Concerning the Mass – part 31

Scripture Text: Genesis 15:1–6

Look to Abraham. Was his putting the knife to Isaac the sacrifice God desired? No; that was a test, not a real sacrifice. The true sacrifice was Abraham’s faith in God.

Concerning the Mass – part 30

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 1:1-2

In the Old Testament, many things represented things to come; they are lesser types of a greater future. What was concealed in the Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament.

Concerning the Mass – part 29

Scripture Text: Luke 22:14–20

Doctrine must have a sure and clear word of God, not obscure analogies. Nothing in Scripture suggests that a ceremony saves us from sin and death. God has done that for us.

Concerning the Mass – part 27

Scripture Text: Romans 6:5-8

This is the sacrifice that is acceptable to God: our old nature mortified in Christ Jesus. The death of Christ occurred on the cross, while ours happens in baptism where our fleshly nature is slain with Christ.

Concerning the Mass – part 26

Scripture Text: Malachi 1:10–11

The day is coming when every knee in heaven and on earth will bow at the name of Jesus (Phil 2:10). This does not come through robotic religion; it happens when hearts are regenerated through the preaching of the gospel.

Concerning the Mass – part 25

Scripture Text: Revelation 5:8-10

The Lord’s name will be made great throughout the earth through the preaching of the gospel. The Spirit produces faith in individuals through the Word.

Concerning the Mass – part 24

Scripture Text: Romans 12:6–8

Having been moved to faith, the Spirit of God begins to transform us through the Word, worship, and testing. He gives each believer a gift or gifts of the Spirit that should be used in service for God.

Concerning the Mass – part 22

Scripture Text: Hebrews 13:15

Do good but do not depend upon your good works. Depend upon God, upon his word and his promises. Though they please him if done from the heart, God does not require your sacrifices.

Concerning the Mass – part 21

Scripture Text: Hosea 6:6

The Hebrew word for “obey” can also be understood to heed, listen, or hear. For to truly hear is to obey. If you do not obey, you have not really heard.

Concerning the Mass – part 19

Scripture Text: Romans 12:1–2

We are to offer sacrifices but the Lutheran Reformers wanted to be clear, not only what those sacrifices are but, what they accomplish. There is no sacrifice that we can offer or that can be offered for us.

Concerning the Mass – part 18

Scripture Text: Revelation 5:6–10

There is only one work that saves, reconciles, justifies, atones, provides forgiveness of sin. That one work or sacrifice is not something that any human being can do.

Concerning the Mass – part 17

Scripture Text: Isaiah 53:4–6

After the true sacrifice had been accomplished, all analogous and ceremonial sacrifices should cease. What they pointed toward had already been accomplished in Christ’s cross.

Concerning the Mass – part 16

Scripture Text: Colossians 2:16–19

You may sacrifice this thing or another, hoping that God will be appeased and forgive your sins. Or you might do some good work or act of penance, again, hoping that God will remove your guilt.

Concerning the Mass – part 15

Scripture Text: Romans 6:2-4

Baptism “brings about forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives everlasting salvation to all who believe, as the Word and promise of God declare” (The Small Catechism).

Concerning the Mass – part 13

Scripture Text: Hebrews 10:4-10

Although there were symbolic types of atoning sacrifice in the Old Testament, true, propitiatory sacrifice was only accomplished by Jesus Christ.

Concerning the Mass – part 13

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 2:2

Our concern is what a propitiatory or atoning sacrifice is for Christians. For that matter, what is an atoning sacrifice for anyone during this Christian era? There is just one...

Concerning the Mass - part 11

Scripture Text: Mark 16:16

Baptism is necessary for salvation. Jesus did not say, Believe and you will be saved. Instead, he adds a work that he does to us through a Sacrament (meaning a sacred thing).

Concerning the Mass - part 10

Scripture Text: 2 Timothy 2:15

It is critical to have a right understanding. Our modern English Bible translations use the phrase, "rightly handling the word of truth." The King James puts a finer point on the phrase by following William Tyndale's lead in literally translating the phrase as "rightly dividing the word of truth."

Concerning the Mass - part 9

Scripture Text: Hebrews 10:11-14

Scripture presents Christ as our High Priest, who through his one sacrifice has taken away the sins of the world. Those who believe are justified with God by no merit or works of their own.

Concerning the Mass – part 8

Scripture Text: Matthew 26:28

The common belief was that God’s grace and mercy could be had at a price. Therefore, spiritual benefit could come from the work worked, opus operatum.

Concerning the Mass – part 7

Scripture Text: Romans 5:1-2

Peace comes to us through faith. Faith must come first, since we cannot know peace until we know that somehow we have become righteous before God. Now, any sane person knows that righteousness cannot come by virtue of human works.

Concerning the Mass – part 6

Scripture Text: Mark 11:15–17

Grace is not merited “from the work worked” (ex opere operato) by humans. It is a gift received through faith in the great work of Christ. Going through religious motions accounts for nothing without faith in God’s word of promise.


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