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Concerning the Invocation of Saints – part 17

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 1:27–31

Everything that we have comes from God. Both our physical and spiritual lives are gifts. Since all comes from God, why would we think righteousness and eternal life come from another source?

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Concerning the Invocation of Saints – part 16

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 14:13–14

It pleases God to answer our prayers when we pray according to his will. So, just as we are careful to ask that his “will be done” in heaven, we should be as concerned that God’s “will be done on earth.”

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Concerning the Invocation of Saints – part 14

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 John 2:1–2

God’s law and holiness demands perfect holiness from us. Sadly, we do not act so devoutly. The just punishment for our failure is death. Happily, God sent Christ to become our substitute.

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Concerning the Invocation of Saints – part 13

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 11:25–30

The rest that Jesus gives is rest despite the work, and further, regardless of the troubles of life. Jesus provides something more than physical rest; he gives spiritual rest, comfort, and peace.

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Concerning the Invocation of Saints – part 10

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 2:5

What we are really discussing here is God’s ability to keep his promises. Does he forgive and justify those who have faith in Christ? Or not? We confess that God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and does so for Christ’s sake

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Concerning the Invocation of Saints – part 9

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 3:11–12

It is no accident that solus Christus (through Christ alone) was as central a slogan of the Reformation as sola fide (by faith alone). We have bold access to God through Christ alone.

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Concerning the Invocation of Saints – part 8

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: James 5:15–16

“The prayer of faith” is an important dimension in Lutheran Christianity. But like too many other Christians we may have developed a misunderstanding of the prayer of faith.

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Concerning the Invocation of Saints – part 7

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: James 1:5–8

One cannot invoke the saints of heaven with confident faith because the practice is based on human tradition instead of Scripture. It is based on the word of man, not upon the Word of God.

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Concerning the Invocation of Saints – part 5

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 8:33–34

Why is there so much confusion about this matter, other than that Scripture is ignored, in favor of human traditions? The prayers of saints and angels do not compare to the prayers of Jesus.

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Concerning the Invocation of Saints – part 4

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 4:16–17

We have already noted two honors that we ought to give to the saints: thanksgiving and the strengthening of faith. Let us be clear what we mean by honor. The honor that we give to “sleeping” saints is not the veneration of their images or praying to them.

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Concerning the Invocation of Saints – part 3

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 1:12–14

Who could be more guilty of sin toward Christ and his Church than Saul of Tarsus, who would become better know as the Apostle Paul? Because of his persecution of Christians, Paul eventually considered himself to be the greatest of all sinners.

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Concerning the Invocation of Saints – part 2

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 1:2-4

To be sure, the Confession is not referring to the invocation of saints. Rather, like Paul, the Lutheran Reformers taught the churches to honor those who have been made holy and called saints because of their faith in Christ.

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Concerning the Invocation of Saints – part 1

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Psalm 116:15

Let us clarify our terms again. Saints are those who have been made holy by God’s grace; they are not those whom we have declared holy. Indeed, they are those whom God has declared holy for Christ’s sake.

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Concerning Good Works – part 12

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 3:27–31

We receive salvation, forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit because of God’s grace — not because we deserve these gifts or have earned them. There is no merit in keeping the law, since it cannot save us, even if we could keep it, which we cannot do at any rate.

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Concerning Good Works – part 11

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 15:8–11

We do good works for three principal reasons. One, we are to bear good fruit so that God is glorified, and two, to prove that we are real disciples of Jesus. Doing good in Christ’s name not only shows others whom we follow, it also shows us that we are his disciples.

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Concerning Good Works – part 10

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 2 Peter 1:3–11

The Holy Spirit calls us to faith through the Word, and thereby grants us eternal life. The promises of God have already been gifted through belief in the promise. To this we are to add the qualities of faith

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Concerning Good Works – part 9

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 6:47

We confess that for salvation, nothing else needs to be added to faith in Christ, or what is also called belief. Much is said in the record of Scripture about doing good works but never so that one would be justified with God by doing those works.

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Concerning Good Works – part 8

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 4:13–16

A promise has been made. All that remains is for us is to believe in God’s commitment to save us from sin. There is no need to do something in order to obtain his promise

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Concerning Good Works – part 7

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Titus 3:5

Anyone who earnestly reads the Bible will soon observe that the teaching that we obtain the forgiveness of sins by faith freely for Christ’s sake has its foundation everywhere in the Bible.

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Concerning Good Works – part 6

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 2:24

When medicine cannot revive you, and doctors are of no use, and when death is imminent, your good works will give you no solace. You must have a reliable treatment for your condition when the despair of sin and death overwhelm you.

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Concerning Good Works – part 5

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Joshua 1:5–7

We must hold the ground of the gospel and not give an inch. When the choice is between Scripture and tradition, the choice is clear even if it is sometimes difficult.

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Concerning Good Works – part 4

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Isaiah 53:4–6

The Father’s purpose in sending his Son into the world was so that the Christ would bear our sins. Nowhere has God’s plan been that we should bear our own iniquities.

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Concerning Good Works – part 3

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 3:26

God, who is faithful and just, forgives us of all sins and cleanses us from unrighteousness. He alone is legally and ethically righteous and honorable to forgive. He is the just justifier.

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Concerning Good Works – part 2

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 3:12-15

It is hard to believe. But it is true and must be believed. Christ came to save poor sinners — and he does not need our help. Our works are not the way; Christ is. Religion is not the truth; Christ is. Our devotion is not the life; Christ is.

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Concerning Good Works – part 1

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:8-10

The gospel clearly teaches that people are forgiven for Christ’s sake. The Apostle Paul instructs us in no uncertain terms that we are not saved from sin and death because of our works.

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Concerning Free Will – part 9

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Genesis 6:5

God did not establish a world where sin existed. He created all good things and all things good. He did not create evil. Nevertheless, it is within his will that we may sin — otherwise, we could do no evil.

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Concerning Free Will – part 8

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Acts 2:37-38

The young man in Matthew 19 had been keeping the commandments his whole life, or so he claimed, but still knew something was lacking. So he asked Jesus, “What good deed must I do to inherit eternal life?”

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Concerning Free Will – part 7

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 13:1

Everyone is able to abide by the laws of the land, else the Scripture would not command us to do so. Furthermore, one may choose to obey the laws of the land or not.

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Concerning Free Will – part 6

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 1:28–31

Faith is a gift from God; it is not something that we can conjure by reason or industry. Do you truly fear, love, and trust God? Then you have been regenerated or born again and faith is at work in you.

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Concerning Free Will – part 5

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 1:8–9

A person who is not enlightened by God’s Holy Spirit — an “unspiritual” or “natural” person — does not, by natural reasoning or abilities, perceive or receive anything pertaining to God’s will and divine gifts.

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Concerning Free Will – part 4

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 3:16–18

But when one comes to the understanding that he is a sinner, through and through, always has been, and always will be, that person may then have the hope of finally pleasing God.

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Concerning Free Will – part 3

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:1–2

Without the Spirit, people walk along the natural course of the world. This is the path of sin and death. We cannot do otherwise; we cannot move toward God on our own.

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Concerning Free Will – part 2

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 2:14–16

Without having ever taken a confirmation class, everybody knows that they should honor their parents. Do we need to understand that it is the sixth commandment in order to know we ought to be faithful to our spouses?

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Concerning Free Will – part 1

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 2:9–10

Lutherans reject the Pelagians and others who teach that we are able to love God above all things and keep his commandments by the power of human nature alone, without the grace of the Holy Spirit.

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Concerning Christ’s Return to Judgment

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 25:31–46

Because Jesus rose again from the dead, we confess that on the last day of the world, he will bring with him all who have died in the Lord to be with him forever.

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Concerning Political Order – part 9

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

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.

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Concerning Political Order – part 8

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

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.

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Concerning Political Order – part 7

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

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.

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Concerning Political Order – part 6

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

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.

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Concerning Political Order – part 5

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

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.

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Concerning Political Order – part 4

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

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.

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Concerning Political Order – part 3

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

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.

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Concerning Political Order – part 1

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

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.

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Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 22

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

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.”

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Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 17

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Colossians 2:20–22

I have enjoyed wearing the most comfortable jeans. But it seems that just a few months after I get them broken in, they wear out and I have to start all over. Who knows how many pairs of jeans I have worn out in my life?

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Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 16

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Isaiah 1:10–11

Maintaining rites for the sake of order in the Church is one thing. But to contend that these rites justify God is in opposition to the doctrine of the Apostles, and contrary to both the Old and New Testaments.

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Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 14

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Revelation 14:9–12

The face of Christianity is changing in many places. Things that were once considered true because they are the testimony of Scripture, are now cast aside in favor of personal and public opinion.

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Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 13

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Colossians 2:1–5

Since rituals invented by people — instead of those instituted by God — have no testimony in the Word of God and no demand on his people, how could they have anything to do with real unity in the Church?

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Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 10

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 1:6–7

The highest service of God is to have faith in him. There is nothing you can do that is more precious to God than to trust him, believing his promises — to have faith, which is “more precious than gold.”

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Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 9

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 2:5–6

“You can’t make this stuff up,” people sometimes say when they hear something incredible — like the guy who called 911 because he was locked in his car. You can’t make this stuff up.

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Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 7

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Philippians 1:3–7

God does not start a process that we must then finish. The Father sent his Son to accomplish a mission, not to partially complete the task. That task was to save the world through faith in Christ.

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Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 6

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Galatians 3:7–9

God did not tell Abraham that if he kept certain traditions and fulfilled various commands, that he would be blessed. Rather, he promised him a son and descendants that would bless the whole world.

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Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 5

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Hebrews 12:18–24

The traditions of the Church, though often useful for devotional purposes, can not make us right with God. Pastors and priests are not mediators between God and sinners. But they can point the way. And that way — the only way — is Christ.

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Concerning Human Traditions in the Church – part 4

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 3:21–25

I do not have a truck payment this month. In fact, I have not had to make my monthly payments for years. By making regular payments until my debt to the bank was paid off, I received the title to the truck.

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Concerning Ecclesiastical Order – part 4

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Luke 6:31–35

The Golden Rule is another way of stating the second half of the greatest commandment. It helps us put the commandment into action by telling us how to love our neighbor as ourselves.

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Concerning Ecclesiastical Order – part 3

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 1:5–7

Is the result of your doctrine love or hate, peace or discord? Do you find that you are often agitated with people, politics, the news, life in general?

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Concerning Ecclesiastical Order – part 2

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 11:18–19

When there are divisions in the Church that are based in human reasons or traditions, they must be either resolved or condemned. In the end, after patient and prayerful dialogue, only the truth must stand.

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Concerning Ecclesiastical Order – part 1

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 14:40

There should be a form of order and discipline in the Church, as there is in every organization. The Lutherans had no squabble with the Roman Church about the ordering of such matters.

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Concerning the Number and Use of the Sacraments – part 12

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 2:28–29

What advantage are the sacraments if they are not believed, if there is no faith in the promises attached to them? Without faith in the Word of God connected with it, baptism is only water. Without faith in God’s promise of grace, Holy Communion is only bread and wine.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 65

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Isaiah 41:8–10

There are times when it is difficult to believe that God really loves us. When we sin, we sense an estrangement with God that must somehow be overcome. The instinct is to make an offering...

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 64

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 13:9b–10

There are no confessed sins that Christ Jesus cannot or will not forgive. Therefore there is no confessed sin for which a minister of the gospel cannot and should not give absolution.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 63

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 18:15–18

The purpose of the keys involves both peace and terror. For those who believe in Christ and confess their sins, there is the comfort of knowing that they are forgiven because Christ alone is God’s satisfaction.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 62

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 4:22–25

Where is it written? Where do the Scriptures teach that we pay the price of freedom from eternal death? How do our punishments replace the excelling merit of Christ’s satisfaction for sin?

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 57

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Psalm 51:7–12

God will do what he must for the good of those he loves — even if it means inflicting them with some corrective troubles. Perhaps the psalmist’s bones were not actually broken but...

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 52

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Acts 9:3–8

Many people think that our troubles originate in our sins. Often enough, this is precisely the case — but not always. Sometimes our troubles are meant to point us and others to the glory and the power of God.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 51

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: James 1:2–4

We should learn to regard our troubles as signs of impending grace. God is at work in these afflictions. When we have gotten to the other side, we can see that suffering drew us back to God, and caused us to rely upon him, and persevere.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 49

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Hebrews 9:22–24

God may impose certain punishments for sins, by way of making an example of some people, and to discipline others. But these punishments are corrections and examples, not a means of grace and forgiveness.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 41

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 8:37–39

We are threatened on every side. Ten things are listed in Romans 8:37–39, over which we have no power or control. Indeed, the tenth thing Paul lists is anything not mentioned in the first nine.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 35

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Galatians 5:22–25

Do good works because God commands them to be done and because they bring him glory. But never hold the delusion that by doing good works, your sins will be forgiven or you will go to heaven.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 32

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Colossians 2:9–10

Jesus Christ is so completely holy and meritorious before the Father that he is holy and worthy for me. God is so pleased with his Son that he is well-pleased with those who believe in him.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 29

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 5:6–7

Good works are mandatory. But they do not appease the wrath of God against sin. Repentance is required, as it is commanded by Christ. This requirement does not make one righteous...

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 28

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 6:19–23

We are either slaves to the devil, sin, and death, or to God, righteousness, and life. Whichever we are bonded to will determine the fruit we get. The fruit or the wages of sin is death.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 27

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 8:12–13

We are indebted to God in Christ to no longer live in the sin for which he died. This does not mean that we no longer sin, for as long as we are in this flesh, this mortal body, there is sin and death.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 24

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 14:28–33

When I was a boy, I learned to carry a full cup of coffee to my father. I walked through the kitchen, down the carpeted hallway, and in to the living room, then handed it to him without having spilled a drop.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 21

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 2 Timothy 2:15–18

Misrepresentation of Holy Scripture will upset the faith of some, those who have itching ears, but also those who are unlearned. Such deception even leads people into lives of ungodliness.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 19

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Jeremiah 33:14–16

It has already been stated here, more than a few times, that genuine faith is shown in its works. This is an entirely different matter than saying that forgiveness happens because of those works.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 18

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 5:6–8

Lutherans confess with Scripture that sinners are justified before God — that is, absolved of all sins and condemnation, without any worth or work of their own — through God’s pure grace.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 17

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 8:3–5

In the worldly kingdom, there are many disciplines we might bring to bear in order to make things more civil and orderly. Requiring certain satisfactions can even make folks feel better for a time.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 14

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 John 4:9–10

It bears repeating: our love, devotion, good works, and religious activities do not satisfy God’s justice. Only God’s Son propitiates, appeases, or satisfies God’s just demand for holiness.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 13

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 6:19–20

Recently, a car rental company called, wanting to know when I was going to pay the bill on a transaction from over a month ago. I let them know that the company had paid that bill, informing them of the transaction details

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 12

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Colossians 3:1–3

God’s justice requires the punishment of sin. We either take the punishment or pay the penalty. However, we cannot make restitution. We can neither keep from sinning, nor pay the penalty of that sin.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 10

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Revelation 7:13–14

Your remorse does not merit God’s forgiveness. Being sorry — even though you go on at length about your specific regrets — does not repair your sinful condition or your broken fellowship with God.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 6

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 9:30–33

Anyone who wants to achieve righteousness or justification with God through religious devotion, doing good deeds, or by other things they imagine gain them merit with God, will be dreadfully unsuccessful.

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Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 4

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 5:25–33

Always interpret Scripture in the plainest sense, using the clear meaning of the words. If a parable is being used, we might allow our minds to wonder what Jesus meant — until he tells us plainly.

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Concerning Repentance – part 75

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Acts 20:18–21

Of what use is repentance, if it is merely being sorry for sins and then doing something good? People will remain in guilt, knowing that they are never good enough to merit forgiveness.

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Concerning Repentance – part 74

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Isaiah 53:5–6, 11–12

Because the guiltless and incarnate God died for our iniquities, bearing upon himself the sin of the world, he carried our sins to the grave.

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Concerning Repentance – part 73

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ezekiel 33:10–13

Should you try not to sin? Certainly; but your ability or inability has nothing to do with forgiveness. Should you be sorry when you sin, and seek to do better? Absolutely, yet again, this has nothing to do with forgiveness of sin.

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Concerning Repentance – part 72

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 4:20–5:1

Faith must always be in the forefront because it makes us think of Christ. Even sorrow, though necessary but, because it naturally causes us to try to settle our own sins, must never be considered alone.

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Concerning Repentance – part 71

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Psalm 143:1–2

Let us be reasonable. Were we to depend upon our own righteousness and faithfulness, who could survive the wrath of God? They are deluded and arrogant persons...

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Concerning Repentance – part 70

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:20–25

Someone better make us holy and righteous or we are in eternal trouble. We have faith that Jesus was sent by his Father to accomplish this very thing.

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Concerning Repentance – part 69

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 10:8–11

It is not possible for someone to have a peaceful conscience, if they doubt that God is gracious toward them. No matter how hard they try to do right and be religious, they still question whether they have forgiveness of sins.

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Concerning Repentance – part 68

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: James 1:6–8

James is speaking to the topic of receiving wisdom from God in this passage of Scripture. However, the same exhortation may be applied to anything one asked of God. Ask in faith. Believe!

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Concerning Repentance – part 67

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 15:1–5

How can I keep the law without Christ’s help? I cannot, for I will either not do it at all, do it imperfectly, or as likely as not, do it with an impure devotion.

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Concerning Repentance – part 66

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Hebrews 9:13–15

Cleansing from sins has always been necessary to God. Atonement has been required since the earliest days of Judaism. Even the first sin needed covering with death.

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Concerning Repentance – part 65

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 5:13–16

If we believe that we must keep the law in order to be forgiven by God, then we are saying that justification, righteousness, and forgiveness are not matters over which Christ has any power.

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Concerning Repentance – part 64

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Galatians 3:22–24

The law incarcerates; it does not free. Only faith in Christ frees us from captivity to sin and death. Yet, thank God for the law, for without its accusations, we would never know our need for salvation and God’s grace.

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Concerning Repentance – part 63

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:14–20

Believe the promise of the gospel; it is the truth. Know that Christ’s own righteousness has been granted to you as protection against sin and death.

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Concerning Repentance – part 62

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 3:12–16

We cannot read the law with veiled hearts and expect to find the grace of God. All we sense is God’s displeasure. So, we cannot expect the law to come to our rescue.

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Concerning Repentance – part 61

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 3:19–22

Think for a moment how silly it would be for a person to look in the mirror and say, “You’ve been so good lately; I forgive you.”

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Concerning Repentance – part 60

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-21

We preach and confess that Christ died for our sins and saves all those who believe. The world responds, “What kind of babbling is this?"

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Concerning Repentance – part 59

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 1:1–7

Faith in Christ arouses good works, but it is faith in Christ that receives forgiveness. Although God certainly wills that we speak and do good, our salvation does not depend upon such goodness.

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Concerning Repentance – part 58

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Luke 5:18–24

It was common in Jesus’ time for people to think their physical ailments and disabilities were the result of their sins. Think of the paralyzed man being carried on a cot to Jesus.

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Concerning Repentance – part 57

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:13

We must be sure to believe in the word of God, not the words of men. The testimony of men reasons that we must do good things to appease an angry God.

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Concerning Repentance – part 56

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 2 Timothy 3:16–17

In C. S. Lewis’ poem, “As the Ruin Falls,” he writes, “a scholar’s parrot may talk Greek.” People may sound authoritative; indeed, some birds may seem so. But by their singing, one may determine what sort of birds these authorities are.

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Concerning Repentance – part 55

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 15:55–58

The doctrine of justification by faith is one for which people have given their lives. Luther himself, knowing that his life would be forfeit, declared that his conscience was captive to the Word of God, not to the doctrines of men.

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Concerning Repentance – part 54

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Isaiah 40:28–31

We are saved, forgiven, and made righteous through faith in God’s Christ. There is no other way to God; there is no shortcut.

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Concerning Repentance – part 53

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Acts 10:42–43

The whole of Scripture proclaims that forgiveness of sins is received only through faith in Christ. Those who suppose that God forgives their sins because they are good people, are led astray by their vain imaginings.

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Concerning Repentance – part 52

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 4:1–8

Everyone acknowledges that, “You can’t take it with you.” Common sense wisdom understands that our works have no eternal value. So why do some try to stack them up as having merit with God? Belief in God’s promises is what counts as righteousness.

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Concerning Repentance – part 51

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 3:21–25

The forgiveness of sins is received — not earned. Now a sizeable portion of the Church thinks otherwise. Yet this is clearly what Scripture teaches us. Forgiveness is received by faith.

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Concerning Repentance – part 50

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 John 5:9–12

If you cannot believe God’s promise then you may as well insist that the sun will rise in the west tomorrow morning. For if you cannot believe that which is most sure, how certain is anything else that has been taken for granted up until now?

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Concerning Repentance – part 49

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Genesis 17:15–18

Promises are laughable words, unless received with faith. Abraham and Sarai were promised a son in their advanced old age. Abraham laughed; he laughed so hard that he fell to the ground.

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Concerning Repentance – part 48

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 3:16–18

We cannot place our trust in works wrought by ourselves. Surely, this is evident to everyone. Who among us has been found faithful — even to his own intentions?

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Concerning Repentance – part 47

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 11:28–30

Being sorry for our sin does not merit forgiveness. You probably heard a retort something like this at some point in your life: “Sorry doesn’t fix what you broke.”

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Concerning Repentance – part 46

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 3:4–8

These are important distinctions. Faith is different than sorrow or contrition. It is also different from devotion or works of penance. Faith stands apart, believing in the Redeemer...

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Concerning Repentance – part 45

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Luke 7:36–38, 48–50

We are saved, forgiven, and made righteous through faith in God’s Christ. There is no other way to God; there is no shortcut.

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Concerning Repentance – part 44

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 2 Samuel 12:13–14

When David was brought up short by the knowledge of his secret sin, he was contrite and confessed his sin. After his confession, the prophet Nathan spoke words of forgiveness from the Lord.

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Concerning Repentance – part 43

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Genesis 3:6–8

After we take the tantalizing fruit of sin, a frightening self-consciousness overwhelms us. All we want to do is cover our sin and hide from God. This terror is contrition; and it is not enough.

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Concerning Repentance – part 42

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Genesis 3:14–15

The promise, though veiled, goes all the way back to Genesis. That very first sin demanded the declaration of a Savior from the loving God. For from those tragic bites of forbidden fruit...

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Concerning Repentance – part 41

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 John 4:15–17

How strange it must seem to a child, for the parent who loves, to also seem so angry. For the threat of an oncoming car does not concern the unknowing child who is chasing a ball into the street.

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Concerning Repentance – part 40

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 2:2–6

Life and death are in God’s hands. And there is nothing that we can do to deliver ourselves from the grave. The foolish harden their hearts to this fact of life. But the wise are contrite.

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Concerning Repentance – part 39

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Psalm 119:25–28

Our ways lead us to certain death. They are low and dusty, clinging to the world and sin. Yet, God is always calling us to the way of life.

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Concerning Repentance – part 38

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 7:24–8:2

We are in bondage to the flesh: these bodies of death with their natural inclinations that serve the law. We are bound by nature to sin “in thought, word, and deed.”

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Concerning Repentance – part 37

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Habakkuk 2:1–4

It is the height of arrogance for someone to think that justification occurs through the human acts of contrition, devotion, or other acts of love or good works

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Concerning Repentance – part 36

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 6:2–4, 11

Paul speaks plainly about these two parts of repentance. He writes that we are dead to sin, this taking place through our baptism.

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Concerning Repentance – part 35

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Mark 1:14–15

It is not enough to only believe the history of the gospel. One must have faith in the one who is the incarnate gospel. One must trust in Christ for the remission of sins.

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Concerning Repentance – part 34

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Hebrews 9:11–15

To think of repentance in terms of contrition alone is to act in accordance with the law. This is unstable ground since it depends upon the person who is sorry for their sin.

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Concerning Repentance – part 33

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 2 Chronicles 7:11–14

God has always been ready to forgive. Proof of his willingness is the ways he has provided for people to have faith and turn to him.

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Concerning Repentance – part 32

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Luke 10:10–16

Believe that you are truly forgiven in heaven when you hear such words as these on earth: “I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

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Concerning Repentance – part 31

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 10:13–17

The promise of divine grace is received through hearing the gospel. This hearing occurs in many ways. It is received through the reading of the Scripture, both individually and corporately.

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Concerning Repentance – part 30

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:18; 3:11–12

We cannot fear, love, and trust God without faith. In other words, we cannot keep even the first of the commandments without faith, let alone the rest of the law.

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Concerning Repentance – part 29

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 5:1–2

The witless child who does not believe his parents got him a birthday present, will never enjoy the gift. Perhaps he was sorry for having been a disobedient child but just could not accept that his parents loved him nonetheless.

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Concerning Repentance – part 28

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Hebrews 10:39–11:2

If repentance is only a matter of sorrow for sin, then human nature tries to appease God. But we cannot appease God by any means.

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Concerning Repentance – part 27

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Galatians 2:19–21

As long as we live in this flesh, we will experience all of these feelings. For the law will never cease to accuse us of sin.

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Concerning Repentance – part 26

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Isaiah 38:14–15

We are very weak. Jesus reminds us if this fact of our human nature. “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

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Concerning Repentance – part 24

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Proverbs 32:5

Repentance begins with a heart that is moved toward God’s mercy and then has faith that he forgives for Christ’s sake.

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Concerning Repentance – part 23

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 2:13–16

The Lutherans, on the other hand, confessed that the power of the keys was the authority of Christ spoken by any confessor, and dependent upon two things: contrition and faith.

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Concerning Repentance – part 22

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 1:7–10

The fault with indulgences lies not only in who it is that forgives sin, but in what this forgiveness costs. God’s gracious forgiveness is a gift.

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Concerning Repentance – part 21

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 3:21–28

Going to church, doing good works, being president of Council, having perfect attendance, teaching Sunday School, and even knowing all three of the ecumenical creeds by heart mean nothing without faith.

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Concerning Repentance – part 20

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:1

The Lutherans however, confessed that everything hinges on Christ. He bore our sin on the cross so that we would be made “the righteousness of God.”

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Concerning Repentance – part 19

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Psalm 38:1–4

We have to admit that our sins are great in number, that they have gone over our heads as if if we were drowning in our iniquities. Who could confess such a volume of transgressions?

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Concerning Repentance – part 18

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 8:21–24

So today, we ought to be teaching our people that God forgives sins for Christ’s sake, not because we perform certain rituals.

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Concerning Repentance – part 17

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Mark 16:19

The power of the keys binds things in heaven, not just on earth. When a “door” is unlocked or locked on earth in the name of Christ, it is done in heaven too.

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Concerning Repentance – part 16

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 4:20–25

So we confess that our holiness, our works of contrition, is insufficient for the remission of sins, while faith in Christ merits forgiveness of sin...

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Concerning Repentance – part 15

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Psalm 38:18–22

It is not enough to be sorry for our sin. Nor is it enough to do good. For we cannot assist ourselves. Instead, we must avail ourselves of the mercy of God in Christ Jesus.

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Concerning Repentance – part 14

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 4:4–5

Although we should certainly “fear, love, and trust God” (Small Catechism), these things, including the fear of God (attrition), do not earn grace.

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Concerning Repentance – part 13

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 12:9–10

You cannot reason or work your way into God’s grace. God’s grace is a free gift, something that is given by him for you.

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Concerning Repentance – part 12

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 11:23–26

Since the consequence of sin is death, it is no wonder there is the felt need to confess all sins. Perhaps, we might imagine, if we could confess them all, we might overcome death.

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Concerning Repentance – part 11

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 1:7–8

We confess that we are in bondage to sin, that we cannot free ourselves, and that Christ alone has redeemed us from sin.

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Concerning Repentance – part 9

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Colossians 1:21–23

There is nothing confusing about the gospel when it is heard with the ears of faith. We confess that Christ has killed our sinful old nature through his own death on the cross.

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Concerning Repentance – part 8

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Psalm 145:8–9

Our anxieties about sin may be managed on the surface with words and semantics, but when the test is applied in the heart, these matters turn out differently.

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Concerning Repentance – part 7

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Psalm 103:8–13

Look to the Word. What is written? How far does God say that he hurls our offenses? “As far as the east is from the west,” is how far he removes our sins from us.

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Concerning Repentance – part 6

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 20:21–23

The power of the keys is the clear charge of Christ to preach the gospel, to remit and retain sins, and to administer the sacraments.

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Concerning Repentance – part 5

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Psalm 6:1–4

Around the time of the Reformation, there was endless quibbling in the church about how and when things happened.

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Concerning Repentance – part 4

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 1:1–2

Peace is only found in the grace of God. This is why Peter says, “May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” Who does this math?

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Concerning Repentance – part 3

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 7:9–10

The doctrine of faith is no small matter, for true repentance depends upon faith. Repentance needs faith to believe that God is so merciful toward us that our sins have been forgiven for Christ’s sake.

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Concerning Repentance – part 2

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Acts 3:18–21

What are we to do but to turn again and again to Christ? The heart of this turning, this repentance, is faith. We believe that in turning from our sins to Christ, those sins are blotted out.

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Concerning Repentance – part 1

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Psalm 51:7–17

God creates clean hearts within us. This happens when we are first, stricken in our consciences, and then, have faith that God will forgive us and make us righteous for Christ’s sake.

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Concerning Confession – part 8

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Isaiah 44:22–23

Confession must lead to Christ — not to more and more confession. Christ is the focus, not ourselves. Therefore forgiveness must be the outcome of confession, not the tyranny of a guilty conscience.

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Concerning Confession – part 7

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Psalm 40:11–13

Only a foolish or crazed person would undertake the task of counting the hairs on his head. There are too many to count.

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Concerning Confession – part 6

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Revelation 22:11–13

The imposition of rules and regulations will change no heart. The Holy Spirit changes hearts. The crucified Christ draws people near.

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Concerning Confession – part 5

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 10:12–13

Our focus should be Christ, not our sins. One can spend so much time in introspection and the endless recounting of sin that Christ is lost in the shuffle.

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Concerning Confession – part 4

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 11:27–29

Confession precedes Holy Communion. We are to earnestly confess our sins and hear the words of absolution before receiving Christ.

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Concerning Confession – part 3

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Acts 2:42–43

As Christ is known to us in the breaking of the bread, the early Church assembled to know Christ in his Supper, the Apostles’ teaching, prayer, and fellowship.

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Concerning Confession – part 2

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 John 1:7-10

Confession and absolution provide persons of faith with the regular assurance that their sins are forgiven because of what Christ has accomplished for them.

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Concerning Confession – part 1

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Proverbs 28:13-14

People recoil at the idea of fearing God because they believe that God loves them. “Why should I fear someone who loves me?” they might ask.

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Concerning the Holy Supper – part 4

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Luke 22:19-20

Holy Communion is not something that we do; it is something that God does for us. It is not an act or ritual that we perform; it is an activity of God that we receive.

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Concerning the Holy Supper – part 3

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 6:47-57

We have been talking about Holy Communion, Baptism, the Church, justification, and other matters but in all of these topics, we are actually considering faith.

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Concerning the Holy Supper – part 2

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 26:26-28

Jesus called the bread that he broke and gave to his disciples to eat, “my body.” He said of the cup, “This is my blood.” This is what we believe.

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Concerning the Holy Supper – part 1

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 10:15-17

This participation, as the Revised and English Standard versions translate the word, is a fellowship or, as the King James Version phrases it, a communion.

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Concerning Baptism – part 4

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Titus 2:11-15

God gives authority to people to speak and act in his name through Holy Baptism. The pastor seems to be the one using the water, and if that were all the pastor did then that would be all there was to see.

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Concerning Baptism – part 3

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 19:25-26

The universal grace and promise of the gospel is just that: universal. It is not applied to everyone except some persons.

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Concerning Baptism – part 2

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Mark 10:13-16

The divine promises of grace and of the Holy Spirit do not belong to the old alone, as if Jesus, who loved little ones, would have them wait for his promises.

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Concerning Baptism – part 1

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Acts 16:30-33

When a child, or anyone else in a household or family, is baptized, the will of God, the promise of God’s salvation is realized. The work of salvation continues through faith.

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Concerning the Church – part 34

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 13:1-7

It is important for us to distinguish between the two kingdoms—the kingdom of God and worldly kingdoms. Both Church and State are under God’s authority but they serve different ends.

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Concerning the Church – part 33

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 28:18-20

Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions urge us to be not only wary of false teachers and ministers, but to have nothing to do with them.

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Concerning the Church – part 32

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Mark 14:22-24

The words of Christ spoken over the bread and wine insure the promise of grace to those who believe. When we believe his word over the elements, he is truly present in them.

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Concerning the Church – part 31

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 15:1-9

If I considered my musical preference to be a commandment instead of a tradition, I could cause a great deal of confusion and harm.

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Concerning the Church – part 30

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Galatians 2:4-5

The truth of the gospel is that righteousness and salvation come through faith in Christ — Christ alone. This is the word that sets us free.

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Concerning the Church – part 29

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 2:2 

We may well suppose that if two Lutheran churches in the same county celebrated Easter on different Sundays that people would have something to say.

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Concerning the Church – part 28

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 4:1-5

There is nothing wrong with celibacy or fasting or many other disciplines. Even in marriage, abstinence can be a good thing, if the couple agrees together to abstain for some spiritual purpose.

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Concerning the Church – part 27

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 14:5-6

If others wish to abstain from certain foods on certain days, that is between those people and the Lord. Do not let them convince you that abstinence is a matter of righteousness.

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Concerning the Church – part 26

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Revelation 1:1-3

“It is written.” This was a favorite saying of the prophets, the evangelists, the apostles, and Jesus. Sometimes it is phrased as a questions: “What is written?”

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Concerning the Church – part 25

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18

External is not eternal. These outward things will never secure everlasting life. Furthermore, they will never give us peace. The heart must be changed by God for these things to be ours.

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Concerning the Church – part 24

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Colossians 2:16-23

How heartbreaking it would be to run in a race, and to run so swiftly that you won the race, only to find out that you had been disqualified because of a false start or a lane violation.

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Concerning the Church – part 23

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Galatians 5:1-6

I have convictions but if I dare to make those things qualifications for your righteousness and salvation, please take me to task.

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Concerning the Church – part 22

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 20:24–26

The Church is that gathering of saints where the Gospel is correctly taught and the Sacraments are rightly administered.

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Concerning the Church – part 20

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:4-6

If you believe these things, we agree that there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God” — no matter the particular manner of our ceremonies.

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Concerning the Church – part 19

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Mark 16:15-16

The effectiveness of the sacraments depends upon Christ. Were you baptized in a stream or at a font, at the hands of a priest or a pastor, by a saint or a sinner?

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Concerning the Church – part 18

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Galatians 4:13-14

Every pastor who presides over Holy Communion is a sinner. Some are worse sinners than others. Some do not even believe in Christ or the Word of God.

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Concerning the Church – part 17

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 1:15-17

It is the duty of pastors to preach the gospel. It is each church’s obligation to make sure that they do. Yet, it is more than a duty; it is a joyful compulsion.

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Concerning the Church – part 16

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Acts 2:32-36

The prophet Daniel presented the Antichrist along similar lines as this sarcastic paragraph from the Confessions. There is no ruler of rulers but Christ.

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Concerning the Church – part 15

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 10:16-18

We should not expect everyone in a collar or alb to represent the kingdom of God. Every preacher in a pulpit does not necessarily proclaim the Word of God.

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Concerning the Church – part 14

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 6:28-29

We must not replace Christ with works, offices, masses, or anything else. These things do not save; Christ alone saves and justifies.

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Concerning the Church – part 13

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:19-21

You will find the church wherever two or more are gathered in the name of Jesus, that is, with faith in him, teaching the gospel, and administering the sacraments.

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Concerning the Church – part 12

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 13:47-50

Jesus was clear on this matter when he was brought before Pilate. His kingdom is not of this world. It is not temporal but instead, spiritual.

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Concerning the Church – part 11

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 18:33-37

Jesus was clear on this matter when he was brought before Pilate. His kingdom is not of this world. It is not temporal but instead, spiritual.

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Concerning the Church – part 10

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 John 3:2-7

As worshipers come forward for Holy Communion, many pause at the baptismal font, place their fingers in the water, and make the sign of the cross on their forehead.

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Concerning the Church – part 9

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Galatians 3:24-29

All those who by nature were born Jews, or Abraham’s seed, were given the law so that they might be an example to the nations of how God would have people live.

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Concerning the Church – part 8

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

The Body of Christ is not an organization that merely goes through the motions of ceremonies. The Church has gifts in the heart, namely, the Holy Spirit and faith.

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Concerning the Church – part 7

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Proverbs 12:5-7

The “house of the righteous,” the church, is infiltrated by the wicked. Sometimes, they seem petty, though they are aggravating and ungodly.

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Concerning the Church – part 6

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 5:25–27

When we perceive the threat to the Church — a threat that exists both from within and without — we can be led to despair of her continued existence.

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Concerning the Church – part 5

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Philippians 2:12-16a

We believe in the Church. This is the congregation of those who believe in Christ. They are spread throughout the ages — past, present, and future.

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Concerning the Church – part 4

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Titus 3:4-7

So we must be careful to confess that sinful people, such as ourselves, become righteous and holy only through the grace of God.

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Concerning the Church – part 3

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 1:15-23

We deplore the condition of some church bodies, that they have abandoned the Word of God for culturally correct beliefs. Yet, we should not complain overly much.

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Concerning the Church – part 2

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 26:26-28

Some people attend church because they were raised to do so. They give no thought to faith; it is simply the right thing to do.

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Concerning the Church – part 1

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 22:9–14

Nearly 40 years ago, a half dozen people from a local cult attended my church, trying to get people to follow their false god.

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Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law, part 155

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 2 Timothy 2:8–13

Let us continue to keep Christ at the center of all things. The promised Messiah, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin from the lineage of kings, suffered, was crucified and buried for our sins.

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Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law, part 122

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Luke 17:7-10

We are indentured servants, slaves to sin and death, and we can never earn our freedom. Either the master sets us free—and death and the devil are not going to do that—or someone pays our debt and sets free.

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Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law, part 99

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Mark 1:21-24

Surveys are often filled out by a person who marks the box, “Christian.” Often what this means is that the person thinks there is a God. In the public mind, believing there is a God is synonymous with being a Christian.

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Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law, part 51

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 2:4–6

Be careful not to build a doctrine of righteousness and salvation upon anything you do, for that house would surely fall, since it is founded on the limited and human instead of upon the infinite and divine.

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