The Righteous Man
Scripture Text: Genesis 6:8–10
Noah is called “just” because he first believed, then “perfect” (“upright”) because he walked in the fear of God and conscientiously avoided sins.
A Friend of Sinners
Scripture Text: Luke 15:1–2
The religious people were enemies of Christ because of the people Jesus called his friends: sinners who wanted to follow him.
Nothing To Do
Scripture Text: Luke 14:23
When one senses his wretchedness, then is the time to believe in Jesus Christ. There are no other means to save you, save be baptized and believe.
The Cares of the Church
Scripture Text: Psalm 46:1–3
"Christians have regard for God’s Word and believe that God cares for them. They commend all things to him and at his word go on with courage."
The Cure for the Conscience
Scripture Text: John 3:14–15
"Reason argues: You have sinned, you must also atone for your sin. The gospel of Christ says: You have sinned, another must atone for you."
The Golden Age
Scripture Text: Genesis 7:1
We are in the golden age because we have the light of God’s Word and the sacraments are rightly administered in our churches.
The Double Blessing
Scripture Text: Romans 6:20–23
The service of righteousness in Christ has the double blessing of a clear conscience before God and the rich and incorruptible reward of eternal life.
Proof of Faith
Scripture Text: 1 John 3:13–16
Faith is not an inactive and lifeless thing. When there is faith in the heart, its power will be manifested toward God and one's neighbor.
The Power of the Resurrection
Scripture Text: John 20:26–29
It is by the power of the resurrection of Christ that Thomas, and us, who are so deep and obdurate in unbelief, are so suddenly changed.
The Heavy Heart
Scripture Text: John 20:24–25
The most religious person will be lost and condemned if he will not believe. For there is no forgiveness of sins, nor salvation, if one does not believe.
Preference
Scripture Text: Luke 14:15–18
We make excuses, preferring many things against the gospel, for we are no better than were the ancient Jews, who also rejected the gospel for the law.
Division
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 11:17–21
Wherever the Word of God has a foothold, there the devil will be. He will always build his taverns and kitchens by the side of God’s house.
Every Christian
Scripture Text: John 20:21–23
Jesus sends every Christian to instruct and teach his neighbor, that he may also come to Christ, a power not reserved for popes, bishops, and pastors.
Being Acceptable to God
Scripture Text: Luke 16:19–21
"Poverty and suffering make no one acceptable to God; but if he is already acceptable to God, his poverty and suffering are precious in God’s eyes."
Dead and Alive
Scripture Text: Romans 6:6–11
This old man must be crucified, executed, put out of the way, even here in this life. Were he remains in his strength, faith and spirit cannot be.
Nagging Questions
Scripture Text: Romans 11:33–34
If you wish to proceed wisely and truly apprehend God, you can do no better than to be interested in his Word where he has revealed himself.
The Comfort of Communion
Scripture Text: Luke 14:16–17
The preaching of Christ feeds his guests through holy baptism, comforting and strengthening them through the Sacrament of his body and blood.
Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings
Scripture Text: Romans 6:3–11
Through baptism, Christ dedicates us to himself — he decides for us, elects us — and imparts to us the power of his death and resurrection.
The Need of a Savior
Scripture Text: John 3:13–15
Before man may receive righteousness and eternal life, there must come One who has eternal righteousness and life, who appeases God’s wrath.
The Overthrow of Nature
Scripture Text: John 3:5–8
We must abandon the life of the flesh and enter into new life, dead to the old. There must be a real change and an overthrow of nature and feeling.
One God, One Mind
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1–7
Knowing that you all embrace the one true God's Word, hold together in one faith and one mind, not disagreeing as though you had many gods.
The Bread of Life
Scripture Text: John 6:48–51
"In these words the soul finds a well prepared table, at which it satisfies all hunger; for it knows of a certainty that he who speaks cannot lie."
God Forbid!
Scripture Text: Romans 6:14–15
Sin is not forgiven so that we may sin all the more, taking God's grace for granted and taking advantage, but so that conscience is free to love God.
True Faith
Scripture Text: Matthew 23:37
"Faith, if it is true faith, is of such a nature that it does not rely upon itself, but holds to Christ, and takes refuge under his righteousness."
Losing Faith in Self
Scripture Text: John 6:44
The preaching of the law shows us that our entire lives and characters, however holy and beautiful they may seem, are nothing before God.
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