Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Micah 4:2

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From the Word: And many nations shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For the law shall go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Micah 4:2)

From the ConfessionsThe Large Catechism, The Ten Commandments

The Fourth Commandment

Honor your father and your mother, (that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.)

Learn first, then, what this commandment requires concerning honor to parents. We are to respect them and esteem them above all things as the most precious treasure on earth. Our words with them should be regulated, not speaking to them harshly, condescendingly, or defiantly. We should yield to them and be silent, even if they go too far. We must also make an effort to honor them with our actions and possessions. We are to serve, help, and provide for them when they are old, sick, infirm, or poor, and do all this not only gladly, but with humility and reverence, as if doing it in God’s sight. Those who properly regard their parents will not allow them to suffer want or hunger, but will place them above themselves and by their sides, and will share with them whatever they possess.

Pulling It Together: Feeling angry, arrogant, rebellious? Would you vent your frustrations on the Lord using insolent words? Of course not; you should not do so with your parents either because God has given them a place of honor next to himself. You should speak to your parents and care for them as you would God himself. This is not your natural way of doing things but it is God’s way. His word commands our respect, not only of himself but also of those whom he has put over us as his primary representatives to us on earth. They are his messengers for our good, and we should esteem them so. We are given this command in our early years so that we may begin to walk in the ways of the Lord, and learn to obey all of his commandments. 

Prayer: Help me to learn your ways, Lord. Amen.

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By the Will of God is an eight part sermon series on Ephesians that follows the summer lectionary, year B. It uses the Brobston Telemetry Method of Preaching which is an easy way to capture the hearts and minds of listeners and draw them into the Good News of Jesus Christ.Use this series to focus on the will of God in our lives. It is also a great resource to give to lay-preachers in congregations where supply pastors are unavailable to fill in when the pastor goes on vacation. Each week there is a description of the bible passage, an image to build from, a section called "going deeper" which digs into the lesson even further, and some questions to use if you decide to discuss the sermon in a Bible Study or other forum.


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