Saturday, April 30, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The Death and Resurrection of Christ
The Death and Resurrection of Christ
It was necessary for Jesus to suffer. When Jesus suffered, he suffered in our place. He suffered both bodily and spiritually. He was mentally tormented with mockery and physically beaten with nails and whips. He suffered to the point of death. Yet, he was obedient.
As hard as we try, we cannot obey God to the point of death. No one will be declared righteous by observing the law. Instead, “through the law we become conscious of sin” (Rom. 3:20 NIV). The wages of sin is death. In Adam we receive our wages of physical death, spiritual death, and eternal death. Under the law, we have been given a death sentence. The law kills. Without Christ we are sentenced to death in body and soul leading to an eternity of separation from the love of God. In fact, without Christ, we are already dead in our sins. A dead man cannot stand before God and pay the price for his own sins. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. Because of our sin, we stand condemned.
In walks Jesus, to stand in our place. It was necessary for Jesus to die. When Jesus died, he died in our stead. He, who knew no sin, became sin for us. His blood was shed, so that our sins would be forgiven. Where we earned death, Christ has given us life. When we were baptized, we were united into His death. By faith in Jesus, our Old Adam is put to death. In Christ we die to our sins.
It was necessary for Jesus to rise on the third day. When Jesus rose from the dead, the world was justified. St. Paul declares at the end of Romans chapter 4 that, “He was delivered over death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Then he begins chapter five by saying, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” (Rom. 4:25 NIV).
When Jesus rose from the grave, the world was absolved from all sin. We are no longer at war with God. Apart from Christ, we were God’s enemies. In our baptism, we have been united with Christ in His resurrection. Just as He was raised by the glory of the Father, we too are raised to walk in newness of life. In Christ, we are made alive toward God.
Now in Christ we are friends and even sons of God. We are able to stand in God’s presence. The same Risen Lord who came to the disciples comes to us this day. Just as Christ came to the disciples saying, “Peace be with you.” He comes to us this day saying, “peace be with you.” He comes to us in His Word. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier
It was necessary for Jesus to suffer. When Jesus suffered, he suffered in our place. He suffered both bodily and spiritually. He was mentally tormented with mockery and physically beaten with nails and whips. He suffered to the point of death. Yet, he was obedient.
As hard as we try, we cannot obey God to the point of death. No one will be declared righteous by observing the law. Instead, “through the law we become conscious of sin” (Rom. 3:20 NIV). The wages of sin is death. In Adam we receive our wages of physical death, spiritual death, and eternal death. Under the law, we have been given a death sentence. The law kills. Without Christ we are sentenced to death in body and soul leading to an eternity of separation from the love of God. In fact, without Christ, we are already dead in our sins. A dead man cannot stand before God and pay the price for his own sins. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. Because of our sin, we stand condemned.
In walks Jesus, to stand in our place. It was necessary for Jesus to die. When Jesus died, he died in our stead. He, who knew no sin, became sin for us. His blood was shed, so that our sins would be forgiven. Where we earned death, Christ has given us life. When we were baptized, we were united into His death. By faith in Jesus, our Old Adam is put to death. In Christ we die to our sins.
It was necessary for Jesus to rise on the third day. When Jesus rose from the dead, the world was justified. St. Paul declares at the end of Romans chapter 4 that, “He was delivered over death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Then he begins chapter five by saying, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” (Rom. 4:25 NIV).
When Jesus rose from the grave, the world was absolved from all sin. We are no longer at war with God. Apart from Christ, we were God’s enemies. In our baptism, we have been united with Christ in His resurrection. Just as He was raised by the glory of the Father, we too are raised to walk in newness of life. In Christ, we are made alive toward God.
Now in Christ we are friends and even sons of God. We are able to stand in God’s presence. The same Risen Lord who came to the disciples comes to us this day. Just as Christ came to the disciples saying, “Peace be with you.” He comes to us this day saying, “peace be with you.” He comes to us in His Word. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Music for Holy Week, Part 2 – excerpts from Markus Passion
Below is a link to the continued discussion on Lutheran Music found on the Intrepid Lutheran blog site:
Music for Holy Week, Part 2 – excerpts from Markus Passion
Music for Holy Week, Part 2 – excerpts from Markus Passion
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Music for Holy Week, Part 1 – excerpts from Matthäus Passion
Here is a wonderful link to the Intrepid Lutherans blog discussing the rich treasures of historic Lutheran music:
Music for Holy Week, Part 1 – excerpts from Matthäus Passion
Music for Holy Week, Part 1 – excerpts from Matthäus Passion
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Crucifix
The Evangelical Lutheran Church believes, teaches, and confesses that the same LORD who gave the promise to Abraham and redeemed the people of Israel from Egypt is the same LORD who has brought redemption to all mankind. For this reason, the church confesses the words of Isaiah declaring, "Our Redeemer—the LORD of hosts is his name— is the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 47:4, ESV) In this way, it is most fitting for our congregation to be named Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church. We believe that Jesus Christ alone is our Redeemer. By His death on the cross He has redeemed us from the power of sin, death, and the devil. As those who trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation we are the redeemed.
The theological art that is utilized in our sanctuary depicts the person and work of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Over our altar we have placed a crucifix in order to reinforce our conviction that Jesus has redeemed us by His death on the cross. St. Paul writes, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:13-14, ESV) Christ has redeemed us with His precious blood and with His innocent suffer and death. The redemption of all humanity is accomplished in the crucifixion of Christ. St. Paul also says, "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV) For this reason, the crucifix is located as the focal point of our sanctuary.
Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier
Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier
Saturday, April 2, 2011
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