Concord Matters from KFUO Radio

Good works do not reconcile us to God. Only by faith in the blood of Christ are we reconciled to God the Father (I Timothy 2:5). Good works are necessary (Ephesians 2:10). In faith, there are no fractions in salvation. Works without faith will never be enough, but Christ’s cross is enough. Jesus + nothing=everything! “Nothing in my hand I bring; Simply to the Thy cross I cling. Naked come to Thee...

God has made me all and creatures and still takes care of us. Yet, God is not the source of sin. We are corrupted by the choices of Adam and Eve while the devil continues to cause chaos like a roaring lion. Our identity in Christ shows us that we are not defined by the world or by our desires, as Christ has called us His own by His blood, and only by God’s grace and mercy in Christ are we able to...

Freedom is a key tenet as Americans, yet is freedom of choice the same as what Scripture tells us? Yes, we can choose to do good things in this life, however, we are unable to choose God as the source of salvation. Where is the emphasis? Is my hope in the action of choosing Christ or the work of Christ choosing us? The law can never justify us before God, but the Holy Spirit, by the Word give us t...

It’s very simple: Christ has come and Christ is coming again (Revelation 22:20). The time of His return is unknown (Matthew 24:36), but Jesus will physically come to judge the whole world separating the sheep (believers in Christ), and the goats (unbelievers)(Matthew 25:31-46) to make all things new (Revelation 21:1). There are many different views of the end times, yet we believe, teach, and conf...

When we follow certain ceremonies in the Church are they distracting to the Gospel or do they help the proclamation of Christ? When we live in the world, how do we engage our government without sacrificing our beliefs? The Concordians asked the question, “What does Scripture say?” and “Where is your hope?” The Christian can follow ceremonies and participate in the government with a clear conscienc...

The Concordians were very aware of the questions that would arise when confessing the truth of the Church and the Sacraments such as: “How do we view faith with the Sacraments?” and “Who should preach, teach, and administer the Sacraments?” As they taught the truth of God’s Word the focus faith takes off the promises of the world and puts on the promises of Christ. The Lord calls qualified men (I...

Jesus tells us why he came, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32).” Repentance needs to have a good understanding of “Worldly sorrow” vs. “Godly sorrow.” Am I sorry that I got caught or am I sorry that I broke God’s commands? The life of the Christian is repentance, that is, sorrow for our sin and assurance of His forgiveness in Christ. When Jesus says repent...

"Private absolution should be retained in the churches”, the Concordians confess.  Yet, for various reasons the practice has been largely absent from most Lutheran congregations.  We want to follow the Lord’s command to forgive and retain sins (John 20 & Matthew 16), but confession should not be a source of more guilt and shame.  Confession/absolution give the benefits of Christ’s cross to the sin...

Jesus’ words are simple with eternal implications.  The mystery of His real presence points us back to Christ’s cross and the benefits of we receive today in the body and blood.  Instead of looking within ourselves to find comfort, we cling to the plain words of Christ to receive what He promises: forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation (Matthew 26:28).  “What is this bread?  Christ’s body risen...

When Scripture speaks, we believe and confess it. Jesus tells us that “whoever believes and is baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16).” Peter tells us “Baptism now saves you (I Peter 3:21).” Jesus tells us to “make disciples of all nations baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20).” According to Scripture, we believe that all the promises of Baptis...

What is the Church? What does the Church do? We need to know what the Church is to make sure that we know where to go. We need to know what the Church is to make sure we know what we receive. The Church begins and ends with Christ and the gifts He gives: The Word, the Sacraments, and the forgiveness of sins on account of Him. Luther lays it out well in the Smalcald articles (Article XII) “Thank Go...

If we are saved by the grace given by Christ’s cross and empty tomb and received by faith, then what? Are we “required” to do anything? Good works are done by the Christian, by the Holy Spirit, and are necessary for the baptized (Ephesians 2:10). The works are not done because the Lord needs them, but for the needs of our neighbor. In faith, the baptized Christian humbly serves others knowing that...

As we are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor and their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, how does one receive the benefits of Christ’s work 2,000+ years ago? So that we may obtain faith, the ministry of teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted by the Lord. The Lord calls pastors to be giving the gifts...

Justification is often said to be “Just as if I did not sin.” Scripture is very clear that we are dead in our sin, when one is dead there is no hope for renewal. Our justification is not based on our works, but what we cannot do for ourselves, Christ has done for us. His cross, His tomb, His resurrection, and His ascension has done all the work, He has made satisfaction for our sins and by His gra...

We cover two important questions that require a correct answer: Who am I? Who is Jesus? Since the fall of Adam and Eve, all who are naturally born with sin and often can be described as the “addiction” to sin. The only way to overcome this addiction is through the cleansing, healing, and forgiving blood of Christ through Baptism. This Jesus, God and man, has come to bring that healing by His cross...

What does Scripture tell us about our Triune God? What does Scripture not tell us about the Triune God? We believe in only one God, who is at the same time three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). We do not separate the Trinity, but understand that this God is all powerful, omniscient, and all good. The heresies of those days are still alive and well: a denial of Christ’s divinity, God’s omni...

The Augsburg Confession points our attention to the Good News of Christ that the fullness of the Gospel to sinners. On June 25th, 1530 the Augsburg Confession was confessed to the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Charles the V, with the hope that Germany would be united as outside pressures mounted. Although the hope was a unified Germany for the sake of politics, yet, the Lord work through all t...

The Concordians were committed to the historic, Christian faith of all times and all places. The ancient creeds were not accepted because they are equal to Scripture, but because they confess the truth of Scripture. Each creed was written to respond to different issues of their day. The Apostles Creed confessed the truth of the Triune God in whom we are baptized. The Nicene Creed clearly confessed...

Clear teachings are important for the baptized and for those who are learning the Christian faith. The Concordians give clear teachings on the two natures of Christ, the real presence of the Lord’s Supper, the universal doctrines of the Christian church, and the importance of visitations. Not only do we profess what we believe, but also reject anything that is contrary to what Scripture says. The...

After the Augsburg Confession was presented to Emperor Charles the V at Augsburg in 1530 there arose many questions of “What is the authoritative text of the Augsburg Confession?” There were various variations and changes that were in distribution which brought much confusion over the belief of the Lord’s Supper. The confessors made very clear that the confession in 1530 correct and in accordance...

The formation of the Book of Concord is the result of 50+ years of the Protestant Reformation where the Church and State were deeply connected. The goal of the signers of this Preface was to proclaim the Truth and Light God’s Word in Christ and unite the nation around this Truth. The events leading up to 1580 was not a smooth ride, such as the failed Naumburg Conference of 1561. Yet, by God’s grac...

Every generation in the Church needs clarity in what we believe, teach, and confess. Not only do we battle the Old Adam and sinful desires, but the devil works tirelessly to subtly change a few words so that hearers will doubt the Gospel. The goal of the Book of Concord is that the Church and her schools would persevere in pure doctrine and that everything that we do is governed by God’s Word. We...

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked (Galatians 6:7).” Scripture calls us to examine ourselves before we receive the body and blood of Christ (I Corinthians 11:28). Understanding the serious of our sin and the need for repentance, Luther gave catechumens and all Christians a list of questions to help us examine our faith, trusting in His grace by the blood of Christ. These questions are a ble...

How am I to live as a baptized, redeemed by the blood of Christ child of God? Luther lays out the simple Scriptural passages that help us better understand how we are live as Christians in our daily vocations. Luther calls each office as holy orders and positions. As everything is about Christ, we serve in His holiness out of love for Him and love for others. “O Lord Jesus, send Your Holy Spirit s...

We boldly and confidently pray to our LORD with thanksgiving knowing that Christ intercedes for us (Romans 8:22-23; Galatians 4:6; Hebrews 7:25). Section 2 of Luther’s small catechism points us to the daily trust that the Lord hears and answers our prayers at all times (Philippians 4:4-7). Luther gives us basic instructions for prayer in the morning, evening, before and after a meal so that our wi...