We hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Romans 3:28
The message of the Reformation is as important today as ever, because its message is Scripture’s message: Justification by faith in Jesus apart from works.
That doesn’t diminish works; it elevates God’s Grace. It elevates the work of Jesusin His incarnation, suffering, death, and resurrection. It elevates saving Faith in Jesus given through the Holy Spirit.
Becausewe are now justified, we revel in the opportunity to do God’s good works whenever and however we can!
You are the light of the world…Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14a, 16bc
Loving our neighbors is certainly ‘good, right, and salutary,’ but is it enough?
Don’t we also need to “share the Gospel of Jesus” with them?
Of course that is excellent and desired! But loving others is a good unto itself and shines a light that ultimately brings glory to God. Our good deeds draw attention to our good God.
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you…And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
Luke 6:27, 31
Ok, so we are called to “love our neighbors,” but for some of us, we may wonder if God really knows MY neighbor and how they aren’t, well, very ‘lovable.’
Peter encourages the elect exiles in Asia Minor to “love one another earnestly from a pure heart.”
This is a beautiful invitation, but the verses leading up to that invitation are profound and reveal how God works inside us to make that kind of earnest love possible.
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
1 Peter 3:13
We are called to relate to our neighbors. But what does that look like in this fallen world?
God calls His people to pursue the welfare of the people and place right around us (i.e., our “neighbors”), even when they are exiled and treated poorly.
We have been made God’s people by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus, and live by Grace.
Now, we use that reality to set our vision of how to live for others in grace.
We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
LifeBridge has a strategic plan to help us focus our energies on how to fulfill our mission and serve the Lord and our community.
It includes a focus on “strong youth and family ministries,” having a welcoming, non-judgmental environment, serving “beyond our walls” and “growing in faith.”
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 22:36-37, 39
LifeBridge was founded with a mindset of reaching and serving this community where God placed us.
Our mission statement is “Connecting People to Jesus by: Reaching the Lost, Discipling the Saved & Sharing the Love of God with Everyone.”
Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”
Matthew 16:24
Sometimes it’s difficult to know and understand God’s Will. At times it seems counter to what makes sense – or to what we want or believe His Will to be.
Peter certainly had that mindset!
It couldn’t possibly be that Jesus – God’s Chosen One, the Messiah, was suppose to “suffer many things…be killed…and on the third day be raised.”
Jesus must have it wrong! Jesus should be corrected.
But Jesus has some harsh words for Peter: “get behind Me, adversary! You are a hindrance to me.”
YIKES!
The thing is, God knows what He’s doing and we need to get on board with His Will; not try to get Him on board with ours.
And His Willis always right!His Willsaves.His Willhas challenges, but accomplished so much more than we can think or imagine!
May God’s Will be done – and may we not be an adversary to Him!
Pastor Scott & Deaconess Jungklaus on Call Day in St. Louis, April 26, 2023
On February 5, 2023, LifeBridge issued a Divine Call to Rebecca (“Becky”) Jungklaus to serve as a missionary-at-large Deaconess.
On April 26, 2023, at a service at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, that Call was realized and ratified through the Church.
On Sunday, November 26, 2023, at 3:00 PM, Deaconess Becky Jungklaus will Commissioned and Installed in this ministry through a Rite at LifeBridge! This will be followed by a reception!
This is a big deal and very exciting!
Becky, who many know as an ASL teacher at LifeBridge and beyond, serves many, though primarily the deaf community all around!
The deaf population is an enormous mission field, with well over 90% of deaf people either not knowing or not believing in Jesus!
Becky is working to change that; teaching and sharing the saving Gospel of Jesus!
The Rev. Dr. John Reinke (who will be Commissioning & Installing Deaconess Jungklaus); another Deaconess graduate, Deaconess Jungklaus, and The Rev. Mike Newman, President of the Texas District of the LCMS.
What is a Deaconess?
We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (a theme verse for LCMS Deaconesses.)
Deaconesses are women who serve as professional church workers. They support and assist pastors as they share the Gospel and serve God’s people through works of mercy, spiritual care and teaching the Christian faith. They serve in congregations, on the national and international mission field, and in a variety of other settings and service organizations particularly to women, children and God’s people with special needs.
They are trained to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through works of mercy, spiritual care, and teaching the faith.
“Deaconess” comes from the Greek word διάκονος (“diakonos”), meaning “servant.”
LCMS Deaconess Logo
Their motto is:
Working in faith Laboring in love Remaining steadfast in the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Join us for the short service at 3:00 PM and stay for the free reception following!
Some of this information came from the LCMS website here and here.
“You Did For Me”
A summary of the message theme for the occasion.
Church work is not for the faint of heart. It’s not all joy and roses, rainbows and smiles. Ministry is tough.
There is a saying, “ministry would be a lot easier if it weren’t for all the people.” I would venture to say that 99% of church workers have been hurt deeply by the congregations and people they serve – and 1% of them have just started their ministry.
The King will reply, ‘What I’m about to tell you is true. Anything you did for one of the least important of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
Matthew 25:40
The expectations are high. The no-win situations are numerous. The disappointments with your decisions are often and loud. The lies told to your face (even if they are lying to themselves first) are glaring and constant. And the challenges to keep yourself in the Word is real. You don’t get to worship like others, because you are working. You don’t get fed because you are feeding. You don’t get comforted because you’re comforting. You are encouraged to share but judged if you do. It is lonely and draining.
And in our text we have a passage meant for all Christians but often ‘delegated’ to church workers: feed, give drink, welcome, cloth, visit. Care for those who need it; even if they drain you. Even if they challenge you.
Because here is the reality: serving others is serving Christ!
That helps! Seeing people that may not always act like Jesus, look like Jesus, or live like Jesus are still loved by Jesus and deserve to be served like Jesus!
And when that’s still too difficult to get us through, here’s the kicker: we don’t serve because we want to be counted as the faithful sheep. We do it because He served us: humbly and fully.And He continues to still. Even when we are the difficult ones. When we are the ones attacking and disgracing. When we are acting unloving and uncaring.
We serve because He serves. We love because He loved. Not to gain salvation but because we have salvation and can’t help acting otherwise.
Keep the Servant’s heart. Keep the Servant’s love. Keep the Servant, Jesus – and share Him through your continued service of others!
That’s true for everyone, not just church workers!
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
We are beset by the Fall; having a body and mind that is corrupted and in decay with the rest of Creation.
But that reality isn’t permanent.
When Jesus offered His Body as a living sacrifice, He reversed that curse;transforming and conforming back to Himself.
Through Faith in Him, we also are no longer to be “conformed to the world” but instead “transformed by the renewal of our minds” and able to offer our bodies as holy, redeemed, living sacrifices in all we do!
