Friday, June 18, 2010
Titus 1:10-14 ... there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.
LOOKING FORWARD
My parents made a point of stopping at them. They were found along roads and highways across the country. Some spoke of geographical features, like the continental divide. Others reminded of historical figures and events. These roadside markers each had a story to tell.
We also pass significant historical markers in life. We celebrate with birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and the like. It is good to observe these historical markers by giving thanks to God. It is good to take the time both to look back and to look forward. So we thank God for having blessed us, the congregations of the Church of the Lutheran Confession, for the past 50 years and we look to the future.
So let me ask, "What is our greatest concern as we move forward as a congregation and as a synod?"
Is it reaching out to and engaging the next generation? Is it stopping what seems a growing sense of indifference to the Word and Worship of God? Is it slowing the erosion of the family and the growing divorce rate in our society? Is it our position on issues such as abortion and women in the church? Or is our greatest concern something else?
If we take our cue from this Word of God then our greatest concern will be recognising false teaching and turning from it. It will be our goal to silence falsehood, not by force, but by sound teaching. For only then will healthy faith be the norm; only then will people be turned TO the Truth.
