Myths about Lutherans, Priorities for Seeking, and Three Devil-Overcoming Things

With lots of links...

Bryan Wolfmueller

Oct 02, 2024

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1/ Priorities for Seeking

(More promises of God here: Precious Bible Promises.)

2/ Who forgives sins?

This question comes up over and over. Is it just pastors, or can all Christians absolve sins? I collected a few quotations from Luther’s Trinity 19 sermon here.

This Gospel teaches us to note particularly the good tidings which God has granted us, that we may here on earth say to each other, “Thy sins are forgiven thee,” so that with the people here spoken of we may marvel and glorify God which had given such power unto men. And it is indeed a great power that one Christian may say to another: "My brother, be of good cheer, you have a gracious God; only believe the assurance which I give you in Christ’s name and it is as certain as if God Himself had said to you, 'Thy sins are forgiven thee.'" Such power, as we hear, originated in Christ and is now given unto men, especially to those who are in office and are commanded to preach the Gospel, that is, repentance and forgiveness of sins, in Jesus’ name.

3/ A Prayer of Thanksgiving

Eternal and almighty God, I, a poor, miserable man, recognize that I am Your handiwork and creation and that I have my life and breath from You alone. I thank You, therefore, in Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have endowed me with a rational soul, and that You have allowed me to be born of my mother into the light of this sorrowful world. I thank You also that before I could ask or desire it, You have taken me up and received me as Your child and as a Christian in Holy Baptism. I praise You, O heavenly Father, that from the human race You have gathered for Yourself an eternal Church through the preaching of the holy Gospel, and that You have hitherto allowed me to hear such salutary doctrine. O grant, through the power of Your Holy Spirit, that I may rightly and blessedly enjoy all Your fatherly blessings all the days of my life, united with Christ Your dear Son in the true faith, that through His bitter and grievous suffering I may not be lost, through the same, Your most beloved Son, who with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, reigns and rules now and forever. Amen.

Esaias Heidenreich, Kirchen und Hausgebetlein (1582)

Treasurers of the Lutheran Church

4/ Grounded: Young Adult Conference in Austin, October 11-13, 2024.

Click here for all the information, and to register.

5/ Three Devil-Overcoming Things

6/ In Memory, Dr. John Warwick Montgomery

Professor John Warwick Montgomery died this past week, having attained the age of 92 years, eleven months, and seven days.

We thank the Lord for using Dr Montgomery to so clearly defend the faith, and especially to make the historical case for the resurrection.

You can read Dr Montgomery’s obituary here. You can find best-of episodes of Issues, Etc. where Dr Montgomery was interviewed here. If you’ve never listened to him teach, I would encourage you to do so.

7/ Myths about Lutheranism

We started a new series of interview series with Issues, Etc. You can listen to the first interview on the myth, “Lutherans Follow Luther” here.

I need your help. If you have other myths that you’d like us to discuss, please leave ideas in the comments.

8/ Lutheran Mission Australia

The Lutheran Australians start their convention on the 4th. Please continue to keep them in your prayers.

Information, I believe, will be posted here.

But, take a look at this: Lutheran Mission Australia. This looks like a beautiful opportunity for the clear Gospel to be promulgated down under. (If you are looking for a cause to support, this would be a great one.)

Please add your own theological recommendations in the comments.

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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.

Christ is Risen!
Pastor Wolfmueller

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

www.wolfmueller.co