Concerning Political Order – part 9
Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 2:1–2
As God has established all civil authorities, he would have us pray for them—whether we like them or not. Christian love demands that we hold them before God in prayer.
Concerning Political Order – part 8
Scripture Text: Matthew 5:33–37
Because Jesus said, “Do not take an oath at all,” we may feel guilty when we do make contractual promises. The issue here is not what we sometimes think it is.
Concerning Political Order – part 7
Scripture Text: Acts 2:42–47
It is dangerous to souls for us to concede that anything people do produces perfection. We are only made perfect by God through faith in Christ.
Concerning Political Order – part 6
Scripture Text: Hebrews 12:1–2
It is God who makes us perfect. There is nothing we can do or not do, possess or not possess, that makes us perfect or complete in the eyes of God.
Concerning Political Order – part 5
Scripture Text: Matthew 5:38–40
If someone wrongs you, are you to take matters into your own hands, taking vengeance on the one who has wronged you? No; vengeance is the Lord’s.
Concerning Political Order – part 4
Scripture Text: Romans 12:17–19
When the Lord says that vengeance is his, one way his retribution is felt is through our governments, the political kingdoms in which we live.
Concerning Political Order – part 3
Scripture Text: Ecclesiastes 8:2–5
The gospel does not give us new laws, nor does it call us to replace existing laws with the old Jewish law code. Instead, we are to obey the laws of the land while also living according to the rule of a higher kingdom, a spiritual kingdom.
Concerning Political Order – part 2
Scripture Text: 1 John 3:19–24
Christ does not rule like earthly rulers, through the passing of laws and the enforcement of the same. He governs by his Word and through preaching.
Concerning Political Order – part 1
Scripture Text: 2 Chronicles 19:6–7
God is the final authority; all authority comes from him. Every governing power exists because of God. This is why Christians may serve in public office or be otherwise employed by governments.
Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 33
Scripture Text: Psalm 133:1–3
I was declined in a congregation’s consideration as a new pastor once, in part, because the church I was serving at the time did not use the Nicene Creed as much as the church in deliberation.
Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 32
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 8:8–13
What difference does it make if you eat so-called unclean foods? Will you go to hell because you ate some rabbit stew? Will God withhold his forgiveness because you had a pork chop?
Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 31
Scripture Text: Titus 3:4–8
Start to read through the Bible in a year, and you will probably get behind at some point. Guilt will likely set in, especially if you do not catch up right away.
Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 30
Scripture Text: Proverbs 3:11–12
It serves us well to discipline these human wills, bringing them in line with the will of God. This the very thing we ask so often, praying, “Thy will be done.”
Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 29
Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 4:13–16
Paul exhorts the young pastor to devote himself to three practices in his ministry: being sure that the Scriptures are read in services of worship, and preaching and teaching the Word of God.
Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 28
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 1:20–25
The gospel of God’s grace through Christ was snubbed as something “Lutheran” in the 16th century. In the 21st century, other gospels persist in churches.
Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 27
Scripture Text: Deuteronomy 6:5–7
Holy Communion is not a ritual that is to be performed as though it were a good work done by us. Communion is a means of grace, something done by God for us and for Christ’s sake.
Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 26
Scripture Text: Matthew 6:9–13
Toward the end of my pastorate in her church, I visited Lucy on a day when she seemed a little upset about something that she could not put into words.
Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 25
Scripture Text: Matthew 15:10–20
Jesus says, “Hear and understand.” This is important. A person’s righteousness is not earned in the keeping of traditions or rituals or doing good works.
Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 24
Scripture Text: 1 Peter 3:13–16
Do you have hope? If so, what is the reason for your hope? The Apostle Peter says that we should be ready to give a reliable reason for the hope that is in us.
Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 23
Scripture Text: Galatians 5:1–6
Christ alone has the authority to institute rites in the Church that justify, reconcile, and forgive. Why is it though, that the Church or its bishops cannot establish these ceremonies?
Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 22
Scripture Text: Revelation 3:7–13
If we are going to follow a command of God, let us keep this one: believe in his Son, Jesus Christ. For “this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.”
Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 21
Scripture Text: Romans 3:27–28
When one takes time for study of the Scripture, it is easily discovered that no one merits God’s favor, forgiveness, et cetera through these human traditions in the Church.
Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 20
Scripture Text: Colossians 1:24–27
How can there be a secure and sincere hope of glory when that hope is based in one’s own ability to perform? That would be to despair of glory. Our hope is based on a truer self than self.
Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 19
Scripture Text: Colossians 3:18–24
There is no need to enter a religious order to be righteous or lead a holy life. Christ makes husbands, wives, and parents as holy as priests.
Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 18
Scripture Text: Luke 18:10–14
Human righteousness tends to look down its nose at those not religious in the same way. It is always watching to see what others are not doing so that it can compare all it does.
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