Tag Archives: Ten Commandments

The Law and the Gospel

Text: Matthew 22:34-46 In our Christian Book of Concord, the Lutheran confessors write,  The distinction between the Law and the Gospel is a particularly brilliant light. It serves the purpose of rightly dividing God’s Word and properly explaining and understanding the Scriptures of the holy prophets and apostles. We must guard this distinction with specialContinue reading “The Law and the Gospel”

Serious Law and Gospel

Text: The Close of the Commandments Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is likeContinue reading “Serious Law and Gospel”

You Shall Not Covet

Text: Ninth and Tenth Commandments “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” This was King David’s fervent prayer to God, after the prophet Nathan made known to him his sin. David had taken another man’s wife to be his own and, moreover, had the man killed byContinue reading “You Shall Not Covet”

To Build Up, Not Tear Down

Text: Eighth Commandment St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, in chapter 4, about the new life they had received in Christ. Their new life – to which they were called by Baptism and faith – was different than the life they previously lived, including how they used to relate to their neighbor. St. Paul said, Continue reading “To Build Up, Not Tear Down”

The Lord Provides

Text: Seventh Commandment Our Lord teaches us in the Sermon on the Mount about being anxious over our earthly well-being. He says, Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life moreContinue reading “The Lord Provides”

Chaste in Word and Deed

Text: Sixth Commandment The Holy Spirit teaches us in Genesis 2 that after God formed man from the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, He found that it was not good for Adam to be alone. Every beast of the field had its mate – its helper –Continue reading “Chaste in Word and Deed”

Honor Your Father and Your Mother

Text: Fourth Commandment “Honor your father and your mother,” the Lord said on Mount Sinai,“that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” With these words the Lord moves us into what we call the Second Table of the Commandments. If you imagine Moses coming down from theContinue reading “Honor Your Father and Your Mother”