God governs the opposite

the Gospel is always a promise, and a promise is always a word

Dec 14, 2022

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1/ Promised beforehand… (Romans 1:1-6)

…the gospel of God,
which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son,
who was descended from David according to the flesh
and was declared to be the Son of God in power
according to the Spirit of holiness
by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
through whom we have received grace…

2/ More Luther on how God doesn’t lie, even if it looks like it.

Therefore these examples are especially memorable because they not only show that God spoke with the fathers but also testify that when God speaks, He does not lie, even though everything seems to proceed and happen in the opposite way, that the world is furious, and that the flesh, the adversaries, and the devil, together with all the gates of hell (cf. Matt. 16:18), are raging. “For He spoke, and it came to be” (Ps. 33:9). But it is difficult for us believers to break through; for all the fury of Satan is devoted to this one thing, namely, that he may separate us from the Word, and that we, exhausted and broken either by the multitude or the long duration of our tribulations, may forsake and reject the Word. Accordingly, these two are joined: the omnipotence of the Word and the weakness or the inomnipotence, so to speak, of the human heart, which must hold out, bear, and endure until the Word is fulfilled.

You, “Pastor, is that what you are studying in today’s Worldwide Bible Class?”

Me: “You know it!”

Join here (10a Texas time, which is right around the corner).

3/ Texas March for Life

We are hosting our second annual “Life Magnified” conference on January 28, 2023. Here is an invitation.

Everyone is invited, but if you are a Lutheran in Texas, this is especially for you. I would love to have a big group of Texas Lutherans all marching and singing together.

Please invite your pastor and your congregation to join us as well.

You can find all the information here: www.stpaulaustin.org/events/life-magnified-2023-pray-study-march/

I’ll also be in Washington D. C. for the March for Life, and speaking at the Youth for Life conference. That will be exciting! (That’s January 19-21, here’s the info.)

4/ Luther: When Government is not to be Honored

If the government tolerates me when I teach the Word, I hold it in honor and regard it with all respect as my superior. But if it says: “Deny God; cast the Word aside,” then I no longer acknowledge it as the government. (Luther on Genesis 27:5, LW 5.114)

5/ Wrestling with Matthew 11

John the Baptist’s doubt, Jesus’ sermon about John, and notes about the kingdom suffering violence.

6/ Germany seats opening-up

We’re starting to open up more seats for our Lutheran Heritage Tour to Germany next summer. You can learn more about it here, and let us know if you’d like to join us.

7/ Theological Scraps

Here are a few notes I found lying around…

8/ Give Thanks!

The Bible won’t stop reminding us: Give Thanks.

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

www.wolfmueller.co