Category

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism 1) What is Baptism? Baptism is not water only, but it is water used together with God’s Word and by his command. What is this Word? In Matthew 28 our Lord Jesus Christ says: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name... Read More →

EPHESIANS 6 = BE STRONG IN THE LORD! Bible Background: This letter was written for people who were very much in the minority in their culture, and whose allegiance to Christ was putting them at odds with their own families and communities. This is not a strategy towards a more... Read More →

EPHESIANS 4 = LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF YOUR CALLING! Bible Background: In this chapter Paul’s builds on what God has done for us in Christ, and challenges us to live up to our calling to be Christ’s own, and to be united by the Spirit, in love. What follows is a series... Read More →

EPHESIANS 2 “BUT GOD!” Bible Background: Ephesians 1 celebrates God’s great plan for redeeming and claiming all people in Christ. Chapter 2 tells why that is necessary, and how God is doing that. This chapter also contains the heart of Lutheran/Christian... Read More →

EPHESIANS 1 = WHAT GOD IS UP TO! Bible Background: This New Testament ‘letter’ is addressed to Christians in Ephesus (modern day Turkey), but may be a more ‘general letter’ for all audiences. It brings a very Christ-centered message which emphasizes again... Read More →

PSALM 150=PRAISE THE LORD! Bible Background: Psalm 150 caps the fifth ‘book’ in the psalms. (The psalms are listed in 5 ‘collections’, all of which end with a psalm of Praise.) It also is a fitting finish to the entire book of Psalms. The call to praise... Read More →

A PSALM OF THANKSGIVING #30 Bible Background: Psalm 30 may have been written for a specific purpose, but it has been a psalm for many situations: for healing from a serious illness; or even for rededicating the Temple in about 164 B.C. A typical psalm of Thanksgiving a) invites... Read More →

PSALM 23=A PSALM OF TRUST Bible Background: Psalm 23 (like Psalm 4, 11, 27, 46, 131) is a “psalm of trust”. The situation of the psalmist may be dire, and yet the person affirms their trust in the Lord. Psalm 23 is a favorite psalm for many people. If you know the... Read More →

PSALM 13 = HOW LONG, O LORD? Bible Background: The most common type of Psalm is the psalm of lament or complaint. There are two types: Personal lament, and Community lament. Psalm 13 is a textbook example of a personal lament. Notice the parts: v. 1-2 The Complaint, v. 3-4 The... Read More →

PSALM 100 Some background on the Psalms: The book of Psalms is really a collection of books (5 groupings). These Hebrew poems/songs were the song book and prayer book for Israel. Many authors wrote these psalms over the span of around 1000 BC to 400 BC. Basically there are 5... Read More →