Wrestling with Theology

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. https://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/dd_240620.mp3

Renaissance Coliseum Peoria, IL Bart Gunn vs Wyldcard 'Southern Psycho' Elliott Russell vs Kendall Windham Rick Steiner vs Vampire Warrior Illinois Tag Team Titles Match: Badd Company (c) vs 'Superstar' Bill Dundee & 'Macho Man' Randy Savage Bunkhouse Buck vs Erik Watts Illinois Heavyweight Title Match: Iron Mike Sharpe (c) vs Chris Candido 2 Cold Scorpio vs Terry Taylor Big Bubba Rogers vs Big Boss Man 'Gentleman' Chris Adams vs Jerry 'The King' Lawler

6 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” 7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” 10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” 12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. https://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/dd_240613.mp3

"I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain" (Galatians 4:11). With all the problems that the Galatians have encountered, Paul was worried about them. They had basically reversed most of everything he taught. He was worried that all of his work was in vain. In this verse, Paul shows his spiritual fatherhood over the Galatian churches. He worries over them as a parent over a wayward child. How many of you have looked at your child, at one point or another, and asked the same question about your child? How could I have spent so much time and energy and you won't listen to me? This struggle every parent and every pastor understands well. All the labor we put into our children and our congregation but people still turn aside to the left and the right. But do we labor in vain? Absolutely not! All labor done in Christ is not in vain. It will bear abundant fruit, but it might take some time. And God gives us the strength to wait patiently for His fruit. Amen.

State Farm Center Champaign, IL Hector Guerrero vs Steve Southern Big Boss Man vs Vampire Warrior Interstate 74 Title Match: Ahmed Johnson (c) vs Grappler 'Southern Psycho' Elliot Russell vs Chris CAndido Bart Gunn & Bunkhouse Buck vs Iron Mike Sharpe & Kendall Windham Nikita Koloff vs Moondog Spike Erik Watts vs Great Kabuki Big Bubba Rogers vs Trevor Murdoch Jerry Lawler vs 'Gentleman' Chris Adams 'Universal Heartthrob' Austin Idol vs Dustin Rhodes

"You observe days and months and seasons and years!" (Galatians 4:10). Christians all over the world argue over the celebration of holy days. Lutherans have several. The Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics have even more. The Evangelicals have almost none. And everyone says their number is correct. And everyone condemns those who celebrate one they don't like. But holy days and seasons aren't evil in themselves. St. Paul writes to the Romans, "One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind" (14:5). No one should condemn you because you celebrate or don't celebrate their day. However, you cannot condemn anyone for not celebrating your day. "The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. ... [T]he one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God" (Romans 14:6). In everything you do, give thanks to God. Amen.

"How can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world?" (Galatians 4:9). In relation to God's power and glory, everything in the world is weak and worthless. The elementary principles that drive the doctrines of demons are especially weak and worthless. The Galatians had come out of this mindset. They had exchanged the weak and worthless for divine power and glory. But some wanted to go back. Paul has to ask the question burning on his mind: "Once you've tasted God's goodness, how can you possibly want to go back? You want to go back to the world's bitterness?" Some of the Galatian Christians wanted to go back to the world's bitterness. They didn't want Christ's sweet Gospel. How about you? Do you want to turn back? Do you want the weak and worthless? Or do you want true power and glory? Choose God's sweet power and glory. You will be greatly blessed. Amen.

"But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God" (Galatians 4:9). As a child of God, you are known by God. It's not that you've found Jesus. It's that Jesus has written your name in the Book of Life. "Anyone not found written in the Book of Life [will be] cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15). Those whom God knows are in the Book of Life. Those who are not in the Book of Life will hear the words spoken to the foolish virgins, "Truly I say to you, I do not know you" (Matthew 25:12). No one wants to hear these words from our Lord. But your name is written in the Book of Life because God has made you alive through your Baptism (Ephesians 2:5). In your Baptism you can rejoice. Not that you know God. But that you are known by God. Amen.

"Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods" (Galatians 4:8). Idols enslave you. There is no freedom in their worship. The only freedom comes through worshipping the one true God. Leaving Him as the top priority in your life. Not putting anything else in the top spot in your life. Even though you feel that you're in charge, you're really a slave. A slave to your own thoughts and desires because these idols have no power of their own. They receive power because you give it to them. The Galatians understood that. They had experienced the great freedom the Gospel brings. No more enslavement. Only the freedom of being a child of God. Amen.

1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. https://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/dd_240606.mp3

"So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God" (Galatians 4:7). Because you are no longer a slave, God has made you His heir. What is your inheritance? Everlasting life in Heaven. Jesus died on the cross with His will written in the Scriptures but delivered through the Lord's Supper. His last will and testament to His disciples were these simple means where He gives you His true body and blood so that your sins are forgiven. The Christian's great inheritance culminates in the absence of sin. At the end of earthly life, the believing Christian receives Heaven. "And there shall be no more curse" (Revelation 22:3). "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4). Your inheritance, dear Christian, is everything becoming new. Because God has made you, dear Christian, new. Amen.

The beginning of the Akbar Era of the PWA!!! BMO Harris Bank Center Rockford, IL Funeral for Southern Dynamite Terry Taylor & Hector Guerrero vs 'Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert & Rick Steiner 'Superstar' Bill Dundee & 'Macho Man' Randy Savage vs Sheepherders Interstate 74 Title Match: Ahmed Johnson (c) vs Grappler Illinois Tag Team Titles Match: Badd Company (c) vs 'Southern Psycho' Elliot Russell & Steve Southern Illinois Heavyweight Title Match: Chris Candido (c) vs Iron Mike Sharpe Tully Blanchard vs Nikita Koloff American Tag Team Titles Match: 2 Cold Scorpio & Wyldcard (c) vs 'Gorgeous' Jimmy Garvin & 'Gentleman' Chris Adams American-World Title Unification Match: Goldust (c) vs Brian Adams

"And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!'" (Galatians 4:6). You are God's son or daughter. In your Baptism, God sent His Holy Spirit into your heart to give you faith. And there is nothing that shows this faith than crying out to God. This faithful outcry comes because you live in this fallen world. The Holy Spirit guides you in your prayers. You can go from cries of anguish to shouts of exaltation in faith. The Psalms show you how to pray in the Spirit. The Spirit that cries, "Abba! Father!" because you are His child. Amen.

"God sent forth his Son ... so that we might receive adoption as sons" (Galatians 4:4-5). Adoption is one of the greatest metaphors of the Christian's relationship with God. From your birth, you were a child of wrath (Ephesians 2:3). In your Baptism, God claimed you as His own child. You were adopted as His son or daughter. No longer a child of wrath. A child of grace and mercy. God sent Jesus to show you grace and mercy. Adoption is a gracious and merciful act done by parents. To take an unwanted child and make him or her feel wanted. God did this when He took you from being a condemned child of wrath and made you a saved child by grace. God adopted you to be His son or daughter. And all He asks is that you live like it. Amen.

22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. https://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/dd_240530.mp3

Shirk Center, Bloomington Remember Their Legacy Interstate 74 Title Match: Ahmed Johnson © vs Disco Inferno Illinois Heavyweight Title Match: Lance Storm © vs Chris Candido American Tag Team Titles Match: PG-13 © vs Badd Company Living Legend Battle Royale Dearly Departed Battle Royale American Heavyweight Title Match: Jim Duggan © vs Billy Travis World Heavyweight Title Match: ‘Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert vs Goldust World Tag Team Titles Cage Match: Sheepherders © vs 2 Cold Scorpio & Wyldcard

As we continue our survey of the history surrounding the Lutheran Reformation, we are reminded that the Roman Church is not sitting by idly as Luther and everyone else runs around making changes. The Roman Church had been in flux for more than a century before Luther posted the 95 Theses. In this month's episode, we look to what the Roman Church is doing from the Council of Constance (1414-1418) up until the Council of Trent (1545-1563). Here, we will come across Jon Hus, John Wyckliffe, and Ignatius of Loyola.

15 And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. 17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement. 18 The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. https://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/dd_240523.mp3

United Center Billy Travis vs Steve Southern Ahmed Johnson vs Dexter Poindexter Tully Blanchard & Chris Candido vs Brett Wayne Sawyer & Eric Embry Disco Inferno vs Great Kabuki PG-13 vs Iron Mike Sharpe & Kendall Windham Last Chance Match: Octagon & Psicosis vs Akbar's Choice Non-Title Match: ‘Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert vs Austin Idol

9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. https://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/dd_240516.mp3

"God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the Law" (Galatians 4:4-5).

Renaissance Coliseum Interstate 74 Heavyweight Title Match: Disco Inferno © vs Ahmed Johnson Eddie & Doug Gilbert vs Kendall Windham & Iron Mike Sharpe Octagon & Psicosis vs Mike Jackson & Tommy Rogers Iceman King Parsons vs Butch Reed Austin Idol vs Chris Candido Tully Blanchard vs Dustin Rhodes #1 Contender for World Tag Team Titles Match: Badd Company vs 2 Cold Scorpio & Wyldcard

"God sent forth his Son, born of woman" (Galatians 4:4).

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son" (Galatians 4:4).

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son" (Galatians 4:4).

"In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world" (Galatians 4:3).

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” https://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/dd_240509.mp3

"I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father" (Galatians 4:1-2).

State Farm Center Hacksaws vs Lance Storm & Disco Inferno PG-13 vs Sheepherders Big Bubba Rogers vs Jerry Lawler #1 Contender for American Heavyweight Title Match: Billy Travis vs Rolando Freeman Round Robin Tournament Tiebreaker!!!

"And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise" (Galatians 3:29).

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).

Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. https://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/dd_240502.mp3

BMO Harris Bank Center Round Robin Tournament Matches -- FINAL ROUND!!! * Jushin Liger vs Psicosis * Goldust vs Wyldcard * Doug Gilbert vs Eric Embry * 2 Cold Scorpio vs Paul Diamond * Kendall Windham vs Psicosis * Dustin Rhodes vs Wyldcard Other Matches * Brett Wayne Sawyer vs J.C. Ice * Pat Tanaka vs Steve Southern * World Heavyweight Title MAtch: Eddie Gilbert (c) vs Tully Blanchard

Evil Destroyed (Revelation 20:7-10) 7 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. 9 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, 10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. https://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/dd_240425.mp3

United Center Round Robin Tournament Matches * Jushin Liger vs Wyldcard * Goldust vs Psicosis * Doug Gilbert vs Paul Diamond * 2 Cold Scorpio vs Eric Embry * Kendall Windham vs Wyldcard * Dustin Rhodes vs Psicosis Other Matches * Tommy Rogers & Mike Jackson vs Lance Storm & Disco Inferno * Austin Idol vs Great Kabuki * Jerry Lawler vs Octagon * World Tag Team Titles vs Akbar's Booking Position Barbed Wire Match: 2 Cold Scorpio & Wyldcard (c) vs Sheepherders

Before we focus strictly on the Reformation by Luther and his co-workers in Germany, we are going to look at the Reformation around the world. Much of these were sparked by Luther, but they took on a life of their own. This month, we look at one of the early enemies of Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and his attempt to create a theocracy in Zurich. Zwingli's mantle was quickly picked up in Geneva by John Calvin, who has about as much influence over the Reformation as Luther. Part of that influence included the creation of the Dutch Reformed Church after Calvin's death but ensconced in Calvin's teaching.

4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. https://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/dd_240418.mp3

Renaissance Coliseum Round Robin Tournament Matches * Jushin Liger vs Iceman King Parsons * Goldust vs Iron Mike Sharpe * Doug Gilbert vs Goldust * 2 Cold Scorpio vs Kendall Windham * Paul Diamond vs Iceman King Parsons * Eric Embry vs Iron Mike Sharpe Other Matches * Billy Travis vs Rolando Freeman * American Tag Team Titles Match: PG-13 (c) vs Tully Blanchard & Chris Candido

1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. https://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/dd_240411.mp3

State Farm Center Round Robin Tournament Matches * Jushin Liger vs Iron Mike Sharpe * Goldust vs Iceman King Parsons * Doug Gilbert vs Kendall Windham * 2 Cold Scorpio vs Dustin Rhodes * Paul Diamond vs Iron Mike Sharpe * Eric Embry vs Iceman King Parsons Other Matches * Ahmed Johnson vs Dexter Poindexter * Illinois Heavyweight Title Match: Lance Storm (c) vs Chris Candido * American Heavyweight Title Match: Big Bubba Rogers (c) vs Jim Duggan

15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. 17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” 19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. https://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/dd_240404.mp3

BMO Harris Bank Center Round Robin Tournament Matches * Jushin Liger vs Dustin Rhodes * Goldust vs Kendall Windham * Doug Gilbert vs Iceman King Parsons * 2 Cold Scorpio vs Iron Mike Sharpe * Paul Diamond vs Psicosis * Eric Embry vs Wyldcard Interstate 74 Title Match: Disco Inferno (c) vs Wolfie D Austin Idol vs Jerry Lawler American Heavyweight Title Match: Big Bubba Rogers (c) vs ?? https://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/pwa_240403.mp3

Victory in Lent #12 Reading: Daniel 3 Hymn: All Glory, Laud, and Honor Psalm: LSB #931

Victory in Lent #11 Reading: Zephaniah 3 Hymn: Be Still My Soul Psalm: 85

Victory in Lent #10 Reading: Jonah 3 Hymn: O Love, How Deep Psalm: Jonah 2:2-9

The Passion of Our Lord Drawn from the Four Gospels Calvary

Victory in Lent #9 Reading: Job 19 Hymn: I Know That My Redeemer Lives Psalm: 16

Victory in Lent #8 Reading: Ezekiel 37 Hymn: Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted Psalm: 51:8-15

The Passion of Our Lord Drawn from the Four Gospels The Praetorium

Victory in Lent #7 Reading: Deuteronomy 31 Hymn: We Sing the Praise of Him Who Died Psalm: LSB #926

9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. https://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/dd_240328.mp3