The Small Catechism – part 194
Scripture Text: Hebrews 10:17–18
Baptism is something God does to and for us. It is not our offering to God, as though God is a theatergoer soothed by our performance. It is not something we do in order to appease God.
The Small Catechism – part 193
Scripture Text: Genesis 17:11
The promise of God is for all people. Circumcision was a signal that there is something greater than the shedding of human blood. We are meant to look to something far greater.
The Small Catechism – part 192
Scripture Text: Hebrews 9:15
All our sins are drowned in Christian baptism, for the “old man” was buried with Christ in his death (Rom 6:3). At first blush, this hardly seems fair.
The Small Catechism – part 190
Scripture Text: John 4:50
“Thy will be done.” We may pray this, meaning, “Please, Lord, do my will. Make my will your own.” Instead, our weekly, if not daily, prayer must also be a confession to ourselves that it is God’s will that must be done.
The Small Catechism – part 189
Scripture Text: Hebrews 7:1–3
God has made believers a kingdom of priests (Isa 61:6; Exod 19:6; 1 Pet 2:9; Rev 1:6). Priests are the ones who receive the tithe from subordinates, as Melchizedek did from Abraham.
The Small Catechism – part 188
Scripture Text: Hebrews 6:13
Who has commanded us to pray in the manner of the Lord’s Prayer than God himself? And whose name, whose reputation, is higher than God’s. No one’s name is greater, so we may pray with confidence.
“Resurrection of the Body”
Scripture Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
Christ has redeemed everything we might consider corrupt, so the flesh, though it undergo decay or be consumed by fire, will be raised by the power of God.
Concerning the Church
Scripture Text: Romans 13:1-7
It is important for us to distinguish between the two kingdoms—the kingdom of God and worldly kingdoms. Both Church and State are under God’s authority but they serve different ends.
Concerning the Church
Scripture Text: Matthew 28:18-20
Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions urge us to be not only wary of false teachers and ministers, but to have nothing to do with them.
The Small Catechism – part 187
Scripture Text: Hebrews 3:12
Is there anything more evil than the human heart? “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
The Small Catechism – part 186
Scripture Text: Hebrews 3:11
The ancient Hebrews were being led out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and into a land of rest—a place where they would no longer be in bondage.
The Small Catechism – part 185
Scripture Text: Genesis 4:7
Sin is lurking in our doorways every day. Therefore, we must be certain it does not to rule over us. The idea here is not that Cain, and we too, somehow work hard enough to stop sinning.
The Small Catechism – part 184
Scripture Text: Hebrews 5:9–10
Jesus, sinless and therefore perfect in our minds, was nevertheless perfected through his suffering on the cross. Because of this perfecting, God designated his Son as our great High Priest.
The Small Catechism – part 183
Scripture Text: John 1:16
Life, and with it rescue from all evil, comes through the Living Word. Everlasting life comes only through him who is the life and light of humanity, when each person receives him by believing in him.
The Small Catechism – part 182
Scripture Text: Jeremiah 23:6
Do not be tempted to believe the claims others make about what you need to do in order to be saved. Instead, hang on with faith in what Christ did for you.
The Small Catechism – part 181
Scripture Text: Colossians 1:27
Temptations come in different forms. Typically, we think of them as being interior, compulsions of the mind or heart. But temptations are exterior as well, sometimes coming from the persuasive speeches of false preachers, or even friends and family.
The Small Catechism – part 180
Scripture Text: Colossians 1:21–23
How are we to be protected from the devil, or from the world, or even from our own corrupt nature? Can we provide our own protection? Are we able to purchase it with our deeds or those of someone else with the same debased disposition?
The Small Catechism – part 179
Scripture Text: Colossians 1:12–14
It is tempting to merely ask God to deliver us from urges to rebel against authorities, to hurt someone, commit adultery, steal, lie, or desire what belongs to others.
The Small Catechism – part 178
Scripture Text: Revelation 21:23
In eternity, the righteous will shine like the sun (Matt 13:43); but, I wonder, why should we wait for eternity? Let us burn brightly now. I know; I know. You ask, How can I, a poor sinner, blaze with such glory?
The Small Catechism – part 177
Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:31–32
It is our Christian duty to absolve one another (Matt 6:14–15; John 20:23; James 5:16), as Christ has forgiven us. Before we come to his table, we must graciously extend his peace to all.
The Small Catechism – part 176
Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:4–6
The unity of the church begins and ends with God. Her unity is the Spirit’s work—not yours or mine. Christ’s Spirit unites the church.
The Small Catechism – part 175
Scripture Text: Revelation 19:11–13
We are not forsaken, for we have a righteous deliverer, riding in on the horse of a champion and conqueror. The war he wages is cosmic, a battle with death itself.
The Small Catechism – part 174
Scripture Text: Colossians 1:13–14
Where I come from, it is illegal for drivers to make a turn without signaling. You may receive a ticket for failing to turn on that blinker.
The Small Catechism – part 173
Scripture Text: 2 John 8–9
One may believe in Christ, a sort of historical or even biblical knowledge of him, but still, not believe on him. Believing in him may require nothing more than one would by believing in anyone or anything else.
The Small Catechism – part 172
Scripture Text: 1 John 5:12
When we pray for our daily bread, we are only asking for what God has already promised. We confess this in the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed.
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