LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1977, Page 63

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63

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

Dearly Beloved in Christ:

Our theme is “That We May Grow” from Peter’s first
epistle. We shall be considering this letter in our essay.
For our devotion this evening let us consider the opening
verses of this great letter to the church.

Text: 1 Peter 1:1-2 (NASB)

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as
aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia,
Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sancifying work of
the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled
with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in fullest
measure.

In a single sentence, the apostle reminds his hearers
of what kind of people they are and why they are such
people. On the one hand, they are God’s elect; on the
other, aliens or foreigners, scattered throughout five
provinces in Asia Minor. They are chosen by God the
Father and sanctified by the Spirit. They did not choose
God; He chose them. The purpose for this is to set them
apart that they may obey His will as revealed in Jesus
Christ. Also, that they may be restored to obedience
when they fail, through the election of the Father, the
atoning sacrifice of the Son, whose blood cleanses from
all sin, and the sanctification of the Holy Spirit.

Certainly this also applies to all of God’s people
everywhere and throughout the ages. And it has special
meaning for us who are gathered here to assist the
almost three million members of congregations in The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to rejoice in our
election and salvation, to bring the Gospel of Jesus
Christ into all the world (Mark 16:15).

I. Strangers, Not Natives

One of the questions we had to answer when
registering at our hotels was: “How long will you be
staying?” While we can give a reasonably correct
answer to the clerk, the question of how much time each
of us has left on earth only God can answer. It is because
of our limited time in this earthly pilgrimage that we
want to set our priorities in order. Some things in life are
very important, and many more things are not. Jesus
directs us to seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness, and all lesser necessities will be given to
us as well (Matthew 6:33). Heaven, the communion of
saints, and the righteousness of Christ, which is ours
by faith in Him, come first. Jesus reminds Martha, who
is busy with many projects, that one thing is needful
(Luke 10:41-44).

Paul counsels us that since we have been raised up
with Christ, we should keep seeking the things above,
where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God, and set
our minds on things above, not on things that are on
earth (Col. 3:1-2), for our citizenship is in heaven (Phil.
3:20).

This does not call for an_ irresponsible
otherworldliness which ignores the daily needs of
ourselves and those around us. Instead it moves us to put
our faith into action and strengthen our concern for

President J. A. O. Preus

those who know not Christ and for those who suffer from
hunger, sickness, imprisonment, and a lack of
knowledge which prevents them from coping with the
problems of day-to-day existence.

Also here at Dallas we will want to take care of
necessary matters first. Quite obviously certain issues
call for immediate attention and action. While all of the
proposed resolutions are in some way related to the
kingdom of Christ, we do not have the time to spend
debating everything. After a fair amount of discussion
of the crucial issues, let us pray that our decisions will be
made in accord with God’s Word, that they will edify the
church and therefore be God-pleasing.

II. Chosen to Obey

Peter directs his readers to holiness of living. They
have been chosen and destined, actually fore-chosen
and pre-destined to come to faith and to obey God’s
commandments. In this connection there is the sprinkl-
ing of the blood of Jesus Christ. These two related
matters bring to mind another chosen people who were
called to be different. The 24th chapter of Exodus tells of
the people hearing the Word and promises of God and