1.Stand Firm in the City
Rev. Steve Schave talks about the 2015 Urban & Inner-City Mission Conference Stand Firm in the City at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana on October 12–14, 2015.
“The unrest that occurred recently in Ferguson, Baltimore and Oakland could happen in any of our major cities that experience poverty, crime and hopelessness. There is a need for stronger communities and families, quality education and health care, jobs, trust and reconciliation. What is needed the most, however, is the Gospel, which transforms individual lives. Rather than retreating from the challenges in urban and inner-city contexts, Christ calls the Church to “Stand Firm in the City.” This mission conference will offer participants both encouragement and practical resources to address the greatest mission fields in the United States.”
2. Creation Club
Rev. Warren Woerth of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Arnold, Missouri, and Andy Bates discuss topics in Creation and dispel myths of the theory of evolution.
3. Daily Lectionary
Rev. Stephen Reynolds of Shepherd of the Coast Lutheran Church in Ft. Lauderdale, FL looks at Philippians 3:1-21 “Righteousness Through Faith in Christ” and “Straining Toward the Goal”.
4. Sermonette
Today’s sermonette is given by Rev. Stephen Reynolds of Shepherd of the Coast Lutheran Church in Ft. Lauderdale, FL .
Philippians 3:1-21
Righteousness Through Faith in Christ
3 Finally, my brothers,[a] rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God[b] and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law,[c] blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Straining Toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Footnotes:
- Philippians 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 17
- Philippians 3:3 Some manuscripts God in spirit
- Philippians 3:6 Greek in the law
