Keeping the Commandments

Scripture Text: John 14:8–17

Jesus laid a heavy burden upon his followers when he said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” How can they do this?

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 23:1–10

Just as God does not need, nor does he use, a person's virtues to bring her to saving faith, he does not require so-called good men to deliver his grace or make it valid in a congregation.

Recovery

Scripture Text: John 14:3–6

At first he would not admit he had a problem but then, he went to his father for help. He told him that he would have to do this on his own and that all he had to do was white-knuckle it.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 5:25–27

Building on the confession of “the communion of saints” in the creed, and that God imputes righteousness through faith, Melancthon is emboldened to state that the Church is a “congregation of saints.”

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Galatians 5:18–25

The Lutherans also wished it to be known that justification by faith did not negate the command of God for his people to do good works. However, these acts of charity and obedience are a result of faith—not a requirement of justification.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 10:5–17

Real faith does not happen because one decides to believe, because one disciplines herself to be a holy person, or as the result of any other personal or religious preparation.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Colossians 2:13–14

Using the Sacrament in a way that Christ did not intend, abuses and profanes his Holy Supper. Offering his blessed promises to the dead and to those who do not believe makes it an occasion for sin and judgment.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 John 3:2–3

Our hope is in Christ alone. His resurrection from the dead is the basis of that hope. Because we were baptized into his death, we will be resurrected like him too. The details of what comes next are a mystery but our hope is unwavering.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 3:13-17

Christians ought to hope for unity, beginning to do so by considering how they agree on matters of the faith. After all, they are called to fellowship together in Jesus Christ our Lord (1Cor 1:9-10). Christians are also to be ready to defend the faith (1Per 3:15), even if it is in confessing it to one another.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 2:1–6

The Small Catechism also, even though teaching from the Apostles' Creed that does not deal explicitly with the dual nature, teaches us that the ascended Christ is “true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary.”

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 9:7

The blind man in John 9 went to a pool called “Sent,” and was blessed with sight. We have been dispatched to a fount called Christ, and have been given new life, lived forever before God in the righteousness and purity of Christ Jesus.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 12:1–2

Every day we must slay the old nature in us. By offering our doubts, temptations, and sins to God, we crucify the flesh. This is not a physical act like sacrificing an animal.

Providential Pasture

Scripture Text: Psalm 23:1–6

It made no difference to David the condition in which he found himself. Certainly he wished for comfort and gave God thanks for ease. Yet he seems to have learned to give God thanks regardless.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Genesis 26:18

Jesus confirms that we are all sinners (John 8:7). Who of us does not sin daily? Day after day, our sins can pile up in our memories. If we are not careful to seek the Father’s forgiveness and remember the promises of Baptism daily, the devil may slowly stop up the well.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 7:38–39

In Christian Baptism, water does more than touch the outside of us, as though washing the skin. Because God’s Word is bound with the water, it cleanses and renews the whole person.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Hebrews 12:11

God’s discipline is a difficult thing, but the Father does not discipline us so severely that we die. His Son, however, was disciplined to the point of death for the sins the world.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Hebrews 12:1–2

Remember Jesus. Keep him in mind as the one who ran before you and is now waiting for you to cross the finish line. Now, if you believe and are baptized, you are in the race, but finishing the race requires the endurance of faith.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Genesis 21:17–19

Our lives are in the Lord’s hands. He has prepared a better place for us, a heavenly city, an excelling country. It was so for Abraham who with Sarah was made to wait in faith on God’s promise.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Hebrews 11:5–6

There is one thing that pleases God: faith in him—faith in his existence and faith in his grace. Abel brought an offering to the Lord, having faith in God instead of a confidence in his offering, and so, his offering was acceptable or pleasing.


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