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Advent Is for Expectation

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COVER STORY – ADVENT

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,” 

as the old song goes. We see it all around us: lights and decorations, Christmas songs, Christmas shopping, and the planning of Christmas events. Even without a calendar, you would know that Christmas is coming soon.

You may be surprised to know the situation was somewhat similar leading up to the first Christmas. Of course, there were no Christmas decorations or music, but Daniel had given some very specific prophecies so that people who paid attention would know that the time was coming soon. That explains why, as Luke records, “Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, . . .” (Luke 3:15) It also explains why there were several people who claimed to be the Messiah at that time. The people were in expectation of Messiah’s coming soon. They were looking for him and testing the various claims.

Isn’t the same true for us?

We have been given many prophecies, many signs that Christ is coming soon. We, too, should be in expectation of His coming. Therefore the Apostle Paul urges us,

“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
(Romans 13:11-14)

“He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease”

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DEVOTION – JOHN THE BAPTIST

Pick one of today’s more “popular” preachers with a large following. Maybe it would be Joel Osteen with his average attendance of 52,000. Or maybe it would be the “Purpose Driven” preacher, Rick Warren, with his average attendance of 22,000.

Regardless of the numerically popular preacher’s name, can you imagine him telling his followers to quit coming to his church and start following another preacher? What would ever cause a popular preacher to do such a thing? Why would a preacher voluntarily surrender followers by directing them to someone else?

Why? Ask John the Baptist.

“All Praise to Thee, Eternal God” – TLH 80

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A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING

Have you ever noticed that “firsts” seem to have special interest for us? We remember them as being particularly notable. For example,

• First humans: Adam and Eve, created on the sixth day of Creation.

• First President of the United States of America elected after adoption of the Constitution: George Washington, elected February 4th, 1789.

• First production gasoline-powered automobile: The Benz Patent-Motorwagon, patented by Karl Benz in 1886. It had three wheels, and was powered by a one-cylinder motor producing 2/3 horsepower.

Loving God by Loving Others

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STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:1-2 ESV) Sometimes, at the end of the New Testament… 

The Mormons

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UNDERSTANDING THE CULTS — MORMONISM In this twelve-part series we will take a brief look at some of the major cults, past and present, that have found adherents in the United States. Your pastor can… 

Introduction to the Book of Concord

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“THIS WE BELIEVE” In ongoing observation of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, we are presenting a brief overview of the Book of Concord. After this month’s introduction, the series will survey the three… 

Luther Memorial Church Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

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A SLICE OF LIFE IN THE CLC SNAPSHOTS OF CONGREGATIONS FROM AROUND THE CHURCH OF THE LUTHERAN CONFESSION The beginnings of Luther Memorial Church go back to events that took place even before its formal… 

Downsizing Christmas

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FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT Have you thought of downsizing? It might sound a little negative. Advertisers and even our own nature suggest to us that more is better. However, downsizing has become trendy.… 

“BREAD OF LIFE” READINGS November 2018

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Date Verse Reading Comments

Nov 1 TLH 383/LSB 671; Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 Human effort will ultimately come to nothing, but whatever God does will endure.

Nov 2 TLH 57 Zephaniah 3:14-20 The Lord would bring judgment on Judah, but He would restore them by sending the Messiah.

Nov 3 TLH 129/LSB 949; Acts 11:1-18 Peter learned that salvation in Christ was for all who believed, not just for a particular people

Nov 5 TLH 417 James 4:1-10 What causes arguments and quarrels? Very simply, they are clashes of wills. Learn to put your own desires away and do the Lord’s will.

Nov 6 TLH 35 Deuteronomy 3:1-11 As Moses recounted Israel’s history, he reminded them how God had even given Og, the king of Bashan, into their hands—giant that he was!

Nov 7 TLH 22 2 Chronicles 33:10-17 After being captured by the Assyrians, Manasseh finally humbled himself before the Lord. Often we must be brought low to be brought back to God.