Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Colossians 2:6–7

Our sacrifices—on an altar or on the altar of life do not settle the score with God. As we have shown many times, Christ alone is the sacrifice that has reconciled God.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Luke 22:17–20

Besides the odious practice of marketing Christ’s body and blood, this commerce is based upon selfish desires, largely the freeing of departed loved ones from a place that does not exist.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 10:16–17

Holy Communion is the privilege of those who truly participate in the body and blood of Christ. This participation is genuine fellowship in the communion of saints, else it is a mockery.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23–29

There is false security in performing a ritual, or in it being performed for us, expecting that it has some spiritual value just because the ceremony is done. It is not enough to come to the altar to eat and drink a bit of bread and wine.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Galatians 3:2

The religious works of others on our behalf can no more kill or mortify us than make us alive again or quickened. The work worked by them, though perhaps very satisfying to the eye and ear, remains the work of a human being.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Colossians 1:19–23

Paul tells us all that is required to be reconciled to God. All things in heaven and earth are brought peace and consolation through the blood of Christ alone. Through faith...

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Hebrews 9:13–14

The services of the Old Testament were a symbol or a picture of what was to come. Their use was to cleanse the flesh, the natural person, from sin. These services required constant repetition because of constant sin.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Acts 2:22–24

God had a plan—from the beginning. You see it spread before you as early as the book of Genesis. He made a covenant with Abraham in order to bless the nations through the Lion of tribe of Judah.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Hebrews 4:14–16

Jesus Christ is the only high priest able to stand between you and God. As such, he is called our “great high priest” by the writer of Hebrews. Because Jesus is our high priest, we are able to make the good confession. That confession is that he is the Christ, the one whose sacrifice has made the difference.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Mark 1:14–20

What is it that proclaims the gospel? That thing belongs in our services of worship. The Sacraments proclaim the gospel on the deepest level. “Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” clearly “speak” the good news of Christ among us.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23–29

The Lutherans believed (and believe) that we have no need of an intermediary in order to receive the benefits of Holy Communion. Christ is our intermediary. We only need his grace.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:8–10

We have been saved by God’s grace—not by our good works or offerings of money or service. This salvation happens through faith in Christ. It is that simple.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Luke 22:19–20

Faith in Christ, in what he has done for us, is so important because it always makes us look to the source of forgiveness and salvation. Anything that turns our attention away from him must be avoided altogether.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Daniel 11:29–32

The desolating sacrilege that Daniel referred to is not about decorations, ceremony, and other external matters. God is instead, teaching us internal, spiritual matters through Daniel’s prophecy: to keep faith...

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Hebrews 4:1–3a

The good news of Jesus Christ comes to us in preaching. We must hear it; then God gives us faith. But the Word must truly be heard in this proclamation, with all that “hearing” means.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Acts 8:18–22

Whether it is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, or grace, forgiveness, and eternal life under consideration, God’s gifts are just that: gifts. He gives freely to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Acts 2:42–47

The Lutheran Reformers taught that there are two basic types of kingdoms in the world: the first, spiritual, the second, temporal. The Church at the time of the Reformation held—and wielded—both powers.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Genesis 15:1–6

Look to Abraham. Was his putting the knife to Isaac the sacrifice God desired? No; that was a test, not a real sacrifice. The true sacrifice was Abraham’s faith in God.


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