Words of Encouragement for February 3, 2010
Meditations in the Parables of Jesus
THE MUSTARD SEED
Read Mark 4:30-32
“And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.”
When one compares a grain of mustard seed to other garden seeds, it is the smallest of all seeds. But this small seed produces a large tree or bush-like plant in which the birds of the air can find shelter. So also is the kingdom of God. It had very small beginnings in the Babe of Bethlehem and in the preaching and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified and buried. It had small beginnings in the little band of disciples who were first entrusted with the task of taking the Gospel of the kingdom to the ends of the earth.
But look at the results! By His sufferings and death upon the cross, Jesus Christ paid the full punishment for the sins of the whole world and redeemed all people. Jesus Christ rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of God the Father. The saving Word of the Lord Jesus was carried to the ends of the earth by His disciples and is still heard and proclaimed today. Through that Word, people from all over the world have been brought to trust in Christ Jesus as their Savior and thus have become a part of God’s gracious and eternal kingdom. And through the faithful preaching and teaching of God’s Word, His kingdom continues to grow to this day.
When we view the Gospel of Jesus Christ and our task of spreading that message as insignificant or unimportant, let us remember the power of the Gospel to save (Romans 1:16-17) and look at what this seemingly small seed and humble task have produced.
Spread, oh, spread, thou mighty Word, spread the kingdom of the Lord, where-so-e’er His breath hath giv’n life to beings meant for heav’n.
Lord of Harvest, let there be joy and strength to work for Thee till the nations far and near see Thy light and learn Thy fear. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn #507, Verses 1, 6)
God’s View of Alternative Lifestyles
In these times of change from traditional values to a free and open practice of “alternative lifestyles,” it is important for us to know that God’s views of homosexuality, sexual immorality, adultery and other deviances from His design in creation have not changed.
Many try to change God’s view, or soften it a little, by retranslating or reinterpreting the Bible to fit their modernistic views; but God’s Word has not changed one bit, even though many refuse to hear it in their homes or churches anymore! God’s Word still condemns as sin homosexuality and all sexual relations outside of a marriage between a man and a woman, and it says that those who practice such things are under His wrath.
Read Romans 1:18-32. When people refuse to acknowledge God their Creator and live within His design (cf. Genesis 1 & 2), they are given over to degrade themselves, even to the point of homosexuality. The Bible says: “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet” (Romans 1:26,27).
Read Leviticus 18, where homosexuality, adultery, incest, bestiality and other sexual sins are forbidden and called an “abomination” unto the LORD and the reason for God’s judgment upon the nations who were destroyed and displaced by the Israelites. Consider God’s judgment upon the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19. If God accepts such “alternative lifestyles,” would He call them an abomination and send down fire and brimstone to destroy those who practiced such evil?
God’s Word remains clear. Even if our society and government choose to accept and endorse such “alternative lifestyles” as legitimate, those who practice such things are under the wrath and condemnation of God their Maker! And, whether people believe it or not, God’s judgment will come. Now those who practice and promote lifestyles which God condemns may join together in marches and make speeches to support their sins, but on the Day of Judgment, they will be speechless!
And lest anyone be quick to condemn or even act in hate toward those who practice such alternative lifestyles, read all of Romans 1 through 3 carefully! None of us are free of sin, and none of us can stand by our own merit in God’s Judgment. Whether guilty of homosexuality, sexual immorality, maliciousness, pride, disobedience to parents, envy, gossip or the like, we are still guilty before God and deserving of His eternal wrath and punishment. God’s unchanging Word still calls upon all of us to repent of our evil ways and trust in the LORD God to show us mercy and graciously forgive our sins for the sake of Jesus Christ’s innocent sufferings and death in our stead!
And God’s unchanging Word still offers and promises us divine help – the same divine power which raised Christ from the dead (Ephesians 1:15-21) – to amend our sinful ways and live for Him in accord with His holy will! The Bible tells us: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
God’s Word calls out to us: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). The Bible tells us of God: “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee” (Psalm 86:5). And, the Apostle Paul reminds us of God’s power at work in those who turn to Him when he says: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). So, whatever your lifestyle has been, turn to Jesus for forgiveness, help and eternal salvation!
Pastor Randy Moll
What Do We Believe?
What do we believe about Marriage and the Bearing of Children? Please consider the statement below and look up the Bible passages.
MARRIAGE AND BEARING CHILDREN
We believe that marriage is a lifelong union between one man and one woman, that marriage was instituted by God and is entered by mutual consent and promise (Matthew 19:3-6; Genesis 2:18-24; Romans 7:1-3; Luke 20:27-38; Matthew 1:18-25; Deuteronomy 22:23-24). Therefore, we teach that it is sin to violate the marriage union “by unfaithfulness or desertion” (Matthew 19:3-9; 5:31-32; Mark 10:6-12; 1 Corinthians 7:10-16; Hebrews 13:4; Exodus 20:14; Malachi 2:14-16). With Scripture, we also condemn as sin: fornication (sexual relationships outside the bonds of marriage), sodomy, homosexuality and bestiality (Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20).
We believe that children are a blessing of the LORD, and that the conception and formation of a child in the womb is the result of God’s creative working (Genesis 1:27-28; 25:21; 29:31; 30:22-23; Ruth 4:13; 1 Samuel 1:5,10-11,19-20; 2:21; Psalm 127:3-5; 128:1-6; 139:13-16; Ecclesiastes 11:5); and that it is God’s will and command that a husband and wife seek and desire to have children (Genesis 1:28; 9:1,7; 1 Timothy 2:15; 5:14). We also believe that human life begins at conception, and that it is murder to kill or destroy the life of an unborn child (Psalm 139:13-16; Ecclesiastes 11:5; Genesis 25:21-23; Genesis 9:5-6; Exodus 20:13). Therefore, we condemn as sin abortion – in all its forms – and reject as contrary to God’s will views and practices which would seek to limit and prevent the conception and the bearing of children.
Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday
The Adult Bible Class continues its study of the Gospel of John. To prepare, read John 3:30-36; 4:1-26. What does John say of Jesus in verse 30? How should this also be true of us and our church? To what did Jesus testify? Did people receive Jesus’ testimony? Do they today? When people receive Jesus’ testimony, what do they come to know about God? Whose words did Jesus speak? Why did John say this was so? Was the Holy Spirit restricted or limited in the life and ministry of Jesus? What does John say of the Son? What does verse 36 mean? How does this apply to us and all people yet today? Why did Jesus leave Judea? Which route did He take back to Galilee? At what city did Jesus stop? Why? What is significant about the location? Who met Jesus there? What did Jesus ask of her? How did she respond? Why do the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans? What did Jesus tell the woman in verse 10? How is this a fitting response yet today? How did the woman respond? What did Jesus tell her? How is this true for people yet today?
The Catechism Class continues studying the Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed and learning of Jesus and what He has done to redeem all mankind.
The Sunday Readings are Psalm 138; Isaiah 6:1-13; 1 Corinthians 13; and Luke 5:1-11. Please take the time to read them and their context in preparation for Sunday. Marty Jackson will be preaching on 1 Corinthians 13:13 this Sunday.
Remember to Pray
Remember to pray for our church and for all our members that none be lost to Christ’s kingdom, but that all continue in repentance and be strengthened and built up in the true and saving faith in Christ Jesus through the hearing and study of His Word. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – especially for Ron Wellander who underwent surgery and is recovering and for Bonnie Hawes who underwent tests – for those who have been absent from us, for our students who are away at school, for our extended families and friends, and for our adopted soldiers. Pray for God’s help with our church’s financial needs. Continue to pray for the Lutheran Churches in the Philippines, for Christians in Haiti, and for believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering.
Events and Announcements
The Choir is practicing for upcoming services. More voices are always welcome.
Monthly Wednesday night Bible studies will continue on the second Wednesday of February and be held at the church at 7 p.m. Next month’s study will continue to look at what the Bible says of the Scriptures. We will also look at the formation of the canon – the 66 books of the Bible.
Wednesday Evening Lenten Worship begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17. Worship will be at 7 p.m. A Soup and Sandwich Supper will precede the service at 6:20 p.m.
The Church Council will hold its February meeting following the Feb. 17 Lenten service.
Information for bulletins or newsletters may be sent to Pastor Moll by calling him at 479-233-0081 or by e-mail at mollfoto@yahoo.com.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” 2 Corinthians 13:14
[Scripture in this Newsletter is taken from the King James Version of the Bible]
