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“Turning the World “Upside Down”

CLC President’s Report to the 31st Convention

Dear saints in Christ and fellow workers in His kingdom:

Does it matter? Does what we do here make any real, significant, positive, lasting difference? If it does, we have reason and incentive to get to work; if not, what’s the point? From a human perspective we have little chance of accomplishing anything lasting. We are a small group with no political capital to spend and few material resources. What could we possibly do?

However, that could also have been said of the Apostle Paul and Silas when they arrived in Thessalonica in the course of Paul’s second missionary journey. There was nothing impressive about these two itinerant missionaries of Jesus. Yet before long, the Jews were accusing Paul and the other Christians of “turning the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). Sent out from the living Lord of the Church, they upset the status quo. Hearts and attitudes were completely changed. Without question, they made a difference.“Turning the World “Upside Down”

“God Our Savior Desires All Men to be Saved!”

Jesus is the One  Meditator of that Truth!

The year was 1976, and I was ten years old, growing up just outside of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

The company where my Dad worked was a union shop, and a strike was called because of a disagreement between management and the union. The strike lasted for at least a year. No doubt the union workers were not 100% satisfied with the fact that non-union workers were allowed in the shop. But the mediators, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), had spoken, and that was it.“God Our Savior Desires All Men to be Saved!”

Happy Pentecost Harvest!

(Please read Acts chapter 2)

Pentecost – This word is derived from the Greek word Pentecoste, fiftieth, because the feast of Pentecost was celebrated the fiftieth day after the sixteenth of Nisan, which was the second day of the feast of the passover. The Hebrews call it the Feast of Weeks, Exodus 34:22, because it was kept seven weeks after the passover. It was the Jewish harvest-home. (From Cruden’s Complete Concordance)

God’s timing can make an interesting case study. We know from the Holy Scriptures that Christ was sent into Happy Pentecost Harvest!

Blessed Reception of the Lord’s Supper

In preparation for the Lord’s Supper we do well to engage in self-examination. Martin Luther’s “Christian Questions” help in this regard:

“Do you believe that you are a sinner?”
(Ans.): “Yes, I believe it; I am a sinner….”  

“Are you also sorry for your sins?”
(Ans.): “Yes, I am sorry that I have sinned against God….” 

“Do you also hope to be saved?”
(Ans.): “Yes, such is my hope….” Blessed Reception of the Lord’s Supper

“HONOR YOUR MOTHER”

In the early 20th century a woman from West Virginia named Anna Jarvis began petitioning prominent leaders, including President Woodrow Wilson, to establish a national holiday which honored mothers. By 1914 “Mother’s Day” in America… “HONOR YOUR MOTHER”

Christ, the Firstfruits, Is Risen!

“Now Christ has risen from the dead and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

Three important festivals came together at the time of the Passover, therefore also at the time of Jesus’ death and resurrection. All three have great significance for our salvation—significance that we do not want to miss.

Together they make up the season of liberation and salvation, showing how carefully God had planned and prepared every detail of our salvation. He pictured it for us 1500 years beforehand so that nothing would be left to chance.

The Passover

The first and most recognizable festival was the Passover itself. Just as the blood of the Passover lamb saved Israel from the plague of death which brought about their freedom from slavery in Egypt, so the blood of Christ, our Passover Lamb, saves us from death and frees us from slavery to sin and Satan.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread

The very next day the Feast of Unleavened Bread began. Israelites were required to remove all leaven from their homes for eight days. This feast was symbolic of how Christ has cleansed us from the leaven of sin.Christ, the Firstfruits, Is Risen!

Why Do You Weep?

The early hours of that first Easter morning found people in various conditions.

Most of Jerusalem slept soundly, while their religious leaders may have had satisfied smiles on their faces. But fear, shock, and confusion permeated the hearts of the Lord’s disciples. They were stupefied and in mourning because of His death. None of them believed in His resurrection.

And while they all mourned, John reported the dedicated weeping of Mary Magdalene. Why Do You Weep?

From Triumph to Travesty—to Triumph!

On that first Palm Sunday Jesus rode into Jerusalem as a hero,
but He would go out in a much different manner.

From triumph to travesty may well describe our Savior’s entry into the city—until He triumphed for us on the cross.

Yes, our Savior rode into Jerusalem to die the death of the cross. How many of those who gathered that day to welcome the King of Glory would soon turn on Him and demand His death?

Jesus rode into town on “a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Matthew 21:5). From Triumph to Travesty—to Triumph!

This I Know

“Pastor, I don’t know; I just don’t know,” the elderly congregation member told me as I sat down for a visit.  I had heard it before. This long-time believer had plenty of time to think… This I Know