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Saturday, February 10, 2024

What Is Faith?

“Didache is a Greek word meaning “teaching” or “doctrine”. Luke tells us in Acts 2:42 that those who were baptized on the day of Pentecost devoted themselves to the apostles’ didache. What follows in this study guide is a course on the didache, that is, the teaching which we have received from the Lord in His Word. This teaching is not our own, but the Lord’s. It has as its source the Holy Scriptures of God. The doctrine or teaching drawn from the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures is confessed in the Small Catechism of Dr. Martin Luther... the first edition of Didache, published in 1992 was developed for and shaped by the joy and challenges of teaching the faith both at the Chapel of the Resurrection (Valparaiso Univ.) and University Lutheran Chapel (Univ. of Minnesota- Minneapolis). Questions and interest from students prompted me to condense my notes into the form of a study guide. Since then, Didache has been used for adult catechesis throughout North America and in a number of overseas locations. I am grateful to fellow pastors who have found it useful in instructing adults in the Lutheran Confession of the Christian faith as well as laity who have found it a helpful study guide in the Holy Scriptures”
-Prof. John Pless, Concordia Theological Seminary

From the book, Didache, by Prof John Pless, the author provides an excellent resource that serves to supplement Luther’s Small Catechism. So excellent it is that I have used this resource over the whole span of my life in the office of Holy Ministry. Not only is it an important book for the field of outreach and evangelism but also an excellent resource for Lutherans to review the doctrine of faith.

The question is, “What is faith?”

As we live in this world, we are being catechized in every which way. From the radio and TV, to social media and even false teaching, we are bombarded by words, words, and more words. Words matter especially when someone asks you, “What is faith?” The answer to this question is not only important for the one who is asking, but also for the one who responds. For, the answer to this question will reveal where our faith truly resides. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to review what it means to confess the faith through the Creeds, The Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, Confession & Absolution, the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

I encourage everyone to attend this class. It will be held every Sunday during the bible study hour beginning on February 25th. If you have not attended Sunday bible study in a while, now is the time to reconnect because this class will edify and engage you in the joys of the one true faith. Also, if you have anyone in your life that needs to hear the Word in all of its truth, invite them so they too may rejoice in the word of Christ alone.

I hope to see you all there.

✝️ Pastor Jeong

The full newsletter can be found here:
https://www.faithmoorpark.com/files/pdf/2024/2024-02-Newsletter.pdf

* Copies of the Didache will be available for $10

Saturday, January 6, 2024

The Heart of the Epiphany is Jesus Only

During the season of Epiphany the Lord reveals who He is as true God and true Man. An important season it is as we dwell upon not only who our Lord is but His unique mission as the Savior of the World. Therefore throughout the season we will hear sermons based on the following Gospel readings.

  • January 7th “The Baptism of our Lord” [Mark 1:2-11]
  • January 14th “Jesus calls Phillip and Nathanael” [John 1:43-51]
  • January 21st “Jesus calls the brothers: Simon/Andrew & James/John” Mark 1:14-20]
  • January 28th “Jesus heals a man with an unclean spirit” [Mark 1:21-28]
  • February 4th “Jesus heals the sick and oppressed” [Mark 1:29-39]
  • February 11th “The Transfiguration of our Lord” [Mark 9:2-9]

Week after week as we hear and meditate upon these texts, the heart of the epiphany will constantly be emphasized:

“And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead” Mark 9:7-9

Indeed! The heart of the Epiphany is Jesus only. For His identity reveals that He alone as True God and True man is the Savior of the World. There is no other way, no other life, no other truth but rather it is only Christ. I know, you have heard this plenty of times before but as we look in the mirror and see our sin, we are constantly reminded that our faith rests not in ourselves but rather in Christ and His life-saving work of the Cross and Empty Tomb.

I pray that during this season, God will grant you comfort as you are epiphanied by His Word. Whether it is the Father proclaiming [at Jesus Baptism] “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” [Mk1:11], or [at Jesus transfiguration], “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him” [Mk9:7], it is a constant reminder again that the heart of the epiphany is the beloved Son, Jesus Christ for you.

Have a blessed January

✝️ Pastor Jeong

The full newsletter can be found here:
https://www.faithmoorpark.com/files/pdf/2024/2024-01-Newsletter.pdf


Faith Lutheran Church • 123 Park Lane • Moorpark, CA 93021 • (805) 532 1049 • Send Email