A Reading from the Book of Concord 3 year series March 15, 2009 - Third Sunday in Lent

Standard LSB B Readings: First: Exodus 20:1-17 Epistle: 1 Cor. 1:18-31 Gospel: John 2:13-22(23-25) Psalm: Psalm 19:1ff

The following reading from the CONCORDIA edition of the Book of Concord is for the LSB Old Testament Exodus 20:1-17 for the Third Sunday in Lent, March 15, 2009.

It is from Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article V, paragraphs 19-22, page 105.

Those who have no other god but the Lord will not only love Him, call upon Him in trouble, seek to obey Him, but will also fear Him more than anyone or anything. For example, when discussing creation and evolution one will not hesitate to confess that God created all things according their kinds and that He created man in a special way and man did not evolve from any other animal. Thus, one fears God more than what others might think or say about him.

Click here for the reading formatted for the back of a standard CPH bulletin.

Pastor Doug May
Socorro, New Mexico

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD	THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
APOLOGY OF THE AUGSBURG CONFESSION	ARTICLE V: LOVE AND FULFILLING THE LAW

We teach not only how the Law can be kept, but also how God is pleased. This is not because we satisfy the Law, but because we are in Christ. It is clear that we require good works. We also say this: Our love for God, even though it is small, cannot possibly be separated from faith. For we come to the Father through Christ. When forgiveness of sins has been received, then we are truly certain that we have a God [Exodus 20:3], that is, that God cares for us. We call upon Him, we give Him thanks, we fear Him, we love Him as 1 John 4:19 teaches, "We love because He first loved us." In other words, we love Him because He gave His Son for us and forgave us our sins. In this way John shows that faith comes first and love follows. Likewise, the faith of which we speak exists in repentance. I mean that faith is conceived in the terrors of conscience, which feels God's wrath against our sins and seeks forgiveness of sins, seeks to be freed from sin. In such terrors and other troubles, this faith ought to grow and be strengthened. Therefore, it cannot exist in people who live by the flesh, who are delighted by their own lusts and obey them. So, Paul says in Romans 8:1, "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." So, "We are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live" (8:12-13). (paragraphs 19-22)

Condensed from CONCORDIA: THE LUTHERAN CONFESSIONS, copyright 2005,2006 by Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. All rights reserved. To purchase a copy of CONCORDIA, call 800-325-3040.

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