Worship: Sunday 9:30 AM Bible Class to follow

THE PURPOSE OF THE BIBLE

Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:4

Every book has a purpose. Whether it’s a cookbook, music book, history book, novel, science book, biography, or even a comic book; every book has a reason. So what is the purpose of the best-selling book in the world, the Bible?

The Bible imparts wisdom, and has been used in many lands during various ages as a key educational textbook. While this is useful, it is not the real purpose of the Bible.

The Bible proclaims the Creator’s natural law for his creatures. Guided by its directives, people can live productive and happy lives, caring about others. While this is very beneficial, it is not the real purpose of the Bible.

Many claim the Bible teaches us how to live according to God’s commands so we can gain his favor. This common misunderstanding is certainly not the purpose of the Bible. Rather, the Bible clearly proclaims and demonstrates that we cannot keep God’s commands to gain his favor for salvation.

God’s answer to this dilemma is the REAL purpose of the Bible. According to his eternal plan God sent his own perfect Son, Jesus, to live in obedience to all of God’s commands, and to suffer the punishment for our wrongs against God’s commands by his death on the cross. Jesus gained God’s favor for all of us!

The apostle Paul wrote, “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

Just before this verse, Paul quoted from what was written in the past, about a thousand years before Jesus was born: “The insults of those who insult you fall on me” (Psalm 69:9). Paul described how that Psalm verse speaks of Jesus Christ, who did not come to please himself, but came to do the Father’s will. In his suffering and death Jesus voluntarily bore all people’s hostility toward God.

This is the amazing purpose of the Bible. It points to Jesus Christ and describes in detail his work of salvation. It is God’s word. It is his eternal plan of salvation for sinners. This is what truly teaches us, encourages us, grants us endurance and hope! This is THE purpose of the Bible—to show sinners their salvation in Jesus Christ alone. So great is God’s love for us!

10203 W. Tieton Drive, Yakima WA 98908 Isaac P. Cherney, Pastorwww.redeemer-yakima.org (262) 204-8027

JULY 2017See http://www.redeemer-yakima.org/#/calendarnews for

most recently updated calendarSun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat

1

2

9:30 Worship11:00 19-Minute Bible Study

3 4

Independence Day

5

NO BIBLE STUDY OR DEVOTION

6 7 8

9:00am Theology of the Cross

9

9:30 Worship (Communion)11:00 19-Minute Bible Study

10 11 12

NO BIBLE STUDY OR DEVOTION

13 14 15

7:00am Elders

16

9:30 Worship11:00 Voters’ Meeting

17 18 19

6:30 Bible Study7:30 EveningDevotion

20 21 22

23

9:30 Worship (Communion)11:00 19-Minute Bible Study

24 25 26

NO BIBLE STUDY OR DEVOTION

27 28 29

309:30 Worship (Communion)11:00 19-Minute Bible Study

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DATE ATTENDANCE MINISTRATIONS -EVENTS OFFERINGS

Pastor Cherney and Andrea in WI

Pastor Cherney and Andrea in WI

Sunday, May 28, 2017 7520 -

Redeemer $2,962.50Sunday, June 4, 2017 79 Baptism of Kaylee Ann Gonnering on June 1 $3,909.00

Sunday, June 11, 2017 93 $5,299.65Sunday, June 18, 2017 90 $2,865.00

Sunday, June 25, 2017 7516 -

Redeemer $2,573.90

What Makes a Good Bible Translation?Matthew Johnson

You stare at the Bibles lined up on the shelf at your local Christian book store. How can there be this many Bibles? Don’t they all say the same thing? NIV, ESV, NKJV, HCSB, the alphabet soup is confusing. What makes a translation a good one? Short of learning Greek and Hebrew we are not likely to get to read the Bible in the original. Even if we were in the Old Testament we may have had to have an Aramaic translation, the common language for diplomacy in the area. Even after the exile, research indicates that many of the returning Israelites were more used to talking in Babylonian than in Hebrew. However, thanks to many teams of translators there are about 900 English translations or paraphrased editions of the Bible, according to the American Bible Society. So here we are again, floating in a sea of Bibles. Bibles, Bibles everywhere… but which one to read?

To make a good translation you have to have a good source to work from. Some translations, like the Bishop’s Bible have been taken from Latin translations of the oldest copies of Scripture at the time. Others translate directly from the Greek and Hebrew. The translators of today have studied all the copies found and are constantly improving their translation. As each new scroll is found, we can be sure that the original text is becoming more and more clear. The method used to authenticate the Bible script is the very same used to authenticate the shelves of text in the literary departments of colleges and universities all over the world. We are confident that the texts used as the source text for translation are authentic, because there is

very little variations to the Scriptures even after thousands of years, and those errors are typically spelling mistakes by the scribes, or a “typo” where the scribe put a letter similar to another in its place. After looking at all the documents translators are able to confidently translate the Greek or Hebrew into the English we are used to today.

A good translation must remain faithful to the text, so the translator must be sure to accurately translate the words in the form that best translates the meaning of the verse. There are some idioms in the original text that do not translate well into English. Now-sainted college professor Lyle Lange gives an example: “The idiom in Greek, ‘his intestines go out to you,’ doesn’t sound as inviting as the English idiomatic translation, “his affection for you.” Additionally Luther when he was translating his version of the Bible into German said:In all these phrases, this is the German usage, even though it is not the Latin or Greek usage...We do not have to inquire of the literal Latin, how we are to speak German, as these asses [traditional translators] do. Rather, we must inquire about this of the mother in the home, the children on the street, the common man in the marketplace. We must be guided by their language, the way they speak, and do our translating accordingly. That way they will understand it and recognize that we are speaking German to them. (from Luther’s “An Open Letter on Translation”) It is important that the reader is able to understand the writing.

The New American Standard Bible (NASB) is a word-for-word translation, and as such is popular with many scholars; however it can be difficult to read. The New International Version (NIV) is a popular choice because it is considered to be very accurate, and as it is translated phrase by phrase, is easier to read. This makes it a popular choice for Bible study and public and private reading, it has also been widely used in the WELS for over 30 years. Our Blue Bibles are NIV84. In 2002 the English Standard version (ESV) was produced to try and bridge the gap between the accuracy of the NASB and the NIV. In 2011 there was a new version of the NIV produced which has had some scrutiny because it removed gender specifics, and lessened some of the messianic prophecies. After much review, the Northwest Publishing House (NPH) has decided to include NIV11 in the future as a translation option, along with the ESV and the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB).

Ultimately the best translation of the Bible is the one that you use. Martin Luther College professor Thomas Nass reminds us, “There is no

perfect translation. Every published translation has its weak spots.” Thankfully the Holy Spirit is able to work through even the poorest translations, so the Bible in your hand that you read, is better than a NIV on the shelf collecting dust. If you are in the market for a new Bible, consider your needs and level of understanding. A new Christian who is just beginning to grasp the foundations of their faith, a NIV or HCSB might be the best choice, due to their readability. If you are a scholar, ESV may be a good option; just be careful of some of the translation issues listed in the Brief List of Pros and Cons, from the WELS Translation Evaluation Committee. For more information check out the WELS TEC website (https://bibletranslation.welsrc.net/) This article’s hope is that, whatever translation you choose, your walk with your Savior is constantly enriched by a contact with him through the Word. May you confidently read your Bible, with the knowledge that it is God’s loving voice reaching out to you.

Resources Used in this Article (Recommended Reading)Copies available by contacting Matt Johnson

Cherney, Kenneth A., Jr. On Bible Translation and Choosing a Bible, https://bibletranslation.welsrc.net/download-tlc/translation-theory/?

wpdmdl=3243&ind=QAKtjRRNh9MpwAvPnAoYjuoW0tswo_MEaB-uruNyg9yb9UqCrYIc1Ju0yHoEoQFwX3sipGQPwRSn5TnDkNk4Mw, accessed 6/15/2017.

Lange, Lyle, God So Loved The World, 2012 Northwestern Publishing House Milwaukie, WI.Nass, Thomas P. Some Thoughts on the ESV and Bible Translation,

https://bibletranslation.welsrc.net/download-tlc/other-translations/?wpdmdl=3249&ind=XvcSY-a-wdhIV45xTJJEPX3yMV8yesRAgs_DJ3FYH8ZkwAH_Mo0rv4WA6CDAPqx58zRPNUqekaM5HSR3hUKYuA,

Accessed 6/15/2017.

Caught Like a LizardJohn Hardison

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and

from the deadly pestilence.

Psalm 91:1-3

When I was a kid living on my folks’ ranch in California, my brother and I used to catch lizards by the dozen. We never hurt them. Usually, we would keep them in a shoebox for a few days and then let them go. They were handy to have around, eating flies, a constant nuisance in the summer months. On a cool day the lizards would come out to sun themselves. They are cold blooded, so they would sit there fat and happy on something like a warm rock, waiting for a meal to come by. They normally would let us get pretty close, perhaps two or three feet, before they would scurry away to hide in the brush or under some rocks.

One day I was out in the yard trying my best to catch a big, old blue streak lizard when my dad noticed what I was doing. He asked if I knew an easy way to catch him. I told him I didn’t. Every time I was about to grab him he would run under the rock where he had been sunning himself. Dad told me it was actually pretty simple. He asked me if I wanted him to show me how it was done. I said, “Sure.” And I meant it. I was still not old enough to be a teenager, so I had not yet come to believe that I knew more than adults.

Dad said, “Let’s take a little walk.” I followed him through the gate and out into the land we used to pasture the milk cow. It was nearly summer, but the grass was not completely dry. I asked him why he was looking through the tall grass and weeds. He didn’t say anything, but picked out a couple of long strands of wild oats, perhaps three feet high, that were still green on the end. He proceeded to strip all the oat seeds and stems. This left each piece as a long, single strand narrowing down to the last few inches that were about the thickness of a fish line. Then he bent each flexible, narrow end over and made a loop, which he secured by tying it with a simple knot. Really, he made a noose with a slipknot at the end of each stem. He set the noose to about the size of the lizard’s head. I was beginning to get the picture, but I still hardly believe that this would work on a fat, old lizard.

He handed me one of the two-foot stems he had fixed. We went back to where the lizard was,

still sunning himself on his warm rock. Ever so slowly Dad moved toward the lizard on an angle, as if he was going to pass him by. That old lizard looked at Dad. He rose up and down a couple of times, as if he was doing pushups, but he didn’t scurry away. Dad got close enough to reach the lizard with the noose and slowly moved the noose toward the lizard. Lightly the noose settled around the lizard’s head. That’s when Dad pulled the noose tight. Try as he would that old lizard could not break the noose. By the end of the day, thanks to Dad's help, I had several more that I had caught secured in a shoebox.

Over the years my brother and I found that those lizards were so used to grass that the noose just seemed like another blade of grass brushing against them. Even if we touched the lizard a number of times with the noose, they rarely ran away and were caught like all the rest.

I woke up this morning thinking about those wondrous lizard hunts of old with Dad and later with my brother. They reminded me of the line from that great hymn “On Eagles Wings,” which says, “Snares of the Fowler will never capture you…” Sometimes I think people are like those lizards my dad and I captured some sixty years ago. They live out lives as if they are sunning themselves on a warm rock without a care in the world oblivious to what is really happening around them. Sin kind of sneaks up on them and the Fowler smiles as he sets his noose around them. Before they know it they are caught and can't seem to get away from that rope of sin that holds them. Oh, the lizard can see the noose and so can the man or woman. They just don't recognize it for what it is until it is too late. People know some of the things they do are wrong and sinful, but they see these sins so much of the time on TV, Radio, in conversations with others, in the newspapers, and almost everywhere they look. They get accustomed to them and over time begin doing some of them themselves. Soon they are caught in this world of sin from which they cannot escape. Those are the people to whom Christians need to reach out with the good news of the Gospel.

When we become Christians we find our sins have been washed away by the sacrifice of God’s Son on the cross over 2,000 years ago. The snares the Devil puts out for us throughout our earthly life are still there, but through the work of the Holy Spirit as we study the Word we are better able to avoid many of them and find forgiveness for the rest. Then when we find ourselves getting caught by one of these traps set for us by the serpent, let us ask in Jesus name for forgiveness and always remember that Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins.

God tells Christians to study his Word and to be persistent in prayer. Let us pray each day,

offering our thanksgiving and praise for all that God has done for us. Let us also present our petitions for help because God loves us and has promised in his Word that he will help us in our hour of need.

The following is one of my favorite Bible passages. It tells how God is always there to strengthen us when the Devil is making his rounds. It also is the basis for the last verse of “On Eagles Wings.” These verses with the promises they hold are a good reason for all Christians to give praise and thanks to God:

Do you know? Have you heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and

increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not

grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:28-31)

A Note From Pastor – Serving Our Fellow Christians at GraceIsaac Cherney

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the

family of believers.Galatians 6:9, 10

On June 4th I was called to serve the saints at Grace Lutheran Church during their pastoral vacancy. I accepted this call and instantly became their “vacancy pastor,” a title which means I will do everything in my power and training to assist worship and congregational life at Grace while continuing in my role as a pastor at Redeemer. In the short time I have served as vacancy pastor, I have gotten a wide range of reactions when I tell people the dual role I am taking on. Regardless of reactions, the passage above explains full well the attitude we can all take at Redeemer and Grace as a congregation in our fellowship patiently awaits the

appointment of a new pastor to be their shepherd. It tells the attitude and also shows the audience of our Christian lives.

To those who ask if I will burn out, stretch myself too thin, or otherwise fall short of my Christian calling, I appreciate the concern. It certainly takes more than one young pastor to help a congregation during a vacancy. For motivation in this joint-effort we can look together to verse nine. There is a harvest to be reaped in this work: souls seeking care and a congregation seeking encouragement and God’s guidance. It is worth every effort to strive for this goal of a harvest; a harvest of Christian brothers

and sisters enriched with the Word and Christian companionship. That comes from the preaching and visiting of a pastor. With God’s help I will not become weary in this work because of the good it does for the kingdom, for our two congregations, and for a young pastor seeking to learn how to lovingly shepherd God’s people.

Paul’s outlining this attitude and goal then focuses in on our audience: “all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” The WELS congregations in the Yakima Valley together form a family that God loves dearly. He loved us enough to give up his Son on the cross to forgive us. He loved us enough to work life-saving faith in our hearts through his Holy Spirit. And now he loves us enough to call us to the holy task of working together

in the field to obtain a rich and good harvest. A good harvest means telling strangers, family, and friends about God’s love in Jesus. A good harvest means sharing in each other’s worries, troubles, and hopes.

How might this kind of loving service look as we seek to be helpful to our brothers and sisters and Grace? I do not have a complete answer. That is why I ask for your continued prayers during this vacancy. I ask for your prayers… and your input. Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me with any questions or comments. Together let us serve the valley and the kingdom of God!

Pastor Cherney can be reached by call or text at262-204-8027 or e-mail at cherneyip@gmail.com