God is with us in Word and Sacrament

Believe, Belong, Become (Jan 16–22)


We BELIEVE that Jesus Christ purchased and won us from sin, death, and the devil with His own blood. Therefore, we BELONG to Him and in Him we belong to one another, so that we BECOME like Him as we mature in faith toward God and fervent love toward one another.


Believe . . .

What is the key to the correct understanding of the Bible? Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, is the heart and center of the Scripture and therefore the key to its true meaning.

  • John 5:39
  • Acts 10:43
  • John 1:18
  • 2 Timothy 3:15

How is human reason to be used in understanding Holy Scripture? 

A. Holy Scripture is given in human language. To determine what it says we need to apply the rules of language, such as grammar and logic. It is right to use reason as a servant of the text, but the guidance of the Holy Spirit is essential for its proper understanding.

  • Psalm 119:73
  • Matthew 13:19
  • Matthew 22:37
  • Acts 17:11

B. Unlike all other books, Holy Scripture is God’s Word and Truth. It is wrong to question or deny the truthfulness of the sacred text (as happens, for example, with historical criticism).

  • Romans 3:4
  • 2 Corinthians 10:5
  • Colossians 2:8
  • 2 Peter 3:15–16

What basic distinction must we keep in mind in order to understand the Bible? We must sharply distinguish between the Law and the Gospel in the Bible.

  • John 1:17
  • 2 Corinthians 3:6

Belong . . .

Pray for one another (James 5:16)

  • Arthur Family — Wayne, Janice, John
  • Ashwill Family — Bernita, Mark
  • Bowles Family — Ryan, Jami, Mackenzi, Regann, Mackenley
  • Braaten Family — Jason, Lauren, Oliver, Jonathan, Wilhelmina, Simon, Marguerite
  • Bretz Family — Tim, Mandy

Pray for kings and those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2)

  • Local — Drew Hoel (City Administrator)
  • State — Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton
  • National — Vice President Kamala Harris

Pray for the Gospel to spread among all peoples (Matthew 9:37–38)


Become . . .

Wednesday, January 18 is the Feast of the Confession of St. Peter. When Jesus asks the disciples in Matthew 16:13–19 who people say He is. They respond, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” But then Jesus turns the question directly to them: “But who do you say that I am?” We know what Peter says, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This is the question that Jesus poses to everyone. It matters not who some say that Jesus is, especially in our culture. It matters who YOU say that Jesus is. It matters who we believe that He is and what He came to do. For it is by faith in Him as the Christ the son of the living God that we become like Christ and children of God the Father. So practice confessing who Jesus is before others this week. Invite people to come and meet Him by coming to church. Offer to sit with them and explain what is happening during the service. Tell them that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, our Savior, our God and our Lord.

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