But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.  Avoid such people.                                                                            (2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV)

Jesus Christ, Savior for all and Lord of all, blessings to you in His powerful name!

     The above text from 2 Timothy 3 is the focus of our Emmaus Walkers Men’s Bible Study as I write this.  These are heart-wrenching words that are so very descriptive of the world in the end times.  The New Testament era that we now live in (which properly speaking is the time from Christ’s ascension to the time of His return on the Last Day) is the end times.  So, what the Holy Spirit teaches Christ’s Church is that Christians (believers in Jesus Christ) are to watch out for such “godlessness.” 

  When you read through the descriptive list above, how many of those characteristics do you see in the world around you, in your schools, in your workplace, in the media, on the news, in your community and neighborhood, in your backyard…even in you?  As sinners, we too can see some of these nasty attributes in our sinful flesh and desires. 

  What does Paul tell young Pastor Timothy (and the Church) in verse 5?  He forthrightly says, “AVOID SUCH PEOPLE!” (My emphasis added)  Paul doesn’t mean that we should not ever talk to them or be in their presence.  How could one possibly do that unless one becomes a hermit?  He means simply that we don’t become influenced by them and all their godlessness.  The way of the world, apart from knowing and confessing Jesus Christ, is alignment with the evil one.  And when the evil one rules one’s life—then you have what Paul describes as godlessness in the last days. 

  Our civilization is unfurling—coming apart very rapidly at the seams—because so many people of this nation embrace the worldview that is ignorant of life according to the one, true God and His authoritative Word—the Bible.  Holy Scripture alone is the guiding Word of truth; it alone is to inform, shape, guide, and empower the Christian faith and life.  If you are a Christian—claiming to be one—then you must bow in humility before the Lord our God and submit to His holy will.  A Christian who willfully chooses to embrace the worldview of this godless culture of: believing whatever you want, doing whatever feels good, following the masses of evil, worshiping self,  forgetting the one, true God, is headed for spiritual destruction.  Therefore, Paul warns Pastor Timothy, the church in Ephesus, pastors of all time, Christians of all time to “WATCH OUT, O PEOPLE OF GOD!”

  It is important to point out here the First Petition of the Lord’s Prayer: “Hallowed be Thy name.”  Do you remember what that petition is all about?  As we pray this petition, it means just this: “Your name alone is holy, O Lord, even without my prayer.  That is, You God are holy, as is also Your Word of revelation.  But I pray, as Jesus has taught me, that Your name may be kept holy in my daily life as Your child.  Help me, gracious Lord.”   So, as we make our choices for this or that activity, or to hold to certain ideas and teachings of the world around us, we must ask ourselves: “How does this hallow God’s name?”  We must examine our hearts and our thinking and our attitudes toward the things that fall under Paul’s list of godlessness up above.  And we must strive to steer clear of it. 

  And, upon examination, if we realize we have embraced or begun to embrace the evil ideals and ways of the world (this anti-Christ culture), then we must STOP in repentance, beg God for forgiveness, and know that truly He does forgive and set you free by His powerful Word of truth in the Gospel.  “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15).  And these words from Paul’s Letter to the Romans: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1)—that is, no condemnation for those who by faith take hold of Christ and His saving work on the cross and the empty tomb for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.  Daily repentance, daily grace, daily in Christ, by His Word and Spirit, treasuring our Baptism—that is our Christian faith and life—a life of striving for godliness—to do what is right before God.

 Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  (Psalm 119:105 ESV)                 

There is no Jr. Confirmation Class Tuesday evening or Wednesday AM Bible Study this week.

Thursday:   7:00AM  Emmaus Walkers Men’s Bible Study at Immanuel Parish Center

                   7:00PM  Choir

Saturday:    Beginning at 7:00AM for you early risers, the Trustees are hosting a clean-up day for our church grounds.

Sunday:      MOTHER’S DAY

                   9:00AM  Divine Service

                 10:30AM  SS/Bible Study

Pray for God’s comfort upon the family of Caroline Hendrickson (Steve’s mom) who was taken home to the Lord this morning.  Funeral announcements will be shared this Sunday in the bulletin.

Ladies of Holy Trinity is having their annual spring dinner out next Tuesday, May 12th at 6:30PM.

The next OGT shipment from our warehouse will take place on Monday, May 11th.  Time will be determined later.  This will be the second trailer going to the Ukraine.  Workers are again needed to help with loading.  Thanks be to God for the blessing to participate in such a grand outreach effort!

Ushers:  Randy Krampitz

               Rich Clukey

Elder:     Paul Arbesman

Altar:      Laurie Sonstroem

Acolyte:  Ben Lassy

Coffee:   R/J Clukey

Have a blessed week in the Lord!

Pastor Kotila