The Large Catechism – part 70
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: John 4:48
Among the crowds was a royal official who believed Jesus. While he took Jesus at his word, the rest seemed to need a show of it: signs and miracles.
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The Large Catechism – part 69
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Judges 14:18
As one would imagine, there are stark differences between Samson and Jesus. Samson took whatever his flesh desired. Jesus wanted what his Father willed. Samson killed to get what would not come to him naturally.
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The Large Catechism – part 68
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: John 4:7–10
See how near the Samaritan woman was to missing the grace of God. Old wounds and deep pride kept her from speaking the truth.
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The Large Catechism – part 67
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Acts 5:41
If the apostles had promised to teach no longer about Jesus, but did so anyway, they would have taken the Lord’s name in vain. They would have lied in the name of God.
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The Large Catechism – part 66
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: John 3:5
The keeping of the commandments, so far as it depends upon us, begins with controlling the tongue. The Apostle James said that the tongue is a restless evil, so we must try to give it a rest.
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The Large Catechism – part 65
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Judges 8:22–23
Conversely, when the First Commandment is not observed, the other commandments will be broken. See how quickly, even after Gideon says God will rule the people, they put their trust in an object.
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The Large Catechism – part 64
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Acts 3:16
It needs saying again, that a particular idol is always lurking nearby. We need to be aware of it so that we may give it a good kick behind us.
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The Large Catechism – part 63
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Acts 3:6
Look to the lowly apostles. None of them was high or mighty in the ways of the world. They were mostly fishermen, but because they put their trust in the Lord, God made them fishers of men.
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The Large Catechism – part 62
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Judges 6:36–38
If you would trust anything in this life, trust that which has been from the beginning, that truth which continues to flow down to us today.
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The Large Catechism – part 61
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Acts 2:1–4
Gathering together, likely for prayer and the latest word from the apostles, those earliest disciples were probably considered fools by those in the streets of Jerusalem.
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The Large Catechism – part 60
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Judges 4:14
Just as Joshua exhorted the Israelites to choose whom they would serve, Deborah pressed Barak to trust the one God, fearing him more than Jaban, the Canaanite king, and his commander Sisera, with all his troops.
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The Large Catechism – part 59
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Matthew 27:46
It may seem, at first, that God’s offer is not so friendly, for we see readily enough in the commandment, the threat of his wrath if we disobey. And how can we not disobey?
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The Large Catechism – part 58
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 16:25–27
Because the Israelites lived with the evil in the land, instead of driving it out as God commanded, God allowed to happen what would, of course, transpire. The same thing has happened in our own country.
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The Large Catechism – part 57
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Joshua 24:23
Because God is a loving Father who cares for those who believe in him, we owe it to him to esteem him above all else. Yet, even those who do not believe are obliged to honor him, simply because he is God.
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The Large Catechism – part 56
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Joshua 10:3–5
The news had traveled throughout the land, how God had fought Israel’s battles. Country after country, and city after city were terrified of Israel’s approach. Still, the king of Jerusalem dared defy God’s will by asking four other kings to help him with their armies at their sides.
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The Large Catechism – part 55
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 15:13
First, let us deal with the common misconception that because my father or mother sinned, I and my children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren will pay for their transgression.
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The Large Catechism – part 54
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Joshua 8:32–35
If you have ever watched someone incise a single letter into slate, you can imagine how long it took Joshua to engrave the whole law on the altar at Mt. Ebal.
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The Large Catechism – part 53
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Joshua 8:1–2
We want it, and we want it now. Furthermore, we want what we want, not that which is given. This is a depiction of children, but when adults act that way, it is an indictment.
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The Large Catechism – part 52
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Joshua 7:13
Lest we lose sight of our theme, we are considering how all good gifts come from God. We do not take them; we receive them. Some of the Israelites snatched blessings from Jericho’s dead.
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The Large Catechism – part 51
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 12:12–13
Of course, the risk is that the First Commandment be turned into a business venture. If you just do this or that, it might be promoted, then God will give you whatever you desire.
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The Large Catechism – part 50
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 12:3
One cannot think of himself any more highly than to think he is fit to do what only God can do. God helps us in our human weakness, comforts us in our consciences, and saves us, not only from our sins, but also to eternal life.
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The Large Catechism – part 49
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 11:36
All good is from God, as well as through him, and returning to him. He gets the credit: all the credit. I do not get the glory, nor do you. Government does not get the praise, nor its politicians.
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The Large Catechism – part 48
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 11:19–20
There is no greater idol, no hollower false god, than self. When we puff ourselves up with religious pride, we should remember that only emptiness may be inflated
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The Large Catechism – part 47
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 11:8–11
Minerva is the Roman counterpart to the modern idol of work and industry. There is nothing wrong with a day’s work or of being industrious.
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The Large Catechism – part 46
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 9:16
You may be certain that God will abandon the one who trusts in himself — to himself. If a person takes pleasure in his own striving, if he finds consolation in his devotion, if he is confident in anyone but God, he will discover himself undone.
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The Large Catechism – part 45
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 8:32
We should, without any difficulty, be able to expect from God alone all good things, for he has given us the greatest gift already. He has provided for us forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life through his Son.
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The Large Catechism – part 44
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 8:26–27
Where does your help come from; from whom should you expect any assistance? To place your hope and trust in anyone but God is idolatry.
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The Large Catechism – part 43
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Numbers 24:10–13
Balak is exasperated at the realization that he cannot have his own way. He tried three times to coerce Balaam to curse God’s people, yet God blessed them three times over.
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The Large Catechism – part 42
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Numbers 23:26
See how unhappy King Balak is, with his godless insecurities. He will only be happy if millions of Israelites are cursed. Balaam also seems less than pleased, if the New Testament commentary has anything to offer.
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The Large Catechism – part 41
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Numbers 23:7–8
What do you want: Balak’s fortunes, or God’s blessings? We get in trouble when we want more than we need, more than what God has promised to provide.
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The Large Catechism – part 40
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Numbers 22:31
The story of Balaam can be confusing. We might be tempted to take his side against God, unless we understand that God allows us to pursue those things we truly desire.
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