The Preaching of the Word of Christ Bears the Good Fruits of Faith and Love. As “the rain and the snow come down from heaven” and “water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout” (Isaiah 55:10), so the Word of God accomplishes the purpose for which He speaks it, granting joy and peace through the forgiveness of sins and producing the fruits of faith and love in those who are called by His name. Christ Jesus, the incarnate Word, has established the name of the Lord as “an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off” (Isaiah 55:13). He opens our ears to hear, our minds to understand and our hearts to believe His Word, lest the evil one come and snatch it away. He thus transforms our rocky hearts into good soil, which clings to the Gospel and “indeed bears fruit” (Matthew 13:23). Like the sower waiting for the seed to sprout, “the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19), and in this hope we also wait with patience. Though we do not yet see it, “the Spirit helps us in our weakness” (Romans 8:26), comforting and assuring us that “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).
Next Sunday’s sermon will be “Our Present Sufferings” based on Romans 8:18-25.
What changes came about, down to today, in both our world and your own life because of Adam and Eve’s Fall into sin? How would things be different if they hadn’t succumbed to Satan’s temptation? Join in after worship in the Fellowship Hall this Sunday for our study in Adult Bible Class on Genesis–Book of Beginnings as we consider these questions.
Because of various family commitments Pastor Vogts has over the summer we are taking a summer break with no Midweek Matins or Men’s & Women’s Bible Studies during June and July, and the normal Wednesday schedule resuming in August.
