Author Archive: mdhauz

Galatians Bible Study, Pt. 46: Works of the Flesh

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Class #46:  Christians strive to avoid the works of the flesh, but we can’t avoid the desires which come from our sinful nature/flesh.  Therefore, the Christian life is a continual struggle against sin.  With our salvation secured through faith in Christ, we desire to please our Lord.  We walk by the Spirit when we confess those sinful thoughts and do not do the works of the flesh.  We also walk by the Spirit when after we find that we have sinned, we do not persist stubbornly in our sin.

In this study we begin to examine the works of the flesh described in Galatians 5:19-21.  St. Paul says, “just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”  So Luther explains, “It is one thing to be aroused by the flesh and not to tolerate its desires any further, but to walk and to withstand by the Spirit; it is quite another thing to give in to the flesh and to do its works with a smug air, to persist in them…” (Luther’s Works, v.7, p.80).

Overhead: Overheads for Class 46
Handout 1: Galatians Bible Study Chapter 5 16 thru 21
Handout 2: Galatians Bible Study Chapter 5 22 thru 26
Handout 3: Chart for Flesh and Spirit

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Children’s Christmas Program 2017

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On December 14, 2017, the preschool children at Trinity Lutheran Early Childhood Learning Center and the school-age children of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL) presented the 2017 Christmas Program “From Heaven Above.”  [scroll down to play the video, 22 minutes long]

Bulletin: Children’s Program Bulletin 2017

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Galatians Bible Study, Pt. 45: The Conflict of Spirit and Sinful Nature

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Class #45:  Before conversion there is nothing to oppose the lusts of the flesh, and therefore the sinful flesh has free reign.  After conversion, “the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another….”   Due to the remaining sinful nature, which wars against the Spirit, the Christian life is encumbered with much weakness.  We often fall short of our desire to do good, as described in Romans 7:14-19, “For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate that I do.”  When this happens we confess our sins and receive forgiveness.

It is also true as St. Paul assures us in Galatians 5:16-18, that believers “walk in the Spirit,” so that the Spirit prevents us from putting into practice the desires of the flesh–“…so that you do not do the {evil} things that you wish.”  Though we want to be free of those sinful desires and fight against them, we are comforted in our conflict that these sins are not imputed to believers.

Overhead: Galatians Class 45 Overhead
Handout 1: Gal 5 17 handout
Handout 2: Galatians Bible Study Chapter 5 16 thru 21

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Galatians Bible Study, Pt. 44: Walking by the Spirit

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Class #44:  What follows from St. Paul’s teaching of justification by grace through faith?  The Christian life becomes a gift of freedom to love the neighbor.  However, the Christian still carries within him the flesh which lusts against the Spirit, creating contradictory desires.  As a result, the Christian walks by the Spirit, so that he does not fulfill the sinful desires of the flesh.

The Christian is conscious of the sin within him, so that by confession he can resist the word/deed.  In great weakness, the Christian battles the rebellion and prayerfully desires to be free of sin.  We need neither despair, nor be surprised at the conflict within us.  Thankfully, those remaining sinful desires are not imputed to the believer.

Overhead: Galatians Class 44 Overhead
Handout: Galatians Bible Study Chapter 5 16 thru 21

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Catechesis on Second-Last Sunday (Matthew 25:31-46)

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On Wednesday nights, Trinity Lutheran Church(Herrin, IL) offers to both children and adults an opportunity for teaching with Learn-by-Heart at 6:30 PM and a catechetical service at 7:00.

In this video from November 15, 2017, we learned stanza 2-3 of “O Bride of Christ, Rejoice” (The Lutheran Hymnal, #57), the fourth petition of the Lord’s Prayer and meaning from Luther’s Small Catechism.  This service is designed to prepare God’s people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service.  The dialog sermon explains Jesus’ teaching on the sheep and the goats (St. Matthew 25:31-46, which is the Holy Gospel for the Second-Last Sunday in the Church Year.

The service concludes with “Recite Word by Word” (pdf link below).  [Length: 1 hour, 4 minutes.   Note: the video caption says “Third-Last…,”
but it really is “Second-last….”]

Bulletin: Catechesis 2nd Last Sunday – 11-15-2017
Hymn: TLH 57
Responsive Prayer: Recite Word by Word

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Galatians Bible Study, Pt. 43: Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

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Class #43:  Where there is no concord in the true Christian doctrine, there is also no peace in Christian love. Parties and factions form based on human law opinions. Making demands for particular external works, these self-appointed life-styles create dissension and thus cause limitations on love. In the end, each one bites and devours the other. For the Christian, the law reveals sin and the Gospel message is to be trusted for righteousness/ forgiveness. The forgiven Christian is free to serve the neighbor in love–the true spiritual life.  We carry each others burdens.

This lesson examines a list of good works compiled by Dr. Martin Luther.  It may not be what you would expect.  Some are passive directing us not to strike back when offended or harmed.  Others are mundane works within your vocation.  We also consider a list of those who are “your neighbor.”

Overhead: Galatians Class 43 Overhead
Handout: Galatians Bible Study Chapter 5 16 thru 21

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Galatians Bible Study, Pt. 42: Freedom FOR…

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Class #42:  We often speak of how we are saved FROM sin, death and the power of the devil.  With Galatians 5:13ff, St. Paul tell us what we were saved FOR.  Having been slaves, we were called by the Gospel NOT FOR indulging the flesh, but FOR serving one another in love.  Having laid the true foundation (salvation through faith in Jesus alone), St. Paul directs us to build on that foundation by good works of love toward the neighbor.

When it come to the true doctrine, we are to hold firmly to the Word and not give up even one teaching.  When it comes to the life of others, we generously forgive sins, as love bears with all things.

Overhead: Galatians Class 42 Overhead
Handout: Galatians Bible Study Chapter 5 16 thru 21

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