Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: John 2:13–16
The Lutherans, on the other hand, confessed that the power of the keys was the authority of Christ spoken by any confessor, and dependent upon two things: contrition and faith.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Ephesians 1:7–10
The fault with indulgences lies not only in who it is that forgives sin, but in what this forgiveness costs. God’s gracious forgiveness is a gift.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 3:21–28
Going to church, doing good works, being president of Council, having perfect attendance, teaching Sunday School, and even knowing all three of the ecumenical creeds by heart mean nothing without faith.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:1
The Lutherans however, confessed that everything hinges on Christ. He bore our sin on the cross so that we would be made “the righteousness of God.”
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Psalm 38:1–4
We have to admit that our sins are great in number, that they have gone over our heads as if if we were drowning in our iniquities. Who could confess such a volume of transgressions?
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: John 8:21–24
So today, we ought to be teaching our people that God forgives sins for Christ’s sake, not because we perform certain rituals.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Mark 16:19
The power of the keys binds things in heaven, not just on earth. When a “door” is unlocked or locked on earth in the name of Christ, it is done in heaven too.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 4:20–25
So we confess that our holiness, our works of contrition, is insufficient for the remission of sins, while faith in Christ merits forgiveness of sin...
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Psalm 38:18–22
It is not enough to be sorry for our sin. Nor is it enough to do good. For we cannot assist ourselves. Instead, we must avail ourselves of the mercy of God in Christ Jesus.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 4:4–5
Although we should certainly “fear, love, and trust God” (Small Catechism), these things, including the fear of God (attrition), do not earn grace.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 12:9–10
You cannot reason or work your way into God’s grace. God’s grace is a free gift, something that is given by him for you.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: John 11:23–26
Since the consequence of sin is death, it is no wonder there is the felt need to confess all sins. Perhaps, we might imagine, if we could confess them all, we might overcome death.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Ephesians 1:7–8
We confess that we are in bondage to sin, that we cannot free ourselves, and that Christ alone has redeemed us from sin.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Psalm 34:17–19
The first step in repentance is being contrite. God does not desire sacrifices from us, in order to appease him (Psa 51:16).
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Colossians 1:21–23
There is nothing confusing about the gospel when it is heard with the ears of faith. We confess that Christ has killed our sinful old nature through his own death on the cross.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Psalm 145:8–9
Our anxieties about sin may be managed on the surface with words and semantics, but when the test is applied in the heart, these matters turn out differently.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Psalm 103:8–13
Look to the Word. What is written? How far does God say that he hurls our offenses? “As far as the east is from the west,” is how far he removes our sins from us.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: John 20:21–23
The power of the keys is the clear charge of Christ to preach the gospel, to remit and retain sins, and to administer the sacraments.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Psalm 6:1–4
Around the time of the Reformation, there was endless quibbling in the Church about how and when things happened.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 1 Peter 1:1–2
Peace is only found in the grace of God. This is why Peter says, “May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” Who does this math?
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 7:9–10
The doctrine of faith is no small matter, for true repentance depends upon faith. Repentance needs faith to believe that God is so merciful toward us that our sins have been forgiven for Christ’s sake.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Acts 3:18–21
What are we to do but to turn again and again to Christ? The heart of this turning, this repentance, is faith. We believe that in turning from our sins to Christ, those sins are blotted out.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Psalm 51:7–17
God creates clean hearts within us. This happens when we are first, stricken in our consciences, and then, have faith that God will forgive us and make us righteous for Christ’s sake.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Isaiah 44:22–23
Confession must lead to Christ—not to more and more confession. Christ is the focus, not ourselves. Therefore forgiveness must be the outcome of confession, not the tyranny of a guilty conscience.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Psalm 40:11–13
Only a foolish or crazed person would undertake the task of counting the hairs on his head. There are too many to count.
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