Four Things on Friday
March 6, 2020
An Interesting
Article/Podcast
I found this conversation interesting. Rev. Dr. Mark Wood
is the director of LCMS Witness & Outreach Ministry. His perspectives on
what has changed in evangelism in America and what does/doesn’t work today as
we seek to reach people with Jesus’ good news of forgiveness and love. The
conversation does a nice job of encouraging compassionate mission work for the
sake of loving our neighbor, while being clear that our mission is to help
people hear the Gospel.
Quote I’m
Pondering
“[D]o not incorrectly assume that the Gospel makes people
secure just because it has not threats to hurl at them. No, the Gospel removes
believers’ desire to sin. The Law, on the other hand, is nothing but threats.” –
C.F.W. Walther, Law and Gospel: How to Read and Apply the Bible
One Good Thing
This Week
It was not an easy conversation, but the time that Gill
Solem spent with us helping us consider how we might respond to the potential
threat of COVID-19 demonstrated deep confidence in God’s love for us,
commitment to his call to love our neighbors, and determination to deliver
effective ministry in potentially difficult times. I really appreciated the
reminder that even if there is sickness and challenge, we are still called to Gather People to Christ, Build Believers in
Christ, and Serve the World as Christ. I think that we are in a much better
position to respond to needs that might arise if this disease continues to
spread.
One of the lines that I’ve read a few times as church
leaders discuss how to respond to the Corona Virus is: Don’t Panic. Pray! Luther taught that one of the greatest ways we
can serve our neighbors in praying for them. This is a good time to take that
advice to heart – spiritually as we think about how to be Jesus’ witnesses and
physically as we care about their health.
Our Scripture
readings for the Second Sunday in Lent are:
Over the years I have learned that those who read the
Scripture lessons and spend a little time thinking about them before church on
Sunday get more out of the service.
The sermon is: Not to Condemn, But to Save
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