The Large Catechism – part 22
Scripture Text: Matthew 13:33
When Luther was praised for the great work he had accomplished, he gave the praise to God. He replied, “I did nothing; the Word did everything.”
The Large Catechism – part 21
Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 4:7–8
When I was in elementary school, I was always the fastest kid in my class. Although sometimes, Melony or Raymond gave me a run for my money. Mrs. Allen, our fourth grade teacher, tested us throughout the year, to determine the swiftest.
The Large Catechism – part 20
Scripture Text: Proverbs 17:3
A neighbor told me yesterday that she thinks, “this is a wake-up call for America.” Then she added, “I hope we're listening." She was referring to...
The Large Catechism – part 19
Scripture Text: Proverbs 15:30
When I was in high school, my grandma tried everything to fatten me up, as we say. I think skinny me was a slight on her good cooking.
The Large Catechism – part 18
Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 1:3–4
The Revised Standard Version may not be the most literal English translation of 1 Timothy 1:4, but the idea of “divine training” has its appeal. Training does not seem too tempting, at first glance.
The Large Catechism – part 17
Scripture Text: 2 John 8–9
It is too easy to become a heretic. It is easier to stop believing. Perhaps the easiest thing is to be lazy. Church membership rolls are filled with all three, but probably more of the third class.
The Large Catechism – part 16
Scripture Text: Matthew 11:25–26
There are those who take no thought of the Bible, or even the Word in brief, speaking of the Catechism. They are either too dull or too brilliant.
The Large Catechism – part 15
Scripture Text: 1 John 5:3
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me (Psa 16:7–8). How can we keep God’s commandments if we do not know them, or worse, forget them?
The Large Catechism – part 14
Scripture Text: 1 John 4:15–16
The Catechism is a short discourse, packed with God’s Word. In it, the law accuses us, yet as we read on, we are reminded of the gospel, of God’s great love for us in Jesus Christ.
The Large Catechism – part 13
Scripture Text: 1 John 3:23–24
When we work in the Catechism, we are essentially learning one thing in different ways. And what is it that the Catechism, in all its parts, teaches us but the greatest commandment which is the sum of all of God’s commandments?
The Large Catechism – part 12
Scripture Text: 1 John 3:4–6
In many cases, Greek is difficult to translate into English in a way that makes sense. Today’s New Testament lection is such a case. Many English translations makes it sound like Christians do not sin.
The Large Catechism – part 11
Scripture Text: 1 John 2:24–25
What goes for the pastors and theologians, goes, of course, for the whole church. None of us should presume that we have learned the Catechism, the basics of the Christian faith.
The Large Catechism – part 10
Scripture Text: Ezekiel 34:7
Who calls pastors and teachers? God, of course. He should be able to expect of those he has employed that they do their work as he intends. Yet, in our churches, too many have ignored the basic teachings of Scripture.
The Large Catechism – part 9
Scripture Text: 1 John 2:3
When I was a boy, I would walk down to Jeff’s house and he would join me on the walk to school. We would stop a few houses down the street to get Chris. Many mornings we had to wait on him to finish writing out the 50 states and their capital cities, before we could walk on together.
The Large Catechism – part 8
Scripture Text: 1 John 1:8
There are plenty of know-it-alls out there. They have all the answers for you, and are happy to let you know what they call “truth.” Sadly, some of these gasbags are in our congregations.
The Large Catechism – part 7
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.
The Large Catechism – part 6
Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:20–24
We need not lay this at the doorstep of the past. Let us look to ourselves. One has to wonder how much fruitless babbling occurs on Sunday mornings.
The Large Catechism – part 5
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.
The Large Catechism – part 4
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.
The Large Catechism – part 3
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.
The Large Catechism – part 2
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.
The Large Catechism – part 1
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?
The Small Catechism – part 261
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?
The Small Catechism – part 260
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?
The Small Catechism – part 259
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.