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From: Missouri District LCMS <movoice=mo.lcms.org@bmail50.shgpbms1.bmsend.com> on behalf of Missouri District LCMS <movoice@mo.lcms.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2018 8:49:31 AM
To: Jeremy Klaustermeier
Subject: Encourage October 25, 2018

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"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Volume III, Issue 40

October 25, 2018

We're pleased to publish the 2018 Missouri District Convention Proceedings. You can download them here.

Encourage Newsletter

Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan

Luther's Gospel - The True Treasure of the Church

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg. In August 1518, he published an explanation of these 95 Theses. These early writings of Luther demonstrate a still developing theology that will be increasingly shaped by the Scriptures. One of the strongest of the original theses was #62 – The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God. In his explanation, Luther writes, "The gospel is a preaching of the incarnate Son of God, given to us without any merit on our part for salvation and peace. It is a word of salvation, a word of grace, a word of comfort, a word of joy, a voice of the bridegroom and the bride, a good word of peace."

Though we are far removed from Luther's day, there are still people who desperately need a good word of peace. On one hand, the world proclaims an idolatrous message that everything is about you and what you want out of life. On the other hand, many proclaim a false gospel that peace can only be found in what you do rather than what Christ has done for you. Rather than proclaiming the true treasure of the Gospel, their message obscures Christ and His merits on the cross. They proclaim only a message of Law about how you must live and where you can go, rather than the Gospel of how Christ has lived and died for you. As Luther also wrote in 1518 in the Heidelburg Disputation, "The law says, 'do this,' and it is never done. Grace says, 'believe this,' and everything is already done."

This message is just as relevant today as it was in Luther's day. For people are still burdened by the Law and can find no peace, no good news. We don't expect those people to find us. Rather, our Lord sends us, His Church, with this great treasure of the Gospel out into the world to seek after the lost. People are not lining up at our doors asking to see this treasure. Instead, we are sent to love our neighbor by bringing them the peace and good news of Jesus Christ. May God strengthen our congregation members to be faithful witnesses like Martin Luther as we bring the good news of salvation to all the world. Happy 501^st Anniversary of the Reformation!

Prayer – Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Fraternally in Christ,

President Lee Hagan

Events and Information

Sr. High District Youth Gathering
Nov. 16 to 18

This year our District Youth Gathering Theme will simply be "I AM." In Exodus 3 Moses encounters God at the burning bush. It is here that God gives Moses his personal name, Yahweh, and the authority of "I AM" to go to the people of Israel. His message: "I AM" has seen your affliction and I will bring you up out of it!

Today young Christians experience many different kinds of afflictions – personal, emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical – and God is the one who delivers us from these afflictions.

Join us as we gather together to worship, experience the Living Word of God Nov. 16 to 18, 2018 at Cross Pointe Retreat Center in Rocky Mount, Mo.

Several of our interest centers will focus on common afflictions that we face as Christians such as depression and suicide.

We will also have interest centers focusing on sharing the Word of God with others. Specific Interest Center presenters and other information will be available soon.

For more information visit http: //mo.lcms.org/event/missouri-district-senior-high-gathering/