will and power to lead and live in me. I cannot boast of having Your Spirit within me, to guide me to all truth, but of Your forgiveness, love, mercy and great graciousness, to give Your Spirit to guide me.

For dear Lord, by Thy love and grace and mercy, I have learned one thing, that the more I learn of Thee, the less I know of anything, and as I grow in Thy grace and the knowledge of truth, the greater this sinner becomes.

And the devil and my own prideful flesh told me this is a good piece of knowledge. So always I am undone and prostrate before Thee. For even in good, I do evil.

Dear Father, glorify Thyself!

Rhoda Olin

Go and Sin No More

Dear Weekly Readers, God’s Peace!

Our text for today is going to be John Chapter 8 Verse 1-11:

Jesus went unto the Mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, they say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

This portion of scripture shows us what happens when a sinner has an encounter with Jesus; what happens when a sinner is alone before their Saviour, King, and Judge; what happens when a sinner is pardoned of their sins.

In most countries today, there is a way of issuing pardons to those found guilty or accused of crimes. Imagine being in the spot where John Bridge Jr. was in 1824 he was condemned to die. After he witnessed the hanging of several people, the noose was put around his neck. Sure death was just a few short moments away. But then a man on a horse rode up and looked the condemned man in the face. "Sir, do you know in whose presence you stand?" Bridge shook his head.

"There are but two powers known to the law that can save you from hanging by the neck until you are dead, dead, dead; one is the great God of the Universe, the other is J. Brown Ray, Governor of the State of Indiana; the latter stands before you…" Handing over the written pardon, the governor announced, "You are pardoned." Imagine the relief John felt when he heard those words!

Oh, that the sinner today would repent and receive the pardon from the Lord, believing by faith that all sins have been pardoned by our Lord Jesus Christ; that all sins have been washed away by power of His Name and shed atoning blood! What relief and joy to the sinner!

Verses 3-6: According to the Law of Moses, the punishment for adultery was death. The law required that both the man and the woman be brought before the authorities and stoned. The scribes and the Pharisees in the account above started off using the law incorrectly because they only brought the woman, not the man. They didn’t think about this, though, they just wanted to trap Jesus. They thought that if Jesus did not agree to stone the woman, they could accuse Jesus of breaking the law or if Jesus did agree to stone her the people could have gotten Him in trouble because only Romans, not Jews, could carry out executions. In verse 6 it says the people tempted Jesus. This is because they had already used the law incorrectly, but now they wanted to trap Jesus in not carrying out the law properly. They did not know the supreme wisdom of the Saviour, Master, and Lord.

Legalistic people even of today use the law incorrectly by trying to apply it as a harsh ruler over Christians. However, let us also not be incorrectly using the law by accusing of others of being legalistic when they are only trying to worship in Spirit and in Truth. Just because others do not do things the same way we do things doesn’t mean they are necessarily being legalistic. Remember Romans 14th chapter.

Verse 7: The woman in the eighth chapter of John was caught in very act of adultery. This is one of the sins that we learn about from our youth. Another is to kill. Another is to steal. I am not sure how it is in your country, but all too often people who claim to be Christians live in adultery. These same people would not kill someone, but they live in adultery and somehow justify it. Oh what shame they bring upon themselves. O what a great sin this is according to scriptures.

Now, however, let’s look at our own hearts. The Bible says that if we look upon a woman with lust in our hearts, we have already committed adultery with her in our hearts. The same for hatred, envy, greed, and so forth. Now, which of us can say we are free of sin?

James 2:10 says: “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, yet offend in one point he, is guilty of all.”Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” and verse 23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” What is the penalty for sin? Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Which condition are you in? Are you in sin or are you in Jesus Christ? All mankind will meet Jesus alone like this woman did. It is infinitely better that we would meet Him while we yet live, than to meet him after we die, when he will be the final and ultimate judge. Either way, everyone will meet him.

Verse 8: In this verse, we see Jesus writing on the ground. What did he write? The Bible does not tell us, so no one knows for sure. However, it could have been the 10 commandments, it could have been to fulfill Jeremiah 17:13, it could have been the sins of the scribes and the Pharisees, or it could have just been the word forgiven.

Verse 11: The women confessed that Jesus is Lord: What does the Bible say about those that confess the Lord Jesus? “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). What is your confession today?

I hope we are not still fighting the battle with our flesh. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 3-4: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Here is a natural example of what happens when a person wars after the flesh on the issues of pardon:
Caleb Young, a young man in Kentucky, thought that one of the prisoners in the state's prison who was serving a life term had been too heavily sentenced. Bringing influence to bear upon the governor, he obtained a pardon for the man. He went to the prison and had a talk with the man. He said to him, "If you were to be released from this place, what would you do?" The man vindictively replied, "I would go and shoot the judge that sentenced me, the lawyer that prosecuted me, and the witnesses that testified against me." Mr. Young said nothing to the man about the pardon. He went out of the prison and tore the pardon to pieces.

Oh that we would humble ourselves before God and not reject the pardon that he offers through what Jesus has done for us on the cross.

“Neither do I condemn thee...” When Jesus spoke these words, He gave the power to the woman to overcome the old life and start anew! The repentant person today receives the Power of Holy Spirit to help them through this life! Jesus will not leave us comfortless, but wants to fill us to overflowing!

Then Jesus said: "Go, and sin no more" Now that this woman was set free, Jesus after giving her the knowledge that He does not condemn her, says Go, and sin no more. That is because sin is not a light issue and just because the Christian is under grace, does not mean they can live anyway they desire to fulfill the flesh. Romans 6:1-2 says: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid…”

Let us live as forgiven saints with a new name, a new office, and a new outlook on life! Let us lift up Jesus Christ, so others would be drawn unto him!

No matter our life, our background, our country, our financial status, Jesus is the only way; He is the Way the Truth and the Life!

In Jesus Name! Amen

May God Bless your week! John R.

Dear Weekly Readers!

Please enjoy this week's article. We have this article in a tract format. If you would like me to email you a pdf version that you can print off and distribute, please let me know and I will send it to you.

May God Bless your week! 

John

Do you believe in the one true GOD...

who has made it possible for us to be reconciled?

Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Are you weary and worn out by the troubles of this world? Are you burdened with doubt, fear, or guilt? Are you looking for peace, comfort, and rest?  Surrender to God—He has promised to help you! He wants to give you His love, His joy, and His peace!

Do you know God?

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” John 14:6-7

Do you believe God created the world and that everything was perfect?

“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31

Do you know that Adam and Eve, God’s first created humans, disobeyed God and sin entered into the world?

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Romans 5:12

Do you know God sent His Son, Jesus,  to earth?

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Do you know He lived a perfect life?

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Do you know that Jesus died on the cross for your sins?

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3

Do you know He was raised again from the dead?

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:4

Do you know He is alive today sitting on the right hand of God the Father in heaven praying for you?

“It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:34

Do you know you are a sinner who has sinned against God and man?

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

Do you know that sin leads to death?

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Do you know that there is nothing you can do on your own to get rid of your sin and earn salvation?

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” 

Ephesians 2:8-9

Do you know God loves you so much He sent His Son to die for your sins?

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Have you repented?

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you…” Acts 3:19-20

When we are heavily burdened with sin, we often need to hear that we are truly forgiven. If you feel this way, find a Christian to talk to. He/she will be able to assure that through the name and shed blood of Jesus you are forgiven and a true child of God.

Jesus spoke to his followers and said: “Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them...” John 20:23

Do you believe in what Jesus has done for you?

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10

Believe today unto the salvation of your soul!

God in Three Persons

Dear Weekly Readers!

Please enjoy this week's article by Martin Luther.

May God Bless your week!

 

John

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen." Romans 11:33-36

This is the revelation and knowledge Christians have of God: they not only know Him to be one true God, who is independent of and over all creatures, and that there can be no more than this one true God, but they know also what this one true God in His essential, inscrutable essence is.

The reason and wisdom of man may go so far as to reach the conclusion, although feebly, that there must be one eternal divine being, who has created and who preserves and governs all things. Man sees such a beautiful and wonderful creation in the heavens and on the earth, one so wonderfully, regularly and securely preserved and ordered, that he must say: It is impossible that this came into existence by mere chance, or that it originated and controls itself; there must have been a Creator and Lord from whom all these things proceed and by whom they are governed. Thus God may be known by His creatures, as St. Paul says: For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead... (Romans 1:20) This is the knowledge that we have when we contemplate God from without (a posteriori), in His works and government; as one, looking upon a castle or house from without, would draw conclusions as to its lord or keeper.

But from within (a priori) no human wisdom has been able to conceive what God is in Himself, or in His internal essence. Neither can anyone know or give information of it except it be revealed to him by the Holy Spirit. As Paul says, For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:11) From without, I may see what you do, but what your intentions are and what you think, I cannot see. Again, neither can you know what I think except I enable you to understand it by word or sign. Much less can we know what God, in His own inner and secret essence is, until the Holy Spirit, who searcheth and knoweth all things, yea, the deep things of God—as Paul says above—reveals it to us: as he does in the declaration of this article, in which he teaches us the existence in the divine majesty of the one undivided essence, but in such manner that there is, first, the person which is called the Father; and of Him exists the second person called the Son, born from eternity; and proceeding from both these is the third, namely, the Holy Spirit. These three persons are not distinct from each other, as individual brothers or sisters are, but they have being in one and the same eternal, undivided and indivisible essence.

This, I say, is not discovered or attained to by human reason. It is revealed from heaven above. Therefore, only Christians can intelligently speak of what the Godhead essentially is, and of His outward manifestation to His creatures, and His will toward men concerning their salvation. For all this is imparted to them by the Holy Spirit, who reveals and proclaims it through the Word.

Further, we know, from the testimony of Holy Writ, that we cannot expound the mystery of these divine things by the speculations of reason and a pretense of great wisdom. To explain this, as well as all the articles of our faith, we must have a knowledge higher than any to which the understanding of man can attain. That knowledge of God which the heathen can perceive by reason or deduce from rational premises is but a small part of the knowledge that we should possess. The heathen Aristotle in his best book concludes from a passage in the wisest pagan poet, Homer: There can be no good government in which there is more than one lord; it results as where more than one master or mistress attempts to direct the household servants. So must there be but one lord and regent in every government. This is all rightly true. God has implanted such light and understanding in human nature for the purpose of giving a conception and an illustration of His divine office, the only Lord and Maker of all creatures. But, even knowing this, we have not yet searched out or fathomed the exalted, eternal, divine Godhead essence. For even though I have learned that there is an only divine majesty, who governs all things, I do not thereby know the inner workings of this divine essence Himself; this no one can tell me, except, as we have said, in so far as God Himself reveals it in His Word.

These Scriptures declare, concerning this article, that there is no God or divine being save this One alone. They not only manifest Him to us from without, but they lead us into His inner essence, and show us that in Him there are three persons; not three Gods or three different kinds of divinity, but the same undivided, divine essence.

Such a revelation is radiantly shed forth from the greatest of God's works, the declaration of His divine counsel and will. In that counsel and will it was decreed from all eternity, and, accordingly, was proclaimed in His promises, that His Son should become man and die to reconcile man to God. For in our dreadful fall into sin and death eternal, there was no way to save us excepting through an eternal person who had power over sin and death to destroy them, and to give us righteousness and everlasting life instead. This no angel or other creature could do; it must needs be done of God Himself. Now, it could not be done by the person of the Father, who was to be reconciled, but it must be done by a second person, with whom this counsel was determined and through whom and for whose sake the reconciliation was to be brought about.

Here there are, therefore, two distinct persons, one of whom becomes reconciled, and the other is sent to reconcile and becomes man. The former is called the Father, being first in that He did not have His origin in any other; the latter is called the Son, being born of the Father from eternity. To this the Scriptures attest, for they make mention of God's Son; as, for instance, in Psalm 2:7: Thou art my son; this day have I begotten thee; and again, Galatians 4:4: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son... From this it necessarily follows that the Son, who is spoken of as a person, must be distinct from the person of the Father.

Again, in the same manner, the Spirit of God is specifically and distinctively mentioned as a person sent or proceeding from God the Father and the Son; for instance, God says in Joel 2:28: I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh..." Here a spirit is poured out who is God's, or a divine spirit, and who must be of the same essence, otherwise He could not say, "my Spirit;'' and yet He must be a person other than He who sent Him or who pours out. Again, because when He was sent He manifested Himself, and appeared in His descent in a visible form, like that of a dove or tongues of fire, He must be distinct in person from both the Father and the Son.

Martin Luther

Sermon for Trinity Sunday