Do Not Listen to Your Heart

Roxette’s single “Listen to Your Heart” hit number one on the Billboard Top 100 chart in 1988. I was in college at the time. Not a bad song. But what happens when “listen to your heart” becomes the basis for one’s theology? Take the following meme as an example...

Believe it or not, “listen to your heart” theology is quite prevalent in many circles. What does God think of you? Listen to your heart. What does God want you to do about such-and-such? Listen to your heart. It sounds so easy. It sounds so convincing. It sounds so right. But is it?

Search the Scriptures. Nowhere does God tell you to listen to your heart when it comes to matters of faith. Nowhere does God tell you that He speaks to you in your heart. Nowhere does God tell you to search for Him in your heart. Nowhere! The reason why many love listening to their heart is because one’s heart can say whatever one wants it to say—often times contrary to God’s Word.

So where do you turn to know what God thinks of you? To know what He says to you? To know where He locates Himself for you? Instead of listening to your heart, listen to God’s holy and inerrant Word. Don’t believe me? Then believe God. Here is a sampling of God extolling His own Word so that you may know what He thinks of you, what He says to you, and where He locates Himself for you...

Man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. [Deuteronomy 8:3] 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. [Psalm 119:105] 

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” [John 17:17] 

These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. [John 20:31] 

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. [Romans 10:17] 

Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. [Romans 15:4] 

From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. [2 Timothy 3:15-17] 

No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. [2 Peter 1:21]

So go ahead and look for Christ this Christmas (as the meme says). But do not look to your heart, for even a Christian’s heart is full of vile things (cf. Matthew 15:19; Romans 7:18-19) and so easily goes astray. Look instead to that place where Jesus Christ has promised to be found for you. For your good. For your forgiveness, life, and salvation. You will find Him wrapped up in the swaddling cloths of His holy Word and blessed Sacraments, lying in the manger of His Church. All for you!

Syrian Refugees: A Call for More Fruitful Debate Among Christians

I love the fact that Christians are looking to reach out with compassion to those who are refugees. I also love the fact that Christians are looking to God’s Word for guidance in this area.

Unfortunately, the refugee crisis in Syria has brought out the worst in many Christians who are quick to assign sinister motives to those with opposing viewpoints, imply that there is only one correct answer to this crisis, and/or belittle or mock anyone who disagrees with their own opinion. What kind of witness does this give to those outside the one true faith?

God’s Word has much to say about welcoming the stranger, compassion, and love. It also has much to say about the governing authorities protecting citizens by carrying out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

So, by all means, let’s look at the various options by which these refugees can be helped. Let’s ask questions, listen to different points of view, and debate the advantages and disadvantages of each option. But most importantly, as Christians let us do this without slandering one another, without assigning sinister motives, and without haughtiness. Instead, let us put the best construction on everything and explain everything in the kindest way.

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” [Colossians 4:6]

Saint Luke the Evangelist

October 18 is the feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist.

Saint Luke is mentioned by name only three times in the New Testament (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 24). He was a Gentile by birth, well educated in Greek culture, a physician by profession, and did mission work with Saint Paul after his conversion. After careful research with eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word, and by the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, he authored the Gospel that bears his name and the Acts of the Apostles. By volume, these two books make up more than one-third of the New Testament.

The name Luke means “light.” His writings enlighten us about who Jesus is, why He came, and what He accomplished for us. Together with Matthew, Mark, and John, he is called an evangelist (evangel is the Greek word for good news or Gospel). That’s also why the first four books of the New Testament are called the Gospels.

Drawing on the imagery of the four living creatures in Ezekiel 1, Saint Luke is often pictured as a winged ox in artwork, icons, and stained glass. The ox, an animal of sacrifice, was applied to Saint Luke because his Gospel repeatedly speaks about the temple and emphasizes the priestly and sacrificial work of Jesus. The wings remind us that repentance and forgiveness of sins are proclaimed in Jesus’ name to the ends of the earth.

Without Saint Luke’s orderly account, much of the story of our salvation (as well as the record of the early church in Acts) would not have been passed down to us. Luke alone records the following:

• Gabriel’s visit to Zechariah in the temple, announcing the birth of John the Baptist;
• Gabriel’s visit to the virgin Mary in Bethlehem;
• Mary’s visit with Elizabeth and song of praise (the Magnificat);
• John the Baptist’s birth and Zechariah’s song of praise (the Benedictus);
• Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem;
• the angels’ song of praise (the Gloria in Excelsis);
• the shepherd’s visit to baby Jesus;
• Jesus’ naming and circumcision on the eighth day;
• Jesus’ presentation in the temple on the fortieth day and Simeon’s song of praise (the Nunc Dimittis);
• 12-year-old Jesus teaching the teachers in the temple in Jerusalem;
• seven of Jesus’ miracles: the miraculous catch of fish, the raising of the widow’s son in Nain, the healing of a possessed mute man, the healing of a disabled woman, the healing of a man with dropsy, the cleansing of the ten lepers, and the reattachment of Malchus’ ear;
• twenty of Jesus’ parables, including the Merciful Father (a.k.a. the Prodigal Son) and the Good Samaritan;
• the story of Mary and Martha and the one thing needful;
• the story of Zacchaeus and how Jesus has come to seek and to save the lost;
• Jesus’ word from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (23:34);
• Jesus’ word from the cross: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (23:43);
• Jesus’ word from the cross: “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!” (23:46); and
• the opening of the Emmaus disciples’ eyes in the breaking of the bread on Easter Sunday.

Church tradition teaches that Luke traveled with Paul during his second missionary journey, joining him after Paul received his Macedonian call to bring the Gospel to Europe. Luke most likely stayed behind in Philippi for seven years, rejoining Paul at the end of the third missionary journey in Macedonia. He traveled with Paul to Troas, Jerusalem, and Caesarea, where Paul was imprisoned for two years. While in Caesarea, Luke may have researched material he used in his Gospel. Afterward, he accompanied Paul on his journey to Rome. Luke died a martyr’s death at the age of 84.

Let us pray: Almighty God, our Father, Your blessed Son called Luke the physician to be an evangelist and physician of the soul. Grant that the healing medicine of the Gospel and the Sacraments may put to flight the diseases of our souls that with willing hearts we may ever love and serve You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Your Church Family Loves and Misses You

To those of you who have stepped away from your church family over the years, as well as those brothers and sisters in Christ whom we do not see very often…

We love you. We miss you. We desire nothing less than to have you join us again so that together we may receive Christ’s gracious gifts as a family. We’d love to welcome you back with open arms and great joy.

There are many reasons why someone steps away from a congregation, or makes the receiving of Christ’s gracious gifts in Word and Sacrament a low priority. Life is busy. Schedules are full. Work. Sleep. Family. Sporting events. People said things they shouldn’t have. Feelings were hurt. Was asked to volunteer. Wasn’t asked to volunteer. Don’t like the pastor. Don’t like the service. Don’t like so-and-so or such-and-such. I can be spiritual without going to church. They’re all hypocrites anyway. And so on and so forth.

Whatever your reason(s), we ask you to remember who we are and whose we are.

We are a congregation made up exclusively of sinners. People who have hurt others by our words and actions. People whose hearts have been filled with anger, hatred, resentment, lust, greed, envy, jealousy, selfishness. People who have idolized all sorts of false gods. People who have taken God’s name in vain. People who have despised preaching and the Word. People whose sinful nature too often gets the best of us. There are sinners of every stripe in our midst. Young and old. Extrovert and introvert. We are far from perfect. Never have been. Never will be on this side of death. In fact, we are a family of poor, miserable sinners. We are neither better nor worse than you. Each of us is broken. Each of us is weak and weary. Each of us is in need of God’s grace. We do not have all the answers to life’s questions. Nor can we solve every problem.

But this we do have. A God who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. A God who has compassion on us and loves us unconditionally. A God whose love for us moved Him to take on our flesh and blood, walk this sinful earth, breathe this poisoned air, shoulder the entire burden of our sin, and die in our place on a cross so that we would never taste of eternal wages we deserve. A God who grants new life to those dead in trespasses and sins. A God who loves, forgives, and shows mercy without end. A God who creates clean hearts and willing spirits. A God who claims us as His own at the font, fills our ears with His life-giving words and promises, and feeds us the very body and blood of Jesus that unites Him to us and us to Him. A God that gathers His children together into a household—a congregation—wherein He abundantly pours forth His gracious gifts.

It’s easy and convenient in our day and age to want to go it alone. To think that Christianity is simply “me and Jesus.” But God’s Word says otherwise. God the Father—through His Son and in His Spirit—adopts us into a family. His family. As His family, the Lord calls us to gather together in His house around His table for His meal. That’s why the apostles established congregations. Why Saint Paul addressed his letters to congregations. Christians congregate. They meet together. They gather together where the Triune God comes to bless in Word and Sacrament.

By His grace and in His name, on Christ’s terms and not our own, we gather together on the Lord’s Day to hold His Word sacred and gladly hear and learn it, to hear anew the story of our salvation, to eat from His table, to put to death our selfishness, to be transformed by the love of Christ, to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, to pray for the needs of all, to bear one another’s burdens, to encourage one another, to build one another up in the one true faith, and to promote works of love and service to those whom God places in our path.

We love you. We miss you. We will not stop reaching out to you. We desire nothing less than to have you join us again so that together we may receive Christ’s gracious gifts as a family. We’d love to welcome you back with open arms and great joy.

Will you join us?

Graciously,
Your Brothers and Sisters in Christ

A Beloved Mother

Today is Mother’s Day. In addition to thanking God for my own mother and my own wife (the mother of my four boys) this day, I pray that our gracious Lord would mercifully grant His love, strength, forgiveness, hope, comfort, peace, and joy to the following:

• the woman who, together with her husband, is bringing up their child(ren) “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4);
• the woman who longs to have a child, but can’t;
• the woman who gave up a child via adoption;
• the woman who adopted a child not her own to love and nurture as her own;
• the woman who is raising a child alone;
• the woman who ended her pregnancy;
• the woman whose unborn child died in utero;
• the woman whose child was born prematurely;
• the woman whose child was born stillborn;
• the woman whose child was born with some sort of disability;
• the woman who has had to bury a child; and
• any and every other woman not fitting the categories above.

Though every earthly mother is flawed to one degree or another, we have a heavenly mother who is the bride of Christ. To the eyes she is deeply flawed, wrinkled, covered with warts. But by God’s grace she is pure, holy, righteous. Saint Paul writes, “The Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother” (Galatians 4:26). She gave birth to us in Holy Baptism, feeds us the pure milk of the Word, and sets a table before us with the holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you don’t know this mother yet, get to know her. The Father created her from the Second Adam’s side. The Son loves her and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, so that He might present the Church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. The Spirit works through her and her means of grace to create and nurture children of the heavenly Father.

That’s why my prayer this Mother’s Day is this:

Thank You, dear Father in heaven, for our beloved mother—the only, holy, Christian, and apostolic Church. In Christ, she is beautiful, loving, forgiving, and welcoming. In Christ, she is an endless supply of hope, comfort, peace, and joy. We thank You this day for giving her to us that we might know You, the only true God, and therein be partakers of the forgiveness, life, and salvation Your Son graciously bestows on us in Word and Sacrament. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Lust noun \ləst\

lust noun \ˈləst\

• an intense or unbridled desire
• a fixation on the pleasures that absorb the mind—usually, but not exclusively, sexual

synonyms

• covetousness
• desire
• longing
• yearning

antonyms

• chastity
• contentment
• purity
• satisfaction

Holy Scripture

• The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust. [Proverbs 11:6]
• “I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” [Matthew 5:28]
• Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. [Romans 6:12]
• But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. [Ephesians 5:3]
• But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. [1 Corinthians 7:9]
• Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [Galatians 5:24]
• Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. [1 Peter 2:11]

Prayer

• Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden, root out all lust from our hearts and covetous desires from our minds, and cleanse us by Your Word and Sacrament, that we may lead a chaste and decent life in what we think, say, and do and love You with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [Lutheran Service Book, #211 For Purity, adapted]

Sloth noun \sloth\

sloth noun \ˈslȯth\

• the quality or state of being lazy
• not wanting to act or work
• the spiritual apathy or laziness that slowly lets go of Christ and His gracious gifts

synonyms

• apathy
• idleness
• indolence
• laziness

antonyms

• ambition
• diligence
• motivation
• zeal

Holy Scripture

• The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. [Proverbs 12:24]
• Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. [Proverbs 19:15]
• Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks. [Ecclesiastes 10:18]
• Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. [Romans 12:11]
• And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. [1 Thessalonians 5:14]
• We command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. [2 Thessalonians 3:6]
• The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to … live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works. [Titus 2:11-14]

Prayer

• Almighty God, send Your Holy Spirit into our hearts that He may rule and direct us according to Your will, keep us from the sins of sloth and idleness, defend us from all error, and lead us into all truth that we, being steadfast in faith, may increase in all good works and in the end obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [Lutheran Service Book, #183 For the Holy Spirit, adapted]

Wrath noun \rath\

wrath noun \ˈrath\

• a strong vengeful anger or indignation toward another person
• an irrational temperament and the seeking of vengeance

synonyms

• anger
• malice
• retribution
• vengeance

antonyms

• concord
• harmony
• meekness
• reconciliation

Holy Scripture

• A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. [Proverbs 15:1]
• A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression. [Proverbs 29:22]
• Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” [Romans 12:19]
• Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. … Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. [Ephesians 4:26, 31]
• Now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice… [Colossians 3:8]
• I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling… [1 Timothy 2:8]
• Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. [James 1:19]

Prayer

• Lord Jesus Christ, in Your love for us and for our salvation You suffered the Father’s wrath upon the cross. Deliver us from anger and resentment, hatred and revenge. Grant that we may forgive as we have been forgiven and stand reconciled before You in Your righteousness and purity; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [LSB Pastoral Care Companion, #799 Times of Spiritual Distress: Anger and Bitterness, adapted]

En·vy noun \en-ve\

en·vy noun \ˈen-vē\

• the painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another, joined with the desire to possess the same advantage
• looking at others with an evil eye

synonyms

• bitterness
• jealousy
• resentment
• spite

antonyms

• care
• concern
• friendliness
• goodwill

Holy Scripture

• A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. [Proverbs 14:30]
• “From within, out of the heart of man, come … envy … All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” [Mark 7:21-23]
• Let us walk properly as in the daytime, … not in quarreling and jealousy. [Romans 13:13]
• Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant. [1 Corinthians 13:4]
• Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. [Galatians 5:26]
• Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. [James 3:16]
• Put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. [1 Peter 2:1]

Prayer

• Almighty and everlasting God, through Your Son You have promised us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit that in our daily need, and especially when tempted with envy or jealousy, we may seek Your help and, by a true and lively faith in Your Word, obtain all that You have promised; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [Lutheran Service Book, #209 In Times of Temptation, adapted]

Greed noun \gred\

greed noun \ˈgrēd\

• the selfish desire to have more of something
• placing the love of things above the love of God and neighbor

Synonyms

• avarice
• covetousness
• craving
• stinginess

Antonyms

• contentment
• generosity
• happiness
• thankfulness

Holy Scripture

• A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched. [Proverbs 28:25]
• “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” [Luke 12:15]
• I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of … greed … not even to eat with such a one. [1 Corinthians 5:11]
• I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. [Philippians 4:11]
• Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: … covetousness, which is idolatry. [Colossians 3:5]
• Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. [1 Timothy 6:6-8]
• Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [Hebrews 13:5]

Prayer

• Almighty God, heavenly Father, You have called us to be Your children and heirs of Your gracious promises in Christ Jesus. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may forsake all covetous desires and the inordinate love of riches. Deliver us from the pursuit of passing things that we may seek the kingdom of Your Son and trust in His righteousness and so find blessedness and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [Lutheran Service Book, #195 Against the Love of Money]

Pride noun \prid\

pride noun \ˈprīd\

• the selfish belief that you are more important or better than other people
• an exaggerated opinion of oneself
• the root of all sins

Synonyms

• arrogance
• conceit
• haughtiness
• smugness

Antonyms

• gentleness
• humility
• meekness
• restraint

Holy Scripture

• Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. [Proverbs 8:13b]
• Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. [Proverbs 16:18]
• “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” [Matthew 23:12]
• “From within, out of the heart of man, come … pride … All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” [Mark 7:21-23]
• For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment. [Romans 12:3a]
• Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant, [1 Corinthians 13:4]
• Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [Philippians 2:3]
• People will be lovers of self, … proud, arrogant, … Avoid such people. [2 Timothy 3:2-5]
• “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” … As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. [James 4:6, 16]
• Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, … Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you. [1 Peter 5:5-6]

Prayer

• O God, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [Lutheran Service Book, #216 For Humility]