Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Jeremiah 31:33

When my wife and I were dating, we would spend hours on the telephone. We did not have anything to say to each other for long stretches of time, but we would not hang up. We just wanted to be together, if only silently.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:11–15

God provides everything we need for the ministry of his church. Now, we must use what he has provided. For example, if he has granted that one is a teacher of some kind, that person must teach truly, so that others may grow correctly.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 3:14–19

What does it mean for Christ to dwell in our hearts through faith? It means that you have cast off all moorings to what you imagine brings security. You no longer depend upon those things; you trust in Christ alone.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 3:8–9

Notice how the Catechism deals with both Law and Gospel. We see readily enough, how the Ten Commandments deal with God’s law, telling us what we must do and must not do. These are commands, or law. In the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Sacraments, we hear the word of grace, the Gospel.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 2:2–3

God knows us through and through. He comprehends the underlying reasons for all our actions, even before we have performed them. Further, he understands our inaction too, our sloth, our interest in things other than his will.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 28:19–20

How are we to go, unless we go with the whole Word of God: both his moral Law and his gracious Gospel? How are we to teach that Word of God, unless we know it? And how would we know it well and properly, unless we have a guide?

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Leviticus 26:27–28

Paul is famous for writing greetings like: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." How could he wish such abundance on the saints, if he did not love them and pray for them?

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Leviticus 26:11–12

What else is there for anyone to do but to love God and one’s neighbor? This is the greatest commandment. What better way is there for anyone to love God than to spend time with him?

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Leviticus 25:55

Young people are to learn humbleness and submissiveness to those who already know how to live before God. They learn, not simply by obeying the commandment but by observing the rest of us live in this godly manner.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 7:12

It all goes back to the commandments. It always does, the greatest commandment encompassing them all. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12

There are over 40 million slaves in the world today. Far, far more feel enslaved by the workplace, though that is a far cry from any semblance of truth. Nonetheless, the same word goes for all.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 6:8

Our heavenly Father knows of everything we need, but do earthly parents understand everything that their children need? We know the basics, yet some of the real necessities can go begging.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18

When we do well, we should not be afraid of anything that might bring terror into this life. What is more right and holy, more acceptable to God, than to offer ourselves to him in the living worship of seeking his mercy and grace?

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 5:27–28

When marriage is rightly considered as a vocation, a calling for life, it is sobering. Would that more couples entered into the estate with a proper understanding of the gravity of what lies ahead.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Exodus 34:8

See how Moses did not take matters into his own hands—perhaps as he had done when he emptied his hands of the tablets in a fit of exasperation and anger. He soon humbled himself under the Lord’s will, bowing in worship.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:2–3

Those called to the ministry of the Word deserve their wages. It is written, but it does not say how much or how well. The closest we can come to an understanding of salary is that those who do so most ably deserve twice as much pay for their labors.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 5:1–10

The Beatitudes provide us a sufficient test of those who would be teachers of the Word of God. The rest of Scripture makes it even clearer, but if we looked for evidence of the Beatitudes in the lives of those whom congregations are considering for pastoral call, we would do well.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Exodus 24:11

Even when facing the fear of God’s wrath, the leaders of the people were able to go up into the mountain of God with Moses and Joshua. How is it that they were able to do such a fearsome act?


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