Lectio Concordia

The Peace of Christ – Friday

Preparing for the First Sunday after Christmas

Series: Lectio Concordia

December 27, 2024 By Rev. Mark Ryman

• Online jigsaw puzzle of today's reading • Index

• Collect: Blessed Father, out of your great love for us you sent your Son into this troubled world. Give us faith to believe in him so that we may have his peace, through the same Christ Jesus who lives with you and your Holy Spirit, forever one God. Amen

• Psalm 4:1–8

• Romans 5:1–5

• We believe and teach that we are counted righteous before God through faith, for Christ’s sake. We are not counted righteous because of works without Christ as Mediator. We do not merit forgiveness of sins, grace, and righteousness. Our works cannot contend against the wrath and justice of God. Nor can works overcome the terrors of sin. Rather, the terrors of sin are overcome by faith alone. Only Christ the Mediator is to be presented by faith against the wrath and judgment of God. Anyone who thinks differently does not give Christ due honor. He has been set forth that he might be an atonement, that through him we might have access to the Father. We are speaking now of the righteousness through which we deal God—not people—and by which we apprehend grace and peace of conscience. Conscience however, cannot be composed before God, unless by faith alone. Only faith is certain that God for Christ’s sake is reconciled to us, according to Romans 5:1: “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Justification is only a matter freely promised for Christ’s sake, and is therefore always received before God through faith alone. (Defense of the Augsburg Confession, Love and Fulfilling the Law, Reply to the Arguments of the Adversaries.)

• “When Peace Like a River” Tune

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Refrain: It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control:
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul. Refrain

My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! Refrain

O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
even so, it is well with my soul. Refrain

• Benediction: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.

Memory Verse: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27)

Memory Verse Aid: PILWY, MPIGTY. NATWGDIGTY. LNYHBT, NLTBA. (John 14:27)