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July 2010 |
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Our church is about the Gospel. What is meant by that? What exactly is the
Gospel? The Gospel is all about good news. What is this good news? The good news is that the Lord of heaven and earth took on our flesh and suffered and died in our place for our sins. After he suffered this brutal and bloody death for our sins, he rose again in triumph. There is no doubt that the cross and the empty tomb are essential to the Gospel. Without our Lord’s death for our sins and his resurrection, there would be no forgiveness, life, and salvation. The cross and the empty tomb, however, describe how these gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation were earned. How do these gifts become ours? For many, Christ merely offers the gifts. We must also do our part. It is up to us to accept these gifts in order to make them our own. We must make the decision. We must give our lives to our Lord. We must submit to him. Christ does not merely offer the gifts, however. He also delivers them. That is what happens by means of his Word and his sacraments. The Word that is proclaimed and the sacraments that are administered locate for us where the Lord is at work, giving to us what he achieved by his death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave. This is why the Lord established his church. His church is where his Word is proclaimed to weary sinners. His church is where we are washed and made clean by Baptism. His church is where we receive his very body and blood for our forgiveness in the Sacrament of the Altar. Therefore, do not throw away such valuable gifts. A gift that is rejected does not do any good. Come and receive what the Lord has achieved for you by his death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave. He not only achieved these tremendous gifts for us, but he also delivers them so that we can be certain that they belong to us. That’s the assurance of the Gospel. And that is what the church is about. God’s blessings to you!! |
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Last Updated:07/05/10 |
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From
Pastor