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Thursday, July 6, 2023

Weekly Newsletter

Glimpses of Glendale
Glendale Lutheran Church Newsletter


July 6, 2023

Conflict = Opportunity - article by Joel Hempel

                                      

Like many of my fellow older adults and some of my younger friends, my body is not what it used to be. I can remember when nothing hurt, and everything worked. Not so anymore! Recently, it has been speaking back to me with a vengeance. My left hip must be replaced. And my left knee –already artificial – has decided it does not like my hip getting all the attention, so it’s demanding a redo.  

 

This glorious but fragile human body has recently reminded me of another body of God’s creation – the Church. When the Church works like a well-oiled machine, it is beautiful to behold: Brothers and sisters in Christ loving one another, caring for the needs of those who are hurting, and in unison serving the mission Christ gave us. But we are human. And like my broken body, the Church is a fractured vessel and, at times, in need of mending.

 

Imperfect Christians who seek to be faithful to our Lord and his mission, as well as serve the needs of the congregation and its members, will make mistakes. Most of the time, our church, like marriages and families, can avoid offenses and enjoy each other’s company. But sometimes, conflict happens.

 

I can’t imagine any of us like conflict. It’s scary, painful, and unpredictable.  

 

If your marriage or family is anything like mine, you are familiar with stress in relationships. For example, when Marcia and I have disagreements, we resolve our differences within minutes. Sadly, there have been occasions when someone does something or says something regrettable. Thank God – and I mean, thank God – we have learned that one of us has to break the logjam and apologize or at least let the other person know they want to listen instead of fight.

 

Listening – deep, empathic listening that seeks understanding is often the key to healing wounded relationships in marriages, families, and the church.

 

Conflict is indeed scary and messy. But it is also an opportunity for growth and greater closeness.

 

Before St. Paul drew his notable analogy between the Church and the human body, he confronted the congregation at Corinth for being splintered and “quarreling” (1 Cor. 1:10). He admonished his brothers and sisters for taking sides against one another. “Is Christ divided?” he asked rhetorically.

 

A marriage, family, or church cannot stand divided against itself. It’s not just unpleasant and risky; it shows contempt for our identity as followers of Jesus.

 

Christ, his love, mercy, and forgiveness are at the core of the Christian Church. The next circle out from that core is Jesus’ mandate to the church: Love God with your entire being and love each other with the thoroughness of Christ’s love (see John 13:34-35).

 

There is no conflict or disagreement Christians can’t get through if we remain true to our identity, true to our Christian core.

Construction on Manchester - Updated


Due to the ongoing construction on Manchester Rd., the intersection of N. Sappington and Manchester is now scheduled to be closed the weekend of July 14-16. Our church will remain accessible from the other direction on N. Sappington, so please plan your Sunday commute on July 16 accordingly.

Meals for Rawlings Family


As Lisa continues to recover from her hospital stay, an online meal calendar, accessible here, has been set up for the Rawlings family. Lisa said meals every three days would be very helpful, so the calendar is set up for every three days starting July 5th through the middle of August. More dates will be added if needed. Thanks to all for your help!

Financial Update

Next Sunday's Bible Readings

Isaiah 55:10-13; Romans 8:12-17; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Worship Leaders

This Sunday - 7/9

Lector: Sue Schultz

Communion: Steve Phelps, John Steele

Greeters: Ken & Jeanne Clark

S/V: Paul Barbercheck

Ushers: Ken Clark, Gerry Lucas, Rodger Lubben, Judy George

Next Sunday - 7/16

Lector: Beth Nicolaus

Communion: Tony Petzoldt, Mike Toney

Greeters: Ron & Carol Froesel

S/V: Jerry Nicolaus

Ushers: Terry Buchholz, Ron Froesel, Judy George, Lisa Grossenheider

Children's Message: Tim Cosby

The Word Within the Word
Online Calendar

Glendale Lutheran Church

Monday-Thursday 8:00 am-4:30 pm

(314) 966-3220

glendalelutheranchurch@gmail.com

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Worship Bulletin


Welcome to Glendale Lutheran!


Deacon List…If you need to talk to a fellow believer, email or call Pastor Scott or one of these deacons: Cathie Albers (cathleenalbers@charter.net), Joel Hempel (jhempel411@gmail.com), Marcia Hempel (mshempel11@att.net), Bob Jacobson (rjacobson@hy-c.com), or Tony Petzoldt (tonypetzoldt@sbcglobal.net). 

The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

July 9, 2023

Sunday 9:15am

Prelude 


Greeting and Welcome


Lighting of the Candles


Hymn of Invocation – Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee (LSB 803, verses 1, 3)


Joyful, joyful we adore Thee,

God of glory, Lord of love!

Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee,

Praising Thee, their sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,

Drive the gloom of doubt away.

Giver of immortal gladness,

Fill us with the light of day.


Thou art giving and forgiving,

Ever blessing, ever blest,

Wellspring of the joy of living,

Ocean-depth of happy rest!

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Fountainhead of love divine:

Joyful, we Thy heav’n inherit!

Joyful, we by grace are Thine!


+ Preparation +


Invocation

P: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.


Confession and Absolution - Romans 7:15; Matthew 11:28

P: With the apostle Paul today we admit, “I do not understand my own actions.

C: For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”

P: At the invitation of God our Savior, let us bring our weariness and burdens to the Lord, that His forgiveness may restore to us the joy of His salvation.

C: For if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

P: Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.

C: Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean and cannot free ourselves. Daily our sins of thought, word, and deed cause us grief. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, we come at His invitation seeking the true rest of the forgiveness of our sins. Amen.

P: “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Upon this, your confession, I by virtue of my office 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 Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.

P: Amen.


+ Word +


Salutation and Prayer of the Day

P: The Lord be with you. 

C: And also with you.

P: Let us pray. Gracious God, our heavenly Father, Your mercy attends us all our days. Be our strength and support amid the wearisome changes of this world, and at life’s end grant us Your promised rest and the full joys of Your salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.


First ReadingZechariah 9:9–12

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 

I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.


P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Epistle Romans 7:14–25a

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! 


P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.


Holy Gospel Matthew 11:25-30

P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the eleventh chapter. 

C: Glory to You, O Lord.


At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”


P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to You, O Christ.


Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.


And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

 

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life + everlasting. Amen.


Children’s Message – Pastor Albers


Hymn of the Day – God of Grace and God of Glory (LSB 850, verses 1, 4)


God of grace and God of glory,

On Your people pour Your pow’r;

Crown Your ancient Church’s story;

Bring its bud to glorious flow’r.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage

For the facing of this hour,

For the facing of this hour.


Save us from weak resignation

To the evils we deplore;

Let the gift of Your salvation

Be our glory evermore.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

Serving You whom we adore,

Serving You whom we adore.


Sermon – “War of Wills” (Romans 7:15)


Offertory

Offering
Please scan the following QR code or visit https://tithe.ly/give?c=815174 to make a donation using your mobile device.

Prayers


+ Celebrating birthdays this week: 9 – Johanna Sowers

+ Wedding anniversaries: 11 – Frank & Sharon Gaal; 14 – Bob & Debbie Jacobson, Greg & Karen Frimel; 15 – Jason & Lisa DeBord


Special Celebrations and Needs: 

+ Church family members: Ethan, grandchild of Mike & Lisa Grossenheider, recovering from a hospital stay; Grant & Grace Lee, married last weekend; Sue DeFosset, recovering from appendectomy; Jim Thielker, recovering from surgery; Lisa Rawlings, recovering at home; Ken Kight, battling cancer; Pastor Scott, recovering from a stroke

+ Friends of our congregation: Gary Schouten, cousin of Valerie Wehmueller, fighting kidney cancer

+ Those who are homebound or in nursing facilities: Twylah Atwood, Mary Aufderheide, Jules Bush, Frank & Sharon Gaal, Mary Guion, Jerry & Jane Keathley, Rosemary Orloff, Judy Thielker, Shirley Williams


+ Sacrament +


Preface

P: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

P: Lift up your hearts.

C: We lift them to the Lord.

P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C: It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

P: It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:


Sanctus

Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth;

heav'n and earth are full of Thy glory.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is He, blessed is He,

blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest. 

 

Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.


The Words of Our Lord

P: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My + body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My + blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”


Pax Domini 

P: The peace of the Lord be with you always. 

C: Amen.


Distribution 


Distribution Hymn – Blest Be the Tie That Binds (LSB 649)


Blest be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love;

The fellowship of kindred minds

Is like to that above.


Before our Father’s throne

We pour our ardent prayers;

Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,

Our comforts and our cares.


We share our mutual woes,

Our mutual burdens bear,

And often for each other flows

The sympathizing tear.


When here our pathways part,

We suffer bitter pain;

Yet, one in Christ and one in heart,

We hope to meet again.


From sorrow, toil, and pain,

And sin we shall be free

And perfect love and friendship reign

Through all eternity.


Dismissal


Benediction

P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace.

C: Amen.


Closing Hymn – May We Thy Precepts, Lord, Fulfill (LSB 698)


May we Thy precepts, Lord, fulfill

And do on earth our Father’s will

As angels do above;

Still walk in Christ, the living way,

With all Thy children and obey

The law of Christian love.


So may we join Thy name to bless,

Thy grace adore, Thy pow’r confess,

From sin and strife to flee.

One is our calling, one our name,

The end of all our hopes the same,

A crown of life with Thee.


Spirit of life, of love and peace,

Unite our hearts, our joy increase,

Thy gracious help supply.

To each of us the blessing give

In Christian fellowship to live,

In joyful hope to die.


Postlude 


+ WORSHIP LEADERS +

Preacher/Celebrant/Liturgist – Pastor Steve Albers

Pianist – Kathy Walker

Lector – Sue Schultz

Communion – Steve Phelps, John Steele

Sound/Video – Paul Barbercheck

Ushers – Ken Clark, Gerry Lucas, Rodger Lubben, Judy George

Greeters – Ken & Jeanne Clark

Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Sunday, July 2, 2023

Would you please look this over?

Regardless if you believe in God or not, this message is a "must-read"!

Throughout time, we can see how we have been slowly conditioned to come to this point where we are on the verge of a cashless society. Did you know that the Bible foretold of this event almost 2,000 years ago?

In Revelation 13:16-18, we read,

"He (the false prophet who deceives many by his miracles--Revelation 19:20) causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666."

Speaking to the last generation, this could only be speaking of a cashless society. Why? Revelation 13:17 tells us that we cannot buy or sell unless we receive the mark of the beast. If physical money was still in use, we could buy or sell with one another without receiving the mark. This would contradict scripture that states we need the mark to buy or sell!

These verses could not be referring to something purely spiritual as scripture references two physical locations (our right hand or forehead) stating the mark will be on one "OR" the other. If this mark was purely spiritual, it would indicate both places, not one OR the other.

This is where it comes together. It is shocking how accurate the Bible is concerning the implantable RFID microchip. These are notes from a man named Carl Sanders who worked with a team of engineers to help develop this RFID chip

"Carl Sanders sat in seventeen New World Order meetings with heads-of-state officials such as Henry Kissinger and Bob Gates of the C.I.A. to discuss plans on how to bring about this one-world system. The government commissioned Carl Sanders to design a microchip for identifying and controlling the peoples of the world—a microchip that could be inserted under the skin with a hypodermic needle (a quick, convenient method that would be gradually accepted by society).

Carl Sanders, with a team of engineers behind him, with U.S. grant monies supplied by tax dollars, took on this project and designed a microchip that is powered by a lithium battery, rechargeable through the temperature changes in our skin. Without the knowledge of the Bible (Brother Sanders was not a Christian at the time), these engineers spent one-and-a-half-million dollars doing research on the best and most convenient place to have the microchip inserted.

Guess what? These researchers found that the forehead and the back of the hand (the two places the Bible says the mark will go) are not just the most convenient places, but are also the only viable places for rapid, consistent temperature changes in the skin to recharge the lithium battery. The microchip is approximately seven millimeters in length, .75 millimeters in diameter, about the size of a grain of rice. It is capable of storing pages upon pages of information about you. All your general history, work history, criminal record, health history, and financial data can be stored on this chip.

Brother Sanders believes that this microchip, which he regretfully helped design, is the "mark" spoken about in Revelation 13:16–18. The original Greek word for "mark" is "charagma," which means a "scratch or etching." It is also interesting to note that the number 666 is actually a word in the original Greek. The word is "chi xi stigma," with the last part, "stigma," also meaning "to stick or prick." Carl believes this is referring to a hypodermic needle when they poke into the skin to inject the microchip."

Mr. Sanders asked a doctor what would happen if the lithium contained within the RFID microchip leaked into the body. The doctor replied by saying a terrible sore would appear in that location. This is what the book of Revelation says:

"And the first (angel) went, and poured out his vial on the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore on the men which had the mark of the beast, and on them which worshipped his image" (Revelation 16:2).

You can read more about it here--and to also understand the mystery behind the number 666: TRUTHBIBLE.US

The third angel's warning in Revelation 14:9-11 states,

"Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, 'If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.'"

Great hope is in our midst, and is coming in a mighty way--the greatest revival for Jesus in the history of the world where we will see the most souls come to Him of all tribes, tongues, nations, and peoples (Rev. 7:9-10); for we have this promise in God's Word in the midst of these dark times:

"Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years (not literal--rather a spiritual label for time spent in eternity); and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while (when the Antichrist and false prophet will rise up and God will test the world)." (Revelation 20:1-3)

"The coming of the lawless one (the Antichrist) is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)"

Who is Barack Obama, and why is he still around?

So what's in the name? The meaning of someone's name can say a lot about a person. God throughout history has given names to people that have a specific meaning tied to their lives. How about the name Barack Obama? Let us take a look at what may be hiding beneath the surface.

Jesus says in Luke 10:18, "...I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven."

The Hebrew Strongs word (H1299) for "lightning": "bârâq" (baw-rawk)

In Isaiah chapter 14, verse 14, we read about Lucifer (Satan) saying in his heart:

"I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High."

In the verses in Isaiah that refer directly to Lucifer, several times it mentions him falling from the heights or the heavens. The Hebrew word for the heights or heavens used here is Hebrew Strongs 1116: "bamah"--Pronounced (bam-maw')

In Hebrew, the letter "Waw" or "Vav" is often transliterated as a "U" or "O," and it is primarily used as a conjunction to join concepts together. So to join in Hebrew poetry the concept of lightning (Baraq) and a high place like heaven or the heights of heaven (Bam-Maw), the letter "U" or "O" would be used. So, Baraq "O" Bam-Maw or Baraq "U" Bam-Maw in Hebrew poetry similar to the style written in Isaiah, would translate literally to "Lightning from the heights." The word "Satan" in Hebrew is a direct translation, therefore "Satan."

So when Jesus told His disciples in Luke 10:18 that He beheld Satan fall like lightning from heaven, if this were to be spoken by a Jewish Rabbi today influenced by the poetry in the book of Isaiah, he would say these words in Hebrew--the words of Jesus in Luke 10:18 as, and I saw Satan as Baraq O Bam-Maw.

The names of both of Obama's daughters are Malia and Natasha. If we were to write those names backward (the devil does things in reverse) we would get "ailam ahsatan". Now if we remove the letters that spell "Alah" (Allah being the false god of Islam), we get "I am Satan". Coincidence? I don't think so.

Obama's campaign logo when he ran in 2008 was a sun over the horizon in the west, with the landscape as the flag of the United States. In Islam, they have their own messiah that they are waiting for called the 12th Imam, or the Mahdi (the Antichrist of the Bible), and one prophecy concerning this man's appearance is the sun rising in the west.

"Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— saying with a loud voice, 'Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.'" (Revelation 14:6-7)

Why have the words of Jesus in His Gospel accounts regarding His death, burial, and resurrection, been translated into over 3,000 languages, and nothing comes close (the Quran about 110 languages)? Because the same Spirit of God (YHVH) who created all people likewise transcends all people; therefore the power of His Word is not limited by people; while all other religions are man-made, therefore they tend to primarily stay within their own culture. The same God who speaks to all people through His creation of the heavens and earth that draws all people around the world likewise has sent His Word to the ends of the earth so that we may come to personally know Him to be saved in spirit and in truth through His Son Jesus Christ.

Jesus stands alone among the other religions that say to rightly weigh the scales of good and evil and to make sure you have done more good than bad in this life. Is this how we conduct ourselves justly in a court of law? Bearing the image of God, is this how we project this image into reality?

Our good works cannot save us. If we step before a judge, being guilty of a crime, the judge will not judge us by the good we have done, but rather by the crimes we have committed. If we as fallen humanity, created in God's image, pose this type of justice, how much more a perfect, righteous, and Holy God?

God has brought down His moral laws through the 10 commandments given to Moses at Mt. Siani. These laws were not given so we may be justified, but rather that we may see the need for a savior. They are the mirror of God's character of what He has written in our hearts, with our conscious bearing witness that we know that it is wrong to steal, lie, dishonor our parents, murder, and so forth.

We can try and follow the moral laws of the 10 commandments, but we will never catch up to them to be justified before a Holy God. That same word of the law given to Moses became flesh about 2,000 years ago in the body of Jesus Christ. He came to be our justification by fulfilling the law, living a sinless perfect life that only God could fulfill.

The gap between us and the law can never be reconciled by our own merit, but the arm of Jesus is stretched out by the grace and mercy of God. And if we are to grab on, through faith in Him, He will pull us up being the one to justify us. As in the court of law, if someone steps in and pays our fine, even though we are guilty, the judge can do what is legal and just and let us go free. That is what Jesus did almost 2,000 years ago on the cross. It was a legal transaction being fulfilled in the spiritual realm by the shedding of His blood with His last word's on the cross crying out, "It is finished!" (John 19:30).

For God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23). This is why in Isaiah chapter 53, where it speaks of the coming Messiah and His soul being a sacrifice for our sins, why it says it pleased God to crush His only begotten Son.

This is because the wrath that we deserve was justified by being poured out upon His Son. If that wrath was poured out on us, we would all perish to hell forever. God created a way of escape by pouring it out on His Son whose soul could not be left in Hades but was raised and seated at the right hand of God in power.

So now when we put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14), where God no longer sees the person who deserves His wrath, but rather the glorious image of His perfect Son dwelling in us, justifying us as if we received the wrath we deserve, making a way of escape from the curse of death; now being conformed into the image of the heavenly man walking in a new nature, and no longer in the image of the fallen man Adam.

Now what we must do is repent and put our trust and faith in the savior, confessing and forsaking our sins, and to receive His Holy Spirit that we may be born again (for Jesus says we must be born again to see and enter the Kingdom of God in John chapter 3). This is not just head knowledge of believing in Jesus, but rather receiving His words, taking them to heart, so that we may truly be transformed into the image of God. Where we no longer live to practice sin, but rather turn from our sins and practice righteousness through faith in Him in obedience to His Word by reading the Bible.

Our works cannot save us, but they can condemn us; it is not that we earn our way into everlasting life, but that we obey our Lord Jesus Christ:

Jesus says,

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' (Matthew 7:21-23)

"And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." (Hebrews 5:9)

"Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.'

Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.' And He said to me, 'Write, for these words are true and faithful.'

And He said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.'" (Revelation 21:1-8)