Posts Posted in December 2021View All Posts >>

You will find the church wherever two or more are gathered in the name of Jesus, that is, with faith in him, teaching the gospel, and administering the sacraments. More

Many kinds of people are drawn to the Church, but not all are members of the Church. Some have an outward appearance of of belonging, yet that does not make them true members of the spiritual kingdom of Christ. More

Jesus was clear on this matter when he was brought before Pilate. His kingdom is not of this world. It is not temporal but instead, spiritual. More

As worshipers come forward for Holy Communion, many pause at the baptismal font, place their fingers in the water, and make the sign of the cross on their forehead. More

All those who by nature were born Jews, or Abraham’s seed, were given the law so that they might be an example to the nations of how God would have people live. More

The Body of Christ is not an organization that merely goes through the motions of ceremonies. The Church has gifts in the heart, namely, the Holy Spirit and faith. More

The “house of the righteous,” the church, is infiltrated by the wicked. Sometimes, they seem petty, though they are aggravating and ungodly. More

When we perceive the threat to the Church—a threat that exists both from within and without—we can be led to despair of her continued existence. More

We believe in the Church. This is the congregation of those who believe in Christ. They are spread throughout the ages—past, present, and future. More

So we must be careful to confess that sinful people, such as ourselves, become righteous and holy only through the grace of God. More

We deplore the condition of some church bodies, that they have abandoned the Word of God for culturally correct beliefs. Yet, we should not complain overly much. More

Some people attend church because they were raised to do so. They give no thought to faith; it is simply the right thing to do. More

Nearly 40 years ago, a half dozen people from a local cult attended my church, trying to get people to follow their false god. More

Jesus did not come into the world to teach sinners how to save themselves. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” More

Declaring that a Christian’s deeds are required for justification and salvation both denies Christ and leaves the believer in despair More

The disciples were in hiding, very likely imagining that they were next, that the authorities would come for them too. They had crucified the Lord; what would they do to his followers? More

Surely, it is thought, there must be something we must do. This is the seed of religion and heresy, for faith knows that we can do nothing. More

It is human nature to imagine that we can buy our way out of problems. The person caught speeding, therefore, pays the court to keep the offense off the books so that insurance rates will not increase More

Let us continue to keep Christ at the center of all things. The promised Messiah, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin from the lineage of kings, suffered, was crucified and buried for our sins. More

The ability to love God is not something that we are born with or that we can develop on our own with this fallen nature of ours. In order to love God, one must first be born again. More

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees because they valued their own traditions more than God’s commandments. We must be careful to evaluate those things that we believe and do. More

It is easy for us to confuse the plain sense of things. Sometimes we need someone to come in to our midst and cut to the chase. What is the point that underlies everything we do? More

Lift up the shield of faith in Christ every time the devil attacks. Do not trust your thinking and your doing. Trust Christ, who is your shield. More

Justification, righteousness, and salvation are not only received by faith, these things are preserved for us to the end of time. More

If we go to church, feed the hungry, and buy coats and mittens for the poor, but have no faith in the God who calls us to do such things, do those good works save? More

Jesus satisfied God’s requirement of keeping the law perfectly. Moreover, he paid the penalty for the sins of those who cannot keep the commandments. More

The living grace of God is Jesus Christ. There is no salvation available to us without this grace. There is no grace without Jesus Christ. More

We cannot reason our way to righteousness. Who has been able to say, “In this way, I shall be a good person” and been successful in the enterprise? More

There is a difference between justification and sanctification. Justification is that obedience to the gospel that hears and believes, that trusts God’s promise. More

Lasting peace with God comes through faith. Our deeds can make us feel good for a while but that feeling is not only false, it does not last. More

Yes, God wants our good works, but he earnestly desires our hearts. Works that are done with an unbelieving, faithless heart are not good works; they are hypocritical. More

We have received a mark, the sign of God's hand upon us. We are sealed with God's promise of salvation and eternal life through baptism and faith. More