Quinquagesima Sunday, 2012
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
Bethany Lutheran Church, 10
AM Central Time
The Hymn #657 Beautiful Savior 4:24
The Confession
of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual
The
Gospel
Glory be to
Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn # 364 How Sweet the Name 4:18
Treasures
The Hymn # 304 An Awful Mystery 4:6
The Preface p.
24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn # 462 I Love Thy Kingdom 4:21
KJV Joel 2:12 Therefore also
now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with
fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not
your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and
merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind
him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: 16 Gather
the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the
children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his
chamber, and the bride out of her closet. 17 Let the priests, the ministers of
the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy
people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen
should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their
God? 18 Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. 19
Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you
corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no
more make you a reproach among the heathen:
KJV Matthew 6:16 Moreover
when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they
disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto
you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head,
and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy
Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward
thee openly. 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and
where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also.
Quinquagesima Sunday
Lord God, heavenly Father, who didst manifest Thyself, with
the Holy Ghost, in the fullness of grace at the baptism of Thy dear Son, and
with Thy voice didst direct us to Him who hath borne our sins, that we might
receive grace and the remission of sins: Keep us, we beseech Thee, in the true
faith; and inasmuch as we have been baptized in accordance with Thy command,
and the example of Thy dear Son, we pray Thee to strengthen our faith by Thy
Holy Spirit, and lead us to everlasting life and salvation, through Thy beloved
Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy
Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
Treasures
Matthew 6:16 Moreover when
ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure
their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They
have their reward.
This Gospel lesson is
especially appropriate, just before Lent. I laughed to read that the Roman
Catholic Church got rid of the “gesima” names, because the Lutherans have
followed the Church of Rome in this regard. But Rome has retained the names for
the traditional Latin mass.
In other words, it is a
matter of marketing for Rome. The Lutherans are like the businesses that build
near a McDonad’s hamburger stand – the marketing has already been done for
them.
The seasons of the church
year developed through tradition, but they reflect the liturgy of true Judaism.
Genuine Judaism is not another religion but the foundation and first
proclamation of the Christian faith. All those who worshiped before the
Incarnation had a chance to see the Christ in the Scriptures, from Genesis to
the Psalms. Those who hear Judaism today also hear about Christ.
This lesson contrasts the
works of man with the gifts of God. The first sentence is a humorous commentary
on human behavior –
Matthew 6:16 Moreover when
ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure
their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They
have their reward.
Rare are those princely
gifts which are donated in secret these days. Every clever university has
categories of gifts, so someone can give in the measly category, the so-so
category, and the Awesome category. Board members come from the Awesome list.
It is a good way to network with others too, and to gain the respect of others.
17 But thou, when thou
fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men
to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in
secret, shall reward thee openly.
Jesus points out that people
engaged in real fasting would hide the fact from others, since it should not be
done to gain the admiration of the public. Those who gain their rewards from
man will not get them from the Father in heaven.
That teaches the concept of
good works based on the Gospel rather than the Law. The Scriptures urge good
works, but not to earn God’s favor, not to placate Him. Good works are the
fruit of the Gospel; they flow from faith. Many people do good works without
thinking of it, since everything done in faith glorifies God. The baby who
nurses or soils his diaper is glorifying God, since he has faith through Holy
Baptism.
This should not be
downplayed or disdained, since this lesson wants us to focus on God’s wisdom
rather than man’s vanity. There is a constant struggle to avoid worldly wisdom
and instead listen to the teaching of Holy Spirit in the Word.
Some signs of that struggle
are the clergy’s insistence that they -
and only they – can interpret the Word of God, because they have a degree in
the field (only a learner’s permit) and have actually studied Greek. That would
make every person in Athens a New Testament professor, since they are fluent in
Greek. No?
And many play the role of
clever politician – clergy and laymen alike – seeking the favor of man by
rejecting the revealed wisdom of God.
But what the world loves,
God despises. What God loves, the world despises. The ignored, forgotten
minister in Mustard Flats, Kansas, faithfully teaching the Word, is far more
important than the glorious hero of the media who is introducing his flock to
various toxins, a little at a time.
19 Lay not up for yourselves
treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break
through and steal:
The Moliners were comparing
notes about our last reunion. Two of the ladies got out their class rings,
after 45 years, and lost them in the festivities. They marveled about how they
kept them all that time and managed to lose them in such a short time.
I pointed out what someone
recently said, “Everything we own will belong to someone else in the future.”
So I added that other things
have far more value.
These words of Jesus should bear
down upon us each day, as Law to show us the temporary nature of material
things, but as Gospel to remind us of what lasts.
Every single thing we own –
owns us. If we really love one particular object, that object has a grip on us.
There is nothing wrong with loving art, or clothes, or books, or any other
delight God gives us. Jesus is not saying, “Give it all away, wear a long face,
and be a monk.”
He is saying, “Do not pile up
those things which are temporary anyway. The fact of corruption and theft is
reason enough to look elsewhere.
20 But lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where
thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there
will your heart be also.
I had a favorite woolen shirt,
which we stored in the apartment house’s storage room, a rather bizarre place
full of antique furniture and boxes. When we got out our possessions, moths had
eaten holes all through the wool, rendering it impossible to fix.
This metaphor is impossible
to forget. Treasures in heaven do not share in three-way decay:
- Vermin cannot destroy them.
- Rust cannot consume them.
- Thieves cannot steal them.
These treasures are often
mentioned in the Book of Concord. Later I will look up the treasure quotations
and post them. Below are many of the best quotations about the efficacy of the
Word, which is openly rejected by many so-called Lutherans today.
The treasures are the Promises
of God – not only justification by faith, forgiveness through Christ, but also
all those blessings and comforting messages through the Word.
All the assurances of God’s
love are treasures. Every passage that begins with “do not be afraid” also
includes those reasons why we should not fear.
The passages about the cross
are treasures too, because they are the truth of God’s order, the truth our Old
Adam loathes. However, the New Creation (faith sparked by the efficacy of the
Gospel) blesses the cross. The ultimate expression of the cross is a believer accepting
death as a blessing. Uncle Roy, who served n WWII, told his hospital staff, “I
don’t want any more treatment. I will be with Jesus soon.” And he died in
peace, not in fear or doubt (unlike media heroes Paul Tillich and Pope Pius
XII).
The Gospel that comforts us also
brings out the worst in apostates. Unbelievers seldom care. There is no more certain
mark of the apostate than a loathing and persecution of the Gospel. Since that
happens within the visible church, the immediate effect is especially difficult
to bear. But that is why it is called “The Cross” rather than “The Bother.”
In time, we see the apostates
reacting against the cross as their blessing upon the pure Word of God. What
they cannot comprehend (although they say the words at times) they do not want
others to have. They give themselves away, as our pets do. When there is a mess
in the house, I look around and find a dog watching me. I have learned that a
word is not even necessary. I simply point toward the evidence (which cannot be
seen, given our home’s construction). The dog slinks down and creeps away. “The
guilty runs when no one pursues.” Likewise, the apostate raves when someone teaches
the Gospel. And no one does the holier-than-thou routine better than the apostate.
Chytraeus was one of the
great genius theologians of the Lutheran Reformation, overlooked today. He said
wisely that one proof of teaching the pure Word was “opposition.” So the cross
is good.
Even family tensions are part
of God’s plan, because questions make people study the Word, on both sides.
Quotations
"Is it not a limitation of God's sovreignty and power to
affirm that these acts are accomplished only through means? Theology does not
deal with divine possibilities, but with what God has revealed concerning
Himself and His various forms of activity. Not only have we no promise of His
intervention otherwise, but He constantly turns us away from any expectation of
such aid to the simple means, in and through which He promises to be always
found with His entire efficacy."
Henry Eyster
Jacobs, A Summary of the Christian Faith, Philadelphia: General Council
Publication House, 1913, p. 265.
"But in extraordinary cases, does He not dispense with means?
Even there, means are employed; but in an extraordinary way. At Pentecost the
multitudes were converted through the Word, although this Word was given under
extraordinary conditions and circumstances, just as the multitudes in the
wilderness were sustained not without bread, but with bread furnished in an
extraordinary manner."
Henry Eyster
Jacobs, A Summary of the Christian Faith, Philadelphia: General Council
Publication House, 1913, p. 266.
"Spirit and Word, or Word and Spirit are never separated."
Henry Eyster
Jacobs, A Summary of the Christian Faith, Philadelphia: General Council
Publication House, 1913, p. 271.
"Is it the office of the Word simply to afford directions
that are to be followed in order to obtain salvation? It is more than a
directory and guide to Christ. It does more than 'give directions how to live.'
It brings and communicates the grace concerning which it instructs. It has an
inherent and objective efficacy, derived from its divine institution and
promise, and explained by the constant presence and activity of the Holy Spirit
in and with it. Romans 1:16; John 6:63; 1 Peter 1:23; Matthew 4:4; Ephesians
6:17; Hebrews 4:12; Romans 10:5-10; Isaiah 55:10."
Henry Eyster
Jacobs, A Summary of the
Christian Faith, Philadelphia: General Council Publication House, 1913, p.
288. Chapter
Four.
"What testimony is given to the presence of the Holy Spirit
in and with the Word? The words of Scripture are repeatedly cited as the words
of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:16, 28:25; Hebrew 3:7; Psalm 10:15."
Henry Eyster
Jacobs, A Summary of the Christian Faith, Philadelphia: General Council
Publication House, 1913, p. 288f.
"'When the Word is read at home it is not as fruitful or as
forcible as in public preaching and through the mouth of the preacher whom God
has called for this purpose.' (Luther, Erlangen edition, 3:401)."
Henry Eyster
Jacobs, A Summary of the Christian Faith, Philadelphia: General Council
Publication House, 1913, p. 290.
"'The Word is in itself the living seed of regeneration; the
hand which does the sowing can add to it no further efficacy.' (Philippi, V,
2:15)."
Henry Eyster
Jacobs, A Summary of the Christian Faith, Philadelphia: General Council
Publication House, 1913, p. 291.
"Is the success of preaching as a means of grace conditioned
by the observance of similar principles by the preacher? Undoubtedly. For it is
not preaching itself, but the Word as preached which is a means of grace. This
demands not only that nothing be preached but what comes directly or indirectly
from Holy Scripture, but also that the contents of Holy Scripture be preached
in due proportion and in the proper order."
Henry Eyster
Jacobs, A Summary of the Christian Faith, Philadelphia: General Council
Publication House, 1913, p. 293.
"The New Testament is the inerrant record of the revelation
of Jesus Christ in word and deed, and of the truths and principles proceeding,
under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, from that revelation. The Old Testament
is in like manner an inerrant record, having the express and often repeated
testimony and authority of Christ, of the preparatory and partial revelations
made concerning Him before His coming. Hebrews 1:1."
Henry Eyster
Jacobs, A Summary of the Christian Faith, Philadelphia: General Council
Publication House, 1913, J-29 p. 3. Hebrews 1:1.
"For it is not the sacramental action, but the Word that
accompanies the action, which communicates saving grace; and this Word
received, not by the body, but by the heart and mind, so as to awaken faith.
Without faith, 'sine bono motu utentis,' no benefit is received from the
Sacraments." Henry Eyster Jacobs, A Summary of the Christian Faith,
Philadelphia: General Council Publication House, 1913, p. 319. "When the
efficacy of Word and Sacraments encounters man's unbelief and persistent
resistance, their efficacy is not destroyed; but it is transformed from an
efficacy of grace to one of judgment (2 Corinthians 2:16; 1 Corinthians 11:29)."
Henry Eyster
Jacobs, A Summary of the Christian Faith, Philadelphia: General Council
Publication House, 1913, p. 320.
"'The more purely the Word of God is preached in a Church,
and the nearer the preaching and doctrine comes to the norm of the Holy
Scripture, the purer will be the Church; the further it recedes from the rule
of the Word, the more impure and corrupt will be the Church.' (Gerhard)"
Henry Eyster
Jacobs, A Summary of the Christian Faith, Philadelphia: General Council
Publication House, 1913, p. 383f.
"Nor even does the efficacy of the Word depend upon man's
faith. Faith is always necessary to the reception of the efficacy, but not to
its presence. There is no lack of efficacy in the medicine which is not taken
by the patient. If his symptoms grow worse, he could not tell his physician
that there was no efficacy in the prescription."
Henry Eyster
Jacobs, Elements of Religion, Philadelphia, Board of Publication, General
Council 1919 p. 154. 1 Thessalonians
2:13
"The efficacy of the Word, unlike that of the seed, always
has a result. The man to whom the Word of God comes, and who repels it, is not
as he was before. Where long and persistently refused, hardening at last comes,
Exodus 8:15; 9:12; John 12:40; Hebrews 4:1, and the Word becomes a 'savor of
death unto death,' 2 Corinthians 2:16. Every word heard or read, every
privilege and opportunity enjoyed, leaves its impress either for good or for
evil. It is not so properly the Word, as man's abuse of the Word; not so much
the efficacy of the Word, as the sin taking occasion of the efficacy that
produces this result, Romans 7:8."
Henry Eyster
Jacobs, Elements of Religion,
Philadelphia, Board of Publication, General Council 1919 J-220 p. 155. Exodus
8:15; 9:12; John 12:40; Hebrews 4:1; 2 Corinthians 2:16; Romans 7:8. Chapter
Four.
"Thus the Holy Spirit works only through the Word. But the
Word of the Gospel comes to man in two different modes."
Henry Eyster
Jacobs, Elements of Religion, Philadelphia, Board of Publication, General
Council 1919 p. 161.
"There is no efficacy or value in a sacrament, except as it
is an organ for applying the Word...The Word outside of and the Word within the
Sacrament, are equally precious and efficacious. Nor can any contrast be made
concerning different forms of efficacy, as though the Word without an element
had a different effect to accomplish within the economy of grace from the Word
when joined with the element." [Note Apology - "The effect of the
Word and of the rite is the same, as it has been well said by Augustine that a
Sacrament is 'a visible Word.'" p. 276]
Henry Eyster
Jacobs, Elements of Religion, Philadelphia, Board of Publication, General
Council 1919 p. 162.
"The Law of God is good and wise And sets His will before our
eyes, Shows us the way of righteousness, And dooms to death when we transgress.
(2) Its light of holiness imparts The knowledge of our sinful hearts That we
may see our lost estate And seek deliverance ere too late."
Matthias Loy,
1863, "The Law of God Is Good and Wise," The Lutheran Hymnal, St.
Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941, J-136 Hymn #295. Psalm
19:8.
"The Gospel shows the Father's grace, Who sent His Son to
save our race, Proclaims how Jesus lived and died That man might thus be
justified. (2) It sets the Lamb before our eyes, Who made the atoning
sacrifice, And calls the souls with guilt opprest To come and find eternal
rest. (3) It brings the Savior's righteousness Our souls to robe in royal
dress; From all our guilt it brings release And gives the troubled conscience
peace. (4) It is the power of God to save From sin and Satan and the grace; It
works the faith, which firmly clings To all the treasures which it brings. (5)
It bears to all the tidings glad And bids their hearts no more be sad; The
heavy laden souls it cheers And banishes their guilty fears."
Matthias Loy,
1863, "The Gospel Shows the Father's Grace" The Lutheran Hymnal, St.
Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941, Hymn #297. John 3:16.
(1) "An aweful mystery is here To challenge faith and waken fear:
The Savior comes as food divine, Concealed in earthly bread and wine. (2) This
world is loveless--but above, What wondrous boundlessness of love! The King of
Glory stoops to me My spirit's life and strength to be. (3) In consecrated wine
and bread No eye perceives the mystery dread; But Jesus' words are strong and
clear: 'My body and My blood are here.' (4) How dull are all the powers of
sense Employed on proofs of love immense! The richest food remains unseen, And
highest gifts appear--how mean! (5) But here we have no boon on earth, And
faith alone discerns its worth. The Word, not sense, must be our guide, And
faith assure since sight's denied."
Matthias Loy,
1880, "An Aweful Mystery Is Here" The Lutheran Hymnal, St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1941, Hymn #304. 1 Corinthians 11:23.
"So confident now should every preacher be, and not doubt,
that possesses and preaches God's Word, that he could even die for it, since it
is worth life to us. Now there is no man so holy that he needs to die for the
doctrine he has taught concerning himself. Therefore one concludes from this
that the apostles had assurance from God that their Gospel was God's Word. And
here is is also proved that the Gospel is nothing else than the preaching of
Christ."
Martin Luther, Commentary on Peter
and Jude, ed. John N. Lenker, Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1990, p. 245.
2 Peter 1:16-18.
"Besides, it is an exceedingly effectual help against the
devil, the world, and the flesh and all evil thoughts to be occupied with the
Word of God, and to speak of it, and meditate upon it, so that the First Psalm
declares those blessed who meditate upon the Law of God day and night.
Undoubtedly, you will not start a stronger incense or other fumigation against
the devil than by being engaged upon God's commandments and words, and
speaking, singing, or thinking of them. For this is indeed the true holy water
and holy sign from which he flees, and by which he may be driven away."
The Large
Catechism, Preface, #10, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing
House, 1921, J-110 p. 570f.
"Now, for this reason alone you ought gladly to read, speak,
think and treat of these things, if you had no other profit and fruit from them
than that by doing so you can drive away the devil and evil thoughts. For he
cannot hear or endure God's Word; and God's Word is not like some other silly
prattle, as that about Dietrich of Berne, etc., but as St. Paul says, Romans
1:16, the power of God which gives the devil burning pain, and strengthens,
comforts, and helps us beyond measure."
The Large
Catechism, Preface, #11, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing
House, 1921, 002 p. 571 Romans 1:16.
"And what need is there of many words? If I were to recount
all the profit and fruit which God's Word produces, whence would I get enough
paper and time? The devil is called the master of a thousand arts. But what
shall we call God's Word, which drives away and brings to naught this master of
a thousand arts with all his arts and power? It must indeed be the master of
more than a hundred thousand arts. And shall we frivolously despise such power,
profit, strength, and fruit--we, especially, who claim to be pastors and
preachers? If so, we should not only have nothing given us to eat, but be
driven out, being baited with dogs, and pelted with dung, because we not only
need all this every day as we need our daily bread, but must also daily use it
against the daily and unabated attacks and lurking of the devil, the master of
a thousand arts."
The Large
Catechism, Preface, #12, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing
House, 1921, 003 p. 571. Chapter 4.
"Since, therefore, so much depends upon God's Word that
without it no holy day can be sanctified, we must know that God insists upon a
strict observance of this commandment, and will punish all who despise His Word
and are not willing to hear and learn it, especially at the time appointed for
the purpose."
The Large
Catechism, Preface, #95, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 007 p. 607. Exodus
20:8-11.
"Note, therefore, that the force and power of this
commandment lies not in the resting, but in the sanctifying, so that to this
day belongs a special holy exercise. For other works and occupations are not
properly called holy exercises, unless the man himself be first holy. But here
a work is to be done by which man is himself made holy, which is done (as we
have heard) alone through God's Word. For this, then, fixed places, times,
persons, and the entire external order of worship have been created and
appointed, so that it may be publicly in operation."
The Large
Catechism, Preface, #94, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 006 p. 607. Exodus 20:8-11.
"On the contrary, any observance or work that is practised
without God's Word is unholy before God, no matter how brilliantly it may
shine, even though it be covered with relics, such as the fictitious spiritual
orders, which know nothing of God's Word and seek holiness in their own works."
The Large
Catechism, Preface, #93, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 005 p. 607. Exodus
20:8-11.
"For the Word of God is the sanctuary above all sanctuaries,
yea, the only one which we Christians know and have. For though we had the
bones of all the saints or all holy and consecrated garments upon a heap, still
that would help us nothing; for all that is a dead thing which can sanctify
nobody. But God's Word is the treasure which sanctifies everything, and by
which even all the saints themselves were sanctified. At whatever hour, then,
God's Word is taught, preached, heard, read or meditated upon, there the
person, day, and work are sanctified thereby, not because of the external work,
but because of the Word, which makes saints of us all. Therefore I constantly
say that all our life and work must be ordered according to God's Word, if it
is to be God-pleasing or holy. Where this is done, this commandment is in force
and being fulfilled."
The Large
Catechism, Preface, #91-2, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St.
Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 004 p. 607. Exodus 20:8-11.
"For these words are not inoperative or dead, but creative,
living words. And even though no other interest or necessity impel us, yet this
ought to urge every one thereunto, because thereby the devil is put to flight
and driven away, and, besides, this commandment is fulfilled, and [this
exercise in the Word] is more pleasing to God than any work of hypocrisy,
however brilliant."
The Large
Catechism, Preface, #102, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St.
Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 012 p. 609. Exodus
20:8-11.
"For let me tell you this, even though you know it perfectly
and be already master in all things, still you are daily in the dominion of the
devil, who ceases neither day nor night to steal unawares upon you, to kindle
in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against the foregoing and all the
commandments. Therefore you must always have God's Word in your heart, upon
your lips, and in your ears. But where the heart is idle, and the Word does not
sound, he breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware. On the other hand, such is the
efficacy of the Word, whenever it is seriously contemplated, heard, and used,
that it is bound never to be without fruit, but always awakens new
understanding, pleasure, and devoutness, and produces a pure heart and pure
thoughts."
The Large
Catechism, Preface, #100-1, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St.
Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 011 p. 609. Exodus 20:8-11.
"Likewise those fastidious spirits are to be reproved who,
when they have heard a sermon or two, find it tedious and dull, thinking that
they know all that well enough, and need no more instruction. For just that is
the sin which has been hitherto reckoned among mortal sins, and is called
akedia, i. e., torpor or satiety, a malignant, dangerous plague with which the
devil bewitches and deceives the hearts of many, that he may surprise us and
secretly withdraw God's Word from us."
The Large
Catechism, Preface, #99, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 010 p. 609. Exodus 20:8-11.
"Know, therefore, that you must be concerned not only about
hearing, but also about learning and retaining it in memory, and do not think
that it is optional with you of no great importance, but that it is God's
commandment, who will require of you how you have heard, learned, and honored
His Word."
The Large
Catechism, Preface, #98, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 009 p. 609. Exodus
20:8-11.
"Therefore not only those sin against this commandment who
grossly misuse and desecrate the holy day, as those who on account of their
greed or frivolity neglect to hear God's Word or lie in taverns and are dead
drunk like swine; but also that other crowd, who listen to God's Word as to any
other trifle, and only from custom come to preaching, and go away again, and at
the end of the year know as little of it as at the beginning. For hitherto the
opinion prevailed that you had properly hallowed Sunday when you had heard a
mass or the Gospel read; but no one cared for God's Word, as also no one taught
it. Now, while we have God's Word, we nevertheless do not correct the abuse; we
suffer ourselves to be preached to and admonished, but we listen without seriousness
and care."
The Large
Catechism, Preface, #96-7, The Third Commandment, Concordia Triglotta, St.
Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, 008 p. 609. Exodus 20:8-11.
"For let me tell you this, even though you know it perfectly
and be already master in all things, still you are daily in the dominion of the
devil, who ceases neither day nor night to steal unawares upon you, to kindle
in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against the foregoing and all the
commandments. Therefore you must always have God's Word in your heart, upon
your lips, and in your ears. But where the heart is idle, and the Word does not
sound, he breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware. On the other
hand, such is the efficacy of the Word, whenever it is seriously contemplated,
heard, and used, that it is bound never to be without fruit, but always awakens
new understanding, pleasure, and devoutness, and produces a pure heart and pure
thoughts. For these words are not inoperative or dead, but creative, living
words."
The Large
Catechism, #100, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House,
1921, p. 609.
"Therefore it is not a Christian Church either; for where
Christ is not preached, there is no Holy Ghost who creates, calls, and gathers
the Christian Church, without which no one can come to Christ our Lord. Let
this suffice concerning the sum of this article."
The Large
Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #45, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 689.
"For where He does not cause it to be preached and made alive
in the heart, so that it is understood, it is lost, as was the case under the
Papacy, where faith was entirely put under the bench, and no one recognized
Christ as his Lord or the Holy Ghost as his Sanctifier, that is, no one
believed that Christ is our Lord in the sense that He has acquired this
treasure for us, without our works and merit, and made us acceptable to the
Father. What, then, was lacking? This, that the Holy Ghost was not there to
reveal it and cause it to be preached; but men and evil spirits were there, who
taught us to obtain grace and be saved by our works."
The Large
Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #43-44, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 689.
"For, in the first place, He [the Holy Ghost] has a peculiar
congregation in the world, which is the mother that begets and bears every
Christian through the Word of God, which He reveals and preaches, [and through
which] He illumines and enkindles hearts, that they understand, accept it,
cling to it, and persevere in it."
The Large
Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #42, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p.
689.
"For neither you nor I could ever know anything of
Christ, or believe on Him, and obtain Him for our Lord, unless it were offered
to us and granted to our hearts by the Holy Ghost through the preaching of the
Gospel. The work is done and accomplished; for Christ has acquired and gained
the treasure for us by His suffering, death, resurrection, etc. But if the work
remained concealed so that no one knew of it, then it would be in vain and
lost. That this treasure, therefore, might not lie buried, but be appropriated
and enjoyed, God has caused the Word to go forth and be proclaimed, in which He
gives the Holy Ghost to bring this treasure home and appropriate it to us.
Therefore sanctifying is nothing else than bringing us to Christ to receive
this good, to which could not attain ourselves."
The Large
Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #38, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 689.
"For now we are only half pure and holy, so that the Holy
Ghost has ever [some reason why] to continue His work in us through the Word,
and daily to dispense forgiveness, until we attain to that life where there
will be no more forgiveness, but only perfectly pure and holy people, full of
godliness and righteousness, removed and free from sin, death, and all evil, in
a new, immortal, and glorified body."
The Large
Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #58, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p.
693.
"But outside of this Christian Church, where the Gospel is
not, there is no forgiveness, as also there can be no holiness
[sanctification]. Therefore all who seek and wish to merit holiness
[sanctification], not through the Gospel and forgiveness of sin, but by their
works, have expelled and severed themselves [from this Church]."
The Large
Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #56, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p.
693.
"Everything, therefore, in the Christian Church is offered to
the end that we shall daily obtain there nothing but the forgiveness of sin
through the Word and signs, to comfort and encourage our consciences as long as
we live here. Thus, although we have sins, the [grace of the] Holy Ghost does
not allow them to injure us, because we are in the Christian Church, where
there is nothing but [continuous, uninterrupted] forgiveness of sin, both in
that God forgives us, and in that we forgive, bear with, and help each other."
The Large
Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #55, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 693.
"We further believe that in this Christian Church we have
forgiveness of sin, which is wrought through the holy Sacraments and
Absolution, moreover, through all manner of consolatory promises of the entire
Gospel. Therefore, whatever is to be preached, concerning the Sacraments
belongs here, and in short, the whole Gospel and all the offices of
Christianity, which also must be preached and taught without ceasing. For
although the grace of God is secured through Christ, and sanctification is
wrought by the Holy Ghost through the Word of God in the unity of the Christian
Church, yet on account of our flesh which we bear about with us we are never
without sin."
The Large
Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #54, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 693.
"I am also a part and member of the same, a sharer and joint
owner of all the goods it possesses, brought to it and incorporated into it by
the Holy Ghost by having heard and continuing to hear the Word of God, which is
the beginning of entering it. For formerly, before we had attained to this, we
were altogether of the devil, knowing nothing of God and of Christ. Thus, until
the last day, the Holy Ghost abides with the holy congregation or Christendom,
by means of which He fetches us to Christ and which He employs to teach and
preach to us the Word, whereby He works and promotes sanctification, causing it
[this community] daily to grow and become strong in the faith and its fruits
which He produces."
The Large
Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #53, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 693.
"Behold, all this is to be the office and work of the Holy
Ghost, that He begin and daily increase holiness upon earth by means of these
two things, the Christian Church and the forgiveness of sin. But in our
dissolution He will accomplish it altogether in an instant, and will forever
preserve us therein by the last two parts."
The Large
Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #59, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 693f.
"Therefore we believe in Him who through the Word daily
brings us into the fellowship of this Christian Church, and through the same
Word and the forgiveness of sins bestows, increases, and strengthens faith, in
order that when He has accomplished it all, and we abide therein, and die to
the world and to all evil, He may finally make us perfectly and forever holy;
which now we expect in faith through the Word."
The Large
Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #62, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p.
695.
