Today's online Scripture jigsaw

From the Word

19 For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves! 20 For you bear it if a man makes slaves of you, or preys upon you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face.

2 Corinthians 11:19–20, RSV

From Luther

Paul delivers a masterly stroke when with the same words he praises and rebukes the Corinthians. His commendation of their patience is in reality reproof. He means to say: I have preached the gospel to you at my own expense and jeopardy. By my labor you have attained to its blessing. You have done nothing for me in return, I have been no tax upon you. Now, upon my departure, others come and captivate you, and seek honor and profit from my labor. They boast as though the accomplishments were all theirs. Of these you become the disciples and pupils. Their preaching you accept, while mine becomes odious. My case is that of the bee which labors to gather honey and then come the idle drones and earthworms and consume the sweet which they have not gathered.

You can suffer these false prophets though they be fools and teach you foolishness. In this you display wisdom and patience. But you do not suffer me, who taught you true wisdom. You can permit them to make servants of you, to be your lords and to order you to do their bidding. But I, who have made myself your servant, served you without profit to myself, that you might be lords with Christ, must now be ignored and all my labors lost. You suffer yourselves to be devoured; for you abundantly bestow your property upon them. But I have never enjoyed aught of yours. All my service has been without recompense, that ye might become rich in Christ.

You suffer the false teachers to take from you beyond your consent, to exalt themselves above you, to esteem themselves better than you and me, and to exercise their arrogance over you. But you deal not so with me, who have sacrificed my own substance, and have taken from others, that I might bring the gospel to you. They reproach you publicly, smite you in the face, put you to shame and abuse you with insolent words. But my patience with you, my parental tenderness, is remembered no more.

Luther, Martin, and John Sander. Devotional Readings from Luther’s Works for Every Day of the Year. Augustana Book Concern, 1915, pp. 83–84.

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John 8:31–33

From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession

Concerning Ecclesiastical Power 

They present an objection based on the public offenses and commotions that have arisen under pretext of our doctrine. We will briefly reply. If all the offenses are combined, still the one article concerning the forgiveness of sins, that we freely obtain the forgiveness of sins for Christ’s sake through faith, brings so much good as to hide all evils. In the beginning, this gained Luther not only our favor, but also the favor of many who are now opposing us. “The former favor ceases, and mortals are forgetful,” says Pindar. Nevertheless, we do not desire to abandon truth essential to the Church, nor can we agree with our opponents who condemn it. “We must obey God rather than men.”

Pulling It Together: What is able to set you free: human traditions or the Word of God? Abide in one and lack assurance and peace. Abide in the other and know “perfect peace” (Isa 26:3). Keeping traditions will have you forever doubting that you have ever done enough to be forgiven and go to heaven. If you want assurance of the forgiveness of your sins, and would enjoy the fellowship of God in heaven, then keep your mind, trust, and faith in his Christ, who has fulfilled all rules and regulations (Matt 5:17). Jesus Christ is the end of the law. He is the righteousness of all who believe in him (Rom 10:14). Believe in his righteousness instead of your own, and be freed.

Prayer: Keep my mind stayed on you, Lord, and thereby, keep me in your perfect peace. Amen.

The biblical focus in this five-session VBS book, Moses and the Great Escape, is found in the Old Testament book of Exodus. God has a grand plan for humankind — a plan he enacts through the Hebrew people. He created Moses to be instrumental in this plan.

Sola’s Versatile Budget Series is a simple and flexible educational Vacation Bible School curriculum designed especially for small churches, house churches, and mission congregations. The flexible format works well for groups with limited budgets, or in situations where the ages and number of students may vary from session to session. Unlike more elaborate and expensive VBS kits, this book is meant to serve as an “all-in-one” teacher’s resource. The worksheets and handouts it contains can be reproduced according to local needs. Each book in the Versatile Budget Series focuses on a particular character from the Bible, bringing together several stories on a common theme. Resources and ideas are provided for gathering time, music, activities, games, and refreshments — allowing just a few adult leaders to host a week of Vacation Bible School.