CPR

CPR - Means of Grace

On today's podcast, we finish up our Reformation series by taking a look at the doctrine of the Means of Grace. This doctrine is very closely connected to the doctrine of Objective Justification as it describes how God delivers His gifts of life and salvation to us. The means our Lord gives to us, His Word, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper may not seem like very powerful things in and of themselves, but what wonderful gifts they are as they give us a solid, unmovable foundation for our faith. We pray that this study will encourage you to make regular use of these treasures that our Lord has given us. 

CPR - Living in Two Kingdoms

Today on Burden and Blessing as we continue our Reformation series, Pastors Nathanael Mayhew and Rob Sauers take us through the Doctrine of Living in Two Kingdoms. This doctrine really ties together the doctrines we have discussed over the past couple of weeks - the Doctrine of Justification dealing with the Spiritual Kingdom, and the Doctrine of Vocation dealing with the Secular Kingdom. The Lord has called us to live in both kingdoms, but this is not always an easy task. We will discuss three main errors that different groups of people have fallen into concerning the two kingdoms (Hermit Theology, Liberal Theology, and Social Theology). We will then discuss exactly what it is the Lord is calling us to in this doctrine. We pray that the Lord will bless our study!

CPR - Justification

As we continue our Reformation series, Pastors Joe Naumann and Rob Sauers take us through the all-important Doctrine of Justification. Justification really is the heart of the Gospel. It is that doctrine that teaches us that God has declared us righteous for the sake of Jesus' perfect life and innocent death on the cross. Our justification has nothing to do with our own works. It is all about what Christ has done for us to take away our sins and make us right with God. We will dig into exactly how this justification works, why so many people reject it, and how this doctrine really is the ultimate source of comfort. May God bless our study!

CPR - Vocation

In our continuing study of important doctrines of the Reformation, Pastors Nathanael Mayhew and Rob Sauers take us through the Doctrine of Vocation. It has been said that this is one of Luther's most original contributions to understanding the spiritual life. When we think about vocation, probably the first thing that comes to mind is our job our occupation, but, as we'll discuss, vocation involves much more. We'll focus on 1) that Biblical difference between a vocation and an occupation, 2) how God bestows His First Article gives to sinners through vocation, 3) how the Doctrine of Vocation puts the role of good works in its proper place, and 4) how the Doctrine of Vocation gives purpose to our lives in this fallen world. We hope that this study will be a blessing to you!

CPR - The Theology of the Cross

Over the next five weeks, our Friday podcast will take up a series covering some of the important doctrines of the Reformation. This week, Pastors Rob Sauers and Nathanael Mayhew take us through "The Theology of the Cross." This is a term coined by Martin Luther in 1518 in the Heidelberg Disputation that understands the cross as the only source of knowledge concerning who God is and how God saves. It is contrasted with the "Theology of Glory" which places greater emphasis on human abilities and human reason. The Theology of the Cross teaches the truth that God does not reveal Himself to us through displays of glory and signs in the heavens, but through the cross, and through the simple Means of Grace. It also describes the reality of the cross we are called to bear in this world as Jesus says to His disciples in Mark 8:34: “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Yet that cross is also a blessing as it keeps us running back to the Savior and His cross where we find life and salvation. May the Lord bless our study!

CPR - Why Go to Church?

Today on Burden and Blessing, Pastors Nathanael Mayhew and Rob Sauers answer the question, “Why go to church?” As our society has become more secularized and as more and more events are scheduled for Sunday mornings, many people struggle to make regular church attendance a priority. Sadly, when we miss church, we miss out on the blessings the Lord wants to give us that we cannot find anywhere else – those blessings we receive through Word and Sacrament, through Confession and Absolution, and through fellowship with fellow Christians. Our study will focus on the special blessings our Lord gives us through the community of believer in church. We will also consider what church attendance says about how much of a priority we make God and His Word in our lives. We pray that this study will encourage you to see the blessings our Lord wants to give us through the church.

CPR - Cohabitation/Sexual Immorality

In our CPR episode this week, Pastors Mark Tiefel and Neal Radichel discuss the topic of Cohabitation and Sexual Immorality. Sexual Immorality is the broader term, referring to any sexual relationship outside of marriage. Cohabitation is defined as a couple living together as if they are husband and wife without the benefit of marriage. This practice has become commonplace in our society, and sadly, we are seeing it more and more even in the church. A common response by couples in the church who begin to cohabitate is, "There's no sex going on. We're living more like roommates, so there's no problem." This response is addressed by discussing the problem of temptation and the giving of offense in such cases. As we consider this topic, we will want to keep in mind what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:20: "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." We ask that the Lord would help us to glorify Him in all that we do and that He would bless our study of this important topic.

CPR - Christian Parenting

In our CPR episode this week Pastors Nathanael Mayhew and Mark Tiefel take a look at the very important topic of Christian parenting, looking specifically at three different aspects: instruction, discipline, and showing love and respect.
 
Christian instruction lays an important foundation for parenting in general. The importance of instruction is seen in both the Old and New Testaments. In Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Moses teaches the children of Israel the importance of Christian education: “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." In Ephesians 6:4, the Apostle Paul writes, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
 
Discipline can be a difficult subject to talk about in our society today, but the Scriptures, especially in the book of Proverbs, emphasize its importance. We look at two important guidelines about Christian discipline and talk about the importance of consistency.
 
Finally, we look at the importance of showing our children that we love them in a way they will understand and discuss how we can encourage our children to use their gifts to serve others.
 
We pray that this study will benefit you as you seek to raise your children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

CPR - Christian Liberty (Freedom)

In our CPR episode this week, Pastors Mark Tiefel and Neal Radichel dig in and discuss the topic of Christian Liberty.  This can be a hot topic and and often misunderstood and even abused teaching.  They will define what Christian Liberty is, and look at some practical examples from Scripture in order to better understand this topic.  They will also present and discuss areas where this will relate to us in our Christian lives.  Finally they remind us that as Christians, we are set free in Christ and have become slaves to righteousness, and how that is a wonderful thing!  Join us as we take an in depth look at Christian Liberty!

CPR - Why do we follow a "Church Year"?

This week Pastors Rob Sauers and Nathanael Mayhew discuss the reason we follow a "church year" in our worship services.  The church year actually has roots in the Old Testament where God gave the nation of Israel a "church year" that they were to follow so that they would keep focused on God and His promises to them.  While many churches do not follow a church year, it is a valuable tool to help us study the life and work of Jesus and the effect His redemeption has on us as Christians.  We will walk through each of the New Testament seasons of the church year and thier purpose, where they have come from, and why we follow this system, year in and year out.  We pray this is a helpful review and reminder of the benefits of following a church year.