(2 Cor. 5:17) Studies in Second Corinthians Chapter 7 GODLY SORROW The Church lives by perpetual repentance. Luther summarized his concerns for the church and the Gospel in the first of his ninety-five theses, in which he states that “penance” is not an outward mechanical performance, but an inner attitude of mind which continues throughout… Read More »“New Creatures In Christ” Read More

Luke 12:13-21 THE RICH FOOL The title seems all wrong. The world considers a rich man as smarter, more hardworking, and more lucky than the rest. Rich people are not often thought of as fools, except perhaps by those envious of their riches. God, however, has a way of turning our thoughts and assumptions upside… Read More »Parables Of The Master Read More

Luke 14:15-24 ‘For the Jew first and also for the Gentile’ In this parable of the Great Supper, Jesus sought to highlight the Jews’ rejection of God’s gracious invitation, and to warn those who were invited to the banquet not to reject this gracious invitation. “For I say to you that none of those men… Read More »Parables Of The Master Read More

Matthew 13:47-52 The Dragnet Jesus used the picture of a dragnet in a parable explaining the mystery of the kingdom of God. To a Midwestern boy raised in the fifties, “Dragnet” was a TV show recounting the day-to-day work of a dead-pan cop named Joe Friday. In police language, a dragnet is a sweep of… Read More »Parables Of The Master Read More

The church has struggled to define God in the three ecumenical creeds — the Apostles’, the Nicene, and the Athanasian. We confess that we worship God in Trinity–the mystery of three persons in one God. And yet we do not understand the mystery of God by studying dogmatic propositions. The Bible reveals God in connection… Read More »THE TRINITY AND GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION Read More

–Psalm 31:15 There is a creeping malaise of pessimism seizing the hearts and minds of people today. This feeling of helplessness and frustration is heightened by the passing of another year and the approaching end of another century. There is a paralysis of spirit that is gripping not only the world but also us Christians.… Read More »“My times are in Your hand” — Psalm 31:15 Read More

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians celebrates the miracle of the Church, the Body of Christ. The Church consists of all those who believe in the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. This Church is known only to God because true faith is hidden in the hearts of people. Luther celebrates this wonder in his explanation… Read More »Walk In Unity Read More

May 1 has been designated as a national day of prayer. The last few years have seen a resurgence of interest in prayer and an increased emphasis on a national day of prayer. The conditions of present society have highlighted the need for a spiritual renewal in our country. Sometimes, however, it seems that people… Read More »FAITH AND PRAYER Read More

A MEAL OF REMEMBRANCE “Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. So this day shall be to you… Read More »A Maundy Thursday Devotion– Read More

(2 Cor. 5:17) Studies in Second Corinthians Chapter 13 The Proper Distinction Between Law And Gospel In The Pastoral Ministry A pastor is called by the Holy Spirit through a Christian congregation. He is placed in that congregation by the Lord of the Church, Jesus Christ, who gives pastors and teachers to His people as… Read More »“New Creatures In Christ” Read More

Why? Why? Why? THis question echoes through Psalm 42 and through many of the Psalms as the child of God under pressure cries out to his God. Thirsting For God Things have happened in the life of the Psalmist which causes him to thirst for the living God. He asks as we ask today: “Why… Read More »Your Thanksgiving A Dim Memory? Read More

(2 Cor. 5:17) Studies in Second Corinthians Chapter 10 The Apostle Paul Defends The Gospel Ministry In chapter 10 Paul shifts gears and returns to the theme of this letter — the defense of his Gospel ministry in the face of the opposition of some in Corinth. In the last three chapters the apostle reluctantly… Read More »New Creatures In Christ” Read More

ILC Newsletter Every other month we get an update on what’s been happening recently at our Immanuel Lutheran High School, College and Seminary in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. “Run with endurance the race set before you.” ILC’s new professor is the son of John and Sharon Schierenbeck of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He is also the brother… Read More »A New Professor—Daniel David Schierenbeck Read More

Studies in Second Corinthians The Paradox Of The Gospel Ministry But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (We are) hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; (we are) perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down,… Read More »New Creatures In Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) Read More

The Lost Son And The Elder Brother The parable of the prodigal or lost son is perhaps the most well-known and touching of Jesus’ many parables. It touches the heart of every mother and father who have ever had a wayward child. It also touches the heart of every lost sinner who desperately is seeking… Read More »Parables Of The Master Read More

Luke 17:1-10 The Unprofitable Servant Reason is totally contrary to faith. In this section Jesus reveals that man by nature cannot possibly understand or grasp the things of God. Jesus’ words make no sense in the real world. They are radical words of faith and loving service. We like to take pride in the things… Read More »Parables Of The Master Read More

Installations In accord with our usage and order, Mrs. Gloria Wilke and Mrs. Angela Meyer, who were called by Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church of Rapid City, S.Dak. to be their Christian Day School teachers, were installed on August 20, 2000. –Pastor Michael Wilke In accord with our usage and order, James Naumann, who was… Read More »Announcements Read More

Matthew 20:1-16 The Laborers In The Vineyard (Or: Grace Is Not Fair) Jesus had been dealing with the increasing opposition of the scribes and the Pharisees, the religious leaders of His day. The Pharisees trusted in themselves that they were righteous and they despised others. The Jews thought that they had earned salvation because they… Read More »Parables Of The Master Read More

“Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, ‘Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? . . . ‘” (Acts 2:7-8) Perhaps we take for granted the blessing that we are able to hear… Read More »The wonderful works of God–in our own language! Read More

Matthew 21:33-46 The Parable of the Vineyard As His earthly ministry and mission drew to a close, Jesus continued to attempt to gather into the kingdom of God the chosen descendants of Abraham, the Jewish nation. The result–as it had been throughout Israel’s history–was a continued rejection of God’s grace by His chosen people. Jesus… Read More »Parables Of The Master Read More