Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Matthew 23:25-26
If you are not clean on the inside, your outside will never be clean, despite regular religious washings. These outward ceremonies do not cleanse the person who is unclean within.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Luke 11:37-41
Common sense informs us that giving from the heart means one expects to gain nothing from the gift. When one gives from within...
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Titus 3:4-8
If we only read verse 8, we may end up believing good works are the point, that we must “be careful to devote [ourselves] to good works” (Titus 3:8).
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: John 8:31-32
Our works are not good works—they do not please God—unless they are done in faith. They are not good works, no matter how fine they may seem to us...
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Hebrews 13:15-16
Because Christ is the once-for-all sacrifice for sin, those living under the New Covenant are to offer sacrifices of praise to God.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: John 3:16-21
The Father sent his Son into the world to save sinners from the condemnation of sin and death. When people have faith in God’s sacrifice for their sin, they are saved, justified, and reborn.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Ephesians 1:7-9
The great mystery of the ages has been revealed in Jesus Christ. All people—Jews and Gentiles alike—have been redeemed from their slavery to sin and death by the atoning work of Jesus.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Matthew 6:9-15
The promise of forgiveness is bound to repentance. They are inseparable. “Repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations.”
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Exodus 20:1-6
We should have no other gods before the Lord (Exod 20:3). He alone is God (Deut 6:4). We think that in the churches today, idols are a thing of the past.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Matthew 19:16-22
The rich man wanted to know what good deed he as yet lacked so that he could earn eternal life. Having boasted that he had kept all the commandments, he nonetheless felt that he still lacked some fine deed.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 4:22-5:2
The preaching of the law must have its rightful place among us. The law sets necessary boundaries in society so that we might enjoy a measure of order and civility in society.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Psalm 136:23-26
You may work all day and night, trying to prove yourself worthy to God, only to discover at the break of day that you do not believe he finds you worthy.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Matthew 6:9-15
Consider this teaching from the Lord’s Prayer: Forgive, and you will be forgiven. The first part in this doctrine demands amendment of life and good works, while the second part adds the promise.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 5:15-16
So let us reject the entire squabble as not only a misunderstanding of the text, but a mistranslation as well. May we understand the gospel instead, for there is nothing uncertain in Christ.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Ezekiel 18:21-22
Daniel does not simply demand certain kingly works such as alms giving. He demands faith by saying, “Break off your sins by righteousness.”
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Daniel 4:24-27
Even the prophets of old required faith since they too conveyed the promises of God. Promises require faith because they involve trust in the one making the promise.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 4:6-10
The law is used by God to achieve certain results. It exhorts us to look out for “number two,” or to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31).
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Matthew 18:23-35
As the parable indicates, we are indebted to the King. Our sin-debt should cost us our lives (Rom 6:23) but God is merciful, forgiving us and making us into new persons.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Isaiah 45:22-25
God commands us through the prophets to do good. Yet, through those same prophets, he makes it clear that our righteousness does not come from the works worked.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Hebrews 10:17-22
The law must be preached. Yet, it must also be taught that the keeping of the law does not bring new birth. Only God can regenerate the dead, which we most certainly were.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Matthew 5:3-12
Those who have been justified through faith in Christ are expected to act righteously. They are not, however, forgiven of their sins because they act in accordance with God’s will.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: John 15:4-5
Any keeping of the law requires God’s help. Before we can ever keep the law in a way that God finds acceptable, we must have faith in Christ.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: James 1:21-22
Again, James is referring to those works that should follow faith. So, it is well said that the one who has faith and good works is righteous. Righteousness is not earned through the works...
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 8:8–11
One cannot create faith by deciding to believe in the historical Jesus, but then, going on to live the same old, natural life. This is the sort of dead faith to which James refers.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: James 1:17-18
Every good gift comes from the Father—most notably, the gift of new birth in Christ. Salvation is a gift. Forgiveness of sins and justification are not things that can be earned.
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