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Matti Kontkanen | 2009 LLC Longview Summer Services - Ministers and Board Members Meeting - July 3 -- 1. Why Do We pray? Statistics show that people in general pray more as our physical safety or our financial security is challenged. It is quite obvious that also believers turn to God more in times of distress. In Christianity we do not boast about our praying, but rather say that we are poor petitioners. This is based on God’s word. We teach, diverting from the teaching of many other churches, that prayer is not the way to become righteous or to have sins forgiven. Thus prayer is not necessary for salvation. Many unbelievers pray because they want to establish connection to God through prayer, or they may pray because they believe that God forgives their sins in prayer. Believers tend to follow Luther’s attempt to free prayer from all formal rituals. Luther, however, never meant that prayer in itself is a formal ritual. Why do then we who are God’s children pray, and why did Jesus and the apostles ask us to pray? It is faith that we are saved by. It is faith that our relationship with God is based on. For the strengthening of our faith we have sacraments. Confession of sins serves as a grace privilege for believers. Through confession of sins we become released of the burdens on our conscience. What is then prayer for? What is prayer? 2. The Essence of Prayer Jesus taught us the Lord’s Prayer. The first petition reads: “Our Father who art in heaven.” Jesus himself used the word “father” in his prayers. The very familial form of the word in Aramaic is “abba,” daddy. Jesus used this word once in Gethsemane. “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt” (Mark 14:36). The apostle uses the word as he says that our spirit says “abba,” dear father, as we are not under the bondage of the law but children and heirs of the father (Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6). Turning to the dear father as his beloved children, saying “abba” is the essence of prayer. Little children often turn to their father. They may have found something interesting and want to tell their father about it. They may have hurt themselves and crying look for the safety of the father. They may just want to express their gratitude of being able to be with father. They may protest the will of the father. They may bring their siblings distress to the attention of the father. Christian Doctrine defines prayer as “a humble and sincere conversation with God” (CD 78). We may also define prayer as uplifting our heart unto God. In the light of the following picture we can form an understanding of what a humble and sincere conversation with God would look like. A father stands in the house. His own children dwell in the same room. Some children play. Yet, even then, they have father in their minds. One child walks to the father in excitement. Another child has a grief and holds unto the father for comfort. One child is in the father’s lap. One of the children wants the father to pay attention to the child in the corner. A neighbor’s child may look through the window and make a petition to come in. Another neighbor may express his gratitude to him for his neighborly love. While the illustration of prayer with a picture of a human family may help us understand some principle characteristics of prayer, we have to be aware of the limitations of the picture as well. In the picture we are looking at a human father and human relationships. A father may or may not know what the children need. He may or may not listen and understand. He may or may not answer. God, however, always knows what we need and he always hears and understands. He will answer us. In this introduction we mostly consider personal prayer. I do not touch on praying together very much. That may be a topic for another introduction. In discussion we can feel free to bring up any aspect of prayer. 3. The Spirit Prays in Us Jesus reminds his disciples about the true prayer in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus warns not to pray like hypocrites and gentiles. Hypocrites pray because they want recognition of their praying from people. Gentiles think that they are heard because of many words. Jesus teaches us to pray in private and expect God to answer in public. Then Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer, which begins with the words “Our Father who art in heaven…” (Matt 6: 5-9). Speaking to the woman at the well of Sychar Jesus speaks about true prayer in the spirit: “ God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). The apostle Paul joins in Jesus’ thoughts about a private and humble prayer, when he writes “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Rom 8:26-27). Going back to our picture, the children do not feel that only when they have a formal speech to their father are they connected to him. They are constantly aware of the presence of their father. The love between father and children guide when and how the beloved children approach and speak to their dear father. In Hebrews, the writer defines faith as the “substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). God is unseen and the one upon whom we lay our hope. When a child of God turns to God in prayer, it is evidence that he believes in a God to whom he can speak. While in the storm, the disciples doubted for a long time before turning to Jesus. In their doubt they failed to believe that Jesus can help. Finally, they cried for help. Jesus rebuked their unbelief. He also took their cry for help as a prayer of a distressed child unto God, and he calmed the sea. In our picture, the father expects the children to always turn Him as needed. Although God knows all our needs, He still expects us to pray and let our needs be known unto him. 4. Petitions With Thanksgiving and in Humble Faith The Apostle Paul writes to Philippians, “Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God” (Phil 4:6). The psalmist writes, “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” (Psalm 50:15). We have worries and needs. Jesus instructed us not to carry worries: “Therefore take no thought, saying what shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? Or, wherewithal shall we be clothed? For your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matt 6:31-32). In the parable of the sower, Jesus warns about dwelling in the cares of this world because they may choke faith. Peter instructs us to cast all our cares upon him who careth for us (1 Pet 5:7). Again, what would a child do in need? He would not sorrow by himself but run crying unto the bosom of the father with all his cares. And there the father comforts him with the assurance that he is a dear son of the beloved father. In writing to the Philippians, the apostle makes another point as he says, “With thanksgiving let your request be known unto God.” When you are in need, how then do you pray with thanksgiving? When making our request known unto God, we need to keep in mind that God already knows what we need. Secondly, we need to keep in mind that we cannot control God. He has the right to say no to our request. The point the apostle makes by “requests with thanksgiving” is a prayer in humble faith. “Thank you God that you already know what I need, thank you for taking care of me.” The children turn to their father with trusting hearts. The psalmist writes: “I lift mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1,2). More important than receiving what we pray for is that the prayer is said in faith. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). The privilege of approaching God in prayer in itself is a matter of thanksgiving. 5. God Hears and Answers We defined that prayer is reciprocal, a humble and sincere conversation with God. Sometimes it may seem like God doesn’t hear us. The reason is not in God’s poor hearing or our unclear message. God has promised to hear, and He always keeps His promise. He will also respond, but maybe in a different way than what we expected. We already discussed one immediate way of God responding to us while we pray. God answers with peace in our hearts. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6,7) This is what the father does when a child comes to him in distress, “O, dear child, I hear you crying.” Another immediate benefit of a prayer may be that we are protected from temptation at the very moment. Jesus said to his disciples in Gethsemane, on the night in which he was betrayed, “Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38). Prayer is a way of fleeing from temptations of this world and our flesh. Many believers have experienced this in the times of temptation. “And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). Again going back to our picture, we can imagine a child being tempted in secrecy will be less tempted if he turns to the Father for a conversation. God may not answer immediately. Maybe, over the years we realize what was best in our life. Maybe, finally in heaven we will realize why certain things happened in our life. For one thing we can be sure that the Heavenly Father knows our needs and provides what we need. Sometimes children come up with requests that the father does not feel comfortable fulfilling at that point. We need to practice patience and trusting as the Apostle Paul teaches us in Romans, “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8: 28). When in tribulations with no immediate deliverance, we may believe like the Apostle Paul did, “Tribulations worketh patience, and patience experience; and experience hope” (Rom. 5:3). Our faith may be tried but God will never forsake us. In Jeremiah 31:9 we can read a promise that God will lead and guide our life when we journey prayerfully. One of God’s answers to our prayers is the blessing that He has given us in our life. Our life may look different in the eyes of God than it looks in our own eyes. When we discuss the needs and wants of life with our own children, we realize how different our perspectives may be. Children may have all kinds of needs and cares, but in the eyes of the parents everything is fine. In his explanation of the Lord’s Prayer, in the petition of the every day bread, Luther reminds us to count our blessings. With the help of the Holy Spirit we may at times just pause to reflect in amazement how much God has blessed us. The most evident answer God gives for our prayer is in the voice of the gospel. This is how we have understood Jesus’ words when he says that God will answer openly (Matt 6:6). We hear the Father’s voice in the gospel preaching in His kingdom. Applying this to the family picture we can imagine when the children hear the voice of the father they rejoice, knowing that this is our dear father speaking to his beloved children. The essence of the gospel is the message of the Lord Jesus who died on behalf of our sins. Through faith we can be God’s children. 6. Examples of Those Who Have Prayed in the Bible Moses prayed to God when the Egyptian armed forces approached the people of Israel dead-ended by the Red Sea. Moses received an answer to raise his staff. The waters opened for the people to walk to the other side of the Red Sea. Pharaoh’s troops drowned in the sea. Often, the staff of the gospel is God’s answer in situations that look impossible to us. In Babylon, Daniel kept on saying his daily prayers despite the law of King Darius which had illegalized praying to any other god but the king. Daniel’s praying was reported to Darius by Daniel’s jealous fellow officers. The king was bound to his decree and therefore ordered Daniel to be thrown into the den of lions. God protected Daniel in the den. The next morning, as the king came to the den, Daniel shouted to him: “O king, live forever!” From the OT time both unbelievers and believers have prayed on behalf of the authorities as God-given means of keeping order. The apostle writes to Timothy, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (1 Tim 2:1-3). While in the hands of his persecutors, Stephen prayed on behalf of his executioners: “Lord lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60). According to the example of Jesus and the apostles the believers have endeavored praying on behalf of their enemies. The Apostle Paul prayed that God would take away the thorn that was in his flesh. Not knowing what he meant by the thorn, we learn what the apostle learned from God, “My grace is sufficient to you” (2 Cor 12:9). Many times we as believers have to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and just continue to believe our sins forgiven in Jesus name and blood, and not think why certain trials are given to us. The apostles often mentioned praying on behalf of other believers. God’s children yet today often request of each other, “Remember me and my family in your prayers,” “When you converse with God about your own matters, please add myself in your prayers,” and “I will remember you in my thoughts and in my prayers.” We may remember each others in prayer without asking. Sometimes some family members may cease wanting to listen to us speaking to them about faith matters. Even then, we still have the privilege of speaking to God about those family members. Even when our intercessions fall short, Jesus prays on behalf of us in heaven. “He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebr 7:25). Church history relates that Martin Luther spent a lot of time praying during his time of distress fighting the powers of the Catholic Church. In prayer we may leave matters in God’s hands. We do not always know what the best thing to do is. Nevertheless, when we leave our matters in God’s hands, we can trust that He will bless and guide us as we do our best. When comparing our praying to some of the believers mentioned in the Bible or Luther, we may feel inferior. However, we need to remember that the essence of prayer is not the outward, conscious practice of prayer. The essence is the spiritual, sometimes subconscious groaning of the spirit and turning to the heavenly Father. In this way the spirit in us prays constantly. A couple of weeks ago I learned about a car accident in which our dear brother and sister were seriously injured. I called to the father of the dear injured sister. I listened to what the current status of the patients was. I promised to keep the family in my thoughts and prayers. “Thank you for remembering us,” was the response. I never consciously took time to pray for them. However, the same day on my walk I noticed that I am constantly thinking about the family groaning something to this effect, “O, dear heavenly Father what happened to the family. Thank you for taking care of them.” The words of God encourage us to “pray without ceasing,” and “giving thanks in every circumstance” (1 Tess. 5:17,18). 7. Unbelievers’ Prayer God’s word does not teach that God justifies man in prayer. This means that an unbeliever cannot reach God through his own deeds in prayer. God needs to reach out to the unbeliever. This happens when the gospel of forgiveness of sins in the name and blood of Jesus is preached from God’s kingdom to a penitent sinner. The Bible, however, records many examples how God heard the prayers of unbelievers when they prayed for their salvation. The Ethiopian Eunuch, Saul of Tarsus and the centurion Cornelius exemplify unbelievers whose prayer God heard and answered publicly by allowing his kingdom come to them (Acts 8,9 and 10). This was their hearts’ humble and sincere speaking with God. God’s word does not teach that prayer is a merit. Of those who pray in order to gain merit the word of God warns, “I will hide mine eyes from you, yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear” (Isa 1:15). We already discussed Jesus’ comment on the hypocrites’ prayer on the streets. They have received their reward (Matt 6:5). Humble prayer of those outside of God’s kingdom is a good matter. In many circumstances we may be invited to situations where a prayer is said by an unbeliever. Joining in prayer with unbelievers does not mean that we unite with their faith or their spirit. The spirit of humble faith will guide us how to conduct ourselves in each situation. 8. Always Pray Although God is high and holy, in Jesus’ name we are allowed to approach Him. Although God knows what we need we are encouraged to let him know of our needs. Although God is almighty and decides what he does and what not, we are asked to pray for our matters, the matters of other people and those of the authorities in our country. Prayer is neither a means to salvation, nor a sacrament. Prayer is a privilege of God’s child and a sign of that connection that has been established through faith. Prayer is part of our endeavor in faith. Through prayer we gain strength, prayer gives peace, and prayer protects in temptation. Although we may ask the forgiveness of sins in a prayer, we receive the forgiveness through faith in the gospel from God’s kingdom. More important than the formal aspect of prayer is that prayer is the heart’s humble and sincere conversation with God. Prayer does not necessarily need words. The spirit in us says unuttered groanings. God hears our prayers and provides us with spiritual needs and temporal needs. The apostle writes, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2). Questions 1.Why do you pray? 2.What makes a prayer a true prayer? 3.How have the former believers prayed? 4.How has prayer helped you or someone you know? 5.How were you taught to pray? 6.A prayer that I will always remember. 7.How do you teach your children to pray?

Neil Waaraniemi | 2010 LLC Phoenix Winter Services --

Jon Bloomquist | 2010 LLC Minneapolis Summer Services, Rogers, MN - Ministers and Board Members Meeting - July 2 -- God, Lord of Life and Death In the beginning there was nothing and no one but God. Thus the Holy Bible begins with the words: “In the beginning God.” Everything that is has originated with Him. As John says, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” God made all things by the power of His Word (John 1:3). We cannot see God with our eyes. We cannot understand Him with our thoughts. He is a hidden God who reveals himself in His Word, in His creation, and in our lives. When we look about us, we see His work everywhere and when we truly see it, we recognize that we are small and weak and God is almighty and loving. When David looked at himself and considered his life, he said: “…thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” (Ps. 139:13–16). In His Word, God has revealed himself to be a loving Father who is good to all, who has mercy on all His creation and gives all their food in due season. He is righteous in all His ways, holy in all His works, and near all those that call upon Him in truth (Psa. 145:9, 15–18). He is both the source and sustainer of all life. For man, who is not able to create anything from nothing, let alone the miracle that is life, the power of God is beyond comprehension. Man, the Image of God Man is God’s special creation. He is unique and fundamentally different from other creatures. He is the image of God. Moses writes, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gen. 1:27). Thus God endowed man with knowledge of His Creator, with righteousness and holiness, and with immortality (Col. 3:10, Eph. 4:24, Gen. 2:17). Death did not become man’s lot until Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. At that moment, the sentence of death, both bodily and eternal, fell upon them. Death meant the end of life. It meant that man’s body must return to the dust from which it has been made. God determines the moment of man’s death. Job testifies, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not…his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass” (Job 14:1, 2, 5). Death, like life, is under God’s sovereign province (Psa. 68:20). He has not given man authority to intervene. God did not leave man the prisoner of eternal death. He redeemed him. He purchased man’s release from eternal death. The price was steep, much greater than gold, much greater than silver, for God purchased our freedom with the precious blood of His own Son (1Pet. 1:18–20). Recognition that God is the sole giver of life, that He has made us in His image, and that He has paid a great price for our redemption kindles respect for life and the sanctity of life. The Increase of Knowledge Knowledge has increased in the course of history and especially in the last century, just as the Prophet Daniel was told it would (Dan. 12:4). Science and technology in particular have advanced at a rapid and accelerating pace. Advances in the fields of medicine and biotechnology bring new treatments, new therapies, and new possibilities. Advances in these fields in particular also bring us face to face with new and sometimes difficult moral and ethical questions. Science and technology however do not provide the moral framework or the values required to guide their use. In the modern world, many have rejected or perhaps simply drifted away from the Bible’s teaching that God is Creator, Lord of life and death, and that man is His image. Respect for life and the sanctity of life has diminished as a result. This has led to widespread use of birth control, the legalization and use of abortion and, in some societies, euthanasia. Birth Control The prevention of conception, or birth control, is contrary to God’s Word and good conscience. It contradicts the teachings of God’s Word with regard to both creation and marriage. The biblical doctrine of creation is crystallized in the First Article of the Creed: “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.” Luther explains the meaning of this article thusly: “I believe that God has made me and all other creatures; that He has given and still preserves to me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses,” and so on (Luther’s Small Catechism). Thus while science sees man as the product of evolution, faith sees him as God’s creation. While science sees the conception of life, and the unique individual that it gives birth to, as the random and arbitrary outcome that occurs when the seed of man and woman are joined in the mother’s womb, faith sees conception as the continuation of God’s creation work. It is His plan and His work. The Old Testament examples of Rachel, Hannah, and Ruth all show that it is God who gives conception and the fruit of the womb (Gen. 29:30–30:2, 6; 1 Sam. 1:5, 19, 20). Of Ruth is said, “So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son” (Ruth 4:13). One of the primary purposes of marriage is procreation. God created man, male and female, and then commanded them to “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Gen. 1:27, 28). Luther says that this is “more than a command, namely a divine ordinance which it is not our prerogative to hinder or ignore.” Despite God’s command or ordinance, birth control is widely practiced. People defend their disobedience with a variety of reasons including the psychological and physical burdens of raising children, economics, pursuit of an education or a career, concerns about overpopulation, etc. These arguments are rooted in unbelief and selfishness. Believing husbands and wives know these arguments well. The threefold enemy frequently tempts us with them. We wish, however, to cast aside these arguments as well “and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,” and bring “into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). Abstinence & Birth Control Marriage has a purpose in addition to procreation, namely, the avoidance of fornication. The desire that resides in us as a result of God’s creation work and the command to be fruitful and multiply is strong and few are able to resist it. Thus the Apostle Paul writes, “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband” (1Cor. 7:2). In the same context Paul, while permitting abstinence in marriage for the purpose of prayer and fasting, warns that it must be only by mutual consent and only for a short time in order to avoid sin. Paul warns both husband and wife not to defraud one another of the “benevolence” each is due. Sexual life is also an expression of love intended to strengthen the psychological and emotional bonds that are a part of two becoming one flesh. Paul while cautiously allowing abstinence does not here either encourage or give license to use abstinence as means to limit the number of our children or otherwise practice family planning. Difficult Situations and Abortion Pregnancy and childbirth always entail some degree of risk for a mother. On occasion there are also health and medical issues that may substantially increase those risks. In such circumstances a couple may face painfully difficult questions caused by the conflict between God’s command to be fruitful and multiply and their own concern for the mother’s life. Her life too is God’s gift and undeniably precious. In the face of such difficult issues, we feel our smallness and inadequacy. Even in difficult situations, however, God’s children do not wish to abandon the perspective of faith for the perspective of science and reason. It does not mean that believing fathers and mothers, do not take medical information and advice into account, but rather that they strive to consider it in the light of God’s Word, faith, and conscience so that they might hold “the mystery of faith in a pure conscience” (1 Tim. 3:9). God’s Word teaches us that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding”(Prov. 9:1). Thus faced with these kinds of difficult questions, we humbly pray for God’s guidance, turn to His Word, and seek counsel and support from God’s congregation, which Paul calls the “pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). In the end, however, each must decide according to his own or her own conscience. Paul, in his Letter to the Romans, writing about matters of conscience, teaches that a he who acts contrary to his conscience and doubts is damned, “for whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23). Luther too said, “It is neither safe nor right to act against conscience.” Once life has been conceived, we wish to do all that we can to protect it. Thus abortion, which is the destruction of a life that God has created and which is His image, is not an option. It is sin. If the life of a mother is threatened by illness or injury during pregnancy, we want to see to it that everything that is medically possible is done to save the life of both mother and child. God has given both lives. Both lives are precious and both lives are in the hands of He who is Lord over life and death. Birth control and abortion further the decay of marriage and sexual morality in our society as well. These have significant consequences, not only with regard to eternal life, but also for temporal life and especially for children. Euthanasia The word euthanasia comes from the Greek word euthanatos, which means good death. Active euthanasia or “mercy killing” is the use of lethal substances or forces with the intention of ending a life, usually in order to relieve unrelenting pain. Passive euthanasia is the cessation of care that may extend life but does not decisively improve quality of life. Generally speaking, the term euthanasia is most often used to refer to active euthanasia. It is not easy to watch another person suffer great pain. It is especially difficult to watch in the case of a loved one. We understand the desire to end suffering, but to end a life, whether one’s own or the life of another, by active means is contrary to God’s Word and Christian ethics (Ex. 20:13). It is also contrary to medical ethics. Passive euthanasia is another issue. Here I will borrow the words of our brother and longtime hospital chaplain Niilo Rauhala: “Cessation of care is not active assisted death, rather therein is granted space for natural death, which comes in its own time. This so-called passive euthanasia is not contrary to Christian faith or ethics because no human action affects the patient’s death. The moment of death is left to the hand of the Creator, the Lord of life and death.” Conclusion Before life and death, we find ourselves before the will and great power of God. To observe the birth of a child is a humbling experience. To observe death, whether it be the life of a child still in the shelter of his or her mother’s womb or at childbirth, or then at the end of a long life is an even more humbling experience. To see the marvel of God’s creation around us is a humbling experience. Do we not say with the psalmist, “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psa. 8: 3, 4). God has truly visited us, for the Word, by which all was made, was also made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). “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). It is God’s love and the promise and perspective of everlasting life that carries God’s children through difficult trials. God has promised to be with us in times of trial and temptation, when we pass through the waters and when we pass through the fires (Isa. 43:2). He is our faithful help and support. Paul says, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1Cor. 10:13). The last trial, the last temptation, the last enemy is death. It tries our faith. Job saw the coming destruction and decay of his body, but clung to his resurrection faith: “Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me” (Job 19:23–27). Job’s confidence rested upon God’s power and love. He said, “If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands” (Job 14:14, 15) If we live life with its trials and difficulties trusting solely in the wisdom and strength of men, we have limited help and possibilities. If we die trusting solely in the wisdom and strength of men, we have no hope. Now we see but darkly. If we live our lives and die putting our hope in God, He will call and we shall answer, and then we shall see our Father as He is, face to face (1 Cor. 13:12). Sources “Elämän kunnioitus,” (Pentti Kärkölä, Ihmeellisiä ovat sinun tekosi, SRK Vuosikirja 2001, pp. 156–159) “Jokainen ihiminen on arvokas,” (Matti Lääkkö, Oikea ja Väärä, SRK Vuosikirja 2006, pp. 14–17) “Jumala, elämän ja kuoleman Herra,” (Niilo Rauhala, Oikea ja Väärä, SRK Vuosikirja 2006, pp. 18–23) “Lestadiolaisäidit,” (Erkki Reinikäinen, Näin on uskottu, pp. 59–62) “Minä uskon Jumalaan, Isään,” (Seppo Lohi, Päivämies, no. 28, 2009, pp. 20, 21) “Vastuullinen seksuaalinen käyttäytyminen,” (Tapani Tolli, Oikea ja Väärä, SRK Vuosikirja 2006, pp. 28–33)

Jim Moll | 2010 LLC Minneapolis Summer Services - Youth Discussion --

Howard Parks | 2011 LLC Phoenix Winter Services - Congregation and Youth Evening - February 25 -- What does it mean to be "blessed"? For sure it means that one is very fortunate. In temporal life, it could mean having plenty in that which we cherish and enjoy in this life, such as food, home, family, friends, and sufficient wealth. We may say that we have been blessed or fortunate in our life. Spiritual blessedness is when one is acceptable before God. There is an abundance of verses in the Bible describing this blessedness. Jesus' opening words int he Sermon on the Mount are, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:3). In Psalm 32:1, it reads, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." The greatest blessing is found in Revelation 19:9, which proclaims, "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." This blessing carries the child of God past the borders of time into eternity. The child of God's destination is heaven. The Scripture portion appointed for this introduction from the gospel of Luke says, "Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it." We will first look at how God is present in His Word and through it reveals His salvation for the sin-fallen man. Then we will consider the hearing of the Word of God and finally the keeping of the Word of God. The Word of God The Word of God is eternal. The prophet Isaiah proclaims: "The word of our God shall stand for ever" (Isa. 40:8). It has been said that the Bible is a textbook of faith, written for this reason that man would learn how God saves sinful man. Apostle Paul writes: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Rom. 15:4). God is present in His living Word. Already in the day of Moses, God said: "I will raise them a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him" (Deut. 18:18). Jesus confirms this when he enters Jerusalem for the last time: "For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak" (John 12:49). Jesus earlier taught: "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). This Word of God has been entrusted unto God's people, to bring forth the message of repentance, forgiveness, and salvation unto the ends of the world. In Jesus' high priestly prayer, he prays thus: "For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me....As thou has sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world" (John 17:8,18). Hearing of the Word Hearing is one of the senses we have in our natural body. It allows us to hear sounds around us and allows us to easily communicate with others. A person with no hearing, or poor hearing, may need to depend on reading lips or to communicate by reading and writing. Just as there is natural hearing, so is there spiritual hearing. Jesus told his disciples, Blessed are your ears for they hear those things which many have desired to hear and have not heard them (Matt. 13:17). How is it that someone hears, but does not really hear? When explaining the parable of the sower, Jesus taught: "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side" (Matt. 13:19). We sometimes describe it in this way: "It fell on deaf ears." Spiritual hearing is enlightened through God's Spirit. God opens one's understanding. When Peter went to the house of Cornelius to preach the Word of God, it is related: "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word" (Acts 10:44). God enlightened the hearts of the listeners to believe and accept the word of faith. Not only is it important to hear with our ears, but also to believe with our hearts. We sometimes call it "heart's faith." The following words also seem applicable: "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (Rev. 2:7). It is important that we listen to the voice of God's Spirit that speaks in the congregation, which is the church of the living God and the pillar and ground of truth (1 Tim. 3:15). Apostle Paul describes this word of faith: "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things!...So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom. 10:14-16) Keeping of the Word God's children rejoice over their salvation. In the parable of the treasure hidden in the field, the finder sold all that he had so he could purchase the field. Nothing was more important than owning the treasure of the field. Jesus came to dwell in the heart of that one who sold all that he had. Christ is the treasure and the field is the kingdom. Oh, what great reason for joy! Also, Zaccheaus, the tax collector, had uncontainable joy when Jesus told him: "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house." (Luke 19:5-6). Paul reminds the Corinthian believers about the gospel that he had preached unto them, and how they had received it. He exhorts them to continue in this gospel and writes: "By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain." (1 Cor. 15:2) "Believing in vain" indicates that one has not kept the Word of God sincerely in their heart and has become shipwrecked in faith. God's children understand that faith is day by day and moment by moment. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow may not come, but today we still endeavor to believe. What happens when one no longer keeps the Word of God - or as the apostle says, "has believed in vain"? Sin has attached. Christian doctrine teaches that sin is the falling away of the heart from God. John writes: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world" (1 John 2:15-16). Jesus taught that no man can serve two masters. Society's liberal views and tolerance towards sin can cause sorrowful effects in God's kingdom. When ungodly ways of life become so commonplace in the world, it can "rub off" on God's children, and after a while it may not seem so wrong anymore. The borders of God's kingdom can become dim, and some may seek for changes in Christianity's understandings of right and wrong. Apostle Paul warned the elders of Ephesus, that of yourselves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, (or deviating from what is considered right), to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20) God's children needs to "stand fast, and hold the traditions which...have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle," as Paul writes in 2 Thes. 2:15. We can review some of our "traditions which have been taught," as Paul exhorts, or doctrinal beliefs and positions of God's kingdom. Marriage Let's look at marriage, for example: "Conservative Laestadianism has been called Christianity of the family. Marriage is the basis of a family. In creation, marriage is a union between man and woman and its main task is to continue bringing children into this world. It is given as a gift of God for unity of man and woman, and as a blessing and protection. It is sorrowful that more widely, the 'Christian' understanding of marriage is being crumbled by the concept of neutrality between sexes. Generally thinking, society thinks marriage is just an agreement between two people - a relationship between tow people in which they seek romance and free narcissism (love of, or sexual desires of one's own body). Seeking for one's own joys and lusts, guides people's lives. They try to avoid suffering and sorrows and difficulties and they forget commitments and responsibilities. They do not understand the seriousness of God's commands and sin is not seen as sin." (Olavi Voittainen - 2010 Liperi Suviseurat) "In the morning of the New Covenant, it was taught in the Christian congregation that, 'Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled' (Heb 13:4). The Word taught that God will judge those who break up marriages and live immorally. Ours is a time of sexual over-emphasis. This is seen clearly, for example, in literature, in newspapers, and in music. In these, sexual life is not associated as a part of marriage. Immorality and adultery in the name of freedom are seen as natural. The unbelieving world often uses the words of the Bible, 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth' (Gen. 1:28), as words of ridicule to shame believing families. God's blessing of children has become a curse to many modern people. In the name of a high standard of living and personal pleasure, people have started down a road that is contrary to God's Word. Birth control is now a common practice. Pressure against our Christianity and believing married couples have at times been very strong." (Voitto Savela from "Hvinä ja pahoina päivinä," SRK 2002.) Marriage is intended to be a lifelong commitment to "love one another in prosperity and adversity alike until death do you part," as stated in our church marriage vows. When the Pharisee's of Jesus' time asked him if it was lawful for a man to put away his wife, Jesus said: "What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder." In modern day society, there are dissolutions, annulments, divorce, and the like. All of these fall in the same category, in that they go against God's will and intentions. Unbelief is the main root for such sorrowful actions. Courtship With Unbelievers Courtship with unbelievers is contrary to God's Word. It was a sin of the first world that led to the world being destroyed. It is recorded thus: "That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose...And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented that Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart" (Gen. 6:2, 5-6). I'm sure all of us remember the time of Noah. In the New Testament era, Apostle Paul writes: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?" (2 Cor. 6:14-15). It seems that every generation of believers has needed to address this issue. "Sadly, the world's persecution and ridicule can also try a child of God. The borders of God's kingdom can become dim and cause a believer to start to look to the outside. This can result in taking part in the activities of this world, in spending too much time with unbelieving friends, and even tempt one to look for a spouse in this world. Believing parents recognize the difficult battle against this world that their children face, and it's a battle that can also tempt the parents themselves." (Duane Pirness - Christmas in Zion 2010). Working Mothers In recent times, the "stay at home" mothers are becoming fewer in number, as many mothers are entering the work force, often to supplement the family income. In years past, the husband would typically provide for the family's need (the bread winner), and the mother would keep the home. The home always felt secure around mother's presence. Now it may happen that both husband and wife work away from the home and the children are cared for by others. Each family needs to prayerfully consider what works out best for their situation. The importance of a mother's career could become so great that the couple is tempted to practice birth control through methods such as abstinence from intercourse on days when conception is most likely to occur, use of contraceptives, birth control medications, and medical procedures. Perhaps children would seem to be a hinderance to the couple's ambitions in life. We already quoted from the opening speech of the 2010 Summer Services in Finland regarding the purpose of marriage: In creation, marriage is a union between man and woman and its main task is to continue bringing children into this world. Working mothers in today's world have almost certainly felt society's pressure regarding "over-population," or they have been asked, "How can you afford to have so many children?" Society often does not regard "stay at home" mothers in very high esteem. In light of our topic of hearing and keeping God's Word, we should recall the words of Apostle Paul that aged women would encourage young mothers: "That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." (Titus 2:4,5) "Accepting God's order of creation may sometimes seem overpowering in the midst of pressures and in the midst of a growing family. Reason battles against faith. All the same, we don't have to understand everything through reason. We don't even understand how a large tree can grow from a small see, let alone a living human being. Could a father or mother of a large family say that the youngest of the family wouldn't have the right to live and that he wouldn't be equally valuable and important as the other children in the family? Through faith we understand that each child is a valuable and unique gift from God. Even in this matter we can trust upon God's blessings." (Petri Kulmala - "Richness of Life") There are also special trials for those couples who have not been blessed with any children. Their fervent prayer is that God could grant them the joy of having children. They may hear troubling comments about not wanting to have any children. It's good to remember them in prayer and reach out to them. Alternative Lifestyles In today's world, there is a great deal of concern surrounding the gay/homosexual movement, which strives for recognition and equality and also expects others to accept their way of life as normal. People are expected to be tolerant towards that way of life in the name of having love and compassion towards one's neighbor. God's children sorrowfully note how society has become accepting of these alternative lifestyles. It is said that the Old Testament believer, Lot, was vexed in spirit over the same sins of his time. The LLC Position Statement, "Right and Wrong," describes how we as believers understand this matter of homosexuality: "The Bible teaches that homosexual behavior is immoral and as such is sin....God does not approve the sexual relations of partners of the same sex and He does not bless such relationships. It is with good reason that the Bible warns against this sin. The increase of homosexuality and its acceptance has always been an expression of moral decline." We pray that the ways of the world, with all of its glory and glamour, wouldn't become a stumbling block in our lives. In Christian doctrine, we have learned that sin is the falling away of the heart from God. In the explanation of this, it states: "When man allows physical lusts to rule him, his sin is sensuality. When man loves the world and its treasures more that he loves God, his sin is worldliness. When man seeks his own advantage in everything, his sin is selfishness. When man admires and elevates himself and wishes to get along with only his own resources, his sin is pride." (CD 23) At a recent board members workshop in Ghana, Africa, one concern which came forth in regard to present day lifestyles is how many women no longer dress modestly (conservatively), but rather exploit their sexuality with revealing (provocative) clothing and actions. This can cause many sorrows and temptations in the hearts of men. God's Word teaches that if a man looks upon a woman to lust after her, he has committed adultery with her already in his heart. One cannot help but notice when women dress in this manner. However, we don't want our flesh to rule our hearts and thoughts. We can, and should, divert our gaze in a different direction. Luther once related that we can't stop the birds from flying overhead, but we don't need to let them build a nest. Similar trends and lifestyles have troubled God's people throughout time and throughout the world. It's important to remain watchful and in prayer. Jesus taught: "and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." On the other hand, the enemy of souls would try to tempt the believers into thinking that maybe these lifestyles are not really so bad. He hasn't changed a bit in his ways from when he first told Eve, "Has God really said...?" Apostle Paul writes to the believers of his generation: "Ye are all the children of light and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober" (1 Thess. 5:5-6). And from Heb. 2:1, we read, "Therefore, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." We battle against the three-fold enemy. As God's children, we pray to be preserved in His grace kingdom, where our source of strength is not in us, but in the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the gospel. God, through His Son, has overcome the world as Jesus has said: "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). With childlike faith, we can trust and believe that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Dear brother and sister in faith, believe all sins and journey faults forgiven in Jesus Name and Blood. Questions and Discussion Items: What is the three-fold enemy? How can we react to alternative lifestyles and keep proper love towards sinners? "Working mothers" - what effects can it have on the home atmosphere? How can the world's lifestyles "rub off" into a believer's life? What does it mean t be "unequally yoked" into a believer's life? How can we preserve faith and good conscience?

Ray Waaraniemi | 2011 LLC Marquette Summer Services - Ministers and Board Members Meeting -- God’s Word teaches us that “God has revealed Himself to us as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That is why we speak of God as the Triune God” (Christian Doctrine 43). The content of our Christian faith has been gathered into three articles of faith and is documented in the creeds from the 4th and 5th centuries, namely: the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. The Apostles Creed is the most familiar to us. In the book By Faith it is written: “The matter of salvation requires faith in all of the Articles of Creed. The Holy Spirit gives birth to such a faith. When the Third Article opens up, then the First and Second Articles also open” (BF, p.61). There are many who claim to believe in the Triune God, but their understanding is not of the Spirit. The Third Article is especially obscure to them, and for that reason the Living God is hidden from them. The Triune God is commonly referred to as the “Godhead” or the “Holy Trinity.” We understand that there are three members of the Godhead: God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Ghost. Yet there is one God. Paul writes to the Ephesians: There is one body, and one Spirit… One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Eph. 4:4-6) John writes in his first epistle: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one (1 John 5:7,8). As children and youth in Sunday school and confirmation, we were taught the Apostles Creed with the help of Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms. Then we memorized the three Articles of the Creed and their meanings. Thus from childhood the Apostles Creed has helped us to understand the Triune God and the work of each member of the Godhead. When we recite the Creed, it is truly a confession of our faith. Each Article begins with “I believe.” God, the Father, the Creator The First Article of the Apostles Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. Luther explains that in the First Article we confess that God is our creator, provider, and protector. He gives us our families and all things needed for the preservation of our lives. He does it as a loving and merciful father without our having merited it. The first words in the Bible are, In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (Gen.1:1). The writer to the Hebrews writes, Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (Heb.11:2,3). In the first book of the Bible, we find these words, And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness (Gen. 1:26,27). God gave life to man, breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Gen. 2:7). Although it is above our reason, we simply, in a childlike way, believe that God is our creator. He has numbered our days and established the boundary of time for each of us (Job 14:5). He is the source of all things pertaining to our daily bread. Although multitudes of people in the world profess a belief in God, relatively few know the living God. Apostle Paul writes about men of the last days, Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away (II Tim. 3:5). We see the steady progression away from God’s Word in the world. The “form of godliness” for many people of our time is that they create a god according to their own reason, will, and hopes. We hear opinions like, “my god is not so narrow-minded.” In the LLC Position Statement, “Right and Wrong,” the following excerpt addresses man’s departure from God’s will. God Is Lord Over Life and Death As knowledge increases and technology advances, man strives to take decisions of life and death into his own hands. This manifests itself, for example, in the prevention of conception, the termination of pregnancy, some kinds of gene manipulation, efforts to clone humans, and euthanasia. People have forgotten that God is the Creator and upholder of all, Lord over life and death. He alone has the power to create life and take it away (1 Sam. 2:6; Job 10:12; Ps. 139:13-16). He has not authorized man to control life. The duty of medicine is to protect life, alleviate suffering, and promote and maintain health while respecting humanity. (LLC Position Statement, Section 2, Item 5). What is God like? God is omnipotent, or all powerful. The power and majesty of God is incomprehensible to us. Before God we find ourselves so small. With weak faith we can only marvel with the Psalm-writers, O LORD our Lord…When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? (Ps.8:1,3,4). When God called Moses to lead His people, Moses doubted his own credibility before the people. God said to Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you (Ex. 3:14). The name that God used in Hebrew was YHWH or Jehovah. It means “to be,” or “He Is,” or “I AM.” God is timeless. When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, she doubted. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? (Luke 1:34). Gabriel then said For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said…be it unto me according to thy word (Luke 1:34, 37-38). Mary believed in a childlike way even though she didn’t understand. “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Through weak faith we believe this and endeavor to live in obedience of faith, even then when it is contrary to our carnal reason and the commonly held views in the world. We are small and weak, but we have a Heavenly Father who is almighty to do as He wills. We can approach Him in time of need as children do to their loving fathers. As God is all powerful, He is also omnipresent, or everywhere simultaneously. Imagine, He is with each of us all the time wherever we are. Even when we are ashamed and do not want God to see us, He sees. Adam and Eve in their guilt tried to hide from God. God called out to them “Where art thou?” The psalm-writer writes Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? (Ps. 139:7-10). Just as God is everywhere, He also omniscient, or all knowing. As individuals it means that we cannot hide our thoughts and deeds from God. He knows our intentions and the secret places of our minds and hearts. Paul writes to the Romans, 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? (Rom. 11:33-34). God knows our needs and we can trust in Him for our daily bread. Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount regarding our temporal needs, For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things (Matt. 6:32). So when we doubt and are tempted concerning our daily bread we can trust in our Heavenly Father and approach Him with our cares and worries. God is a jealous God God is a Spirit (John 4:24), and carnal reason cannot comprehend spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14­16). Man tends to trust in and worship temporal things and things made with hands to such a degree that these things become their gods. God will not tolerate anything or anyone to be placed above Himself. Moses has recorded the words of God, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image…Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God (Ex. 20:4-6). God is love Through faith we know the living God as a loving father who has manifested His love for us in His son. John writes 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). Again John writes in his first epistle, Beloved, let us love one another… for God is love. (1 John 4:7). Jesus Christ, His Son, the Redeemer The Second Article of the Apostles Creed I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. We join through faith with Luther’s explanation of the Second Article that Jesus is the son of God. He is true God and true man born of the Virgin Mary. He is our redeemer and has purchased us with His suffering and shedding of His precious blood so that we can be His own in His kingdom eternally. God’s Word teaches us that “God speaks to us in nature, our life's fate, and the phases of nations. He speaks to us in our conscience. But God especially reveals himself to us in the Holy Scripture and in our Redeemer Jesus Christ” (Christian Doctrine 4). The Epistle to the Hebrews shows this: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son. (Heb. 1: 1,2). Jesus was with God in eternity After God had created the earth and the animals, who did he speak to? And God said, Let us make man in our image (Gen. 1:26). Did he speak to the Son and to the Holy Ghost? In the beginning of the Gospel of John it is written: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. … In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (John 1:1-4). We understand the Word and the light to be Christ. Jesus once told the Jews, who placed so much stock in being the children of Abraham, that they were not able to believe that He who Abraham believed upon as the promised savior was in their midst. He said, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). This made them so angry that they took up stones to stone him, but Jesus went away from them – it wasn’t His time yet. Death reigned As a result of the fall into sin, the pall of death fell upon all men. It became necessary for sin-fallen man to be redeemed from sin and death and reconciled with his Creator. 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 (Rom. 5:12). The promise Under the sentence of death the first human pair hid in fear from God their creator. But “God is love (1 John 4:8),” and he prepared a way of redemption and salvation for sin-fallen man. He made this known when he said to the serpent: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel (Gen. 3:15). So Adam and Eve where able to began the journey in faith. They believed God’s promise of the Savior who would come and atone for their sins and the sins of all people. God reiterated the promise numerous times to the Old Testament believers. After Abraham was obedient to God and would have sacrificed his son Isaac, God said, That in blessing I will bless thee… And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice (Gen. 22:17,18). So it is through faith that we are the children of Abraham. Isaiah understood that the promised one was also God: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Is 9:6). The promise was fulfilled when Mary, a virgin who had conceived a child by the Holy Ghost, gave birth to the promised Savior: And she brought forth her firstborn son (Luke 2:7). The shepherds received the good news form the angel while tending their flocks, Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour (Luke 2:11). Paul writes to the Galatians of the Redeemer: But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons (Gal. 4:4,5). True God and True Man Christ was true God as we see in Paul’s letter to Corinthians, God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself (II Cor. 5:19). From the Gospel of John we read: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Christ was also true man. Paul writes to the Philippians: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. (Phil. 2:5-7). He was born of a woman into a family as Mark writes, Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? (Mark 6:3). He was tempted as a man, as the writer to the Hebrews writes, For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15). The Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier The Third Article of the Apostles Creed I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Christian Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. Luther explains that with our reason we cannot believe in Jesus but that the Holy Ghost calls through the Gospel, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ. Jesus foretold the coming of the Holy Spirit While among His disciples for the last time, Jesus promised to send them the Holy Spirit to teach, lead, and comfort them. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit joins us to the arisen and glorified Christ. Jesus wanted to prepare His own for the time when He would no longer be with them in the flesh. He also wanted to teach them about the Holy Spirit. He knew that they could not fully understand and remember the things he had taught them. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth (John 16:12,13). Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled on Pentecost Before ascending to heaven Jesus gave instructions to the disciples, Luke recorded the words of Jesus in The Acts of the Apostles: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence (Acts 1:4,5). The second chapter of the book of Acts relates of this momentous event: And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4). It was a remarkable demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit. Many people from several countries were in Jerusalem for the feast of Weeks or the feast of Harvest also called Pentecost. After the Apostles were filled with the Holy Ghost, they began to speak, and the listeners, who spoke many languages, heard them in their own languages. The sermon of Peter pricked the hearts of many of the listeners and about three thousand of them received grace to believe. A Mother that gives birth (sanctifies) and sustains her children The congregation is our spiritual mother: But Jerusalem which is [from] above is free, which is the mother of us all (Gal. 4:26). Jesus called the congregation His mother: Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother (Matt. 12:48-50). On the day of Pentecost thousands received new birth through the preaching of the gospel by the Apostles. Luther writes of the Third Article in the Large Catechism, p.87: “The Holy Spirit effects our sanctification through the communion of saints, the Christian Church...by leading us into his holy communion, in that He lays us upon the bosom of the church which becomes our teacher and leader to Christ.” We have experienced the work of the Sanctifier in our time when God has opened mission fields and sent His children to preach the gospel. Many from various places in the world have believed the gospel preached by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles of our time. In each of our personal endeavors of faith, we experience how the Holy Spirit sanctifies and sustains us. It is our “home teacher.” Luther writes that the Spirit is “one who has sanctified and still sanctifies us” P.87 Jesus’ work continues as the work of the Holy Spirit Christ’s work in the world continues in His congregation as the work of the Holy Spirit. In the congregation of Christ, we are in living fellowship with Christ and other Christians. For this reason, the Scripture calls the congregation the body of Christ (Christian Doctrine 44). God has placed all things under Christ’s feet and given Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body (Eph. 1:22-23). When the creation work of God and the redemption work of Jesus were complete and Jesus had ascended to heaven, then, as Jesus had foretold, the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. Christ’s work on earth continued as the work of the third member of the Triune God, the Holy Spirit. Believers have received the Holy Spirit. Collectively they make up the congregation of God. In order to find God and His Son Jesus Christ one must find His congregation on earth. The Holy Spirit empowers the believers to continue the work of Christ in the world, which is to preach the gospel – to forgive sins. Jesus gave this authority to His own: Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained (John 20:22-23). Unbelievers question, How can men forgive sins? Jesus’ authority was also questioned, Who can forgive sins but God alone (Luke 5:21). The congregation is guided by the Holy Spirit Apostle Paul gave instructions to his young coworker Timothy when he asked him to remain at Ephesus to serve the congregation: These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3:14,15). It is vital to personal faith that we understand the role of the congregation mother. We always want to be obedient to the congregation of God. It is a beautiful matter that we can entrust our endeavor into the care of the congregation of God, our spiritual mother. I will borrow a portion Juhani Uljas’ writing, The Holy Spirit as our Comforter, which touches on this matter of our relationship to the congregation. During this changing time of searching, we have in Christianity expressed opinions on new matters and issues. We may as decades pass and times change look upon these previously expressed opinions with criticism. It is important for us to remember that the Holy Ghost has certainly guided the Christians in their decisions. We can admire the wisdom of the Holy Ghost in these decisions. According to the doctrine of Christianity, our conscience is the voice of God inside of us. Our conscience requires us to act correctly and forbids us from wrong. Our conscience works based on God’s Word. However, it is not always reliable in guiding us. It can harden so that we do not hear God’s voice… In support of our valuable and tender consciences, God has allowed the voice of the Holy Ghost to sound in His congregation. It is possible that what we hear from our conscience is different than what we hear from God’s congregation. Which authority do we then obey? In this situation it is better to listen to God’s congregation. When the Holy Ghost governs over the congregation, there will be no conflict between the Bible and the congregation. As children of God, we have our responsibility. When we preach, comfort, instruct or teach, it is important to remember the instruction: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (I Peter 4:11). Juhani Uljas, The Holy Spirit as our Comforter, SRK Speakers and Elders Meeting, Summer 2007. The Holy Spirit makes the Word a living Word The Holy Spirit has inspired the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit is the key that opens the Scriptures. Peter writes about the source of the Scriptures: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (II Peter 1:20.21). While teaching His own about the end times and of the difficult situations that the believers will find themselves in, Jesus says to trust in the Holy Spirit: But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost (Mark 13:11). The Holy Spirit will be with us always Jesus said, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world (Matt. 28:20). Although Jesus is no longer on earth as “true man,” He is with us through the Holy Spirit. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. (John 14:16,17). Dear brothers and sisters we are the most fortunate of people when we can be children of the Spiritual mother who cares for us and tends to our needs on the journey. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all (2 Cor. 13:13). Points for Discussion: 1. How does the attempt in our time to separate the three persons in Godhead manifest itself? 2. What kind of a god do people try to create for themselves in our time? 3. What are the idols or gods of today? 4. Relate a personal experience when you have especially felt the power of God in your life. 5. What does the phrase, “preach the gospel,” mean in practice? 6. Expand on the following: “When the Holy Ghost governs over the congregation, there will be no conflict between the Bible and the congregation.”

Phil Huhta | 2011 LLC Marquette Summer Services - Youth Discussion --

Jouko Haapsaari | 2012 LLC Phoenix Winter Services -- A Place of Protection “I remember from my youthful years, how especially good it sometimes felt to come home.” A brother reminisced of the years of his battles in faith when growing up. Possibly many of us can join with his memories. A believing home is a refuge for all of its members. God has meant it to be such a place. We need a place of protection as our faith is little, our strength small, and the enemies many and powerful. The psalmist writes about the protection of God’s kingdom for the family: “Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house” (Ps. 84:3,4). The home has been called the nucleus of a healthy society. It is also a small congregation. Therefore, God has protected the office of mother and father so carefully. When He gave the Law to His people, one of the commandments mentioned very specifically that children are to obey and honor their parents. That is God’s good and wise will. It will bring a blessing to those who follow it. The command is connected with the office of the parents, not their individual skills or capabilities in parenting. Home Life Teaches Home life is our natural teacher; it is a place where the rising generation should receive proper and healthy advice on how to live with other people. All of us carry our childhood homes with us throughout our lives. When newlyweds establish their own home traditions, they bring their own home life experiences to this process. Home is a place where we should also learn how to ask for forgiveness and how to forgive one another. There is no home where sin doesn’t affect. We need to forgive one another often; everyone needs forgiveness from his or her close ones. Happy is the home where forgiveness is used often! If a quarrel between parents takes place in front of the family, it is beneficial for the children to also see that it has been forgiven. One of the best lessons and examples is when mother and father care for their own shortcomings and sins with their children. Many of us have precious memories of service occasions at home or other special home activities. It may have taken place at a baptism, a birthday celebration, a Thanksgiving meal, or at the Christmas table. It is good to take time to read Scriptures and to pray together. “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Ps. 119:103). More Than a Dwelling Home is the relationship of its members, not a physical building. Our family learned that in a very concrete way when we sold our Finland home and moved to the United States. Now, when our children have come to visit us, they have mentioned how interesting it has felt to come to home on the other side of the world. Home was not connected with the house that we built and where we lived for over 20 years. After all, it was only an abode, a place to live. The “home” was something deeper; it was connected to the people who lived there. When the people moved, the home moved with them. A Place for Forgiveness and Love Forgiveness sets the atmosphere at home. There are other factors, too, that create a warm, loving, and inviting atmosphere at home. One is the songs and hymns of Zion. As technology has advanced, we have good opportunities to have this kind of music in our homes. Another factor in the home atmosphere is the bond of love between the parents. As the saying goes, “The best gift that a father can give his children is to love their mother.” It is true what John writes: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear” (1 John 4:18). When there is no fear, there is trust and a gracious atmosphere. Who wouldn’t want to live there? Discussion Suggestions: 1. Why do you think the psalmist compares the believing home to a swallow’s nest? (Ps. 84) 2. How can we foster open and free discussions at home? 3. What factors threaten the positive, forgiving atmosphere in our homes? 4. Why is it important that we try to arrange services in our homes (ex. at birthday gatherings, engagement parties, family celebrations, or other special occasions)?

Eric Jurmu | 2012 LLC Brainerd Summer Services - Youth Discussion --

Viljo Juntunen | 2012 SRK Speakers Meeting -- Translated from: PYHÄ HENKI JA PYHÄN HENGEN TYÖ (Presented at annual Conservative Laestadian Speakers’ Meeting in Oulu, Finland, Dec. 28, 2012) Introduction: The Holy Spirit Is the Spirit of God and Christ God works in creation and in the world of mankind as three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Their three modes of work are creation, redemption, and sanctification. The Triune God works to save sin-fallen mankind. The power and guidance of God’s spirit is mentioned already in the Old Testament. According to the story of creation, “And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Gen. 1: 2). Isaiah spoke of those who rebelled and “vexed his holy spirit.” Under God’s wrath they remembered Moses and asked: “Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he that put his holy spirit within him?” (Isaiah 63: 10, 11). The prophets also foretold the pouring of the spirit in the last times (Isaiah 44: 3). The spirit of God kept alive the wait for the coming of the Messiah. At the time of Jesus’s birth, Simeon, a just man, was waiting for “the consolation of Israel.” The Holy Spirit was upon him and revealed to him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s anointed one. Led by the spirit he came to the temple, took the baby Jesus in his arms, and praised God (Luke 2: 25–28). The prophecy of the prophets was fulfilled at Pentecost: “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2: 3–4). In his farewell sermon Jesus had promised his own: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth... He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” (John 16: 13, 14). The Holy Spirit continues the work of Christ in his congregation (CD 1948, 44). The Holy Spirit is the key to understanding God’s revelation. No prophecy of the scripture “is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but the holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1: 20–21). The spirit opens the Word of God and Christ. Thus praying, dear brothers, we gather at this speakers’ meeting. The Holy Spirit Is the Spirit Of a Child Every human being is born as an heir of the corruptive fall into sin, but also as a partaker of the atonement work of Christ (1 John 2: 2). We have begun our journey in the secure faith of a child, led by the Holy Spirit, and under the grace covenant of baptism. Surrounded by a believing family and in the care of the Holy Spirit, many have been preserved as children of God. Jesus’s own preach repentance and remission of sins to those who have lost their right to be a child and who have been awakened by God (Luke 24: 47). Peter preached the gospel in Jesus’s name to the centurion Cornelius and his family. Thereafter the Holy Spirit fell upon the listeners and gave to them the gift of faith and the portion of a child of God. It was then possible to baptize these Gentiles “which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we” (Acts 10: 43–47). Paul writes: “For as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God...ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Rom. 8: 14–16). A child has the liberty of a child (2 Cor. 3:17). We can trustingly approach the Father also in our prayers, and the Father hears us. Children of God are children in God’s family—brothers and sisters—joined by the love effected by the same Spirit. The Spirit testifies that we are also heirs of Heaven. We are “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Rom. 8: 17). Fruits of the Holy Spirit Without faith and the Holy Spirit man is under the judgment of the Law of Moses. A person living in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is under the law of the Spirit through the merit of Christ. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom. 8: 2–4). Living according to the Spirit brings forth fruits which are opposite to the works of someone living in the bondage of sin and the law. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Gal. 5: 22–23). Love, joy, and peace are the first fruits when someone without grace receives the grace to return (Acts 16: 33–34). Jesus’s parable about the vine and its branches (John 15: 1–10) describes how God through his Spirit takes care of us in his congregation: “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” Jesus says of his disciples: “Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.” The Gospel Word cleanses our corrupt flesh from bad fruit so that we will remain as living branches in Christ Jesus: “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit… If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered...” The fruits come from the Lord Jesus, not from within oneself. The first and greatest fruit of the Spirit is love. It is directed toward the Lord Jesus and other believers. It receives its power from the love of God: “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiator for our sins. Behold, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” (1 John 4: 10, 11). This love is also directed toward all our neighbors, since God has created each and every person and has given up his dear Son to death on the cross for everyone’s sake. The fruits of the Spirit also include “self-control”—a desire to battle against the enticements of sin. Even someone who is a partaker of the gift of the Holy Spirit is prone to sin on the part of his flesh. Paul exhorts: “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh… so that ye cannot do the things that ye would… And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the afflictions and lusts.” (Gal. 5: 16–24). Guided by the Spirit, we wish to preserve a good conscience before God and man. When sin attaches itself, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to confess our sins and believe in the forgiveness of sins. The Holy Spirit and Grace Gifts God has created us as different persons and has given us different capabilities and gifts which serve our own needs and those of our neighbors. Because of his corrupt flesh, man often uses these selfishly and for his own glory. The Holy Spirit uses these capabilities and gifts for the construction of the congregation. The Spirit awakens grace gifts and calls us to serve. Everyone has a grace gift effected by the Spirit. “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal… But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” (1 Cor. 12: 4–11). Each organ has its own task in the body; likewise, believers in God’s congregation: “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” (1 Cor. 12: 27–28). According to Paul, love is “by far the greatest of all” grace gifts. (1 Cor. 12: 31; 1 Cor. 13: 1–13). The Holy Spirit and the Office of Ministry Each and every Christian is a priest of the Holy Spirit, who can instruct and encourage with the Word of God and act as a messenger of the gospel in his own surroundings. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2: 9). This general priesthood belongs to each and every believer regardless of age or gender. The congregation sees the necessity to call new ministers of the Word. When God’s Spirit indicates that a brother has grace gifts needed in the office of ministry, the congregation calls him to the task of a minister. Often this takes place with prayers and laying on of hands. Paul warns Timothy against neglecting the grace gift which was given to him when the elders laid their hands upon him (1 Tim. 4: 14). In Old Testament times the office of ministry was held by prophets. “Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come upon you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us did they minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven...” (1 Peter 1:10–12). The office of ministry is an office of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 3: 7–9). In the beginning of his public ministry Jesus read a prophecy about the Messiah, or Anointed One, from the book of the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue in his home town, Nazareth: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Having read this, he began to speak: “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” (Luke 4: 16–21). Anointment by the “Spirit of the Lord” to the task of the Messiah had just taken place at the River Jordan, where John had baptized Jesus (Mark 1: 9–11). The heavens opened and the Spirit descended upon him like a dove. A voice was heard from heaven: “Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Anointed by the Holy Spirit, Jesus began to preach: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1: 15). As the resurrected Lord, Jesus sent his disciples to preach the forgiveness of sins and anointed them to this task with the Holy Spirit: “As my Father hath sent me, even so I send you... Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained." (John 20: 19–23). On Pentecost all the disciples were garbed with the power of the Holy Spirit from on high. Many who had come to the Pentecost festivity believed and departed to proclaim the gospel to their home areas in many languages. The Holy Spirit gives the words and the courage to do the work of the gospel. The portion of a minister of the Word is not always easy. At times preaching feels overwhelmingly difficult. Paul says he arrived in Corinth “in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.” He wanted to know only about the crucified Christ. “And my speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Cor. 2: 1–5). Jesus promises that even in the midst of persecution the Holy Spirit will give the power to confess one’s faith: “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh within you.” (Math. 10:19–20). The sowers of the Word can also rejoice over the success of the work (1 Thess. 1: 2–6). The work of the kingdom of God is guided by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit may guide the work in a way that differs from what we have planned. When Paul was traveling with his workmates on a mission trip in Asia Minor, the Holy Spirit prevented them from preaching the Word in Asia. They attempted to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow that, either. In the harbor town of Troas Paul saw a vision in which a man from Macedonia asked: “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” Then the brothers understood that God had called them to proclaim the gospel there (Acts 16: 6–10). Yet today we experience this type of amazing guidance by the Holy Spirit in the work of the kingdom of God, both in our own country and in different parts of the world. The Holy Spirit and the Congregation The Holy Spirit gives a person faith as a gift and joins him to Christ and other believers—God’s congregation. Paul writes: “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Cor. 12: 12, 13). The congregation of God is therefore comprised of God’s people traveling in one faith, one Spirit, and one love, even though its members live in different localities, on different sides of the world, in different cultures, and speak different languages. Jesus’s time was a time of visitation for the people of Israel. Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd and his followers, his sheep. He also refers to the coming time of visitation for the Gentiles: “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” (John 10: 14–16). Paul, who proclaimed the gospel among many nationalities, exhorts: “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and father of all...” (Eph. 4: 3–6). In the epistles of the New Testament, Christians are called “saints.” The congregation is the communion of saints, a community of people who have received the Holy Spirit. It is not a temporal organization, as it is the Holy Spirit that binds it together and guides its operation. Practical arrangements associated with the work of the kingdom of God often necessitate an organization which makes it possible to do the work in society. An outsider easily sees only the temporal organization, not the true essence of the kingdom of God (John 3: 3). A Christian can lose his good conscience and begin to listen more to the voice of his own reason and corrupt flesh than the voice of the Holy Spirit. Then the living congregation of God and its teachings begin to feel constrictive. The instructions of the Holy Spirit are experienced as mere human opinions. The branch is becoming separated from the vine, the Lord Jesus. This is why the Word of God emphasizes the importance of obedience. Obedience to the Holy Spirit means obedience to the conscience that is enlightened by the Holy Spirit and obedience to the congregation guided by the Holy Spirit. At the same time it means obedience to the Word of God. Paul wrote a letter to Timothy so that he would know how one should dwell in the house of God, “which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3: 15). In our Christianity we are accustomed to “asking the congregation” if confusion or disagreement about an important question related to doctrine and life arises among Christians. By praying for instruction of the Holy Spirit and studying the Word of God, a unanimous decision is reached that is “agreeable to the Holy Spirit and us.” The Word of God and the Holy Spirit have then drawn a boundary between right and wrong. This happened long ago at the council of the apostles (Acts 15: 1–29). Certain Pharisees who had become believers demanded that Gentiles who became believers had to be circumcised and required to obey the Law of Moses. This type of teaching had confused the congregation in Galatia, among other places. The apostles and elders gathered to deal with this question together with Paul and brothers from Antioch. Peter explained that God had accepted the Gentiles and had “given them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us.” He said: “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” The elder James agreed and said: “And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written… Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God.” The apostles and elders together with the entire congregation decided to send letters concerning the decision to the congregations: “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication... (= marriage between relatives, forbidden in the OT)." The latter instructions of the Holy Spirit were given to believing Gentiles so that—being from a different culture—they would not offend the consciences of Jewish believers with their behavior (1 Cor. 8: 7–13) and thereby break the unity between Christians. When the Holy Spirit guides God’s congregation, the instructions it gives are correct and acceptable to God. Sometimes a strong-willed person or group may influence the decision of the congregation in a way that causes confusion and brings sorrow to many. God’s Spirit makes sure the matter is corrected and unanimity returns to the congregation. Guided by the Spirit of Truth Luther writes in his explanation of the 3rd article of the creed: “...the Holy Ghost has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me by His gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith...” It is safe to be guided by the Holy Spirit in the care of God’s congregation. Today God’s congregation is still a battling congregation. God and his kingdom have a powerful enemy, the kingdom of darkness, its spiritual powers, and its leader, the Devil. This enemy is united with our corrupt flesh and the fallen world. Carnal weapons are of no avail in this battle. God has given us spiritual weapons, the most important being the sword of the Spirit—God’s Word (Eph. 6: 12–17). Correspondingly, the Spirit of God—the Spirit of Truth—is opposed by the spirit of deception, which “worketh in the children of disobedience.” (Eph. 2: 2). John warns: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4: 1). All doctrines and teachers must be examined in the light of God’s Holy Word, as we are taught in the confession of our Lutheran church. Characteristic of those in the spirit of deception is a false doctrine that goes against the Word of God and a way of life that seeks to entice those traveling in obedience to the Spirit of Truth. The council of the apostles fought against a doctrine that sought to force free grace children to obey the Law of Moses as a prerequisite for being saved. Paul fought in Corinth against those who claimed there is no resurrection of the dead (1 Cor. 15: 12, 13). John met deceivers who denied the true doctrine about Christ: “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.” (1 John 2: 22). The enemy of the soul has not given up; he continuously seeks to cause grace children to fall away from faith that is accordant with the Word of God. The characteristics summarized in John’s first epistle describe the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of deception: “They are of the world: therefore they speak of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4: 5, 6). The spirit of deception divided the congregation and caused a schism: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us.” (1 John 2:19). Those who traveled in obedience to the Spirit were protected then and are protected also today in the fellowship of God’s journeying people. Dear brothers. We are doing this work in the Lord’s field with the prayer that the Holy Spirit would guide us and each and every grace child on the way to Heaven and would give those on the outside hearing ears and a receptive heart. It is our hope that the Spirit of Truth would help those who are lost and aimlessly wandering back into the kingdom of grace. In the fellowship of this kingdom, through the merit of Jesus, when our workdays are over we will one day own the inheritance promised to His children.