President Moldstad’s 2013 Message

These are trying times for the Christian faith. Contending for the truth is a struggle. Arrows from Satan’s arsenal appear countless: the lack of concern for human life, disregard for marriage as God intended, disdain for biblical teaching, and unspeakable inhumanity all around us.
Passing legislation to solve society’s problems is delusional. While Christians want to assist society in moral living, they also yearn for the world to come that God promised. For Luther said, “There is no helping the world…it wants to belong to the devil.”
The most dangerous enemy of the Gospel is our own sinful flesh, which is opposed to God. Where is our escape from sin and evil, assorted trials and troubles? A ransom was paid for all people—not to the captor, but to God. That is where justice had to be met. Our Rescuer became our “neighbor,” yet is in every way fully God! This Rescuer did not lead us out, He gave His holy lifeblood as our ransom.
By faith in Jesus, we need not fear the torturing darts of the devil. God gives us the shield of faith that extinguishes the flaming arrows of the evil one. “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:5). And whenever our hearts condemn us, the Bible says, “God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:20).
Where do we receive such faith that overcomes? The Bible answers, “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3). This is why we meet annually at our convention; why we gather each week where a sermon on sin and grace is heard, where a Table of Christ’s body and blood is given, and where a font of living water refreshes.
Our wonderful Savior, the Lord Jesus, entered our world. He lived an immaculate life in our place. He yielded His life on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for all sin. He has risen from the tomb as our glorious Victor. He ascended into heaven with promises to return and grant all believers in Him eternal life forever!
The focus of our convention and worship is always on our Redeemer. Each member needs to be fully engaged with Jesus, even as we work together to reach others with the Gospel. The more we see Jesus in Word and Sacrament, the more our faith is increased, and the more we are prepared to deal with the challenges in the world around us. Our prayer is not that we be taken out of the world, but rather that we would be so sanctified through the Word of truth that we have an impact on the lives of those around us.
This sanctified life includes the way we interact with our families. While we share the mission to proclaim the saving Gospel to all nations, it is most natural that our lights shine (Matthew 5:16) in our own homes, and there we praise Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9).
Families are seeking help for raising and training children in God’s Word. The sincere interest of our preschools, Lutheran elementary schools, Sunday schools, youth programs, Bethany Lutheran College, and our congregations in the lives of young people assists parents in their teaching “the one thing needful” (Luke 10:42).
Christians are often described as “the body of Christ.” The late Rev. Bo Giertz wrote, “God has incorporated us into a family, a community, a congregation, and mankind for the sake of others. In other words, God had a purpose when He put me in the situation I’m in right now.”
Our synod is two years into the strategic plan: “In the next five years, we will learn more faithfully to engage others with Jesus.” One key goal was outlined: “View each congregation in the synod as a mission congregation.” We need to assess how we are doing. There is much work to be done in Christ’s kingdom.
Our synod also faces a serious financial challenge. Several funds are not able to support this work. Yet, bringing the good news of Christ’s redemption to many more souls is vital. Let each congregation pray for God’s blessings on our mission efforts. Let each congregation consider increasing the amount of financial support for our synod work. Encourage more young men to pursue studies for the pastoral ministry.
Since adopting our “Engage Others with Jesus” plan, new challenges have arisen in the moral decay of our culture: non-religious youth growing in number, competing worldviews, government encroachment on religious freedoms, acceptance of homosexuality and same-sex marriage, and a new “spirituality” that rejects organized religions. At the same time, new opportunities also abound. Dedicated Christians speak about their faith, and churches are concerned about protecting religious freedom, remaining aware of mission fields, and educating our youth in the Christian faith.
The ELS has something to offer such a world—Law and Gospel preaching that deals with the problem of sin and God’s solution of salvation. Through personal and congregational study of God’s Word, stressing sacramental worship and a compelling love for souls, the Holy Spirit will be at work. We are planting and watering, and God alone gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:7).
May our gracious Lord Jesus give us an extra measure of His Holy Spirit as we carry on the blessed work before us.
Summarized by the editor.