Podcasts about small catechism

The First Communion Class is a teaching series for children ages 7 and up, walking through the basics of the Christian faith using Luther's Small Catechism. Each episode focuses on clear explanation, repetition, and memorization of God's Word to help children understand and prepare to receive the Lord's Supper with faith and reverence.Subscribe & Share:• Apple Podcasts: Christ For You• Spotify: Listen on Spotify• Website: ZionWG.org/podcastStay Connected:• Email: PastorRojas@ZionWG.org• Website: ZionWG.orgIf this strengthened your faith, share it with others and leave a review. Your support helps more people hear the faithful preaching of Christ crucified and risen for you.

November 13, 2025Today's Reading: Catechism: Table of Duties - To ParentsDaily Lectionary: Jeremiah 26:1-19; Revelation 13:1-18; Matthew 26:20-35“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Thank God for our parents. Without them, we wouldn't be here. It pleased God to continue his work of creation by giving you life through a mom and a dad. God continues to care, provide, and protect us through the parents he gives us. This is at least God's design and intention for the family, to see one another as a gift and to share life together in love. This is the heart of the Fourth Commandment, where God instructs children to honor their father and mother. In his Small Catechism, Luther explains that rather than despising and angering our parents, children should honor, serve, obey, love, and cherish them. To see our parents as a gift from God causes hearts to cherish and love them. Love can't help but bear the fruit of willful service and obedience. Looking at one another through the lens of a God-given gift makes all the difference. There is no “Commandment” for parents, though, is there? Yes, there are several places in Scripture where parents are instructed in how to raise and treat their children. Although the particular guidelines may differ, the lens prescription is still the same; see your children as a gift from God. When parents see their child as a gift from the hand of God, they see their role in a whole new light. Dads and moms become a portrait to their children of their heavenly Father, mirroring God's gracious love, his sacrificial care, tireless provision, and tender guidance and protection. This is the hands-on way of raising children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. The thing about parents is that they are sinners, too. I've never met a parent who doesn't have regrets or who hasn't wished they could do some things over. Parents need forgiveness, too, just like children. This is perhaps the most profound way a parent can teach their children the faith when a parent is on the receiving end of God's forgiving grace. God loves to give gifts. He gave his most precious gift, his very own Son, to die for the sins of the world, and “the world” includes parents. God has given parents the gift of a family to love and to care for. Sharing life together in Christ makes all the difference.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“I the Lord will be your Father, Savior, Comforter, and Brother. Go, My children; I will keep you and give you peace.” (922:4)Author: Rev. Darrin Sheek, pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Anaheim, CA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.This new devotional resource by Carl Fickenscher walks you through each week's readings, revealing thematic connections and helping you better understand what is to come in worship each Sunday.

On Wednesday nights, Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL) offers to both children and adults an opportunity for teaching with Learn-by-Heart at 6:30 PM and a catechetical service at 7:00 PM. This service is designed to prepare God's people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service. The dialog sermon explains "The Sheep and the Goats" (St. Matthew 25:31-46), which is the Holy Gospel for Second-Last Sunday in the Church Year (Trinity 26). Learn-by-Heart will include “Spread, O Spread, Thou Mighty Word” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal), Small Catechism, Lord's Prayer, Fourth Petition and meaning, and 2 Corinthians 5:10. --Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin: Catechesis-2nd-Last-Sunday-11-12-2025.pdf Insert for Hymn: ASBH-Spread-O-Spread-Thy-Mighty-Word.pdf Suffrages:  Suffrages-for-Catechesis-2024-Online.pdf

The First Communion Class is a teaching series for children ages 7 and up, walking through the basics of the Christian faith using Luther's Small Catechism. Each episode focuses on clear explanation, repetition, and memorization of God's Word to help children understand and prepare to receive the Lord's Supper with faith and reverence.Subscribe & Share:• Apple Podcasts: Christ For You• Spotify: Listen on Spotify• Website: ZionWG.org/podcastStay Connected:• Email: PastorRojas@ZionWG.org• Website: ZionWG.orgIf this strengthened your faith, share it with others and leave a review. Your support helps more people hear the faithful preaching of Christ crucified and risen for you.

On Wednesday nights, Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL) offers to both children and adults an opportunity for teaching with Learn-by-Heart at 6:30 PM and a catechetical service at 7:00 PM. This service is designed to prepare God's people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service. The dialog sermon explains "The Abomination of Desolation" (St. Matthew 24:15-28), which is the Holy Gospel for Third Last Sunday in the Church Year(Trinity 25). Learn-by-Heart will include “Farewell I Gladly Bid Thee”   (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #109), Small Catechism, Lord's Prayer, Second and Third Petitions and meanings, and 1 Thessalonians 4:14. --Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin: Catechesis-3rd-Last-Sunday-11-05-2025.pdf Insert for Hymn:  ASBH-109-Farewell-I-Gladly-Bid-Thee.pdf Suffrages:  Suffrages-for-Catechesis-2024-Online.pdf https://vimeo.com/1131906088?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

November 1, 2025Today's Reading: Matthew 5:1-12Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Matthew 21:1-22“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Imagine the disciples and the huge crowd gathered around Jesus for the Sermon on the Mount. They nod to each of the Beatitudes, maybe with a little less boldness as Jesus continues. Perhaps they even look around to see how the other 11 are reacting. “Maybe I'm not perfect, but I've been pretty good at this one or that.” “I think I'm good enough; I don't talk without thinking. Like Peter.” “I think I'm good enough; at least I haven't cheated people in the past, like Matthew.” But Jesus isn't talking about being good enough in other people's eyes, He is speaking of holiness before God – pure in heart – a holiness in the heart.The thing is, there is nothing pure in your heart. The Lord declares, “Out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,  coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.” (Mark 7:21-22)  There is One who is pure in heart. Jesus Christ, our Holy God in the flesh – He alone is truly pure in heart. At your Baptism, in the Blessed Exchange, the Lord cleansed you entirely, taking all of the filth and wretchedness from your heart and trading it for all the righteousness, holiness, and purity of Jesus' heart!That Baptism was “not just plain water, but it is the water included in God's command and combined with God's word.” (Small Catechism, Baptism, 1). So with God's Word, that water delivered Jesus and His forgiveness, rescue, and salvation. You were made blessed and holy by the Holy Spirit. There is daily war against the new creature – the saint that God made at your Baptism. You face horrible hardships all of the time; some of them known only to you in the recesses of your emotional health. Non-Christians harass the Church and her baptized saints. We are weak when facing temptations. We all have our great afflictions. Before Christ returns, the afflictions will increase.You are not good enough. But Christ is perfect and pure. And He gifts you with being pure in heart, holy, and blessed. You belong to Him as His baptized saint. You sing with those saints now in the Church Militant, and one day, Christ will resurrect you and gather you with all His saints to stand before Him, arrayed in white, washed in the Blood of Jesus, and singing His praises forever.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Behold a host, arrayed in white, Like thousand snow-clad mountains bright! With palms they stand; Who is this band Before the throne of light? These are the saints of glorious fame, Who from the great affliction came And in the flood Of Jesus' blood Are cleansed from guilt and shame. They now serve God both day and night; They sing their songs in endless light. Their anthems ring As they all sing With angels shining bright. (LSB 676:1)Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Harrison Goodman is the Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius's life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

The First Communion Class is a teaching series for children ages 7 and up, walking through the basics of the Christian faith using Luther's Small Catechism. Each episode focuses on clear explanation, repetition, and memorization of God's Word to help children understand and prepare to receive the Lord's Supper with faith and reverence.Subscribe & Share:• Apple Podcasts: Christ For You• Spotify: Listen on Spotify• Website: ZionWG.org/podcastStay Connected:• Email: PastorRojas@ZionWG.org• Website: ZionWG.orgIf this strengthened your faith, share it with others and leave a review. Your support helps more people hear the faithful preaching of Christ crucified and risen for you.

On Wednesday nights, Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL) offers to both children and adults an opportunity for teaching with Learn-by-Heart at 6:30 PM and a catechetical service at 7:00. This service is designed to prepare God's people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service.  The dialog sermon explains Jesus' teaching on the marriage feast (St. Matthew 22:1-14), which is the Holy Gospel for the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity. Learn-by-Heart will include “Thine Honor Rescue, Righteous Lord!” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal), Small Catechism, Introduction and 1st Petition to the Lord's Prayer and meaning, and 2 Thessalonians 2:13b-14. --Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin: Catechesis-Trinity-20-10-29-2025.pdf Insert for Hymn: ASBH-Thine-Honor-Rescue-Righteous-Lord.pdf Suffrages:  Suffrages-for-Catechesis-2024-Online.pdf https://vimeo.com/1129716370?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

What are the Ten Commandments? (Part 2) | First Communion ClassThe First Communion Class is a teaching series for children ages 7 and up, walking through the basics of the Christian faith using Luther's Small Catechism. Each episode focuses on clear explanation, repetition, and memorization of God's Word to help children understand and prepare to receive the Lord's Supper with faith and reverence.Subscribe & Share: • Apple Podcasts: Christ For You • Spotify: Listen on Spotify • Website: ZionWG.org/podcastStay Connected: • Email: PastorRojas@ZionWG.org • Website: ZionWG.orgIf this strengthened your faith, share it with others and leave a review. Your support helps more people hear the faithful preaching of Christ crucified and risen for you.

What does it mean to be a Lutheran?  The Lutheran Reformation was founded on the “Three Solas” (Latin for “alone”): “Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone”.   In 1517, Martin Luther's 95 Theses were headed in that direction.  His 1529 Small Catechism condenses those biblical truths into a text book for instruction.  In 1521, He was called to Worms and told to “sit down and shut up” by withdrawing all his writings and declaring them to be false.  Luther stood up instead and kept proclaiming the truth.  By 1530, it was time to set the record straight - against false accusations hurled against them and confusion that was spread as to what Lutherans believed.  So the process began to draft the Augsburg Confession. It was a clear and concise summary of the teachings of Scripture, a bold declaration of what the Scriptures say and what they do not.  It was a statement of biblical truth and a refutation of biblical error.  It was a demonstration that the Lutheran faith is the Christian faith and the orthodox teachings that the church has held too since the time of Christ.   So on June 25, 1530, the Augsburg Confession was boldly, confidently and loudly read.  Charles V and anyone else within earshot heard a systematic presentation of the Bible's truth.  They heard an incredible answer to the question: What does it mean to be a Lutheran?”  And all who read its 28 articles today hear that answer as well.     What a blessing to generations of Lutheran Christians those men and their courage, conviction, and confession have been!   June 25, 1530 was truly a turning point in the life of the Lutheran Church.  Blessings have been coming our way as a result ever since.  And now as you join in our discussion, those blessings are sure to come your way as well! The Augsburg Confession is included in the Book of Concord.  You can find a free version online here.  Grab your printed copy off the shelf or get your own copy here. If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

On Wednesday nights, Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL) offers to both children and adults an opportunity for teaching with Learn-by-Heart at 6:30 PM and a catechetical service at 7:00 PM. This service is designed to prepare God's people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service. The dialog sermon explains Jesus' healing of the paralytic (St. Matthew 9:1-8), which is the Holy Gospel for the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity. Learn-by-Heart will include “Christ Is Our Corner-Stone” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal, #108), Small Catechism, Apostles' Creed, 3rd Article and meaning, and John 10:22-23. --Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin: Catechesis-Trinity-19-10-22-2025.pdf Insert for Hymn: ASBH-108-Christ-Is-Our-Corner-Stone.pdf Suffrages:  Suffrages-for-Catechesis-2024-Online.pdf https://vimeo.com/1125716058?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

Order of Service: - Prelude - Announcement - The Small Catechism (pp. 31-39): The Ten Commandments (read responsively) - Hymn 488 - I Am, Alone, Your God and Lord: vv. 1-3 - Matthew 22:37-40: Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” - Hymn 488 - I Am, Alone, Your God and Lord: vv. 4-7 - Devotion - Hymn 488 - I Am, Alone, Your God and Lord: vv. 8-10 - Prayer - Hymn 593 - On My Heart Imprint Thine Image - Blessing - Postlude Service Participants: Prof. Tom Rank (Preacher), Rev. Prof. Mark DeGarmeaux (Organist)

All these things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). Amen.The Wisconsin Synod began in 1850 with three pastors. By 1862, the new synod president, John Bading, recognized that for the Wisconsin Synod to continue growing and remaining faithful to the Scriptures, it would need to develop its own source of pastors in the United States. The mission societies in Germany had been sending money and pastors to the New World. They were appreciated. But President Bading noticed issues for this new, fledgling church body. The monies and numbers of men were inconsistent. Also, the mission societies intentionally wanted men who were trained to serve both Lutheran and Reformed congregations. Confessional Lutheranism was not something that interested those sending the men.President Bading's plea to the 1862 convention was insistent: "Old synodical congregations have been standing orphaned for many months. … Requests for preachers coming from new congregations who had not as yet joined the synod could not be granted even a hearing. … We cannot and dare not rely on Germany. … We must dig a well in our country, in our Synod, that will supply the workers. If we expect to wait with the institution until we are well-fixed financially, it will never materialize (Christ Through Us, p. 31).The Wisconsin Synod established its own seminary in 1863. This was the same summer the Battle of Gettysburg was fought on the campus of one of the oldest Lutheran seminaries in the United States. Classes began in September of 1863 in a house in Watertown, Wisconsin with one student. By November, another student arrived. Within a year several more students were taking classes. The seminary was off and running.The synod purchased 5 acres of land and broke ground on their first building in 1864. By September 1865, the synod had a seminary, a college, and a preparatory high school all on the same campus. "For now, a well had been dug in the Wisconsin Synod. With God's blessing, the new institutions would produce well-trained pastors to proclaim Christ in and through the synod." (Christ Through Us).Already at the first convention in 1850, it had been resolved that pastors should engage themselves in the education of the youth, conducting day schools in addition to Sunday School. Usually, the local pastor was the teacher of the school. Not every one of these was an all-day, Monday through Friday institution. Classes were held as the pastor's time allowed, and farming work kept many children home from school. By 1860 nearly half of the synod's congregations had a weekday school. Some of the larger congregations in Milwaukee and elsewhere soon called teachers to free up the pastors from these school duties. Since there was a desire for better trained teachers and a steadier supply of them, a teacher training course was added to the Watertown college in the mid-1870s.Our church body was founded to continue preaching and teaching God's salvation in churches, classrooms, and living rooms. It was founded to put into practice the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 6: "Listen, O Israel, and be conscientious about doing those things, so it may go well for you and so you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you. Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God. The Lord is one! Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words that I am commanding you today are to be on your heart. 7Teach them diligently to your children, and speak about them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (Deuteronomy 6:3-7).Did you notice how intense Moses is here? He describes a way of life that is totally saturated with God's Word inside and out. Perhaps many today would consider Moses' intensity to be overkill.God's Word should be so well known that it becomes internal – "on your heart" – on the hearts of you and your children. God's Word is to be an ever-present reality on the hearts, minds, and lips of God's people. It isn't something we just hear and read, pray and sing on Sunday mornings. God's Word should capture our conversations – "speak about them." It should absorb our actions – "when you sit and when you walk." They should thread through our thoughts – "when you lie down and when you get up."How do you start your day? Do you grab your phone to start scrolling social media? That doesn't set a good precedence for the day. How do you end your day? Do you watch videos on your phone while lying in bed? That doesn't allow you to get a good night's sleep. These are also a waste of the precious, limited amount of time God has given you.What might be a better use of your time? In his Small Catechism, Martin Luther suggests making the sign of the cross, repeating the Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer, and then praying his morning prayer. "Then go to your work with joy, singing a hymn, like one of the Ten Commandments or what your devotion may suggest" (The Small Catechism).Gather your children together for prayer and a family devotion. Take 5 to 15 minutes a day in prayer, confession, and meditation on God's Word. Use online or written devotions from the WELS, read a portion of the Bible, and listen to podcasts of sermons, Bible studies, and discussions. (I think your pastor has a few podcasts you can listen to.)Luther has similar advice for the evening. He again suggests making the sign of the cross to remind you of your Baptism, then reciting the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and his evening prayer. "Then go to sleep immediately and cheerfully."Gather your children together for prayer in the evening. Read a portion of Scripture or a family devotion. Pray a written prayer and add your own prayers from the heart. Turn off the lights. "Then go to sleep immediately and cheerfully."The Israelites were to obey God's laws. "Now this is the body of commands, and these are the statutes and the ordinances that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, so you may carry them out in the land to which you are crossing over to receive as a possession, so that you may fear the Lord your God by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I am commanding to you, as well as to your children and grandchildren, all the days of your life, and so that your days may be long" (Deuteronomy 6:1-2). Not only were they to listen to them, but they were to take them to heart. They were to put them into practice.What is one of the best ways to learn how to do something? By teaching it to somebody else. Who better to teach than our children and grandchildren? But what do we do? Probably not that.Take the time right now to bow your head. Confess to God how you fill up your heart with nonsense and the unimportant, instead of filling up your heart with what is important, essential, and eternal.Silence for private confession.Children of the heavenly Father, Jesus Christ has forgiven you. St. Paul writes, "God made him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus made a Great Exchange. Because you fail to love God with your whole being, Jesus loved God above all things. Because you don't set aside Sunday as your Sabbath rest in the Lord, the Son of God worshiped the Triune God in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Because you fail to meditate on God's Word, Jesus is the Word made flesh to reconcile you to God. Because you fail to pray, Jesus went off to pray on his own, and taught his disciples to pray the Lord's Prayer.The Pew Research Center released a study two years ago that found that only 35% of parents said that it was either "extremely" or "very" important to them that their children have beliefs similar to their own. 22% said it was "somewhat" important. While a shocking 43% said it was "not at all" or "not too" important that their children share religious beliefs similar to their own. They consider Moses' intensity to be overkill.Another study found that 23% of Christian parents are worried their little ones might be rejected by their classmates if their faith becomes a public thing. God has laid out a plan in Deuteronomy 6 to pass the faith to the next generations. But sadly, there are many parents and grandparents who have devised their own plan – if kids don't know anything about their faith, they won't say anything about their faith; and if they don't say anything about their faith, no one will pick on them. Their logic is flawless … if the greatest duty of parents is to make sure their offspring have playmates. On the other hand, if you are concerned about seeing your children and grandchildren in heaven, then you will be sharing Jesus' salvation story when you are sitting at home, walking on the sidewalk, getting ready for bed, and getting ready for the day.Parents and grandparents, there is no substitute for you. We are blessed at Lord of Lords to have active Sunday School teachers to train our little ones. We will be starting a youth group soon for regular Teen Bible studies and activities. Lord willing, we'll be making a trip next summer to the WELS International Youth Rally.We are blessed to have 362 early childhood ministries, 284 Lutheran elementary schools, 29 area Lutheran high schools, 2 Preparatory schools, Martin Luther College, and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in the WELS. You support this Christian education in our church and church body with your offerings, prayers, efforts, and encouragement.But the primary responsibility for the spiritual education and edification of children continues to reside with parents and grandparents. Not putting God's Word into the hearts, souls, and minds of your children is like sending your kids to school with no shoes, no lunch, and no lunch money. They are unprepared for the world.Your children and grandchildren are little lambs in Christ's flock. Christ is the Great Shepherd of the sheep (Hebrews 11:20). He has assigned you to be his under-shepherds in the pasture of your home. The Devil is a roaring lion roaming around, seeking to devour your little lambs (1 Peter 5:18). He is the Enemy who seeks to rip faith from your child's soul.Swing the sword of the Spirit against the lion's neck. Strike the lion against the cheek with your Catechism. Save the lambs from the lion's mouth by reminding them of their Baptism. Call upon God's angelic warriors for protection with your prayers.As you read God's Word together, have spiritual discussions of how to put God's Word into practice. Discuss school events, political events, and current events with a Christian worldview.Talk about your faith regularly and how it influences the decisions in your life. This allows them to know Christianity is not confined to one day a week. It influences every activity whether walking or talking, in the morning, afternoon, or evening.Model your faith. Demonstrate repentance. Accept Christ's forgiveness. Joyfully serve the Lord in all you do. Your kids and grandkids will notice. Then they'll want to emulate you.In the words of President Bading, a well has been dug in our synod. Now it's up to you to saturate yourself and your family in God's Word – inside and out. We thank the Lord of the Church for digging this well of the Water of Life with our Seminary, colleges, high schools, prep schools, elementary schools, and Sunday Schools. But you parents and grandparents are on the front lines. Research confirms you are the most significant influence on your young people's spiritual development. What you do now will influence the rest of their lives. This is Christ working through you. "Teach them diligently to your children, and speak about them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (Deuteronomy 6:7). Amen.God has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, inasmuch as God is making an appeal through us (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). Amen.View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.casperwels.com/sermons/christ-through-us/

What are the Ten Commandments? (Part 1) | First Communion ClassThe First Communion Class is a teaching series for children ages 7 and up, walking through the basics of the Christian faith using Luther's Small Catechism. Each episode focuses on clear explanation, repetition, and memorization of God's Word to help children understand and prepare to receive the Lord's Supper with faith and reverence.Subscribe & Share: • Apple Podcasts: Christ For You • Spotify: Listen on Spotify • Website: ZionWG.org/podcastStay Connected: • Email: PastorRojas@ZionWG.org • Website: ZionWG.orgIf this strengthened your faith, share it with others and leave a review. Your support helps more people hear the faithful preaching of Christ crucified and risen for you.

What does it mean to be a Lutheran?  The Lutheran Reformation was founded on the “Three Solas” (Latin for “alone”): “Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone”.   In 1517, Martin Luther's 95 Theses were headed in that direction.  His 1529 Small Catechism condenses those biblical truths into a text book for instruction.  In 1521, He was called to Worms and told to “sit down and shut up” by withdrawing all his writings and declaring them to be false.  Luther stood up instead and kept proclaiming the truth.  By 1530, it was time to set the record straight - against false accusations hurled against them and confusion that was spread as to what Lutherans believed.  So the process began to draft the Augsburg Confession. It was a clear and concise summary of the teachings of Scripture, a bold declaration of what the Scriptures say and what they do not.  It was a statement of biblical truth and a refutation of biblical error.  It was a demonstration that the Lutheran faith is the Christian faith and the orthodox teachings that the church has held too since the time of Christ.   So on June 25, 1530, the Augsburg Confession was boldly, confidently and loudly read.  Charles V and anyone else within earshot heard a systematic presentation of the Bible's truth.  They heard an incredible answer to the question: What does it mean to be a Lutheran?”  And all who read its 28 articles today hear that answer as well.     What a blessing to generations of Lutheran Christians those men and their courage, conviction, and confession have been!   June 25, 1530 was truly a turning point in the life of the Lutheran Church.  Blessings have been coming our way as a result ever since.  And now as you join in our discussion, those blessings are sure to come your way as well! The Augsburg Confession is included in the Book of Concord.  You can find a free version online here.  Grab your printed copy off the shelf or get your own copy here. If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

What does it mean to be a Lutheran?  The Lutheran Reformation was founded on the “Three Solas” (Latin for “alone”): “Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone”.   In 1517, Martin Luther's 95 Theses were headed in that direction.  His 1529 Small Catechism condenses those biblical truths into a text book for instruction.  In 1521, He was called to Worms and told to “sit down and shut up” by withdrawing all his writings and declaring them to be false.  Luther stood up instead and kept proclaiming the truth.  By 1530, it was time to set the record straight - against false accusations hurled against them and confusion that was spread as to what Lutherans believed.  So the process began to draft the Augsburg Confession. It was a clear and concise summary of the teachings of Scripture, a bold declaration of what the Scriptures say and what they do not.  It was a statement of biblical truth and a refutation of biblical error.  It was a demonstration that the Lutheran faith is the Christian faith and the orthodox teachings that the church has held too since the time of Christ.   So on June 25, 1530, the Augsburg Confession was boldly, confidently and loudly read.  Charles V and anyone else within earshot heard a systematic presentation of the Bible's truth.  They heard an incredible answer to the question: What does it mean to be a Lutheran?”  And all who read its 28 articles today hear that answer as well.     What a blessing to generations of Lutheran Christians those men and their courage, conviction, and confession have been!   June 25, 1530 was truly a turning point in the life of the Lutheran Church.  Blessings have been coming our way as a result ever since.  And now as you join in our discussion, those blessings are sure to come your way as well! The Augsburg Confession is included in the Book of Concord.  You can find a free version online here.  Grab your printed copy off the shelf or get your own copy here. If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

On Wednesday nights, Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL) offers to both children and adults an opportunity for teaching with Learn-by-Heart at 6:30 PM and a catechetical service at 7:00 PM. This service is designed to prepare God's people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service. The dialog sermon explains the true worship of God (St. Luke 14:1-11), which is taught in the Holy Gospel for the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity. Learn-by-Heart will include “Oh, How Blest Are Ye Whose Toils Are Ended” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal), Small Catechism, Apostles' Creed, 1st Article and meaning, and Proverbs 25:14 and Ephesians 4:1. --Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin: Catechesis-Trinity-17-10-08-2025.pdf Insert for Hymn: ASBH-104-Oh-How-Blest-Are-Ye-Whose-Toils-Are-Ended.pdf Suffrages:  Suffrages-for-Catechesis-2024-Online.pdf   https://vimeo.com/1119627338

What is catechesis, and why does it matter for us in our daily lives? The Rev. Dr. Peter Bender (Senior Pastor of Peace Lutheran Church and Academy President of the Concordia Catechetical Academy (CCA) in Sussex, Wisconsin) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what catechesis is and is not, why catechesis is important for us in our daily rhythms of life, how Recognized Service Organization (RSO) status has benefitted the Concordia Catechetical Academy, how CCA's resources benefit the church at large, and the recent work that's been done to translate and distribute the Small Catechism. Learn more about Concordia Catechetical Academy at peacesussex.org/cca and lutherancatechesis.org. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

October 2, 2025 Today's Reading: Catechism: Table of Duties - What Hearers Owe Their PastorsDaily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 3:1-29; Matthew 7:1-12 “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17)” (Luther's Small Catechism, Table of Duties, What Hearers Owe Their Pastors) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Small Catechism's Table of Duties contains quite a few orders. These directions indicate how we may better serve our Lord and benefit our neighbor and prepare us for Holy Absolution, showing us where we have done wrong. God's perfect will in His law is both good for us and condemnatory of the sin that remains in us. We will not see it perfected in mankind until the day of resurrection. Our duty to our pastors, outlined above, is a particularly tall order. “Don't be an affliction to me, child!” That is a comically gross simplification that still rings true. The work of your pastors is arduous and frequently thankless. Their vocation has an abnormally high burnout rate. But they still take great joy in serving you, delivering the confidence of forgiveness in Christ by water and Word. When your pastors correct you in sin and any error, rejoice that he loves you enough to warn you of it. It would be far easier and less disruptive to ignore the thing. Your pastor does love you. He wants to instruct you in the Christian faith and to turn you from sin and error. He wants to deliver confidently the Words of Absolution into your ears. He will be accountable for what he has done and left undone. And, he wants you to receive Jesus often. Let him do it. It's for your good. The whole of creation needs to hear and receive this Good News of forgiveness and salvation in Jesus. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Lord God, Heavenly Father, You have ordered all of creation for our good. From the foundations of it, You have been our God. Keep our hearts and minds ever set towards those things which please You, and glorify Your name in the earth, that the free course of the spread of the Gospel of forgiveness in Jesus may be received by all nations. This we pray in the holy name of Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, our Lord. Amen.Rev. Jason Kaspar, pastor of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, La Grange, Texas.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Join author R. Reed Lessing helps with this chapter-by-chapter exploration of the Book of Numbers in Hope in the Wilderness. With helpful maps, diagrams, and connections to the rest of the Bible, you'll be able to understand the beauty of Numbers.

September 27, 2025Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 16 - Psalm 119:73-75, 77; antiphon: Psalm 119:76Daily Lectionary: Malachi 3:6-4:6; Matthew 4:12-25“I know, O Lord … that in faithfulness you have afflicted me” (Psalm 119:75)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The Psalmist attributes his affliction to God's “faithfulness” or “trustworthiness.” The Hebrew word we have here is where we get our “Amen.” You've learned in the Small Catechism that “Amen” means “Yes, yes, it shall be so.” Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you.” In the Greek, it's simply, “Amen, Amen, I say to you.” Jesus is trustworthy, and we give our “Amen” to his faithfulness! So, back to the Psalm. How do we make sense of God afflicting us “in his faithfulness”? If anything, it seems like the opposite. When we experience various afflictions, diseases, troubles, or frustrations, it seems that God is being unfaithful to us, that he is withholding his promises, that he is not listening, that he has forsaken us, that he has forgotten us. But God's “faithfulness” is connected to something more than our feelings and experiences. Dare we say that God's faithfulness is connected to something greater than even his own feelings? His faithfulness is connected to his “steadfast love.” After God destroyed the world in the flood, he set the bow in the clouds as a sign that he would never again destroy the world in that manner. He gives himself a sign that he might see and remember his love and mercy! When God promised to kill every firstborn in Egypt, he gave his people a sign. They were to paint their doorposts with the blood of the Passover lamb, and when he saw the blood, he would remember his love and mercy and pass over their homes. When God afflicts me, it is a sign of his faithfulness and steadfast love. It is a reminder that his hands have “made and fashioned me” and that I live only by his mercy. He has created me by his hands, he has redeemed me by his Son's pierced hands, and should he pierce my heart with affliction, he will do it in faithfulness and steadfast love toward me. He will not forget me forever. He will never leave me nor forsake me. He hears my prayer and promises to give me life according to his Word. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.God knows full well when times of gladness Shall be the needful thing for thee. When He has tried thy soul with sadness And from all guile has found thee free, He comes to thee all unaware And makes thee own his loving care. (LSB 750:4) Rev. David Woelmer, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Smithville, Texas.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Join author R. Reed Lessing helps with this chapter-by-chapter exploration of the Book of Numbers in Hope in the Wilderness. With helpful maps, diagrams, and connections to the rest of the Bible, you'll be able to understand the beauty of Numbers.

On Wednesday nights, Trinity Lutheran Church(Herrin, IL) offers to both children and adults an opportunity for teaching with Learn-by-Heart at 6:30 PM and a catechetical service at 7:00 PM. This service is designed to prepare God's people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service. The dialog sermon explains "The Ten Lepers" (St. Luke 17:11-19), which is the Holy Gospel for Trinity Fourteen. Learn-by-Heart will include “Lord God, We All to Thee Give Praise”   (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal), Small Catechism, Close of the Commandments and meaning, and Hebrews 11:6. --Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin: Catechesis-Trinity-14-9-17-2025.pdf Insert for Hymn: ASBH-103-Lord-God-We-All-to-Thee-Give-Praise.pdf Suffrages:  Suffrages-for-Catechesis-2024-Online.pdf https://vimeo.com/1117632533?share=copy

On Wednesday nights, Trinity Lutheran Church(Herrin, IL) offers to both children and adults an opportunity for teaching with Learn-by-Heart at 6:30 PM and a catechetical service at 7:00 PM. This service is designed to prepare God's people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service.  The dialog sermon explains "The Good Samaritan" (St. Luke 10:23-27), which is the Holy Gospel for Trinity Thirteen. Learn-by-Heart will include “Thank God It Hath Resounded”  (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal), Small Catechism, Ninth and Tenth Commandments and meaning,  and Romans 5:8. --Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin:  Catechesis-Trinity-13-9-10-2025.pdf Insert for Hymn: ASBH-Thank-God-It-Hath-Resounded.pdf Suffrages:  Suffrages-for-Catechesis-2024-Online.pdf https://vimeo.com/1115670405?share=copy

September 4, 2025Today's Reading: Catechism: Who Receives This Sacrament Worthily?Daily Lectionary: 2 Kings 2:1-18; Ephesians 4:1-24Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: ‘Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.'  But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, for the words ‘for you' require all hearts to believe. (Small Catechism part 6, “Who receives this Sacrament worthily?”)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The Lord's Supper can be confusing, especially when it comes to church fellowship. The issue of closed Communion has been tough to understand, let alone explain to friends and family of other churches not in fellowship with your church. But the issue all comes back to what Holy Scripture says about worthiness. 1 Corinthians 11:27-30 is the place to find this. Go read it.Worthy eating of the Lord's Supper does not mean “better than you” eating. Worthy eating is based on faith in these words, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” Those who confess this Christian faith in the same way are welcome to take, eat, and drink. Since the Sacrament harms people who eat it unworthily, closed Communion protects them. If someone does not believe this bread IS Jesus' body and the wine IS His blood, if they disagree about the Gospel or original sin, they do not have the same confession of the faith. And the Sacrament would harm them, even while it helped you.It's like prescription medicines. Prescription medicines help the people for whom they are prescribed, but they harm people for whom they are not prescribed. So it is with the Lord's Supper, the medicine of immortality. Those who share the same faith in Christ and His Words, and confess this faith the same are like those who have the same sickness and are prescribed the same medicine. They can safely take the Sacrament together. But loved ones, friends, and neighbors who do not believe this nor confess this the same should wait until they come to the same faith and the same confession. For Scripture says, unworthy eating harms them. This is why closed Communion matters.But closed Communion does not mean lovelessness, either. We want people to be worthy. We want family who don't agree with us, or friends of a church not in fellowship with us, to be able to take Communion. We also just want them to take it safely. So perhaps the best approach is to say, “Let's make that happen. Let's go, ask the pastor to teach us. I'll be your sponsor and sit in your classes with you.” Then, you both may be able to safely take the Sacrament together in the only worthy way. God grant His Word and Spirit to bring unity where there is division.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.At Your feet I cry, my maker, Let me be a fit partaker Of this blessed food from heaven, For our good, Your glory, given. (LSB 636:6)Rev. Robert Mayes, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Zion St. John Lutheran Church, Beemer and Wisner, NE.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

On Wednesday nights, Trinity Lutheran Church(Herrin, IL) offers to both children and adults an opportunity for teaching with Learn-by-Heart at 6:30 PM and a catechetical service at 7:00 PM. This service is designed to prepare God's people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service.  The dialog sermon explains Jesus' healing of the deaf and mute man (St. Mark 7:31-37), which is the Holy Gospel for the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity. Learn-by-Heart will include the hymn “This Day at Thy Creating” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal), Small Catechism, Seventh & Eighth Commandments and meaning, and Ephesians 2:8-9. --Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin: Catechesis-Trinity-12-9-3-2025.pdf Insert for Hymn: ASBH-This-Day-At-Thy-Creating.pdf Suffrages:  Suffrages-for-Catechesis-2024-Online.pdf https://vimeo.com/1113752119?share=copy

September 2, 2025Today's Reading: Hebrews 13:1-17Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 18:20-40; Ephesians 2:1-22“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The Lord helps you. And not because of anything you have done to merit this gracious favor. And also not because of who you are, who you are related to, or how much you have. Instead, God gives divine help to you simply out of grace, giving you better than you have deserved.For you are a sinner who should be judged by God. You have not always loved God above all things. You likewise have not shown brotherly love at all times to your neighbor. You have acted selfishly. You have spoken what you should not have said. Your thoughts have been tainted with sinful desires like lust or revenge. What is worse, you are unable to help yourself when it comes to making God pleased with you. You cannot charm God, wrapping Him around your little finger to get special treatment.So why would the Lord ever want to be your helper? On account of Jesus' perfect life in your place, His sacrificial death, and His blood shed to cover your sins. “He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, death and the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with His holy precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death.” (Explanation to the 2nd Article of the Creed, the Small Catechism). There is nothing in you that merits God's divine help, but there is everything in Jesus' death in your place that merits this.And He gives this great salvation to you freely. Free gift! No strings attached! No conditions put upon receiving it! It is for you. God loved us when we were His enemies. So for this reason alone, He helps. And the help God gives is 100% done by Him. He does everything for you and your salvation. You simply receive. That's what faith in Christ does. Faith holds to Jesus and His promises made in Holy Scripture, which cannot be broken. Therefore, you can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Since Christ has full atonement made And brought to us salvation, Each Christian therefore may be glad And build on this foundation. Your grace alone, dear Lord, I plead, Your death is now my life indeed, For You have paid my ransom. (LSB 555:6)Rev. Robert Mayes, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Zion St. John Lutheran Church, Beemer and Wisner, NE.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

August 28, 2025 Today's Reading: Catechism: How Can Bodily Eating and Drinking Do Such Great Things?Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 11:1-26; 2 Corinthians 6:1-18Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. (Small Catechism, SA)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Augustine had a lot to forgive. He was a wild child who knowingly avoided the Lord. His father was a pagan, but his mother was a Christian, so he was no stranger to the Church. Still, he was not a fan. This spiraled into one bad choice after another, so Augustine believed many false teachings and Manichean philosophies, lived in sin, fathered a child without marrying the mother, and still refused the biblical pleadings of his own mother.As a Manichean, he believed that the soul was good and the body was evil. Augustine would have a hard time wrapping his brain around a biblical unity of body and soul. This would carry over to the Lord's Supper. For Augustine, before coming to faith, the Eucharist would be extremely difficult to understand. How could the good and holy God take on flesh that would be evil? And how would He then take on flesh, in and with something earthly like bread? It's all so confusing; How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?It is not just the bodily eating and drinking that does these things. The Lord works a miracle with the Sacrament. Each and every time, the Word of God, along with the eating and drinking of that bread and wine, gives the real and true flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. And that flesh and blood is not evil or corrupt, like the early Manichean Augustine thought. It is Body and Blood that is good and perfect and holy, placing your God into you, so you taste and see that the Lord is good!In time, God rescued Augustine from his sin and brought him to faith. The extremely intelligent scholar and great speaker became a humble catechumen and member of the Church, and later, a great bishop and saint.Augustine had a lot to forgive. You do, too. That is precisely why our good and holy Lord took on flesh and was born of the Virgin Mary. That is also precisely why He gives us His holy and precious Body and Blood in the Eucharist. As the perfect and holy body of Jesus enters you, your corrupt body is sanctified from within. Forgiveness, life, and salvation are given through these words, Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins so that you may be strengthened and preserved in body and soul to life everlasting. Amen.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Thy body, giv'n for me, O Savior, Thy blood which Thou for me didst shed, These are my life and strength forever, By them my hungry soul is fed. Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood Be for my soul the highest good! (LSB 619:1)Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

On Wednesday nights, Trinity Lutheran Church(Herrin, IL) offers to both children and adults an opportunity for teaching with Learn-by-Heart at 6:30 PM and a catechetical service at 7:00 PM. This service is designed to prepare God's people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service.  This service is designed to prepare God's people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service.  The dialog sermon explains Jesus' teaching on the Pharisee and the tax collector (St. Luke 18:9-14), which is the Holy Gospel for the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity. Learn-by-Heart will include the hymn “Thy Table I Approach” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal), Small Catechism, Sixth Commandment and meaning, and Ephesians 2:8-9. --Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin: Catechesis-Trinity-11-8-25-2025.pdf Insert for Hymn: ASBH-Thy-Table-I-Approach.pdf Suffrages:  Suffrages-for-Catechesis-2024-Online.pdf https://vimeo.com/1111836681?share=copy

August 21, 2025Today's Reading: Catechism: What is the Benefit of This Eating and Drinking?Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 1:1-4, 15-35; 1 Corinthians 12:14-31What is the benefit of such eating and drinking? These words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins;” show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation. (Small Catechism, 6th Chief Part)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Does your soul hunger for the Lord's Supper? It should. You should desire the Lord's Supper as one of the highest Gifts of God, for there are benefits, great Gifts, and advantages for taking this Sacrament as Christ instituted it.But what's that? You don't see the advantages? This doesn't look like a great Gift? You think the bread is weird and tastes nothing like normal bread? You think the wine is kind of funky, and you still question if you, as a minor, should be drinking alcohol? (Unless you are the kind that is already into drinking—in which case, you should look at what God says about honoring authority in the 4th commandment, repent, confess your sins, and receive the Gospel from your pastor).Despite what your reason and senses say, the words of Jesus speak much differently! (In Matthew 26:28, Jesus says that His blood is shed for the forgiveness of sins, and in Luke 22:19-20, Jesus says His Body and Blood are given for you in the Sacrament.) Trusting in your reason and senses is always a bad way to go when it comes to the things of God. Just as trusting in a deceitful person usually means that you are likely to be deceived. How deceitful are man's reason and senses, corrupted by our fallen nature!In the Sacrament, forgiveness, life, and salvation are yours. Whether or not you think you need forgiveness, life, and salvation, Jesus says you need this. Otherwise, He would not say, “Take, eat. Take, drink.” But He says these words. Therefore, He knows you need these Gifts. You need forgiveness because you are a sinner, and you need forgiveness in this Sacramental way, too. You need life—you need to eat this Sacramental fruit from the Tree of Life. And you need salvation, or you would be lost. With the faith that trusts these words “Given for you,” you have these three benefits. Forgiveness that takes the weight off your conscience. Life from the very veins of the Son of God. Salvation and rescue from your spiritual enemies: sin, death, and the devil. Who wouldn't hunger for such a great Sacrament?In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.He who craves a precious treasure Neither cost nor pain will measure; But the priceless gifts of heaven God to us has freely given. Though the wealth of earth were proffered, None could buy the gifts here offered: Christ's true body, for you riven, And His blood, for you once given. Amen. (LSB 636:1)Rev. Robert Mayes, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Zion St. John Lutheran Church, Beemer and Wisner, NE.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

August 20, 2025Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-13Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 12:1-25; 2 Samuel 13:1-19:43; 1 Corinthians 12:1-13“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.” (1 Corinthians 12:1)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.There are a bunch of strange, hare-brained ideas out there. This is especially clear when the topic of “spiritual gifts” comes up. Some churches think this means people in the Holy Spirit start speaking in gibberish, which they call ‘speaking in tongues.' Some throw their hands up, roll around, or bark like a dog because they feel that they're filled with the Holy Spirit. Good grief. That's not how the Holy Spirit works. Others think “spiritual gifts” refers to created abilities and skills, from understanding people to working with electrical outlets. But then, why would Scripture call these “gifts of the Holy Spirit” when they're more like gifts of creation? Spiritual gifts are more than just skills and abilities. Remember, the Holy Spirit's role is that He “calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the Holy Christian Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith” (Small Catechism, Creed, 3rd article explanation). So the Holy Spirit creates and sustains faith in people's hearts so that they believe in Jesus as their savior. He does this by the Word and sacraments. Therefore, it stands to reason that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit have something to do with edifying the faithful and assisting the Church on earth.Keep in mind the Holy Trinity when reading 1 Corinthians 12:4-6. Paul says, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” God, Lord, and Spirit refer to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God the Father has various gifts of creation and vocational calling. He empowers these activities so that by doing your vocation, He is there enlisting you to help sustain His creation. The Lord Jesus has “varieties of service.” This especially refers to the Office of the Ministry that stands in the stead of Christ and by His Command. Yet in this one Office of the Ministry, there are different roles, from an assistant pastor to a professor to a missionary or a hospital chaplain.The Holy Spirit thus has a variety of gifts, too. He gave certain miraculous Gifts in the period right after the New Testament. But these are no more. Now, the Holy Spirit confines Himself to the normal churchly ways—by your pastor's preaching, baptizing, the Lord's Supper, your own study of God's Word, and devotional life. Here are the Spirit's primary Gifts today, not to mention faith in Christ and the love that comes from faith. God strengthen you in these true Gifts of the Spirit.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Heavenly Father, grant that we are not misled into strange teachings, but kept in the simple teaching of Scripture as we have come to know it by the Catechism. Amen.Rev. Robert Mayes, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Zion St. John Lutheran Church, Beemer and Wisner, NE.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

On Wednesday nights, Trinity Lutheran Church(Herrin, IL) offers to both children and adults an opportunity for teaching with Learn-by-Heart at 6:30 PM and a catechetical service at 7:00 PM. This service is designed to prepare God's people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service.  This service is designed to prepare God's people for the theme of the upcoming Sunday Divine Service.  The dialog sermon explains "The Time of Jesus' Visitation" (St. Luke 19:41-48), which is the Holy Gospel for Trinity Ten. Learn-by-Heart will include the hymn “We Now Implore God the Holy Ghost” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #48), Small Catechism, Tenth Commandment and meaning, and St. Luke 16:9. --Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin:  Catechesis-Trinity-10-08-20-2025.pdf Insert for Hymn:  ASBH-We-Now-Implore-God-the-Holy-Ghost.pdf Suffrages:  Suffrages-for-Catechesis-2024-Online.pdf

August 12, 2025Today's Reading: Hebrews 11:1-16Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 28:3-25; 1 Samuel 29:1-30:31; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. These words are a great reminder. God is not impressed by works. We can't trick Him into being pleased with us by holding up shiny works that we ‘curated ourselves.' Nope. It is impossible to please Him…without faith.So what is this ‘so important' faith? And as a sinner, how can I get it alllll for myself? The first verse of this chapter gives us a definition of faith: “it is assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen.” This still seems fuzzy. I want faith to be something I can put in my pocket and look at, or hold up before God as proof. I want to measure it and control its enoughness. Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. We know from other parts of Scripture, and as it is simply explained in the Small Catechism, that we cannot come to God on our own. We cannot have faith created out of our own reason, understanding, or strength. So, how can I get this necessary faith? How can I please God? How can I get rewards? This verse points to the multitude of Gifts that God gives to His people. It is God Who creates and sustains faith in His people. In Baptism, He drowns the hard-hearted, dead sinner, and creates a New Man who then receives the Holy Spirit. It is God Who, before the foundation of the world, had a plan for the world's salvation in and through Jesus' Death and Resurrection. The faith given in your Baptism is what clings to the promises of God and is what receives the overflowing Gifts and rewards that He gives. We don't work to please God to “get rewards.” Instead, we receive faith, God is pleased with us, and He gives all that we need. Indeed, without faith, we cannot come before God and please Him. And yet, God had a plan. God saved you in the waters of your Baptism. The Holy Spirit within you clings to Jesus' Death and Resurrection for you. In the words of Absolution, Jesus' Body and Blood in the Lord's Supper, and through the proclamation of the Gospel, you receive the rewards that God gives to those who have faith. He lovingly created you, redeemed you, gives you faith, and feeds and sustains you. God be praised for His perfect plan for our salvation, redemption, and the faithful hope you have unto eternal life. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Firmly to our soul's salvation Witnesses Your Spirit, Lord, In Your Sacraments and Word. There He sends true consolation, Giving us the gift of faith That we fear not hell nor death. (LSB 559:3) Deac. Sarah Longmire, Bible study editor for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

In this powerful Lutheran sermon based on Luke 11:1–13, Pastor Balla explores Jesus' teaching on prayer and the Father's greatest gift—the Holy Spirit. In a world where faith often grows cold and prayer becomes rare, Jesus invites us to ask boldly, seek faithfully, and knock persistently. The Holy Spirit is not just a helper in prayer—He is the very breath of faith, the one who keeps us praying, believing, and abiding in Christ. This sermon speaks especially to those feeling spiritually dry, weary in prayer, or struggling to endure in the Christian life. Rooted in the theology of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Small Catechism, this message proclaims that the Spirit comes through the Word and Sacraments, sustaining us daily. Whether you are a lifelong Lutheran or new to Christian preaching, this Christ-centered sermon offers encouragement and clarity. Subscribe for weekly Law and Gospel preaching, Lutheran doctrine, and Christ-exalting messages.➡️ Watch now and be renewed by The Best Gift the Father gives—the Holy Spirit who keeps us praying.

July 20, 2025 Today's Reading: Luke 10:38-42Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 3:1-21; Acts 16:1-22“. . . Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.' But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'” (Luke 10:40-42) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. You have been anxious and troubled about many things, distracted with much serving (and so have I). But Jesus' concern isn't serving, it's distraction; distraction from the one thing that is needfull (necessary). Serving your neighbors (family, friends, classmates, coworkers, etc.) is a good and necessary aspect of your vocation as Christians. The Table of Duties in the Small Catechism gives examples of what this means. In this fallen world, there is always work to do for the good of others. There is nothing wrong (and everything right) with service to family, friends, community, and church. Martha's desire to serve, in and of itself, was not wrong – in fact, it was completely right. Martha was not wrong in her desire to serve, but in her troubled heart, trusting in her service to Jesus more than Him as her one thing needful. Her anxiety over loving and serving her neighbors (Jesus and others gathered) distracted her from the true purpose of Jesus' presence. She had not grasped that Jesus came for her. Jesus “…came not to be served, but to serve…” (Matthew 28:20). While the one thing needful was right there at hand, Martha felt that serving Him was more important than being served by Him. Mary chose what is better when one is in the presence of Christ: she sat at His feet and received what He came to give. Martha's complaint to Jesus was rebuked not because He didn't appreciate Martha's service, but because Martha erred in thinking that Mary was wrong in her desire to be served by Him before serving. Both Martha and Mary represent critical aspects of living out your Baptism, loving God and loving neighbor (see Luke 10:27). But take care that your much serving doesn't become more important than your being much served by Christ Himself. The former emanates from the law, which cannot save, but only curbs, accuses, and guides (necessary as that is). The latter is the Gospel itself, emanating from Christ our Savior, being necessary for salvation (John 6:27, Romans 5:21, Jude 1:21). It is the much-suffering of Christ (His crucifixion!) that saves you, and it will not be taken away! (See Small Catechism, Explanation to the 2nd Article, 2nd Paragraph)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  O Lord, grant us the Spirit to hear Your Word and know the one thing needful that by Your Word and Spirit we may live according to Your will; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, LSB)Rev. Jeffrey Ries is the pastor of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tacoma, WA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius's life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

What if the Parable of the Good Samaritan is more than just a call to kindness? In this powerful LCMS sermon, Pastor David Balla unpacks Luke 10:25–37 to reveal the deeper Gospel truth: the Church is Christ's Inn, a healing place where wounded sinners are brought by the Savior Himself. This sermon proclaims the Law and Gospel, showing how Christ is the true Good Samaritan who rescues the spiritually dead and entrusts them to His Church for restoration through Word and Sacrament.Ideal for Lutheran Christians, pastors, Bible students, and seekers, this sermon connects the parable to the Lutheran Confessions, the Small Catechism, and the life of the Church today. Explore the beauty of Christ's mercy, the mission of the Church, and the comfort of the Gospel. Subscribe for Christ-centered preaching, Lutheran doctrine, and liturgical reflections every week.Perfect for Proper 10 (Year C), this is a must-watch for anyone preparing for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost or studying the role of the Church in the life of believers.#LutheranSermon #GoodSamaritan #LCMSPreaching #Luke10 #ChristCentered

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Discover the true joy that lasts forever in this inspiring Lutheran sermon based on Luke 10:20. Pastor David Balla from the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) preaches on “The Joy of Heaven” for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. Jesus reminds His disciples not to rejoice in their ministry successes but to rejoice that their names are written in heaven. This powerful sermon will deepen your Christian faith, helping you focus on the eternal hope of salvation through Jesus Christ rather than temporary earthly accomplishments. Drawing on LCMS theology, Lutheran tradition, and the Small Catechism, this sermon proclaims the Gospel with clarity and conviction. Perfect for those seeking biblical preaching, Lutheran sermons, LCMS Pentecost reflections, and Christian encouragement. Learn what it means to have your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life, to rest in Christ's finished work, and to rejoice in your secure place in God's kingdom. Share this message with your family, Bible study group, or congregation. Subscribe for more Lutheran preaching, confessional LCMS teachings, and Bible-based sermons to strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.Hashtags:#LutheranSermon #LCMS #Luke1020 #PentecostPreaching #ChristianJoy

The topic this time is evangelical sacramentalism courtesy of a good short article by Gillis Harp, a retired professor of history at Grove City College. With Dr. Harp, the co-hosts, Korey Maas (Lutheran), Miles Smith (Anglican), and D. G. Hart (Presbyterian) talk about the recent elevation of the sacraments among Protestants, whether this is a function of Protestants trying to retrieve the church fathers or re-enchant worship services, and the relationship between preaching and the Lord's Supper.  Spoiler alert: readers may be surprised to hear an Anglican (Dr. Harp) defend a high view of preaching.  Listeners may want to consult Luther's Small Catechism, the Thirty-Nine Articles, and the Shorter Catechism on the Lord's Supper to see the language used to describe the benefits of the sacrament.  

https://youtu.be/JT2IxHIyf5YIn this powerful LCMS Pentecost sermon, Pastor David Balla preaches on Luke 8:26–39, where Jesus delivers a man possessed by a legion of demons. This Christ-centered message reveals how the living Word of Jesus has divine authority to cast out spiritual chaos, restore peace, and make sinners whole. Drawing from the Lutheran confessions and the theology of C.F.W. Walther, this sermon proclaims Christ's real presence and the victory of His Word over darkness.Perfect for Lutheran Christians, Bible students, and anyone seeking Gospel-centered preaching rooted in Scripture and the Small Catechism. Explore themes of spiritual warfare, divine restoration, and the power of the Word of Christ in this Pentecost sermon. This is a must-watch for LCMS members, confessional Lutherans, and those seeking faithful biblical sermons online.Subscribe for weekly LCMS sermons, Lutheran Bible studies, and Christian meditations.

“What does this mean?” This question might sound familiar to anyone who has spent time studying Luther's Small Catechism. As the catechism covers each of the Six Chief Parts, the question is asked again and again: “What does this mean?” And then explanation follows. This same question was asked by many in the crowd on the Day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2. As the people hear and see these miraculous events, they are amazed and perplexed, asking one another, “What does this mean?” In the verses that follow, Peter gives explanation from the Old Testament. He proclaims that God has fulfilled His promise to “pour out His Spirit on all flesh.” The gift of the Holy Spirit has been given for all nations. As you celebrate the Day of Pentecost today, reflect on these events by asking yourself, “What does this mean—for me?”

Pr. David Petersen of Gottesdienst: The Journal of Lutheran Liturgy God With Us Gottesdienst: The Journal of Lutheran Liturgy. The post The Table of Duties in Luther's Small Catechism, Part 4 – Pr. David Petersen, 6/11/25 (1622) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

June 7, 2025 Today's Reading: John 14:8-21Daily Lectionary: Numbers 20:22-21:9; Luke 20:45-21:19“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” (John 14:16)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Holy Spirit is God, as much as the Father is God and the Son is God. We confess this truth every time we speak one of the Creeds. But if the Spirit is God, why don't we give as much attention to the Holy Spirit as we do to the Father and the Son?On the one hand, we probably should spend more time thinking about the Holy Spirit and praising Him for all that He does for us. Not only is He God, but we would be lost without the Holy Spirit. Luther reminds us in the Small Catechism that we “cannot by our own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ our Lord or come to Him.” It is the Holy Spirit who grants us saving faith in Jesus.  St. Paul also reminds us that it is only by the Holy Spirit that we can do good works, pleasing in God's sight. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control,” (Galatians 5:22-23). We literally could not be holy to God without the work of the Holy Spirit.But on the other hand, Jesus reminds us that in a way, this is what the Holy Spirit wants. Jesus calls the Spirit the “Helper.” The Holy Spirit acts as our helper by pointing us to Jesus. He directs our attention to Christ because it is Jesus alone who takes on our sinful flesh and suffers and dies for us. The Spirit teaches us all these things about Christ and brings them to our remembrance (John 14:26) by inspiring the prophets and apostles to write the Scriptures for us, and by working through the preaching of God's Word. That is how saving faith is created and sustained in us.Jesus, in turn, leads us to the Father (John 14:6) and shows us the Father's face (John 14:9). That is salvation. The faith of a Christian, the faith that is created by the work of the Holy Spirit, is always centered around Jesus Christ, our Lord.It is certainly good and right to praise God, the Holy Spirit, and acknowledge His work among us. And the best way to do that is to direct our eyes to Jesus and believe in Him. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Almighty and ever-living God, You fulfilled Your promise by sending the gift of the Holy Spirit to unite disciples of all nations in the cross and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. By the preaching of the Gospel spread this gift to the ends of the earth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Collect for Pentecost Eve)- Rev. Aric Fenske, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church in Bear Creek, WI.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Pr. David Petersen of Gottesdienst: The Journal of Lutheran Liturgy God With Us Gottesdienst: The Journal of Lutheran Liturgy. The post The Table of Duties in Luther's Small Catechism, Part 3 – Pr. David Petersen, 6/4/25 (1551) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

What is Pentecost? When did this happen in relation to the crucifixion and resurrection? What is the significance of the tongues of fire? Dr. Croghan turns to Martin Luther's Small Catechism: "I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel." This is the Holy Spirit's work, to deliver the Gospel to you. The Holy Spirit comes to convict you of your sin. The conviction comes when you say, “Your sins are forgiven.” You have mercy. You have the Gospel. CARE OF SOULS - ADDICTIONIn Care of Souls, a special mini-series podcast from Luther House of Study, Lutheran pastors and theologians come together to explore the deeply personal and pastoral task of preaching to and caring for those struggling with life's challenging situations: addiction, death, family disharmony, and more. Rooted in the theology of the cross and the Lutheran tradition of radical grace, this series offers both theological depth and practical guidance for pastors, church workers, and lay leaders. Because in the end, it's not about fixing people—it's about preaching the Gospel. Care of Souls - Addiction GOSPEL Acts 2:1-21 1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs -- in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" 13 But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine." 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17  'In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18  Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19  And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20  The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day. 21  Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' Support the showInterested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

Pr. David Petersen of Gottesdienst: The Journal of Lutheran Liturgy God With Us Gottesdienst: The Journal of Lutheran Liturgy. The post The Table of Duties in Luther's Small Catechism, Part 2 – Pr. David Petersen, 5/20/25 (1401) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Pr. David Petersen of Gottesdienst: The Journal of Lutheran Liturgy God With Us Gottesdienst: The Journal of Lutheran Liturgy. The post The Table of Duties in Luther's Small Catechism, Part 1 – Pr. David Petersen, 5/15/25 (1353) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

April 25, 2025Today's Reading: Mark 16:14-20Daily Lectionary: Exodus 18:5-27; Hebrews 12:1-24“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.The end of Mark gives us language that is reminiscent of Matthew's ending: the admonition to proclaim the Gospel and baptize the nations. The sacrament of Baptism is laid before Mark's readers as a life-giving Gift from God. Luther even uses the end of Mark as part of his explanation in the Small Catechism on Baptism, the second part, regarding the benefits of Baptism. Your Baptism saves you.  Baptism is no small, insignificant part of our lives. It is not a once-and-done “the box is checked, life is good, let's not talk about it until confirmation when we can start preparing for the real sacrament, Holy Communion.” Baptism gives to us all the blessings and benefits that Christ has done for us. It is a Means Of Grace. It is a vessel that God uses to bring us the forgiveness of sins, life everlasting, faith, and the Holy Spirit.  Our world cannot comprehend how God works through the simplest things to do miraculous work. Water and His word together bring us these benefits and blessings. It is not our faith that makes Baptism valuable but rather faith that is given to us in Baptism. It is God's work through Baptism that His robe of righteousness is placed over us. The world sees only water. The world hears just simple words. It is these two components together that give us Baptism.  We are Baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We carry the name of the triune God upon us. His cross is placed both upon our forehead and upon our hearts to mark us as one redeemed by Christ the crucified. His name, His death, and His resurrection are our identity in Baptism. We are no longer left out in the world, lost and condemned. Sin does not prevail. Satan no longer can condemn us. We are baptized into Christ. It is our condition that we live in each day. We boldly say, “I am baptized!”In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.In a wat'ry grave are buried All our sins that Jesus carried; Christ, the Ark of Life, has ferried Us across death's raging flood. (LSB 597:2)-Rev. Timothy Davis, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens, GA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God's people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

God's gift of family came to His creation before the fall into sin. Even though our lives in the family experience the hurt of sin, these vocations from God remain good. Husbands are given to love their wives with respect and gentleness, sacrificing themselves for their wives as Christ has done for His Church. Wives are to receive this love from their husbands with submissiveness and joy, as the Church receives the gifts of her Lord. Parents are to raise their children with love that points them to God's Word, and children are to receive their parents' teaching with honor and obedience, trusting God to bless them as they do. Humility is commended to the youth, and hope is given to widows. In all relationships, Christians show love to each other and pray for each other.  Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study the Table of Duties from the Small Catechism.  Learn more about Sharathon 2025 and give now at kfuo.org/sharathon. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

The Table of Duties is the third section of the Small Catechism that helps us to know our place in life as Christians. Pastors are to live their lives so that they do not become a scandal to the Word of God that they are given to teach to their hearers, and hearers are given to support their pastors financially and gladly hear the Word that their pastor preaches. The civil government must recognize that all authority comes from God and use it to promote what is good and punish what is evil, while citizens should respect and submit to the authority God has vested in civil government, praying for their leaders. Employers and employees are to live and work in relationship toward each other recognizing that God is their ultimate Lord.  Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study the Table of Duties from the Small Catechism.  Learn more about Sharathon 2025 and give now at kfuo.org/sharathon. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

The AFLC and LCMS share several common Scriptural convictions: salvation in Christ alone, the inerrancy of Scripture, male-only pastors, the value of every human life, and conversion as being the work of the Holy Spirit. Yet, there are differences between them, which are manifested by the AFLC's confessional subscription to only the Creed, Augsburg Confession, and Small Catechism. We pray for unity in the future, but also cling to the promises of God found in Scripture and clearly confessed in the entire Book of Concord. Rev. Sam Wellumson, pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church, East Grand Forks, MN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to discuss the confessional subscription of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations (AFLC). Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org.