Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 22:9–14

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Matthew 22:9–14

From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession

Concerning the Church 

The seventh article of our Confession, in which we stated that the Church is the congregation of saints, has been condemned by the authors of the Confutation. They have added a long essay, that the wicked are not to be separated from the Church since John compared the Church to a threshing-floor on which wheat and chaff are heaped together (Matt 3:12), and Christ compared it to a net in which there are both good and bad fishes (Matt 13:47).

Pulling It Together

It is true that different kinds of people attend services of the Church. Nearly 40 years ago, a half dozen people from a local cult attended my church, trying to get people to follow their false god. Were those people members of the Body of Christ simply because they were in the assembly that day? Sensible people readily see that this is not the case. The Body of our Lord is comprised of those who have received the grace of Christ, the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation to God, and everlasting life. While many gather together like so much wheat and chaff on the threshing floor, God’s sifting fork is in his hand (Matt 3:12). He will separate the righteous from the unrighteous and gather the true Church to himself in eternity.

May many, both wheat and chaff, assemble this Lord’s Day so that they might hear the gospel and believe. Let them take to heart two truths. God is ready to regenerate chaff, changing us into wheat through the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire (Matt 3:11). Yet, God is also judge and will one day clear the church of chaff, “burning it with unquenchable fire” (Matt 3:12). “Many are called but few are chosen” (Matt 22:14).

Prayer: Separate the chaff from my life, Lord, through the fire of your Spirit. Amen.

St. John's Churches: A Parable of Faithful Discipleship is a twelve session story invites disciples to explore and discern God's will for mission and ministry. Written in parable form, this funny, engaging story follows the ministry of Pastor Jeff Mutton as he dreams the big dream of a creative, vital ministry to the community in which St. John's serves. Each session can be used as opening devotions for church council meetings, discipleship training sessions, or a visioning team. The humorous story encourages listeners to dream the big dream of God's plan for mission in their context. 


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