Who Are You? Who Am I?
Without getting too metaphysical, one of the things that
everyone spends at least some time pondering is who they are in life; not only
the basic sorts of things like “What do I want to do with my life?” and “How
can I improve things around me?”but
questions that ask where we fit in in this world. Many seem to spend their days
trying to claw their way to the top, never satisfied with what they have. I
think this is because so many people (even many Christians) only see themselves
in terms of wealth, beauty, power, and so forth. And, no matter how much they
have, how rich, how famous, how acclaimed, it’s never enough—they don’t know
who they are. As Christians, we know who we are: baptized children of God. As
St. Paul wrote, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into
Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3).
Martin Luther wrote about those who are perpetually dissatisfied
with their station in life: Christ, the Son of God, was also high and noble,
and yet he made himself equal to us poor men, indeed, he humbled himself
beneath everybody. A woman must be a woman and cannot be a man. She, too, is
God’s creature and her divine station is that she should bear and care for and
rear children. So I am a man, created for another office and work. But should I
be proud because of this and say: I am not a woman, therefore I am better in
the sight of God? Should I not rather praise God for creating both the woman
and me also through the woman and putting me in this my station? What an
un-Christian thing it is that one should despise another because he is in
another station or is doing something other than he is doing? It is like what
happens among the Junkers nowadays; often one assaults another for trifling
reasons, one calls the other a clerk and they can kill each other on this
account; but they are more likely to do this to others, poor pastors,
preachers, or humble people. Very well, but be careful and arm yourself against
this saying: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled.” For God will not
and cannot tolerate such pride and arrogance. What do you have that you should
be so proud? What do you have of yourself? And is not another just as much
God’s creature as you are, no matter who he is? He will not have him despised;
for he who despises his creature also mocks his Creator, says Solomon [Prov.
14:31; 17:5], and he who scoffs at a station scoffs at the Lord himself. (Luther’s
Works, American Edition volume 51, p. 353)
Do you wonder where you fit in? Do you wonder what God is doing
in your life? Do you think things have been too messed up—by you and others—for
anything to make sense in your life anymore? Well, in point of fact, you fit
perfectly into God’s plan for you; He has placed you where you can serve Him
and your neighbors in love. Here are some further words from the Apostle to the
Gentiles, Romans chapter six: “We were buried therefore with him by baptism
into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory
of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united
with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a
resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in
order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no
longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now
if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We
know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no
longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for
all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider
yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (vv. 4-11).
Perhaps you’ve seen the little pictures in print or online which
say something about having patience, because “God’s not finished with me yet.”
That can be a little simple, and we certainly don’t want to run the wrong way
with it, but there is truth to it. A great truth, in fact: “And I am sure of
this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the
day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). Our gracious Lord with complete what He
has begun, so we needn’t fret about where we are or who we are. We can be
content where God has placed us and, even more importantly, who we are in
Christ.
Pastor Ken Humphrey
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
LCMS Stewardship Ministry
Newsletter Article – September 2019
What is a steward? Most people will say a steward is a manager.
That is correct, but it is only half right. A steward is indeed a manager, but he is a manager of what does not belong to him. Someone else is the owner, and the steward manages the owner’s property on the owner’s behalf.
We are God’s stewards. Our stewardship is that God has made us managers of what belongs to Him:
“For we brought nothing into this world, and we cannot take anything out of the world” (1 Tim. 6:7)
Everything that we have and everything that we are comes from God’s fatherly divine goodness and mercy. God is the owner.
This is not only because He created all things; He is also the redeemer. He has redeemed – that is, purchased – and won all things. Therefore, it all belongs to Him.
We are simply managers of everything in this world. Like Joseph in Egypt, we are put in charge of managing what belongs to God. What a privilege.
Think about that for a minute. The all-knowing, all-powerful, all-wise God has asked us to manage his possessions on His behalf here on earth.
And by doing this, He invites us to take part in the allocation of His good gifts. He wants us to give our input and advise Him in where His gifts are to be used. What a privilege indeed.
But what a responsibility!
“Everyone to whom much was given, of him
much will be required” (Luke 12:48b).
We are not the owners. And while He puts us as managers, we are still to do with His property what He wants done with it. That means we need to know what He desires and wills for His property.
How do we know this? How can we know the will and mind of God?
We find the will of God in the Bible. There God tells us what His will is for all of His gifts. He tells us how we are to spend our time and use our talents and treasures. He instructs us in the use of our minds, bodies, and souls.
There is nothing we have that doesn’t belong to Him.
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit
within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought
with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:19–20).
God informs us of the big picture, the overarching policy, of how we as His stewards – managers and custodians – are to manage His property.
And that is stewardship. It is simply doing what God wants us to do with what He has given us.
As St. Paul said,
“Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness,
but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to
life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness” (Rom. 6:13).
So, let’s dive into God’s Word, and listen to what He desires from His stewards.
Here I Stand” on the Word in the Church
“...REMEMBERING
YOU IN MY PRAYERS...” (Eph. 1:16)
For
Rev. Vernon Boehlke (emeritus, Riverton), who continues to
receive treatments for cancer.
For
Rev. Ralph Jaeger (emeritus, Laramie), who continues to gain strength after a heart
attack in early December.
For
Rev. Kenneth Humphrey (Trinity,
Morrill), who is at home receiving
medicine for an enlarged heart.
For
Zachary
Heinecke, son of Pastor and Erika Heinecke (Prince of Peace, Buffalo), who is
recuperating after open heart surgery in Michigan.
PASTORS
AND CONGREGATIONS
The parish of Zion, Grover and Grace,
Pine Bluffs is being served in a vacancy
arrangement by Rev. Lincoln Winter (Trinity, Wheatland).
St.
Paul’s, Sidney is being served by Rev.
Allen Strawn (St. Paul’s, Bridgeport)
during the vacancy.
Rev.
Travis Sherman (Grace, Gordon, NE) is
serving Grace, Merriman, NE
(Nebraska District) while it considers its future.
Here I Stand: God’s Law vs. Antinomianism in the Church
(Rev. Jonathan
G. Lange, 3rd Vice President)
The Law of God is good and wise
And sets His will before our eyes,
Shows us the way of righteousness,
And dooms to death when we
transgress. (LSB 579.1)
This
opening stanza of Mathias Loy’s profound hymn says in simple poetry what
Christians confess about God’s law.
The
first thing said is that there is nothing wrong with the law. “The law is holy,
and the commandment is holy and righteous and good” (Romans 7:12 ESV). Our
problem lies not in the law, but in us. Our fallenness is to blame—not our
humanity.
The
law is good because it “sets His will before our eyes.” At the same time,
Lutherans confess that God’s will is always “good and gracious” (SC 3rd
Petition). So, God’s law is not an arbitrary edict, but it “shows us the way of
righteousness.” That is, the law fulfilled in the flesh is the very embodiment
of man’s original righteousness, which constitutes “the image of God” (Genesis
1:26-27). The law is good because God is good.
God’s law
“dooms to death when we transgress,” because it is inextricably bound up with our
very existence. As surely as inflicting wounds can destroy human life, so every
act against God’s law is an attack on our very existence. Likewise, as failure
to eat or breathe is life-threatening, so also failing to do God’s will (sins
of omission) suffocates human life.
This
biblical view, that God’s law is hard-wired into our very nature, is a direct
challenge to our pagan culture. The language of choice, “It may be good for
you, but it is not good for me,” treats God’s law as an optional extra, an afterthought.
When this pagan worldview seeps into the Church, it takes the form of
antinomianism.
Antinomianism
radically separates the God’s law from human nature. Christians confess the
legitimate place of the law in the Christian life but deny that we have the
power to fulfill it by our own reason and strength. Antinomianism denies
legitimacy to the law itself. The law, and not sin, is seen as the problem.
Antinomianism
perverts the Gospel. Christ’s atonement gives His blood as a healing balm for
wounds that we inflict upon ourselves by sins. Antinomianism, on the contrary,
peddles “another Gospel” that overlooks the intrinsic evil of sin by dissolving
any and all moral obligations of love toward the neighbor.
The
most virulent forms of antinomianism openly deny the validity of the law and
set up an entirely new morality. More subtle forms soft-peddle the law and
downplay the importance of holy living. Both concentrate on addressing the
guilt of sin but do nothing to address sin’s actual harm to human life.
Legalism
is the false religion that I can “by my own reason or strength” become
righteous and fulfill God’s law. Legalism replaces what Christ alone can do
with human reason, will-power and “spirituality.” Antinomianism is not the
opposite of legalism.
Antinomianism
is a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing. Pretending to protect the flock from
legalism, it devours sheep by the false assurance that they can eat the
forbidden fruit and “not surely die” (Genesis 3:4). At the same time, it
frightens the flock away from “the paths of righteousness” (Psalm 23:3) by
insinuating that a desire to follow God’s law is tantamount to legalism.
The
Gospel does no such thing. It rescues us from the “curse of the law” without
denying God’s law itself (FC SD VI.4). The suffering and death of our Lord
Jesus Christ atones for every sin which would destroy our own human nature
without denying the truth of our human nature.
In
a world that denies our own humanity, God’s law is more relevant now than ever.
It reveals what we were created to be and to do while holding out the true
Gospel, that we are both forgiven and restored in Christ.
“For
God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his
own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the
flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in
us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans
8:3-4).
To Jesus we for refuge flee,
Who from the curse has set us free,
And humbly worship at His throne,
Saved by His grace through faith alone. (LSB 579.6)
REFORMATION 500: 1519 in Review
At the beginning of September 500 years ago, Luther
published his first lectures on the Epistle to the Galatians. The lectures were
given over the winter of 1516–17 (before the 95 Theses!). Luther revised the
text extensively for publication early in 1519, receiving help from his
co-worker Philip Melanchthon.
The importance of this commentary is best seen in
Luther’s treatment of the text of Holy Scriptures. He read the words as the
original author (the Holy Spirit through Paul) intended them to be understood,
as seen in the vocabulary and grammar of the text. In doing so, he set aside a
highly speculative treatment of Scriptures (the so-called “four-fold sense”).
The 1519 Galatians commentary reveals Luther growth in
understanding and explaining sound doctrine. He soon expressed dissatisfaction
with it, however, as he continued to study and compare the texts of Scripture
and confront the many issues facing the church. This commentary was eventually
supplanted by his 1535 Galatians Commentary, a beautiful masterpiece of
Lutheran doctrine—Biblical doctrine.
Here are two brief samples from Luther’s commentary.
First, on the interpretation of Scripture, Luther wrote: “There are usually
held to be four senses of Scripture. They are called the literal sense, the
tropological, the allegorical, and the anagogical. . . This kind of game may,
of course, be permitted to those who want it, provided they do not accustom
themselves to the rashness of some, who tear the Scriptures to pieces as they
please and make them uncertain. . . But these interpretations should not be
brought forward with a view to establishing a doctrine of faith” (AE 27.311).
Luther went on to refer his readers to “the main and legitimate sense” and
“grammatical principles” and “the historical or formal sense.” (312)
On the
justification of the sinner before God, Luther taught: “Thus it comes about
that for those who trust in the name of the Lord all sins are forgiven, and
righteousness is imputed to them ‘for Thy names sake, O Lord’ (Ps. 25:11),
because this name is good. This does not come about because of their own merit,
since they have not deserved even to hear of it. But when the heart has thus
been justified through the faith that is in His name, God gives them the power
to become children of God (John 1:12) by immediately pouring into their hearts
His Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5), who fills them with His love and makes them peaceful,
glad, active in all good works, victorious over all evils, contemptuous even of
death and hell” (AE 27.221).
THE
NEXT ROUNDUP
The next Roundup will be delivered to congregations
around September 20 (October 2019 issue).
RURAL AND SMALL TOWN MISSION
STRONG FAITH, FERVENT LOVE
Pastor Todd Kolbaum
“…
By the time this article makes its
way to you, I will have been installed and serving with the saints in Madison,
Neb., for a whole month. While this reality is still a way off as I write this,
I am confident that the Lord’s hand is and will be with me in my ministry and
with you in yours as well! It’s at times like this that I often turn to 1 Peter
1:3 where we are reminded, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a
living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Several
years ago, as I was early in my journey with RSTM, I wrote about this passage:
“While I’m not one to say, ‘This is my favorite passage in Scripture,’ if I
were hard pressed, 1 Peter 1:3 would certainly make the list. What joy it is to
know that we are able to praise our God regardless of the circumstances because
we have been given new life in Jesus Christ. This is phenomenal news, yet even
better is knowing that this new life is marked by a ‘living hope.’ While we may
find ourselves in terrible straits in this worldly sojourn (‘though now for a
little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials’), we can
without fail rejoice ‘with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,’
for in Christ we have obtained the outcome of our faith, ‘the salvation of your
souls.’ Even when things seem beyond what we can take, when our ministry
appears to be difficult at best, futile at worst, our Savior Jesus lives, and
because He lives our hope is not lost but lives in Him …‘and hope does not put
us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the
Holy Spirit who has been given to us’ (Rom. 5:5).” Thanks be to God, His Word
remains steadfast, even when the circumstances of our life
change according to His good and
gracious will. May we always remember this truth for us, and may God bless you
in whatever stage of ministry you are in now!
August 15, 2019
Council Meeting
The August Council Meeting was called to order by Chairman Don Bowlin, with 9 members present. Pastor Humphrey led an opening devotion.
Pastors Report: Pastor Humphrey reports that he is hoping to be released to return to work next Wednesday, after he has an EKG.
Elders Report: Elmer reports we have a transfer request from Alan and Tricia Strauch from Faith Lutheran in Gering. He also reports that Armeda Friel would like to transfer to St James in Scottsbluff.
Trustees Report: Virgil reports that a stool and lavatory had to be replaced in the parsonage. Landscaping at the church has been put in but there is an issue with the sprinkler system. Virgil reports that Rudy has been very helpful fixing the sprinkler systems many times. He and Gary have sprayed the weeds.
New Business: Pastor stated our printer is on its last legs, and he will check on pricing of a new one.
There being no further new business, the meeting was adjourned. Pastor Humphrey closed the meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.
Gerald Ritz
Trinity Lutheran Sunday School Nursery & Elementary – Youth Group
Thank you so much for those who attended our Sunday School meeting on August 25. We had a very informative and helpful discussion of providing Sunday School for children of our congregation.
We will have a Trinity Lutheran Sunday School Facebook page for further information. We very much appreciate the help and guidance of ZanDee Hendren to keep parents informed and involved in our Sunday School activies through the Facebook page.
We have established two Sunday School classes for Sunday mornings after church to begin Sunday, Septemeber 8. We are blessed to have teachers for classes and Praise God for their help in Sunday School. For ages 3-6 a Nursery class will continue and we will have an elementary Sunday School class for grades 1-6.
We are excited to have a Youth Group organization in our church, with George & Traci Ross as Youth Group Leaders. We thank God for their enthusiasm to bring a study of God’s Word and activities to our congregation’s youth. More information will come as plans are made.
We ask our congregation for continued prayers for our Sunday School and Youth Group and and your help as needed!
Praise and Thanksgiving to God for guidance and continued growth in God’s Word for our congregation’s children.
DATES TO
REMEMBER FOR SEPTEMBER
September 2 Virgil & Karen Ritz Anniversary
September 2 Sandy Heine Birthday
September 3 Geneva Johannes Birthday
September 4 Jacob Powers Baptismal Date
September 13 Amanda Kaufman Birthday
September 14 Tristina Neumann Baptismal Date
September 16 Harlan & Joanne Kurtz Anniversary
September 18 Riley Kaufman Birthday
September 21 Helen Engebretsen Birthday
September 22 Michelle Hill Birthday
September 25 Riley Kaufman Baptismal Date
September 26 Heidi Whitney Birthday
September 28 Peyton Wilson Birthday
September 30 Wes Bowlin Birthday
If
your name does not appear, it is because these were taken from Trinity’s
calendar directory for which we have permission to use names and dates. Please
notify the office to have a date added.
All ladies of the Congregation are invited to
join the LWML September 15, 2019 for a Potato Bake. The event will start at
4:00 PM. Lisa Keeten from DOVES will be
the guest speaker. Please plan on attending this time of fellowship.
