Forerunners Of The Reformation
EDITOR’S NOTE: This month and next we look at some of the people who preceded the Reformer, Dr. Martin Luther (1483-1546). They might be called “forerunners” of the Reformation, for through them the stage was…
Forerunners Of The Reformation
Consumer-Driven Or Spirit-Drawn?
I am a typical consumer. If a new grocery store opens down the street and advertises lower prices, I’ll abandon my old store without a second thought. After all, saving fifty cents a gallon on milk…
The Right Kind of Judging
MEDITATIONS ON JESUS’ SERMON ON THE MOUNT: MATTHEW CHAPTERS FIVE THROUGH SEVEN “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the…
The Shocked
One on whom (or near whom) judgment has fallen Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him,…
“This is most certainly true!”
PART Five OF A SERIES The Five Installments: 1) God is my Father Almighty; 2) God is Maker of Heaven and Earth; 3) God is my Preserver and Provider; 4) God is my Protector; 5)…
EVIL CANNOT PREVAIL!
When our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, there was a certain glee among His enemies, for in their minds they had accomplished their goal of being rid of Jesus. But as the Passion history suggests,…
“Judge Not…” — and the Lutheran Reformation
The Reformer on “Judging” God-pleasing Judging: “You must understand this in such a way that it does not take away the right of the man in the public ministry of preaching to judge matters of…
In memory of Pastor Paul F. Larsen
Pastor Paul F. Larsen August 24, 1932 – August 2, 2013 The Scripture passage “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9) comes to mind when one contemplates the…
October 2013 Announcements
Great Lakes Pastoral Conference October 1-3, 2013 Calvary Lutheran Church Marquette, Michigan Agenda: + New Testament Exegesis: Romans 4:14ff—Pastor Thomas Schuetze + Old Testament Exegesis: Essayist’s choice—Pastor Bruce Naumann + Homiletical Topic: Essayist’s choice—Pastor Michael…
“…Him?!”
“…Him?!”
That may not have been the exact word that the prophet Ananias spoke, but it does convey his incredulity at the Lord’s instruction.
There is none better to do mission work, to share the gospel
of the Savior with others,
than you and I.
The Lord had commanded the prophet in a vision to go to the place where Saul of Tarsus was waiting for him. But the only type of “waiting for him” Ananias could envision was in line with what Saul was known for doing:
“Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name” (Acts 9:13-14).
It was as much as to say, “…Him?!”
“…Him?!” Ananias saw an enemy of the Savior. But God saw one who would be a great witness to His love, grace, and forgiveness.
Ah, yes! Things had changed concerning Saul since the last time Ananias had heard of him—for now Saul was praying! He was no longer the rabid enemy of Christ and His people that he had been, but he was a “chosen vessel” of the Lord “to bear [His] name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (9:15).