Newsletter – October 2009

 

“And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.”  2 Corinthians 8:5

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

      October is the month when the Church remembers and celebrates the event which restored the Gospel to prominence in the Christian Church.  That event is named the Reformation.  Actually, this event was more than a one day type of thing.  The Reformation was a long process that took years to bring about the changes that were necessary for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to regain unfettered prominence. 

 

      You are familiar with some of the names associated with this Reformation, most notably Rev. Dr. Martin Luther.  Perhaps you are familiar with his transformation as he went from lowly priest and student of God’s Word to Reformer of the Church.  If you truly think about this transformation, you will come to understand that it was not Dr. Luther who transformed the Church, rather it was the Lord of the Church working through redeemed men to reform the Church and restore the Gospel to prominence.

 

      It is vitally important for us to consider our own reformation, if you will.  This reformation is not of the Church but of the heart and mind.  We read in the passage above about this reformation of heart and mind.  It begins with the humility of faith.  Humility that leads us to give ourselves first to God and His will before taking any action.  The reformed Macedonians did just this. They were asked to help the struggling Church in Jerusalem.  They prayerfully sought the Lord for guidance and direction.  Then they acted in faith trusting that they were following God’s will.

 

      By nature we are quite selfish and self serving.  We think first of ourselves rather than seeking the will of God.  Perhaps an illustration will help to understand this thought.  Why is the Dead Sea named the Dead Sea?  It is named the Dead Sea because the water is filled with dissolved minerals and salts that make it difficult for life to exist.  How did those minerals fill those waters?  They came in from the rain and the river which flows into it.  Most important, there is no river or stream which flows out of the Dead Sea.  The water can only leave through evaporation and leaves the remaining mineral laden water to become more toxic. A reformation is needed to make the water living and life supporting.

 

      We were like the Dead Sea before our reformation, before God changed our hearts and minds to be His servants and followers of Jesus Christ.  Everything pointed to us until the water of Holy Baptism transformed us in heart, soul and mind by drowning the toxic sinful Old Adam, and creating a New Adam conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ.

           

      This past summer we again experienced the transforming power of God’s Word and the lasting effects of Baptism.  As a congregation, we studied the Word of God and sought the will of God as did the Macedonian Church in Paul’s time when we went through the Congregation Renewal/Revitalization with Rev. Robinson. 

 

      We continue the Revitalization/Renewal work this month when Rev. Robinson visits with us on October 31 at 9:00 am – 11:00 am.  Rev. Robinson will lead us to discern more clearly the will of God as we seek to serve the Lord of the Church, Jesus Christ.  Please set this time aside to give yourself to the Lord first so that we will be able to determine and fulfill His will in supporting and proclaiming the saving work of Jesus Christ.

 

In Christ,                                   

 

Pastor Robert Schneider

Our Saviour Lutheran Church

Evansville, Indiana