Christ for Us

Episode 03: The Gospel

Episode two of two on Law and Gospel. In this episode of the Christ for Us Bible Study Podcast, we learn what the Bible says about the Gospel, it's broad and narrow use in Scripture, and how the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. 
A new episode of the Christ for Us Bible Study Podcast will be uploaded every Thursday. 
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Intro and closing music: Wachet Auf, Ruf Uns Die Stimme BWV 645, setting by J. S. Bach, Noncommercial Use
 
The Gospel: The Most Important Teaching in Scripture
For I am not ashamed of the gospel [of Christ], for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17
Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! 1 Corinthians 9:16
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the Gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:1-2
And Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16
Summary of the Distinction between Law and Gospel
The Law in the proper (narrow sense) is a rebuke for sin and a threat of God’s wrath upon the law breaker. This is not done to bring a sinner into self-righteousness or total despair, but to lead the sinner to Christ to receive grace.
The Gospel in the proper (narrow sense) is the message of God’s mercy, forgiveness, and salvation found in Christ Jesus alone and given to all who believe.
Scripture uses the word Gospel in two ways.
Yet, just as with the Law, the word Gospel can be used in a narrow and a broad sense. Last week we learned how the Law is often used in the broad sense, referring to the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament. We recognize when the Bible uses the Law in this way when it is paired with the Prophets and the Psalms and when it promises salvation. We recognize Scriptures is using the word law in the narrow sense when it speaks of works of the law, exposes sin, and threatens condemnation.
The Word Gospel means good news. The Greek word for Gospel used in the Bible is εὐαγγέλιον, which is where we get the word evangelical. Εὐαγγέλιον comes the prefix εὐ, which means good and the Greek word ἀγγελία, which means message or tidings. So, Gospel literally means good news or glad tidings. In fact, the angel used the verbal form of this word in Luke two, which many of us will recognize from the King James, “I bring you good tidings of great joy.”
So, in the most basic sense, the Gospel is the good message of Jesus Christ.  There is only one Gospel, but there are four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 1:1
In the broad sense, which includes the entire ministry of Christ and is summarized in the preaching to repent and believe in the Gospel. This broad sense includes both the Law and the Gospel.
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;[e] repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15
testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:21
“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Luke 24:46-47
The narrow sense (proper sense), which is purely a message of grace and mercy from God, which promises forgiveness and salvation to all who believe for Christ’s sake.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise. Luke 23:43
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:11-12
Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household. Acts 16:31
The Gospel Teaches that Christ Made Atonement for Our Sins on the Cross
Surely he has borne our griefs    and carried our sorrows;yet we esteemed him stricken,    smitten by God, and afflicted.5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;    he was crushed for our iniquities;upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,    and with his wounds we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray;    we have turned—every one—to his own way;and the Lord has laid on him    the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,    yet he opened not his mouth;like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,    and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,    so he opened not his mouth.8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away;    and as for his generation, who consideredthat he was cut off out of the land of the living,    stricken for the transgression of my people?9 And they made his grave with the wicked    and with a rich man in his death,although he had done no violence,    and there was no deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;    he has put him to grief;[g]when his soul makes[h] an offering for guilt,    he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see[i] and be satisfied;by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,    make many to be accounted righteous,    and he shall bear their iniquities.12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,[j]    and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,[k]because he poured out his soul to death    and was numbered with the transgressors;yet he bore the sin of many,    and makes intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53
Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, Romans 3:23-24
Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification Romans 4:25
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6
 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit[e] through faith. Galatians 3:13-14
knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:18-19
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit. 1 Peter 3:18 Happy Exchange!
He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come,[e] then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:11-12
The Gospel is not only the historical message of Christ’s suffering and death, but the promise of grace and forgiveness attached to it.
The preaching of Christ crucified can be a preaching of the Law, because it shows the severity of our sin and God’s great wrath against it.
“You killed the Author of Life” Acts 3:15
The purpose of Christ’s passion and God’s attitude toward sinners for Christ’s sake must be emphasized.
The Gospel is Christ’s Proper Work.
For the Lord will rise up as on Mount Perazim; as in the Valley of Gibeon he will be roused; to do his deed—strange is his deed! and to work his work—alien is his work! 22 Now therefore do not scoff, lest your bonds be made strong; for I have heard a decree of destruction from the Lord God of hosts against the whole land. Isaiah 28:21-22
And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying, 18 ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’ 19 Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now.” Numbers 14:17-19
The Holy Spirit is given and received through the Gospel.
Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Gal. 3:2
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God 1 Corinthians 1:18
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the Power of God to Salvation. Romans 1:16
While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. Acts 10:48
The Gospel is taught in both the Old and New Testament.
Examples of the Gospel in the Old Testament.
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15
I am poured out like water,    and all my bones are out of joint;my heart is like wax;    it is melted within my breast;15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,    and my tongue sticks to my jaws;    you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs encompass me;    a company of evildoers encircles me;they have pierced my hands and feet[b]—17 I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me;18 they divide my garments among them,    and for my clothing they cast lots. Psalm 22
Isaiah 53 above.
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Isaiah 1:18
Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18—19
And the LORD brought Abram outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then He said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the LORD, and He counted it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:5-6
In you and in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed Genesis 22:19 (see Gen. 12:3; 18:18; 26:4
The Gospel must preach grace alone. In this way, the Law must be made distinct from the Gospel!
Our works must be completely excluded from the teaching of the Gospel. This excludes all works, from works that merit or the work of believing.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. Romans 3:23-25
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. Romans 11:6
yet we know that a person is not justified[b] by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. … I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. Galatians 2:16, 21
But[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— … For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9
 
The Gospel must preach Christ alone.
Christ Jesus alone is our Savior. No one can be saved apart from His sacrificial atoning death and resurrection. No one ever has or ever will be saved apart from Christ. (John 14:6).
This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3:18
The Gospel glorifies and honors Christ.
The Gospel must preach faith alone.
It is through faith so that it may be by grace. Romans 4:16
See Romans 3:23-25 above.
For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Romans 3:28
that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:15-16
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, Romans 4:2-5
Faith excludes our works. Faith itself is a gift from God.
Galatians 2:16 and Ephesians 2:8-9 above.
The Gospel is not a license to sin.
And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just. Romans 3:8
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Romans 6:1-2
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. Ephesians 4:17
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:16-17
For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Hebrews 10:26-27
Conclusion.
The Gospel means good news. In the broad sense the Gospel refers to the entire message of Christ, including the call to repent. This includes both Law and Gospel.
The Gospel in the narrow sense is the message of forgiveness and salvation given freely on the merits of Jesus Christ to all who believe.
The Gospel depends on the message of Jesus’ atoning death for sins.
The Gospel is taught in both the Old and the New Testament.
The Holy Spirit is given by the Gospel.
The Gospel message must preach grace alone, Christ alone, and faith alone.
The Gospel is not a license to sin.
The Gospel is the only hope for sinners to be saved!

The Uniquely Qualified Shepherd: Sermon for Good Shepherd Sunday 2024

Sermon preached by Rev. James Preus for Miscericordias Domini Sunday (Good Shepherd Sunday) on John 10:11-16. You can read the text of the sermon on Christforus.org. 
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Episode 02: The Law

Part one of two episodes on the Law and Gospel. In this episode, we explore what the Bible teaches about the Law. You can follow along to the outline and read all the Bible references on Christforus.org. 
New episodes published every Thursday. 
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The Bible can be divided into two main teachings: the Law and the Gospel. The Law is the love that God commands of us, summarized in the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments can be summarized further into two commandments. In Matthew 22, Jesus answers a lawyer’s question of what the great commandment in the Law is by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40 And St. Paul writes in Romans 13, “Love is the fulfilling of the Law.” (vs. 10) So, the Law is good. The problem is, we are not good. St. Paul writes in Romans 3:20, “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” So, although the Law tells us what is good, we don’t do the good, so the Law condemns us.
The Gospel, on the other hand, is the good news that Christ Jesus died on the cross for sinners, so that we are saved by grace through faith. Romans 1:16-17 states, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” And Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” St. Paul succinctly summarizes the work of the Law and Gospel in Romans 3:23-25, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.”
So, the Law commands works, and they are never done. The Gospel commands no works, but only faith, and the work has already been done by Christ. The Law accuses, convicts, and condemns. The Gospel forgives and saves. The Law is all about your work. The Gospel is all about Christ’s work.
If you do not understand the distinction between Law and Gospel, then the Bible will be a very confusing book. St. Paul wrote to St. Timothy about this important distinction in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Last week, I talked of five principles of biblical interpretation, which are taught in the Bible. The second principle of interpretation is the material principle, that is, that the chief doctrine of the Bible is the Gospel that a sinner is justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone apart from his works. And I said that all passages must be interpreted in light of this material principle, and that if a passage seems to be teaching that you are saved by works, then you must interpret that passage in light of the Gospel, which is the chief doctrine. Now, I’m not just choosing one teaching over another, because I like the Gospel more than the Law. Both the Law and the Gospel are God’s Word, but they have very different functions. The Law and the Gospel do not contradict each other, rather, when put in their proper place, they complement each other. St. Paul makes this clear in Galatians 3, “Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”
So, the chief function of the Law is not so that you can earn your salvation by it, but rather to imprison you as an offender against God’s Law, so that the Gospel can grant you salvation as a gift through faith.
This distinction is very helpful when reading the Scriptures, so that you know what God intends by those passages, which insist on your works, so that you do not think that they are contradicting those other passages, which insist on His grace. However, there is more to the Law than simply showing us our sins. And the word “Law” in Holy Scripture is used in several different ways, which I would like to clarify.
The Law in the Broad Sense (As Scripture)
First, not every time Scripture uses the word Law is it referring simply to the commandments of God.
Often, the word Law is used to translate the Hebrew word Torah תּוֹרָה, which has a broader meaning of instruction. The Torah refers to Moses’ five books, but often is used to include the entire Old Testament.
Open my eyes, that I may behold    wondrous things out of your law. Psalm 119:18
Oh how I love your law!    It is my meditation all the day. Psalm 119:97
I long for your salvation, O Lord,    and your law is my delight. Psalm 119:174
This means that often when the Bible uses the word law, it is referring to both the teaching of the Law and the Gospel!
How can you make a distinction between the Law in the broad sense as Holy Scripture and the Law in the narrow sense, as God’s commandments?
The Law in the broad sense as Holy Scripture is often paired with the prophets and the Psalms.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17 (7:12)
For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Matthew 11:13-14  (Luke 16:16)
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for[c] the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Luke 24:44-47
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” John 1:45
After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” Acts 13:15
But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, Acts 24:14
When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. Acts 28:23
Sometimes Scripture uses the word Moses to refer to the Law.
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:27
But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them. Luke 16:29
The Law in the broad sense shows the way of salvation.
I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. Psalm 119:174
The Law in the narrow sense as God’s commandments is often paired with works.
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20
For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Romans 3:28
yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. Galatians 2:16
Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? Galatians 3:5
For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Galatians 3:10
The Law in the narrow sense shows us our sin and condemns us.
What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” Romans 7:7
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20
Paul uses the word Law in both the broad and the narrow sense in a single verse.
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it… Romans 3:21
The Old Testament divides the commandments of the Law into three parts.
The civil law, which applies only to the nation of Israel.
The ceremonial law, which were patterns and shadows of Christ, and were fulfilled in Christ, and do not apply to Christians of the New Testament.
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Colossians 2:16-17
The moral law, that is, what is intrinsically right and wrong, such as what is taught in the Ten Commandments. The moral law is summarized in one word: love. It is the moral law, which we are concerned about in the Christian Church. We are not concerned with the civil law, because it no longer applies to us. We are not concerned with the ceremonial law, except in how it found its fulfillment in Christ. We are concerned with the moral law, because that is what accuses and condemns us to hell.
The Three Uses of the Law.
The Curb
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 1 Timothy 1:8-10
The Mirror
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20
What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. Romans 7:7-8
If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:10
For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. Romans 1:32
But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Galatians 3:22
The Guide or Rule
“Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.” Psalm 119:35
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
The Chief use of the Law is the mirror, because it shows you your sin and your need for a Savior.
And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13 see also Luke 5:32 (adds “to repentance.”)
Ezekiel 33: God made Ezekiel a watchman to warn the wicked to turn from his ways. See Jonah. The people of Nineveh repented when they were threatened. See 2 Samuel 12, David repents when Nathan exposes his sin to him.
Conclusion
There are two main teachings in the Bible: the Law and the Gospel.
The Law is what God commands of us.
The Gospel is the good news that Jesus saves us from our sins.
The word Law can be used in a broad sense, referring to the Old Testament Scriptures and in a narrow sense, referring to God’s commandments.
In the Old Testament, the commandments of the Law are divided into civil, ceremonial, and moral law. The moral law is the only one that concerns us today.
The moral law is summed up in the commandment to love.
There are three uses of the Law: The curb, the mirror, and the guide.
The chief use of the Law is the mirror, because it shows us our sin and our need to repent. The mirror prepares us for the Gospel, by creating terror in our hearts and showing our need for a Savior.

The Risen Christ Dwells with His Church: Quasimodo Geniti Sermon

Sermon for Quasimodo Geniti Sunday (Easter 2), preached by Rev. James Preus on John 20:19-31. You can read the text of the sermon at Christforus.org. 

Episode 01: How Lutherans Interpret the Bible

Episode 01 of Christ for Us Bible Study Podcast. Pastor Preus will explain the principles of biblical interpretation. How do you know how to read and understand the Bible? Why do different church bodies come to different conclusions from the Bible? How can you know which one is right? 
A New Episode of the Christ for Us Bible Study Podcast will be uploaded every Thursday. Please, follow, share, and hit the bell button. 
Intro and closing music: Wachet Auf, Ruf Uns Die Stimme BWV 645, setting by J. S. Bach, Noncommercial Use
#Lutheran #PrinciplesofBiblicalInterpretation #Biblestudy #Howtoreadthebible #theology #christforus
There are dozens of churches in my town. There are literally thousands of denominations to choose from. How can you possibly know which is the right one? Some say Baptism saves, others say Baptism is just an act of obedience. Some say we are saved by faith alone, others say we are saved by faith and works. Some say that the Lord’s Supper is the true body and blood of Christ, while others say that the bread and wine is only a symbol or that Jesus is present spiritually, but his body and blood remain as far away from the bread and wine as heaven is from the earth. How do you know that the Roman Catholics are wrong about these things and the Baptists are wrong about those things and the Mormons are wrong about everything? And how can Lutherans say that they are right? Surely, if several groups read the same Bible and come to different conclusions, then some must be right about some things and others about other things and no one is right about everything! And many people resign themselves to this conclusion and figure that every church has somethings right and somethings wrong, so they’ll just pick the church with the friendliest people, the liveliest music, the most active youth group, or the best potlucks. Of course, that is a dangerous thing when you are receiving Communion, which is an act of confession that you confess what the Church publicly teaches. No, you should Commune in confidence and you should be confident that your Church is teaching you the truth and not false doctrine.
All these questions of doubt can be clarified if we look at the method by which we interpret the Bible. This is called Principles of Biblical Interpretation. Different religious groups come to similar conclusions, because they have similar principles of interpreting the Bible. The Lutheran principles of biblical interpretation are the best, because they are the principles taught in the Bible itself. In this episode, I’m going to go through five principles, which Lutherans follow to interpret the Bible. Lutherans did not come up with these principles themselves, but they are taught in Scripture itself. And it is by following these principles that we come to the conclusions that make us Lutheran.
First, let us pray: Enlighten our minds, we beseech Thee, O God, by the Spirit which proceedeth from Thee, that, as Thy Son hath promised, we may be led into all truth; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
Before we can even begin talking about the principles of biblical interpretation, we must pray to the Holy Spirit, because the natural person cannot accept the things of the Spirit of God unless the Holy Spirit opens his mind. And Jesus promises that God will give the Holy Spirit to him who asks (Luke 11:13).
First Principle
Scripture is the only source and norm of all Christian teaching. This is called the Formal Principle, that is, the authoritative source.
“1. We believe, teach, and confess that the sole rule and standard according to which all dogmas together with [all] teachers should be estimated and judged are the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures of the Old and of the New Testament alone, as it is written Ps. 119:105: Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. And St. Paul: Though an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you, let him be accursed, Gal. 1:8. (Source: https://bookofconcord.org/epitome/#ep-rule-and-norm-0001 )”
This because the Bible is the Word of God
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[b] may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:19-21
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time[a] the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. 1 Peter 1:10-12
He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, 44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”’? Matthew 22:43-44
and Scripture cannot be broken John 10:35
Abraham and the Rich man: But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ … He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ Luke 16:29, 31.
The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, 2 to whom the word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. Jeremiah 1:1-2
The word of the Lord that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, Hosea 1:1
The word of the Lord that came to Joel, Joel 1:1
This Formal Principle distinguishes the Lutheran Church from the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox, among others, who claim that the Bible is a product of the Church itself and is not the sole source of doctrine.
St. Paul makes clear in Ephesians 2 that the Church received Holy Scripture and stands on Holy Scripture, not the other way around.
the household of God, [is]20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, Ephesians 2:20
All errors come from manmade traditions (Matthew 15:3-9).
The Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholics both claim that Scripture is a product of their tradition and that tradition alongside Scripture should be used to establish doctrine. However, their traditions contradict each other! Who is to say whether the Eastern Orthodox tradition or the Roman Catholic tradition is right? For that matter, how do we know that the tradition of the Talmud, which the Jews claim to be the oral tradition passed on since the time of the prophets, is not valid?
This principle also means that the ELCA and other liberal groups, which claim to be Lutheran are not actually Lutheran. You shouldn’t waste your time with a church that will not confess the Bible to be the inerrant Word of God.
Second Principle
The Material Principle, that is, the central teaching of the Bible is that a sinner is justified by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.
For by works of the law no human being[c] will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. Romans 3:20-25
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,[e] as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”[f] Romans 1:16-17
Jesus on the road to Emmaus: 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:25-27
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for[c] the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Luke 24:44-47
But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31
That the Gospel is the chief teaching of Scripture is clear; however, it is only evident to those who have been given to know the secret of the kingdom of God (Matthew 13:11-16).
To protect this chief article of the faith, Law and Gospel must be clearly distinguished.
By keeping the Gospel predominant and distinguishing between Law and Gospel, a correct interpretation of the Bible is protected.
Third Principle: Perspicuity of Scripture
Scripture is clear. We don’t believe that only a select few can read and understand the Bible. The Bible is written in plain language. And the simplest understanding of the text should most often be accepted. Difficult passages should be interpreted in the light of clear passages.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
The unfolding of your words give light; it imparts understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:30
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:8
And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place…2 Peter 1:19
If our Gospel is hidden, it is hidden to them that are lost… 2 Cor. 4:3
Fourth Principle: Scripture must rule over reason
Not magisterial, but ministerial use of reason.
Scripture speaks of things, which are beyond human comprehension.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.[d] 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:11-14
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think Ephesians 3:20
This means that we should not try to reconcile Scripture with our reasoning, when what God tells us goes beyond our comprehension. This is why Lutherans accept
That Baptism saves.
That the Lord’s Supper is the true body and blood of Jesus.
That God desires all people to be saved, yet only the elect are saved, yet God does not predestine anyone to hell.
All Christians accept the principle to some extent, because all Christians accept the doctrine of the Trinity and the two natures in Christ, although these doctrines go beyond our human comprehension.
Fifth Principle: Always go back to the Institution.
When defining institutions in the Church, such as the Office of the Ministry, Baptism, the Office of the Keys, The Lord’s Supper, you must always start with Christ’s institution.
Christ Himself teaches us this when He is asked about divorce and marriage, and He says, “But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife , and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” Mark 10:6-9  So, Jesus goes back to Genesis when God instituted marriage to define what marriage is, not to civil laws given through Moses thousands of years later. So, we do the same thing with regards to Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the Office of the Ministry. We look at Christ’s institution to see what a thing is.
Summary
Summary. So, in short, Lutherans interpret the Bible
By acknowledging the Bible as God’s Word and the only source of Christian teaching.
By recognizing the Gospel that sinners are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone as the chief doctrine of Scripture. Law and Gospel must be clearly distinguished. By teaching this, we guard against false teaching in other areas, because all doctrines are connected to the chief article.
Scripture is clear.
Scripture must rule over reason, not reason over Scripture.
The definition of things in the Church begins with Christ’s institution.
These principles are taught by Scripture itself, so they give us certainty. This helps us guard the Gospel and our faith in Christ Jesus from doubt and false doctrine. Nothing is worse than doubting God’s promises. We need Christ Jesus and His Word to know that we are saved and that we have a friendly God, who forgives us.

Episode 00: Introduction

Introduction to Christ for Us Bible Study on the Go, a Bible study dedicated to clear biblical teaching focused on Christ Jesus crucified for us. New episodes will be published every Thursday. Outlines to Bible Studies can be found at Christforus.org. 
Intro and closing music: Wachet Auf, Ruf Uns Die Stimme BWV 645, setting by J. S. Bach, Noncommercial Use
#theology #Lutheran #christforus

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