Burden and Blessing Podcast

Word of the Week: Redeemer

In our Word of the Week series on the names of Jesus we consider the name: Redeemer. This name for Jesus is rooted in the Old Testament and what was known as the "Kinsman Redeemer" outlined in Leviticus 25 and described in the book of Ruth. A Redeemer was one who was related and would buy back the property of one who had lost it all due to poverty. What a beautiful picture of what Jesus has done for us! He has redeemed us by His precious blood (1 Peter 1:18-19) from every lawless deed (Titus 2:13-14) and from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13). All of this Jesus has done as our Redeemer. The Old Testament also describes Jesus as ever living Redeemer. Job says: I know that my Redeemer lives (Job 19:23). What comfort this sweet sentence gives! (TLH 200:1) 

World Religions: Mormonism

Join Pastors Mark Tiefel and Nathanael Mayhew as they review and discuss the history and beliefs of Mormonism. They will discuss Mormonism's very beginning under the strange visions and teachings of Joseph Smith, and its move from the East to the West where they settled in Utah. They will also review some of the uniqe teachings of Mormonism and why it is not a Christian religion. You will learn about visions, angels, polygamy, baptism for the dead, their veiws of God and rejection of Jesus as true God with the Father and the Holy Spirit, as well as much more. Joint us to learn more about your Mormon neighbors in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Review - TLH Hymn #429 - Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart

In our review today, Pastors Rob Sauers and Nathanael Mayhew study Hymn #429 from The Lutheran Hymnal: "Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart." This is a hymn often sung at funerals as it focuses our attention on the nearness of our God in life and in death. As we study this hymn, we will see how God's presence runs through each stanza. We will also see how God's grace is emphasized in each stanza, showing God to be an unending fountain of goodness to us. We pray that this study will comfort you with the knowledge that our Lord is ever near us with His gracious presence.

World Religions: New Age Religions

Pastor Mark Tiefel joins Pastor Ben Libby to continue our series on World Religions in a study of New Age Religions. New Age is a term that is used to describe many modern twists on ancient false religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. They generally encourage people to reach enlightenment through some internal journey of meditation. But this is really a dangerous path for sinful human beings. Some of these New Age religions include Theosophy, Hare Krishna, Transendental Meditation, Scientology and more. New Age religions are like junk food - people are attracted to them, but they have no substance and give nothing valuable for your body. Listen to learn the marks of these New Age religions, and how we can respond to these religions from Scripture.  

CPR: The History of the CLC (Interview with Pastor L.W.Schierenbeck)

This week we have a special interview that discusses the history and formation of the CLC. The interview was conducted in 2009 by Pastor Paul Tiefel Jr. as he interviewed L.W. Schierenbeck for the 50th Anniversary of the CLC. In the interview Pastor Schierenbeck details the history behind the formation of the CLC going back to the 1950's and the convention actions and inactions regarding the fellowship between the WELS and the LC-MS. He clearly discusses what transpired and why individual left the WELS and ELS to form the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC).

Word of the Week: Messiah/Christ

In our ongoing series of the Names of Jesus our Word of the Week is Messiah / Christ. These two words are a title more than a name. The word Messiah is from a Hebrew word which means Anointed One, and its Greek equivalent is Christos or Christ. The word points out one who was special or chosen by God for a special purpose. There were three positions that were anointed by God: Prophets, Priests, and Kings. For example, God sent Elijah to anoint Elisha as His prophet. God had Moses anoint Aaron as High Priest. And God sent Samuel to anoint David as King. But the Old Testament foretold another Anointed One who would be Prophet, Priest and King. This anointed one would be the Savior, the Christ. This is none other than Jesus of Nazareth. Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God. In John 20:31 John says that we are to come to know that "Jesus is the Christ" that we "may have life in His name." The resurrection points to Jesus as the one and only Messiah Who came to deliver us from sin. What a beautiful summary of who Jesus is and what He has done for sinners!  

World Religions: Buddhism

Today Pastor Mark Tiefel and Neal Radichel dig into the religion of Buddhism. The founder of Buddhism, Sidharta Gutama was a Hindu who developed Buddhism from Hinduism. Buddhism does away the caste system and offers a "fast track" to Nirvana. Buddhism has the four nobel truths and the nobel eigthfold path. These truths recognize the existence of sin in the world and are based on the law or what we can do to help others or what we would call sanctification. While it is a structrued reliegion it still doesn't have anything to offer. It is empty because it is all based on what man does instead of what God does. This is strikingly different from Christianity. Join us to learn more about Buddhism and how you can witness to a person who is a Buddhist.

CPR: Burner Accounts and Arise and Shine

Pastors Ben Libby and Sam Rodebaugh discuss the use (and misuse) of burner accounts in light of a current professional sport owner's troubles. They tell you what a burner account is and get into the application of burner accounts and the dangers of trying to be annynomous. When we are trying to hide, that usually means we are doing something we shouldn't be doing. They also discuss the upcoming Arise and Shine Retreat in Pillager, MN which will be held June 14-17. For more information check out their website (ariseandshineretreat.com) or Facebook page: Arise and Shine Retreat.

Word of the Week - Savior

We are beginning a new series for our Word of the Week. Over the next couple of months, we are going to be focusing in on the various names and titles of Jesus. This week, Pastor Ben Libby takes us through a study of "Savior." A savior is someone who saves either from physical or spiritual enemies. The Judges in the Old Testament were saviors that God would appoint to deliver the people of Israel from their enemies. Later, the kings would fill that role. But these saviors were only types that pointed to the one, true Savior, Jesus Christ. The name Jesus means "Jehovah is salvation" or "Jehovah saves." While the judges and kings saved the people from physical enemies, Jesus came to save people from their sins. 

World Religions: Hinduism

Pastors Mark Tiefel and Neal Radichel continue the CPR series on World Religions with a study of Hunduism. Hinduism is the main religion in India, and in other countries in that region of the world. It is one of the main polytheistic religions which believes in "many gods" as opposed to one god as Judaism and Islam. This is a very old religion dating back over 3,000 years with some of the holy writings of Hinduism and the thousands of gods that Hindus believe in. They will explain Hindu terms like Nirvana, Caste System, Reincarnation, Karma, and more. In addition to the explaining the religion, they will also discuss how we as Christians can witness to Hindus.