The Mark of God
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 2:15–21
We have received a mark, the sign of God's hand upon us. We are sealed with God's promise of salvation and eternal life through baptism and faith.
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Reading the Word with Luther Posts
The Mark of God
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 2:15–21
We have received a mark, the sign of God's hand upon us. We are sealed with God's promise of salvation and eternal life through baptism and faith.
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The Gift of God
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:1-10
Just as little as it lies in one’s power to be born and to receive natural existence, so little does it lie in his power to be without sin or to escape from it. He who created us must take it away.
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He Is Written
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Hebrews 1:1–5
Your beliefs, especially doctrine about Christ, must come from the Scriptures. Rest your faith on Christ as found in the Word alone.
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Through Faith
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Galatians 3:23–29
This video was recorded in 2021, just as I was packing up my old study to move it to St. Paul's in Salisbury, NC.
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The Rising of the Light
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Isaiah 60:1–3
The gospel is not the light but the expression of that eternal Light that has risen upon us.
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To Know Christ
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 2:1–6
The magi may not have known who the newborn king truly was, but you and I are called to attend to our vocations, then think only how we may know Christ.
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The Twofold Effect of the Gospel
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Isaiah 60:1
The light exposes the darkness of human reason, doctrine, and works, and displays our need of the grace and glory of he who is Light from Light, true God from true God.
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Evidence of Faith
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 13:8–10
Love of neighbor does not justify us to God. Faith in God does however, compel us to love our neighbor, and this is evidence of faith, and love of God.
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Indebted to Love
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 13:8
Having Christ's Spirit within us, we are to love our neighbors so fully through that it seems as though we are indebted to love our them.
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Living Sacrifice
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 12:1–2
The sacrifices of the Old Testament are fulfilled in the one sacrifice of Christ Jesus so that we may offering the living sacrifice of faith in everyday life.
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Kept in Humble Faith
Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings
Scripture Text: Luke 2:41–52
God allows suffering to guard against presumption, as example to others to repent, and as preparation for finding Christ, and keeping him.
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Faith in His Word
Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings
Scripture Text: Luke 2:25–33
We must have faith in the Word, not in what our senses tell us. Feelings are secondary (at least) and are to be subordinated to "what is written."
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Acceptable Sacrifice
Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings
Scripture Text: 1 Peter 2:2–5
Christians are priests, each and every one of them, and as priests, are to offer acceptable sacrifices to God. That sacrifice is self for the honor God.
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Appearances
Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings
Scripture Text: Luke 2:33–35
Simeon was not impressed by appearances and so, could bless Christ Jesus. If appearances are our motivation, we will not bless Jesus.
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Christ Alone
Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings
Scripture Text: Luke 2:33–35
If salvation in Christ's light is to be brought about, all other righteousness in ourselves, sought outside of Christ with works, must be rejected.
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Transformed Thought
Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings
Scripture Text: Romans 12:1–3
Christians are not to be ruled by their feelings or reasoning, for these are matters of their will. But God's will revealed through his Word transforms them.
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Dealing with Trouble
Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings
Scripture Text: Luke 2:41–45
Good and bad happens to bad and so-called good people alike. The difference is how one responds, and why, and from where their peace comes.
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Worship for Christ’s Sake
Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings
Scripture Text: Luke 2:36–38
Our worship and good works are to be done for Christ's sake, not because we think that we earn salvation through our deeds or piety.
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Love Is Not Vengeful
Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings
Scripture Text: Proverbs 10:12
Love is virtue pure and precious. It neither utters, nor thinks any evil of its neighbor. It rather covers sin; not one sin, nor two, but a “multitude of sins.”
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Content with the Gospel
Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings
Scripture Text: Luke 2:50–52
May we be content with the gospel, with what is written, for it contains all that God wants us to know about himself, all that we need to know.
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Many Functions
Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings
Scripture Text: Romans 12:3–5
Each Christian has been given a calling, and with that calling a particular gift or gifts to fulfill the calling. These do not make her better or happier than another.
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Wheat and Weeds
Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings
Scripture Text: Matthew 13:26–30
Jesus allowed for believers and unbelievers alike in the church, so that both might be spared, believers from violent uprooting, and unbelievers an opportunity to believe.
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Love Your Neighbor
Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings
Scripture Text: Matthew 5:43–46
Love desires the best for its neighbor, even when one's neighbor does not desire the best for you, so one must pray for them even when they are not neighborly.
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The Marriage Will
Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings
Scripture Text: John 2:1–2
Marriage, because it is God's institution, will be a difficult work, as the flesh will resist and rebel, as it always does against doing God's will.
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Favor the Lowly
Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings
Scripture Text: Romans 12:14–16
As much as you are able, live in peace with all; spend time with those of humble circumstance. Be a blessing to your neighbor.
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Proud of the Gospel
Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 11:21–23
A Christian glories in the things of which other men are ashamed — in the cross and in his sufferings. For the world will not long endure the Word.
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Freely Given Gifts
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 8:5–10
Take the Word of God "as it stands," as it is written, and be transformed by the Holy Spirit who works through that very Word in all his people.
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Run to Win
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 9:23–27
A Christian does not live life aimlessly. This life is a race to the prize, eternal life in Jesus Christ, and so, must be run with passion and purpose.
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True Faith
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 8:1–3
Come to Christ because you are a sinner, not because you think he must have someone as great and pious as you. Come with faith in him, not in yourself.
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The Greatest
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 13:12–13
When there is but infinite day, we will require faith no more, nor hope. Love is the permanent thing, and therefore, the greatest of the three that now abide.
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Equality of Believers
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 12:20–25
Peter's and Luther's doctrine of the priesthood of believers is central to Paul's teaching on honoring weaker members of the body of Christ.
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Noticing the Heart of Jesus
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 18:31
Jesus came to earth to do his Father's will, to die for a world's sin. It was his passion, his Plan A; there was no Plan B.
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The Faith of Another
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 8:10–13
God can bring life and healing to the lives of others through your faith, as seen in biblical examples like the centurion who had faith for another.
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Entrusting
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Peter 2:21–23
You just can't win sometimes. Trying to defend yourself does not work; you just get judged all the more. All you can do is entrust yourself to God.
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The Love of Neighbor
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 13:9
If you do not love your neighbor, your conscience will condemn you. Without trust in a forgiving Father, you will be overwhelmed with guilt.
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Owe Your Neighbor
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 13:8
We are to owe no person anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law and commandments.
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The Mystery Revealed
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 18:31–34
"Reason, flesh and blood, cannot understand, nor grasp that the Scriptures should say how the Son of man must be crucified...to suffer for us."
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A Patient Lent
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Peter 2:21–23
Jesus was able to be patient with his accusers and attackers because he did not entrust himself to their judgment but to him who judges justly.
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Spiritual Sustenance
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 4:1–4
We do not live by the nourishment of the body alone. We also need spiritual sustenance, or as Jesus says, "that word that proceeds from the mouth of God"
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Our Promise
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 4:5–7
Be careful that you are not tempted to believe twisted Scriptures, especially when it concerns false promises for your soul. Christ alone is our Promise.
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The Same Submission
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Galatians 5:13–14
All works of love, then, must be directed, as commanded, to our needy neighbors. In these lowly ones we are to find, love, serve, and honor God.
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God's Bare Word
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 15:21–23a
The bare Word of God is what must make the difference for us — not disappointment or glee or any other feeling. Cling to the Word alone!
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Crumbs of Faith
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 15:21–28
The law condemns but the gospel takes away all despair, so that, even if one has only some crumbs of faith, she may believe and be a child of God.
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The Unbelieving Heart
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 11:24–26
The wastelands of unclean spirits are nothing more than unbelieving hearts, Evil is anxious to return home, so keep believing and exercising your faith.
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The Beginning of Salvation
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Genesis 8:20–22
Everyone — even old Noah, your pastor, and your child — is a sinner who can do nothing without God's assistance. Admit it, and salvation begins.
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More and More
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:1
There should be a grateful and increasing degree of perfection in the doctrines we have received, perceiving our errors and striving to mend our ways.
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Don't Neglect It
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 5:20–6:1
Read the Bible on your own, for sure. But get yourself to church to hear the Word read and proclaimed among God's community. He speaks there.
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The Cleansed Conscience
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Hebrews 9:13–14
One needs more than purification of the body in order to be at peace with God. The conscience must be cleansed by faith in the shed blood of Jesus.
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Suffering Fools
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 11:19–20
There have been and will always be those who would take advantage of your liberty in Christ, insisting you must do this and that to be saved.
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The Strong Man
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 11:14
Jesus Christ is the "strong man" who uses his gospel word to overpower the dumb, deaf, blind, and demon-possessed, converting where he wills.
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All the More Reason
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Ephesians 5:1–3
We are weak in the flesh, yes, but this is all the more reason to strive for purity and to live in holiness since Christ Jesus has made us holy.
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The Pious Pastor
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: John 8:45–47
The preacher must not present an obstacle to the Word that results from his life, and especially from his doctrine, so they refuse to believe because of him.
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The Office of Disgrace
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: John 8:48–49
The office of the ministry will always be disgraced by some, as Christ Jesus himself was dishonored, simply because his Word is proclaimed as truth.
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The Acceptable Time
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 6:1–2
Whatever day it is, the promise of the gospel abounds for you, making it the acceptable day for your salvation. Believe! and it will be a brand new day.
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The Blessed Dead
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Genesis 4:8–10
God has no desire to forget us and so, those who love the Lord will live on in his memory and in another, blessed life so that we may remain in his love.
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A Proper Response
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Genesis 4:8–9
Be careful how you respond to God when he confronts you with your sins, especially when it involves your neighbor, or family, your closest neighbors.
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Unthwarted
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Genesis 4:10–11
Nothing would thwart God's plan, not even Adam's and Eve's disobedience — our our own. He has promised a Savior, and delivered on his promise.
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Uncovenanted Mercy
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Genesis 4:15
God may show mercy even to the unjust so that they may have time to repent and know the full and certain assurance of his love and care.
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East of Eden
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Genesis 4:16
Lack of faith is what drives us East of Eden, away from the presence of God, the communion of saints, the church, Christ's kingdom, and eternal life.
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Who Do You Trust?
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Genesis 4:23–24
We are to turn the other cheek, trusting in God above all things — even government, even ourselves — that he will avenge wrongdoing.
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Another Son
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Genesis 4:25
God will keep his promise that the seed of the woman will bruise the head of the serpent, establishing Seth in that line that would herald the Savior.
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All Things
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 2 Peter 2:5
We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things, trusting him through his Word, more than feelings, works, or even his good gifts.
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Imitators of God
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Ephesians 5:1–2
Like children imitating their parents, we should imitate God, especially in doing good things for our neighbors so that the Father is glorified in us.
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Our Only Hope
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: John 6:40
This is our hope — our only hope: Christ Jesus — that we might believe in him, and having such faith, come to see him on that great and glorious Day.
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Holding Faith
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: John 8:51
Life is sometimes difficult, so we must hold firmly in faith to the word and promises of God in Jesus Christ found in the Scriptures, The Holy Bible.
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You Crucified Him
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Isaiah 53:4–7
It is the sin of all who have ever lived — including you and me — that sent Christ Jesus to the cross to pay the ransom for of a whole world of sinners.
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A Thorn in the Flesh
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 12:7–10
In order to keep our focus on God, instead of on self, we are sometimes given a gift: an affliction of the flesh that makes us rely upon God.
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The Light of Men
Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: John 1:1–4
Whoever disregards the life of Christ on earth, wishing to find eternal life in some other way than he accomplished for us, fails to find salvation.
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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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Consider Him
Reading the Word with Luther
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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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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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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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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Faithful Dependence
Reading the Word with Luther
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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Believing the Unbelievable
Reading the Word with Luther
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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Call on Him
Reading the Word with Luther
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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