The Confession of Sins The Absolution The Introit p. 16
Introit
Have respect, O Lord, unto Thy covenant:
oh, let not the oppressed return ashamed!
Arise, O God, plead Thine own cause:
and forget not the voice of Thine enemies.
Psalm. O God, why hast Thou cast us off forever?
Why doth Thine anger smoke against the sheep of Thy pasture?
The Gloria Patri The Kyrie p. 17 The Gloria in Excelsis The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and that we may obtain that which Thou dost promise, make us to love that which Thou dost command; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Epistle and Gradual
Have respect, O Lord, unto Thy covenant:
oh, let not the oppressed return ashamed!
V. Arise, O God, plead Thine own cause:
and forget not the voice of Thine enemies.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. O Lord God of my salvation:
I have cried day and night before Thee. Hallelujah!
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord! Praise be to Thee, O Christ! The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Preface p. 24 The Sanctus p. 26 The Lord's Prayer p. 27 The Words of Institution The Agnus Dei p. 28 The Nunc Dimittis p. 29 The Benediction p. 31 The Hymn #660 I'm But a Stranger Here
Prayers and Announcements
The flowers on the altar are for Andrea's birthday, coming up this week.
Medical care: Randy Anderson and Sarah Buck are being treated. Pastor Jim Shrader and his wife Chris; Dr. Kermit Way; Maria Way has good news. Lori Howell is being diagnosed. Ranger Bob should be finished with daily IV on September 19th.
Callie is back in college in spite of severe seizures.
KJV Galatians 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Part 1
KJV Luke 10:23-37 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Part 2
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
Part 3
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 An by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Lord God, heavenly Father, we most heartily thank Thee that Thou hast granted us to live in this accepted time, when we may hear Thy holy gospel, know Thy fatherly will, and behold Thy Son, Jesus Christ! We pray Thee, most merciful Father: Let the light of Thy holy word remain with us, and so govern our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may never forsake Thy word, but remain steadfast in it, and finally obtain eternal salvation; through Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
Jesus Is the Good Samaritan
KJV Luke 10:23-37 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
The Good Samaritan Parable has drawn people into a spin of confusion, so it is good to use the setting and not jump right into error. That can wait, especially when so many clergy, fad salesmen, and social workers are keen on missing the actual message.
The opening is very clear and well worth considering. Jesus called the disciples together to teach them the unique blessings of the moment. The disciples have seen things which the great people of the world - prophets and kings - have longed to see what the disciples have witnessed with their own eyes and ears. To see and to hear - that is a great message by itself.
The Bible is a book of divine miracles, which encourages and strengthens believers, giving hope because those events have been witnessed from the beginning. The disciples saw and heard them. We get to see the results of those miracles, both in the growth of faith and also in repudiation of the truth.
It is good to remember - the miraculous growth of the Apostolic Church came from the Holy Spirit and the precise copying of the Apostolic texts. No other ancient book has been copied and translated so completely and accurately - at least not until the deceiving copies of "Sinaiticus" (Tischendorf) and "Vaticanus" (the Pope, turning the later Latin translation into a Greek one). The New Testament was also translated into many languages - rapidly. The early Church was built on the written and spoken Word, not the marketing wizardry of fad factories.
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
The lawyer may appear to be a smart-alec but that is a Jewish tradition - starting up a debate on a topic, asking and answering back and forth. Eternal life was a topic which came up more than once in Jesus' discussions.
"Love thy neighbor as thyself" led to "Who is my neighbor?" The social justice warriors say - I am not kidding - "Make the road to Jericho safe!"
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 An by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
A man was heading toward Jericho when he was stripped of his clothes, beaten, and left half dead. A priest came by, saw him, and went to the other side of the road. A Levite also looked at him and went to the other side. But a Samaritan came to where the man was - and had compassion. So many want to make this a story about the Law, but the men of the Law left the suffering man alone. The Samaritan:
Felt sorrow for the beaten man,
Went up to him rather than walking away,
Patched up his wounds,
Poured oil and wine on his wounds
Placed the man on his beast
Took him to an inn
And took care of him there.
On the next day,
The Samaritan left and gave the innkeeper 2 pence,
Promised to pay for the man's recovery,
Promised to pay for anything else needed.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
This is confusing to some because Jesus is both the victim and the generous healer. That is taught through the Matthew 25 passage in complete harmony with this beautiful parable.
KJV Matthew 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
The Good Samaritan is Jesus, and Jesus is also the victim, robbed, beaten, dying on the road, shunned.
I have a remarkable Good Samaritan story, true to life because someone I knew well was part of it. He said he wanted others to be as generous and gave his name.
His father was out of work and his mother could not make ends meet with her job and multiple children. Local mothers began collecting food and clothing without telling anyone. When my mother went through my clothes to give away, I asked. She offered 1 of the 2 reasons she gave for everything - "None of your business." The other was, "You're not old enough."
Someone got him a tennis racquet, which changed his life. He became a local and state-wide tennis champion, also a valedictorian for our high school.
He was accepted at Yale University with a full scholarship and chose singing (the Whiffenpoofs) and went to Yale Divinity.
Lawrence Eyre has been honored as a tennis coach nation-wide (Sports Illustrated honors) and has published several books of Haiku poetry. He published his story to let people know how much some generosity can do for others. Another Moliner began a no cost, no questions garage sale "business" which others have followed. My two high school friends (still are, more than 50 years later) inspired Christina and me to use both methods of distribution, giving away whatever was needed instead of bartering.
The Confession of Sins The Absolution The Introit p. 16
Introit
Make haste, O God, to deliver me:
make haste to help me, O Lord.
Let them be ashamed and confounded:
that seek after my soul.
Psalm. Let them be turned backward and put to confusion:
that desire my hurt.
The Gloria Patri The Kyrie p. 17 The Gloria in Excelsis The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
Almighty and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that Thy faithful people do unto Thee true and laudable service, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may so faithfully serve Thee in this life that we fail not finally to attain Thy heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Epistle and Gradual
Gradual
I will bless the Lord at all times:
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
V. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord:
the humble shall hear thereof and be glad.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. Sing aloud unto God, our Strength:
make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. Hallelujah!
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord! Praise be to Thee, O Christ! The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Preface p. 24 The Sanctus p. 26 The Lord's Prayer p. 27 The Words of Institution The Agnus Dei p. 28 The Nunc Dimittis p. 29 The Benediction p. 31 Closing Hymn #283God's Word Is Our Great Heritage
Medical Treatment - Sarah Buck, Lori Howell, Randy Anderson, Robert Northcutt, Kermit and Maria Way, Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris Shrader.
Ranger Bob's daily IV infusions will continue another three weeks, more or less.
KJV 2 Corinthians 3:4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
Covenant or Testament
Lenski 2 Corinthians 3:3
p. 921
The Revised Versions’s translation “3. new covenant” (“testament” in the margin) is not an advance on the A. V.’s “a new testament.” Commentators also waver. See the author’s exposition of I Cor. 11:25, from which we repeat only the main point: the Hebrew berith is “covenant,” which is rendered diatheke, “testament,” by the LXX which thus conserves the main idea of one-sidedness: this covenant is like every testament that is made by God to Israel and is not a mutual agreement between equals. Its substance was promise, Christ fulfilled the promise, and this fulfillment is now laid down in a testament. All believers are named as the heirs who're to be paid out with all the gospel blessings. We may call the ministers of God the administrators (I Cor. 4:1), yet they themselves are heirs. So in the New Testament diatheke = “testament.” And we should render, not “ministers of a new testament,” but as one concept: “new testament ministers.” The newness lies in the fulfillment of the former covenant promises by Christ.
KJV Mark 7:31 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. 32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. 35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. 36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; 37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
Twelfth Sunday After Trinity
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast created all things: We thank Thee that Thou hast given us sound bodies, and hast graciously preserved our tongues and other members from the power of the adversary: We beseech Thee, grant us Thy grace, that we may rightly use our ears and tongues; help us to hear Thy word diligently and devoutly, and with our tongues so to praise and magnify Thy grace, that no one shall be offended by our words, but that all may be edified thereby, through Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen. Luther on the Epistle text - Here
KJV Mark 7:31 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. 32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.
As I have often said, the miracles of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark are often ignored, revised, and mocked, because the preachers or scholars do not accept what the Word of God clearly teaches. The miracles alone teach the divinity of Jesus Christ, and His work plants faith in the heart of those who see and hear His Word at work.
In faith our congregation prays for the divine miracles of healing, restoration, and improvement of our condition. The best practice is to take a time each day to name those whose situations move us to ask for God's power, wisdom, guidance, strength, patient, and grace - in the Name of Christ. Although God does this already, even without our asking, it is good to suffer with (com-passion) with others and show our love for others - family, friends, neighbors, and contrary people.
This wish came from someone reading the blog - "When you finally die, everyone will be so happy." It is difficult to calculate how many people read that and laughed.
Praying for miracles and remaining steadfast in our faith in God means - more and more miracles will become apparent. If we falter and become dis-couraged (losing courage), we can turn to the Scriptural passages that en-courage us. My favorite is Ephesians 3, where God begins to answer prayer before we think to ask, and that He gives us more than we could even imagine. The inert person will say to himself, "Really? Really? Before I ask? More than I can ask?" Even the most dedicated believer will see that, upon reading the verses because the efficacious Word (fueled by the Holy Spirit) will enlarge and deepen our understanding of the miraculous power of God.
KJV Ephesians 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working (efficacy, OT, Isaiah 55:8ff) of his power.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ (Genesis 1, John 1):
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him (through the Faith of Jesus).
13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit (the Holy Spirit in the Word, John 16:13) in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (the Spirit working in the Word in us),
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. 35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.
These two verses are puzzling at first, and mocked, but let's look at each phrase.
Jesus took the man aside from the crowd, because the man could not hear or speak. Jesus used touching to help the man understand and be healed, ears and tongue. What was the man with neither ability? - confused, frightened, and unable to understand. Jesus commanded "Be opened!" for bystanders. The man heard! and he spoke plainly!
36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;
Two forces are at work because of this miracle. One is the warning not to spread this around. That is because of people wanting to make Jesus the Messiah, in the mold of King David the warrior. That was achieved only 40 years after Jesus' death and resurrection, when the Zealots provoked the Roman Empire to come down with a massive army and destroy Jerusalem. On the other hand, Jesus' miracles were intended to establish faith in Him, at the very least believing in His divinity. The cheering and jeering went together.
37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
The Gospel of Mark concentrates on the miracle work of the Son of God. Matthew connects the Old Testament with the Messianic predictions, revealing especially to Jewish people that Jesus is the fulfillment of the entire Old Testament. Mark provides a concentration of miracles to show the Gentiles or pagans how powerful He is.
Psalm. Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered:
let them also that hate Him flee before Him.
The Gloria Patri The Kyrie p. 17 The Gloria in Excelsis The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve, pour down upon us the abundance of Thy mercy, forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Epistle and Gradual
Gradual
My heart trusteth in God, and I am helped:
therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;
and with my song will I praise Him.
V. Unto Thee will I cry, O Lord, my Rock:
be not silent to me; hear the voice at my supplications.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. Lord, Thou hast been our Dwelling Place in all generations.
Hallelujah!
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord! Praise be to Thee, O Christ! The Nicene Creed p. 22
[Some parts of the Danish rural population firmly held to Kingo's hymns during the Pietist and Rationalist period, contributing to their survival.]
The Preface p. 24 The Sanctus p. 26 The Lord's Prayer p. 27 The Words of Institution The Agnus Dei p. 28 The Nunc Dimittis p. 29 The Benediction p. 31 The Hymn #216 On Christ's Ascension
In Our Prayers
Diagnosis and Treatment - Sarah Buck, Lori Howell, Robert Northcutt, Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris, Kermit and Maria Way, Callie. Mary Howell had good results from testing. Also for prayers - metabolic disorders and stress.
Dottie cleaned Ranger Bob's home yesterday and today. Three people from the neighborhood mowed his lawn, including Big John (Bible John), in the heat.
KJV Matthew 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
KJV 1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
KJV Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Eleventh Sunday After Trinity
Lord God, heavenly Father, we beseech Thee so to guide and direct us by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not forget our sins and be filled with pride, but continue in daily repentance and renewal, seeking our comfort only in the blessed knowledge that Thou wilt be merciful unto us, forgive us our sins, and grant us eternal life; through Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
Resurrection - The Ultimate Proof
KJV 1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
Luther questioned whether this lesson belonged with Trinity 11, which reminds people today how much the appointed lessons vary. Also, there are named groups of pericopes (selections) used in worship services. The one-year historic pericopes, which we use, come from the distant past. The most recent one is the three-year set which came from the Church of Rome and spread throughout the liberal mainline denominations, including ELCA, LCMS, WELS, ELS.
Lenker used translators from various Lutheran synods to provide the sermons in his set. He was trained at Hamma in Ohio and taught at Dana (Danish) Seminary.
This passage reminds us that 1) Trinitarian statements are often found in Paul's letters, though denied by the Left; 2) the resurrection of Jesus is basic to everything, from His Incarnation to His Ascension. Every detail matters, which is why the apostates belittle and mock the divine proofs of Jesus' work and wonders. All of this was accomplished by Him to give us security, peace, and hope in the midst of anxieties and fears.
The believers in Corinth provide a wealth of troubles to discuss, and the false teachers inspired even more. That is why 1 and 2 Corinthians are so important to us today. The two letters are remarkable in addressing those issues and teaching us from those controversies.
Basic to the Gospel are these two points -
Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins;
Jesus rose from death and ascended to Heaven.
That was a powerful message because over 500 witnessed the risen Christ and spread the Gospel immediately, so the death and resurrection were well known at that time. Even the greatest skeptics have agreed that the empty tomb was not questioned in those days with so many witnesses. The ELCA seminaries got my letter in 1987 asking if any professors taught the Virgin Birth and the Resurrection of Christ. Only one professor was identified as saying it probably happened. With such teaching of anti-faith, the ELCA seminaries shriveled and soon begged for a place (like a college) to lodge their tiny faculties, because there was no room at the inn.
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
Lenski, 1 and 2 Corinthians, p. 625.
One fact was in Paul’s favor: those who questioned the
resurrection of the dead still believed firmly in the
resurrection of Christ. If they had denied that they
would have departed so completely from the historic
foundation of faith that Paul would have treated them
as apostates. As it is, Paul makes Christ’s resurrection
the fulcrum for his presentation of the doctrine that
we, too, shall be raised from the dead. Thus the first
eleven verses are thetical in form, a restatement of
undisputed facts.
Because the preached Word is effective in making us believe in the Resurrection of Christ, we can fall into doubt about that also applying to us as believers. The Spirit takes from the Son and gives that truth to us. A firm conviction that we will also rise from the dead can conquer self-doubt, moving from the plain facts of mortal life to the everlasting Gospel of eternal life through faith in Him. "Everyone is saved, without Christ" (Universalism) is just as foolish as "Everyone goes to Heaven because God is so gracious" (Unitarians, though they are now almost completely anti-God.)
Because we are sinful by nature, our trust in eternal life comes from the Resurrection of Christ, faith in Him. Note that many false religions teach the righteousness of the Law, which condemns sin and then insists on the Law earning forgiveness in some way.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
Paul was not at the cross, empty tomb, or the locked room, but Christ appeared to him. Christ converted Paul on the road to Damascus. Paul became an apostle by virtue of this conversion and face to face meeting. So Paul had firsthand knowledge of Jesus Christ and training by Him. This continued with the groups Paul established or strengthened.
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
The details are very important to relate, because the risen Lord established the faith of those who had been weakened from the terrible events. And a large body of people also saw and heard the risen Christ. Believers had developed from people Jesus blessed with miracles. The resurrection appearances expanded from that and became the foundation of the Christian Faith growing through persecution. Soon it was not only the apostles and Paul, but also the 500 who spread the divine Word to others. The world was longing for a Savior and they created an enormous number of manuscripts to take to various ethnic groups in their own language and the universal language of Greek.
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
These details are important because they show how extensive the Gospel witness was. As the Savior said before His Ascension, He would rule from Heaven, and the Holy Spirit would teach and guide the Apostles and the new pastors around the world.
I remember one Objective Justification without Faith expert saying that Thomas did not reach India - it was a myth. I pointed out that one province, Kerala, was majority Christian while the rest of the sub-continent was and is pagan. The tradition for St. Thomas is very strong, even if he did not sign the guestbook.
7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Paul was busy persecuting the Christians before Christ appeared before Him. This meant he had to be very humble in facing the Apostles, but he also stuck to the truth of the Gospel when there was conflict about kosher foods.
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
We are all likely to smile at Paul's tendency to praise his work, but 1) the biographical information matters, and 2) he always acknowledged God giving him the energy.
God becoming man - the ultimate proof is Christ crucified and human in every possible way. But He rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven, giving directs to His apostles to carry out the work all over the world, as predicted in the Fourth Gospel.
The Promise of eternal life through faith in Him (the only way we receive grace) comes from God, not our superiority. In these times of turmoil and decay, the Resurrection is the foundation of our peace and joy.
