Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Acts 3:6
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From the Word: But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have, I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” (Acts 3:6)
From the Confessions: The Large Catechism, The Ten Commandments
The First Commandment
You shall have no other gods before me.
You will find plenty of examples in history, as well as in the memories of aged and experienced people. Observe and consider them. Saul was a great king and a godly man chosen by God. Yet when he sat self-confidently on his throne, and allowed his heart to decline from God, putting his trust in his crown and power, he perished with all that he had, so that none of his children remained. David, on the other hand, was a poor, despised man, hunted and chased, finding no place safe. Nevertheless, he remained secure in spite of Saul, and become king. These words must stand and come to pass, as God cannot lie or deceive. Only do not allow the devil and the world to deceive you with their show, which indeed remains for a time, but in the end, amounts to nothing.
Pulling It Together: Look to the lowly apostles. None of them was high or mighty in the ways of the world. They were mostly fishermen, but because they put their trust in the Lord, God made them fishers of men. They, like no others, were used of God to change the world. It was and is still changed by these simple, trusting, faithful fellows. God has changed the world through them for you and me as well. But when one of their number could only see what he wanted for the final result, trusting in himself instead of God, the hangman’s noose was the last thing he would see.
Prayer: Give me the courage and clear-eyed faith to see the truth of things. Amen.
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A Prophet Foretold the Messiah is a Christmas pageant that focuses on the biblical story of the nativity, told in poetic verse form. Using this approach not only helps young people to read the text itself, but the rhyme and meter help to aid in memory and recall. Downloadable.
Author
Rev. Mark E. Ryman serves as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC. Previously, Pastor Ryman has served other congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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