LCMS site with Luther's Small Catechism
Close of the Commandments
What does God say about all these commandments? He
says: "I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children
for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those
who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who
love Me and keep My commandments." [Exodus 20:5-6]
What does this mean? God
threatens to punish all who break these commandments. Therefore,
we should fear His wrath and not do anything against them. But He
promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these
commandments. Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and
gladly do what He commands.
Ten Commandments
Old Testament Books of the Bible
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
I Samuel
II Samuel
I Kings
II Kings
I Chronicles
II Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiates
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
New Testament Books of the Bible
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
I Corinthians
II Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
I Thessalonians
II Thessalonians
I Timothy
II Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
I Peter
II Peter
I John
II John
III John
Jude
Revelation
God of Grace and God of Glory
God of grace and God of glory,
On your people pour your pow'r;
Crown your ancient church's story;
Bring its bud to glorious flow'r.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.
Lo, the hosts of evil round us
Scorn the Christ, assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us
Free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the living of these days,
For the living of these days.
Cure your children's waring madness;
Bend our pride to your control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
Lest we miss your kingdom's goal,
Lest we miss your kingdom's goal.
Save us from weak resignation
To the evils we deplore;
Let the gift of your salvation
Be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
Serving you whom we adore,
Serving you whom we adore.
The Sacrament of the Altar
What is the Sacrament of the Altar?
It
is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and
wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to
drink.
Where is this written?
The holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul write: Our
Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and
when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and
said: "Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This
do in remembrance of Me."
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had
given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you;
this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for
the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in
remembrance of Me."
What is the benefit of this 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.
How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?
Certainly not just eating and drinking do these things, but the words
written here: "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of
sins." These words, along with the bodily eating and drinking,
are the main thing in the Sacrament. Whoever believes theses
words has exactly what they say: "Forgiveness of sins."
Who receives this sacrament worthily?
Fasting 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.
St. John Lutheran, Seward, Nebraska
and
Educational Service Unit #6, Milford, Nebraska
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