For Our Benefit

Scripture Text: Matthew 10:34–39

Note the words, “who for us men, and for our salvation.” The only God, existing as Father, Son, and Spirit, sent himself into this world he created (John 3:16) and he did so for our sake. He did not come to earth on vacation as a Greek god would...

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Colossians 1:15–20

Here we see a straightforward denial of the Arian heresy: Jesus is “not made.” If there was any uncertainty about the definition of the word begotten, here is the clarification: “not made.” The Son of God is not a created being, like angels or humans.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 5:15-18

These days, we say, “true God of true God,” and rightly so, since “very” used to be used as truly or true. The Latin word from which we derive the English word “very” is verus which means “true.” We still think this way, even if we do not realize we do so.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Revelation 21:22–25

Jesus is not a reflection of this light. He is the light. He is the “true light.” (John 1:9) He is that “joyous light of glory” whom we confess as God. As he is by definition, “God of God,” he is by description, “Light of Light.”

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 1:1–4, 14–18

In other words, the Son is eternal, as John testifies in his Gospel. The Son of God is not a created being, even one of a higher nature than man, but instead is himself the Creator.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 8:4–6

In the Nicene Creed, we confess one more thing about the Father than we do in the Apostles' Creed. We already profess that the Father is Maker of heaven and earth but now we say more specifically that he is Creator of all things—those things both visible and invisible, the things we know about and those we do not.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 14:8–11

The Nicene Creed originated from a need to confront a certain false teaching, or heresy, head-on by concisely and correctly teaching what the Scripture says about Jesus Christ.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 14:1–4

We spend our lives waiting on things to happen. As children, we were known to ask, “Are we there yet?” We could not wait for birthdays, Christmas, and vacations. They seemed never to arrive...

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

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.

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 John 1:5–10

The forgiveness of sins is available because we admit our condition, the need of a Savior, and the truth that the Father sent his Son into the world to accomplish this very thing once and for all (Heb 10:10).

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 16:13–20

From the Confessions: “The holy catholic Church.” We confess three things in this phrase. Let us consider them in reverse order. First, we confess that God has constructed himself a Church. Jesus told Peter...

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

From the Confessions: “He ascended into heaven." Christ was not raised from the dead and ascended to the Father so that he would escape from death and this earth...

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 19:28–37

If Jesus had not died, he would have had no need of resurrection. Without resurrection, our faith is futile. (1Cor 15:14) This devotional series and all preaching would be in vain...

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 19:16–27

All of Jesus' ministry looks toward the crucifixion. He tells his disciples over and over that this is why he came to earth. Sometimes it is a veiled announcement...

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 26:24–31

The trial, a sham, complete with trumped up charges, an all-too-literal whipping boy, and a villain set free, would see Jesus spit upon, humiliated, scourged, a crown of thorns pressed into his scalp, and finally crucified...

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 6:54–63

Even in the conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary we see that human works had no play. Mary did nothing. Joseph surely did nothing. The poor man was very likely stunned at the news...

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 2 Thessalonians 2:14–17

A lord is one with authority over another. He has the power to exert his authority, and likely will do so. He is master and absolute ruler of all under his dominion. In one sense, this is the meaning of “our Lord.”


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