Three Forms Podcast

The Tenth Commandment isn't just one more, tacked on to the list, but rather a key that helps us understand our Lord's expectations for the other nine and every area of our lives. Lord’s Day 44 Q & A 113 Q. What is the aim of the tenth commandment? A. That not even the slightest desire or thought contrary to any one of God’s commandments should ever arise in our hearts. Rather, with all our hearts...

Dealing with the 9th Commandment, we are warned about following the pattern of the Devil, the father of lies, and instead challenged to consider how we can better guard our neighbors good name! Lord’s Day 43 Q & A 112 Q. What is the aim of the ninth commandment? A. That I never give false testimony against anyone, twist no one’s words, not gossip or slander, nor join in condemning anyone rashly or...

The 8th Commandment reflects the necessity of trust in society, but goes far beyond worrying about a pick-pocket. Tax policy, national debt, state lotteries, even seeking higher education all tie in. Lord’s Day 42 Q & A 110 Q. What does God forbid in the eighth commandment? A. God forbids not only outright theft and robbery, punishable by law. But in God’s sight theft also includes all scheming an...

In the 7th Commandment, we are challenged to think about God's good gift of sexuality, and how it is to be honored and protected. Unchastity is rampant in societies, but God's people are to detest it! Lord’s Day 41 Q & A 108 Q. What does the seventh commandment teach us? A. That God condemns all unchastity, and that therefore we should thoroughly detest it and live decent and chaste lives, within...

Is it ever permissible to kill another human being? Why did the OT have building requirements for roof tops? Is it a sin to ride a motorcycle? Is political speech a violation of the 6th Commandment? We consider these questions and more, as we continue our journey through the Ten Commandments. Lord’s Day 40 Q & A 105 Q. What is God’s will for youin the sixth commandment? A. I am not to belittle, ha...

The 5th Commandment is not just about listening to our moms and dads, but here the Lord is teaching us about the necessity of honoring and submitting to those in authority, as God has given them that position. Lord’s Day 39Q & A 104Q. What is God’s will for you in the fifth commandment? A. That I honor, love, and be loyal to my father and mother and all those in authority over me; that I submit my...

Has the Fourth Commandment been rendered inoperative? #Sundayfunday is a popular attitude in our culture, but is that appropriate for God's people? Today we consider the importance of the Christian Sabbath. Lord’s Day 38Q & A 103Q. What is God’s will for you in the fourth commandment? A. First, that the gospel ministry and education for it be maintained, and that, especially on the festive day of...

The only one of the 10 Commandments the Heidelberg spends two Lord's Days on, we consider why the 3rd Commandment is not an absolute prohibition on taking oaths, but that oaths are a positive way to use God's name. Lord’s Day 37 Q & A 101 Q. But may we swear an oath in God’s name if we do it reverently? A. Yes, when the government demands it, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and...

The Lord cares about His Name and reputation, and expects His people to as well. We should defend and honor it, but that also means using it aright, and not just writing G_d. Lord’s Day 36Q & A 99Q. What is the aim of the third commandment? A. That we neither blaspheme nor misuse the name of God by cursing, perjury, or unnecessary oaths, nor share in such horrible sins by being silent bystanders....

Exploring the Second Commandment, we look at how it governs the way we worship, and how the Lord wishes His people to be instructed. And given Biblical examples, the Lord seems pretty serious about these matters. Lord’s Day 35Q & A 96Q. What is God’s will for us in the second commandment? A. That we in no way make any image of God nor worship him in any other way than has been commanded in God’s W...

Our Thankfulness is to be guided by God's Law. Today we start exploring the 10 Commandments, considering 3 purposes for God's Law, and if an Atheist breaks the First Commandment. The Ten CommandmentsLord’s Day 34Q & A 92Q. What is God’s law? A. God spoke all these words:THE FIRST COMMANDMENT“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall ha...

While we are in the Gratitude section, we review one more time the basis of our salvation, and close by focusing on the how we understand what is truly good! Lord’s Day 33Q & A 88Q. What is involved in genuine repentance or conversion? A. Two things: the dying-away of the old self, and the rising-to-life of the new. Q & A 89Q. What is the dying-away of the old self? A. To be genuinely sorry for si...

Today we enter the 3rd section of the Catechism, noting five of the reasons it gives to motivate our grateful living, and confirming that how one lives is a salvation issue! Part III: GratitudeLord’s Day 32Q & A 86Q. Since we have been delivered from our misery by grace through Christ without any merit of our own, why then should we do good works? A. Because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood...

We close this section with old time radio sound effects, exploring the keys of the kingdom, and the authority the Lord has given his church in preaching of the Word and the exercise of discipline unto repentance. Lord’s Day 31Q & A 83Q. What are the keys of the kingdom? A. The preaching of the holy gospel and Christian discipline toward repentance. Both of them open the kingdom of heaven to believ...

The third and final Lord's Day on the Lord's Supper, we consider more of the historical context, the question of to bracket or not to bracket, and the idea of fencing the table. Lord’s Day 30Q & A 80Q. How does the Lord’s Supper differ from the Roman Catholic Mass? A. The Lord’s Supper declares to us that all our sins are completely forgiven through the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which he hims...

Continuing to explore the Lord's Supper, we discuss some of the Roman Catholic and Lutheran views, that the Heidelberg is pushing back against, while also holding up the sacramental language and reality that God's Word highlights! Lord’s Day 29 Q & A 78Q. Do the bread and wine become the real body and blood of Christ? A. No. Just as the water of baptism is not changed into Christ’s blood and does...

Moving into the second sacrament, the Lord's Super, we consider the way the physical elements engage our sense, and are designed to help us remember our Savior's death, and assure us of our salvation. The Holy Supper of Jesus ChristLord’s Day 28Q & A 75Q. How does the holy supper remind and assure you that you share in Christ’s one sacrifice on the cross and in all his benefits? A. In this way: Ch...

Episode 27: Heidelberg Lord's Day 27 We explore the dangers and obligations of baptism, God's claim on us through it, why we baptize our children, considering both believer and infant circumcision, and God's anger when it is neglected. Lord’s Day 27 Q & A 72 Q. Does this outward washing with water itself wash away sins? A. No, only Jesus Christ’s blood and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sins....

Episode 26: Heidelberg Lord's Day 26 Hitting the half way mark through the Heidelberg, we begin focusing on the sacrament of baptism, considering many of the Scriptures that promise the cleansing of God's people, and its enduring value! Holy BaptismLord’s Day 26Q & A 69Q. How does holy baptism remind and assure you that Christ’s one sacrifice on the cross benefits you personally? A. In this way: C...

Episode 25: Heidelberg Lord's Day 25 The Catechism now shifts into a section focusing on the Sacraments, exploring how the Lord uses the "telling and showing" of these elements to focus our hearts on the Christ's one sacrifice on the cross. The Holy Sacraments Lord’s Day 25 Q & A 65 Q. It is through faith alone that we share in Christ and all his benefits: where then does that faith come from? A. ...

Episode 24: Heidelberg Lord's Day 24 In contrast to recent comments from the Pope of Rome, Lord's Day 24 reminds us that we are not mostly good. Instead, like 3 eyed fish and out of spec parts, our goodness fails to earn us any rewards. Lord’s Day 24 Q & A 62 Q. Why can’t our good works be our righteousness before God, or at least a part of our righteousness? A. Because the righteousness which can...

Episode 23: Heidelberg Lord's Day 23 We have just explored the Apostle's Creed together, but the next question is, what is the point? How are we made right with God? And does the quality of "our" faith matter or become more effective? Lord’s Day 23Q & A 59 Q. What good does it do you, however, to believe all this? A. In Christ I am righteous before God and heir to life everlasting. Q & A 60 Q. How...

Episode 22: Heidelberg Lord's Day 22What is better than Heaven? How can bodies that have returned to the dust, or been scattered in the ocean, be resurrected? Will air travel be no more? These are some of the questions we consider today! Lord’s Day 22 Q & A 57 Q. How does “the resurrection of the body”comfort you? A. Not only will my soul be taken immediately after this life to Christ its head, bu...

Episode 21: Heidelberg Lord's Day 21Who makes up "a" or "the" holy catholic church? How are the people of God like Minions, or a Scottish children's story? What comfort, encouragement, and responsibility do we share as believers? Lord’s Day 21 Q & A 54 Q. What do you believe concerning “the holy catholic church”? A. I believe that the Son of God through his Spirit and Word, out of the entire human...

Having explored what the Creed says about Jesus, we now move into the one Q & A on Holy Spirit, exploring both his person hood as well as the hope and comfort he brings God's people. God the Holy Spirit Lord’s Day 20 Q & A 53 Q. What do you believe concerning “the Holy Spirit”? A. First, that the Spirit, with the Father and the Son, is eternal God. Second, that the Spirit is given also to me, so t...