Perfect Peace
Thursday before the Second Sunday of Easter
Series: Lectio Concordia
• Online jigsaw puzzle of today's reading • Index
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• Collect: We have never seen you, Lord Jesus, but we believe. Your word is enough for us to know that we have life and peace in your name only. Give us a full measure of your Spirit that we may share the peace of Christ with our world. Amen.
• Psalm 4:1–8
• Philippians 4:4–7
• The doctrine of our adversaries leaves consciences in doubt, so that they never can be at peace, since the Law always accuses us—despite good works. The flesh is always against the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). So, how will one’s conscience have peace without faith, believing instead that one pleases God by works, instead of for Christ’s sake? If hope expects merits through works, what deed will it find confidently reliable as worthy of eternal life? Paul writes against these doubts, saying, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). We should be firmly convinced that righteousness and eternal life are granted us for Christ’s sake. [The Defense of the Augsburg Confession, Results of the Adversaries’ Teaching]
• “Peace, Perfect Peace, in This Dark World of Sin,” Edward Henry Bickersteth Tune
Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.
Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.
Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?
Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.
Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and he is on the throne.
It is enough: earth’s struggles soon shall cease,
and Jesus call to heaven’s perfect peace.
• Benediction: May the God of all hope fill you with the joy and peace of faith, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope and rest in Christ’s peace. Amen.
• Memory Verse: Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
• Memory Verse Aid: SWHBJBF, WHPWG TOLJC. (R51)
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Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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