Lutheran Missions .org » Newsletter http://lutheranmissions.org What they had not heard they shall consider. Wed, 09 May 2012 11:35:38 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #216 http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/4445/ http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/4445/#comments Wed, 09 May 2012 11:31:02 +0000 Mary Koenig http://lutheranmissions.org/?p=4445

B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #216
I Cor.. 16:9 ‘For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.’
May 9, 2012
China – While we in the CLC and our sister churches are not involved in mission work in China, we can only rejoice at what Chinese Christians are doing to reach out. Many of these Chinese are pentecostal and of course therefore we do not agree with some of their teachings, like God speaking to them in dreams, we still acknowledge God’s work through them. Also the figure of 1 million grown to 100 million are both the upper limits of Protestants in China, whereas the Roman Catholics would be in addition to this, though of course no one but God knows the exact figures of believers.

The Spreading Flame
The News that is Fit to Print Back on Feb. 3, ’11 in the Washington Post this appeared. “Although today is the dawn of the Chinese New Year, most people are unaware that Chinese Christians are gearing up to be the world’s most potent missionary force. China? Christians? Sure enough. For decades now they’ve had plans to evangelize the Muslim world that lies along the old Silk Road route. This could be one of the most ambitious missionary enterprises in 2,000 years of Christianity. No national church has amazed the world as much as that of the Chinese. From 1 million at the time of the Communist takeover in 1949, it’s grown to 100 million followers, a breathtaking growth in 60 years. Evangelical Chinese Christians have come up with a way to evangelize a large portion of the world that will never see a western missionary. These are countries with large Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu populations, most of them located somewhere along a 7,000-mile route stretching from Xian in central China to the cities of Jerusalem, Antioch and Istanbul in the Middle East. Those were the ancient terminuses of the famous Silk Road. Mission experts estimate there are some 2 billion people in these countries who’ve never heard of Christianity. And what nationality has businesses and enterprises in every nation on the Earth? And which is the most populous country with the fastest-growing church? Starting several decades ago, Chinese Christians began to strategize how to secretly plant churches along this Silk Road through an initiative called the Back to Jerusalem movement. The idea was to start businesses in countries from India to Iran that would never suspect that the Chinese grocer or restaurant owner down the street would like to convert them…” God is at work in myriad ways. Praise be to Him who loves a world gone mad.
The Spreading Flame #2 The following is an article by Mike Turner in ‘LifeBrook’

“…This article, however, is not so much about the persecution of Christians in China as it is about the heroic efforts of Chinese Christians to spread the gospel beyond the borders of the Middle Kingdom. The fact that  these brothers and sisters in Christ plan and execute these missionary  efforts is especially remarkable, considering the political environment  in which they have to operate.
I lived and worked in China for over five years, serving as a “tent-maker” missionary. During this time, I became acquainted with many Chinese Christians, both members of underground house churches and the  official Three Self Patriotic Movement, the government sanctioned church in China. It was through my friendships with these remarkable  Christians that I first learned of the “Back to Jerusalem” project.  Since returning to the States I have learned that very few western  Christians are aware of Back to Jerusalem, so I want to share a bit of  information about the movement in hopes that these brief words might  motivate readers to pray for these courageous missionaries who, quite  often, place themselves in the mouth of the lion.
Briefly stated, the goal of the Back to Jerusalem project is for Chinese  Christians to evangelize all the nations between China and Jerusalem.  The proponents of the movement understand that Christianity spread  westward from Jerusalem and eventually to Britain and America. The faith then traveled from these two countries to China. The Chinese Church now feels it has both a call and a mandate from God to take the gospel  message all the way back to its origin. In a geographical sense, the  good news will have spread around the world.
The vision for Back to Jerusalem actually was birthed back in the 1920’s,  but due to the ever-shifting nature of Chinese politics during the first half of the 20th Century, the movement fell off the radar  for a number of years, only to resurface with great passion as the  century drew to a close. Often hamstrung by a lack of funds, the  proponents of the project never gave up. Against all odds, the initial  missionary team was formed and trained.
In March, 2000, a team of 36 Chinese missionaries left the country for the mission field. A number of them never returned, but the project  continued to move forward. Relatively unknown in the West, the Back to  Jerusalem movement continued to arouse passion in the Chinese Church.  Many of the initial missionaries had been subject to torture,  deprivation, and ill-treatment in their home country, so they were  well-prepared for what they might face in other lands that were hostile  to Christianity, especially Muslim nations.
The Islamic countries are a high priority for the Back to Jerusalem  missionaries. As I talked to people involved in the project and  reflected on what I learned, I arrived at one salient awareness: Perhaps the Chinese are much better equipped to evangelize Muslim nations than  we westerners, particularly Americans, are. The fact is, Americans have a bad reputation in the Islamic World. Whether this image is justified or not is not the issue here. The reality is, a Muslim is more likely to  listen to a Chinese Christian than an American one.
Space does not permit a detailed analysis of the movement here. I would like, however, to encourage Christians here in the States to pray for these  missionaries, their families, and for the success of Back to Jerusalem.  Believe me, these folks need all the help they can get, spiritual and  material. If you would like more information on the Back to Jerusalem  project, visit the website:”
The Spreading Flame  #3
News from Lausanne Word Pulse in Sept. ’11 this appeared. “Chinese Missionaries Today Chinese missionaries serving in Muslim countries have much more freedom to witness because they are not from the West. In 2005, teams of  Chinese missionaries went into Pakistan after the December 2004 massive  earthquake. They took blankets, tents, food, Bibles and Christian  literature in Urdu. The Pakistani people were very open to the gospel  during this time. When the Chinese NGOs would approach in their Jeeps  (which had Chinese flags on them) the locals would yell, “The Christians are coming!” They would run toward the Jeeps, eager to receive the help that was offered in the name of Jesus.
Today Chinese missionaries serving in Muslim countries have much more freedom to witness because they are not from the West.
Church leaders in Afghanistan,  Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are asking for Chinese pastors and  missionaries to come and teach on suffering. The years of suffering  under the hand of the Communist government have placed Chinese church  leaders in a unique place to help these young pastors who are facing  arrest, imprisonment and harassment in Central Asia. Few joys have  surpassed that of participating in two days of teaching in an  underground training center in west China. I translated for one  instructor as he taught a group of Chinese missionary candidates how to  reach out to Muslims. At the end of our time together our Chinese hosts  took us to a feast of roasted lamb in the heart of the downtown bazaar.  After sharing a meal and laughter, they eagerly asked if the instructor  would come to the Middle East to help train their workers. They invited  him to return to west China to train more Chinese missionaries on how to reach out to Muslims in the name of Jesus. We thanked God for one more  glimpse of the work he is doing through Chinese believers…” We come up with innovative ways to reach out. The Lord who is over all has ways we did not think of and successful to boot.
Pastor Koenig
]]> http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/4445/feed/ 0 B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #215 http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-215/ http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-215/#comments Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:46:13 +0000 Mary Koenig http://lutheranmissions.org/?p=4440  

B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #215
I Cor.. 16:9 ‘For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.’
April 28, 2012
Introduction – From Wikipedia “The 10/40 Window is a term coined by Christian missionary strategist Luis Bush in 1990[1][2] to refer those regions of the eastern hemisphere located between 10 and 40 degrees north of the equator, a general area that in 1990 was purported to have the highest level of socioeconomic challenges[3][4] and least access to the Christian message and Christian resources[5][6][7] on the planet.
The 10/40 Window concept highlights these three elements: an area of the world with great poverty and low quality of life, combined with lack of access to Christian resources. The Window forms a band encompassing Saharan and Northern Africa, as well as almost all of Asia (West Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, East Asia and much of Southeast Asia). Roughly two-thirds of the world population lives in the 10/40 Window. The 10/40 Window is populated by people who are predominantly Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Animist, Jewish or Atheist. Many governments in the 10/40 Window are formally or informally opposed to Christian work of any kind within their borders.”
This is an area of major unreached people, those who have not heard the Gospel in this age we live in. As you see the areas and countries in the lists why not pray over them that these people are reached by the Christian Church. Pastor Koenig
]]> http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-215/feed/ 0 B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #214 http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-214/ http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-214/#comments Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:53:42 +0000 Mary Koenig http://lutheranmissions.org/?p=4418
B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #214

I Cor.. 16:9 ‘For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.’
April 6, 2012
EASTER REFLECTIONS

With our eyes, we see
the beauty of Easter,
as the earth awakens, once more!
With our ears, we hear
the birds sing sweetly,
to tell us, Spring, again, is here!
With our hands, we pick
the golden dandylions,
which delight the simple heart!
But, only, with our hearts can we feel
the miracle of God’s love,
which redeems all men!
And, only, with our soul
can we make, “Our pilgrimage, to God,”
and inherit His Easter Gift of Eternal Life!
Waltraud
A Blessed Easter to You 
 They should have seen it coming. Jesus entered into the home of Jairus, Mk. 5:22-24, 35, 41-41. He gave new life to the hopeless as He had the little girl arise from the dead. Jesus came at the head of a joyful procession and met the mourning procession of the Widow of Nain. Lk. 7:12-15 Jesus turned their sorrow into joy as He raised the young man from the dead and gave him back to his mother. Jesus loves is  fact. One of those He loved personally on earth when He walked was Lazarus. Jn. 11:21-27 He came to Lazarus’ tomb and gave the dead life, promising us the same. He has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light. Good Friday is the death knell for sin, hell, satan, and death. He died to cancel out all that stood against us. As we celebrate Easter, we are celebrating the proof of what has been done by Him. The same living Lord now walks with us to guide us into eternal life.
Pastor Koenig
]]> http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-214/feed/ 0 B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #213 http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/4398/ http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/4398/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:29:47 +0000 Mary Koenig http://lutheranmissions.org/?p=4398
  B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #213

I Cor.. 16:9 ‘For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.’
March 30, 2012
Pastor Ude reports: TOGO
 As was the plan I did not go to Togo or Ghana, but I did meet with Pastor Kossi in Badagari. Kossi’s congregations in Varipariso ( 100 adults ) and Segby ( 20 adults ) remain about the same. He does however have two additional outreach areas. Both areas began with families who asked Kossi to come preach and have since grown slightly, in Hatoe there are about 9 adults, and 12 in Zangara. Besides these four places there is apparently a man in Togo who gave some land to Kossi asking him to come start a church there. He actually gave two plots one in Cotonou (Benin)and further north in Natitingou. Kossi hasn’t explored these areas yet, but said he was going to be signing the land deal with this man on his return. He still has about five young men whom he is working at training for the ministry. He has taken them through the Catechism, “What does the Bible Say,” and is currently working on “What is preaching.” Besides this he prints out the ministry by mail each week and goes through that with them as well.
GHANA
 Unfortunately Pastor Gideon was not able to come to the recent conference. I did however speak to him on the phone. He has returned to a driving job. His congregation remains the same about 16 adults. They were expelled from the land they had been using. The congregation’s primary focus currently is on finding a place to worship. This seems to me to be the most pressing need of this kind in West Africa. Martin Essien from Nigeria is going to visit Ghana and report back to me on possibility of buying some land for Gideon. Joseph Kofi Ackah did make it from Ghana. He was quite eager to start at the Bible Institute which begins classes the 23rd of January. I didn’t see any reason not to start him immediately. I just recently received a report from Joseph that he was not able to make it to Efa for the start of the new school year. However he is working with Pastor Patrick Udo towards the possibility of starting later this year. 
 
Encounters of a Spiritual Kind

 

Looking in All the Wrong Places – Mt. 19:16-24

There were those on the Areopagus who sought the answers to life in their philosophy, speculation and reasoning. It was clear on that mount that they contemplated the products of the human mind. But for those who seek to justify themselves in our Lord’s day or in ours, they appeal to God for their work-righteousness. They would use the Ten Commandments, which they say God gave, as the means for reward after this life. That was the approach of this rich young ruler, “Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?”

To us this is so pathetic. Yet it is the way of the prestigious lodges. This is not just an aberration of the Jews of Jesus’ day. This ‘works’ religion is basic to the largest visible Christian church, the church of the Antichrist. Even among numerous Protestant denominations it has established a beachhead.
The Lord is gentle with this fellow. He is looking for the answer to the question and not just trying to test Jesus or trip Him up. When Jesus refers him to the commandments, the ruler states he has kept them. Jesus does not point out he has not, but moves on to requirement that would show whether the man really wanted eternal life. “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Oh, oh! Where your treasure is there will your heart be
also. The man went away sorrowing because he had great possessions. The immense wealth and prosperity of our society is both a blessing and a curse. We, Christians, have more to give for our Lord’s work. The technology of our society can be harnessed for His purposes. But for so very many wealth is a trap. They fall in and are taken hook, line and sinker. To this materialist we want to speak.
When we do, we must make a clear dichotomy between: Christ ruling life or mammon dictating in effect disaster, eternal life or eternal death, forgiveness from above or work righteousness from man. We don’t want to mince words that one can get the wrong idea so as to serve Christ and mammon. We shouldn’t be daunted if our prospect goes away sorrowing. Conversion can yet happen by the power of the Word.
But with the prospect we should offer the opportunity to decide before we depart the encounter. He doesn’t have to. But why not give him the chance? We may have been overly cautious in this due to the error of the Reformed in their ‘decision theology.’ At least we want to leave the prospect with the idea that it is either or. There are so many passages warning us against materialism. Lay not up…the camel and the eye of the needle…into temptation, into a snare…
To his original workrighteous question of “what good deed must I do?” we also have ample passages. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of your own doing, it is the gift of God—not because of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9 All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…there’s none that does good, no not one…by works of the law shall no one be saved. Jesus sought to show the man that his own righteousness was not so perfect as he thought because he would not ‘do good’ by giving up his wealth and following the Teacher.

Wrong Loyalties Jn.3:1-21

While the rich young ruler went away sorrowing, and we do not know the final outcome of his life, with Nicodemus we are certain. Nicodemus also at first went away and did not follow the Lord. Later, we see his faith demonstrated in his work at the burial of our Lord. This example should give us great encouragement in that we may not see the results at first, though over time and out of our sight the Lord can work.

Nicodemus had been brought up in the workrighteousness and hypocrisy of Judaism. This has to account for his not understanding our Lord. But our Lord planted the seeds that the Spirit might later sprout in Nicodemus’ heart. On being born again or anew of water and the Spirit he asks, “How can this be?” He does not at this point see that a break must be made with his past.
The Lord explains how the bronze serpent prefigured the Christ’s sacrifice. This is one of the many Old Testament pictures of the Redeemer. To a man like Nicodemus high in Judaism and therefore familiar with the Word this had to leave an impression. Over and
over again in the New Testament record we read of how what Christ said or did was to fulfill Scripture. Even if the person we are witnessing to is not familiar with Scripture, unlike Nicodemus, we can still use the prophetic fulfillments in Christ to point out how He was the Messiah, the Savior. God promised. God fulfilled.
The Lord gives a warning to Nicodemus not to join in with those who reject the Son, the Light. And it is here that we have that best known passage of the Gospel, Jn.3:16. Jesus does give Nicodemus the Gospel deeming him an inquirer and not one of those who came to test or entrap. We have to make a similar determination with our prospect. And we will know by how they received our witness. One honestly questioning should have the Gospel left with him.
There are many who have loyalty to the wrong thing or person. Nicodemus’ was to Judaism and the Sanhedrin. Paul in witnessing to Felix, Acts 24:22f., came across a man who had a head knowledge of the Way, while his loyalty was to Rome, power and money. Paul tried mightily to show Agrippa the truth of Jesus and forgiveness of sins, Acts 26:1f., only to have the king fall back on his power and the Jewish people who had him for king. It is a matter of Christ or… So very, very often many pick…

Conclusion

With these examples of spiritual encounters we see there is so much to learn about witnessing to our Lord. Yet one thing comes out starkly, we must witness.Like the apostles we cannot but speak. Like the untimely born, woe to me if I don’t. Our conscience should stab us. Necessity is laid upon us. But it is not a necessity driven from without, rather from within. We now love Him, because He first loved us and suffered and died for us. So we speak about Him. There is the inner compulsion.

This propounds in no way to be exhaustive in the study of one on one witnessing encounters in the Gospels and Acts. But for what is here may it serve to stimulate practically. Just to review, consider the following pointers drawn from the studied encounters.
Make a healthy part of the purpose of your daily life to witness.
Really reach out with the Word to those beyond the ones who love you and in turn you love.
Pay attention to people and be interested.
Depending on the situation try to use the oblique approach.
Leave a clear witness with something to think about.
Study the Word and consider illustrations to get your points across.
Try to establish a common ground for a relationship and a willing ear.
End your witness on a positive note if at all possible.
When condemning hypocrisy, don’t be hypocritical yourself.
Demonstrate your love in words and in deeds.
Work to change the conversation from the mundane to the spiritual.
Speak the law to convict of sin, and the Gospel to convince of salvation.
Build on the religious knowledge that the prospect has.
To the impenitent leave the law with its barbs.
Be clear in presenting the contrasts of Christ and mammon, etc.
Be patient knowing the Spirit will work in His own time.
And pray about the encounter, being specific, before, during and after the encounter.
Only one life ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Pastor Koenig
]]> http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/4398/feed/ 0 B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #212 http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/4384/ http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/4384/#comments Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:39:47 +0000 Mary Koenig http://lutheranmissions.org/?p=4384  

B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #212
I Cor.. 16:9 ‘For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.’

March 15, 2012
Annual Report of BELC India Districts -Uthukottai, Chennai, Tiruvallure, Tiruttani, Vaniyampadi, Sri Kalahasti, Koppedu, Chittoor
These are excerpts. – Number of Pastors Serving – 261, Number of Baptisms – 161 Pastor D. Paul gave us at our recent joint conference in Chennai a report on the work. Among other things he told: Spiritual Counseling – Spiritual counseling is concerned with helping otherwise healthy functioning individuals identify, strategize, and solve problems in the daily living environments of family, work, community and spirituality. It is concerned with problems and challenges of everyday living. We are not a problem solver. Our Lord only solves all our problems. Our BELC is educating the youths about marriage and responsibilities associated with running a family. Our Savior made peace between God and men. He is the peace of God and the Prince of Peace. Through Him and His Gospel words, we are trying to make peace and solve the problems. Film Ministry – We have been doing the film ministry since 2000 and the Jesus film ministry program is a very great tool for outreach ministry. The local pastor or supervisor of the film ministry delivers a very good introduction address about the film and the purpose of the film showing. This year the film was shown: Chennai Dist. – 8 areas, Koppedu Dist. – 9 areas, Tiruttani Dist. – 5 areas, Chittoor and Sri Kalahasti Districts – 11 areas, Uthukottai Dist. – 9 areas. Gospel Meetings – We have been conducting the open air Gospel meetings in several places of our districts. The Scripture of John’s Gospel and New Testaments were distributed. In one area over 2500 people participated, while in two others over 300 people each. Health Camps – The BELC conducted two medical health camps during the year. Tuition Centres – These are conducted in five places. Children after school are helped with lessons, and Bible stories are also taught. 
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Pastor Ude reports from visits in January ’12:
ELCC The ELCC is currently working in 5 districts with a total of 31 called workers. The amount of money we are currently sending allows Muzukuza to visit two districts a year. It is my hope that when I go I will also be able to visit one district with him. This would mean he would get to visit three districts a year. It would be ideal if he could visit all four. Pastor Muzukuza also asked about a couple of other projects including the building of a school in Nyunzu east of Katanga. We also talked about sending Hubert, Muzakuza’s son, to one of our Bible Schools in Africa. Hopefully the school in East Africa will be up and running by the end of this year, in which case it is our hope that Hubert could attend starting next year. If however the east Africa school isn’t back up by the end of the year, perhaps we could send Hubert to Nigeria.
CCLC Pastor Yumba reported orally on the work. He has a few congregations in the Lubumbashi area and a few outside as well. He wants me to come visit these congregations when I am there next year, hopefully I will be able to do this. He is currently working across the border with some men from Zambia as well. In Zambia across the border we met with representatives from about eight congregations. There were definitely some surprises here in Zambia. The one congregation we went to visit had an exorcism for us. Yumba and the other men from the CCLC were just as surprised and doubtful of the show as Todd and I were. But the men were more than willing to listen and learn in the conference. Clearly there is a lot of teaching that needs to be done here. Thank the Lord for Yumba and men like him who are there and can provide solid biblical training throughout the year.
  ZAMBIA Pastor Ibrahim is working with about 6 men in and around Lusaka, Zambia. Pastor Ibrahim is obviously very dedicated and very capable. He showed us around some of his evangelism opportunities, devotions at an Aids hospital and villages. You can read more about this on my blog http://paroikos.lutheranmissions.org or Todd Ohlmann’s. We only spent a couple days with these men. We went through the statement of faith and purpose. More thorough training will continue to be given to these men by Ibrahim. We wait to see how that training progresses. If the men in Lusaka prove to be dedicated servants, it will certainly be worth the effort to help Ibrahim permanently relocate to Lusaka, not only for the sake of Lusaka but also Zimbabwe and Congo. Ibrahim seems an excellent man to have on hand to help oversee the work in this area of Africa. Currently his family is back in Tanzania.
  ZIMBABWE The situation in Zimbabwe is about the same as that in Zambia. Here we have a group of about 15 men who seem to be dedicated, willing and ready to learn and grow in true Christian doctrine. We met with the men and went through the Statement of Faith and Purpose. They brought up some serious points about the work and gifts of the Holy Spirit. But their objections and questions seemed to be more motivated by a desire to learn and by questions they face rather than because they thought we were wrong.
News From the Nigerian CLC Pastor Ude reports that in 2010 there was one graduate from the Bible Institute, and in 2011 there were two. All three have been assigned churches. This year there is the possibility of three new students, one of whom is from Ghana. When he completes his studies, it is his intent to return to Ghana. At the recent West African Conference Pastor Ude baptized this Ghanian. We pray for the young man’s intent to be fulfilled.
 
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Encounters of a Spiritual Kind
The Manifestly Impenitent – Lk.11:45-52
It is a mark of this wicked world that not all who we encounter will be like Sergius, seeking to hear the Word. John the baptizer reproved Herod for his sin, and we know what happened to John. Yet it must be done. Our goal is that expressed by Peter to Simon Magus in reproving him, “Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.”
Acts 8:22
We notice first of all in Luke eleven that this man has not the same attitude as the one in Mark twelve. The impenitent may argue over and at least resent your words. The lawyer would defend the integrity of his fellows. Defend hypocrisy? The Lord of course could read the man’s heart and knew his was no innocent and merely misguided question. While we do not have that ability, we must judge by what the person says and does. There are those manifestly impenitent to whom we, like our Lord here, only speak the law. An early Lutheran circuit rider in the USA by the name of Wyneken once came upon a wicked blasphemer who just would not listen. So Wyneken mounted his horse and left the man with the words, “Then go to hell.” The story goes on that the man was so upset that a pastor would say this to him, that he rode after him with a good result of repentance.
That is our goal also. Our Lord’s words here pin the lawyer to the wall. “You load men with burdens hard to bear and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.” We have no way of knowing how long such an encounter for us will last and so want to peg the sin clearly for the person to think about. Here it is hypocrisy. The Lord points out how they operate with such an unfair double standard.
“Abel…Zechariah…the prophets” Our Lord speaks from His perfect acquaintance with the Word. Ours is not so perfect and has to be worked on, so that we too might speak words readily applicable.
At the end of the narrative the Lord lays upon him the guilt of hindering others. No man is an island. Each influences others. And especially would the respected lawyer be an influence. “You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering. ”Perhaps this would have some weight with one who prided himself on his influence among the people. We could also take this tack depending on the encounter.
But basically it is only law that we speak to those who exhibit impenitence. Such are not prepared for the Gospel. Our witness of the Gospel to such could result in casting pearls before swine who could tear and rend in mockery of the Word.
Pastor Koenig
]]> http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/4384/feed/ 0 B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #211 http://lutheranmissions.org/uncategorized/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-211/ http://lutheranmissions.org/uncategorized/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-211/#comments Fri, 02 Mar 2012 13:56:37 +0000 Mary Koenig http://lutheranmissions.org/?p=4331
B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #211

I Cor.. 16:9 ‘For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.’
March 2, 2012
Greetings from teacher Ibrahim (A preacher in southern part of Zambia).
I am very happy to write to you this mail because in the Christ we are one therefore we need to know each other in spiritual life and physical as well.
It is by the grace of God to communicate to you through mail but in spirit we communicate every day through prayer as the Bible commands us (praying without ceasing).Through your prayers the CLC Zambia is growing and many people are coming to learn the word of God after being reached by the gospel.
The following is the testimony which I faced last week when we reached one tribe in Zambia called  Tonga Lea (Tonga)  Most of  this tribe lives out of developments and most of them are living in houses which are built with grass from foundation of the house up to the roof (But others are living in town and they are rich). Most of them  don’t know things called good house, good food, good clothes, Television etc. We remember we were with evangelist Peter Mwerwa, the one who is working  as a Timothy and with two brothers in that area. We approached some families but it was difficult because whatever we spoke needed to be translated. But we thank God for those two brothers to help us to translate (the people can’t speak English well, especially the old people).
One family asked us this question “are you speaking words of Jesus, where is he? Can we welcome him to visit us? And if these words which you are speaking to us are true, where were you since we were young until today? They concluded by saying we were selfish for hiding these good news”. These questions made us to sit down and start crying in the heart because  many preachers in Zambia forget this area by the gospel. They like to preach in the town and like having nice cars.
We shared with them the word of God and having discussion for two days and we returned back to  the place where we stayed to collect more power to visit them again for a seminar one week on this month or December this year(2011) . We can say that this people are really hungry for the word of God but few people sacrifice their lives to preach to them. This is because of the distance from the town. This tribe is living in Southern part of Zambia. You need to drive almost three to four hours from town.
Please keep this tribe in your prayer and our effort to reach them. Also we will need your help while we are arranging the seminar for them. I need to spend time with them and to plant a CLC congregation there.
May the Lord bless you as you share with others about this mail. Thanks.
From Zambia (Central Africa).
Pastor Ibrahim karioki
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The following is a report from Pastor Nolting on CLC work in Peru. Read with prayer of thanks. Regarding the work in Peru.  Daniel Pfeiffer(member of CLC Mankato, Mn.)  is back in Lima until Thanksgiving.  He will be working full-time in mission outreach and teaching.  He had begun the instruction of about 20 adults before coming back last October.  He has an additional ten or so that were interested in starting, so he should have about 30 adults in class.  He will also be instructing the elementary students at Stella Maris School, owned and operated by Dimas Vivanco and his wife, Blanca.  There were about 35 children last year and it looks like the enrollment may be up to about 45 this year.  He will be instructing the students in Religion and English.  I will be making a twelve day trip down to Lima in April.  It is hoped that the weekly Bible Study of last year will be turned into a weekly worship service this year.  Dimas would like to plan a conference for the summer of 2013, in which a number of people from the US would come to present various Biblical topics.  I have talked to four or five people with some Spanish fluency to participate in such a conference, but we will have to wait and see whether the Lord permits it to develop and proceed.
Encounters of a Spiritual Kind
The Third Party-Acts 13:5-12
This is what could be called a spiritual tug of war. With Paul on one end, Elymas on the other and Sergius in the middle. It is also confrontational. The confrontation though is not with Sergius, the object of the witnessing, but with the opponent Elymas. Here Paul must hurl the law at Elymas who is interfering with Sergius who “sought to hear the Word of God.” In a way this reminds one of the Leipzig Debate where Luther was not so much trying to win over his opponent at the opposite podium as to influence those observing the debate.
Sergius was a man of intelligence who truly was interested in Paul and Barnabas’ message. Elymas tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. We of course do not have apostolic power to do as Paul did. But we do have the law to refute and condemn the modern day Elymas. There are those times when in a very small group of three or so we may have one individual who we are trying to witness to, but are hindered by someone else. Then it is that we must turn to that opponent and direct the Word on what he is saying.
I can remember discussions in college in small groups when I would have to refute  a Mormon in the discussion to get through to another listening.
The beauty of this encounter of Paul and Sergius is that the proconsul did believe, “astonished at the teaching of the Lord.” It was the Gospel that Paul then preached that won him over after the interference was eliminated.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————It is not death to die in the Lord.
In the BELC – Pastor Anand Rao of the Chenna Dist. went to be with the Lord in Nov. He had joined us in ’09.
In the NCLC – I have just learned that Pastor Antai’s spirit returned home very recently. This brother was with us from the beginning of our work in Nigeria with Pastor Essien’s group back over 30 years. He was a pharmacist and upon retiring attended our Bible Institute for five years and became pastor in Mbokpu Oduobo where he had started a congregation.
Both of these men whether with us for a long time or a short time we rejoice over, that we could work together for Him. Blessed(happy) are the dead who die in the Lord.
SHOULD WE
by Waltraud
  Should we find it hard to sleep tonight, just remember the homeless family who has no bed to be in!
   Should we have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for the last three months!
Should we despair over a relationship gone bad, think of the person who has never known what it is like to love and be loved in return! Should we grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the person in dire straight working twelve hours a day, seven days each week for $ 15 a day just to feed the family!
   Should our car break down, leaving us miles away from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk! Should we notice a new gray hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine!
Should we find ourselves the victims of other people’s bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities, re- member things could be worse — we could be them! And finally, should we be treated like an outcast, think of Jesus who loved us even to the death at the cross—He came as a servant, can we do less?
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Pastor Koenig
]]> http://lutheranmissions.org/uncategorized/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-211/feed/ 0 B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #210 http://lutheranmissions.org/uncategorized/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-210/ http://lutheranmissions.org/uncategorized/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-210/#comments Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:30:49 +0000 Mary Koenig http://lutheranmissions.org/?p=4300  

B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #210

I Cor.. 16:9 ‘For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.’
February 13, 2012

A Report from Pastor Gondwe in Tanga, Tanzania includes the following news in the group’s two year growth there.
   One thing very important  to share with you is that, the CHURCH in  Tanga District  is growing very fast. GOD has done wonderful deeds to many souls of His people through teachings of TRUTH and the LIVING WORD OF GOD. Due to the power of the WORD OF GOD, we  have opened  in Tanga District a new parish  called  Amani and more than 50 souls of Muslims and Maasai people have been transformed and we have baptised them  and  they are now CHRISTIANS. This is  a big harvest to the LORD after several seminars and inter-village preaching of the WORD OF GOD for 6 months ago.             On top of that, we had confirmation classes in our parishes for two years now.
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From the CLCI in India.
Pastor Nireekshana reports – ...We are conducting outreach programs in every weekend…There are difficulties due to opposition…still we are getting much calling for the new contacts in the tribal remote areas through our Evangelists. …We have many Hindu and Muslim conversions. Pastoral seminars are conducted twice annually…House to house visiting is going forward”And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Acts 5:4 …This year we have conducted 18 Public Gospel meetings in different districts of Andhra Pradesh. This year CLCI public Gospel meetings attracted 7120 villagers. During these meetings and in CLCI congregations we have had 146 baptisms. …We have kept special focus on evangelizing the Tribal people in various districts of AP. As we know most of these tribal people live in below poverty line and neglected by all classes of people including government…This special tribal mission work was undertaken by Pastor V. S. Benjamin in 1985 …CLCI Audio Ministries…We have been using CDs and DVDs to send the message since their price has become very low. …Film Ministry. Since film is an effective and popular method to reach the masses, this ministry was started.We are building new churches with this help using also Telugu Christian movies dubbed in. ..Brother Raju has been working with men in prison We regret to inform that at yeddumailarm village in Medak District one of our CLCI evangelists(who was released from prison and working as our part time CLCI evangelist) was murdered by his enemies…We request you all to pray for the people who are released from prison and become our members. …Our annual VBS at Nidubrolu had 1515 children this year.
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Encounters of a Spiritual Kind
The Disinterested –John. 4:7-39
This is one of the most studied examples of witnessing because our Lord’s conversation with this woman is recorded in such detail. Naturally, too, it is an appealing study because of the immediate positive results. Here Law and Gospel are articulated. Our Lord is casting the net of the Gospel and drawing in this prospect for His heavenly kingdom. And the thing to take note of at the outset is that she is not interested. She did not come to the well to see Jesus and to inquire of Him. But the Lord came for her. It all starts with a request for a drink of water. The Lord moves the conversation from the physical and material to the spiritual. Here we have to learn from Him. How many times haven’t we wondered how to change a conversation from the mundane to the spiritual?
First of all His request takes her off guard. She was not only a lowly woman but a Samaritan at that and He talked to her. He treated her not as an inferior. All are valuable to our God. There is joy in heaven over just one sinner who repents. God would have all men to be saved irrespective of who they are. Jesus shows this concern in His treatment of her. How are we when we witness? Do we convey the idea of ‘now just sit down and listen do me’? Are we pedantic or caring?
Jesus transforms the conversation from earthly water to the water of life. In our everyday surroundings there are examples galore from which to then spiritualize. Our Lord’s invariable use of nature’s examples are well recorded and well-known. Lilies of the field and birds of the air conveyed in image form God’s preservation. The loving care of the earthly shepherd reminded of the infinite care of the heavenly Shepherd. Bread, a door, fishing and so on were used by our Lord to illustrate His truths. The reason why we have trouble moving from an earthly example to the spiritual is because we don’t have our minds so firmly set on the spiritual and consequently can’t see the corollaries and illustration examples.
An integral part of our Lord’s encounter with the woman is the preaching of the law to convict of sin. “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband…” The sinful flesh detests hearing how wrong it is. It easily bristles. We have all had those times when we had to tell someone that he was doing wrong only to have him turn on us. Likely this causes us to back off from being as they say ’judgmental.’ But it is in love that we rebuke, reprimand and expose sin. As long as we approach another with humility, knowing how sinful we are, we should not hesitate to speak the law. An important point here is that Jesus says it to her privately.
When she exposes to Him what religious knowledge she possesses, He then seeks to correct it and expand on what she knows. We should likewise, but in a spirit of gentleness and humility. Jesus moves onto the end things. We want to give people perspective also on the end of all things. People get so wrapped up in their little world that they lose sight of beyond. We want to, as our Lord did, move the conversation to eternal life and eternal death. She is definitely interested and He does just that culminating in the Gospel, “Messiah…I who speak to you am He.”
This example of the Lord hooking her as He cast the line and drew her in is of course by the Master Fisher of men. This is a skill that we must be working on lifelong. Know the Bible, know the Bible, know the Bible. Then it is that the Holy Spirit will give utterance with the Word.
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WE DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! By Waltraud If each grain of sand were to say, “One grain does not make a mountain!” There would be no land! If each drop of water were to say, “One drop does not make an ocean!” There would be no sea! If each note of music were to say, “One note does not make a symphony!” There would be no melody! If each word were to say, “One word does not make a library!” There would be no book!” If each brick were to say, “One brick does not make a wall!” There would be no house! If each seed were to say, “One seed does not make a field!” There would be no harvest! If each of us were to say, “One person does not make a difference!” There would never be love and peace on earth! But you and I do make a difference! We were chosen by God to spread the Gospel News! Even if one will be saved, “It will have been worth it!”

 

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Pastor Koenig

 

]]> http://lutheranmissions.org/uncategorized/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-210/feed/ 0 B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #209 http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-209/ http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-209/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:13:21 +0000 Mary Koenig http://lutheranmissions.org/?p=4290
B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #209
I Cor.. 16:9 ‘For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.’
 
 
January 31,2012

  News From the Nigerian CLC
Pastor Ude reports that in 2010 there was one graduate from the Bible Institute, and in 2011 there were two. All three have been assigned churches. This year there is the possibility of three new students, one of whom is from Ghana. When he completes his studies, it is his intent to return to Ghana. At the recent West African Conference Pastor Ude baptized this Ghanian. We pray for the young man’s intent to be fulfilled.

 

Customs

In the Jerusalem congregation we read that they had all things in common.“Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common…There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need.”Acts 4:32, 34-35 This was clearly the practice as Luke records it in Jerusalem. And Jerusalem was in a sense the mother church and for a long time the largest congregation. The question arises about if we should do this. There are very few who practice this today among Christians. History tells us there were not many who followed the example of Jerusalem.

This is recorded in a historical section of Scripture. There are many things recorded in the historical sections that we do not have to do and even should not do. Scripture must tell us to do likewise. We need passages that speak to us in a teaching or command form that tell us to do something. Think about the record in Acts of Claudius Lysias’ letter to Governor Felix. Acts 23:26-30 Claudius does not in that letter tell the truth. He only learned that Paul was a Roman citizen after the soldiers had bound Paul, which they should not have done. We know the facts from Luke’s account of the arrest. For Lysias to use the word ‘rescue’ in regard to taking Paul is a real stretch of the truth. So because it is in Acts does that mean we can lie and preserve our reputation with stretching the truth? No, of course not. Teaching passages of Scripture give us the direction we should take.

If a congregation wishes to follow the Jerusalem example that is fine for that congregation. We have no further evidence that any other Christian congregations at that time did this. So then it is not binding upon us because we have no further evidence of its practice among the congregations which would lead us to examine this further to find if it was commanded. We have no command passage in Scripture to tell us to do likewise. It is so important to use the context of passages to understand the Word.
With this article we conclude the series on ‘customs’ in which we have simply let Scripture interpret Scripture.
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…At Sunday School we taught Bible lessons, passages to remember, Bible stories, games and puzzles. In the Distircts we have attendance of: 1293 Koppedu, 1188 Chittoor, 962 Sri Kalahasti, 1113 Uthukottai, 933 Vaniyambaci, 972 Chennai, 1014 Thiruvallur, 819 Tiruttani.
…Vacation Bible Schools theme this year was ‘Christ is our Manna’…The summer season usually presents some special good opportunities for our mission work. Vacations and increased activities are bound to bring us into contact with new children and new people. Vacation Bible School is made to order and learn Jesus as their Savior for forgiveness of sin…This annual year summer found BELC families and some other Hindu families and some other Muslim families eagerly participating with our members sharing their faith and Christ’s love…In some of our districts we have been running VBS for 25 years…8749 children were enrolled this year…At Indira Nagar church and in some congregations in Chittoor we received very goo response from hindu people, some of them voluntarily came and disbursed some gifts at their own expense
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ENCOUNTERS OF A SPIRITUAL KIND

The Shocked- Jn. 8:3-12 Those on whom or near whom judgment has fallen,-Acts16:23-34 Those shocked by love.

We can imagine the woman’s feelings as her accusers have her red-handed. Stoning is the proper punishment for adultery. And not only does she face that, but before the judgment is to be carried out a public spectacle is to be made of her. It would have to be a very hardened individual who would not cringe before all this. Judgment is about to fall.
Our Lord knew well the hypocrisy that drove the Pharisees to drag this ‘sinner’ before Him. A lesson must be taught them. And with that lesson for them comes the woman’s release. Can you imagine the gloom gradually lifting for her as one by one her accusers went away, from the eldest on down? What relief! Yet she knew well how she deserved judgment. But she was to have another chance. When she says, “No one, Lord,” it is hard not to see more in that ‘Lord’ than mere respect for a good teacher.
Our Lord speaks the Gospel, “Neither do I condemn you.” Then He reminds her of the obedience of faith, “Go, and do not sin again.” Our Lord of course could read hearts and knew her repentance. We are not privy to the feelings of another’s heart and must go by what is said.
There is no question that a judgment or disaster of some kind makes a person reassess his life and doings. Many years ago after a flood in a city it was noted that attendance at church was up considerably. People were shocked out of their sinful complacency. Upon reflection of how people died and property was destroyed in a flood, there were those who sought a change in their lives and thus increased church attendance.
In our encountering people in this situation we want to not let them think they escaped because of their uprightness or innocence (remember we are considering unbelievers) or any good in them. The woman was ’caught’ in adultery. She knew her guilt. So we want our prospect to grasp the fact of his unworthiness. Then we want to point out the mercy of God that He spared such a one. The woman was guilty, but she was delivered from the judgment. Our thrust, as is ever the case, is to proclaim the undeserved love and unmerited favor of our Lord. With an individual in this mood of the sinful woman the law has evidently done its job, so our speaking the law is less. We want to communicate what our Lord said in v.12 “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
 

And then there is that one shocked by a demonstration of love not in connection with a falling judgment. One could say that the jailer escaped the judgment that would have fallen on him over escaped prisoners. The main point we consider though is that Paul and Silas stayed in the cell; an unheard of action by those incarcerated. It was not the case that Paul didn’t escape because his wounds kept him incapacitated. It was not certainly uppermost in Paul’s mind that he would stay so that on the morrow the city authorities might exonerate not just him but the cause of Christ from any shame and disgrace. That thought was there certainly. But uppermost had to be Paul’s concern for the jailer, who undoubtedly would face execution for losing the prisoners.
“When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.’” Vv.27-28 The jailer had done evil to Paul. He had treated Paul with no concern at all. Now Paul had a great concern for the jailer. Paul returns good for evil. ”Bless those who persecute you…Repay no one evil for evil…’if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom. 12:14-21 This we find in the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount also. Peter likewise reminds us in I Pet. 3:9. This is Gospel pure and simple. It is love which the wicked of this world cannot understand. When this love is demonstrated to the individual he may well be “trembling with fear”, shocked into a sense of his own wickedness and unworthiness.
The jailer inquired, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul then spoke the Gospel command, ”Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” That night the Gospel which had been demonstrated in the act of love was then verbalized as Paul and Silas went to the jailer’s house even then baptizing the whole family. This is one of those encounters we yearn for. But notice that the shock that woke the jailer up from his sleep of spiritual death was the act of love. It just cannot be otherwise. And it just cannot be underestimated that words so often are not enough. Our words also can be easily contradicted by our actions.
The love of our Savior from the cross forgiving His very executioners and forgiving a criminal, none of whom deserved it, must permeate our soul as we seek to announce His forgiveness.
 
Pastor Koenig
 
 
 
 
 
 
]]> http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-209/feed/ 0 B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #208 http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-208/ http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-208/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:10:57 +0000 Mary Koenig http://lutheranmissions.org/?p=4284 B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #208
I Cor.. 16:9 ‘For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.’
 
January 15, 2012
NEWS - Missionary Ude this month will be with the brothers in Nigeria, Togo and Ghana. After that he will join with the Mission Bd. Chairman Pastor Ohlmann in Congo and also visit contacts in central Africa. God bless the fellowship.
 
CLCI Seminary -India- Pastor Jyothi reported, “We are grateful to God that He has entrusted us with the CLCI seminary ministry of preparing students for lifetime service of the Lord. We are happy to report that in the midst of these past thirteen years up to 2011 95 fully trained pastors came out of this CLCI Seminary and all of them have been rendering their valuable services in various CLCI congregations. In the year 2010-11 the total number of seminary working days are 194. Six formerly Muslim students are studying also.
Bible Correspondence Course – Over many years through the blessings of our Lord the CLCI Bible Correspondence course has been moving very well. Till now totally 436 students have taken this course since 1993. It is welcoming…from all churches to join in these free courses.
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Excerpt from CLCMyanmar Report at Recent Joint Conf. in Chennai
 
…There are more than 35 ethnic groups in Myanmar, among them we are the so-called Tedim Chin and our main objectives, vision and burden is to proclaim the Word of God and make disciples all over the country(Mt. 28:19).  95% of the people are Buddhists and the rest are from various religious backgrounds. Among the whole Christian population the tribal ethnics are the majority. Sadly to see that though the harvest is great, the laborers are less(Mt. 9:37-38).
…We the CLCM have 12 workers m among them are nine pastors, two evangelists and one peon. There are 56 congregations(villages) and each pastor has divided 6-7 villages for their pastoral works. Once in a month they visit the villages that they are assigned. The evangelists are permitted to go to  village conduction camps and conferences as the situation permits…Ev. Man ventures with his level best telling the love of God to Buddhist soldiers at Kalaymyo…While we had three schools run by the CLCM, due to restriction of our government, the schools are closed.
…This year we distributed 254 Tedim Chin Bibles and 20 Burmese Bibles(to the Burmese military camp)

 

 

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ENCOUNTERS OF A SPIRITUAL KIND
 

Willing Inquirer Attracted by Something –Mk.12:28-34

Mark records how after Jesus had answered the Pharisees and Herodians who were sent to entrap Him, that He then answered some Sadducees. The scribe coming upon
Jesus ’refutation of the Sadducees is pleased at Jesus’ answers. Undoubtedly, the scribe, too, disagreed with the Sadducees’ teachings and attitude. He sees in Jesus a kindred spirit. And it is not just the wisdom of the Lord’s answers, but the content. He then puts a question to Jesus.
Upon Jesus answering the scribe’s question the scribe acknowledges their agreement. There is a common ground between them. In our witnessing it is important to have a base upon which to build both our witness and our relationship with the prospect so that he is willing to listen. The scribe knows the law but as yet not the Gospel.
In this case the scribe was attracted to Jesus by our Lord’s wise answers. We always hope that others may hear our testimony to the hope that is within us and ask us about it. Yet there are other things which may also attract an inquirer. For instance, are our good deeds visible, or in other words are we doing them? Is our moral character such that our life is a principled one not willing to compromise with the high standard of God’s Word? If this is the case this may attract an inquirer. One thing is for certain, wickedness not only does not draw inquirers, but even repels them. Why should any want to inquire after evil? After all we all know how to do that already. Why should any want to inquire after compromising a principle? That is the ever present, pragmatic way of the world.
No question but that we see here the importance of having some things in common, or common ground on which to build the witness and relationship. We should even try to establish some things in common. I remember on a canvass once noticing a fine rose garden as I approached a door. I don’t remember whether it was before or after I spoke of my purpose on the canvass that I referred to the rose garden, mentioning that it reminded me of the rose garden my father had and how I was in charge of it. I didn’t just compliment the person on the fine rose garden, but tried to let him know that we were both admirers of fine roses. From this the person can look back to that visit of mine in a more favorable light, in a more friendly light. He can also remember back to that if I approach his door again. It seems like a little thing. Yet it can go a long way in establishing a relationship, avoiding the icy attitude of stranger to stranger. This is also something else to remember. In our selfish , self-centered day there are not that many people who genuinely inquire about others with a real interest. We as Christians should be so genuine not alone with ulterior motive of witnessing sooner or later, but truly interested in people for whom Christ died. Isn’t this part of love?
It is also noteworthy that this encounter ends on a positive note, though not with conversion. Jesus said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” The scribe had understanding up to a point. Why not give credit where credit is due? With this encounter you can imagine a later meeting of our Lord with the scribe and a good discussion ensuing. We of course should want to leave our witnessing encounter with a positive note. That is not always possible. For instance when the person exhibits impenitence, rejection and even ridicule then no positive note could end that. We would be false to what we should say then by giving the man to believe that it is fine how he is. But this scribe did not evince any such negative reaction, so that our Lord spoke as He did. Another thing to take note of is that in the encounter there is nothing wrong with a compliment to the prospect if he is correct on something. We just guard against any fawning. An honest statement or appraisal as given by our Lord here is in order.
So in order for an encounter like this to happen, seek to speak, and do and live each day God’s will. And pray that others may see your good works and speak to you with the result that they may join you in glorifying the Lord for His grace and mercy.
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CUSTOMS
 
 
FASTING
We say in the catechism that fasting is a fine outward custom. It was commanded in Old Testament times at Yom Kippur, for the Day of Atonement. In Lev. 16:29 the translation ‘afflict’ is involving fasting. This is also seen in Ps. 35:13 where it says, “I afflicted myself with fasting.” Jesus has fulfilled the Law for us that the Old Testament Mosaic Law is not binding on us except in the moral sense. Jesus is the end of the Law for righteousness to all who believe. Rom. 10:4 The Law itself was a shadow of what Christ would do. Col. 2:17
It is seen to be a custom in New Testament times also. For instance John the baptizer’s disciples fasted, while Jesus’ disciples did not. Mk. 2:18-20 After Christ ascended His disciples also practiced fasting. In Luke 5:33 we see that fasting was in connection with offering prayers. And this is the general area in which we can use this custom with prayers. It is an aid to help us focus in our prayers. Ps. 35:13, Dan. 9:3 It definitely is not used correctly when it is used as some sort of means to gain God’s mercy. We already have His mercy, love and grace.
Fasting is something that has been done as a sign of sorrow, or an expression of sadness. Judges 20:26, I Sam. 1:7-8. When one repents and seeks forgiveness in prayer, fasting accompanies this to focus and express what we feel. I Sam. 7:6, I Kings 21:27-29, Jer. 36:6-9
Our Lord fasted for 40 days and nights in the wilderness. Mt. 4:2 Of course He was out there praying and being tempted by the devil. The 40 days is reminiscent of when Moses did also for 40 days. Ex. 34:28 No time is specified for us to fast since it is a custom.
 
 
Posture of Prayer
We of course know that we are to pray. This Scripture reminds us of over and over again. We should talk to God in prayer: confess our sins, ask for spiritual blessings and others as well, praise and thank Him. I Tim. 2:1, I Thess. 5:17
The prayer posture though is left up to us. It falls into the category of custom. Some examples follow:
  • Lifting holy hands – I Tim. 2:8
  • Spreading our hands out to God – Ps. 88:9
  • Not lifting eyes to God, head bowed – Lk. 18:13
  • Kneeling – Acts 20:36
  • Standing – Mk. 11:25
  • Being prostrate – Mt. 26:39
    When we look at these we see that the custom varies and therefore it is allowable to do prayer in different postures. There are other warnings in Scripture that do not deal just with custom, but are God’s directions on prayer. For instance our Lord warns us against using empty words. Mt. 6:7
When it comes to where we should pray, it is definitely at times in public. I Tim. 2:8 Our Lord in the sermon on the mount warns against hypocrisy and so says to go into our private chamber as opposed to making a show of praying. Mt. 6:5-6 This does not mean ‘only’ in private, as the Lord is making a contrast.
 
Pastor Koenig
 
 
]]> http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-208/feed/ 0 B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #207 http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-207/ http://lutheranmissions.org/newsletter/b-a-s-i-c-newsletter-207/#comments Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:08:08 +0000 Mary Koenig http://lutheranmissions.org/?p=4269
B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #207

I Cor.. 16:9 ‘For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.’
December 31, 2011
The Will of God is Always Good
Due to not getting visas Mark and Carlton Bohde were not able to attend the seminar in Kalay, Myanmar. And the trip to Thailand was then postponed. In the meantime Mark has started preparations for resuming the work in Thailand despite this change. God’s will will be done as He sees fit. We wait on Him as always.

Customs

 

Anointing with Oil
In the OT we have anointing with oil for a designating of the priest/Aaron Lev. 21:10,8:12 and for kings: Saul in I Sam.10:1, Jehu in II Kings 9:6. In connection with washing the custom is recorded in Ez. 16:9 and in bathing with Esther 2:12. Anointing with oil is an expression of joy or gladness, Ps. 45:7, 23:5. In Ecc. 9:8 we read, “let not oil be lacking on your head.” The oil on the head produces a cooling and refreshing effect certainly buttressing the idea of the oil of gladness.
In the NT we look at James 5:14 “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” Here there is a definite exhortation. This letter is written to the Jewish Christians in dispersion who were well acquainted with oil anointing. It would seem that this custom was used by the apostles in Mk. 6:13 anointing with oil ἤλειφον ἐλαίω, the same words as in James, when healing. The people though it should be remembered were not healed by the oil.
In the NT we also have the washing and designating uses employing oil. “You did not anoint my head with oil.” Lk. 7:46 An ointment was poured on the Lord’s head in preparation for His burial but well before He died. Mt.26:7 And in Jn.11:2 “Mary anointed the Lord with ointment.” In Heb. 1:9 we have also the oil of gladness. In the parable in Lk. 10:34 it is the oil ἔλαιον and wine poured over the wounds.
In James 5:15 it is the prayer of faith that will save, and not the oil demonstrating what is binding on future generations and should continue to be done. No oil is mentioned in connection with prayer in I Tim. 2:1 and Mt. 6:5-15 nor elsewhere. The context of writing to the Jewish Christians helps us to understand why James mentions oil.
In India there are people who come up to have us pray over oil. We stay away from any miraculous angle, stressing the symbolic idea of coming down from above with God implored to bless and the oil denoting joy and gladness.
From www.lutheranmissions.org Essay “A Cultural Practice… or…”
There are many other ‘customs’ we could consider. One example of a custom not binding on us anymore is that of Boaz’ day. “Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel.” Ruth 4:7 This passage declares it a custom of that time and not binding now.
In Is. 3:21“nose rings” are mentioned. Today in some cultures this is still practiced. What we want to remember is not to make something not commanded in God’s Word into a command and force it upon people. If it is a practice that we could use, then we in our New Testament freedom can adapt it, maybe alter it to fit our circumstances and situation.   If you read the context on nose rings you will see that God threatens to remove them with all other wordly things that the people were loading themselves with and being distracted. We cannot move this threat forward to today, for God said it for that time as an action He would take. So to have a nose ring today does not fall under God’s threat. God’s Word is clear. If there are difficult passages, we simply need to clear our minds and pray the Spirit gives us understanding. And we need to search the Scriptures, to pour over them.
Encounters of a Spiritual Kind
Respect for Religion but with Doubts – Lk.7:36-50
There are many in this life who may respect our Christian religion and yet not believe in our Lord. This Pharisee showed respect for our Lord. He invited Him to his house and provided food. There it ended. There was not saving faith. Simon, the Pharisee, even doubted if Jesus were much of a prophet.
The Lord did have Simon’s ear so He told the story of a creditor and two debtors and related it to Simon and the woman. Simon had the typical attitude of a Pharisee which was self-righteous. This leads inevitably to a ‘holier than thou’ attitude. Simon showed it when he said to himself, “who and what sort of woman this is…a sinner.” Our Lord does not tear into Simon. He has his ear. Though Simon is self-righteous, yet he listens to the Lord.
The Lord uses what we could call the oblique approach. He does not confront Simon with his sin and demand repentance. Instead our Lord tells a story in which Simon must decide a question. That question – Which of them will love him more: the one forgiven fifty or the one forgiven five hundred? Simon is bound to answer “the one forgiven five hundred.” This reminds us somewhat of Nathan’s story to David by which he then showed David his sin. The response of David was immediate and it was repentance. With Simon we do not have it recorded. Were our Lord to use a more confrontational approach and demand repentance, Simon would likely bristle and balk. Whether Simon at this time repented and believed or not, he did have a very simple, clear story by which the Spirit could show him later the point.

We can learn from this to use the oblique approach when we have a prospect who is willing to listen to us, who has respect for our belief. Very true, the hypocrisy and self-righteousness of the Pharisee was and is disgusting. Why alienate a willing listener though by stomping on his toes so to speak, such that he rejects listening to you before you get your point across? The Lord further gets the point across by turning to the woman and making he comparison of Simon’s lack with the woman’s tears and wiping His feet with her hair and kissing His feet and anointing His head with oil. The lesson is well taught to Simon of true love emanating from forgiveness of sins. We don’t know if Simon was one of those who said, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” He must have at least thought it.

As Simon is left with something to think about, we would also want to leave those we witness to with something to think about. In Simon’s case he was left with what was necessary for the Spirit to convict him of sin. And he also was left with the Gospel in his ears as spoken to the woman. In our witnessing we want to be clear in our message as the Lord is here. We also want to give something simple to remember as with our Lord’s story. There are many illustrations in Scripture we could use as well as thinking up some out of daily life. It is good to have some illustrations in one’s mind when witnessing. The illustrations could be geared to the different situations we meet. And finally it is practice that makes perfect. The more we witness, the more we will feel comfortably in doing so and the more will be the passages and illustrations that the Spirit will call to our mind.

Excerpt from BELC Martin Luther Bible School Report given at Recent Joint Conf. in Chennai, India

Pastor D. Paul reports that there are 16 students in the third batch of students, who go for two years each. Of these six were already our members and ten are joining the BELC. Previously, 18 were graduated and are serving a ministers in different capacities. We conclude that the Bible college at Nagalapuram is very useful to our students and the church. Others from other churches have asked to be tutors in our school, but we do not allow of course, being always aware of false teachers. May our excellent God help us to hold firm and faithfully to His Word.

As we move into the year of our Lord 2012 let us remember that each year is a year of His grace to us. On the traditional Jan. 6th Epiphany let us thank God that His prophecies of the Gospel to the Gentile nations is continuing to be fulfilled.

Pastor Koenig

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