Burden and Blessing Podcast

Word of the Week: COMMUNION

In another word which relates to worship and the worship service, Pastor Nathanael Mayhew discusses the word "communion" and what it means from 1 Corinthians 10:16-17. Communion is a word that is often used as a synonym for the "Lord's Supper" - the sacrament instituted by Christ before His crucifixion. From these words of Paul we will discuss the Scriptural foundation for the teaching of the "Real Presence" of Christ's body and blood in and with the bread and the wine, as well as the Scriptural foundation for the practice of Closed Communion. This a very fitting title for this Sacrament and very important section of Scripture as well. Join us for this valuable study!

The Song of Solomon in view of Valentines Day

The Song of Solomon, or the Song of Songs, is a poetical book found in the Old Testament. It describes the love that a husband has for his wife, and the corresponding love the wife has for her husband. It is very descriptive and emotional. At the center of any marriage should be Christ and His love. Our love is based on His love for the church. Pastors Joe Naumann and Ben Libby take us through this book, the topic of what real love is, and how we can emulate that love in our marriages and relationships with each other.

Bible Study: Transfiguration

What is the Transfiguration all about? Why was it important? How does that event connect to the Old Testament? Join Pastors Mark Tiefel and Ben Libby to discuss the event of the Transfiguration of Jesus which is recorded in all three synoptic Gospels. The Baptism of Jesus and the Transfiguration serve as important markers in the ministry of Jesus, with God the Father speaking from heaven and acknowledging Jesus as His Son. The Transfiguration also marks a change in the ministry of Jesus as He begins to "set His face to Jerusalem" and the suffering and death that He had come to suffer for all mankind. Join us to learn about the Transfiguration and its importance for us still today. 

Word of the Week: Absolution

Absolution: It may be a familiar word, but what does it mean? Pastor Ben Libby goes into the subject of absolution and why it is an important part of our worship. It is the forgiveness of our sins in action. God assures us that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Only God is able to forgive us our sins, but He has truly given that to us and we are able to assure others of that same blessing. But it did not come cheap. In fact, the only way we were able to be absolved of our sins was by the blood of Jesus Christ, the spotless lamb of God. "And the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Absolution and forgiveness only come through and by the blood of the lamb!   

Hymn Review: O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair!

What is the Transfiguration of Jesus all about? What is the point of that event in the ministry of Jesus and why do we still celebrate it in the church today? Join Pastors Nathanael Mayhew and Rob Sauers to discuss the importance of the festival of Transfiguration which serves as a bridge between Epiphany and Lent, and to look at the Transfiguration Hymn: O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair! This is one of only a few Transfiguration hymns in the hymnals we use, but powerfully summarizes the importance of the event, both then and for us today! 

Word of the Week: Worship

What is worship? It is a familiar word in our society, but what does it mean? Pastor Mark Tiefel show that already in the book of Genesis we have examples of worship. There were the acceptable and unacceptable offerings of Abel and Cain (Genesis 4), and people began to "call on the name of the Lord" (Genesis 4:26). The Old Testament people built altars to the LORD and the LORD gave them detailed instructions about how they should worship Him. The most common word for "worship" in the Bible, literally means to prostrate oneself (bow) before God. This is contrary to many forms of worship in our society today which emphasizes the sinner, and not God. But the Biblical concept of worship always emphasizes the work of God for the sinner which is what the Gospel really is. In John 4 Jesus explains for the Samaritan woman what true worship really is (4:24) believing it with sincerity in our heart (in spirit), but to be founded on the truth of God's Word and follow it in our lives (in truth). This is what true worship really is.

World Religions: Jainism

Join us for a study of another eastern religion which developed out of Hinduism. Jains only make up about .06% of the world population, but the principles found in Jainism are found regularly in our society today. Pastors Mark Tiefel and Nathanael Mayhew will take you into the history and religious concepts of Jainism, and compare its teachings on matter, atonement and much more with the teachings of Christianity. You will learn about Jainism but also learn how some of the same corrupted ideas of Jainism are taught (falsely) within visible Christianity as well. Go back to the Scriptures with us and learn to spot philosophies and teachings which contradict the Bible and what God's real plan of salvation was from the beginning. 

Word of the Week: Liturgy

Lutherans are familiar with the word "Liturgy" while many others are not. In fact there is a trend in our society away from liturgical or "orderly" worship. The word simply means ministry or service. The concept of Christian worship is founded on the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:40: "Let all things be done decently and in order." The use of liturgy is not a new concept, but goes back to the very early Christian church. It includes these points: It confesses the Trinity. It confesses Christ. It is Evangelical. It is Historic. It confesses the Creeds. These qualities of our liturgy are taken from and based on the truths of Scripture, and are used by God to serve us!

Bible Study: Nahum

Which Old Testament prophet's name meant comfort? Which prophet was sent to the foreign nation of Assyria to announce it's coming destruction at the hand of the LORD? Which prophet had a message which is only three chapters long? The answer: Nahum. Pastor Ben Libby joins Nathanael Mayhew to discuss the unique and yet powerfully applicable message of this less familiar Old Testament prophet. Learn about the history behind the book of Nahum,  the amazing fulfillment of his prophecy against Nineveh, as well as the importance of its message for us today! 

Word of the Week: Service

What do you think of when you hear the word "service"? There are three main words in the New Testament that are translated service. 1) a servant or slave who serves another; 2) official service (also in a religious use) this is where we get the word "liturgy"; 3) service in the church either with the word like pastors, or deacons who serve in other ways as well. Paul reminds us in Eph. 6 that when we serve we are remember that we are serving the Lord. The Lord serves us in many different ways, and as a result there are many different ways that we serve our Lord and our neighbor. There is always something that we can do to serve using the gifts He has given us.