Prayer request from Molly Hendershot



-------- Original message --------
From: Molly Hendershot
Date:04/30/2014 2:06 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: jeremy klaustermeier
Subject: Prayer request

Please pray for Marv and my friend, Emogene Friant.  She has been placed on hospice for kidney failure.  Thanks, Molly

Mark your calendars for the men's retreat!! September 26-28!!!

MEN'S RETREAT WILL BE Friday, September 26- Sunday, September 28 at Mark Twain Lake, Si Colbourn Group Camp
 
 
Mark your calendars today, and reply to this email to let me know whether you are interested in going! 
 
We have plans in place for a program based on the theme “Amazing Grace” and it looks like a very uplifting experience is in store for all who attend. 
 
The date is set for September 26-28. 
 
We will again offer the “Thursday” option for those who want to come early. 
 
We are looking into having thermal coffee mugs as the give-away this time. 

Prayer requests from Sandy Robine



Prayers for our Seminarians that received their first calls last evening at Concordia Seminary/St. Louis.
 
Especially for  Harrison & Stacy Parker going to Anchorage, Alaska AND Jacob & Alexandra Wampfler going to Topeka, KS.  BTW, Harrison & Stacy are both FROM San Diego, CA, so Achorage should be a real experience.  At least, this year in St. Louis, was a great dress rehearsal. ha. 
 
These couples are renters, in St. Louis, of Sandy & Steve Robine.
 
Prayers to for Matthew & Kathleen Resner who will be returning this summer from his vicarage year in Litchfield, Illinois, to St. Louis, for Matt's 4th year at Concordia.  Through these past 3 years at the Seminary Kathleen has continued to teach at Salem Lutheran School (Black Jack).  She has been commuting between Litchfield and North County all this past year!  Especially now with this nasty Spring weather, please pray for her safety on the highways! 
 

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

DEVOTION: Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, a his father David had done......  He even deposed his grandmother Maakah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive image for the worship of Asherah.  The Story p. 200
 
Sometimes you have to do some really hard things as a disciple of God, even depose your own grandmother for making a false idol.  Sometimes it means getting rid of something comfortable and familiar.  Sometimes it means ridding yourself of a bad habit.  Still other times it means forgiving that person you really don't want to forgive.  Still others it means getting rid of friends that are dragging you down and weakening your faith or making you get rid of it all together. 
 
Jesus never promised that life would be easy as a Christian.  In fact, he said just the opposite, "I have not come to bring peace but a sword.  And again "I have come to set a son against his father, a daughter against her mother...."  Just because you are a Christian, confess Jesus, and mostly do the right things, doesn't mean that all of your relationships are going to go smoothly or that everyone is going to like you.  Anyone who has been a Christian for any length of time knows this. 
 
What Jesus does say is this, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light and you will find rest for your souls."
 
Jesus is the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through him, and yet, because of your sinful nature and the sinfulness in the world, as Jesus once again said, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world." 
 
Don't trust in Jesus to take away all your problems.  If you do you will be disappointed.  Trust that Jesus has overcome the world and take you at last to paradise where, once and for all, trouble will be gone forever!
 
Prayer:  Lord God, I thank you for overcoming the world on my behalf and giving me rest!  Amen.


___________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ
Was Rehoboam king over Israel or Judah? Israel to start, but then the other tribes broke away from him and he was left with Judah and Jerusalem.
________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: What did Jeroboam set up in Bethel and Dan for the Israelites to worship?
___________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Thurs- NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER BREAKFAST AND WORSHIP!!!  Breakfast 6:30am, Worship and Prayer 7am
Fri- Set up for Saturday's sales
Sat- Flea Market opens 7-1; Vendor Fair, Bake Sale, and Luncheon 9-3; Bible study 4pm; worship 5pm; 3 year old Little Lamb's program 6:30pm
Sun-  Worship 8:30; Sunday school and Bible Study 9:45; 4 year old LL program 5pm
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- George Pezold  11- Leah Vossen
Altar guild- Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean Up- Sandy Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Sharon Spoede 11- Tom and Pam Linke
Communion Assistants- Sat- Charlie Figura; 8:30- Don Turnure; 11- Steve Robine
Lay Readers- Sat- Lynn Figura; 8:30- Jennifer Figura;  11am- Kailyn Blechle
8:30 Ushers- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure

Projectors- Sat- Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- ???, 11- Siera Jaeger
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER IS TOMORROW MORNING BEGINNING WITH BREAKFAST AT 6:30am.  PRAYER SERVICE BEGINS AT 7am!
Service will be done by 7:45 at the latest.  Come and enjoy some breakfast and prayer time with fellow Christians!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
VENDOR FAIR AND TAILGATE SALE AND LADIES AID LUNCHEON AND BAKE SALE SATURDAY, MAY 3, 7am-3pm
TAILGATE SALE/FLEA MARKET BEGINS AT 7am and goes to 1pm!!
 
VENDOR FAIR, LUNCHEON, AND BAKE SALE 9am-3pm
 
There are still tailgate spaces available for $10, but all of the inside selling tables are reserved. 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TRUSTEES HAVE SCHEDULED A WORK DAY FOR SATURDAY, MAY 17!!!
List of projects:
1. finishing trim on front door
2. Fixing partition between overflow and sanctuary
3. Addressing drainage issues
4. Painting
5. Other
 
They have also established a volunteer list.  Id you wish to tackle a project at another time, see the list posted on the bulletin board across from church office.
________________________________________________________________________
T-SHIRTS FOR SALE!!!
Wonderful blaze orange t-shirts are for sale for $10 a piece to help support our board of outreach and evangelism's efforts and to raise money to provide for those in need.  Pick up your size today and put your $10 in the box provided!!!  They are located in the narthex (entry way) of church upstairs.
___________________________________________________________________________
THE STORY: CHAPTER 14 "A Kingdom Torn in Two" IS THIS WEEK!!!
We are back at it and won't have another break for quite some time so get to reading and studying!!  Read it and learn about how King Rehoboam, because of his harshness and wickedness against the people, caused a civil war and caused the kingdom to be split in two.   
 
____________________________________________________________________________________
DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR STUFF TODAY FOR THE NDP TOMORROW!!!
 
OK...The list is COMPLETE for the National Day of Prayer Breakfast!!!! 
 
THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH, ONCE AGAIN!
 Any questions, PLEASE CONTACT SANDY ROBINE DIRECT AT 636-456-4147 OR EMAIL SANDY ROBINE AT snsrobine@centurytel.net 
 
Thank you all so much for helping to make this National Day of Prayer Breakfast such a special day for all of us in the community.  Hope to see many of you there that day, May 1 at 6:30 AM.  It should be easy, now that we all are in "practice" making it to our Easter morning worship at 6:30!!
 
 
 
For maximum freshness
Please bring your donated to the items ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30th, 2014
Please put them in the church kitchen on the island or in the refrigerator
 
PLEASE clearly mark your items "FOR NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER BREAKFAST"
so the prayer breakfast items don't get mixed up with the Ladies Aid items for their event
 
I will be setting up on Wednesday (early evening) in the overflow area of the church.
 
 
The donated items are as follows:
 
ORANGE JUICE                        1 GALLON                                                     Donated by Don & Wanda Turnure
 
MILK                                            1 GALLON                                                     Donated by Dave & Lil Winter
 
1/2 & 1/2                                      1 QUART                                                        Donated by Steve & Sandy Robine
 
MUFFINS                                    3 DOZEN TOTAL                                        1 Dozen donated by Terry & Lynn Russell
                                                                                                                              2 Dozen donated by Walt & Betty Schirr
 
DONUTS                                    3 DOZEN                                                       Donated by Doug & Ruth Walters
              
FRUIT YOGURT                       6 individual containers                             Donated by Dave & Linda Callies
                                                    (variety - some Low Fat)
 
BANANAS                                 8 TOTAL                                                        4 Donated by Mim Dunn
                                                                                                                             4  Donated by Molly Hendershot
 
BAGELS (variety)                    1 DOZEN                                                        Donated by Terry McKenzie
                     
CREAM CHEESE                   1 CONTAINER                                               Donated by Terry McKenzie
 
I CAN'T BELIEVE
IT'S NOT BUTTER                 2 CONTAINERS                                            1 Donated by Terry McKenzie
                                                                                                                              1 Donated by Elaine Schauer
 
ENGLISH MUFFINS              1 DOZEN (PLAIN)                                          1 Dozen plain donated by Denise Schlesselman
 
FRUIT PRESERVES             3 JARS                                                             1 JAR Strawberry & 1 JAR Grape donated by John & Joanne Hachtel
                                                                                                                               1 JAR "NO SUGAR" Apricot donated by Lil & Dave Winter
 
HARD BOILED EGGS           2 DOZEN                                                         1 Dozen donated by Ken & Marilyn Foster
                                                                                                                               1 Dozen leftover from Easter breakfast       -    Marilyn will boil both dozen.
  
Thanks again so very much to each and every one of you!
 
 
 
 
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
JUST A FEW SPACES LEFT IN THE THREE YEAR OLD LITTLE LAMBS CLASS FOR NEXT YEAR!!
The four year old class is full and there is a waiting list that people can get on if they wish. 
 
The three year old class still has several spaces available.  If you know of someone or you would like to get your own child in to this class please call the church office asap!!! 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

TWO GROUP TRAVEL EVENTS COMING UP THIS YEAR!!
October 4--A DAY IN ST. LOUIS--  We will tour places that are hidden gems in St. Louis
 
December 6-- CATHOLIC RECTORY IN HERMANN AND POSSIBLY A CHRISTMAS SHOW IN OSAGE BEACH
 
Let Marilyn know if you are interested in either of these trip so she can make definite plans.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
PASTOR NEEDS SPONSORS FOR HIS BIKE ACROSS KANSAS!!
I will be biking across part of Kansas, about 220 miles in all, on June 7-9 to raise money for Leadachild.org.  Lead a Child is a LCMS recognized service organization that provides funding for kids to attend schools, many of them Christian schools, in third world countries.  It has provided A LOT for ministries and missions to help kids who would otherwise have NO EDUCATION in places like Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda, Mexico, and many other places.  Please consider supporting me so that we can continue to support children throughout the world!  As of January 1, I am also on the board of directors for this organization.


___________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)
For CHERI VERME, daughter of Lil WInter, who is suffering from severe osteoporosis and has a cracked pelvis (all the way across her pelvis) because of it.
 
For our 8th GRADERS WHO WERE CONFIRMED Sunday that they continue to grow in the faith they have confirmed!
 
For FRAN WAGNER, a good friend of Sandy Robine, who has been placed on hospice care.
 
For TRICIA MEYER, who is dealing with ovarian cancer.  She is a friend of many in our congregation.
 
For KELSEY OVERBECK as she finishes up her schooling at Concordia, Seward and moves to Warrenton to become our DCE intern. 

THOSE WITH CANCER, especially RICK SPINIOLAS, and the many others among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.






Video Troubles and Apologies

I apologize for the difficult start to the video of the eighth graders reading their essays and the sound quality.  Please go to right around minute 4:30 of the video and turn your speakers up to maximum. 
 
1. First the microphone at the pulpit quit working sometime between Monday when we practiced and Sunday during the service. 
 
2. Then the microphone on the lectern needed to be turned up and down from kid to kid.  Once we figured it out, it worked well.  (We didn't plan on using it.)
 
3. The first couple girls talked very quietly and were kind of hard to hear.  (Nothing I could do about that.)  They did a tremendous job, and I am very proud of them!
 
All in all, it went very well!  I am extremely proud of these kids. 
 
 
Side note-- If anyone has experience or knowledge on video and sound systems I would love his or her input and help from time to time to make sure everything is working properly.  This is certainly not my area of expertise.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

DEVOTION: Even after this, Jeroboam did not change his evil ways, but once more appointed priests for the high places from all sorts of people.  Anyone who wanted to become a priest he consecrated for the high places.  The Story p. 197
 
Sometimes people just refuse to repent and believe.  It happens every day.  You can provide all the evidence that anyone would want.  You can prove that Jesus really did die on a cross and really did rise from the dead.  You can prove that everything that the Scriptures say is true, and if someone's heart is turned against God they will still deny Him.
 
Such is the case with Jeroboam.  He had every opportunity to turn to God.  He had proof after proof of God's existence and God gave him every chance to repent and believe.  Yet, he would rather go with what the world says and turn after other gods of wood and stone. 
 
Is there anything in your life keeping you from turning and believing in God's pure grace?  Maybe it is a long held belief in something like evolution.  Maybe it's that the world has told you that unborn children are not really humans.  Maybe it's that you don't want to surrender to God that party lifestyle that you have so grown accustomed to.  Maybe it's that you just like to be in control and have everything just the way you want it and if you give it up to God and just sit back and relax you won't be in control anymore and that really scares you.  Maybe it's that if you really truly forgive someone the way God wants you to, you will lose your (make believe) power over that person and you really like holding that wrong over his or her head, because it makes you feel superior. 
 
Whatever the case, know that these things ARE NOT God's will.  What he wants is a humble, contrite, and broken heart.  He wants you to surrender to him so that He can give you the real rest and peace you so desire! 
 
SURRENDER TO HIM TODAY!  Don't be like Jeroboam. 
 
Prayer:  Lord God do whatever you have to do to make me surrender today.  Amen.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:
Who did Rehoboam listen to the wise and learned men or his young friends when he asked for advice about how to deal with the Israelites? His young, punk friends (who didn't know anything)
___________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ:  Was Rehoboam king over Israel or Judah?
________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Thurs- Pastor leaves at 2pm to go to Seward, NE for DCE intern meetings
Fri- Set up for Saturday's sales
Sat- Flea Market opens 7-1; Vendor Fair, Bake Sale, and Luncheon 9-3; Bible study 4pm; worship 5pm; Little Lamb's program 6pm
Sun-  Worship 8:30; Sunday school and Bible Study 9:45; 8th GRADE CONFIRMATION 11am
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- George Pezold  11- Leah Vossen
Altar guild- Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean Up- Sandy Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Sharon Spoede 11- Tom and Pam Linke
Communion Assistants- Sat- Charlie Figura; 8:30- Don Turnure; 11- Steve Robine
Lay Readers- Sat- Lynn Figura; 8:30- Jennifer Figura;  11am- Kailyn Blechle
8:30 Ushers- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure

Projectors- Sat- Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- ???, 11- Siera Jaeger
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
WE NEED A PROJECTOR PERSON FOR EARLY SERVICE ON SUNDAY!!  Please volunteer!
__________________________________________________________________________
VIDEOS FROM THIS WEEKEND
8th grade confirmation and essays  http://youtu.be/JpCNrDY_IJQ
 
Pastor's sermon from 8:30 service http://youtu.be/WfJ4nmRf8L4
___________________________________________________________________________
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER IS THIS THURSDAY BEGINNING WITH BREAKFAST AT 6:30am.  PRAYER SERVICE BEGINS AT 7am!
Service will be done by 7:45 at the latest.  Come and enjoy some prayer time with fellow Christians!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
VENDOR FAIR AND TAILGATE SALE AND LADIES AID LUNCHEON AND BAKE SALE IS COMING SOON!!  SATURDAY, MAY 3, 7am-2pm
 
Reserve an inside vendor table for $20 or a tailgate space for $10 by filling out a registration form in the church office.  Inside tables will not be reserved until forms are filled out and paid for.  First come first served!! 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TRUSTEES HAVE SCHEDULED A WORK DAY FOR SATURDAY, MAY 17!!!
List of projects:
1. finishing trim on front door
2. Fixing partition between overflow and sanctuary
3. Addressing drainage issues
4. Painting
5. Other
 
They have also established a volunteer list.  Id you wish to tackle a project at another time, see the list posted on the bulletin board across from church office.
________________________________________________________________________
T-SHIRTS FOR SALE!!!
Wonderful blaze orange t-shirts are for sale for $10 a piece to help support our board of outreach and evangelism's efforts and to raise money to provide for those in need.  Pick up your size today and put your $10 in the box provided!!!  They are located in the narthex (entry way) of church upstairs.
___________________________________________________________________________
THE STORY: CHAPTER 14 "A Kingdom Torn in Two" IS THIS WEEK!!!
We are back at it and won't have another break for quite some time so get to reading and studying!!  Read it and learn about how King Rehoboam, because of his harshness and wickedness against the people, caused a civil war and caused the kingdom to be split in two.   
 
____________________________________________________________________________________
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER!!
 
OK...The list is COMPLETE for the National Day of Prayer Breakfast!!!! 
 
THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH, ONCE AGAIN!
 Any questions, PLEASE CONTACT SANDY ROBINE DIRECT AT 636-456-4147 OR EMAIL SANDY ROBINE AT snsrobine@centurytel.net 
 
Thank you all so much for helping to make this National Day of Prayer Breakfast such a special day for all of us in the community.  Hope to see many of you there that day, May 1 at 6:30 AM.  It should be easy, now that we all are in "practice" making it to our Easter morning worship at 6:30!!
 
 
 
For maximum freshness
Please bring your donated to the items ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30th, 2014
Please put them in the church kitchen on the island or in the refrigerator
 
PLEASE clearly mark your items "FOR NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER BREAKFAST"
so the prayer breakfast items don't get mixed up with the Ladies Aid items for their event
 
I will be setting up on Wednesday (early evening) in the overflow area of the church.
 
 
The donated items are as follows:
 
ORANGE JUICE                        1 GALLON                                                     Donated by Don & Wanda Turnure
 
MILK                                            1 GALLON                                                     Donated by Dave & Lil Winter
 
1/2 & 1/2                                      1 QUART                                                        Donated by Steve & Sandy Robine
 
MUFFINS                                    3 DOZEN TOTAL                                        1 Dozen donated by Terry & Lynn Russell
                                                                                                                              2 Dozen donated by Walt & Betty Schirr
 
DONUTS                                    3 DOZEN                                                       Donated by Doug & Ruth Walters
              
FRUIT YOGURT                       6 individual containers                             Donated by Dave & Linda Callies
                                                    (variety - some Low Fat)
 
BANANAS                                 8 TOTAL                                                        4 Donated by Mim Dunn
                                                                                                                             4  Donated by Molly Hendershot
 
BAGELS (variety)                    1 DOZEN                                                        Donated by Terry McKenzie
                     
CREAM CHEESE                   1 CONTAINER                                               Donated by Terry McKenzie
 
I CAN'T BELIEVE
IT'S NOT BUTTER                 2 CONTAINERS                                            1 Donated by Terry McKenzie
                                                                                                                              1 Donated by Elaine Schauer
 
ENGLISH MUFFINS              1 DOZEN (PLAIN)                                          1 Dozen plain donated by Denise Schlesselman
 
FRUIT PRESERVES             3 JARS                                                             1 JAR Strawberry & 1 JAR Grape donated by John & Joanne Hachtel
                                                                                                                               1 JAR "NO SUGAR" Apricot donated by Lil & Dave Winter
 
HARD BOILED EGGS           2 DOZEN                                                         1 Dozen donated by Ken & Marilyn Foster
                                                                                                                               1 Dozen leftover from Easter breakfast       -    Marilyn will boil both dozen.
  
Thanks again so very much to each and every one of you!
 
 
 
 
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
JUST A FEW SPACES LEFT IN THE THREE YEAR OLD LITTLE LAMBS CLASS FOR NEXT YEAR!!
The four year old class is full and there is a waiting list that people can get on if they wish. 
 
The three year old class still has several spaces available.  If you know of someone or you would like to get your own child in to this class please call the church office asap!!! 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

TWO GROUP TRAVEL EVENTS COMING UP THIS YEAR!!
October 4--A DAY IN ST. LOUIS--  We will tour places that are hidden gems in St. Louis
 
December 6-- CATHOLIC RECTORY IN HERMANN AND POSSIBLY A CHRISTMAS SHOW IN OSAGE BEACH
 
Let Marilyn know if you are interested in either of these trip so she can make definite plans.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
PASTOR NEEDS SPONSORS FOR HIS BIKE ACROSS KANSAS!!
I will be biking across part of Kansas, about 220 miles in all, on June 7-9 to raise money for Leadachild.org.  Lead a Child is a LCMS recognized service organization that provides funding for kids to attend schools, many of them Christian schools, in third world countries.  It has provided A LOT for ministries and missions to help kids who would otherwise have NO EDUCATION in places like Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda, Mexico, and many other places.  Please consider supporting me so that we can continue to support children throughout the world!  As of January 1, I am also on the board of directors for this organization.


___________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)
For CHERI VERME, daughter of Lil WInter, who is suffering from severe osteoporosis and has a cracked pelvis (all the way across her pelvis) because of it.
 
For our 8th GRADERS WHO WERE CONFIRMED Sunday that they continue to grow in the faith they have confirmed!
 
For FRAN WAGNER, a good friend of Sandy Robine, who has been placed on hospice care.
 
For TRICIA MEYER, who is dealing with ovarian cancer.  She is a friend of many in our congregation.
 
For KELSEY OVERBECK as she finishes up her schooling at Concordia, Seward and moves to Warrenton to become our DCE intern. 

THOSE WITH CANCER, especially RICK SPINIOLAS, and the many others among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.





.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "St. John's Group Email" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to stjohnswarrenton+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "St. John's Group Email" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to stjohnswarrenton+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Video: 8th Grade Essays and Confirmation

Here it is for anyone who wants to see it.  Enjoy!
 
http://youtu.be/JpCNrDY_IJQ

Next Men's breakfast will be Saturday, May, 10 at 8am

Our next men's breakfast will be Saturday, May 10, at 8am!!!  Please invite your friends and neighbors and bring your sons and grandsons!!!!!
 
Let me know who is coming so that I know how much food to prepare! 
 
Menu:
biscuits and gravy
sausage
scrambled eggs
fruit

Pastor's sermon from early service Sunday, April 27, 2014

Here is my sermon from yesterday for those interested.  I know more of you are interested in the 8th grader's essays and confirmation.  That will be up later. 
 
Have a great day y'all!
 
http://youtu.be/WfJ4nmRf8L4

Monday, April 28, 2014

DEVOTION:  When King Jeroboam heard what the man of God cried out against the altar at Bethel, he stretched out his hand from the altar and said, "Seize him!"  Bu the hand he stretched out toward the man shriveled up, so that he could not pull it back.  Also, the altar was split apart and its ashes poured out according to the sign given by the man of God by the word of the Lord.  The Story pp. 196-197
 
Sometimes God does things to make sure that we know who is in charge and even at times to reset the course of human events and/or to make people repent of their sins.  Remember the exodus and the crossing of the Red Sea?  Remember the anointing of David?  Today we have another one of those instances jeroboam was going against the Lord, offering sacrifices at the high places, and God would have none of it, so he sent a prophet to speak out against the altar and against King Jeroboam.  Jeroboam didn't like it so he pointed the guards toward the prophet and said "Seize him".  As he did, he lost the use of his hand and as it says it "shriveled up".   Along with that, the Lord struck that altar and smashed it to pieces.  He did this to show the king who was really in charge and to get the king to turn back to him as he should have. 
 
Has there ever been a time where God has stopped you in your tracks from doing something against Him?  Have you ever suffered such severe consequences for your sin that you immediately turned away from that sin and turned back to God?  We all have, and we almost always realize and recognize the hand of God in whatever happened. 
 
Those times may be hard to go through.  It may hurt or a little or even a lot to suffer the consequences of our sins here on this earth, but it is a whole lot better than suffering the eternal consequences we truly deserve.  Today I urge you to thank the Lord for your suffering because suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope!  And that hope will never disappoint us, because our hope is in Christ Jesus!
 
Prayer:  Lord God, thank you for allowing me to suffer so that I may turn back to you and live forever.  Amen.
 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:
 
What famous queen came to see Solomon to gain some of his wisdom?  The Queen of Sheba
_____________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: Who did Rehoboam listen to the wise and learned men or his young friends when he asked for advice about how to deal with the Israelites?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Mon- (No youth group this week.  It will start next Monday at 6pm and it is for 7th-12th graders)
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Thurs- Pastor leaves at 2pm to go to Seward, NE for DCE intern meetings
Fri- Set up for Saturday's sales
Sat- Flea Market opens 7-1; Vendor Fair, Bake Sale, and Luncheon 9-3; Bible study 4pm; worship 5pm; Little Lamb's program 6pm
Sun-  Worship 8:30; Sunday school and Bible Study 9:45; 8th GRADE CONFIRMATION 11am
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Patrick Schaumberg  11- Sophie Tinnin
Altar guild- Set up- Terry McKenzie; Clean Up- Sandy Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Brett and Amanda Nordwald  11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Communion Assistants- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Jim Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Jo Fahrni;  11am- Jacob Nagel
8:30 Ushers- Don Hance, RIch Boeger, Don Weigle, Don Tate

Projectors- Sat- Terry McKenzie, 8:30- Julie Schaumberg, 11- ?????
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER IS THIS THURSDAY BEGINNING WITH BREAKFAST AT 6:30am.  PRAYER SERVICE BEGINS AT 7am!
Service will be done by 7:45 at the latest.  Come and enjoy some prayer time with fellow Christians!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
VENDOR FAIR AND TAILGATE SALE AND LADIES AID LUNCHEON AND BAKE SALE IS COMING SOON!!  SATURDAY, MAY 3, 7am-2pm
 
Reserve an inside vendor table for $20 or a tailgate space for $10 by filling out a registration form in the church office.  Inside tables will not be reserved until forms are filled out and paid for.  First come first served!! 
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TWELVE 8th GRADERS CONFIRMED THEIR FAITH YESTERDAY!! 
I will have video of them reading their essays and being confirmed later on today.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TRUSTEES HAVE SCHEDULED A WORK DAY FOR SATURDAY, MAY 17!!!
List of projects:
1. finishing trim on front door
2. Fixing partition between overflow and sanctuary
3. Addressing drainage issues
4. Painting
5. Other
 
They have also established a volunteer list.  Id you wish to tackle a project at another time, see the list posted on the bulletin board across from church office.
________________________________________________________________________
T-SHIRTS FOR SALE!!!
Wonderful blaze orange t-shirts are for sale for $10 a piece to help support our board of outreach and evangelism's efforts and to raise money to provide for those in need.  Pick up your size today and put your $10 in the box provided!!!  They are located in the narthex (entry way) of church upstairs.
___________________________________________________________________________
THE STORY: CHAPTER 14 "A Kingdom Torn in Two" IS THIS WEEK!!!
We are back at it and won't have another break for quite some time so get to reading and studying!!  Read it and learn about how King Rehoboam, because of his harshness and wickedness against the people, caused a civil war and caused the kingdom to be split in two.   
 
____________________________________________________________________________________
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER!!
 
OK...The list is COMPLETE for the National Day of Prayer Breakfast!!!! 
 
THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH, ONCE AGAIN!
 Any questions, PLEASE CONTACT SANDY ROBINE DIRECT AT 636-456-4147 OR EMAIL SANDY ROBINE AT snsrobine@centurytel.net 
 
Thank you all so much for helping to make this National Day of Prayer Breakfast such a special day for all of us in the community.  Hope to see many of you there that day, May 1 at 6:30 AM.  It should be easy, now that we all are in "practice" making it to our Easter morning worship at 6:30!!
 
 
 
For maximum freshness
Please bring your donated to the items ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30th, 2014
Please put them in the church kitchen on the island or in the refrigerator
 
PLEASE clearly mark your items "FOR NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER BREAKFAST"
so the prayer breakfast items don't get mixed up with the Ladies Aid items for their event
 
I will be setting up on Wednesday (early evening) in the overflow area of the church.
 
 
The donated items are as follows:
 
ORANGE JUICE                        1 GALLON                                                     Donated by Don & Wanda Turnure
 
MILK                                            1 GALLON                                                     Donated by Dave & Lil Winter
 
1/2 & 1/2                                      1 QUART                                                        Donated by Steve & Sandy Robine
 
MUFFINS                                    3 DOZEN TOTAL                                        1 Dozen donated by Terry & Lynn Russell
                                                                                                                              2 Dozen donated by Walt & Betty Schirr
 
DONUTS                                    3 DOZEN                                                       Donated by Doug & Ruth Walters
              
FRUIT YOGURT                       6 individual containers                             Donated by Dave & Linda Callies
                                                    (variety - some Low Fat)
 
BANANAS                                 8 TOTAL                                                        4 Donated by Mim Dunn
                                                                                                                             4  Donated by Molly Hendershot
 
BAGELS (variety)                    1 DOZEN                                                        Donated by Terry McKenzie
                     
CREAM CHEESE                   1 CONTAINER                                               Donated by Terry McKenzie
 
I CAN'T BELIEVE
IT'S NOT BUTTER                 2 CONTAINERS                                            1 Donated by Terry McKenzie
                                                                                                                              1 Donated by Elaine Schauer
 
ENGLISH MUFFINS              1 DOZEN (PLAIN)                                          1 Dozen plain donated by Denise Schlesselman
 
FRUIT PRESERVES             3 JARS                                                             1 JAR Strawberry & 1 JAR Grape donated by John & Joanne Hachtel
                                                                                                                               1 JAR "NO SUGAR" Apricot donated by Lil & Dave Winter
 
HARD BOILED EGGS           2 DOZEN                                                         1 Dozen donated by Ken & Marilyn Foster
                                                                                                                               1 Dozen leftover from Easter breakfast       -    Marilyn will boil both dozen.
  
Thanks again so very much to each and every one of you!
 
 
 
 
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
JUST A FEW SPACES LEFT IN THE THREE YEAR OLD LITTLE LAMBS CLASS FOR NEXT YEAR!!
The four year old class is full and there is a waiting list that people can get on if they wish. 
 
The three year old class still has several spaces available.  If you know of someone or you would like to get your own child in to this class please call the church office asap!!! 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

TWO GROUP TRAVEL EVENTS COMING UP THIS YEAR!!
October 4--A DAY IN ST. LOUIS--  We will tour places that are hidden gems in St. Louis
 
December 6-- CATHOLIC RECTORY IN HERMANN AND POSSIBLY A CHRISTMAS SHOW IN OSAGE BEACH
 
Let Marilyn know if you are interested in either of these trip so she can make definite plans.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
PASTOR NEEDS SPONSORS FOR HIS BIKE ACROSS KANSAS!!
I will be biking across part of Kansas, about 220 miles in all, on June 7-9 to raise money for Leadachild.org.  Lead a Child is a LCMS recognized service organization that provides funding for kids to attend schools, many of them Christian schools, in third world countries.  It has provided A LOT for ministries and missions to help kids who would otherwise have NO EDUCATION in places like Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda, Mexico, and many other places.  Please consider supporting me so that we can continue to support children throughout the world!  As of January 1, I am also on the board of directors for this organization.


___________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)
For our 8th GRADERS WHO WERE CONFIRMED yesterday that they continue to grow in the faith they have confirmed!
 
For FRAN WAGNER, a good friend of Sandy Robine, who has been placed on hospice care.
 
For TRICIA MEYER, who is dealing with ovarian cancer.  She is a friend of many in our congregation.
 
For DENNIS ORF, 12 year old boy who has a bad head and brain injury from a 4 wheeler accident.  He went home on Sunday!
 
For KELSEY OVERBECK as she finishes up her schooling at Concordia, Seward and moves to Warrenton to become our DCE intern. 

THOSE WITH CANCER, especially RICK SPINIOLAS, and the many others among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.





.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "St. John's Group Email" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to stjohnswarrenton+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Fwd: The Lutheran Hour: April 27, 2014



-------- Original message --------
From: Lutheran Hour Ministries
Date:04/26/2014 9:16 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: revklaus@hotmail.com
Subject: The Lutheran Hour: April 27, 2014

The Lutheran Hour with Rev.Gregory Seltz
Automatic Giving


The Lutheran Hour Speakers B/W

Easter 2014 vertical bannerSermon Text for April 27, 2014

Share with a friend button


"What Will It Take?" #81-34
Presented on The Lutheran Hour on April 27, 2014
By Rev. Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
(A Pillar of Salt)
Copyright 2014 Lutheran Hour Ministries

The Lutheran Hour audio button



Text: John 20:25

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Of all the truths which are known to humankind, this is the most important. By God's grace and the Holy Spirit's power, it is my prayer that faith in the risen Redeemer is yours. Indeed, God grant the living Lord lives in us all. Amen. 

Neither his friends nor his enemies could argue that the great leader was dead. The experts, as well as numerous eyewitnesses, were willing to attest to that fact. Even so, rumors began to circulate and people began to believe that their leader was not in his grave. That explains why a small group of people came together in the graveyard to see for themselves. They had to know; was their leader there or was he not, and if he wasn't in his grave, what had happened to his body? Sound familiar? Well, perhaps it is not as familiar as you might think. 

You see, this Sunday, the Sunday after the Christian Church has celebrated the Savior's resurrection, right now I'm not speaking about Jesus. I'm talking about Abraham Lincoln. In the years after the great President's funeral many came to believe his body had been stolen. Such a belief was not without foundation. After all, more than one attempt had been made to steal away the President's corpse. That is why, in 1887, the Emancipator's casket was opened. His super-secret honor guard saw for themselves: the President's body remained where it had been placed. The rumors were silenced, the case was closed. 


At least the case should have been closed. Let me take you to a different time, a different century. The date was September 26, 1901. On that date President Lincoln's body was to be placed into its final, and more secure, resting place. Before it was enclosed in a great, steel cage and surrounded by tons of concrete, it was decided Lincoln's casket should be opened one more time. Over the decades rumors had once again begun to make their rounds. People were coming to believe that somehow, in someway, somebody had managed to take the President's corpse. Those who were there that day report a harsh, choking smell came from the freshly opened casket. Solemnly, 23 people filed past the box. All agreed, more than 30 years after his death, Lincoln's remains were there. Yes, his black suit was now covered with a yellow mold and his gloves had long-since disappeared; but his face, his beard, the mole on his cheek, his shock of hair were all readily recognizable. Today we know the corpse of Abraham Lincoln awaits the day of resurrection in its crypt underneath the giant monument at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. The rumors about Lincoln's body have been, for once and for all time, laid to rest. 

There are other rulers whose names appear in history who have not been as fortunate. Khufu, the Egyptian Pharaoh who had the great pyramid built to keep his remains for all time, is absent without leave. Whether his body was removed by grave robbers or hidden by loyal priests cannot be decided. All we know is that the ponderous edifice designed to keep his corpse... is empty. Similarly, Alexander the Great is on the missing list. The General who conquered much of the known world before he reached the age of 35, was buried in Alexandria, Egypt. There, Alexander lay for centuries in a golden casket filled with honey. To that spot Caesar, Mark Anthony, and Augustus came to pay their respects. But, today, if you asked a tour guide in that ancient city to take you to see Alexander, he will confess, "Nobody knows where Alexander is." In 2007, it was announced the casket, the sarcophagus of Herod the Great, the ruler who murdered the children of Bethlehem, had been found by Israeli archaeologists. Yes, the casket was found, but Herod was nowhere in sight. It is assumed his grave was raided and destroyed at the time of the Jewish Revolt, but nobody can be sure of that or where Herod's body might be today. 

Countless hours and great fortunes have been spent to keep and preserve the bodies of the rich and famous. Sometimes, as was true for Vladimir Lenin, those bodies are symbolic of a political system or a matter of national pride. It is not by accident that after the Nazi war criminals were executed at Nuremberg, their bodies were burned in the crematorium ovens at Dachau and thrown into a river. This was done to prevent the graves of those leaders from becoming rallying places for future generations. 

Still, this Lord's Day, we must acknowledge that all of these questions about missing bodies and empty graves are nothing when they are compared to the controversy which has swirled around the burial of Jesus of Nazareth. There are a number of reasons why this might be. First, while the final resting spots of other historical personages may be of interest to the archaeologist, or the nationalist, or the hero-worshipper, they offer little to hold the attention of the common Joe or Jane. Second, while it is true the passing of these historical figures may be significant for someone who wants to win in Trivial Pursuit or desires pull down the big bucks on Jeopardy, their deaths have little practical value elsewhere. Lastly, and most importantly, there is no other death in all of human history which serves as the basis of faith for hundreds of millions of people. That is because no other faith claims the deceased has risen from the dead. 

Khufu and Alexander and Herod died and were buried. Those are historical facts. Still nobody claims that the empty graves we see today have been made noteworthy by a resurrection. Robbers, political opponents, and the forgetfulness of the centuries have done their best to cloud the events which occurred after the passing of these personages, but nobody has claimed that any of these men possessed the power to defeat death and show themselves alive to a doubting world. Only Christianity makes such a claim. Today we confess that all of our doctrines, influence, and authority rises and falls on the validity of the claim: Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. 

You see, if Jesus did not rise, then He was not the Son of God. If He was not the Son of God, He was a regular Man just like anyone else. If He was a regular Man, He could not have fulfilled the prophecies made about Him and the Christ Who suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; remains dead. If Jesus is still dead, then He is the world's greatest Liar and history's most monumental Deception. If Jesus is still dead, then our sins remain unforgiven, we still stand condemned, and all who believe in Him are to be pitied. 

Amazingly, it was Jesus' enemies, not His family, friends, or followers, who understood the impact and importance of the Savior's resurrection. That is why, after Jesus had breathed His last, after His heart had been punctured by a Roman spear, after His cold and lifeless body had been hurriedly buried in a borrowed tomb, the Jewish chief priests and scribes went to Pilate and said, "Sir, we remember how that Impostor said, while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise.' Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, 'He has risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse than the first" (Matt 27:63-64). 

Not for a second did those leaders believe that Jesus would actually rise. No, they were far more concerned with the possibility of Jesus' body being stolen and someone claiming a resurrection. To stop such declarations before they got started, these leaders asked for, and received, permission to have the tomb guarded and the grave made secure. It was a shrewd move designed to prevent any false claims of a resurrection from being made by Jesus' disciples. It was a shrewd move that succeeded far better than those religious leaders could have hoped. You see, the same guard and seal which prevented false claims of a resurrection, also guaranteed that if Jesus rose from the dead, it could be believed. 

Let me explain. As far as the disciples and any plot concocted by them were concerned, the priests could have saved themselves the time and the expense. I say that because Scripture is embarrassingly frank when it talks about what Jesus' followers thought and believed after His execution. The women who had been at the cross and had seen the Savior die, followed His funeral procession to His borrowed grave. They noted its location because it was their intention, when the Sabbath Day of enforced rest was over, to go back so they could pay their last respects and finish the final rites for Jesus' body. That they had no inkling Jesus might actually defeat death is shown by their predawn trip to the grave on Sunday morning. Wishing to do their respectful work before the Judean heat would make the smell of His decomposing body insufferable, they made their way to the grave in the cool of the day. As they saw it, their job was to anoint a corpse, not pay homage to the risen Lord. 

And if the ladies were mistaken as to what was going to happen that miraculous morning, what can be said about His disciples? They had slept in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus needed them; they had run into the darkness rather than defending Him; they had been absent when witnesses made their false reports about Him, and all but one thought it wisest to stay away from His crucifixion. For them, Jesus was dead and it was unnecessary for them to accompany the ladies to the grave. Scripture tells us their time was spent cowering in fear behind locked doors. The two disciples from Emmaus spoke for all of Jesus' followers when they explained, "... we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21). Note the tense. We HAD hoped. Yes, we had hoped Jesus would lead us, He would free us, He would restore us. All that we had wished for but when Jesus died, our hopes died with Him. 

That first Resurrection Sunday nobody thought Jesus was actually going to rise from the dead. When the women came back from Jesus' grave and told how they had actually seen the Savior, the disciples refused to listen and remained disinclined to remember how Jesus had promised He would rise from the dead. No, the disciples disregarded the remarks of the women as having come from mourners who were overwrought by what they had seen at Calvary; ladies who had been made semi-hysterical by their grief. 

Theirs was an attitude which was soon to be echoed by one of their own brothers, Thomas. You see, after Jesus had confronted the ten disciples by coming into their midst through locked doors; after He had eaten with them; after He had breathed on them; after He had spoken to them and comforted them, they simply had no choice: they had to believe the Savior had defeated death, conquered the grave, and was the world's Savior. These were facts they tried to convey to the only member of their group who had not been with them when Jesus had made His extraordinary appearance. 

They shared their tale with Thomas and he refused to accept their word. For centuries preachers have called him "Doubting Thomas," but the nickname is unduly harsh. None of us, not you, not I, are inclined to believe someone can rise from the dead. I have conducted over 300 funerals and all of those deceased have stayed where they were placed. And, if one of their graves did happen to be found empty, I could give 100 logical explanations to explain away that grave's emptiness. Yes, I could give 100 explanations and not one of them would declare: "The individual has risen." We all know resurrection doesn't happen and if it does happen, then an extraordinary thing, a miraculous thing, a unique and Divine thing has taken place. 

Which ought to lead you and me to inquire: "So, then, did Jesus rise?" All of us who have ever thought about death and grave, sin and punishment ought to inquire, "How can I be sure?" If that is the question which is on your heart this day, let me ask a question of my own: "What would it take to convince you that Jesus has risen from the dead?" There is an expression which says "Seeing is believing." Today in an age of computer-generated special effects, we know we can't believe what we see. In the last month I have seen talking dogs, a dead Colonel Sanders selling chicken, and the crew of the Starship Enterprise go faster than the speed of light. None of us believe what we see. 

So once again I ask, 'What would it take for you to believe Jesus has risen from the dead?" Are you willing to take my word? I think not. Too many politicians have told you untruths; too many theologians have shown their unreliability; too many advertisers have made false claims about their products. Most of us are disinclined to put our trust in the words of any human being. We might be willing to concede that we are being given a version of the truth, but we still aren't ready to say, "This truth is whole, absolute, and verifiable." 

So, my friend, what would it take for you to believe? The question is all important. Your eternal destiny, heaven, and hell rest on the answer you give. What will it take for you to believe? What proof can I offer? If I say, 'Millions have been comforted by knowing the living Jesus"; you will reply, "Other religions also offer comfort to their adherents." If I say, "The Bible is truth," you will reply, "Other books make the same claim." What will it take? I could tell you to look at the prophecies which Jesus fulfilled. That is an explanation which carries some weight. It is a claim which no other faith can make. But that calls for work on your part, and you who have dismissed God's word and the Savior's story, are not inclined to do that kind of investigation. 

So what can I say to convince you? I will say this: "Where is Jesus' dead body?" That's it: "Where is His corpse?" The Jewish leaders most certainly wanted to stop this new faith before it got a serious foothold. Why didn't they produce Jesus' body? It should have been a simple thing for them to do. And if they couldn't do that, why didn't they come up with a Jesus look-alike? It wouldn't have taken that much. Bodies decompose quickly in the Judean heat. Puncture a corpse with some nail holes; whip the back of the corpse; scar the head with a crown of thorns and voila, you have a Jesus' clone. 

Why they didn't produce a body, some body, anybody's body and say, "This is Jesus!"; they didn't because they couldn't. That's right, they couldn't. They couldn't claim Jesus' body had been stolen; they couldn't say His tomb had been robbed; they couldn't say these things because it was common knowledge that crucified Jesus, dead Jesus was alive and well. James saw Him; Peter saw Him; the ten disciples saw Him; the eleven disciples saw Him; the two Emmaus disciples saw Him; more than 500 people at one time saw Him. All of these folks saw and knew Jesus was not dead. That is why, on Pentecost, after a short sermon, thousands believed in the risen Redeemer. On that day God's plan of salvation became clear to them. They knew death had been defeated, sin and Satan had been conquered. No longer was the grave their final destiny; no longer was hell their ultimate end. Because Jesus lives, His believers live. That is the fundamental, the incontrovertible proof of Christianity. Jesus lives and because He lives we can join with a no-longer-doubting Thomas and say, "My Lord and my God." If you do, your life will be eternally changed for the better. 

An exaggeration? Not at all. I remember how, as a little boy, I came home from a long and trying day at school. "Mom, I'm home," I said as I burst through the door. But Mom wasn't downstairs. She wasn't anywhere. The seemingly empty house became cold and forbidding. Anxiously I called out, "Mom!" From the basement I heard, "I'm here, Kenny." Those few words instantly changed the atmosphere of the whole house. No longer unfriendly and frightening it became one of warmth. Today the living Lord Jesus comes and says, "I'm here." If you hear Him and believe in Him, this world and your life will be filled with peace.

If the living Jesus is Someone you need and long for, we stand ready to make sure the introduction which has begun today is complete. That is why we extend this invitation to you: "Please call us at The Lutheran Hour." Amen. 



LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for April 27, 2014
Topic: A Pillar of Salt

ANNOUNCER: Questions and answers with our Speaker Emeritus, Pastor Ken Klaus. I'm Mark Eischer.

KLAUS: Hi, Mark. Good to be here. So, what do you have for us today? 

ANNOUNCER: Today we have a question from a listener who writes... or maybe I should say, who challenges us, "In the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, why did God turn Lot's wife into a pillar of salt for looking back? Was that mercy?"

KLAUS: Let's back up a bit. Lot, who's that? He was Abraham's nephew and he needed his own space. So, he and his family went to live near a couple of towns that have become synonymous with gross sin and wickedness...

ANNOUNCER: Sodom and Gomorrah. 

KLAUS: The Bible doesn't give us the name of Lot's wife or whether she always had this unfortunate stubborn streak. All we know is that two angels came and warned them about the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The angels told them to get out, to flee and not look back. 

ANNOUNCER: Even then, the angels had to pretty much take them by the hand in order to make them leave.

KLAUS: They got out, just before the fire and brimstone came down, but Lot's wife gave in to temptation, looked back and was zapped into a pillar of salt. 

ANNOUNCER: Now, we always speak here of God's mercy. Where was God's mercy here? 

KLAUS: God is always merciful... and He is always just. The two are part and parcel of Who He is and how He deals with humanity. 

ANNOUNCER: Now I can easily understand the justice part in the story; Lot's wife disobeyed and immediately suffered the consequences. But I think many folks would have a hard time understanding how God's mercy comes into play here. 

KLAUS: I agree. So, let me try and explain how God's mercy is involved in this story and then expand the application beyond Lot's wife. 

ANNOUNCER: Sounds good. 

KLAUS: Okay. First, let's talk about Lot, his wife, his family. Were they sinners?

ANNOUNCER: Of course. Just like all human beings. 

KLAUS: Okay. Even though they were sinners, God still warned them about the impending destruction of their town. He told them how they could escape. He told them they should get out and not look back. 

ANNOUNCER: He did all of those things. 

KLAUS: Sounds like mercy to me. Did they do as the Lord told them? 

ANNOUNCER: Lot and his daughters did. Lot's wife didn't. She turned around. 

KLAUS: When she turned around, was that simply a matter of curiosity or because she regretted having left all of her stuff behind?

ANNOUNCER: The Bible doesn't tell us. 

KLAUS: No, it doesn't. What it does say is that Lot's wife chose to ignore what God had told her to do. She showed her priorities. I think she thought she could get away with it. In short, by turning back she showed her loyalties.

ANNOUNCER: I suppose that's so. But I don't understand yet how what happened to her could, in any way, be merciful. 

KLAUS: Let me explain. Lot's wife showed her true feelings by looking back. In a way, God then showed respect for those feelings and gave her what her heart desired. She was destroyed along with the city she couldn't leave behind. You see, our merciful God doesn't force His grace on anybody. On the contrary, He gives people what they really want-even if that means their eventual destruction. 

ANNOUNCER: All right. I think I understand. Can you tell me how that might be expanded? Maybe that would help to clarify things. 

KLAUS: Okay. Be glad to. The world is a sinful place; all of us who live in it have shown our disobedience to the Lord and His will. For this we justly deserve to be punished. Okay?

ANNOUNCER: I agree. 

KLAUS: But God, in His mercy sent His Son into this world. Jesus fulfilled the law by living a perfect life for us; He resisted every temptation placed in His path, He died the death our sins had earned. On the third day He rose from the dead and showed that for all who believe on Him as Savior, forgiveness and eternal life is theirs. Okay?

ANNOUNCER: I can't find any fault with that.

KLAUS: But there are people who refuse God's grace, who chose not to worship Jesus, who prefer to remain in their sins, who wish to make it on their own. What is going to happen to them?

ANNOUNCER: The Bible says that apart from Christ, they will wind up in hell. 

KLAUS: Is that because God wants them to go to hell?

ANNOUNCER: No. God wants them in heaven. That's the whole reason why Jesus did what He did. 

KLAUS: Do you see? If somebody doesn't want anything to do with Jesus and they reject the salvation He won for them at such a great price, God, in His mercy, will sadly, regretfully give them what they want. He won't force them to be saved. But, ultimately, ultimately, God wants us to be saved and that is why He sent His Son Jesus into the world.

ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Klaus. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.



Music Selections for this program:

"A Mighty Fortress" arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission.

"Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands / That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright" arr. Henry Gerike. Used by permission.

"Awake, My Heart, with Gladness" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

"Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)


Print this sermon
Sign up for LHM news Daily Devotions
Visit lutheranhour.org Change my email
Contact Us

a Program of LHM                                                                      

subscribe / unsubscribe / visit our website

660 Mason Ridge Center Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63141
1-800-876-9880