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April 29, 2001
Pastor: Wayne C. Eichstadt
Confirmands’ Confessional Service:
WE ARE BLESSED WITH THE MEANS OF GRACE!
Welcome and Introduction:
Welcome to this special worship service in which our 8 confirmands will review the teachings of God’s Word and confess what the Holy Spirit has led them to believe concerning that Word of God. As you hear these truths again reviewed and confessed, it is our prayer that you too will be strengthened in true faith, and likewise edified toward an even more bold confession of God’s Truth in your lives. To that end we ask for the Lord’s blessing upon our service as we conduct this service in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
As natural-born sinners, we are in great need of God’s grace and salvation. God in His mercy has brought grace and salvation to us through the Gospel. This morning we consider how greatly WE ARE BLESSED WITH THE MEANS OF GRACE!
Rebecca Redlin will begin our consideration of this great blessing by showing us that we all have need for the "Means of Grace."
Grace is God’s undeserved kindness and love. Our Father shows us His graciousness by preserving us and protecting and guarding us. The tool the Holy Spirit uses to create and preserve faith is called "the Means of Grace." In Ephesians chapter 2:8 it is written, “For by grace you have been saved through faith…” Grace is sent to us through the Means of Grace which is the Gospel. The Gospel comes to us in the Word and Sacraments, including the Lord’s Supper and Baptism.
The Gospel is "good news." The word is used in the Bible to describe the good news about the love of God in Christ Jesus, who died on the cross to save all people from their sin. The Gospel tells us of God’s grace and announces the forgiveness of our sins through Christ who saves.
However, the Law, which is the Word of God that tells us what to do, what not to do, and the punishment for breaking God’s Law, condemns our souls to eternal damnation.
For this reason, the saving words of salvation can only be found in the Gospel. As Paul says in 2 Timothy, the 15th verse of the 3rd chapter, “…from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
The Holy Spirit sanctifies, or sets us apart from sin. He does this through the Means of Grace, again, the Gospel in Word and Sacrament. The Holy Spirit uses the Gospel to create faith in our hearts and to preserve faith in the one true God, which leads to eternal life through His Son, Jesus. Thus, the Gospel is the only way to salvation, for in it, the Father has promised His undying love and redemption, found only in His Son. As the Apostle Paul has written in the 8th and 9th verses of the 1st chapter in 2 Timothy, “…share with me in the sufferings for the Gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace…”
RECITATION: 10 commandments ~ When we compare our lives with God’s law, the law acts as a mirror and shows us our sin. The 10 commandments are a summary of God’s law. The confirmands will now recite the commandments together with Martin Luther’s explanation of them.
CONFESSION OF SINS & ABSOLUTION: Having heard God’s expectations and knowing how we fall short, please rise to join in making confession of your sins…
Pastor & Cong: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have strayed from Your ways like lost sheep. We have followed the devices and desires of our hearts. We have offended against Your holy law. We have done those things which we should not have done, and we have not done those things which we should have done. Have mercy on us, O Lord! Spare us and restore us, according to the promises You have declared to us in Jesus Christ our Lord. For His sake grant that we may live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of Your holy name.
Pastor: The almighty and merciful Lord has granted you pardon and forgiveness for all your sins, grace for true repentance, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Hymn: 285 ~ How Precious is the Book Divine
The Gospel is the means by which God brings His grace to us. Paul Nolting will explain how the Gospel comes to us through the WORD of God.
What is the Message of the Gospel?
The message of the Gospel is the story of how by God’s great love and mercy, He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to sacrifice Himself in our place to take away the punishment of our sins, eternal death in Hell, and to give us eternal life in Heaven. Jesus said this in John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
To save us from our sins, Jesus had to be under the Law and live a perfect life so he could fulfill God’s expectations which we have failed to do. Jesus had to be a perfect sacrifice in order to pay the debt of our sins. No man could do this. God says this in Psalm 49:7, “None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him, for the redemption of their souls is costly.” Therefore, Jesus had to be true God in order to be a perfect sacrifice, and Jesus had to be true man because God can’t die and is above the law. The only way for Jesus to be true God and true man was for Him to be born of God and man. To do this, the Holy Spirit caused Jesus to be conceived in the virgin Mary.
During Jesus’ life on earth, He preached to the people that He was the Savior from all sin. Some followed Jesus and some did not. Eventually, the people who were against Jesus arrested Him, and falsely accusing Him, they crucified Him. After three days, Jesus rose from the dead assuring to us that our sins are forgiven and that we also will rise from the dead. Because Jesus has died a perfect and innocent death, He bought us back from our sins so we could inherit eternal life in Heaven.
Why is the Word necessary to create faith in a sinner’s heart?The Gospel is where all faith begins. When people hear or read the Gospel in God’s Word, the Holy Spirit creates faith in their hearts. God says in Romans 10:17, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” As believers read the Gospel more and more it builds up their faith in Christ and sustains it. Someone can believe in a god but if they don’t believe in Jesus and the Gospel they do not believe in the true God and will not inherit the kingdom of Heaven. But all who believe in the Gospel will be saved.
As believers, what does God want us to do with the Gospel?
During Jesus’ life on earth, He gave God’s blessing to the people by teaching them the Gospel. Now that Jesus is no longer living on earth as a man, His work of preaching and teaching the people must be fulfilled by you, me, and all other believers still on earth. Throughout your life you will have many opportunities to spread the Gospel such as inviting your friends to church, giving Bibles to people, volunteering your time to teach the Gospel, and donating money for mission work. The Gospel can be taught each and every day and the result will be that someone’s life will be saved from everlasting punishment and be moved to everlasting paradise.
RECITATION: The Apostles’ Creed…I invite the congregation to join in confessing our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed. At the end of each article, the confirmands will recite Luther’s explanation, after which we will continue by confessing the next article...
The Gospel comes to us through the Word, but God has also given us two Sacraments through which He also brings the Gospel to us. The first of these sacraments is Baptism. Joe Haddad will tell us what Baptism is and also describe the blessings it brings.
What is Baptism?
Baptism is the washing away of sin by water and the Word. Jesus instituted Baptism when He said, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
Baptism is one of the Sacraments. A sacrament is a word we use to define a sacred act, instituted by Christ, using earthly elements to give spiritual blessings. The Bible tells us baptism is a washing with water but it doesn’t instruct us to apply the water in any particular way. So, when baptizing, we may immerse, sprinkle, or pour the water on the ones being baptized.
How does baptism receive its power?
Baptism has the power to make a believer out of an unbeliever. This wonderful gift is something no human being could do. AS the Bible says, “That Christ might sanctify and cleanse the Church with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:25,26). Also baptism is worthless without the Triune God. As Jesus said, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
What are the blessings of baptism?
The blessings of baptism are all the blessings we receive by God’s grace through the work of Christ. These blessings include that we have the forgiveness of sins and salvation because of what we know Christ Jesus did for us. So then we do not need to fear death. Just as the Bible says in 1 Peter 3:1, “For Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit”." So we know Jesus did die for our sin. Also, Baptism creates faith in us to believe so we will want to hear the Word of God. So altogether, Baptism enlightens or makes it possible for us to see what Jesus has done for us, the Holy Spirit creates faith in us to believe. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16a). If you are baptized but reject Christ through unbelief, you will not receive these blessings. “But he who does not believe is condemned” (Mark 16:16b)
Why do we baptize?
We baptize because Jesus commands us to do so in Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…” So baptism is one way we make disciples of God and in this way bring others to His family. We are naturally sinners and in great need of the blessings which Jesus gives through Baptism.
Emily Briese continues the discussion of Baptism by who is to be baptized and who is to do the baptizing.
Whom do we baptize?
Everyone has a need to be baptized and everyone needs that to be fulfilled. Christ wants ALL people to be baptized. As He says in Matthew 28:19-20, “…Go, therefore, and make disciples of ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Since we know that Christ commanded baptism for all people, what is the difference between the baptism of an adult and the baptism of a child?
There is no difference in the baptism between an adult and a child, but we do prepare them for baptism in different ways.
Children are born in sin. By baptizing them, faith is created and the forgiveness of sins comes to the child through that faith. Children are first baptized and then taught the Word of God. But, if instruction in God’s Word doesn’t take place after Baptism then the faith which Baptism created will die.
With adults, we first teach them the Word of God and then baptize them. Baptism gives blessings to adults who have already been brought to faith by the Word.
Who can baptize others?
Christ gave the command to baptize to His disciples. The disciples are all who believe. This means that any believer in Christ may baptizes.
There may be a time when an emergency baptism is necessary. If this were to happen all it takes is water and the Word for it to be a baptism. Pastors usually perform the baptism to make sure everything is done in order, but no believer should be afraid to do it. If such an emergency should ever arise, you would need only to take water, pour it on the head of the child/person and say, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism is something that only needs to be done once, and yet its blessings continue for a lifetime. Talia Earle concludes our consideration of Baptism by explaining how the blessings of baptism play a day-to-day role in our lives.
What is the meaning of Baptism to those who are baptized?
We become members of God’s family, which means we receive many blessings and have hope of eternal life with Him. As the Bible says in Galatians 3:26-27, “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”. We become part of Christ’s body along with all believers. This means that we are still part of Christ (even long after the actual baptism). The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 12:13, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.”
Since I have become a child of God through baptism, what should I do?
I should drown the Old Adam, that is our sinful flesh, which makes us want to sin against God’s Word. It should be drowned by daily repentance so the new man can arise. The New Man is the spiritual nature that comes to us through the Holy Spirit by the Gospel. The New Man wills us to do what the Savior wants us to do. As the Bible says in Colossians 3:9-10, “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created Him.”
Of what does baptism assure me so I know that I am saved from the Devil?
We can be assured of forgiveness of sins and look forward to eternal life and happiness with God in heaven. As the Bible says in Romans 6:4, “Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
RECITATION: Martin Luther compiled these truths concerning Baptism into a 4-part explanation. The confirmands will now recite Luther’s explanation of Baptism.
HYMN: 751 ~ God’s Own Child I Gladly Say It!
Thus far, we have heard that God brings the Means of Grace—the Gospel—to us through the Word and the Sacrament of Baptism. God also brings the Gospel to us through the Lord’s Supper. Peter Busse reminds us of what the Lord’s Supper is, describes the scriptural teaching of the "Real Presence," and also identifies the blessings which we receive through the Lord’s Supper.
The Lord’s Supper is also called the Sacrament of the Altar. The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus. The institution of the Lord’s Supper is recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians. After Jesus celebrated His last Passover meal with His disciples on Maundy Thursday (the night on which He was arrested), He took bread from the Passover meal, blessed and broke it and gave it to His disciples saying, “Take eat. This is My body.” Then Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks and gave it to them saying, “This is My blood of the new covenant which is shed for the remission of sins”
The earthly elements in the Lord’s Supper are the bread and the wine. There are three general beliefs concerning the Lord’s Supper. The first of these is Representation. Representation is the belief that the bread and wine in the Sacrament only represent Christ’s body and blood. This is not scriptural because Christ says, “This IS My body” and “This IS My blood” and “IS” means “IS!”
Another belief is Transubstantiation. Transubstantiation is the belief that the bread and wine in the Sacrament actually become the body and blood of Christ. This is not Scriptural because Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:16, “The cup which we bless is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” "Communion" means a "coming together" or sharing of two or more things. This means that the body and bread are together and have to be together; and the wine and the blood are together and have to be together. The bread, body, wine, and blood all have to be present in order for the communion to exist.
The Lord’s Supper works for our blessing by forgiving us our sins. Christ’s death on the cross assures us that our sins are forgiven and that we have life and salvation. When we receive the Lord’s Supper, we are receiving part of the price which Jesus paid to save us. He paid it with His body and blood.
The Lord’s Supper gets its power from the words of Jesus, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." Christ’s powerful word assures that we are receiving His body and blood, and His powerful word of promise assures us that our sins are forgiven.
When we take the Lord’s Supper we are also proclaiming and remembering what Christ did for us. 1 Corinthians 11:26 says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”
RECITATION: Just as with Baptism, Luther also wrote a 4-part explanation of the Lord’s Supper, which the confirmands will now recite….
Jesus not only instituted the Lord’s Supper, but He also gives instructions to us for its proper use. Unlike Baptism and the preaching of the Word, the Lord’s Supper is not intended for everyone. Alex Hanel will speak of how the Lord has instructed to properly prepare for and use the Lord’s Supper….
Why does God want a participant in the Lord’s Supper to be prepared?
God says we should baptize all people in His name. He also says we should preach the Word to all people. The Lord’s Supper is different, however. God tells us a communicant needs to be prepared before we can give him the Lord’s Supper.
According to God’s Word, preparation is necessary for the Lord’s Supper in order to make sure the communicant is worthy to receive it. A communicant who is unworthy will be eating Christ’s body and blood, but he will be sinning while doing it and getting no blessing.
A person who is worthy and prepared is receiving Christ’s body and blood for his blessing which is forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.
St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:27,29, “Therefore, whoever eats of this bread or drinks of this cup in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord…for he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”
What makes a communicant properly prepared?
A person is only prepared if he believes that he is a sinner and realizes he needs forgiveness for his sins. This means he knows he has sinned against God and deserves hell eternally, but he confessed his sins and is sincerely repentant of them. To be worthy, a communicant needs to have faith in Jesus Christ who is giving the forgiveness of sins. This means he believes Jesus will give him forgiveness of sins and he trusts that it will save him. He also needs to have faith that it is truly Jesus’ body and blood in the Sacrament. This means he knows it is Christ’s body and blood in the Sacrament and not just bread and wine, and he trusts Christ’s promise of forgiveness of sins.
Whom could we not commune according to God’s Word?
We could not commune someone who did not repent of his sins. We could not commune someone who did not believe in the Real Presence. We could also not commune someone if he was unprepared for Communion.
The Lord says we should practice self-examination. This means we need to examine ourselves to see if we are ready for the Lord’s Supper. Some examples of people we could not properly commune are: A child who was not instructed and someone who is senile and could not examine himself. St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:28, “But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup.” You should daily examine yourself even though you do not commune every day.
What is "Close Communion?"
Close Communion is the general practice that we do not commune everyone. This is according to God’s Word. We will only commune those who share the same faith and confession. The congregation consists of many, yet we are one in Communion. St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:17, “For we being many are one bread and one body for we all partake of that one bread.” God wants us to be united in fellowship and belief in Christ. Paul says to the Corinthians, “That you all speak the same thing…that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
RECITATION: Martin Luther prepared a series of questions for a Christian to use in self-examination and preparation for the Lord’s Supper. The confirmands will recite the "Christian Questions" and you will notice that they speak of the three areas of self-examination mentioned by Alex—namely, confession of sins, faith in Christ, and a scriptural belief of the Lord’s Supper.
Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Text: Ephesians 4:11-16
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
In Christ Jesus through whom God has demonstrated His grace toward us, dear fellow-redeemed:
Often times we are better at identifying problems, needs, troubles, or sickness in someone else and suggesting a remedy, than we are at finding those same types of problems in ourselves. We are like the person who tells a family member: "Stop being so stubborn, you really should go to the doctor with that, its getting serious." And then a few months later when that person is the sick one he says, "No, I don’t need to go to the doctor…I’ll be just fine, its nothing too serious."
We might tend to do the same thing with the Gospel. We are INTENT on teaching God’s Word to the children, and rightfully so. We are INTENT on getting the Gospel out into the world, and rightfully so. We may be INTENT in hearing the Word of God on a weekly basis and coming to worship, and rightfully so; but then when it comes to actually USING the WORD with one another, conversing on average day about God’s Word and applying it with others, there we might not find ourselves quite so productive.
As part of our meditation on God’s blessings through the Means of Grace, we consider that we use the Means of Grace among ourselves to EDIFY ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE.
Throughout time God has provided spiritual shepherds for His people. The apostle Paul mentioned prophets, apostles, evangelists, pastors, teachers. To that list we could add Sunday School teachers, Deacons, and other Board members. All of those whom God places in leadership roles within His congregation are gifts from Him to assist the whole body in accomplishing the work of the ministry.
Whether it is a pastor’s work, or the apostles of yesteryear, or a board member or a Sunday School teacher of today—whatever role each of us might play—the goal is always the same: The edifying of the body of Christ! That we all come to the unity of faith…that we should no longer be tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine…but, that we may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ…every part doing its share, causing growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” [vv12ff]
Jesus gave each one of you the authority and privilege to use the Gospel. All of the power and blessings that have been described by the confirmands are at YOUR disposal. They are YOURS to USE! God has given you each, individually, the MEANS OF GRACE to comfort, to uphold, to encourage, to edify and build up one another.
We use the Means of Grace whenever we reassure a fellow Christian that his sins are forgiven. Jesus gave us the authority to do this when He said, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:23).
We may use this Gospel assurance in a more general way. The Gospel is the perfect tool to uplift and encourage one another. We can encourage one another by showing our fellow Christians the joy of the Gospel – lifting them up with the joy of salvation when their spirits are down. Paul wrote to the Colossians, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:10).
Scripture is also given for correction and instruction in righteousness (cf: 2 Timothy 3:16). Part of the importance of using the Gospel among ourselves is to correct one another in a Christ-like manner, that is, to find sin and correct it, but to do so with love for the soul and reassurance of forgiveness when there is repentance. It is important that we use the truth of God’s Word to instruct one another in our faith and Christian lives.
The world wants to build up walls around each individual: "Don’t come in here! Don’t mess with me! I want to do this on my own!" The bond of Christ is so DIFFERENT. The bond of Christ means that we are involved with one another, caring for one another, ministering to one another with the Gospel. It means shoring up the weak so that they’re not tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine. It means reassuring the guilty conscience, instructing so that we are built up and grow together in the body of Christ. And its not just the pastor…its YOU – each of you toward one another. It is YOUR privilege to use this Means of Grace in whatever way possible that the body of Christ may be edified of itself in love. [v.16]
This even applies to everyday conversation. When you’re talking about the weather, remember! God controls the weather. When the weather has been a special blessing, Remember! and talk about that blessing. Use the Gospel with one another!
When you’re talking about your children or your grandchildren, Recall! how it is God who gives you those gifts. Recall! how it is God who likewise gives gifts to those children and grandchildren so they are able to do the wonderful things that they do. Use the Gospel in your day-to-day conversation.
When you’re talking about the job, or the promotion, or the raise, thank God—use the Gospel with one another. Or if it’s the other way around and finances are tight or a job is being lost, use the Gospel to reaffirm that God will provide!
The Gospel is the Means of Grace that brings us together. It is the means that God will use to keep us together, but only if we USE it with one another.
DON’T be afraid of sharing a comment about God’s Word with someone else. We should be eager to work the Gospel into our conversations and lives. We should welcome others bringing it to us as we will also want to eagerly take it to them.
In a few moments we will sing the hymn: "For All the Saints Who From Their Labors Rest." This hymn speaks of the WHOLE church of Christ and the union between those who have gone before and those of us who are still struggling in this life. This is a tight bond that not even death can divide! We are joined together in the body of Christ. How is that done? How can that be possible? It’s all done through the Gospel!!
How did those saints of years gone-by persevere and conquer in this world so that they now have attained eternal glory? By the Gospel…using the Means of Grace in the Church of Christ! Just as surely as the Gospel brought those saints of old safely through the tribulation of this earth; just as certainly as the Gospel gave them courage to "fight on" in the face of temptation and hardship, so it will build us up. It will likewise strengthen us until that distant triumph song draws near, and our own golden evening brightens in the west, and our Savior welcomes each one of us to eternal rest.
Until that glorious day—use the Means of Grace with one another…EDIFY ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE! Amen.
RECITATION: Jesus gave all believers the use the Gospel among one another by giving them the authority to forgive sins. This is explained in the confirmands recitation of the Office of the Keys and Confession…
Hymn: 463 (1,3-5,8) ~ For All the Saints who from Their Labors Rest
God has given us the Means of Grace to use with one another, but the Gospel is also to be used in the world. Daniel Pfeiffer concludes our meditation on the Means of Grace by speaking of our use of the Gospel in the world.
Why do we share the Means of Grace with other people?
We share the Means of Grace with others because we want to bring others to faith in Christ Jesus. It is important that we do this because if we did not they would live in fear. They would live in fear because if they do not believe in Christ they will go to hell. However, some people might not live in fear because they say that they fear nothing. These people would live with their guilt of sin. This will lead to no hope for eternal life. We have the motivation to speak this because we know we might make a difference in their lives by the Holy Spirit
We should care to be involved because we have love for their souls and want them to go to heaven, and not be condemned to hell. We also want to strengthen faith so that he can with the Holy Spirit fight off the temptations of the Devil, world, and our flesh so that they will not cause him to fall into unbelief. St. Peter writes in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant, for your adversary the Devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.”
We also want to be involved because it shows our faith to that person. Our actions show that we believe. James writes in James 2:18, “You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works.”
How do we use the Means of Grace in the world and how are we able to recognize when we should use it?
When we use the Means of Grace in the world we need to talk about how Jesus saved us from our sins because the belief in forgiveness is what saves.
To know what to say we need to study the Bible for it will make you wise. It makes you wise because you can use the passages to strengthen and correct faith as St. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:15-16, “From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
Our opportunities to use the Gospel occur throughout our life. To become a Pastor or teacher is a good way to preach to others. Someone who is not a pastor or teacher can and will want to talk about Jesus saving us from our sins by dying on the cross. All believers need to be involved with sharing the Gospel because it shows our faith by our actions to the people to whom we preach. God desires us to share the Gospel with everyone, so that they might believe by the Holy Spirit. St. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2:3-4, “God our Savior desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
As we preach God’s Word, how do we know if we should use Gospel or Law?
We should use the Gospel if someone is unsure of their forgiveness or to strengthen faith. Some people might say that they are not included in forgiveness, but we can tell them that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. St. John writes, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the WORLD!” (John 1:29).
We will use the Law to correct those who take sin lightly. The Law shows the person his sin. Sin can cause a person to fall into unbelief, because it weakens our faith and then the Devil enters and tempts us.
God wants us to preach the whole counsel of God, but it is the Gospel which saves us. It is a blessing to be able to preach the Gospel. St. Paul writes in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God to salvation to all who believe.”
Offertory Hymn: 283 ~ God’s Word is Our Great Heritage
Offering Prayer
We give thee but thine own, whatever the gift may be
All that we have is Thine alone—a trust, O Lord, from Thee.
May we thy bounties thus, as stewards true, receive
And gladly as thou blessest us, to thee our firstfruits give. Amen.
Prayer
Lord God, we praise Your great and glorious name for providing salvation full and free for us sinners. Help us always to treasure and never take for granted the undeserved love which You shower upon us through the Gospel. Keep each of us in mind of our baptism each day, so that we may live fittingly as Your children and chase away all doubts and worry with the assurance that you are our loving Father. Bless our studies and meditations in Your Word, and give us renewed strength of faith through the Lord’s Supper.
Especially for our confirmands we pray, asking that you keep them firmly confessing and believing the truths which You have revealed in Your Word and which they have presented this morning. As they prepare to make their confirmation vows next week, dwell in their hearts so that they may make their promises in all sincerity; and then by your grace keep them faithful to their confirmation vows.
We also thank You for the grace shown to Charles Peterson in his life. Thank You for giving him a time of grace in such measure that when it drew to a close early this morning, Charles was found in You and was therefore taken home to heaven. Be with his family, we pray, giving them the everlasting comfort of knowing that our Savior revealed in the Gospel is the resurrection and the life—and so we shall ever be with the Lord.
All these things we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Benediction
Closing Hymn: 52 ~ Almighty Father, Bless the Word & 644 ~ Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
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Immanuel Lutheran Church 421 North Second Street Mankato, Minnesota 56001 |
Church Office: (507) 345-3027 Pastor Nolting: (507) 387-7035 Pastor Eichstadt: (507) 344-0898 |