The Mission of Faith
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Mark 16:15
Those who would believe and preach the gospel, must cast aside all works supposed to make one just and holy , and allow nothing to remain but faith.
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Reading the Word with Luther
Knowing Christ
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 2 Peter 3:18
Christ as a gift makes you a Christian and nourishes your faith, but Christ as an example moves your faith to do good works for your neighbor.
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Two Kingdoms
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Scripture Text: Romans 13:1–2
In the gospel is an entirely different, a spiritual government, that exists alone in the Word, by which sinners are convicted and Christ proclaimed.
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Hidden Strength
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Scripture Text: Romans 14:1
Christ hung upon the cross that we might learn how deeply strength lies hidden under weakness, and learn to know his strength in our weakness.
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Christians by Birth
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Scripture Text: James 1:18
We are joint heirs with Christ by believing on the same Lord Jesus Christ alone and the promises of his word and the Father's grace are ours.
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Resurrection Blessings
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Scripture Text: James 1:17
Cling to the great and glorious gifts of the resurrection: the gospel, holy Baptism, the power of the Holy Spirit, and comfort in all adversity.
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Clinging Faith
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Scripture Text: 1 John 5:4
When despairing, our works must immediately sink out of sight, leaving no help or victory except the faith that clings to the word of Christ the Lord.
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Pure Grace and Mercy
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Scripture Text: Romans 11:33–36
Out of pure grace and mercy, God elects, as beneficiaries of his goodness, the poor, and wretched, and unworthy, who acknowledge themselves guilty.
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The Poor Man
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Scripture Text: Ecclesiastes 9:15
We are to remember the poor, as the apostles urged, but there is another poor Man whom the whole world would forget, while Christians remember.
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The Shepherd Calls
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Scripture Text: John 10:11
Christ's kingdom abounds in grace and mercy for he is a comforting, friendly shepherd, who tenderly invites, and all people to come to him.
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The Risen Life
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Scripture Text: Colossians 3:1–5
Through Christ's death, you are redeemed from sin and death, raised to an imperishable life you cannot yet perceive in yourselves except through faith.
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Faith Is the Victory
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Scripture Text: 1 John 5:4–5
We do not have to win any battles, but only to keep the victory that has already been won, by holding onto faith in Christ and his cross.
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Fellowship with the Weak
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Scripture Text: Matthew 22:14
To keep company with the "weak Christ" is the highest wisdom on earth, and a second is like it, to bear with his weak followers, the church.
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The Gentle Rebuke of the Greatest Sin
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Mark 16:9–14
Unbelief is the greatest sin there is, for it cares not for God or at least, cares little for him who is to be loved with one's whole heart and entire being.
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Known by the Shepherd
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: John 10:14
The true church is not known by its government or its name but because it is known by its Shepherd and knows him, having faith in him alone.
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Believing through the Spirit
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Scripture Text: 1 John 5:1
Scripture teaches that we cannot be saved by our own works, but through hearing and believing by the power of his Spirit that Jesus is the Christ .
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Raised to New Life
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Scripture Text: Colossians 3:1–4
There is a great Day coming when we will be raised bodily from the dead, but in the meantime, we are being raised spiritually into a better existence.
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An Everlasting Covenant
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Scripture Text: Isaiah 55:3
Christ cannot remain in death — although he may suffer death by reason of his human nature — yet he must of his own power rise from the dead.
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Believing the Judgment
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Scripture Text: John 16:8–11
The world, seeing no wrong with itself, does not receive one part of Christ's word, reproval, and so, seeing no need of it, cannot receive his grace.
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The Righteousness of Christians
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: John 16:8–10
Christ is the righteousness of Christians before God, going to the Father, that is, suffering and rising for us, and thereby reconciling us to the Father.
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Contending for the Sheep
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Scripture Text: Ezekiel 34:1–2
The role of the pastor or shepherd is to feed the sheep, and to protect them from all evil, which begins and ends with proper feeding from the Word.
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Be Certain
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Scripture Text: 1 Peter 4:10–11
Be careful that what you hear from the pulpit is the sure Word of God instead of those doctrines that suit a pastor's or denomination's agenda.
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No Trifling Matter
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 24:36
We are not to trifle with the Scriptures, else there would then be no reliable and permanent foundation whereon the conscience may rely.
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The Mind of Faith
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Scripture Text: Luke 24:26–27
Only devout, childlike people may grasp and understand the Bible, those who say by God's grace that because he has said it, then they do believe it.
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Dear Brothers
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Scripture Text: John 20:17
It is not enough to know the historical fact of Jesus, but to also know that he calls us dear brothers, infusing his own righteousness and glory into us who believe.
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My Father and Your Father
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Scripture Text: John 20:16–17
It is comforting to hear Jesus tell us that his Father is also our Father, for as Jesus returns to him, we too, will one day ascend to our God in heaven.
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On the Third Day
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
Christ lay in the tomb for a part of three days, rising on the third, but what we should note is not so much the number but the fact that he truly died.
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Mercy, Not Merit
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Scripture Text: Matthew 28:10
Jesus calls us his brothers, not because of anything we have done to merit this inclusion in his family, but because we believe on him for salvation.
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Freedom through Word and Sacraments
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 11:27–31
God's Word and works in the Sacraments are not idle, but instead set people free from sin, death, the devil, and every sort of fear.
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The Word of Salvation
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Acts 13:26
You may be a birthright Jew, or a birthright Quaker, but without being born again, a salvation through the Word of Christ, there can be no salvation.
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Bread for Your Neighbor
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 10:16–17
When we receive Holy Communion, we should be careful to increase love, to find our neighbor who is in need and reach out to him in Christ's name.
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Enduring Witness
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Peter 2:20–21
If you would be a Christian, then you must not be terribly alarmed or impatient at the the torments of the world and of the devil.
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A Testimony
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23–25
We have the clear Word of God as testimony for us who believe, that Christ gave himself as a grace to be received in the bread and wine of his table.
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A Fresh Lump
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 5:1–7
May you be a fresh lump with whom Christ Jesus being worked in, that the grace and power of the Spirit may continue to work out your salvation.
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Drinking the Word
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 10:1–4
The one who desires Holy Communion should receive all of it, not the bread alone but the cup of the New Covenant in Christ's blood as well.
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Expatriates
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Philippians 3:20–21
"The baptized Christian is born a citizen of heaven through baptism. We should be mindful of this fact and walk here as if native there."
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Call on Him
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Scripture Text: Isaiah 55:6–7
We may know the Lord's presence everywhere through the Creed, the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the blessed Sacraments.
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Believing the Unbelievable
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Scripture Text: Hebrews 11:5
May you have faith in God, believing the unbelievable, that sin and death are overcome for you, not because you earned it, but for Christ's sake.
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Faithful Dependence
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Scripture Text: Acts 10:42–43
Faith must be of a character that excludes all works, personal devotion, piety, or holiness as the reason for salvation, and trusts in Christ alone — that through his death, resurrection, and ascension we are saved from sin and death.
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Just Condemnation
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: John 16:8–9
God demands admission or confession of sin, and that people everywhere repent of their sins, turning away from self to God through his Savior.
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Confess and Believe
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 10:8–10
We confess that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
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Good for the Soul
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Psalm 32:1–5
The old saying that confession is good for the soul is not sufficiently correct; it is the absolute forgiveness of sins that is good for the souls of sinners.
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Consider Him
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Scripture Text: Galatians 5:22–26
One finds in Jesus strength and comfort against all vice and bad habits, as true Christians incorporate the life and name of Christ into their own lives.
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Faith over Feelings
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Isaiah 53:4–6
Do not try to work yourself up to a feeling of being forgiven and loved by God, but ask him for the faith to know Christ crucified, and the assurance of salvation.
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