Concordia Theology » Heaven Is For Real

Concordia Theology » Heaven Is For Real: Heaven Is For Real
Submitted by Jeff Kloha on May 23, 2011 – 2:00 pm25 CommentsHeaven Is For Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back.
Reviewed by Dr. Jeff Gibbs, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
Holding a copy of this book is a bit like drawing close to Mom or Apple Pie. It’s a bright yellow, easy-to-read paperback with a cute photo of a little boy on the front: “#1 New York Times Bestseller, Over Two Million Copies in Print.” It is a sincere account, in a Christian father’s first-person voice. Here’s a summary of its story.
In an opening prologue, the reader learns that the family’s younger child (a son, Colton) recently almost died after an undiagnosed ruptured appendix. We also hear briefly the book’s main claim: this little boy made a trip to heaven, and has returned with reliable knowledge of what heaven is like. The story then flashes back in time to tell of earlier months for the Burpo family. Illness, stresses in ministry (Mr. Burpo is a Wesleyan pastor), and times of difficulty seemed to be over for the family. The story draws you in; you identify with the Burpos. It’s not hard to imagine being their friend.
Colton’s illness then is described, and death looms. The family is in anguish; sincere, real anguish. Mercifully, the little boy lives, and the family seems to be out of the woods; even their medical bills shrink as Christians generously help. It’s a good story, and there is no reason to doubt its sincerity. Thus far chapters 1 to 11.

[click on link to read the rest of Dr. Gibbs' review]

Word Cloud for Advent 1 Series B using LSB Divine Service 4

And he is Lord of all.

Stuck in Reverse

"Honor Walther's Lasting Leadership

This October will be the bicentennial celebration of one of the most influential leaders in the history of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, C.F.W. Walther. As the first president of our synod, Walther used his passion and outspoken nature to ensure that Lutherans in 19th century America remained faithful to the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions."

I agree with that statement which I received in an e-mail from our synodical publishing house today, but it's the sales pitch for a bronze medallion that followed which I didn't get.Don't get me wrong, I think remembering and commemorating the past is a good thing, especially when it can teach us about the present and future. The church I serve is observing its 50^th this year and I hope that our observances are not a eulogy, but rather a sending; a launching pad for future ministry.

But I have too scratch my head at the Synod's latest efforts to practically canonize C. F. W. Walther. The first one I saw is what appears to be a somewhat ammaturish Walther movie staring lots of St. Louis community theatre types. The second being a 3" bronze medallion they want us all to pre-order so that they get the minimum required order to strike such a piece. The very fact that they are seeking pre-orders should be an indication that perhaps these aren't worth the effort.Are movies and medallions a bad thing? Certainly not. They may even be beautiful and informative, but what are their purpose within the mission of the Synod? How do these two pieces extend the Gospel in a meaningful way to a world who could care less about a 19^th century immigrant theologian? In a time when we are cutting budgets for ministry making do with less in just about every arm of the synod and its districts, what purpose do these niceties have in growing the church? Their market seems to me to be so narrow. I like history a lot, and I found the trailer to the movie to be quite boring. I'm afraid that only the purest die-hards will watch it (and their captive congregations who endure it during the Sunday Morning Bible study).

One thing could make all these commemorative trinkets worth-while. Use them as fundraisers for the missions that Walther so whole-heartedly supported; youth, pastoral education, and missionaries to other cultures within our U.S. of A.

Proper 15A Missions, Missions, Missions!

After returning Tuesday from a working vacation in the Blue Ridge Mountains I was consumed by the minute details of ministry that seem to pile up while one is away. So my plan was to work on my sermon today (Thursday). Well, needless to say, ministry kept "getting in the way" of my being able to pen the next great theological dissertation on the finer points of Lutheran theology. And THANK GOD that it did or I might have missed the point!

At 4:15 I finally got around to really considering the texts for this week. Sure, I had looked at them long enough to pick the hymns yesterday so that the bulletin could be prepared. I read enough so that I could come up with a somewhat engaging sermon title (In Christ through Faith Matt: 15:21-28 in case you were wondering) but now that I was really digging in to the texts I was kind of blown out of the water.

A common mistake the human race makes when considering matters of faith, is that we tend to favor the Law. That is, we focus on the woulda, shoulda, coulda's of the text. We see the worst side of every story and every scripture passage. You know, like when you hear the words of John 14:6"No one comes to the Father except through me"? The sinful person in each of us has a tendency to say to ourselves, "well that's a little harsh, isn't it?" We don't like ultimatums or dictums. We want options, choices and freedom to decide "what's right for me." But, if we had just paid attention to the first half of the verse we would have heard the sweet words of Gospel in which Jesus said, ""I am the way, and the truth, and the life." In the quest for the great answer to the meaning of life Jesus gives us the answer—IT'S HIM!! And sometimes when we finally realize that we've totally missed the point, we feel a little sheepish and excited at the same time.

Well, anyway, that's kind of how I felt this afternoon. I had been taking a law approach to this text all week and now the Gospel Light was shining all around the neighborhood (♫I'm gonna let it shine♫).

The three texts for the LSB Three Year Series are Isaiah 56:1, 6-8; Romans 11:1-2a, 13-15, 28-32; and Matthew 15:21-28. The Law approach I had been taking was basically, "You gotta believe or you aint going to heaven." While true, it really misses the heart of Jesus when we look at all three texts together. Instead, "Jesus came for all, especially not you" is a much better rendering of the theme.

"What??? How is that any better?" you might be asking. Well, let's look to the epistle lesson from Romans.

The heading in the ESV says "The Remnant of Israel." If you will recall, the prophets of Israel conveyed to God's people that despite their failings and shortcomings God would preserve a Remnant who would believe so that the world could be saved through her. That salvation was accomplished in Jesus Christ. He was the progeny of the Holy Spirit and the faithful remnant-believer, the Virgin Mary. Salvation had arrived and was now available for all people. There was no longer a need for that remnant. A remnant is a cast-off, small piece of material that you don't quite know what to do with, but hold on to in case you find a use for it. The Remnant believers mentioned in the Old Testament were the odds and ends faithful on which God kept around KNOWING the use he would have for it and which he would reveal "in the fullness of time." But now that Jesus has arrived the hopes of the world no longer rests on the cast-offs, but on the real thing—Jesus Christ. And in Jesus we see that all of us are remnants, just small pieces of the perfection he intended us to be; useless by ourselves, but when sewn together by the hands of the savior by his body and blood on the cross, we become a beautiful patchwork quilt.

So, that's enough about the heading, let's get to the text itself.

Paul is writing the Romans post-Resurrection; that is, Jesus' work is done and he has ascended and is already seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. To misquote a famous Roman emperor, "Jesus came, he taught, he did a little preaching", and when he was done the vast majority of the remnant of Israel had rejected him. How ironic; the very people that God preserved through hundreds of years of persecution, famine, slavery, and exile specifically so that the Savior of the world could be born from them, had rejected the one for which they were preserved. Jesus was still in the process of trying to convert them when he spoke to the woman in our Gospel lesson today. At this point he had not yet finished his teaching and preaching. But, as we know, the Jews did reject Jesus.

They could have been held in honor for their faithfulness, but now, as Paul writes to the Romans, they are shamed by their own actions. The remnant thought it was the whole bolt of cloth and the store from which it came. The Jews who rejected Jesus as Lord were trying to continue in the role for which they were indeed created, but the problem was that the purpose for which had been created had been accomplished in Jesus. Their work was finished. They were now free to move on to a new role; growing the kingdom again, instead of just preserving it.

The Jews aren't unique in this character flaw. Paul even states so in verse 32 when he says, "for God has consigned all to disobedience." In other words, God has written all of us off as sinners; he knows what to expect from us. And what is that which he expects? Well, he probably expects us to act much like them. In their role as Remnants, the Israelites always had hope that the Glory Days they remembered of old when David and Solomon were king would one day return. They hoped to preserve the remnant in hopes of restoring former glory. We too often find ourselves looking back, saying, "Remember when…?" All too often we cling to the past, hoping to restore things to the way they were, or at least, to the way we remember.

But can those fond memories really be trusted? Can we really rest our future on the past? David and Solomon, while revered Kings of Israel, were both sinners and did reviling things before God and were reprimanded by God for their sins. Some of you will look back with fondness to the "simpler" days when Christmas Trees were lit with candles and long for those days to return. But those were also the days when Air Conditioning was only for the wealthy or commercial buildings in the city. Those were the days before seat belts and air bags in cars. Those were the days before polio vaccine. Our sinful, human nature is to forget about the bad in our past and to exaggerate and venerate the good and so we tend to think the answers to today's problems are found in the past.

But as Christians our eyes are not set on the past to repeat it, but learn from it and to move forward to a new purpose and a new calling. While God might right us off as sinners, he doesn't write us off as lost to him forever, even the Jews. As Paul continues he says, "For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all." That's why Jesus said what he did to the woman in our Gospel today. Because he knew that the Jews would not accept him as the Messiah, but that she had, he confirmed her faith and healed her daughter from afar. Paul was sent to the Gentiles, but always started his preaching in a city by visiting the Synagogue. And even in our text from Isaiah, though the Word of the Lord was spoken to Israel, it prophesies that many other people groups would be the beneficiary of the Lord's benevolence.

But how does all this pertain to you and me, especially if we just talked about how the past isn't what we focus on? Why do we continually look to these ancient texts each Sunday as the basis of our worship and study? While we can certainly look to scripture for words of comfort and healing, they also lead us forward by letting us witness and observe the failings of our forefathers. Israel and the Jews, once their Savior had arrived, did not adjust their sights on him and his new mission for them. You and I now find ourselves in a similar position. We were waiting for a Savior and he came to us through faith at our Baptisms. At that blessed moment we were joined to a church which was not meant to preserve and protect a Savior yet to come, but to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." We gather here on Sundays at worship, not to be coddled and lulled in to reminiscent denial, but to be healed, fed, and energized to leap into the world finding those who are not yet part of the New Israel, Christ's Church on earth.

There are many Canaanite women, men and children very near you and me right now. They too are desperate for help, and are ready to meet their Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Whether it's the disabled person facing eviction or starvation because their fixed income won't stretch through the month, or the young couple who can't see how they can hold together their marriage, Christ has a message of love for them and seeks to reach out to them in mercy through an me. As you read the first couple of verses of our Matthew text, notice what the disciples said-- these beloved pillars of the church, of which we even commemorate by naming our houses of worship after them--, they said to Jesus, "send her away." What isn't written but understood by the context is, "Lord, she's not one of us, don't you think we should 'take care of our own'? "Pastor, don't you think we should help our members first ?" And what was Jesus' reply? "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

So, who are the 'lost sheep'? Jesus was not being rude to the woman here. He was teaching his disciples about humility and focus of mission. The Jewish code of ethics had a well-defined code of honor by which no-one in the community would go hungry or without shelter. Technically, there were no 'lost sheep' with-in Israel if they were following their tradition of honorable care for the weak and old among them. Now that Jesus had come, Israel's identity had shifted from the bloodline of Abraham to the blood line of Christ and Jesus came to gather those who were outside that flock—those who were not yet saved and known by God.

Now that he has ascended into heaven, and we are his body here on earth, that is our mission. Yes, we take care of the widows and orphans among us, but the mission of the Church in Christ is to save the lost. The two are not exclusive. As Christians, let it be said of us, "See how they love one another." But it is also God's good will that all would hear the Good New and come to saving faith and we are blessed to be the instruments of his will and he has equipped each of us to do that in unique and powerful ways. And when we are able to come together to do that the combined effect is unstoppable. As we prepare to get back into our regular season of programming and ministry at Redeemer, pray to God that he might show you where he wants you to serve him, his flock, or the lost sheep. Ask him how you might be of service. It may be that God is asking you to call on our shut-ins or those who have been absent. Perhaps he wants you to teach a class or mentor a student. Maybe he is calling you to service at one of the schools in our neighborhood or helping us get the Good News into our community in other ways. Maybe he wants you to become a Pastor, or a missionary. Maybe he wants you to help and minster to the poor and indigent, or the foreigners among us. Maybe he wants you to bring the Good News to your office or workplace.

There are many ways we are doing these types of things at Redeemer, but God may be calling you to start something new. That can be scary, but it can also be exciting. To be able to help someone, AND bring them the Gospel is a wonderful blessing and encouragement to the whole body of Christ. For, when that one sheep is returned to the 99 all the angels in heaven rejoice.

As we begin this year, let us together find new ways to find those lost sheep so that those angels are rejoicing continually because heavens numbers are growing continually through God's love shown by us to everyone around us.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

How would $100,000 change your ministry?

If you were personally given $100,000 to reach people with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ, how would you invest that money in the souls of others?  Please post a comment.  I'll even turn off the moderation option for quicker posting.  Just don't get too crazy on me.

What's he reading? How's he working out?

OK, going backwards from last night, here are my most recent reads:

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
OK.  So it really shouldn't take 200+ pages to talk about the six baby-steps, yet the behaviors he seeks to modify are so ingrained in each of us that he uses a lot of ink to indoctrinate or initiate us newbies to his system.  Simple concepts, hard to do if you aren't used to self discipline.  I'm excited, yet scared at the same time.  Dave's folksy ways, however, keep it light and entertaining.  I'm anxious to see how the video lessons tie in and how they might motivate us to stick with it so that we can be relieved of some financial burden in our lives.

Leadership Coaching: The Disciplines, Skills and Heart f a Christian Coach by Tony Stoltzfus.  300 pages
I read this in about three evenings.  I couldn't put it down.  Based upon the premise that since each of us called by God into ministry of some sort or another, and that, at our baptisms, promises to give us the tools and gifts needed to accomplish that call, it therefor stands to reason that the only reason we as individuals don't fulfill that calling must be that something gets in the way.  Christian coaching is one way a brother or sister in the faith can help another figure out and get past the roadblocks that keep us from fully living out our vocations as God intended.  A must read for anyone who leads or influences another.

Inferno by Dante.
Actually, I haven't quite finished it yet.  But, if you've ever read 13th century Italian epic poetry you can understand why.  While the cover says that the edition I'm reading is the best English translation to date (with the original Italian on the facing page), It still takes me 15 or 20 minutes to get into the meter and overall scheme of it each time I pick it up again.  If your read it I highly recommend reading the end-notes for each chapter at the end of the book.  Those of you who are history buffs will especially appreciate the background on all the names of his contemporaries he has consigned to Hell in this timeless classic.

Speaking of Dante's Inferno, I thought of this book last night at the pool.  Whaaaaa????  Let me explain...
Every Monday and Wednesday evening Blackbob Bay kicks the kiddos out of the "Lazy River" from 7-8PM (last hour of operation).  At that time the adults get in and then simultaneously walk around the loop in the same direction.  Then, when the current created by the 100 or so "walkers" is sufficient enough to nearly carry one off their feet if they aren't careful, the lifeguards yell "ROTATE!" and all 100 or so walkers stop in their tracks, turn around and walk-up current until the current switches direction and once again gets too fast to walk with at which time the lifeguards will again yell "ROTATE!"

Now, the first few rotations are no problem.  You feel the water rushing, you are amazed that simple foot traffic can actually make the current go counter to what the pumps are normally accomplishing when there are rafts in the water and you can't believe the sight of all these people from the waist up bobbing up and down as they walk (or run) against the current.  But after 20 or 30 minutes you really start to feel it in your legs.  For me it was the hips and knees in particular.  Add to those images and sensations the fact that it was still 102 degrees when we got there last night and, due to our 3 week heat wave, the pool was warmer than my shower at home, and you kind of get the idea of what Dante was trying to describe in Inferno: an endless drudgery with no relief from the heat, toil, or anguish.  But, before we knew it, it was 8PM and it was time to slog our way home.  Not an option in Inferno.

I hope my back starts to feel better by the end of the day (who would have thought that that's where I would be sore?)

AlbertMohler.com – The Terrorist and His Porn Stash

Who made this wise observation about the US of A? “Your nation exploits women like consumer products or advertising tools, calling upon customers to purchase them. . . . You plaster your naked daughters across billboards in order to sell a product without any shame. You have brainwashed your daughters into believing they are liberated by wearing revealing clothes, yet in reality all they have liberated is your sexual desire.” It was Osama Bin Laden in his 2002, Letter to the American People" [as quoted by AlbertMohler.com – The Terrorist and His Porn Stash:] yet when killed he was found with a huge stash of pornography on his computers (and had three wives!)

We are all hypocrytes--espousing righteousness, but continuing in sin. That makes us no better than even OBL in this regard. But does that mean we give in to sin--because its inevitable? No way. Read Romans 5:19-6:11 to be uplifted and encouraged to live in grace as you strive to sin no more even as you are forgiven for the sin which clings to you.

How does your church use social media?

Ok.
So, we're developing a Facebook page for our church and are hoping it will help communication within our congregation as well as extend our reach beyond what we do consciously as individuals.

I'm interested in hearing from all those who have done this sort of thing and want to hear your "success stories".  That is, what are some neat things that happened as a result of your social media efforts.

Does your wife think you are always wrong? :: Daily Email Advice | All Pro Dad

Does your wife think you are always wrong? :: Daily Email Advice | All Pro Dad: "If a man in the middle of a forest says something and his wife is not there to hear him, is he still wrong? Humorous, but no doubt many husbands feel like that. Here are
10 ways to improve your marital communication. And, if that is not enough, check out this unique and humorous sports and marriage communication commercial. The key to really talking to your wife is listening better to her, asking open-ended questions and not always trying to solve her problems."

I thought being "wired" was supposed to make things simpler

So, I got the new Samsung Windows phone. Very cool and I love it...except for one thing...I now have this compultion to constantly check every little blip, beep, chime and buzz that my phone makes. I even signed up for a twitter account. I'm so wired I think if I turned my head just right I'd be able to tune in Radio Free Europe on one of my old fillings (and yes, I AM aware it went off the air decades ago. Its called hyperbole). Now I know why some call Blackberries "crackberries" These phones can become quite addictive.