When should I start preparing for marriage?

“However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

Ephesians 5:33

Summer is a popular time for couples to tie the knot. Wedding bells are most often heard during the months of June, July, and August. Which makes this the perfect time to consider a question I received a few months ago. When should someone start preparing for marriage? 

Scripture teaches that the bond and covenant of marriage is much more than a “civil” ceremony. Rather it is a gift of God; a holy mystery in which man and woman become one flesh - an image of the union between Christ and the Church. This union should be held in the highest regard, faithfully kept pure. But, purity doesn’t began when we meet “Mr. Right,” have a ring on our finger, or say, “I do.” It starts long before most meet their spouse; it starts - now. 

Regardless of your age, relationship status, or desire to marry; preparations start now. In 1 Timothy 5:2 the Apostle Paul tells the young single Pastor Timothy to treat woman with “Absolute Purity.” Paul told the entire congregation Timothy served that there must not even be a “hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity” among them for they are God’s People (Ephesians 5:3). 

Moreover, Hebrews 13:4 says “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Notice the words All and Kept Pure. This doesn’t only extend to those considering marriage or currently married; it applies to all people at all stages of life. For those who are married, they are called to keep their current bed pure, and those who are not are told to protect their future one. 

If one defiles himself before marriage, he betrays his future spouse and defiles their bed. Thus in preparing for marriage, one must carefully watch what they do, how they think, what they wear, what look at, and how they treat and act around the opposite gender (for Paul’s instructions on how to  think about and interact with the opposite gender read 1 Timothy 5:1–2). 

Purity is not only a New Testament teaching. Job made a covenant with His eyes “not to look lustfully at a girl” (Job 31:1), and the sixth commandment forbids adultery. Question 84 in our Catechism asks  “What does God require of us in the sixth commandment?” It provides this explanation, “We must live a chaste and pure life, whether we are married or not, with husband and wife loving and honoring each other.” 

God’s Word is clear. Marriage is holy, should be kept undefiled, and should be protected by all; young, old, married, and singles. This is accomplished as we lead pure and chaste lives in thought, word, and deed. How you are living today will not only effect how but is preparing you for married life. Besides, if you’re kissing (or worse) someone you’re not married to, you’re kissing someone else's spouse. 

Remember: What you do today cannot be taken back later; but what you abstain from and protect now, will bring you much joy in the future.

What are doctrinal truths based on?

“He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” 

Titus 1:9

Doctrine is defined as “teaching or instruction;” and usually refers “to a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief.” In religion, doctrine sets the boundaries on which the belief system is based. For Christianity all Doctrine must be based on the Word of God. 

II Timothy 3:16-17 and II Peter 1:20-21 clearly teach that the Bible is not a invention of man, but is Divinely inspired - originating from God not men, inerrant - being found without error, and infallible - without mistakes; making it the only source and norm for truth. In other words, all teachings and beliefs are to be rooted in and taken from the Bible alone. No other source should be used, and when a thought, belief, or teaching is held up against the Bible and found to disagree; it must be rejected and disregarded. 

Throughout the New Testament, believers are encouraged to hold on to “Sound Doctrine” or “healthy, uncorrupted truth and teaching.” In II Timothy 1:13-14 we are called to “keep as the pattern of sound teaching” and I Timothy 4:16 “watch your life and doctrine closely.” I Timothy 6:3 warns that anyone who teaches false doctrine (something that doesn’t agree with the Word of God) doesn't agree with Jesus Christ.  

We are to weigh all teachings by God’s Word; carefully watching what is being taught and what we believe is rooted in the Word of God. This will keep us from being swayed away from false teachers and will enable us to oppose those who teach it. All true and sound doctrine is always rooted in and taken from the written Word of God, the Bible. 

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

II Thessalonians 2:15-17

Where do the Creeds come from?

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 

1 Peter 3:15

I believe in God… for centuries Christians across the globes and denominations have joined our voices together in “confessing our holy Christian Faith;” oftentimes using a creed. Dictionary.com defines a creed as: “any system, doctrine, or formula of religious belief, as of a denomination, an authoritative, formulated statement of the chief articles of Christian belief.” Simply, a creed is a summary statement of what Christians believe. 

However not all creeds are created equal. In order for a creed to be considered “Christian” it must be based on the Word of God, and only set forth that which God does. There are three creeds which have been accepted by all Christians for centuries: The Apostles' Creed, The Nicene Creed, and The Athanasian Creed. 

The most common, oldest, and shortest creed is The Apostles Creed. Although, not written by the Apostles, it bears their name because it clearly sets forth their teachings. In one hundred and ten words this simple statement plainly and correctly explains the essential teachings of God as Creator, Jesus as Redeemer, the Holy Spirit, Church, and the promise of life everlasting. 

The Apostles Creed is a great expression of the crucial truths of the Christian’s faith. It serves as an important reminder of these truths, keeps us in them, and if we are ever asked what we believe - can serve as a great way to share our faith. This simple confession contains everything someone needs to know in order to be saved. 

As the oldest creed, there is some disagreement when it was actually written, and may date back to the first century A.D., was in use by the second century, and by the the time Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire in the fourth century it was accepted. The Apostles Creed spread to Ireland by the seventh century, England in the eighth, and is still in use today.  

Although not as “popular” as the Apostles Creed, the other two classical creeds (The Nicene and Athanasian) are based on the Word of God and clearly set forth the sound doctrine of the Christian Faith. The Nicene Creed was first written at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. Affirming the Apostles Creed, it describes Christ in greater detail and the important role of baptism. It later was modified when references to the Holy Spirit were greater defined. 

The Athanasian Creed is the longest and newest, thought to be written by Athanasius (bishop of Alexandria) who lived from 328-373 A.D. It affirms the teaching of both the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds, while developing further the teachings of the Trinity, the duel natures of Christ (the fact that He is True God and Man) and lays out the essentials of salvation (and what happens to those who do not believe). 

These creeds have served as a great testimony to the fundamental truths of the Christian Faith; and continue to be an expression of Biblical Christianity. 

Are We Living In The End Times?

“All these are the beginning of birth pains.” Matthew 24:8

This question (or ones like it) seem popular in our society, and at times it seems like the entire world is fixated on the end of the World. From movies like 2012 and Knowing, to a rising interest in the predictions of Nostradamus and the unprecedented success of the much beloved “Left Behind” series many people have tuned in to the “end of the world.” The July 1^st 2002 issue of Time Magazine reported that one-third of Americans are paying more attention to how their lives relate to the end of the world, and fifty precent of people believe the events in Revelation will come to pass. This has left many wondering, and worrying about the end. 

The state of our culture has only fueled this fear. With the increasing unrest in the Middle East to the rise in healthcare in the Midwest, from rise in home invasion to increased frequency of earthquakes, from rising unemployment to falling of morality it seems as if things are only getting worse, and they are! 

With this growing interest, and the state of our world, prophecy has turned into big business for Hollywood and preacher alike. Unfortunately much of what is shared is unreliable, unbiblical, and seeks only to invoke fear. Christ’s desire for us is to face the future with faith, not fear. 

In Matthew 24 Jesus told us what will happen: simply put “life is going to get worse”. In verses four and five he warns about false teachers and those claiming to be Christ. In verses six and seven He tells us that wars, famines, and natural disasters will increase. According to verses nine through fourteen persecution will grow, Christians will abandon truth and faith, many will be lead astray, while others will give their life for Christ. The world as we know it will come to an end. 

Yet Christ encourages two commands and one promise. 

In Matthew 24:4 he says “Watch out that no one deceives you.” He wants us to be on guard, equipped with the truth, knowing what will come. In Verse 6 he tell says “but see to it that you are not alarmed.” We are not to be surprised, worried or gripped in fear by the things that we see or hear on the news. 

Why? Because of the great promise in verse 13 “but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Those who remain faithful to God and His Word will be saved. Not from the calamity of This World but from the eternal punishment and death that sin brings. We will be saved!

Are we living in the end times? We can’t be certain; but we can be assured that whatever happens Christ is preparing a place for us to spend all eternity. 

When the earth shakes, or the bombs drop, the World is gripped by fear and filled with questions. As Christians we have The Answer, and are called to give it. In Verse fourteen Christ says, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”  Let’s not live in fear of what the future holds, but confidently face it with faith in Christ, boldly providing solid answers in times of uncertainty.   

What is Lent?

Although not a question I have received this year, for many Christians, Lent is a mystery. For some, it is simply a period of going on a diet; for others Lent is a time when their Catholic friends wear ashes on their foreheads and eat fish on Fridays. Although many evangelicals are attracted to Lent, few know much about the Lenten season. 

Although, the word “Lent” is not found in the Bible, nor are we commanded to observe this season, I believe this is an important time in the life of the Christian and the Church.  Let’s answer a few questions about this special time. 

What is Lent?
Lent is the forty-day season of preparation before Easter. It starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday.  

Why 40 days? 

Because, Jesus fasted and was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days. (See Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13 and Luke 4:1-13). However, just to confuse things, Lent is actually 46 days rather than 40 days. 

What is the purpose of Lent? 

Lent is designed to be a season of fasting, self-denial, Christian growth, penitence, conversion, and simplicity. Lent comes from the Germanic word for springtime, and can be viewed as a “spiritual spring cleaning”, or a time for taking a spiritual inventory and cleaning out those things which hinder our relationships with and service to Christ. 

Why do people give things up for Lent? 

Lent is a time for serious, disciplined self-examination, a time spent in prayer and repentance before the cross of Calvary. In Scripture (I Samuel 7:6, I Kings 21, Ezra 8) fasting is often connected with times of repentance and prayer. Fasting means abstaining from all food and drink for a period of time. However it can also mean going on a disciplined diet, or simply giving up anything that you normally consume.  This reminds us Who is in control and also reminds you to spend time in prayer when your belly growls or you see the things you have given up. Sunday, the Lord's Day, should never be a day of fasting, but a day of celebration! So each Sunday we suspend our Lenten disciplines and celebrate. Lent is 40 "fasting" days spread out over a total of 46 days beginning on Ash Wednesday.

Why do people eat fish on Fridays? 

Traditionally Catholics fast on Good Friday, and traditionally eat fish and not meat on Fridays during Lent. This tradition could stem from a couple of reasons. Some say that giving up meat was forgoing a luxury, as it was rare for most people to have. However a better explanation can been seen in the history of the Catholic Church. From the early days of Christianity, they were forbidden to eat meat every Friday (and, depending where they live, still are).

Why Friday? Because this is the day that Christ died, so abstaining from the shedding (and consuming) of blood seemed appropriate to many. It was also on a Friday (otherwise known as the sixth day) where God created animals. As a result it was believed that abstaining from meat is a symbolic "stay of execution" for cows, pigs, and sheep--just as the cross saves us from eternal death. Good Friday is also considered a fast day, where one goes without the usual luxuries as a form of penance, purification and remembrance of God's laws. This idea has morphed into the large fish fries we see today. 

In every case, it is a time for serious, disciplined self-examination, a time spent in intensive prayer and repentance before the cross of Calvary. Let us, during this season, take time to consider our need for Christ, and how fresh our relationship with Him is.

 “Yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 2 Corinthians 7:9–10

Gifts of the Passion” ~ Starting Wednesday, March 9th 7:00 - 8:00PM 

Join us this Lenten season as we survey the Cross of Calvary and discover the priceless gifts given to us by Christ at the Cross. Our study will be based on Max Lucado’s Book “He Chose the Nails.” Cost for the book is about $13.00.  Please let Pastor Eric or the Church office know if you want to order one. Although purchasing a book is not necessary to come to the services, Max’s writing will encourage you greatly, strengthen your soul, and deepen your walk through the Lenten Season. 

Why are the books of the Bible in the order that they are in?

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

II Timothy 3:16–17

“For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” II Peter 1:21

All of God’s Word (the Bible) is inspired by God, which means that He is its originator and author. He chose to use men with different gifts, backgrounds, and unique abilities to write it as He spoke to them by the Holy Spirit. As a result, the Bible Is God’s Word and contains no errors, or mistakes, and cannot be changed by anyone. However, the format of the Bible (chapter and verse breaks, headings, names of the books, and order of the books) is not inspired. They have been organized this way by men over the centuries to make the books and passages within the Bible easier to find and read. The English Bible contains sixty-six books and is broken up into two major sections: the Old Testament (spanning from creation to about four hundred years before Christ) and the New Testament (encompassing approximately one hundred years, starting about a year before the birth of Christ and closing with a prophecy describing the end of the world). The former contains thirty-nine books and the latter twenty-seven.

These books are not organized in chronological order, but rather by theme or type. The Old Testament is broken down into four sections: Law (Genesis - Deuteronomy), History (Joshua - Esther), Wisdom literature (Job - Song of Solomon), and Prophecy (Isaiah - Malachi). Likewise the New Testament is five sections: Gospels (Matthew - John), History (Acts) Paul’s Epistles (letters) (Romans - Philemon), other Epistles (Hebrews - Jude), and Prophecy (Revelation). Obviously, these are only general categories or themes that each book falls into; for history, prophecy, and law are contained in nearly every book of the Bible, not just the ones found in their categories. Moreover it would be difficult to place them in a purely chronological order, as many of the books cover similar time periods and overlap.

Why did God allow Job to suffer?

“Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.’” Job 1:8

Suffering is one of the hardest topics for Christians to understand and accept, and typically there are no “easy” answers. This is only magnified when the one who is suffering seems to be a “good” person, or has done “nothing to deserve it.” When this happens it leaves us wondering and asking God why this happened. Job is no different. In Job 1:1b he is described as “blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil,” and verse five further illustrates his devotion to the Lord. Despite this close walk with the Lord, chapters one and two recount the horrible calamity and suffering that fell his way. In one day, Job lost all his livestock, most of his servants, and all seven of his children (Job 1:13-19). Not long afterwards his body was afflicted with boils (Job 2:2) and his wife turned her back on him saying “curse God and die” (Job 2:9). All this to a man whom God’s Word calls “blameless and upright.” Why? Job 1:8-12 provides us with at least a partial answer. God suggests (and allows Satan) to afflict Job to ‘prove’ to Satan that not all people love and follow God because He blesses and protects them. In fact, Job did just this, he never disowned or turned his back on God. “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” Job1:22. “In all this, Job did not sin in what he said” Job 2:10. Rather “he fell to the ground in worship” Job 1:20b. It’s important to remember that through the remainder of the Book Job struggles through this experience, looking for answers; and never gets any. We know more than Job ever did, and we still do not know why God suggested and allowed Satan to afflict him. That’s important for us to remember today, whether we are the one suffering or someone else is, there are always things happening that we are unaware of. Nevertheless, God’s promise is still true “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” II Corinthians 12:9.

For further study on this hard and important topic of suffering, request a copy of Pastor Eric’s Sermon “Walking though Suffering & Tragedy” preached August 29, 2010 at Amery Free Lutheran Church.

What is the difference between Priest, Minister and Pastor?

Priest, Minister, and Pastor are all “man given” titles used to describe the role of the “professional church leader.” The title Priest is mainly used by Catholics, while protestant (non-catholic) denominations typically refer to their spiritual leaders as Pastors or Ministers. While the name might not be the same, nor found in scripture, the office and duties are. In Scriptures the terms overseer, elders, and shepherds (Acts 20:17,28; 1 Peter 5:1-2) are used to describe the man who has spiritual oversight of a congregation. Although there are many duties of a Pastor, his primary responsibility is to care for the spiritual condition of His congregation by the public teaching and preaching of the Word of God.

“We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word” Acts 6:3b-4

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”

II Timothy 4:1-2

Why are the dinosaurs not mentioned in the Bible?

Although names like Tyrannosaurus, Stegosaurus, or Brontosaurus are not contained in the Bible, doesn’t mean God’s Word does not mention them. It is an undisputed fact that dinosaurs once roamed this planet. For almost 200 years scientists have been unearthing, reconstructing, and studying their fossils. The question is, where did they come from? The answer is found in the book of Genesis, chapter one. Here, we are told that God created everything from the heavens to the earth and everything on it; including all land animals.

“Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind” and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind.” Genesis 1:24-25.

Since God created every living thing, and dinosaurs were once living; it is proper to conclude that God created them as well. Moreover we should not expect to find the term “dinosaur” in the Bible since it was not coined until 1841. Nevertheless, Genesis 1:21 tells us that God created “the great creatures of the sea,” Job 41:1-34, Psalm 73:13-14 and Isaiah 27:1 speak about a sea creature called Leviathan, Job 40:15-24 tells of a land dwelling animal called Behemoth, and Isaiah 30:6 mentions a “flying serpent” (NASB). The descriptions found in each text sound nothing like a current animal, rather they all carry dinosaur like qualities.

Dinosaurs are mentioned in the Bible, just not with the words or pictures we associate with them. Why doesn’t the Bible say more? Because the purpose of the Bible was not to describe in great detail everything God created, rather it was to reveal God’s redemptive plan of Salvation found in Jesus Christ.

For more information concerning dinosaurs and the Bible please visit “Answers In Genesis” at the link below, or look for “The New Answers Book” edited by Ken Ham.

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/1999/11/05/dinosaurs-and-the-bible