So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)
golter's mussings march 2021
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How important are Lutheran Schools?
March 04, 2021
How important are Lutheran schools?
My sister-in-law works as a 3-year-old teacher’s aide in a Lutheran school.
She relayed a real story the other day.
She had the 3-year-olds line up for the bathroom, boys over here, and girls over there.
You can picture it.
Then one little boy looking confused didn’t know where to go. Was he a little boy or little girl.
“You’re a boy. Go over here.”
Children need help. They’re getting confused.
Who would have ever thought we’d be here?
The Lutheran School not only—and wonderfully so—teaches the Gospel. God forgives sinners in His Son.
But the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed is very important, God as Creator.
God created male and female.
God made little boys as boys and little girls as girls.
God’s design-build work is for two genders.
Jesus says, “He (God) created them from the beginning male and female…” (Matthew 19:4).
“Johnny, you’re a boy. Go over here.”
Kids don’t decide for themselves.
Give kids certainty.
In salvation.
And how God made them
Pastor Golter is the Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran
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Jesus Loved Bible Stories
March 12, 2021
Jesus loved Bible stories.
How do you know, Golter?
He refers to them often.
He points Nicodemus to Numbers 21 and the Bronze Serpent (John 3:15).
On Easter Sunday, He points the Emmaus disciples to “Moses and all the Prophets,” (Luke 24:27).
He points His hostile audience to the days of Abraham (John 8:39b).
Jesus loved the Old Testament bible stories.
Why?
Well, they spoke of Himself.
“You search the Scriptures…it is they that bear witness about Me,” (John 5:39).
Now, Jesus is not a narcissist. It’s not all about Himself.
Rather, it’s about YOU!
He understands the Old Testament as His Father’s working of history. The center and reason for history is the Father’s rescue of humanity in and through His Son.
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit unfolded history with Christ at the center.
Why? To save and redeem you.
That’s why I love bible stories, too!
Read the bible the way Jesus read and used the Bible.
God’s deep love to save you and all sinners.
Pastor Golter is the Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran
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When Pressed by Others…
March 25, 2021
Your life doesn’t match your confession of Jesus.
Who in their right mind confesses a perfect life?
There is no one, but God in Christ (Mark 10:18).
Others will press you, though. They see Christianity as a set of rules, normally.
Rules, while important—the Ten Commandments—are not the core of Christianity. The core is the Gospel, for the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ. One must get the Gospel correct!
As he appeared before Emperor Charles V, Martin Luther made a distinction between his life and the teaching of the Bible.
Of his own life he said: “I do not set myself up as a saint; neither am I disputing about my life, but about the teaching of Christ,” (AE 32:111).
Further, Luther says he is “the lowest scum and able to do nothing except err,” (Ibid).
But as to Jesus’ teaching, Luther lobbies the Emperor to “expose my errors, overthrowing them by the writings of the prophets and evangelists. Once I have been taught, I shall be quite ready to renounce every error, and I shall be the first to cast my books into the fire,” (Ibid).
Others may distract you by looking at your life.
Readily admit your sin. Be an open book to the world.
Then get back to the Gospel.
Let’s talk about how one’s sins are forgiven in Christ.
Pastor Golter is the Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran
