St. Timothy Lutheran Church » Faith http://www.sainttimothy.org Sharing the Joy! Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:56:27 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 ©2011 St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Lombard IL hiddenvorlon@msn.com (St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church) hiddenvorlon@msn.com (St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church) 1440 http://www.sainttimothy.org/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg St. Timothy Lutheran Church http://www.sainttimothy.org 144 144 St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church: Sharing the Joy! A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lombard Illinois Podcast. This podcast contains sermons from our worship services. Religion, Jesus, Life, church, Christianity, Spirituality, Christ, God St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church hiddenvorlon@msn.com no no The Eyes of Faith See the Hidden King http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/11/21/the-eyes-of-faith-see-the-hidden-king/ http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/11/21/the-eyes-of-faith-see-the-hidden-king/#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2011 04:19:49 +0000 HiddenVorlon http://www.sainttimothy.org/?p=669 THE EYES OF FAITH SEE THE HIDDEN KING

I.  Victorious in the Cross
II. Ruling through the Divine Word

based on Matthew 27:27-31

]]> http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/11/21/the-eyes-of-faith-see-the-hidden-king/feed/ 0 0:21:11 THE EYES OF FAITH SEE THE HIDDEN KING I.  Victorious in the Cross II. Ruling through the Divine Word based on Matthew 27:27-31 Share on Facebook THE EYES OF FAITH SEE THE HIDDEN KING I.  Victorious in the Cross II. Ruling through the Divine Word based on Matthew 27:27-31 Share on Facebook Podcast St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church no no The Door Of Faith Is The Door To Heaven For All The World http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/09/12/the-door-of-faith-is-the-door-to-heaven-for-all-the-world/ http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/09/12/the-door-of-faith-is-the-door-to-heaven-for-all-the-world/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:04:34 +0000 HiddenVorlon http://www.sainttimothy.org/?p=615 THE DOOR OF FAITH IS THE DOOR TO HEAVEN FOR ALL THE WORLD

I. The World Suffers, Separated from God
II. Christ Is the Redeemer of the World

based on Matthew 15:21-28.

]]> http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/09/12/the-door-of-faith-is-the-door-to-heaven-for-all-the-world/feed/ 0 0:27:11 THE DOOR OF FAITH IS THE DOOR TO HEAVEN FOR ALL THE WORLD I. The World Suffers, Separated from God II. Christ Is the Redeemer of the World based on Matthew 15:21-28. Share on Facebook THE DOOR OF FAITH IS THE DOOR TO HEAVEN FOR ALL THE WORLD I. The World Suffers, Separated from God II. Christ Is the Redeemer of the World based on Matthew 15:21-28. Share on Facebook Podcast St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church no no Christ the Crucified Comes to Save Us by the Word of Faith http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/09/01/christ-the-crucified-comes-to-save-us-by-the-word-of-faith/ http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/09/01/christ-the-crucified-comes-to-save-us-by-the-word-of-faith/#comments Thu, 01 Sep 2011 20:11:36 +0000 HiddenVorlon http://www.sainttimothy.org/?p=606 read more...]]> The Lord who “laid the foundation of the earth” (Job 38:4) is the Author and Giver of life who governs all things by His Word. His wisdom and power are beyond our understanding, except as He reveals Himself in the incarnate Word, Christ Jesus. He has “entered into the springs of the sea” and “walked in the recesses of the deep” (Job 38:16), and He draws near to us in mercy. We have been “a long way from the land, beaten by the waves,” and tossed about by hostile winds (Matt. 14:24).

In our mortality and sinful unbelief, we do not always recognize the Lord Jesus. But as we cry out in fear, He speaks tenderly to us: “Do not be afraid,” and He reaches out His hand to save us (Matt. 14:27, 31). “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13), and now we call upon Him in faith, because we have heard “through the Word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). “The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (Rom. 10:8)

]]> http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/09/01/christ-the-crucified-comes-to-save-us-by-the-word-of-faith/feed/ 0 The Athanasian Creed http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/06/16/the-athanasian-creed/ http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/06/16/the-athanasian-creed/#comments Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:42:27 +0000 HiddenVorlon http://www.sainttimothy.org/?p=575 read more...]]> The natural knowledge of God tells us only that there is a god, something that virtually everyone acknowledges, even if it is only a “prime cause” or “nature.”  We only know the living God, the God who is really there, because he has chosen to reveal Himself through the inspired Word given to Adam and Eve and to their descendants, and then written by the Prophets in the Old Testament and by the Apostles and Evangelists in the New Testament.

Because of the deceit of the devil and of the sinful nature of man, God is continually misrepresented and the faith of people is turned away from the true God.  In the Old Testament, God identified Himself as the One who had revealed Himself to the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and as YAWEH, (or Jehovah), I AM.  This is the unique name He revealed as His own.  Interchangeably with this He revealed Himself also in the Spirit of God, and in the Angel of the Lord.  For this reason the first-century Jews who accepted Christ as their Messiah had no difficulty with the understanding of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Because of the centrality of Christ as God the Son in God’s work to save us, early Christians confessed that Jesus is at the same time true man, as well as God with the Father and the Holy Spirit, and yet not three Gods, but One.  Jesus Identified himself also with YAWEH, declaring, “Before Abraham was, I AM.”  At various times false teachers arose who denied different aspects of the reality of God, especially the divinity of Christ.  In response, statements of belief called creeds were written to clearly state what God has revealed about Himself in the Bible.

While we grow in our understanding of the God in whom we believe, the important thing is that our faith is in the God who is really there.  For that reason to deny what God has said about Himself is to put our faith in something other than the God who is there – a figment of our imagination.
The Athanasian Creed is the most extensive of the three ecumenical or catholic (meaning “universal,” accepted by all Christian churches) creeds. 

Being written after the year 600 (and after many heresies had been refuted) this creed contrasts such false teaching with the truth.  This creed accentuates the fact that our faith rests in the God who really did create us, redeem us, and call us to faith through the gospel, and that only such faith is a saving faith.  It clearly teaches that faith in any other god leads to damnation.

The Athanasian Creed is traditionally confessed in the divine service on Trinity Sunday, because of its exhaustive expression of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.

One clause that is sometimes jarring to Lutheran ears is #39, “And they that have done good will enter into life everlasting; and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.”  What about “salvation by grace through faith”?  This is a good reminder that Jesus fulfilled the law for us; He did not abolish it.  On judgment day sinners have no place with the Holy God.  Our salvation comes through faith in Christ who atoned for our sins, taking them away so that we may actually live and do those things that are good.  By faith we have nothing but good works before God.

]]> http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/06/16/the-athanasian-creed/feed/ 0 What It Means To Live In Christ http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/06/09/what-it-means-to-live-in-christ/ http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/06/09/what-it-means-to-live-in-christ/#comments Thu, 09 Jun 2011 01:49:50 +0000 HiddenVorlon http://www.sainttimothy.org/?p=568 What It Means To Live In Christ
based on John 14:15-21

I. It Means We Love Him and Obey His Commands
II. It Means We Live in Faith
III. It Means We Have Begun to Live with God, and He with Us

]]> http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/06/09/what-it-means-to-live-in-christ/feed/ 0 0:22:45 What It Means To Live In Christ based on John 14:15-21 I. It Means We Love Him and Obey His Commands II. It Means We Live in Faith III. It Means We Have Begun to Live with God, and He with Us Share on Facebook What It Means To Live In Christ based on John 14:15-21 I. It Means We Love Him and Obey His Commands II. It Means We Live in Faith III. It Means We Have Begun to Live with God, and He with Us Share on Facebook Podcast St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church no no We Know Christ as He is Through the Gospel http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/03/11/we-know-christ-as-he-is-through-the-gospel/ http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/03/11/we-know-christ-as-he-is-through-the-gospel/#comments Fri, 11 Mar 2011 02:58:50 +0000 HiddenVorlon http://www.sainttimothy.org/?p=522 WE KNOW CHRIST AS HE IS THROUGH THE GOSPEL

I. The Transfiguration Shows the Eyes What Is Known by Faith
II. God Gives Us Such Occasions Through the Gospel

]]> http://www.sainttimothy.org/2011/03/11/we-know-christ-as-he-is-through-the-gospel/feed/ 0 0:26:39 WE KNOW CHRIST AS HE IS THROUGH THE GOSPEL I. The Transfiguration Shows the Eyes What Is Known by Faith II. God Gives Us Such Occasions Through the Gospel Share on Facebook WE KNOW CHRIST AS HE IS THROUGH THE GOSPEL I. The Transfiguration Shows the Eyes What Is Known by Faith II. God Gives Us Such Occasions Through the Gospel Share on Facebook Podcast St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church no no The Path of a Repentant Faith is a Different Path http://www.sainttimothy.org/2010/12/07/the-path-of-a-repentant-faith-is-a-different-path/ http://www.sainttimothy.org/2010/12/07/the-path-of-a-repentant-faith-is-a-different-path/#comments Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:39:36 +0000 HiddenVorlon http://www.sainttimothy.org/?p=433 THE PATH OF REPENTANT FAITH
IS A DIFFERENT PATH

I. Not the Path of an Deceptive Spirituality
II. A Path That Is Christ-Focused
III. A Path Where We Bring Forth Fruits of Faith

 

]]> http://www.sainttimothy.org/2010/12/07/the-path-of-a-repentant-faith-is-a-different-path/feed/ 0 0:20:36 THE PATH OF REPENTANT FAITH IS A DIFFERENT PATH I. Not the Path of an Deceptive Spirituality II. A Path That Is Christ-Focused III. A Path Where We Bring Forth Fruits of Faith   Share on Facebook THE PATH OF REPENTANT FAITH IS A DIFFERENT PATH I. Not the Path of an Deceptive Spirituality II. A Path That Is Christ-Focused III. A Path Where We Bring Forth Fruits of Faith   Share on Facebook Podcast St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church no no Our Lifelong Walk With Christ http://www.sainttimothy.org/2010/11/23/our-lifelong-walk-with-christ/ http://www.sainttimothy.org/2010/11/23/our-lifelong-walk-with-christ/#comments Tue, 23 Nov 2010 02:29:30 +0000 HiddenVorlon http://www.sainttimothy.org/?p=414 read more...]]> OUR LIFELONG WALK WITH CHRIST

I. Set before Time Began
II. Called to Life
III. Touched by the Power of Life, the Gospel
IV. Receiving the Gift of Faith
V. Encouraged in This Present Evil Age
VI. Strengthened in Word and Deed
VII. Walking with His Family
VIII. For Whom We Pray
IX. Facing Tribulation Strengthened and Protected
X. Persevering by the Gospel
XI. Triumphant through God’s Faithfulness
 

]]> http://www.sainttimothy.org/2010/11/23/our-lifelong-walk-with-christ/feed/ 0 0:27:24 OUR LIFELONG WALK WITH CHRIST I. Set before Time Began II. Called to Life III. Touched by the Power of Life, the Gospel IV. Receiving the Gift of Faith V. Encouraged in This Present Evil Age VI. Strengthened in Word and Deed VII. Walking w[...] OUR LIFELONG WALK WITH CHRIST I. Set before Time Began II. Called to Life III. Touched by the Power of Life, the Gospel IV. Receiving the Gift of Faith V. Encouraged in This Present Evil Age VI. Strengthened in Word and Deed VII. Walking with His Family VIII. For Whom We Pray IX. Facing Tribulation Strengthened and Protected X. Persevering by the Gospel XI. Triumphant through God’s Faithfulness   Share on Facebook Podcast St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church no no Faith and the Faithful are Made by the Word of God http://www.sainttimothy.org/2010/11/02/faith-and-the-faithful-are-made-by-the-word-of-god/ http://www.sainttimothy.org/2010/11/02/faith-and-the-faithful-are-made-by-the-word-of-god/#comments Tue, 02 Nov 2010 01:43:36 +0000 HiddenVorlon http://www.sainttimothy.org/?p=403 FAITH AND THE FAITHFUL ARE MADE BY THE WORD OF GOD

I.    The Scriptures Are the Living Power of God in a Dead and Dying World
II.    The Word of Life Opposes the Words of Death

 

]]> http://www.sainttimothy.org/2010/11/02/faith-and-the-faithful-are-made-by-the-word-of-god/feed/ 0 0:25:54 FAITH AND THE FAITHFUL ARE MADE BY THE WORD OF GOD I.    The Scriptures Are the Living Power of God in a Dead and Dying World II.    The Word of Life Opposes the Words of Death   Share on Facebook FAITH AND THE FAITHFUL ARE MADE BY THE WORD OF GOD I.    The Scriptures Are the Living Power of God in a Dead and Dying World II.    The Word of Life Opposes the Words of Death   Share on Facebook Podcast St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church no no What is THE Faith? http://www.sainttimothy.org/2010/09/11/what-is-the-faith/ http://www.sainttimothy.org/2010/09/11/what-is-the-faith/#comments Sat, 11 Sep 2010 17:20:49 +0000 HiddenVorlon http://www.sainttimothy.org/2010/09/11/what-is-the-faith/ read more...]]> How shall someone who closes his or her eyes for the last time hope to open them in heaven?  Since we do not know how we might convey our soul to heaven, we must hope in God to bring us to Himself, first in this life by calling us to saving faith, and then in completeness when we die and in the resurrection.

But what is this saving faith?  The Devil – God’s enemy and ours – has always confused the issue.  When the children of Israel worshiped the golden calf it was a mere idol, and yet Aaron and others said, Exodus 32:4 … “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!” If anything could be called a god, then why not?

Even though the leaders of the Jews had the Word of God, what we call the Old Testament, they did not put their faith in the Savior who was revealed there, but had a confidence in their own righteousness worked out by keeping rules and regulations.  So Peter had to declare to them that salvation only comes through faith in Jesus Christ:  Acts 4:12 12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Just as the Israelites could call the golden calf the god who saved them, so people today take their own ideas and call them Christian faith.  Only if we know the true Christ can we spot the counterfeit, and know THE faith, the truth about God and His salvation.

There are many counterfeits today.  Some say all religions are different ways to the same god.  Others believe in Islam and the good work of submission.  Still others believe in nature as God.  All such doorways are broad roads that lead away from the true God and into eternal darkness.

But it sees that most in our country are led away by a counterfeit that is even more dangerous because it is so vaguely defined and has no set name, even though many wrongly call it Christian.  Call it indifference or complacency, perhaps.  It is the idea that we all just try the best we can, and God will understand.  If we do our best, we can expect that everything will happen with a purpose and turn out OK.  That includes life after death in heaven.  According to this bit of wishful thinking nearly everybody will be saved.

A few people have started calling this “Moralistic Therapeutic Deism.”  “Moralistic” means that when we do our best to do good, then good things happen.  “Therapeutic” means that this moral behavior will help to solve the problems in the world, including those in our own life.  “Deism” means that the god in charge can be whatever you want it to be, a sort of a warm and fuzzy, non-demanding deity.  This does away with the need to worship, to know the Bible, or to distinguish truth from error.

This is a far cry from what Paul was talking about when He faced imminent death and declared, the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

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