A Different Kind of Race

SERMON for The HOLY TRINITY: May 18, 2008

"A Different Kind of Race"

TEXT: Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Gentlemen! Start your engines! – these words send men and women wearing tons of very expensive metal hurtling around a track at 200+miles/hour in a race for a checkered flag, a pile of cash, hero status, and maybe a jug of milk or other refreshment.

Aaaaaand they’re off!– at these words gates crash open and tons of very expensive horseflesh begin hurtling around a track, whipped by the rather small men and women wearing rather colorful yet silly clothing who ride them intent on whipping them across the digital finish line for a pile of cash, hero status, and maybe a bunch of roses or other trophy.

On your mark. Get set. Go!– these words and the crack of a gunshot sends hundreds of pounds of well muscled men and women dashing around a track in short shorts, tank tops, and funny looking spiked shoes trying to be the first person to break the tape for screaming fans, points for the team, scholarships or future endorsements involving piles of cash, and a blue ribbon, medal, or team trophy.

[PAUSE]

I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen! With these words begins the human race. Countless people throughout the ages, as many as grains of sand on the seashore or stars in the heavens -- of all shapes, colors, sizes, nations, and tongues -- are sent forth into all the world, the world from which they came, already possessing all there is to have by the grace of God and restored through faith to be fully human and bearing the image of God once lost in sin. Yes, this race is much different, for it is a race whose outcome is never in doubt, whose champion is Christ, which is finished before it even begins.

Oh, the participants, the baptized beloved children of God, will certainly still experience the blood, sweat and tears of dedicated preparation, of unexpected twists, turns, and even fights and crashes. It may be seemingly far too short, or woefully long. But this race is different because it is a race where you do not compete toward the finish line, but the finish line is brought to you. Though the race remains to be run for as long as we are given to live on this earth, the outcome is never in doubt. The salvation from our sins that gives us eternal life was finished by Christ on the cross and has been delivered to us through the water poured over our heads, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

With these words, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:5-7 NKJ)

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. With these words we are given the image of God which we were intended to be from the beginning, when God created the first man and woman. For in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, the image lost -- as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned (Rom 5:12 NKJ), is the image restored to us – so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. (Rom 5:18 NKJ)

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. With these words, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. (Rom 6:4-5 NKJ)

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. With these words we have been freed from the burden of forever trying to please God. And make no mistake about it, every other religion, every other worship of god apart from these words is a false religion and a false god, based upon an endless, fruitless, hopeless quest to please or satisfy some ambiguous, obscure god – or figure out which god one should be concerned about pleasing and satisfying today. For with these words of Holy Baptism, God the Father (the One and only true God) looks upon us just as He looked upon His only begotten Son at His baptism, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matt 3:17 NKJ)

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. With these words God gives us the comfort and assurance that we are already among "they that have done good [and] will go into everlasting life," as we confessed earlier in the Athanasian Creed, for [by these words] we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:10 NKJ)

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. With these words not only is the race begun, but it is finished. For with these words, heaven has come to earth. Where these words are spoken, we can join with Luther in saying, "This is surely God’s house, here heaven has been opened to you." Yes, here in this place where God speaks the words recalling your baptism, where God speaks His words of forgiveness to you when you confess your sins, where God gives you the very body and blood of His Son Jesus Christ, here heaven has been opened to you. Here, as in the word of God spoken through the Apostle Paul, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit [is] with you all. (2 Cor 3:14 NKJ)

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, you can be sure that the finish line of heaven is always before you because the God who awaits you at the finish line to give you the crown of life says, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." For with these words, God forgives you all your sins – in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

UPDATE: Plug Pulled on Missionary to West Africa

The following is a report from Pr. James May regarding his mission work in West Africa.

Rev. Kurt Hering, Pastor,
Trinity Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
of Layton, Utah

I was sent to Ouagadougou to learn French. There are no Lutheran churches here. I was directed to take my family and worship at non-Lutheran churches. I was forbidden to plant Lutheran churches in Ouagadougou.

In my daily life I was often encountered by locals asking who I am and what I am doing in Burkina Faso. I explained that I am a Lutheran pastor and am learning French. Many people wanted to know more. In a country that is 80% Muslim and animistic, I was happy to confess my faith in the savior Jesus Christ. People wanted to know more.

I was insubordinate and started Bible studies, and the area facilitator said that the regional director would not be happy, and therefore, even though he was informed, he said that he would turn a blind eye. Later while in the language learning process a friend of mine named his first born son after me.

My regional director had expressly told me that if someone wanted to be baptized I should send them to the Baptist church and NOT baptize them. Again I was insubordinate and preferred to disobey that order rather than break a relationship by insulting him and refusing to baptize his son. The father, Etienne Sam, has used his tailor shop to publicize and distribute Good News magazines.

A second time a man came from Cote d’Ivoire and was very poor. He couldn’t afford to send his kids to school which costs about $4 per child. His youngest son became very sick with dysentery. During a two week span he ceased eating and we feared for his life. His father was a Catholic but had been attending our Good News classes. I asked him if his son was baptized and he said the Catholic Church demanded $15 per baptism and he didn’t have the money. The Baptist Church was not going to baptize the child. Again I was insubordinate and baptized him so that his parents would have the assurance that even if dysentery won, the devil would not because Jesus would make Victorien His child. Miraculously the day after his baptism he also began eating and the dysentery left.

Finally, Rev. Dr. Anssi Simojoki, the Vice President of LHF and director for the Africa region, was making a trip through West Africa and contacted me. His son is the godfather of two of our children. I offered our house for him to stay in. I received an email from Rev. Dr. Paul Mueller in which he stated that he had not given me permission to have Anssi stay in my house. I was not aware that my personal home is ruled by World Mission. Again I was insubordinate and allowed Anssi to stay at our house.

In my most recent conversation with Rev. Dr. Paul Mueller in Conakry, Guinea, he said it is due to these acts of insubordination that he has determined I am a detriment to the LCMS WM team in Africa and that I was directed to seek another call. He would not put this in writing, rather he stated that I am unwilling to live in a primitive village, and therefore should leave Africa. This is untrue. I was unwilling to move to a village where access to emergency care is unattainable during rainy season. I have a pregnant wife and four children, one of which already had a medical emergency and nearly lost her fingers. Planting of churches and visiting of those remote congregations could have been done from cities with hospitals. This request was denied.

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

By His Grace alone,Pr. James May

Walking in the Resurrection . . . Proclaiming that Good News!

With no intent to dismiss my concern or questions, and without trying to be secretive or evasive, the Regional Director – Africa, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod World Mission replied re pulling the plug on Pr. May's mission work in West Africa:

Rev. Hering,

Rev. James May will be concluding his ministry in West Africa. Upon completion of his term this month, we will be working with him to depart the field. LCMS World Mission will continue to support James and his family as he seeks to share his gifts in new ministry opportunities. The May family will receive financial support and benefits through the BFMS transition allowance. We thank God for all that has been accomplished to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in Africa through James’ involvement with LCMS World Mission.

We want you to know LCMS World Mission’s ministry in West Africa will continue. Many other missionaries in Africa and serving around the world need prayer and financial support. We ask that you prayerfully consider transferring your support to another missionary or consider continuing support of the ongoing work.

I am sorry that I am not able to share with you the reasons why Rev. May is leaving the field. I am certain that if Rev. May wishes to do so, you could contact him and he could share those with you. As a pastor, you have a desire and an obligation to protect the confidentiality of your members, staff, and lay leaders. I have that same obligation, in addition to the HR policies in place in our church body. I simply cannot discuss personnel matters, and I’m sure you understand.

I try desperately to understand how things can look from the outside. In mission, we are in the business of spreading the Gospel, not disrupting it. We make decisions prayerfully with much consideration and consultation. We work with complete, reliable information. We rely on our own spiritual gifts and on the wealth of mission experience that surrounds us here at LCMS. It is not my intent to dismiss your concern or your questions. I’m certainly not trying to be secretive or evasive. I’m sharing all that is appropriate. We both want the best for our church body, and we both want the ministries of LCMS to thrive here and abroad. Let’s pray for each other and support one another, recognizing the task isn’t always easy.

Please keep the May family in your prayers.

Walking in the Resurrection . . ..
Proclaiming that Good News!
Jesus said, “I have come to seek and to save those who are lost”, Luke 19:10.

Rev. Paul Mueller, PhD Missiology <’}}}><
Regional Director – Africa, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod World Mission

Plug Pulled on Missionary to West Africa

LCMS World Mission

800.433.3954

http://www.lcmsworldmission.org/

April/May 2008 Newsletter

Rev. James and Tiina, Maggie, Tristan, Sarai, and Sofia May
rev.jamesmay@yahoo.com http://www.mayfamilyintogo.com/

Serving the Lord and the LCMS in Burkina Faso & Togo, West Africa


Last Newsletter
http://www.mayfamilyintogo.com/files/052008.doc

I regret to inform you that due to programmatic and business decisions, World Mission has decided to cease employing me as a missionary in West Africa. This decision came as a shock to me and my family as it may also be a surprise to you.

World Mission has been pressuring me to move on and inform you as soon as possible. One reason is that I would be without a paycheck and insurance soon after we have a baby due in July. We hope that by the grace of God we could have another call in place when my salary and benefits terminate at the end of August 2008.

The decision leaves three newly planted churches in Burkina Faso without a theologically trained leader and also the Lutheran Church of Togo without a missionary which they had been awaiting for six years.

Please keep all these people involved in your prayers.

Last Project

Please check out our website (http://www.mayfamilyintogo.com/) as there is still a project that could be accomplished in Burkina Faso and West Africa. Judy Stroeh, a member of a supporting congregation in Cincinnati, Ohio and an environmental consultant, visited us during the last week of April. Working in collaboration with Proctor & Gamble, she brought out a product called PUR which purifies water. The product is very inexpensive, about one to two cents per 10 liters of purified water. One simply adds the contents of PUR to the river or well water and then it is stirred for five minutes. The PUR contents cause all impurities to congeal and sink to the bottom of the container. Then the water is filtered through a piece of cotton and 99.99% of all dangerous elements are eliminated.

The Work of God Will Go On

It is not me who convinced anyone to believe in Christ, it was the Holy Spirit who called, gathered, and enlightened others to come to the knowledge of the truth. He is the one who will take care of what has been started. Part of the continued care will come from the leaders that He raised up here in Burkina Faso. Three men; Leopold, Joseph, and Espoir, have been training with me to continue the teachings of Christ. Joseph and Espoir will depart for the Lutheran Seminary in Togo starting in August. The studies last three years after which they will return to shepherd these new congregations. Leopold, the elder, will lead the congregations in their absence. It is very important that you keep these infant congregations and young leaders in your prayers.

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:7


Thank you for your support

As many of you know, our family endured many tribulations and struggles in our two years on the field. We had many health issues and struggled adapting to the extreme weather and culture differences. You have been along side us, praying for us and supporting us all along the way. Although there were many struggles, you can see from our newsletters and website that many successes and joys have been seen.

The majority of the family will be leaving in two weeks time to join Tiina's parents in Finland so that she can give birth in a comfortable and supporting environment. I will continue training the leaders and try to pack up the house during the month of June. We hope to visit a number of congregations this fall to present what God has done in these two years and also to thank those of you who we can in person. Our entire family wishes to thank you for all your love and support.
Your brothers and sisters in Christ,
The May Family (James, Tiina, Maggie, Tristan, Sarai, Sofia, and baby May)

PRAYER REQUESTS

We always need your prayer support. At this time we ask your prayers for;

Praise God for many conversions and baptisms. Pray that all may continually be strengthened in the faith that Christ has given them.

Our family in transition; it is not easy to pack up and move, especially so quickly and with a pregnant momma and four little kids running around.

Concordia Lutheran Church in Tingandogo, Sognaaba Lutheran Church, and the Refugee Lutheran Church as they grow in knowledge and faith.

Espoir, Leopold, and Joseph, as they prepare to become ministers of God's Word.

That others may be raised up as leaders of the church to lead the growing number of converts.

Those we know, that we may continue working with them and encourage them in the Christian faith.

Those we meet, that we may have opportunities to share the Gospel.

Our faith, that the Risen Lord and Savior would strengthen us.

For more photos of Concordia Lutheran Church inTingandogo, Burkina Faso, West Africa, go to: http://www.mayfamilyintogo.com/Tingandogo.html

Perhaps phone calls and emails to LCMS World Mission for explanation or expressing what you think about this situation would be in order.

Here is my request of the LCMS World Mission Regional Director for Africa, Paul Mueller:

Would you please explain why Rev. James May and family have been recalled from Pr. May's mission in West Africa? How does this square with the mission mindedness and concern for lost souls of ABLAZE!?

Pastor Hering

Rev. Kurt Hering
Trinity, Layton, Utah

Unity of Confession: The Work of God in the Church

SERMON for the SEVENTH SUNDAY of EASTER

Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. John 17:11

In a conversation about church a pastor told one of his parishoners, "We should expect to find 3 types of people in the church: 1. Those who would fix or replace the bricks when they become loose or broken. 2. Those who would tear down all the bricks and attempt to rebuild simply because of age/boredom/’’rote consistency’’ 3. Those who would re-arrange the bricks to suit their personal esoteric tastes.

Let us take a look at them in reverse order:

3. Those who would re-arrange the bricks to suit their personal esoteric tastes.
Of this the Apostle Paul writes, "Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions." Col 2:18

There are those within the church who, either intentionally or unintentionally, re-arrange the teachings of God's Word in a way that takes Christ out of the center and replaces Him with self-centered or creation-centered teachings. That is, they would take things such as Baptism, the Lord's Supper and the church service in general and rearrange them so as to teach and practice them in a way that it is the people who are serving and being faithful to God in these sacraments when in truth it is first and foremost God who is serving and being faithful to us.

2. Those who would tear down all the bricks and attempt to rebuild simply because of age/boredom/"rote consistency."

Of this the Apostle Peter writes: "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them__ bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute." 2 Pet 2:1-2

There are those within the church who, again either intentionally or unintentionally, replace the teachings of God with more modern, enlightened thinking that, while supposedly used to "grow the church," "make it more relevant" and "spread the word," actually serve to introduce novelties which effectively replace God's Word and Sacrament that are the same power of salvation for all people through all time.

In both cases . . . "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator__ who is forever praised." Rom 1:25
How do they get away with it?

Paul explains it this way, "the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations." 2 Tim 4:3-5

Such as these have . . .
lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. Col 2:19

This connection is what Christ is praying for in Gospel lesson and text for today. And when we speak of . . .
1. Those who would fix or replace the bricks when they become loose or broken are those who keep connection with the head, Jesus Christ.
. . . We speak of the same thing for which Jesus is praying . . . that the Father would make and keep those who believe in Him as one even as He and the Father are One. For He is praying that the people of His church would be like those people of the church who would fix or replace bricks only when they are loose or broken, that is, they would keep their head in all situations and remain united by the ligaments of Word and Sacrament that Christ has provided for just that reason.

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." Rom 1:17
Which faith comes from hearing the message [that is, teaching], and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Rom 10:17
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey [that is, to observe and abide in] everything I have commanded [read, "taught"] you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."" Matt 28:19-20
This being the case, until Jesus comes again, He tells His pastors via the pen of Paul to simply:
devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Tim 4:13-16

Dear people of TLC and the LCMS. This is the only way to grow a church. The ligaments, the mortar of sound teaching passed down by Christ through the Apostles and all generations of faithful Christians is how the body of Christ "grows as God causes it to grow." Col 2:19
This is the tradition that you observe and carry on. A tradition not based in the feelings, teachings or practices of men, but on the doctrine, or teachings, of the One Holy, Christian and Apostolic faith. Without these teachings that were passed on from Christ himself to His Apostles and thence to His church, there is no church -- for the church is Christ’s body, held together only as He holds it together.

This is no easy thing for us to undergo. In fact it is likened unto Holy warfare.

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Eph 6:17
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double_edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Heb 4:12

Jesus himself reminds us of this very thing when He says,
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn "'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter_in_law against her mother_in_law– a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Matt 10:34-38

Again, dear people of TLC and the LCMS. Dear baptized of God, this is indeed what you have been called to. For . . .
There is one body and one Spirit__ just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Eph 4:4-6

Therein is the unity that Christ prayed for that day to prepare His disciples for His departure so they would not go astray and so He would not lose even one that had been given to Him by the Father.

Therein is the unity for which each of the Holy Apostles , save John, were martyred.

This unity is what Paul was upholding "When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong." Gal 2:11

This unity is what the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds were written for in the face of false teaching.
Athanasian – "This is the catholic which; except a man believe faithfully and firmly, he cannot be saved."

This unity is what the reformation was all about:
FoC – "In order to preserve doctrine and to maintain a thorough, lasting and God-pleasing concord [unity] within the church, it is ESSENTIAL not only to present the true and wholesome doctrine [teaching] correctly, but also to accuse adversaries who teach otherwise." [It is only by such correction that adversaries are brought back into concord.]

This unity is what the LCMS was founded upon. The Saxons left Germany because they were being forced to worship with those who taught and practiced falsely, contrary to concord/unity.

This unity is what many of us in the LCMS are struggling for as others insist on unity born and held together by men and their desires, works and charismatic leaders.

This unity is what our own congregation emphasizes in her Constitution –
PREAMBLE
Whereas the Word of God demands that a Christian congregation not only conform to the Word of God in doctrine and practice (Psalms 119:105, Galatians 1:6-8, 2 Timothy 4:1-5), but that also things be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40); therefore we, the members of Trinity lutheran Church, Layton, Utah, set forth by this present document, signed by ourselves, the Constitution and the By-Laws in accordance with which our congregation affairs, spiritual and material, shall be conducted.
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this congregation shall be:
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, in Layton, Davis County, Utah
and shall be affiliated with the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The purpose of this body shall be that of a religious organization, more specifically that of a Christian congregation established and maintained for the expressed purpose of disseminating the Gospel truth according to the confessional standards of the Lutheran Church, the Book of Concord of the year 1580, and for the purpose of Christian training of the youth.
ARTICLE III - CONFESSIONAL STANDARD
This congregation acknowledges and accepts all the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the revealed Word of God verbally inspired, and acknowledges and accepts all the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church contained in the Book of Concord of the year 1580 to be the true and genuine exposition of the doctrines of the Bible. These symbolical books are: the three ecumenical creeds (The Apostolic, The Nicene, and The Athanasian), The unaltered Augsburg Confession, The Apology of the Same, The Smalcald Articles, Luther's Large and Small Catechism, and the Formula of Concord. All forms used for the rites of the sacraments, all orders of worship used in divine public worship, and all text books used for religious instruction must conform to the confessional standards of this congregation.
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
No one can become or remain a member of this congregation nor enjoy the rights and privileges of such membership unless the person:
a) is baptized;
b) accepts all the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the only divine rule and standard of faith and conduct;
c) is acquainted with and accepts Luther's Small Catechism;
d) leads a Christian life and abstains from manifest works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21);
e) attends divine services faithfully and partakes of the Lord's Supper frequently;
f) submits, for the sake of love and peace, to the regulations already made or still to be made, by this body (provided they do not conflict with the Word of God) and accepts brotherly admonition when having erred or offended;
g) is not a member of any secret or other organization that conflicts with the Word of God.

Some accuse us of legalism. But legalism is false teaching that points to laws that we must follow, things we must do in order to be saved.

What we are talking about is a unity in teaching, unity that repeats only that which Christ has first given us, for in that unity is life and that is the farthest thing from legalism. That is a unity of Confession
"Whoever acknowledges [confesses] me before men, I will also acknowledge [confess] him before my Father in heaven." Matt 10:32

This may not be easy, but it is rewarding.
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. Rev 2:10

God grant that even as our Lord has prayed for us, so will it be done among us – in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Sometimes Ya Just Gotta Laugh

Missional Minded: Follow the Money

A crusty old man walks into the local outreach/seeker oriented church office and says to the secretary, "I would like to join this damn church."

The astonished woman replies, "I beg your pardon, sir. I must have misunderstood you. What did you say?"

"Listen up, damn it. I said I want to join this damn church!"

"I'm very sorry sir, but that kind of language is not tolerated in this Church."

The secretary leaves her desk and goes into the pastor's study to inform him of her situation.

The pastor agrees that the secretary does not have to listen to that foul language.

They both return to her office and the pastor asks the old geezer,"Sir, what seems to be the problem here?"

"There is no damn problem," the man says. "I just won $200 million bucks in the damn lottery and I want to join this damn church to get rid of some of this damn money for the damn tax deduction."

"I see," said the pastor. "And is this %!+@# giving you a hard time?"

Taking Jesus Seriously

Paul Proctor hits a home run in his article about the membership decline of the Southern Baptists.

He asks the penetrating question: "How can we expect the unredeemed to take Jesus seriously, if we don’t?"

While CPH, thankfully, is still offering solid material, his observations about the passions, obsessions, merchandising efforts, and peaceful coexistance guiding his national church body sound all too familiar.

"So, heretical harmony and brotherly blasphemy are better than iron sharpening iron, huh? Just how does one earnestly contend for the faith without debate, Ed – sit in a circle, hold hands and hum?

”'Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.'– 2nd Timothy 4:2

". . . Seems to me our obsession ought to be for the Living Word of God rather than the lost. After all, how can they be saved without Him? Shall we go into battle without our double-edged sword and offer merchandise and meditation instead?

“'So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.'– Romans 10:17"

For entire article, go to: http://www.newswithviews.com/PaulProctor/proctor152.htm

So the question I would ask us to examine in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is this: "Are we taking Jesus seriously?"