Lectio Concordia

The Word for All – Tuesday

Preparing for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Series: Lectio Concordia

February 4, 2025 By Rev. Mark Ryman

• Online jigsaw puzzle of today's reading • Index

• Collect: Help us not to hoard your Word, Lord, that it would only be for us in the church. Give us courage and strength to take your Word into the world. Amen.

• Psalm 2:1–12

• Revelation 14:6–13

• We believe and confess that these two doctrines should be diligently and persistently taught in the Church of God until the end of the world. This must be done with the proper distinction so that in the ministry of the New Testament the preaching of the law and its threats may terrify the hearts of the impenitent and bring them to a knowledge of their sins and to repentance but not in a manner that they lose heart and despair. Since “the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24) and therefore points and leads us not away from Christ but to Christ who “is the end of the Law” (Romans 10:4) the preaching of the gospel of Christ our Lord may again comfort and strengthen those who believe the gospel that God forgives all their sins through Christ, adopts them as children for his sake, and out of pure grace, without any merit on their part, justifies and saves them. This is not to say that they may abuse the grace of God and sin hoping for his grace, as Paul thoroughly and forcibly shows the distinction between the law and the gospel (2 Corinthians 3:7–9). [The Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Law and Gospel]

• "A Mighty Fortress" Tune

A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!

• Benediction: May you be blessed with great faith in the promise that the gospel, the Word of God, is for you too. Amen.

• Memory Verse: In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

• Memory Verse Aid: ITSW, LYLSBO, STTMS YGW AGGTYF WIIH. (M516)