# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S364 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 364 PROPOSED AGENDA it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic. “Son, vour sins are forgiven.” Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts. and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up. take your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this! (Mark 2:1-12) The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger. abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Ps. 103:8-12) On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matt. 9:1 2-13) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for | am gentle and humbke in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt, 1 1:28-30) Therefore. if anyone ts in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Cor. §:17-19) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. ... (Eph. 1:3-7) This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into 48 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you betieve in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souk. (| Peter [:3-9) Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring tion looking for someone to devour. Resist him. standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:6-11) How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God: And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears. we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (! John 3:t-2) 7. The sick person may desire to make individual confession. in which case the pastor will request others present to leave the room. Or the pastor leads the sick person and others present in the following general confession. @ Oaimighty God. merciful Father. I. a poor, miserable sinner. confess to you all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended you and justly deserved sour puntshment now and forever. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and [ pray you of your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy. innocent, bitter sufferings and death of your beloved Son. Jesus Chnist. to be gracious and merciful to me. a poor sinful being. 8. The pastor pronounces the absolution. ® Upon this your confession, I, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God to you. and in the stead and by the command of my SO the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. {}John 4:9-10) PEACE AND HOPE You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at vour right hand. (Ps. 16:11) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green Pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shail follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (Ps. 23) The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Ps. 27:1) How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights, For with you is the fountain of life: in vour light we see light. (Ps. 36:7-9) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Prov. 3:5-8) For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Rom. 8:15-17) So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith.” (Heb. 10:35-38a) 49 Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. + Amen 9. The PRAYER SENTENCES (Preces) may be said. » O Lord, save your servant, who trusts in you ® Send your servant help from your holy sanctuary, and strength from your holy dwelling. P Look upon ~~" affliction and pain. — and forgive al] ~~: sins ® O Lord, hear our prayer, + and let our cry come to you 10. One of the following PRAYERS is said. » O Lord. look down from heaven: behold, visit. and relieve this your servant, for whom we pray; look upon _"" <___ with the eyes of your mercy; give >= _ comfort and sure confidence in you; defend __"™ "from every danger to body and soul; and keep _"" in peace and safety; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. ~ Amen OR P Father of all mercy, you never fail to help those who call on you for help. Give strength and confidence to this, your child, in_"> ~"__ time of great need that _~:~__ may know that you are near, and that underneath us are your everlasting arms. Grant that, resting on your protection, __**_ may fear no 51