Thanks, Pastor for this encouraging message. I've been wrestling with much of this for the last few years. Coming from evangelicalism, I've been a little disheartened within confessional circles when my I hear my dear brothers and sisters from previous churches are disparaged because they don't have the same vocabulary. I married a Lutheran school teacher (& PK), appreciating Luther's soteriology. I don't feel any more or less saved in either church. I've been less impressed with my own doctrinal adherence and would rather concentrate on day to day fellowship with Jesus and with the Christians I interact with and getting the Gospel out beyond the walls of the church. Systematic studies may help clarify how God works and moves, but it can seem to miss the point. Being an automotive engineer may help build a car, but the engineer may not be the best driver in a race. Raw knowledge is useful, but not always equivalent to wisdom--and a 19 year old mechanic may be more skillful with a wrench! As an elder in my church, I'm mostly concerned with building up young men to take my place and lead. As fathers, we should be want the next generation equipped and in a proper relationship with our Lord
Thanks, Pastor for this encouraging message. I've been wrestling with much of this for the last few years. Coming from evangelicalism, I've been a little disheartened within confessional circles when my I hear my dear brothers and sisters from previous churches are disparaged because they don't have the same vocabulary. I married a Lutheran school teacher (& PK), appreciating Luther's soteriology. I don't feel any more or less saved in either church. I've been less impressed with my own doctrinal adherence and would rather concentrate on day to day fellowship with Jesus and with the Christians I interact with and getting the Gospel out beyond the walls of the church. Systematic studies may help clarify how God works and moves, but it can seem to miss the point. Being an automotive engineer may help build a car, but the engineer may not be the best driver in a race. Raw knowledge is useful, but not always equivalent to wisdom--and a 19 year old mechanic may be more skillful with a wrench! As an elder in my church, I'm mostly concerned with building up young men to take my place and lead. As fathers, we should be want the next generation equipped and in a proper relationship with our Lord
Powerful words.
The mechanic needs the manual, but only for a little while.
“And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” - Philippians 2:11