Posted in March 2024

Though Not I

A Sermon for Easter

Scripture Text: Isaiah 25:6–9; Psalm 16:1–11; 1 Corinthians 15:1–11; Mark 16:1–8

Concerning Monastic Vows – part 10

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Galatians 6:1–2

Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Paul then said, “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

Concerning Monastic Vows – part 9

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Colossians 2:16–19

If our religion is one that earns forgiveness of sin and eternal life through religious devotion, services, and other good works, then we slander faith in Christ, just as the religious authorities in Jerusalem spurned Christ himself.

Concerning Monastic Vows – part 8

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:8–9

Years ago, my Dad took me to a Cincinnati Reds baseball game. On the way, we ate at a restaurant he liked. Over his protests, I bought my meal...

Why It's a Good Friday

A sermon for Good Friday

Scripture Text: Isaiah 52:13–53:12

More than Bread and Wine

A Sermon for Maundy Thursday, Year B

Scripture Text: Exodus 24:3-11; Psalm 22:1–31; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; Mark 14:12-26

Concerning Monastic Vows – part 7

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Exodus 20:2–3

What does God want? What does he want more than anything? What does God want from us “above all things”? He wants us. He wants our hearts, our trust, so that he may bless us.

Concerning Monastic Vows – part 6

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Galatians 5:4–6

Instead of “circumcision,” one might as well say “vows” or any other legalism — the idea is the same. Neither vows nor a lack of vows counts for anything. Only faith matters.

Concerning Monastic Vows – part 5

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 3:13–16

What a trial the Lutheran Reformers faced; we can hardly imagine such an issue in our modern culture. Back and forth the arguments went, first being written out, edited by peers, then written again and again until all could be in agreement with the document before sending it on to Rome.

Concerning Monastic Vows – part 4

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 19:16–26

So-called evangelical perfection is the keeping of all God’s commands. Let us consider three points in this regard. First, being in a monastic order does not equal “evangelical perfection” any more than does membership in a particular denomination.

Concerning Monastic Vows – part 3

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 15:7–9

It is an easy enough trap to fall into. One imagines he is being religious but his religion is based on human traditions. Anything can happen now—and will, as was evidenced by Christians being slaughtered at the hands of the Church.

Prisoners of Hope

A Sermon for Palm Sunday, Year B

Scripture Text: Zechariah 9:9–12; Psalm 118:19–29; Philippians 2:5–11; John 12:12–19

Concerning Monastic Vows – part 2

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Luke 12:16–21

Greed always ends in activity that is unfitting for Christians and harmful to the Church. What begins in the heart seeps out into character and behavior.

Concerning Monastic Vows – part 1

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 15:4–6

There are abuses in churches because there are people in churches. Sinners bring their problems and opinions with them and share them with everyone present. Of course, we should speak against certain abuses, using Scripture to reason with folks.

Concerning the Mass – part 81

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Colossians 3:12–17

It is a tightrope. We are taught to be patient and gentle, loving one another with humility and forgiveness. At the same time, we are to admonish one another from the Scripture.

Concerning the Mass – part 80

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 3:21–26

The righteousness of faith is a most blessed, gracious gift of God. Through this righteousness, we honor him and possess a constant comfort against sin and death.

Concerning the Mass – part 79

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Judges 2:12–13

If you think that salvation is earned by the works you do, you either have become your own god or you have followed another false god. If you are able to save yourself from judgment by doing certain works...you have become your own god.

Concerning the Mass – part 78

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 1:8–9

Aerius was a fourth century bishop of Sabaste in Pontus (modern day Sivas in the Black Sea area of Turkey). His teachings about offerings for the dead not being part of the Mass labeled his as a heretic by most of the church.

Concerning the Mass – part 77

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 4:23–24

Worship in the New Testament is done “in spirit and truth.” This kind of worship means that the active agent is the Spirit of God — not us. Our works do not count for anything.

Take and Drink

A Sermon for the Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year B

Scripture Text: Jeremiah 31:31–34; Psalm 119:9–16; Hebrews 5:1–10; Mark 10:32–45

Concerning the Mass – part 76

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Psalm 50:14–15

The ancients never intended to deliver the patriarch, prophets, and apostles from a so-called purgatory. They only wished to offer up thanks together with them for the blessings that have been given to them and to us,

Concerning the Mass – part 75

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Deuteronomy 4:2

Why is Scripture, or the Word of God, so important? Why is its authority paramount? It is the only objective way we have of knowing who God is, and of discerning his will among the countless voices demanding our attention.

Concerning the Mass – part 74

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Colossians 2:13–14

Using the Sacrament in a way that Christ did not intend, abuses and profanes his Holy Supper. Offering his blessed promises to the dead and to those who do not believe makes it an occasion for sin and judgment.

Walking through Holy Week

Readings from and comments on the Daily Lectionary

Scripture Text: Acts 17:11

Videos featuring readings from and comments on the Daily Lectionary will be posted daily, Sunday, March 24 – Saturday, March 30, 2024.

Concerning the Mass – part 73

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Isaiah 1:18

Ceremonies and rituals are nice. But a ceremony or a ritual is not fine in and of itself. For example, if I go through the motions of living with my wife but do not believe that she loves me, consider the relational benefits alone that are absent to me.

Concerning the Mass – part 72

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 5:1–2

Ceremonies and rituals are nice. But a ceremony or a ritual is not fine in and of itself. For example, if I go through the motions of living with my wife but do not believe that she loves me, consider the relational benefits alone that are absent to me.

Concerning the Mass – part 71

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Exodus 20:7

It is obvious that there is no verse of Scripture that would have us celebrate the sacrament in such a way that it promises benefits those who are dead.

Concerning the Mass – part 70

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 12:1–2

The word “bodies,” used in nearly every English translation of Romans 12:1, does not mean body in the way we think. The Greek somata means more than the physical.

Concerning the Mass – part 68

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Hebrews 10:11–14

The origin and therefore, original meaning of the term “Mass” is widely disputed. That it originates in the Latin word missa is not disputed. That word means “sending” or “dismissal.”

Concerning the Mass – part 69

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 21:21–22

There are many fine collections of prayers available. If a person reads those prayers but does not believe in God, are they effective prayers?

Concerning the Mass – part 67

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Acts 2:42

So, we have come to see that the liturgy of the Church is not a sacrifice at all. It is the whole service of worship that is done for the good of all present.

Concerning the Mass – part 66

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 12:1

The sacrifice, or re-sacrifice, of Christ is not to be added to Holy Communion. It cannot be added, since it has already been accomplished. However, we may add our own sacrifice...

Concerning the Mass – part 65

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Psalm 116:12–13

Liturgy does not mean sacrifice. It never meant that in secular Greek and in biblical Greek it is a word related to the ministry of the Church. The term “liturgy” means a required, public service that is of benefit to others.

Concerning the Mass – part 64

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 11:26

Though some call it the sacrifice of the Mass, it still would not mean that this service of thanksgiving, or Eucharist, bestows God’s grace upon people whether they have faith in him or not.

Concerning the Mass – part 63

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Hebrews 11:6

Faith is the byword of the Lutheran Reformation. The Church could only be reformed, shaped back to what it was meant to be, through faith in God. Each person receives forgiveness when they have faith in the forgiving God.

Concerning the Mass – part 62

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 1:17

In Confession and Absolution, we are to carefully consider our sins. We stare squarely into our souls and see who we truly are, and recognize that we are sinners.

Concerning the Mass – part 61

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Luke 22:19–20

Do your sins torment you? Go to the forgiver of sin. Do you fear eternal death? Go to the source of life. Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness? Then go to the table where the righteousness of another is served.

Concerning the Mass – part 60

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Hebrews 13:10–15

Faith is the very thing that determines the right to eat at the Lord’s table. A person must first examine himself to see whether he has faith to eat and drink.