The Gospel of Matthew
January 28, 2009
The Gospel of Matthew
Matthew, means, “gift from God”, and the Gospel of Matthew is certainly a gift for us. Matthew was written by Levi, better known as Matthew, and Matthew was a tax collector. Matthew wrote his Gospel for Jewish Christians. The gospel was intended to instruct the people carefully in the way in which Jesus had fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament. Over and over in Matthew Jesus is referred to as, “Son of God.” Matthew wanted the people of his day to truly understand the identity of Jesus as Emmanuel, God with us. Matthew has 65 references to passages of the Old Testament, which the book interprets as predicting and foreshadowing Jesus’ life and mission. The main feature of this Gospel may be expressed in the motto "I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill" (5:17).
If you were to read the Gospel of Matthew straight through it would take approximately two hours. I encourage you to find your favorite Bible or a different translation, a friend and a cup of coffee and spend two hours in fellowship with God, Matthew, and a friend as you read the gospel out loud.
PASTOR’S PONDERINGS
January 27, 2009
PASTOR’S PONDERINGS
What is Martin Luther’s Seal? What is the meaning of it? Is it the same thing as The Luther Rose?” The seal was designed by Martin Luther himself. The seal is a way that Martin Luther explained what he believed. He explained his design in the following words: “The first thing expressed in my seal is a cross, black, within the heart, to put me in mind that faith in Christ crucified saves us. ‘For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness.’ Now, although the cross is black, mortified, and intended to cause pain, yet it does not change the color of the heart, does not destroy nature — i.e., does not kill, but keeps alive. ‘For the just shall live by faith,’ — by faith in the Savior. But this heart is fixed upon the center of a white rose, to show that faith causes joy, consolation and peace. The rose is white, not red, because white is the ideal color of all angels and blessed spirits. This rose, moreover, is fixed in a sky-colored ground, to denote that such joy of faith in the spirit is but an earnest and beginning of heavenly joy to come, as anticipated and held by hope, though not yet revealed. And around this ground base is a golden ring, to signify that such bliss in heaven is endless, and more precious than all joys and treasures, since gold is the best and most precious metal. Christ, our dear Lord, He will give grace unto eternal life. Amen –Martin Luther
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A Blessed New Year:
January 1, 2009
A Blessed New Year:
Two verses to share with you as we enter into 2009
“In the beginning God…”
Genesis 1:1
"By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God not the result of good works, so that no one may boast. "
Ephesians 2:8-9
As I was waiting in line the other day I heard people talking about their New Year’s Resolutions. I heard statements like, “I want to lose weight.” “I want to exercise more.” “I want to save more money.” “I want to get a new job.” Then I heard someone say, “Why bother anyway, things don’t turn out like we want.” There is the story of our life isn’t it? Determined, yes, I want to make a change and defeat, why try. How many times have we thought, “If I just do more or try harder then life will be good”?
I thought perhaps we need to think about 2009 in a different way. Perhaps it is to get back to the basics. “In the beginning God,” are simple yet powerful words. What we seek in life really is love and relationship isn’t it? We try many different ways to achieve that. “In the beginning God,” reminds us that as we begin each day God is there. God brings hope, peace, and His presence and confidence in uncertain times.
Perhaps we need to think about New Year’s Resolutions and start them with “In the beginning God.” For example, “In the beginning God calls me to relationship with himself. In the beginning God loves me. In the beginning God spoke and creation came into being. In the beginning God is at work even in the dark times and uncertain times. In the beginning God is with me to help me make changes in my life.” Try that as you think about your New Year’s Resolutions. How can you include God into them?
The message of Ephesians is there are some things we cannot do for ourselves. Salvation comes only through Jesus. God gave us each other and God is the one who saves us. We become new people through Christ not through anything we could ever do.
It is good for us to be self-reliant, to do new things, and to learn new skills. But life is not meant to be a “do it yourself way.” The church, the body of Christ, is where we receive our encouragement, and the support we need to meet any New Year’s Resolutions we may make.
I was in a bookstore recently, and the “self-help” section caught my eye. I found hundreds of books that teach people how to do just about everything, from how to lose weight, how to build your own home, to how to have the perfect marriage. We like to think that we are self-sufficient and all we need to do is try a little harder or work a little more. However, Ephesians reminds us that God is at work in us and through and with us to bring about change. Ephesians also reminds us that we need each other. May Our Savior’s be for you in the year ahead the place where your spirit is refreshed, where you put down roots of faith, where in worship, Bible Study, prayer, missions, and involvement that you find your true joy.
The good news is that God begins the New Year with us and leads us out into the year ahead. May we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Prayer for 2009
Bless us, O Lord, and bless the time and seasons yet to come. Teach us to number our days that we may gain wisdom of heart. And fill this New Year with your kindness that we may be glad and rejoice all the days of our life. Amen.
