Wrestling with Theology

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8) Pure in Heart Moses is one of the most pure in heart people we have in the Bible. Not perfectly pure. Maybe not even Ivory soap pure. But he was called by God to be His spokesman to the children of Israel. Moses asked to see God. "I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen" (Exodus 33:23)....

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. (Matthew 5:7) Merciful Jesus seems to be telling us that we get what we give. This isn't exactly what He says throughout His teachings. He doesn't say we get what we give. He says we get much more than we give. And it works both ways. If we give evil, we get much more evil back to us in the fires of Hell. If we give good, we get much more goo...

October 14, 2020 Bankers Life Field House Indianapolis, IN Ric Titan vs Kendall Windham Ace Darling vs Rip Rogers TV Title Match: 'Dangerous' Doug Gilbert (c) vs Justin Credible American Heavyweight Title Match: Sting (c) vs 'Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert Special Challenge Non-Title Match: Extreme Horsemen vs Flex Kavana & Mystery Partner World Heavyweight Title Elimination Match: Undertaker vs Sto...

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Matthew 5:6) Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness Nothing feels better than being satisfied. Whether it's being proven right or not being able to push yourself away from the table. As Americans, these situations come much more often than being hungry and thirsty. I'm not talking about simply being a bit parched...

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5) Meek Years ago, the Ziggy comic strip had a very thought-provoking comic that has stuck with me ever since. Ziggy stands on a hilltop, looking into the sky. He asks, "If the meek inherit the earth, what will the inheritance tax be?" Profound question that seeks a profound answer. This morning, I have it for you. The inheritance...

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4) Mourn We don't like to mourn. In only the last couple of years, Slayton has lost several well-loved individuals. Their families still mourn their loss. How can Jesus call them blessed? St. Paul picks up on this theme as he writes to the congregation in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18): But we do not want you to be uninfo...

Liturgical Date: 19th Sunday after Pentecost [Proper 23A] Calendar Date: unknown Location: Trinity, Slayton, MN Order of Service: unknown Hymns: Sermon Theme: Wrong Clothes Sermon Text: Matthew 22:12-13 And he said to him, "Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?" And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, "Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer dar...

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3) Poor in Spirit Everyone seeks to be rich. Everyone wants to better themselves. We think that it comes from making ourselves richer. More popular. Even more righteous. But Jesus says it comes by being poor. You cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven without becoming poor. "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have ne...

Therefore, my brothers, I implore you by God's mercy to offer your very selves to Him: a living sacrifice, dedicated and fit for His acceptance the worship offered by mind and heart. (Romans 12:1 NEB) Personal In the seventh and final place, worship must be personal. You cannot worship for anyone else. No one else can worship for you. YOU are implored by St. Paul through God's mercy to offer your...

As we sit in the Confessional Corner this month, we begin our look at the Apology of the Augsburg Confession. This month we look at Philipp Melanchthon's greeting to you, the reader, as well as the first article where the Roman theologians admit that we have the same understanding of the Trinity.

But the priesthood which Jesus holds is perpetual, because He remains forever. That is why He is also able to save absolutely those who approach God through Him; He is always living to plead on their behalf. (Hebrews 7:24-25 NEB) Intercessory Prayer In the sixth place, worship should revolve around intercessory prayer. St. Paul calls us to be imitators of him as he imitates Christ (1 Corinthians 1...

We ought to see how each of us may best arouse others to love and active goodness, not staying away from our meetings, as some do, but rather encouraging one another, all the more because you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 NEB) Habitual Worship, in the fifth place, should be habitual. God commanded in the Old Testament for every male to present himself before the Temple in Jerusalem t...

"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24 NEB) Spirit and Truth As we reach the hinge of the worship acrostic, we have the most important aspect of worship. True worship is spiritual. The traditional liturgical order is spiritual worship. God is spirit. "All Scripture is breathed out by God" (2 Timothy 3:16). The traditional liturgy is filled with q...

Liturgical Date: 18th Sunday after Pentecost [Proper 22A] Calendar Date: October 1, 2017 Location: Trinity, Slayton, MN Order of Service: Divine Service 4 Hymns: #909, "Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation" #544, "O Love, How Deep" #728, "How Firm a Foundation" #547, "The Lamb" #617, "O Lord, We Praise Thee" #644, "The Church's One Foundation" Sermon Theme: Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song Sermon Tex...

[The seraphim] were calling ceaselessly to one another, Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory. (Isaiah 6:3 NEB) Reverent The seraphim ceaselessly worship God the Father in His presence. These angelic beings proclaim God's holiness to all creation. As Isaiah sees this glimpse of Heaven, he sees their reverent worship. "Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of un...

To sum up, my friends: when you meet for worship, each of you contributes a hymn, some instruction, a revelation, an ecstatic utterance, or the interpretation of such an utterance. All of these must aim at one thing: to build up the church. (1 Corinthians 14:26 NEB) Orderly The shape godly worship has been summarized as a "W". It begins with God coming down to us with His blessings in the Invocati...

The first sixteen WrestleManias were some of the PPVs that wrestling fans looked forward to for the first quarter of the year. Check out https://www.wrestlingwiththeology.org/2020/09/30/wwt-92-wrestlemania-1-16/ for a rundown of major matches and available videos.

Thou art worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honour and power, because Thou didst create all things; by Thy will they were created, and have their being! (Revelation 4:11 NEB) Worthy Are you worthy to be in worship on Sunday? No, you're not. No one is worthy to be in worship. We're all sinners. We are not worthy to be in God's holy presence. He condescended to us. Jesus Christ came in the...

MESSIANIC PROPHECY: Pierced through Hands and Feet Prophecy: A throng of evil ones has surrounded me like a pack of wild dogs; They pierced my hands and ripped a hole in my feet. (Psalm 22:16 Voice) Fulfillment: [Jesus said:] "Reach out and touch Me. See the punctures in My hands; reach out your hand, and put it to My side; leave behind your faithlessness, and believe." (John 20:27) Thought: The h...

MESSIANIC PROPHECY: Sour Wine Prophecy: Even more, they gave me poison for my food and offered me only sour vinegar to drink. (Psalm 69:21) Fulfillment: A jar of sour wine had been left there, so they took a hyssop branch with a sponge soaked in the vinegar and put it to His mouth. (John 19:29) Thought: The thirst got to Jesus. He asked for a drink. At this point, any drink would do. As long as it...

MESSIANIC PROPHECY: Thirsty Prophecy: I am weary of howling; my throat is scratched dry. (Psalm 69:3 Voice) Fulfillment: Jesus knew now that His work had been accomplished, and the Hebrew Scriptures were fulfilled. He said, "It is finished." (John 19:28 Voice) Thought: The howling from the pain became excruciating. On the cross, Jesus howled and howled as the judgment upon sin was carried out upon...

Pro Wrestling America from the Rocket Mortgage Field House in Cleveland, OH!! THREE TITLE MATCHES!! World Heavyweight Title Match Jerry Lawler vs Terry Funk World Tag Team Titles Match Electric Gentlemen vs Moondogs (c) Austin Idol vs Undertaker Buzz Sawyer vs Dutch Mantell Television Title Match Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Doug Gilbert Ric Titan vs Mike Rapada Mance Warner vs Iron Mike Sharpe Sawy...

MESSIANIC PROPHECY: Mocked Prophecy: Everyone who sees me laughs at me; they whisper to one another I'm a loser; they sneer and mock me, saying, "He relies on the Eternal; let the Eternal rescue him." (Psalm 22:7-8 Voice) Fulfillment: The people stood looking on, and their rulers jeered at him: "He saved others: now let him save himself, if this is God's Messiah, his Chosen." The soldiers joined i...

MESSIANIC PROPHECY: Gambling for Clothing Prophecy: They make a game out of dividing my clothes among themselves; they cast lots for the clothes on my back. (Psalm 22:18 Voice) Fulfillment: [One soldier said to the others:] "Don't tear it. Let's cast lots, and the winner will take the whole thing." (John 19:24 Voice) Thought: In David's time, as well as in Jesus', nakedness indicated poverty and s...

MESSIANIC PROPHECY: Silent Prophecy: And in the face of such oppression and suffering--silence. Not a word of protest, not a finger raised to stop it. Like a sheep to a shering, like a lamb to be slaughtered, he went--oh so quietly, oh so willingly. (Isaiah 53:7 Voice) Fulfillment: Then Pilate said to Him, "Do you not hear all this evidence that is brought against you?"; but He still refused to an...