The Lord’s Supper, however, is not just a celebration of a past event but, in fact, is a means by which the Lord gives deliverance from the slavery of sin and death.
Author Archives: St. John's and Grace Lutheran Parish
Christ’s Mind for Us
In this time, let us remember what was on Christ’s mind – us. It was for us that He took on flesh. It was for us He rode into Jerusalem. It was for us He allowed Himself to be betrayed, and for us that He died. He had on His mind not His own need, but ours. By His death, our redemption is won.
I Believe in the Holy Spirit
In the Third Article, we confess that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to take the redemption that Christ won for us and bring it to us through the Word and Sacraments. The Holy Spirit is the One who enlightens, sanctifies, and keeps us in the true faith.
Fatherly, Divine Goodness and Mercy
We confess in the First Article of the Creed that God our Father is the maker of all things. In addition to making us and all things, our God continues to provide for all our needs.
God, Our Father and Maker
We’ve now learned why we should believe that God created the heavens and the earth – in the way that Genesis says; but what do we believe? It’s simple, we believe what we’ve already said, “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.”
The Lord Works Not as Man Works
That’s what Jesus really said to Bartimaeus in Jericho, by the way. Jesus really said, “Recover your sight; your faith has saved you.” God doesn’t work the way man does. He doesn’t forgive, save, or choose based on anything that is in us. He didn’t choose David based on appearances, but because of the faith He created in David’s heart. Not even having faith is something we can do. It is the work of God the Holy Spirit in us.
Baptism Saves You
God saved us when He sent His Son Jesus to die and rise for our sins. He applies that salvation to us – each and all – through the washing of Holy Baptism. In Holy Baptism, our sins were washed away. Our old evil nature, called the Old Adam, was drowned and died, and we received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
I Will Raise Him Up – Velda Haldeman
We believe, according to Jesus’ Word, that He will return on the Last Day. As He ascended on the clouds, so will He come; and every eye will see Him. By His glorious power, He will raise the dead out of their graves.
Now Your Servant Can Depart in Peace – Mary Bellis
It was not just for the world, and not just for them that He died and rose, but for you and me, too. The forgiveness and eternal life which He secured for Simeon and Mary, He won for you.
The Shining Face
The change in our Lord’s appearance at the Transfiguration was for our benefit, that we might see just a bit of the glory to be revealed to us at the Resurrection and in the new creation. The shining face of Jesus also reminds us that He is the one who speaks God’s Word to us.
St. John's and Grace Evangelical Lutheran Parish 