LYF Bible Studies

THE PRIVILEGED PLANET - PART II

2010-05-16T11:29:00.000-05:00

05.16.10 THE PRIVILEGED PLANET - PART II: Today’s class watched & discussed the last half of the DVD showing how not only is our planet created for sustaining carbon based life - but it is also ideally situated in our galaxy to allow life to exist and for intelligent life to be able to observe our very “privileged” location in the galaxy and universe! The video also noted how most of the early astronomers considered their jobs to serve a primarily “theological” role of discovering how God put the universe together. Truly, the intelligent design of the earth, galaxy and universe point to an intelligent designer! We know that Designer to be God Himself!

NASA'S SEARCH FOR EXTRATERRESTRIALS

2010-05-10T10:46:00.002-05:00

05.09.10 NASA’S SEARCH FOR EXTRATERRESTRIALS: A couple week’s ago the supposedly smartest man in the world, British physicist Stephen Hawking, stated that it’s too risky to try to talk to space aliens (which he assumes exist). Meanwhile our nation’s NASA program outlined 28 possible missions focused on looking for other life forms in the universe. While they may or may not exist, what does the Bible say (or not say) about aliens and other earth-like planets? We’ll talked about this today and watched a fantastic DVD titled: “The Privileged Planet”, which shows how our planet earth has all of the things essential for carbon based life. The mathematical probability that these all came together by accident has been calculated at “1 thousandth of a trillion” - and yet those who deny there is an “Intelligent Designer God” seem to like those odds rather than admit that they are God’s creation - and accountable to Him.

THE “END” IS REALLY THE BEGINNING!

2010-05-03T10:17:00.000-05:00

05.02.10 THE “END” IS REALLY THE BEGINNING! Today’s class watched and discussed the last segment in the new Lutheran Hour Ministries Series of “Who Am I?”, which discussed how the “end” of the world will really be the restoration and a new beginning of not only the world, but also of what it means to be fully human - something which we have never experienced because sinfulness is less than human - and we have all lived our entire lives with a fallen, sinful nature! For the first time ever we will experience the creation functioning at it’s full power! Now that’s something to really look forward to! If you missed today you can watch this session by going to www.lhm.org, then click on “Men’s Network, Bible Studies, Who Am I?, Read More, Watch Bible Study Videos”.

Some of the highlights from the DVD presentation and discussion:

1. To really know who we are, we need to know not only where we came from - but also where we are going.

2. The goal of the entire creation is the last day of the earth - which will really be not the conclusion - but rather the fulfillment and restoration of what the creation was originally meant to be!

3. “Eschatology” is the Greek word for the study of the end times.

4. Because all we have ever known is a fallen sinful world and our own fallen sinful nature, we have never experienced the creation functioning at it’s full power - which will happen when Christ returns on the last day. Now that’s something to really look forward to!

5. A common misconception is that we become angels when we die. The Bible is clear that this is not the case - for angels and humans are two distinct kinds of creation.

6. God originally created the world to be a physical world. And when Christ returns, He will not get rid of the physical nature of the world - but will rather restore it to it’s original perfection as a physical world!

7. Some people mistakenly blame their sin on their “human nature”. But human nature itself is a good and God-created part of our being! It is the fallen/sinful part of our nature that is the problem - not that we are human!

8. Because of sinfulness, we have also never experienced what it is like to be fully human. Also, death is not natural - but rather a separation of the physical body and the soul. Only at the resurrection, when the body and the soul are re-united in a fully sin-free body will we experience for the first time what it will be like to be fully human!

WHAT’S MY MOTIVATION - LAW OR GOSPEL

2010-04-25T10:27:00.001-05:00

WHAT’S MY MOTIVATION - LAW OR GOSPEL (or both)? For today’s topic we watched and

discussed another session of the “Who Am I” DVD from Lutheran Hour Ministries. The presentation pointed out how it is not only the thankful response to what God has done for us through the gospel - but also the proper guidance of God’s perfect law that motivates us to both give to the work of the Church and proclaim the message of Jesus. We also watched a brief segment from the new “LIFE” DVD showing how a better answer to the common design we see everywhere in the world (such as many different animals having eyes and ears, etc), is a common Designer (God), rather than the evolutionary answer of “common descent”. Finally, we wrapped up with a round of “Apples to Apples” Bible Edition, with point/counterpoint as to why each groups answer was the best as supported from a Biblical explanation!

Here’s a few of the summary points:

1. Although we often think of the “gospel” as being the only proper motivation for the way we act - and the “law” as being what forces us to do things we don’t want to do and/or that which accuses us when we sin - the fact is that God’s law is his good will for us and is always good too! The law shows us the good way we are supposed to be living.

2. Although we are freed from the curse & condemnation of the law (we still have a responsibility to live by the law as revealed in God’s word).

3. We are at the same time both a sinner and a saint (forgiven believer).

4. There are two motivations in the life of a believer - and they both work. The main one is our desire to respond with “thankfulness” to the gospel for all that God has done and continues to do for us - and the other is the responsibility to follow God’s good guidance through the directives of his law (often referred to as the “3rd use of the law”).

5. In the Old Testament God commanded his people to give (return) a minimum of 10% for the ministry & work of the Church. Now in New Testament times we have N.T. freedom to decide what % we give; but there are still many New Testament verses conveying God’s expectation that we do bring our offerings for the ongoing work of the Church.

6. The seminary professor on the video stated that he believes it is a myth that only 10% of believers have a special gift of evangelism. He stated that it is the expectation and responsibility of ALL believers to share the gospel message of Christ to others!

7. Another term the speaker has come to dislike is “relationship evangelism”, which he described at “bringing cookies, moving the lawn and being nice” to other people. Lots of people, both believers and unbelievers alike do nice things for lots of different reasons. And while he agreed that doing nice things can help build “relationships” with others so that they will be more likely to listen to us when we share the gospel - yet just doing nice things is not enough since “no one ever comes to know about Christ (just) by people being nice to them”. How true!

8. There is a famous quote by St. Francis which states: “Preach the gospel at all times - and when necessary use words”. The speaker said that he has actually come to dislike this quote because while this sounds nice, once again it is necessary to actually verbalize the gospel message. God’s word is clear that “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).

What Do I Want to Do With My Life?

2010-04-18T10:14:00.001-05:00

WHAT DO I WANT TO DO WITH MY LIFE? Today’s class watched and discussed a video

presentation challenging us to consider the type of vocations we are considering for our lives from much more than a “earning lots of money” point of view! The video also brought up that the “vocations” in our lives are more that simply the “jobs and careers” we have - but also responsibilities we have as husbands, wives, and parents (something often not considered when talking about “what we plan to do with our lives”! We also watched and discussed a segment called ”What Is Life” from the new LIFE DVD, which points out that while science can explain how our bodies work, only the Bible explains where life comes from in the first place - that being from the “spirit of God”!
For today’s session we watched and discussed the 4th of the sessions from the “Who Am I?” series of the new Lutheran Hour Ministries DVD based studies. Here are some of the main points from the study:

1. Martin Luther gave us great advise when he stated “To serve God - do so wherever you are”.

2. Luther also stated that a milk maid serves God better than a monk (because a milk maid is serving others by helping provide milk for those who need it while a monk has secluded himself off by himself and is helping no one).

3. Our vocation(s) are not only the jobs we have to make money for our living needs; but also the areas in life where we serve those around us (starting with our family, those close to us and those who need us)!

4. A great guideline for determining our vocation(s) is to ask “What have I been given to do - that no one else can do?” An example of this is being husband to your wife and father to your children.

5. When determining what marks success in life we should think of:

-not to make a pile of money;

-not to be self actualized by doing just things you want to be doing;

-not to be able to retire early;

but rather:

-to be serving and living for others!

6. One of the keys to enjoying life is to learn to love what God has given us to do!

7. We are to live our life in God’s story rather than to expect God to adjust His will and plans for us. We must remember that we were created “for Him”; and not the other way around! (See Colossians 1:16)

8. We are also reminded that in whatever work we do we are to consider it as though we were “working for the Lord and not for men”. (See Colossians 3:22-24)

If you wish to view this entire DVD session please contact me.

DCE Ken Koehler

St. Andrew Lutheran Church

West Fargo, ND

Bullying Blamed For Suicide

2010-04-11T10:07:00.001-05:00

BULLYING BLAMED FOR SUICIDES: A number of bullying incidents that have been linked to suicides of school students from around the nation have been the topic of national news coverage recently. After watching a segment from April 7th ABC’s Nightline news, we discussed what kind of bullying takes place in our local schools and what YOU as Christian students would have done (and can do) to help prevent this from happening here. We also reviewed the 8th Commandment and James 3:3-11 in relation to this topic.

Bullying Blamed for Suicides

LYF Bible Class / 04.11.10 / Biblestudies\Bullying Blamed for Suicides

A number of bullying incidents that have been directly linked to suicides of high school and grade school students from around the nation have been the topic of national news coverage recently. One of these is the case of 15 year old Phoebe Prince who after a nearly three month campaign of verbally assaultive behavior and threats of physical harm, which were widely know among the student body, ended her own life. This will be the topic of today’s LYF Bible Study.

1. Watch ABC’s Nightline news video segment about bullying from April 7th and hand out copies of the front page of the March 30th edition of The Forum magazine.

2. Does any of this kind of bullying go on in our local schools? And if so, to what extent.

3. What could have been done to help prevent this from happening? What would YOU have done?

4. Now think about if YOU were the person being bullied, what could you have done?

• remind yourself (of be reminded) of where our true worth and value comes from (that being created in the very image of God ... and God’s proof of how valuable we are to Him as shown in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave is only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (Of course having said this, we realize that our emotions are primarily influenced by our relationships - including the way we are treated. Nevertheless, this is all the more reason for us to focus on our true source of worth - especially at times when our earthly relationships are not going well.)

• attempt to respond with forgiveness and love (and while this may or may not have stopped

the bullying by some or all, Christ has shown that the power of love and forgiveness is greater than all of the other powers in the universe!

• sought out and prayed for new friends and other people to provide supportive relationships

• sought help / council

• other?

5. Read & discuss James 3:3-11 regarding the use and damaged that can be caused by our tongues (our speaking).

6. Read & discuss the 8th Commandment - including both “What God forbids, and what God REQUIRES by this commandment.

7. As Christians we know that suicide is NEVER to be considered as an option as the 5th Commandment states that we are never to murder - which includes our own lives as well of course. (PS: If you are ever hurting so badly that you are even thinking about it - please, PLEASE call me or just find me at ANY time of night or day!!!!)

8. Please take a moment of silence right now to think about who YOU might be able to provide some encouragement and friendship to - and how you might INTENTIONALLY do so.

Finally, if anyone in today’s Bible study/discussion (or anyone reading this later) would like to further discuss anything from this study, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you.

DCE Ken Koehler 701-282-4195 (office) 701429-3092 (cell) dcekkoehler@ideaone.net

What am I Doing Here?

2010-02-28T11:39:00.001-06:00

WHAT AM I DOING HERE? That age old questions about what’s the meaning of life and who are

we really keep coming up at various times in peoples lives - so today we’ll take a look at some answers from a new video from Lutheran Hour Ministries. There’s some great insights here - and also about something that exists in both the realm of physics and morality called “natural law”; so if you missed today you can watch the first two sessions by going to www.lhm.org, then click on “Men’s Network, Bible Studies, Who Am I?, Read More, Watch Bible Study Videos”.

What's the difference between our LCMS & the ELCA

2010-02-22T11:37:00.002-06:00

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE between our LCMS & the ELCA? Both our Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Lutheran are Lutheran churches with congregations right here in West Fargo. Yet, sadly, because of some major differences of teaching and practice regarding the nature and authority of Holy Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions, homosexuality, abortion and the Lord’s Supper, these two churches are not in altar & pulpit fellowship. A summary of these differences and why it matters can be found at www.LCMS.org, then click on “Belief & Practice, What About, The Difference between the ELCA & the LCMS”.

Mercy Ship

2010-02-14T11:34:00.001-06:00

02.14.10 MERCY SHIP: What would it be like to have a job where you live on a “floating hospital” with hundreds of volunteer doctors, nurses and other helpers who travel to various parts of the world to provide free medical care to those who can’t otherwise afford it - and all in the name of Jesus? Today’s LYF Bible class will be joining the adult class to hear from a speaker who does just that! For more information about this ministry go to www.MercyShips.org.

Media Malpractice

2010-02-07T10:24:00.001-06:00

Media Malpractice was the title of the You Tube video segment we watched & discussed today.

Why is it that with 350,000 people attending this year’s “March for Life” in our Washington, DC, that most of the mainstream media barely even mentioned it happened - and those who did (including CNN, USA Today & Time magazine) actually lied about not only the numbers (suggesting only a few thousand attended) and giving equal front page space to the less than a dozen pro-life protesters, but also and falsely claiming that “young women were absent” (while in truth they were the majority of the marchers) ? Indeed, most of today’s worldly media doesn’t like the message of God’s truth any better than it ever has throughout the history of the world.

Helping Disaster Victims as a Possible Career

2010-01-31T10:26:00.001-06:00

HELPING DISASTER VICTIMS AS A POSSIBLE CAREER? It’s been several weeks now since the Haiti earthquake and there has been much more news coverage and many more stories of disaster assistance. Today we watched & listened to some of these stories which were narrated by several directors of disaster relief agencies. We did this not only to remind ourselves of the great need in Haiti and the blessings we have in our “non-disaster” lives here in West Fargo - but also to introduce the thought that some of you might consider working for one of these disaster relief organizations such as LCMS World Relief, Compassion International, or World Vision some day! If you’ve ever thought of wanting a career that definitely would be helping people during a time of disaster in their wouldn’t be “boring”, this could be it!

Life Sunday

2010-01-24T10:28:00.001-06:00

LIFE SUNDAY! Christian Churches around the world are celebrating “Life Sunday” today - and that

includes St. Andrew! Among other things, we watched a new DVD entitled “Baby Steps” which showed the development of a baby in the relatively new technology of 4D! How amazing it is to see the baby moving around, sucking it’s thumb, making facial expressions, reacting to sounds from outside the womb, and just plain living inside the womb during those first nine months of life! After seeing this there can be absolutely no question as to the humanity of the pre-born boy or girl, and along with the Bible’s witness to the value God places on human life at all ages & stages of life, there should be absolutely no question about why the Christian Church stands so strongly against abortion and for LIFE!

The Haiti Earthquake

2010-01-17T14:13:00.002-06:00

01.17.10 THE HAITI EARTHQUAKE ... and why does God allow natural disasters? Do you ever wonder why natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis occur - other than the scientific explanations? And perhaps an even more important question is why an almighty and loving God would allow them to take place and cause so much suffering and death. The Bible DOES give us some answers to these questions! We also took the last 15 minutes to play several rounds of the Bible Version of “Apples to Apples” using the rule that each group has to give a biblical reason as to why their card (word) should be chosen as the best answer! This went well and we’ll do this again soon.

There are at least two main questions that usually come up when natural disasters occur. One is why they happen at all - and the second (and bigger question) is why an almighty and loving God would allow them to occur! While there have been and continue to be many volumes dedicated to answering these questions, I have attached copies of three pages which I believe do a good job of summarizing responses to these questions. They are:

“Why does God allow natural disaster, i.e. earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis?” from the www.GotQuestions.org website, “Tsunami and God” from www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=7328, and “Wrath of God” from www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=7490.

Here are some basics:

1. Hurricanes, typhoons, and tornados are the results of divergent weather patterns colliding. Earthquakes are the result of the earth’s plate structure shifting. A tsunami is caused by an underwater earthquake. When mankind fell into sin, the Bible informs us that all of God’s creation was affected - including the weather and the physical planet itself. Romans 8:19-21 tells us that everything in creation is subject to “frustration” and “decay”. Thus, the natural laws that affect weather patterns and earth plate structures no longer function with the perfect harmony they did before the fall - thus resulting in these natural disasters.

2. But since God is almighty and loving, why does He allow disasters and suffering to happen? Before mentioning a number of reasons the Bible gives for allowing disasters and their resultant sufferings; we need to keep in mind that we are told God’s ways are not man’s ways, as well as the fact that there are “hidden things” about which He has not promised to give us all the answers.

3. One of the main reasons the Bible gives for allowing (and even for subjecting His fallen creation to the “frustration” and “decay” mentioned above) is to remind us of our need for Him, our Creator, which is something we often forget or ignore in our fallen pride! Natural disasters cause us to reevaluate our priorities in life. They also shake our confidence and dependence of this life - and force us to think about eternity! Churches are usually filled after disasters as people realize how fragile our lives really are and how this earthly life can be taken away in an instant!

4. Another reason for allowing disasters is to stimulate and show the witness of Christ’s Church! When disaster strikes, we have special opportunities to help, minister, counsel, pray, and lead people to a saving faith in Christ! Recognizing that many unsaved people may die during natural disasters also reminds us of the urgency of sharing the faith-producing Gospel to these people now while we still have the opportunity!

Disasters also serve as a reminder to Christians of our need to live a daily life of repentance. God can, and

does, bring great good out of terrible tragedies (Romans 8:28).

5. One more reason for some disasters is God’s judgement. While it is true that God has placed the ultimate punishment for the sin of the world on the cross; it is also clear from a text like Romans 1:18 that God continues to “exhibit his wrath” against sin even today through the various consequences of continuing to live in a sinful and unrepentant manner, which they may or may not be. Also, Christians are told to expect God’s “judgment” against sin as a form of loving “discipline” for our own good!

6. Finally, there are many additional reasons as to why God may have us experience sufferings. They include the refining of our faith “which is more precious than gold” (I Peter 1:7), “pruning” us to cause us to “bear more fruit” (John 15:1-2), drawing us closer to Him (Hosea 5:15), and so that God’s glory might be displayed (John 9). For more information on reasons for suffering, I highly recommend reading Issue #23 on “Suffering” in the “GOOD NEWS” periodical published by the Concordia Mission Society!

Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving

2010-01-10T14:59:00.001-06:00

01.10.10 SAINT NICHOLAS: A Story of Joyful Giving Today’s class will take on a lighter topic as we view a new Veggie Tales video about the legend of a believer in Christ (a Saint) named “Nicholas”, who learned the joy of giving and later came to be known as Santa Claus. Thank you Nathan Jahnke for leading today’s class while I am out of town for the Zone LYF Winter Retreat.

Homosexuality & the ELCA

2009-12-13T15:24:00.001-06:00

12.13.09 HOMOSEXUALITY & THE ELCA: On August 21, 2009, the largest Lutheran church in America, the ELCA voted to open their ministry to gay and lesbian pastors who are living in “committed relationship”. So just what does the Bible say about homosexuality? Today’s study will look at all of the main verses on this topic, along with the new “interpretations” from the ELCA study on sexuality, and our LCMS response to their decision. (A summary handout of this topic is available from DCE Ken.)

HOMOSEXUALITY

(A biblical response to the recent ELCA vote on homosexuality)

BibleStudies.reponse to ELCA vote

12.16.09

Since the recent decision by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) regarding homosexuality, we have had quite a number of people ask about our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) position on this topic. Here are a number of these questions received, and a basic response. For a more in depth study of this topic, please feel welcome to visit with Pastor Jahnke or DCE Ken at any time.

1. WHAT DECISIONS DID THE ELCA MAKE? On August 21, 2009, the ELCA’s national convention, known as it’s Churchwide Assembly, voted to open the ELCA’s ministry to gay and lesbian pastors and

other professional church workers who are living in “committed relationship”. In other action, the assembly approved a resolution that commits the ELCA “to finding ways to allow congregations that chose to do so to recognize, support, and hold publicly accountable life-long, monogamous, same-gender relationships.”

2. HOW DOES OUR CHURCH BODY, THE LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD (LCMS) VIEW THIS DECISION? The President of our LCMS, Jerry Kieschnick, issued a statement in response the ELCA

decision. (Please see the attached page titled “Our Synod and Recent ELCA Actions” before reading on.)

3. IS OUR LCMS THE ONLY LUTHERAN CHURCH BODY THAT STILL TEACHES THAT HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR IS SINFUL? No. As stated in President Kieschnick’s above - referenced

Statement, the international Lutheran Council (ILC), consisting of 34 confessional Lutheran Churches world wide, voted unanimously that the “practice of homosexuality ... must be recognized as sin.” Also, of the Lutheran Church bodies that have a local presence, 8 of the 9 do NOT ordain non-celibate gays. (Please see the attached page titled “The Lutheran landscape” that appeared in the October 11, 2009 edition of The Forum newsletter.)

4. SO JUST WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR - AND HOW HAS THE ELCA INTERPRETED THESE PASSAGES? There were several lengthy ELCA Studies on Sexuality

presented to their congregations leading up to their vote. Among these studies were a list of the primary Bible verses which are usually quoted when discussing the topic homosexuality. I have listed these verses below, along with summaries of various interpretations. A wavy underline has been used to indicate interpretations and comments which are troubling from our Church’s and a traditional point of view . (The New International Version of the Bible has been used for all verses. Any emphasis is added.)

GENESIS 19: This chapter contains the story of the destruction of cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because “their sin is so grievous”. God had sent several angels to Sodom to bring Lot and his family out of the city before it was to be destroyed. As soon the angels (who appeared as men) arrived, the men of the city surrounded the house and demanded that Lot send the visitors out so they could “have sex with them”.

The ELCA Studies on Sexuality* (*Part Two, “Journey Together Faithfully”), page 14, states: “For many interpreters of the Bible, these stories have traditionally counted as a witness to Israel’s condemnation of homosexual conduct, especially between males.” To their credit, the authors do mention that the N.T. verse of Jude 7 specifically refers to the destruction of these cities because of their “sexual immorality” and “unnatural lusts”. However, the authors go on to state: “For other interpreters, homosexual rape does not make consensual homosexual conduct wrong any more than heterosexual rape makes heterosexual sex wrong.” “The sins of of Sodom are most explicit in Ezekiel 16:49: pride, excess food, prosperous ease, and not aiding the poor and needy - sins often ignored in this conversation. In addition, Jesus uses the Genesis 19 passage to condemn inhospitality (Matthew 10:14-15), not same sex conduct.” Basically, the authors of the ELCA study have concluded that the only problem with what happened in Sodom and Gomorrah was that the homosexual sex was being forced rather than consensual - and that

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Sodom and Gomorrah was known for it’s “inhospitality” (including not helping the poor). However, these Matthew verses have nothing to do with any “inhospitality”shown by the cities of Sodom & Gomorrah - but rather refer to the comparative punishment that will be dealt to people of the towns that did not welcome Jesus’ disciples when they came with His message. More importantly, the authors of the ELCA studies have neglected to mention that God had already determined that the sins of these cities were so grievous that He was going to destroy them.

LEVITICUS 18:22-24: “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman, that is detestable. Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion. Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled.”

The ELCA Studies*, page 15, states the following: “For some interpreters, the law stated in Leviticus 18:22 continues to be applicable because setting it aside would adversely affect the institution of marriage, a cornerstone of our society, and undermine the heterosexual plan of God’s good order of creation. For other interpreters, setting the law aside would nurture responsible sexuality and faithful relationships in the homosexual community, thus contributing to the sexual stability of our society and to its health.” Thus, the ELCA’s vote has in effect set aside God’s law found in Leviticus 18:22.

It is true that some Old Testament (O.T.) laws have been biblically set aside either because they have since been fulfilled by Jesus (such as O.T. laws requiring sacrifices - which are no longer necessary since Jesus sacrificed Himself for the sins of the world), or otherwise no longer apply (such as ceremonial and other laws that applied only to the nation of Israel when the Church served as it’s own government); however the moral laws regarding sexual behavior, in general, continue to be upheld by the New Testament.

ROMANS 1:18-27 (esp 24-27) “Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another ... Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.”

The ELCA Studies*, page 17, states: “Despite some differences of opinion on the precise message of some of the texts, there is general agreement that the Bible has nothing positive to say about same-sex intercourse. For some homosexual people among us this negative biblical evaluation of their sexuality has been a source of pain and sometimes an incentive to seek help in changing their sexual orientation. For other homosexual people among us their experience of themselves does not seem to correspond with what the Bible calls an abomination. They appeal to the experience of their own sexuality as natural for them and to their devotion to Christ and commitment to a faithful and loving union.”

Unfortunately, the basis being used here for what is right and wrong is not God’s word - but rather fallible human experience and feelings. Indeed, the changing of what God calls “unnatural” into what some choose to call “natural for them”, is exactly what happens when we allow the “sinful desires of (our) hearts” to take over, as stated in the Romans verses above. If one abandons God’s way, then all that is left is “unnatural” relationships.

I CORINTHIANS 6:9-20 (esp 9-11): “Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters or adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, your were sanctified, your were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God.”

In view of the fact that “homosexual offenders” is only one of ten sins listed in the above Corinthian’s verses as sins that would keep one from “inheriting the kingdom of God” (that is of course if forgiveness is not received

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through faith and repentance); some have asked why homosexuality (and sexual sins in general) seem to be singled out as being worse that other sins. First, it is to be expected that discussions about sexual sins (of any nature) will probably become quite emotional and personal since our “sexuality” is such a huge part of our very existence - both physically and emotionally! Indeed, our very identity is in so many ways connected to our sexual nature. The Bible

teaches that sexuality is created by God and that the exercise of sex within the blessing of marriage is a good thing!

However, the Bible also explains why the mis-use of sex has such an impact on lives when it states: “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” I Corinthians 6:18-20

GENESIS, chapters 1 & 2 (especially 2:24): “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” And, MATTHEW 19:4 & 5: “‘Haven’t you read’, He (Jesus) replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’, and said ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?”

The ELCA Studies, page 12, state: “The creation accounts take for granted that sexual relations will be between a man and a woman. The creation stories assume that the male and female, who complement each other biologically and in other ways, are God’s only given structure for human sexual relationships.” However, the authors then go on to state: “While the partnership portrayed in Genesis 2 is a heterosexual one, the basic need for companionship reflected here is one that seems relevant to the lives of gay and lesbian people as well”. (And also), “A simple appeal to the creation texts cannot determine that which is ‘unnatural’. It may be that changing sexual orientations are a part of the ongoing creative process and we will need to study them carefully to discern whether they have an appropriate place within God’s good creation.”

Yes, there is a created need for companionship in all human beings - but sexual intimacy is not God’s only provision for companionship. Friendships and the non-sexual fellowship of the family of God are certainly other God created options. (Robert Gagnon, “Responses to the ELCA’s Sexuality Studies)

5. DID JESUS SAY ANYTHING ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY? Another fairly main point brought up in the ELCA studies is that Jesus doesn’t specifically condemn or even mention homosexuality in any of the

four Gospels of the New Testament. Though Jesus may not have actually used the word “homosexuality”, a review of Jesus’ references to the moral laws in general and to other Scriptures that do speak of homosexuality specifically, show that He did indeed consider it to be sinful. (See the attached titled “Was Jesus Silent About Homosexuality?”)

6. BUT ISN’T IT JUDGMENTAL, UNLOVING AND EVEN HARMFUL TO SPEAK AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY TO THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH SAME-SEX TENDENCIES? While

it is true that some individuals, organizations, and even churches have at times intentionally spoken hatefully, and have rejected homosexual people, this is not God’s will nor our Church’s position! Christ wants us to reach out in love to ALL people, including those who struggle with homosexual desires! The Christian Church must recognize that the conflicts caused by homosexuality - “the desire to love God vs. the desire to be loved in a way God prohibits, the desire for a normal sex life vs. the desire to satisfy feelings that seem normal, but aren’t - these conflicts are real.”* However, and this is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, part of loving them also includes letting them know that their homosexual desires and behaviors are not part of God’s loving plan for their lives. Furthermore, we show no love if we wrongly lead them to think that their behavior is not sinful! Instead, as the Scriptures teach, we need to “speak the truth in love” to one another so that we may all repent of the sins condemned by Scripture and receive forgiveness and new life through faith in Jesus, our Lord and Savior. (*Desires In Conflict by Joe Dallas)

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7. BUT WHAT IF A PERSON IS BORN TO BE HOMOSEXUAL? IS IT FAIR TO DENY THAT PERSON THE PLEASURES OF SEXUAL INTIMACY WITH THE ONES THEY LOVE? The first thing we must

be reminded of here is that we are ALL born sinful and with all kinds of desires, many of which are contrary to God’s loving and revealed will for our lives. This comes from mankind’s original fall into sin, resulting also in our being conceived and born with a fallen nature. However, rather than attempt to use this as an excuse to act on sinful desires; we need to trust and depend on our loving Creator, Savior and Comforter to change and renew those parts of our lives, and/or give us the strength to live with them until such time as they are renewed.

8. EVEN IF A HOMOSEXUALLY ORIENTED PERSON WANTED TO CHANGE, IS IT POSSIBLE?

God’s word gives us a clear answer: “With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26). While it is true that many Christians who struggle with homosexuality have shared the difficulty they experience with homosexual desires continuing to be part of their lives, even when homosexual activities have stopped. Nevertheless, God has promised to respond to our prayers for a change from sinful desires; and to give the strength and power to deal with them whenever our old sinful nature and the devil bring them up again. There are currently several Christian ministries that deal specifically with helping people who are struggling with a homosexual lifestyle. Among them are “Exodus International”, and a ministry called “Love Won Out” from Focus On the Family. Also, when we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Lead us not into temptation”, we are praying that God will help us to stay away from situations that would tempt us to sin. This is extremely necessary for us because our fallen sinful nature remains with us throughout life - even after we become Christians!

9. COULD A PERSON ACTUALLY LOOSE THEIR SALVATION BECAUSE OF HOMOSEXUALITY?

Unfortunately, the very sad and serious answer is that whenever someone deceives themselves and refuses to acknowledge the sins that God’s word condemns, that person puts their relationship with the Creator in jeopardy. If they intentionally and unrepentantly reject God’s word and continue to live contrary to it, this becomes a matter of an “unrepentant heart”, which may have already or can lead to unbelief.

CAUTION: Everyone has friends, both male and female, whom they like very much or may have even stronger feelings of love for. We must be careful not to assume that these are sinful feelings

just because they are for a friend of the same gender! Indeed, the Bible not only commands us to love one another, but God blesses us with both male and female friends for whom we may have very strong feelings of love. HOWEVER, there is a God-created design and command about the way that men and women are to relate to each other when it comes to sexual interaction and behavior. Webster's Dictionary defines the word “homosexual” as "characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward another of the same sex"; and the word “homosexuality” as "the quality or state of being homosexual" or, "erotic activity with another of the same sex". A definition given by our Church states that there is a difference between having strong feelings of attraction toward people of the same gender, "which the individual has no control over", and “homosexual behavior” (and/or intentionally dwelling on homosexual thoughts), “over which the individual is regarded as having control.”It is when we go outside of God's design and will that it becomes sinful.

IN SUMMARY:

1) God created people to be heterosexual.

2) Because of the world’s fall into sin there are societal, environmental, hormonal and possibly even genetic factors that influence a disposition toward homosexuality. Nevertheless, we are all conceived and born with a fallen, sinful nature - and any sinful behavior, including homosexuality, is not acceptable or excusable to God.

3) But the “GOOD NEWS” is that homosexual sin, repented of, is like all other sins - forgiven by God through faith in Jesus, who died for this sin as well as all others. In addition, God promises to send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to help us in our struggles, whatever they may be this side of heaven!

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Was Jesus Silent About Homosexuality?

(How would one answer those who would argue that the four Gospels show that

Jesus never even mentions homosexuality, much less condemns it.?)

(by Rev. Tom Eckstein)

1. Jesus never mentions or condemns rape and bestiality either; but He certainly would not have tolerated, much less affirmed these evils.

2. The Jews of Jesus’ day (to whom most of Jesus’ teaching was directed) condemned homosexual desire and practice. Therefore, Jesus did not need to mention the obvious.

3. Jesus’ use of Genesis, chapters 1 & 2 as recorded in Matthew, chapter 19 and Mark, chapter 10, shows that He viewed those texts as commentaries on God’s will for human sexuality, which was limited to 1 man and 1 woman within marriage.

4. Jesus used the 6th Commandment to condemn adultery. However, the Jews of Jesus’ day also used the 6th Commandment to condemn other sexual sins, including homosexuality. Jesus NEVER corrects their use of the 6th Commandment to condemn homosexuality, which is odd if He affirmed or even tolerated the practice.

5. Jesus mentions the sin of Sodom, and the Jews of Jesus’ day viewed this text as a condemnation of any type of homosexual practice (whether it was violent rape or consensual sex). However, Jesus never corrects their interpretation of the Sodom text, which is odd if Jesus actually affirmed consensual homosexual activity.

6. Matthew 5:17 clearly teaches that Jesus did not abolish the Law but fulfilled it. Jesus fulfilled the CEREMONIAL Laws by His work for us which was pictured by the CEREMONIAL Laws (e.g., Passover, the Temple sacrifices, the Sabbath rest). However, Jesus fulfilled the MORAL Laws by obeying them in our place. This means that as forgiven sinners we are to strive to obey the MORAL Laws also (even though we can never obey them perfectly). In other words, we have not been save so that we can DISobey the Moral Laws. Instead, God’s free gift of salvation in Christ means that we GET TO obey God’s will for our lives - including His will for our sexual desires and practices. (See John 8:11 and Romans 6:14)

7. Jesus did not lower the sexual standards of God’s Law in the Old Testament. Instead, Jesus actually INTENSIFIED these sexual laws by stressing that even lust makes us guilty of adultery before God!

8. Jesus supports John the Baptist’s rebuke of Herod’s incest. Incest is one of the sexual sins condemned in Leviticus chapter 18, where homosexuality is also condemned.

9. Finally, when the Apostle Paul (who speaks for Jesus, the Lord – see I Cor. 14:37) deals with sexual practice among the Gentiles (who DID tolerate and, in some cases, affirmed homosexuality!), Paul very clearly condemns homosexual desire and practice (even by “consenting adults”). In addition, the early Church Fathers of the first 4 centuries after Christ were unified in their testimony that Jesus was opposed to homosexual desire and practice. Not one of them ever suggested that Jesus might have tolerated, much less affirmed, homosexual desire and practice.

NOW THAT WE KNOW THAT JESUS DID “SPEAK” TO THE ISSUE OF HOMOSEXUALITY, OUR GOAL IS TO HELP PEOPLE SEE THAT JESUS BIDS US SINNERS TO COME TO HIM WITH ALL OUR SINS AND KNOW THAT HE TOOK THOSE BURDENS TO THE CROSS SO THAT WE MIGHT LIVE IN HIS RESURRECTION FREEDOM!

Missions Speakers

2009-12-06T15:06:00.001-06:00

12.06.09 MISSIONS SPEAKERS: The “YALA” people in Nigeria and remote mountain villages in Nicaragua aren’t people or places we normally think about - but the God who created the world cares for them just as much as you and I. Today’s bible class was privileged to hear two special speakers, Rev. Eugene Bunkowske, missionary to Africa, and Wanda Garcia, who shared about a Church/School building project in the mountain village of Ojeche, Nicaragua.

Salvation Army

2009-11-29T15:11:00.003-06:00

11.29.09 SALVATION ARMY: One of the requests for Bible study topics this fall was to learn about other Christian churches. Most people think of the “Salvation Army” as simply the organization that rings bells for donations at Christmas time every year and then helps people when there are disasters; but they are also an organized Christian Church. Let me know if you’d like a summary handout containing more information about what they believe and teach.

Buddism

2009-11-22T15:13:00.000-06:00

11.22.09 BUDDISM: This is one of the fastest growing religions in our nation! A summary of it’s major teachings and how they compare to our Christian faith is available from DCE Ken. Also, with the Thanksgiving holiday coming up we also shared the things in life that we are thankful for as we reviewed and discussed what God’s word says about living with an attitude of THANKFULNESS in all situations! (See especially I Thessalonians 5:18 & Philippians 4:6.)

Justice

2009-11-15T15:14:00.000-06:00

11.15.09 JUSTICE: Today’s LYF class joined the Adult Bible Class to hear Gary Euren, a local lawyer who shared a number of insights on our justice system - including perspective form a Christian viewpoint.

Slavery

2009-11-08T15:16:00.000-06:00

11.08.09 SLAVERY: Some parts of the Bible seem to promote rather than condemn slavery; including regulations for slave owners and even quoting the Apostle Paul telling slaves to obey their masters. We usually think of slavery as sinful - and indeed much of it certainly was and is! So what’s going on here? For a summary handout of today’s topic ask DCE Ken or go to the link. We also watched a new music video “Speaking Louder Than Before” by Jeremy Camp, and discussed questions about “becoming angels when we die” and “if it’s okay to have more than 1 wife since some of the Old Testament leaders like Jacob and King David did.
Slavery and what the Bible teaches about it. LYF Bible Class 11.08.09

This question was submitted last week: “In U.S. History, the teacher talked about how God talks about slavery in the Bible. He said they were also called indentured servants. I’d like to learn more about that and how we think of God speaking about slavery.”

“Does the Bible condone slavery?” One of the reasons that this topic is important for us to study here at LYF Bible class is that so many people seem to be convinced that the Bible promotes slavery - and this has become a real “stumbling block” to their accepting the Bible as true words from God. So, what does the Bible have to say about slavery? Over the past several days I read most of the main Bible references to slavery and quite a few commentaries on them. The back side of this page contains an article from www.GodQuestions.org which contains one of the best summaries I’ve run across. Please read it now.

When studying the subject of slavery, the New Testament book of Philemon should be included reading! Here too we find no outright condemnation of slavery from the Apostle Paul - and in fact he directs a runaway slave, Onesimus, to return to his master, Philemon. However, and this is the point, he directs Philemon to not only forgive Onesimus - but to treat him “as a dear brother”, reminding Philemon that we have all received undeserved grace from our heavenly Master!

In I Corinthians chapter 7, the Apostle Paul also encourages slaves who became new believers to give a witness of their transformed lives by gladly giving faithful service to their masters - and even where there was unjust suffering - to dedicate those sufferings to God even as Jesus did! This would show everyone that “in Christ” there is no longer “slave or free” - but that now “all are one”!

Again, we need to remember, just as we read from the article on the back side, that the slavery we are talking about here is not the racially motivated forced service and mis-treatment we usually associate with the word. That indeed is sin. The social institution of slavery that the Bible seems to accept is (for the most part) more like that of “indentured servants” who are committed to work for someone else for a period of time. Also, both the Old and New Testaments included regulations for the proper treatment of slaves. Such biblical regulations should not be looked upon as either encouraging or condoning slavery - but rather as divinely given practical ways of dealing with the reality of the slavery situation of the day (see Concordia Self Study Bible notes for I Cor. 6:5)

One other basic principle of biblical interpretation that always needs to be remembered whenever reading and studying the Bible is that of “descriptive” vs “prescriptive”. This means that the Bible often “describes” sinful situations that took place - however, just because it is included in the Bible doesn’t mean it was God-pleasing. The slavery and mis-treatment of the Hebrews in the Old Testament was not “prescribed” nor pleasing to God.

Throughout the history of the Christian church since New Testament times, slavery in all of it’s forms has gradually come to be considered as contrary to the intent of God’s creation. Most of the abolition efforts of the last three centuries have been through the work of Christian individuals and societies as they were motivated by the message of God’s love in Christ!

Should you wish to study this topic further please feel free to contact me for a number of very helpful resources.

DCE Ken Koehler,

St. Andrew Lutheran Church

Incredible Creatures That Defy Evolution/Part 2

2009-10-25T15:27:00.002-05:00

10.25.09 “INCREDIBLE CREATURE THAT DEFY EVOLUTION”/Part 2: We watched and discussed another 20 minutes of DVD III (see 10.11.09) showing specific examples of incredible design in animals that the process of evolution could NEVER even begin to explain.

Here’s a couple questions to help explain why this DVD is so important:

1. If someone were to ask you if and why you believed that there is a God who created the animals - what would you say (in addition to saying “because the Bible says so”, assuming you might say that too)?

2. Can you prove that God created the animals?

3. If you can’t prove that God created the animals, can you at least think of any evidences from what we know about animals that would give us reasons to believe that they must have been designed and created by an intelligent designer (God) - rather than that they are just accidents of nature that somehow got here over hundreds of millions of year?

4. If you learned specifically about the marvelously complex design that is built into certain animals - such as the examples of:

-how Humming Birds have a wing designed to allow them to stay in flight in one place by beating their wings at 200 beats per second as they are sucking nectar from a flower,

-how they can slow their metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature way down at night so that they won’t starve from not eating during the night time hours when most flowers are closed up - but can also fly 500 miles non-stop!!

-how they have the intelligence to use spider webs and the position small stones in the webs in just the right places so that their nests are balanced on the small branches and twigs of trees so they don’t fall off when it’s windy,

-how there can be over 700 different varieties of dogs - but that they are still all dogs and that their genes allow for such a great variety - and that this isn’t evolution, but rather “genetic variation”,

then might these examples help to provide you with evidence to help explain to others that there not only might be but probably even must be a “designer” who created them to be the way they are?

5. The Bible tells us: “Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Chapters 38-41 of Job give example after example of the intelligence and design God built into his creation, especially the animals. It’s really worth reading!

6. If we can help someone else understand that there is evidence for a designer, a creator, then might that person be more likely to be open to a discussion about who this creator is and what the Bible says about Him - and why it is important both now and for his eternal well being? I’d say the answer to this is a big YES!

This topic of helping understand “Creation & Evolution”, is one that some of the youth listed on the first day of our LYF classes this fall when everyone asked to list topics that they wanted to study. The notes above included only a small portion of what was all included and being taught by this DVD - so if you weren’t in class today to see this DVD I invite you to check it out from our St. Andrew Library!

PS: Actually, EVERY living creature defy’s evolution if you actually take the time to study the marvelous design built into them! This is STRONG EVIDENCE that there must be a designer/creator (God) that we can use to help witness to others!

Suffering/Part 3

2009-10-18T15:33:00.002-05:00

10.18.09 SUFFERING / PART 3: Today we will pick up from last spring on the study of the most unwanted gift from God, “suffering”. Today we will be introduced to how God uses suffering as a “thorn in the flesh” to keep us from sinful pride - and as a “refiners fire” to strengthen and purify our faith, which is “more precious than gold” to God! We also watched & discussed the video on www.Tangle.com of “Jesus Bring the Rain” (posted by Michael on 9.13.08) which tells the story of how one young man was brought to faith through as the Lord worked through a serious car accident. Please check out the lyrics of this song by “Mercy Me”.

(GOD GIVES YOU A THORN IN THE FLESH TO KEEP YOU HUMBLE!)
(Good News, Issue 23, Suffering, Pages 12-13)

Today we continue our study of “Suffering”by reading and discussing several more articles from Issue #33 of the Good News quarterly magazine. Here are some of the highlights and quotes from this article. (Note: The underlining & bolding in quotes are mine - DCE Ken).

1. Here is yet another source of some of our suffering - to keep us humble. St. Paul clearly explained this source of suffering in his life as recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:7, which reads: “To keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me - to keep me from exalting myself!”

2. Becoming filled with pride, which leads to “exalting” ourselves and depending on our own “self-righteousness” is a problem that we ALL have because of our fallen sinful nature!

3. When we recognize the “thorn(s)” in our own lives, we should view them as gifts from God given to help us to recognize our need for God’s righteousness given to us through faith in Christ! Suffering from these “thorns” is probably the most unwanted “gift” we receive from God - but that is exactly what the Bible calls it a “gift”! Since it comes from a loving God, we can assume it comes to us only when God sees a need for it - therefore we should also pray for wisdom and discernment to determine which areas of our lives need spiritual growth that would take away the need for the “thorn”.

(YOUR FAITH IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD!)
(Good News, Issue 23, Suffering, pages 14-15)
Biblestudies\Suffering.Good News Part 3.101809

Incredible C reatures That Defy Evolution

2009-10-11T15:06:00.000-05:00

10.11.09 “INCREDIBLE CREATURE THAT DEFY EVOLUTION”: Another topic request that came from you was to learn more about the creation/evolution discussion; so for part of today’s class we watched/discussed a new DVD (III) narrated by a biologist and former evolutionist who shared some of the amazing facts about various animals that have convinced him that the process of evolution could NEVER even begin to explain. We also watched a new CCM video by Brandon Heath singing “Give Me Your Eyes”, praying for the ability to see other people’s hurts and needs like Jesus.

Homeless & Hungry

2009-10-04T15:11:00.001-05:00

10.04.09 HOMELESS & HUNGRY: Today’s topic goes along with this weekend’s big “Homeless” emphasis. In addition to discussing why homelessness is increasing so drastically in our country (and even in our area), each person present received a packet of information, which also included brochures of all the FM area homeless shelters.

Nostradomus 2012

2009-09-27T15:14:00.000-05:00

09.27.09 NOSTRADOMUS 2012: We spent a 2nd session on this topic and on the answers Jesus gave when the disciples asked him “What will be the signs of the end of the age” as recorded in Matthew 24, Luke 21 and elsewhere.

Nostradomus 2012

2009-09-20T15:15:00.001-05:00

09.20.09 NOSTRADOMUS 2012: This was one of the most suggested topics so we started out by showing part of the History Channel’s special on Nostradomus as well as reading and discussing Matthew chapter 24 on the “signs of the end times”. Just what did this man predict some 500 years ago and why do so many people today seem to think that the year 2012 may be the final year - or at least the beginning of the end? More importantly, just what information has been given to us in God’s word that puts all of Nostradomus’s speculative “Quatrains” in their proper perspective!

NOSTRADOMUS 2012

(and more importantly, what does the Bible have to say about the signs of the end of the age?)

LYF Bible Class

9.20/27.2009

DCE Ken Koehler

NOTE: This topic was the most requested one of the many topics suggested for this coming year’s LYF Bible Class topics (from the 24 youth present at our 1st class held on 9.13.09). We viewed several portions of the recent History Channel special entitle “Nostradomus 2012", and studies Matthew, chapter 24 and several other biblical references to the signs of the end of the age. The primary lessons to be learned here are from the words of Jesus himself: “Watch out that no one deceives you” and “see to it that you are not alarmed”.

1. Just who is Nostradamus? Briefly, many people consider Nostradamus to be a “prophet” who could see into the future. He wrote down many predictions, mostly of disasters that would happen in the future.

2. Is this the same kind of “prophet” as the inspired prophets of God as recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible? No. While I’ve personally read very few of Nostradamus’s writings; of what I’ve read, other than several very general and similar references to end time disasters as found in the Bible, and a brief reference to “since the creation”, there seems to be little evidence to suggest that he was even a believer in Christ.

3. Nostradamus has remained quite popular for over 500 years with many people interpreting some of his predictions as being fulfilled in modern day happenings. Is there much proof of this? Again, though I’ve read only a small number of them, I would agree with a summary statement about Nostradamus found on Wikipedia which states: “There is no evidence in the academic literature to suggest that any Nostradumus quatrain has ever been interpreted as predicting a specific event before it occurred, other than in vague, general terms that could equally apply to any number of other events.”

4. So what’s all the recent fuss about Nostradomus? The History Channel recently did a special program on Nostradomus about some recently discovered drawings that they think are his. Some people have interpreted the drawings to suggest that there will be some major disasters taking place around 2012 - perhaps even the end of the world.

5. Why 2012? The tv special (now also out on DVD which we watched parts of in class) seemed to concentrate on two main points: First, the position of the sun within our galaxy on the year 2012; and secondly calender of the ancient Mayan civilization which ends on December 21, 2012.

6. Did Nostradomus actually predict the end of the world in 2012? Not at all. In fact this is simply another example of some people using the very general predictions of Nostradomus to try to promote their own interpretations of current and future events. Instead of getting caught up in all the hype of Nostradomus, simply read a few of his predictions and see for yourself what they are like. While the History Channel special was pretty “flashy”; I hope you also noticed how many times the narrator and those being interviewed used phrases like “might this mean?”, “could Nostradamus have been suggesting?”, “could this drawing possibly be interpreted as meaning?”, etc. Even they had to admit that they are simply guessing!

7. Could the end of the world come in the year 2012? Absolutely. Or 2013 or 2011 or 2099 or later today! But let’s remember that Jesus himself stated: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

8. But doesn’t the Bible also talk about many natural disasters and signs of the end taking place? Absolutely, and that’s where we should go to look for our information about the end times! But we must carefully study them and use caution in our interpretation (where the Bible does not clearly explain their interpretation). We must also remember that many prophecies contain both a short term prophecy, such as the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., mixed in with referenced to prophecies concerning the very end of time.

9. Since we can’t know when the end will come should be even make an effort to interpret the signs spoken of in the Bible? Yes. Jesus even specifically stated “Learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as it’s twigs get tender and it’s leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things (taking place) you know that it (the end) is near.” Matthew 24: 32-33. Jesus also tells us about these things so that “no one deceives” (Matthew 24:4) us about them!

10. In addition to helping keep our attention on the return of the Lord is there another reason why Jesus told us about these things? Yes, probably the main reason He has informed us is so that we “are not alarmed” (Matthew 24:6) or become frightened and lose hope when these things take place. Also, in Luke 21:28 we read these words of Jesus: “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” We are to not only to live prepared for the return of Jesus at any time; but we are also to use the signs of the end to serve as an extra reminder and encouragement!

11. So even if Nostradomus isn’t a prophet from God, could his predictions about coming disasters be a good thing if they cause people to think about the end times? Personally, I think they could be. In our fallen nature we can all so easily get caught up with living for the day - and for ourselves - rather than remembering that we were not only made “by God”, but also “for Him” (Colossians 1:16). God can (and does) use whatever and whoever He chooses to bring about His purpose - which in this case may be to help prepare us for the end of the age. But while Nostradomus’s predictions may cause us to think about the end times - we must be careful to trust only God’s inspired and revealed word to tell us about them and about Him!

Main points to remember:

“Watch out that no one deceives you” ,

and

“see to it that you are not alarmed” (when these things happen)!

NOTE: The references listed above referring to the signs of the end times are but a few of the many to be found in the Bible. I encourage you to study them by using the various study helps in our Concordia Self Study Bible. Pastor and I also have a number of other resources on these topics which we would be glad to loan out to you for our further study at any time!

Rally Sunday

2009-09-13T15:21:00.001-05:00

09.13.09 RALLY SUNDAY: As this is our first Sunday meeting we used most of the class time for two items: First, we went over all of the various up-coming youth activities & events and handed out registration forms for several of them; and second we asked everyone to write down topics they would like to discuss during our weekly LYF Bible classes this year. There were lots of great topics suggested! We also took a few minutes to put posters on the walls. Attendance was 24.

Why Suffering?

2009-03-08T14:06:00.001-05:00

LYF Bible Class

03.08.09

Biblestudies/Suffering.Good News part 1.030809

WHY SUFFERING?

Why? Why? Why? Why would (my grandmother, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, or I) be allowed to suffer like that/this??? What kind of a God would allow someone to suffer so? Perhaps if they were a horrible person like Hitler, then they would deserve it - but not (my grandmother, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, or myself)! What does the Bible have to say about suffering? Is there a purpose for it? Do we all have to go through it? Perhaps if I could just understand some of the “why’s”, then I could at least be better prepared to respond to the sufferings I will encounter in my own life and the lives of those I love. Today’s LYF Bible Class will begin a study of the subject of suffering. We will be using several resources including the “Good News” issue on this topic as well as the video “When God Doesn’t Make Sense”! This is the third of your “2009 Questions” that we are now using as for your Bible class topics.

“In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Note that the bible verse says that we WILL HAVE tribulation - not that we might have some if we happen to be unlucky or something. It WILL be there for all of us; therefore, lets do our best to get ready for it!

2. Page 3 of Issue #23 of “Good News” magazine on the topic of “Suffering” introduces us to several of the most important truths about the various sources of suffering:

-some suffering is brought on by our own sinful actions ... for example, if we drink too much alcohol we will suffer from damage to our liver; if we get in a fight and someone punches us in the mouth, we will probably suffer from broken teeth, etc; and on a larger scale think of all the suffering that comes from wars!

-some suffering is used by God to reach those He loves and draw us closer to Himself ... for example, in Hosea 5:15, we read “I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face: in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me”.

-some suffering is used by God to discipline us ... for example, in Proverbs 3:11-12 we read, “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”

-some suffering is used by God to cause us to bear more fruit ... for example, in John 15:1-2 we read the words of Jesus: “I am the vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

-some suffering is designed so that the glory of God might be displayed ... for example, in John 9 we read about Jesus healing a man who was born blind - and when asked why he was born blind Jesus answers “it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him” when he is healed. (I consider this to be a more difficult verse needing further study.)

-some suffering comes as a direct attach from Satan himself as in the Old Testament book of Job ... (more on this in a later session)

-and some suffering comes as a warning from God ... (more on this in a later session)

One of the keys to knowing how to respond to our situation of suffering is to attempt to prayerfully determine the source of our suffering! But regardless of which of the above sources our suffering is coming from - we need to remember and trust that it has been filtered through the loving hands of God before it gets to us!

3. We also watched the first 15 minutes of the video “When God Doesn’t Make Sense”. Here are a few of the highlights:

-God is not obligated to tell us why things are happening and why He is allowing them to happen to us!

-When we are going through a time of suffering and don’t know why - it is as though we are in “God’s waiting room”.

-There are times when we simply need to “carry it” and trust that God’s grace is sufficient for our situation

-There is probably no tougher times in our lives when we are going through suffering without knowing why. Unfortunately, these times often lead to a crises of faith - nevertheless, these times of suffering and testing are found all throughout the Bible.

-When the Old Testament person of Job was going through his sufferings, it wasn’t the suffering itself that he complained about - but rather that it didn’t seem that God was hearing his prayers and talking to him.

4. And when Joseph was going through his troubles, there is no evidence from the Bible that God had earlier explained what was going to happen to him! Joseph had to simply trust God at every step along the way.

...to be continued!

04.13.08 Homosexuality. A Christian Perspective

2008-04-13T12:59:00.005-05:00

A Christian Perspective On

HOMOSEXUALITY
Biblestudies\HOMOSEXUALITY.A Christian Perspective On.04.13.08
LYF Bible Class / April 13, 2008

One of the most controversial and emotional issues in our country - and increasingly so - is that of homosexuality

So what does God, the very one who created humans and sexuality itself have to say about homosexuality? To find the answer to that we must of course go directly to His revealed word. We will also be using a book from our Church’s own Concordia Publishing House entitled: A Christian Perspective On Homosexuality”, by Daniel W. Puls.

To start with, let’s answer the following questions:

1. Does God’s written word, the Bible, actually say anything specific about homosexuality?

Yes. Here are some of the references to homosexuality found in the Bible:
Romans 1:26-27
I Corinthians 6:9-11
Genesis 19 (the story of Sodom and Gomorrah)
Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13 (Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.)

2. One of the main verses often used to point out that homosexuality is contrary to God’s revealed will are the Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 verses. However those wishing to dismiss these prohibitions to homosexuality are quick to point out that there are many other verses in Leviticus that direct us to do things that we would consider ridiculous in today’s world, such as the regulations dealing with mildew found in Leviticus 13:47-51. How can one respond to such an argument?

Though some of the other verses create more of a challenge to answer, for this one, we simply need to know that Holy Scripture differentiates between the dietary and ceremonial laws of the Old Testament, which have been set aside, and the moral law, which is upheld in the New Testament.

3. What is the cause of homosexuality?

The major argument is whether a person with homosexual attractions and desires; or whether this is a result of the environment and relationships which a person has experienced. (sometimes referred to as either Biology vs. Environment, or, Nature vs. Nurture). There seems to be evidence that the amount of male or female hormones that are introduced to a person’s brain during the fetal development in the mother’s womb may be a strong factor. Some are searching for a “homosexual gene”. Certainly, any number of positive and/or negative experiences (learned action) with sexuality that a person has will also influence a person’s sexual tendency’s. So, it appears that the answer may be “both” biology and environment. If this is the case, the next several questions becomes even more important.

4. What is the cause of other sins such as heterosexual sin, lusting, adultery, hatred, envy, etc. etc.?

We find the answer to that in Matthew 15:19: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” All actual sins come from the sinful nature we have inherited from our parents and all the way back to the Adam and Eve’s fall into sin

5. Does the cause of homosexuality provide an excuse in God’s eyes? A question in the mind of many homosexuals is that if people are born with homosexual desires, is it really a sin for them to act on them? Some ask how could God expect them to express their sexuality in any other way?

Since ALL sins have their root in the sin we INHERIT, and since God condemns all sin and has judged it to be so serious that Jesus had to die on the cross to take it’s punishment, the answer is an obvious - “NO”, even if homosexuality (or any other sinful desire) were the total result of being born that way - God still calls it sin and directs us to abstain from it. He does not make excuses for it nor allow us to.
And it’s not just the homosexual sin that we try to excuse. In our fallen nature we will try to JUSTIFY any sin. (IE: “but I have a family to feed and surly God will understand why I must steal”...“but I have a college student to pay for, I must cheat on my taxes to have enough money” ... “but I have sexual desires that my wife/husband isn’t meeting; that’s why I had to have an affair” ... “but I have sexual desires and I’m not married yet; certainly God can’t expect me to wait” ... and on and on
Furthermore, God promises that there is NO temptation too great to overcome - with His help (See I Corinthians 10:13.)

6. What should a person do who recognizes that he or she has homosexual attractions and desires?

The person who is tempted to sin sexually needs to do what EVERY person needs to do - namely realize that we are all fallen sinful beings and in need of God’s grace and forgiveness, both to take away our condemnation, AND to help us change our sinful desires and actions.

7. Can a person change from being homosexual?

Most people defending their homosexual lifestyle seem to say no; however there are those who have come out of this lifestyle who say “yes”, they have been changed. The author of the book “A Christian Perspective On Homosexuality”, (Concordia Publishing House), is one who claims to have been changed with God’s help. Chapter 4 of his book specially addresses this point. He does however make a point to the challenges involved, especially in that our fallen sinful nature remains with us throughout this life.

The Bible is full of examples of people caught up in all kinds of sin whom God changed through the power of His renewing word and love. Saul became Paul, Mary Magdalen, Zacchaeus are just a few that come to mind.) And while they still struggled with their fallen sinful nature; their hearts were changed toward the Lord.

On page 48 of his book, “A Christian Perspective on Homosexuality”, Puls states: “Like all Christians who deal with sin, homosexuals who are changing live with the struggle to enact what God has done. It is a continual process. As St Paul wrote: ‘So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind ... Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ out Lord ”

The author then goes on to mention several specific lifestyle changes that helped him to diminish the feelings and attractions of his homosexuality (see chapter 4), and move to the “better way” of expressing sexuality in a manner that God has purposed and intended. On page 36 of his book he states “God chose to perform a unique and beautiful creative act as He took out a rib from Adam in order to create Eve. God ‘divided’ the whole Adam and brought forth man and woman, masculine and feminine, plurality in union. God divided one into two, so that they might draw together again as one. He intended for us to be attracted and drawn into relation with a complementary ‘other’.” “Significant too is that life proceeds as a product and blessing from heterosexual union but cannot possibly come from homosexual union.”

8. Did God make some people heterosexual and others homosexual?

The Bible declares that God created humans as male and female. It was the fall into sin that brought confusion of sexual attractions, desires and activity.

9. Is there a difference between someone having homosexual attractions and living a homosexual lifestyle?

YES Webster's Dictionary defines the word homosexual as characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward another of the same sex ; and the word homosexuality as the quality or state of being homosexual or, erotic activity with another of the same sex . A definition given by our Church states that there is a difference between having strong feelings of attraction toward people of the same gender, which the individual has no control over , and “homosexual behavior” over which the individual is regarded as having control.” Feelings and temptations to sin are just that - they are not sins themselves - unless a person allows those temptations to draw us into willful sinful thoughts and actions.

10. Is homosexuality a greater sin than other sins?

Homosexuality, like all other sins, is a result of the world’s fall into sin, dating back to the garden of Eden and Adam and Eve. The fall of mankind” affected every area of life from then on Anything about this entire earth and all people who live on it that differs from God’s perfect original design in Creation (including hate, illness, disease, death, selfishness, homosexuality, etc., etc.) is the result of mankind's general fall into sin.

11. Why might living a homosexual lifestyle have more noticeable consequences to a person than some other sins?

All sin is equally serious and condemned in God’s eyes - however some sins have greater consequences to our lives and the lives of those around us than others. The Bible declares that sexual sin is one in which we also “sin against our own body.”

12. What is one of the primary purpose for which God gives us commandments not to do certain things?

Out of His love for us God’s commandments are given to protect us and His creation from the consequences of sinful activity, which we in our free will and fallen nature are able and tempted to do. God’s commandments also show us our sin and our need for a Savior.

13. Who is affected when a person engages in a homosexual activity?

While some sins are limited - for the most part - to the one person committing the sin; this sin affects at least one other person who is thus also involved in the sinful activity.

14. How should the Church treat someone who is struggling with homosexuality?

In the same manner that our Lord treats us - with love and caring and forgiveness and encouragement to turn from our sins

15. How should the Church treat someone who is openly and proudly living a homosexual lifestyle?

In the same manner that our Lord treats us - by using the law to show the seriousness and consequences of un-repentant sin. And then hopefully, to be able to share God’s forgiveness and grace when there is repentance.

16. What would you say is the current view of homosexuality in our society? In the media?

It appears to be more and more accepted and even championed as an equally “moral” alternative lifestyle, especially by the media.

CAUTION: Everyone has friends, both male and female, whom they either like very much, or have even stronger feelings of love for. We must be careful not to assume that these are sinful feelings just because they are for a friend of the same gender Indeed, the Bible not only commands us to love one another, but God blesses us with both male and female friends for whom we may have very strong feelings. BUT, there is a God-created design and command about the way that men and women are to relate to each other when it comes to sexual interaction and behavior. When we go outside of God's design and will is when it becomes sinful.

BUT WHAT IF: If someone finds themselves or a friend to have sinful desires and/or be acting on them, he/she should:

1) be aware of sin's great power to also affect this part of God's creation, (that is the creation of sexuality )

2) remember that while the fallen sinful nature remains a part of our lives this side of heaven; God's regenerating power to change our sinful desires and actions is greater than sin's power when we allow the Holy Spirit to be in control

3) repent to God and ask for His help to change if sinful desire or behavior is involved

4) be comforted with the message of God's complete forgiveness of all sins through repentance and faith in Christ

For much more information please go to www.LCMS.org, and type in “homosexuality” in the “Search” box in the upper left hand corner.