Word of the Week

Word of the Week: PROVIDENCE

As we begin a new year Pastor Mark Tiefel defines the word providence in our Word of the Week. At the very begining of the world God assures us that He will care for His creation and provides for all people.  The knowledge of God's providence or care for all creation is meant to lead us to a knowledge of God's love for us and His salvation.  Jesus reminds us that if God cares for the birds and the flowers of creation, we can be sure that He cares for us because we are of more value than they.  We don't need to worry, but we can be confident that as He cares for us physically, he will also care for us spiritually.  If He gave His own Son for us, what won't He give for us?  If God is for us, no enemy can stand against us!  May the Lord encourage and comfort you with that truth throughout this new year of His grace!

Word of the Week: INCARNATION

In our Word of the Week, Pastor Mark Tiefel defines the word Incarnation. The teaching of the incarnation comes to the forefront in the birth of Jesus.  Literally, the word incarnate means to become flesh.  Jesus had to become human because God promised that it would happen this way (Isaiah 7:14).  Jesus would be Immanuel, God with us.  He also had to be human to suffer and die for us as our perfect substitute as Paul says in Galatians 4:4-5.  Jesus had to be born under the law to redeem sinners.  Jesus is true God, but also became true Man for our salvation (John 1:1,14).  If Jesus did not have a human body he could not endure the punishment for our sins.  Jesus had to become incanate, because it is how our Savior offered Himself for our sins.  This is what Christmas is all about.

Word of the Week: SAVIOR

In our Word of the Week, Pastor Mark Tiefel discusses the word Savior. The Bible talks about the word savior in many different contexts.  God is described as a savior, as were certain kings or judges.  But the central message of the Savior in Scripture points us to Jesus as our Savior.  In Isaiah, God says that there is only one Savior. The fulfillment of that Savior who was prophesied is declared by the angels in Luke 2:11:  "For there is born to you, this day, a Savior who is Christ the Lord."  Jesus who was born for us was sent to save us from our sin.  Paul says that Jesus is our Great God and Savior (Titus 2 and 3).  To call Jesus Savior, is to confess Him as God.  Jesus is both True Man and True God, born to be our Savior.  It is this Savior that we rejoice in and celebrate at Christmas and throughout the year.

Word of the Week: PEACE

In our Word of the Week, Pastor Neal Radichel discusses the word Peace. We live in a troubled world. God's Word describes peace in two ways: what we have and what is given. Peace in the Old Testament is connected with the presence of God. God's gives peace to those who are troubled or burdened. Jesus calms our troubled hearts and minds. Jesus gives the peace that the world cannot give through His own perfect death. Through His own death, Jesus offers a peace offering for our sin that we might be forgiven. During this Advent season we focus our attention on the coming of the Savior Jesus who is the Prince of Peace. Thanks be to God! 

Word of the Week: RANSOM

In our continuing Word of the Week study forAdvent, Pastor Nathanael Mayhew defines the Biblical word Ransom.  Literally the word ransom, means to loose, and is used to describe purchasing realaese from slavery or captivity.  Psalm 49:7 says that a man cannot redeem his brother or pay to God the ransom for his soul.  There is a close connection between the words redeem and ransom.  Redemption is the act of purchasing freedom for another, but ransom is the price paid - the cost to set one free.  This is why Jesus came to this earth.  He came to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).  The price for our ransom was the death of Jesus.  We deserved death and He suffered the agonies of hell in our place to purchase our release.  Paul says that Jesus "gave Himself a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:5-6).  That is what Advent is all about.  The coming of the One who would give His life on the cross to ransom us from sin, death and the devil.  What comfort is offered to sinners in that precious truth!  

Word of the Week: ADVENT

As we enter the season of Advent in the church year, Pastor Nathanael Mayhew explains the origin and meaning of the word "Advent."  Advent is the first "season" of the Christian church year, which is a time of excited waiting for the coming of Jesus.  The word advent comes from the Latin and means "coming" or "arrival", and is used to refer to three "advents" of the promised Savior.  The first advent of Jesus began as a baby born in Bethlehem and culminated in His sacrificial death on a cross for the sins of the world.  His final advent will take place on the Last Day, when he returns from heaven in glory to judge the living and the dead.  But Jesus is also coming to us right now.  He comes to us in His Word and Sacraments to bring us from spiritual death to life through faith.  All three of these Advents are necessary for sinners.  Thanks be to God for his salvation through the advents of Jesus the Christ.  And so we pray, "Come Lord Jesus!"

Word of the Week: THANKSGIVING

In our Word of the Week in preparation for Thanksgiving, Pastor Nathanael Mayhew discusses giving thanks from the Bible.  God certainly deserves our thanks as our Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier.  All people, both believers and unbelievers are encouraged to give thanks, for we all have been given rich blessings from God.  We are encouraged to give thanks not only for ourselves, but also for others in fact for all people.  Jesus gives us an example of praying for our daily food as he prayed and gave thanks for the bread and fish which He distributed to the multitude.  What an important reminder for us, that we too should take time out to give thanks to God as we sit down for a meal, remembering that this too comes from Him.  It is also good to give thanks to God in worship as we rejoice in His greater gifts of eternal life and salvation through Jesus Christ.  "Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms" (Psalm 95:2).   Indeed we have much for which to be thankful to our God.  His blessings of body and soul are richly abundant!

Word of the Week: CONSCIENCE

In
our Word of the Week for this Election Day, Pastor Nathanael Mayhew discusses the word conscience.  The conscience that part of the human being that God has created and given to help us distinguish from what is morally good or bad (Romans 2:14-15).   A true or good conscience is not subjective and different for everyone, but given by God to reinforce what God has revealed about right and wrong in His holy law (10 Commandments).  The Bible speaks of a “good conscience” and an “evil conscience” and even refers to a “weak conscience.” A good conscience functions in perfect harmony with God’s will from faith (1 Timothy 1:5). While God has given human beings a conscience to be a constant reminder of what we should or should not do, the conscience can be weakened or corrupted (1 Timothy 4:1-4; 1 Corinthians 8:7-12). If a conscience is good, it will be in accord with God’s Word and the same for everyone.  But often our consciences are weakened or corrupted by sin.  The real source of right and wrong is not our feelings, but God’s objective truth found in His Word.   As you vote today, do so following God’s objective truth, with confidence in Him. Listen, learn and grow in your understanding of God's Word and how it applies to our daily lives!

Word of the Week: JUSTIFICATION

In
our Word of the Week for this Reformation Day, Pastor Mark Tiefel
defines the Biblical word Justification.  He discussed justification in
its objective and subjective sense.  Christ's death is an objective
truth through which all sinners have been declared not guilty before God
(Romans 3:23-24, 28; Romans 4:25; Romans 5:18-19) but the benefits of
this declaration is received by faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 2:16) 
We are all sinful. But through God's work for sinners in Christ and
through faith, we have been justified (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Romans
1:16-17).  Thanks be to God!  Listen, learn, study and proclaim God's
Word of Truth as faithful heirs of the Reformation!

Word of the Week: PROPITIATION

In our Word of the Week, Pastor Nathanael Mayhew, digs into the Bible
to
define the important Biblical word Propitiation.  This word describe the payment that Christ made through His blood at the the cross to pay the debt of our sin completely.  Through Christ our debt is PAID IN FULL.  There is nothing more that can or needs to be done for our salvation.  Christ's sacrifice for sin is for every sinner.  It is full and it is free.  Listen and grow in your knowledge of the great things God has done for us in Christ.