In the Smalcald Articles of 1537 Dr Luther wrote, “God be praised, a seven-year-old child knows what the church is: holy believers and ‘the little sheep who hear the voice of their shepherd.’ This is why children pray in this way, ‘I believe in one holy Christian church.’ Its [The Church’s] holiness exists in the Word of God and true faith.” (SA XII) Luther references the Apostle’s Creed as pious prayer. Indeed it is. The entire Small Catechism is a book of prayer. It confesses the true doctrine of the Christian Church. Doctrine believed in the heart is expressed in confession. Prayer is such an expression. Prayer is confession; that is, saying back to God what He has said to us. Prayer is based on the promises of God.
Our Lord has given magnificent promises to His Church. The Church is loved by Christ (Eph 5:25). The Church is holy and without blemish (Eph 5:27). She is a spiritual priesthood, a royal house (1 Pt 2:5). The Church is the body of Christ (Col 1:18). She will withstand the gates of hell (Mt 16:18). The Church is not incidental to Christianity; an optional add-on to the faith that one can do without. Christ Jesus, crucified and risen, established the Church. You are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone (Eph 2:20); No one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Cor 3:11).
The Church is a necessity to the life of the Christian. She is the “mouth-house” of God; the physical location where the Word of Christ is preached, sins forgiven, and the blessed Sacraments administered. [Jesus said], If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (Jn 8:31-32). They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers (Acts 2:42). I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment (1 Cor 1:10). To His Church Christ gave His Word to be preached and His Sacraments administered. Through these faith is created and sustained (cf. Rom 10:17; Mt 28:19-20; 1 Cor 4:1).
The Church is an article of faith (i.e. “doctrine). She is established by Christ and confessed by Christians. Consider how this is true in the Small Catechism. Consider how the importance and significance of the Church in this “children’s prayerbook.”
The Ten Commandments: The Church is established in the First Table of the Law. She emanates from the very essence of the Trinity. She is gathered in and under the Name of the Lord your God, called to “prayer, praise, and give thanks.” She is the location of preaching and the Word. Attendance is commanded. She exists to strengthen faith in God and love for the neighbor, as summarized in the Second Table of the Law.
The Creed: She is confessed as doctrine; “I believe in the holy Christian church, the communion of saints.” It is in the Church that God the Holy Spirit gathers us, delivers to us justification in Christ and sanctifies our lives in Him; keeping us in communion with Jesus Christ our Lord. Only in Church does the Holy Spirit work to daily forgive sins.
The Lord’s Prayer: The hallowing of God’s name, the coming of His kingdom, the doing of His will all take place within the Church. They all are concerned with the pure teaching of the Word of God and the evidence of faith in holy living. In this life God provides daily bread, forgiveness of sins, and deliverance from temptation and evil. Each of these are experienced in full measure within the household of our Father, the Church.
Holy Baptism: The sacramental birth by water and Word is the very means by which our Lord brings us into fellowship with and creates us as His Church. Baptism is not man’s work, but God’s. In it Christ works forgiveness, life, and salvation; making disciples, children of the heavenly Father.
Absolution: “The Office of the Keys is that special authority which Christ has given to His church on earth to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, but to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant as long as they do not repent.” The holy absolution is the voice of Jesus in His Church. The Church is a place of mercy and forgiveness because Jesus is a Lord of mercy and forgiveness. Outside of Christ there is no salvation. He delivers this salvation by His Church.
Eucharist: The sacrament of the altar is that particular gift given to the Church and only the Church. It is the very body and blood of Jesus, given and shed for the forgiveness of sins. It is not for those outside the Church, meaning, unbelievers. Neither is it for those of a different confession, for the Sacrament is the highest expression of unity. A unity found only in Christ, only with His Church.
The Church is everywhere in the Small Catechism! And throughout it is God who works on behalf of His people. Everything Jesus does He does for His Church, that is, for you. He gives His holy Word, He reveals the reality of the Trinity, He commands you to prayer and gives you the words, He has given you new birth in Holy Baptism, He daily forgives your sins, He feeds and sustains you on His body and blood.
The Church of Christ is essential for your salvation. She is the embassy of our King, a piece of our homeland on this foreign soil. Called by God, hidden in Christ, you are a stranger, wandering this world on pilgrimage. Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil 3:20). Even as we wait, our crucified and risen Lord comes to us, by and in and for His Church.
As you eagerly await and pray for the final coming of His kingdom, you enjoy fellowship with God now in His Church. This is the most important place to be on Sunday morning; the most important thing to be doing. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Heb 10:24-25).
+INJ+
Pastor Mierow
Feast of St James, Brother of Our Lord, Martyr
Icon of the Holy Ark of the Church
Our Lord has given magnificent promises to His Church. The Church is loved by Christ (Eph 5:25). The Church is holy and without blemish (Eph 5:27). She is a spiritual priesthood, a royal house (1 Pt 2:5). The Church is the body of Christ (Col 1:18). She will withstand the gates of hell (Mt 16:18). The Church is not incidental to Christianity; an optional add-on to the faith that one can do without. Christ Jesus, crucified and risen, established the Church. You are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone (Eph 2:20); No one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Cor 3:11).
The Church is a necessity to the life of the Christian. She is the “mouth-house” of God; the physical location where the Word of Christ is preached, sins forgiven, and the blessed Sacraments administered. [Jesus said], If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (Jn 8:31-32). They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers (Acts 2:42). I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment (1 Cor 1:10). To His Church Christ gave His Word to be preached and His Sacraments administered. Through these faith is created and sustained (cf. Rom 10:17; Mt 28:19-20; 1 Cor 4:1).
The Church is an article of faith (i.e. “doctrine). She is established by Christ and confessed by Christians. Consider how this is true in the Small Catechism. Consider how the importance and significance of the Church in this “children’s prayerbook.”
The Ten Commandments: The Church is established in the First Table of the Law. She emanates from the very essence of the Trinity. She is gathered in and under the Name of the Lord your God, called to “prayer, praise, and give thanks.” She is the location of preaching and the Word. Attendance is commanded. She exists to strengthen faith in God and love for the neighbor, as summarized in the Second Table of the Law.
The Creed: She is confessed as doctrine; “I believe in the holy Christian church, the communion of saints.” It is in the Church that God the Holy Spirit gathers us, delivers to us justification in Christ and sanctifies our lives in Him; keeping us in communion with Jesus Christ our Lord. Only in Church does the Holy Spirit work to daily forgive sins.
The Lord’s Prayer: The hallowing of God’s name, the coming of His kingdom, the doing of His will all take place within the Church. They all are concerned with the pure teaching of the Word of God and the evidence of faith in holy living. In this life God provides daily bread, forgiveness of sins, and deliverance from temptation and evil. Each of these are experienced in full measure within the household of our Father, the Church.
Holy Baptism: The sacramental birth by water and Word is the very means by which our Lord brings us into fellowship with and creates us as His Church. Baptism is not man’s work, but God’s. In it Christ works forgiveness, life, and salvation; making disciples, children of the heavenly Father.
Absolution: “The Office of the Keys is that special authority which Christ has given to His church on earth to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, but to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant as long as they do not repent.” The holy absolution is the voice of Jesus in His Church. The Church is a place of mercy and forgiveness because Jesus is a Lord of mercy and forgiveness. Outside of Christ there is no salvation. He delivers this salvation by His Church.
Eucharist: The sacrament of the altar is that particular gift given to the Church and only the Church. It is the very body and blood of Jesus, given and shed for the forgiveness of sins. It is not for those outside the Church, meaning, unbelievers. Neither is it for those of a different confession, for the Sacrament is the highest expression of unity. A unity found only in Christ, only with His Church.
The Church is everywhere in the Small Catechism! And throughout it is God who works on behalf of His people. Everything Jesus does He does for His Church, that is, for you. He gives His holy Word, He reveals the reality of the Trinity, He commands you to prayer and gives you the words, He has given you new birth in Holy Baptism, He daily forgives your sins, He feeds and sustains you on His body and blood.
The Church of Christ is essential for your salvation. She is the embassy of our King, a piece of our homeland on this foreign soil. Called by God, hidden in Christ, you are a stranger, wandering this world on pilgrimage. Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil 3:20). Even as we wait, our crucified and risen Lord comes to us, by and in and for His Church.
As you eagerly await and pray for the final coming of His kingdom, you enjoy fellowship with God now in His Church. This is the most important place to be on Sunday morning; the most important thing to be doing. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Heb 10:24-25).
+INJ+
Pastor Mierow
Feast of St James, Brother of Our Lord, Martyr
Icon of the Holy Ark of the Church
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