South Central District Spring Pastors’ Conference April 24-25, 2017

Evangelical Firmness in pastoral ministry South Central District Spring Pastors’ Conference April 24-25, 2017

In extending this call to you we solemnly charge you To preach the gospel of our Lord among us in its truth and purity, to administer the sacraments in accordance with the inspired Word of God and the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as incorporated in the Book of Concord of 1580, and to establish and maintain sound Lutheran practice at all times; To discharge toward all the members of our congregation the functions of a pastor, that is, to watch over their souls in an evangelical manner (Acts 20:28); in particular to visit the sick and the dying, to admonish indifferent and erring members (2 Timothy 4:2) and to be ever zealous for the winning of souls for Christ's kingdom;

Acts 20:28 • Note • the tense of the imperative and the order of the objects • the origin of the work • how the work is described (noun & verb) • the importance of the people you serve

2 Timothy 4:2 • Note • the tense of the imperatives • the simplicity of the work • the challenge of the work • the adverbial phrase at the end of the verse

As a minister of the gospel, you are Christ’s ambassador, commissioned by him to preach the Word and administer the sacraments. Our ascended Lord has given you as a gift to his body, the Church, and he has appointed you to love and serve it. You are called to offer prayers and intercessions for his people, to feed, to instruct, to watch over, and to guide the sheep and the lambs of God’s flock, remembering that Christ has bought each of them with his own blood. You are also called to protect the flock from savage wolves who, as the Scriptures say, will try to scatter it. (CW:OS)

The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel There should be in him an equally great earnestness and determination to do all he can to save every soul entrusted to him. Frequently it may seem to him that the majority, if not all members, of his congregation are still blind, dead, unconverted people. That observation must not make him morose or discourage him, but rather fill him with an ardent desire to rouse them out of spiritual death through the divine means of grace and make them living Christians. (208)

The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel A pitiful object is the young minister who enters upon his office with the thought that his days of hard labor and toil are over, that he has now entered a haven of rest and peace, which he decides to enjoy, since now he is his own boss and need not take orders from any person in the world. Equally as pitiable . . . [is the attitude] of the minister who looks upon his office as his craft, or trade, and resolves to prepare for himself a nice, comfortable parish by being careful not to make enemies and doing everything to make all his people his friends. (209)

The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel But blessed is the minister who starts his official work on the very first day with the determination to do everything that the grace of God will enable him to do in order that not a soul in his congregation shall be lost by his fault. Such a one resolves that by the grace of God he will do all he can, so that, when the day comes for him to put down his shepherd’s staff, he may be able to say, as Christ said to his Father: Here I am and those that Thou gavest me, and none of them is lost. (209)

“The world is like a drunken peasant. If you lift him into the saddle on one side, he will fall off on the other side. One can’t help him, no matter how one tries. He wants to be the devil’s.” (111) • Reality check! • The sinful flesh of the flock • The sinful flesh of the pastor • Lord, keep us sober and on the horse!

firm Evangelical Firmness law, no gospel not evangelical evangelical no gospel, no law gospel, no law not firm

The distinction between law and gospel is a particularly glorious light. It serves to divide God’s Word properly [cf. 2 Tim. 2:15*] and to explain correctly and make understandable the writings of the holy prophets and apostles. Therefore, we must diligently preserve this distinction, so as not to mix these two teachings together and make the gospel into a law. For this obscures the merit of Christ and robs troubled consciences of the comfort that they otherwise have in the holy gospel when it is preached clearly and purely. With the help of this distinction these consciences can sustain themselves in their greatest spiritual struggles against the terror of the law. (FC V, 1)

Where we hope to go in our time together The Powerful Enemies of Evangelical Firmness Learning Evangelical Firmness from the Prophets and Apostles (including Jesus) Evangelical Firmness in Action – Practical Counsel from 2 Timothy Cultivating Evangelical Firmness – An Ongoing Task

Evangelical Firmness in pastoral ministry Part One: The Powerful Enemies of Evangelical Firmness

If you’ve ever made change in the offering plate, . . . • If the Blue Book value of your truck goes up and down depending on how much gas it has in it, . . . • If your dad walks you to school because you’re in the same grade, . . . • If you think “loading the dishwasher” means “getting your wife drunk,” . . . • If you own a home with wheels on it and several cars without, . . . • If you have the taxidermist’s number on speed dial, . . .

You might be a WELS pastor • If you take the toilet paper, the coffee, and the tea bags out of your hotel room before you go home, . . . • If you refuse to buy new shoes before the previous ones have holes in the bottom (and your socks do, too), . . . • If you splurge on wine, and it’s Mogen David, . . . • If your speech at your son’s wedding has a theme and three parts, . . . • If your last name begins with S-C-H, . . . • If the first thing you ask the doctor after your son is born is, “Does he have all twelve of his fingers and toes?”, . . .

You might be a legalist • If you make laws where God has not, . . . • If you use the law to coerce people to live obediently, . . . • If you expect people to abide by a code of conduct to be considered Christian, . . . • If you shame people into doing the right thing, . . . • If you give people the impression that they must do something to have life with God, . . . • If you carry out ministry by policy, . . . • If orderliness is your highest goal, . . . firm evangelical not firm not evangelical

You might be a legalist • If you consider orthodoxy a goal in and of itself, . . . • If you have encouraged your elders to “clean up the membership list,” . . . • If you exercise “the ban” to get a man to stop living with his girlfriend, . . . • If your aim is to minimize the amount of sin in the lives of the members of the congregation, . . . • If preaching the law brings you joy, . . . • If you emphasize that people will have a better life by obedience, . . . firm evangelical not firm not evangelical

You might be a legalist Luke 19:5-7 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’ ” • Note • Who’s not muttering, but could be . . . • Who’s muttering, but ought not be . . . • What they’re muttering . . . • Why they’re muttering . . . • What this reveals about legalism . . .

You might be a legalist Luke 15:28-30 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’” • Note • Why the older brother is angry . . . • What this reveals about legalism . . .

You might be a legalist Matthew 18:27-30 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ 30But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. • Note • The shocking nature of legalism . . . • The source of legalism . . .

You might be a legalist Galatians 6:12,13 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. • Note • The legalist’s concerns . . .

LEGALISM • Accepts (and expects) mercy toward self, but demands justice toward others • Arises from, and appeals to, the opiniolegis • Clings even to those who know the gospel • Is the sinful nature’s default approach to life and ministry • Fears the result of gospel preaching • Concerns itself with the outward without much thought to the inward • Believes it is engaged in the noblest of causes: fighting for God’s justice and righteousness

LEGALISM • The Christian allows the threatening of the law to serve as impulse for obedience so that selfishness . . . becomes his motive for acting. (235) • Legalism sets aside the proper source of the Christian life, namely the gospel, and devotes itself to the law, which is not at all intended by God as a source of the new life. (235) • Legalism infiltrates among us in the form of bragging about orthodoxy . . . where the stress is shifted from faith to correct faith . . . Such adherence to orthodoxy is primarily of an intellectual kind. (239)

LEGALISM • Making the gospel a doctrinal law, for which one demands rational acceptance – This method, which treats Scripture with its content as a codex of so and so many fixed propositions that confront a person as something he must believe because after all, it is God’s Word, this is legalistic compulsion. (244) • This bravado of right living shifted the emphasis from “living” to “right.” It wasn’t life engendered by evangelical preaching, but the external form of life pressed into prescribed confines by ill-natured nagging. So it wasn’t real life at all, but a simulation of it, even when it was honestly meant. (262)

You might be a “laxist” • If your law preaching consists primarily of saying that we are all sinners, . . . • If you do not actively pursue those who have wandered from the fold, . . . • If you call letting someone persist in sinful behavior “patience with the weak,” . . . • If you allow generous givers a little more slack in the way they speak about other people, . . . • If you’re willing to do anything not specifically forbidden for the sake of increasing the number of people in church, . . firm evangelical not firm not evangelical

You might be a “laxist” Revelation 2:14,15 (to Pergamum) Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. • Note • The view of doctrine • The view of lifestyle choices

You might be a “laxist” 1 Corinthians 5:1,2,6 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. 2And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? 6Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? • Note • The natural course of laxity . . . • Source of laxity . . .

You might be a “laxist” Jude 4 For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. • Note • Reconciling the opiniolegisand licentiousness? • The result of not preaching God’s law in its primary use . . .

Legalism or Laxity? Identify examples of crass legalism and crass laxity in the contemporary Christian scene. Which do you think is more likely to rear its head in our church body at this time in our history? Why? Evaluate: If you’ve been accused both of being a legalist and of being lax, you’re probably “sober and on the horse.” firm evangelical not firm not evangelical

Evangelical Firmness in pastoral ministry Part Two: Learning Evangelical Firmness from the Prophets and Apostles (and Jesus)

A challenging ministry The people were satisfied with their own form of spirituality The spiritual leaders called for his execution He was physically abused His countrymen wanted him to shut up (and die, to boot!) He had no statistical accomplishments to validate his ministry

A challenging ministry The kings (after Josiah) despised his preaching (Jehoiakim’s burning of the scroll) He had no family to count on and no wife for support He had no sensible reason to continue proclaiming the law or heralding the gospel

Jeremiah 1:4-10 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” 6 “Ah, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. 9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Jeremiah 23:1-3 “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the Lord. 3 “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number.

Jeremiah 23:4-6 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord. 5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.”

Jeremiah 23:1-3 “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the Lord. 3 “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number.

Jeremiah 23:4-6 4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord. 5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.

Jeremiah 26:12-15 Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. 13 Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you. 14 As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right. 15 Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.”

Jeremiah 33:4-9 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the houses in this city . . . 5 . . : ‘They will be filled with the dead bodies of the men I will slay in my anger and wrath. I will hide my face from this city because of all its wickedness. 6 “ ‘Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. 7 I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. 8 I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. 9 Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’

Complete this sentence: Jeremiah could be evangelical and firm because . . . He understood the plan of God He trusted the promise of God He relied on the power of God He recognized the power of God’s Word He knew the purpose of God He loved the people God loved

If we are to have the courage to say what needs to be said, if we are not to trim our sails to every wind, if we are to open our mouths to confess the Word of God, . . . then we will need this God-given courage, and we will get it only as we cling to the promises of God. . . . Our danger is that we begin to despise these promises, and when we hear them we are no longer satisfied with them and we look upon them as “old stuff.” When that happens we have already lost the source of strength. We need to become as little children and in the naivete of the Christian faith find the way to the unshaken courage of a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (“Jeremiah, Symbol of Perseverance”) Evangelical Firmness

Evangelical When men therefore tell us today that our doctrine is outmoded, that scholarly men no longer accept the Bible as infallibly true, that Scripture must be reinterpreted if we are to keep ourselves from becoming ridiculous in the eyes of the world, we need to remind ourselves that these words, written in this book, are the words of the Lord, and I would rather simply repeat God’s words after him in childlike faith than to have the praise of those who have a form of godliness but who deny the power thereof. (“Jeremiah, Symbol of Perseverance”) Firmness

2 Samuel 12:1-14 Why would this have been particularly difficult for Nathan to do? Identify evidences of evangelical firmness in Nathan’s dealing with David. Nathan did what he did because . . . Nathan Rebukes David

John 21:15-19 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” John 21:15-19 Jesus Reinstates Peter

John 21:15-19 Why did Jesus speak to Peter in this way? How does Jesus’ dealing with Peter fit under the heading of “evangelical firmness”? Jesus Reinstates Peter

Galatians 2:11-21 Why would this have been particularly difficult for Paul to do? Identify evidences of evangelical firmness in Paul’s dealing with Peter. Paul did what he did because . . . Paul Rebukes Peter

Evangelical You have a couple of outspoken members who do not think the congregation can or should move forward with a building project because of the financial strain it will place on the congregation. During an open forum they speak strongly against both the project and the leadership of the congregation suggesting it. Apply the lessons of these accounts to the situation. How would you proceed? Firmness

South Central District Spring Pastors’ Conference April 24-25, 2017