1/ The Righteous Life (by Faith)
2/ On the End Times…
Higher Things is publishing a little book of letters for men who are interested in becoming pastors. They asked if I would write a chapter on the End Times. So, since it’s on my mind this morning, here are a few lines.
First, the time of the Second Coming is unknown and unknowable. Jesus says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36). These words should put an end to all speculation and calculation. “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority” (Acts 1:7). Any attempt to discern the timing of the Second Coming is a form of witchcraft, fortunetelling, and is forbidden strictly in the Scriptures. This is not our concern, and any approach to the end times that encourages this approach is not God pleasing.
Another bit:
The readiness of the Gospel is hope.
The Last Day is not fearful for the Christian. It is Jesus, the One who died for you, the One who loves you, who is coming back. He returns with hands raised in blessing, the same hands pierced for you. The return of Jesus is, for you, a rescue mission. He comes to take us from this valley of sorrow and death to the glory of the resurrection and the bliss of seeing His face to face.
His return, then, is not intimidating or frightful, but the thing we long for and need the most. Here’s how Jesus puts it:
“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” (Luke 21:28)
On the Last Day our Redeemer, our Savior, our Friend, our Substitute, our King, our Jesus draws near. God be praised!
I’ll let you know when the book is published.
3/ The Story of the Reformation
From a few years back, telling the story of the Reformation.
(This one might be good to share if you’re still on the Social Medias.)
4/ Luther on Jacob
(Cool picture, eh?)
We are starting a new series in the Worldwide Bible Class: “The Life of Jacob according to Martin Luther.”
Moses gives us the life of Jacob in Genesis 25-36, and Luther lectured on these passages for years! We will dig into the text and Luther’s wonderful commentary and rejoice in the wisdom and comfort that the Holy Spirit has for us.
This is a great time to join the Worldwide Bible Class (Wednesday mornings, 10a Central Time). The link to join is always here: www.wolfmueller.co/bible.
(You can also watch the recordings here, but live is more fun!)
5/ The Complete Sinner’s Guide YouTube conversation
The guys at the Complete Sinner’s Guide had me on for a conversation this week. It was a fun one.
6/ Hymns from St Paul, Austin
We have 102 hymns on the church YouTube playlist. It’s nice to have the words on the screen as well. Here’s the link. If you play randomized it’s like your own sacred music station.
7/ Luther on the Lover of God’s Word
Note this well: It is the mode and nature of all who love, to chatter, sing, think, compose, and frolic freely about what they love and to enjoy hearing about it. Therefore this lover, this blessed man, has his love, the Law of God, always in his mouth, always in his heart and, if possible, always in his ear. “He who is of God hears the words of God” (John 8:47); and “Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage” (Ps. 119:54); and again, “I will delight in Thy statutes, I will not forget Thy Word” (Ps. 119:6). [Martin Luther, Commentary on Psalm 1:1, LW 14:297-298]
8/ Italy: Six Spots Open
More information here: www.wolfmueller.co/italy2022
9/ Around the Word Devotions
If you are not subscribed to the Around the Word Devotions, check them out here. (Totally free, weekly pdf download)
I wrote the devotions for next week. Here’s one:
(On Revelation 7) Imagine being brought into heavenly glory dressed in tattered, torn, filthy, wretched robes. But there is a bowl filled with the blood of Jesus, and pulling your robe from this wash you find it radiant and perfectly pure and white. Our beauty and our glorious dress is the blood and righteousness of Christ. This cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Clothed in Christ, even when the cosmos dissolves, we will stand and lift up our heads, and be welcomed into the eternal dwelling of the righteous. Jesus is our righteousness. Jesus is our hope. Jesus is our salvation. Jesus is our perfection. He has clothed us in our baptism, and prepared us for the glory to come. Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness my beauty are, my glorious dress. Amen.
10/ This Luther Sermon on Matthew 9
I’m posting this here again, a most fantastic sermon from Luther to read or listen to. This would be a great way to celebrate the Reformation this weekend.
11/ A few new videos
We put our a few new videos this week, first, suggesting a theological approach to technology, and then a follow-up after a conversation with ol’ dad about the Lutheran uniqueness regarding the Word and Sacrament.
11/ Luther on the Helpfulness of Teachers in the Church
I’ve often said this about Luther: “Martin Luther is only helpful if he brings us the Word and points to Christ. Which he does (most of the time).” Luther says the same thing about the teachers of the church (commenting on Genesis 25:26):
Examples of this kind teach us that one should not believe any human being, no matter how saintly he may be, but must pay attention to Him who calls and to His Word. But one should not study the Word for only a year or two, for the Word of God is a boundless subject. Our adversaries exclaim: “Ambrose, Augustine taught this or that!” But they are of no importance to us unless they bring the voice of Christ.
Whoever of them has the Word and that voice in greater clarity, I would rather follow him than I would want to follow Augustine or anyone else. Thus Augustine teaches Holy Scripture more clearly and discusses it more skillfully than Ambrose. Therefore it is more profitable to read him than Ambrose.
But in regard to all let us always hold fast to the following words: “Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105); and 2 Peter 1:19 states: “We have the prophetic Word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
Remember to go to your pastor's Bible Class this week and, read old theology books. (If you don't have a pastor or congregation, click here. If you don't have old theology books, click here.)
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Thank you, again, for your time and attention, and for your prayers. Please keep in touch.
Lord's Blessings, Pastor Wolfmueller
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
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