Download audio PART TWO Walk in Truth and Love Second John verses 4 through 6 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from […]
Download Audio For those preparing to receive the Lord’s Supper 1. Do you believe that you are a sinner? Yes, I believe that I am a sinner. 2. How do you know this? I know this from the Ten Commandments, which I have not kept. 3. Are you sorry for your sins? Yes, I am […]
Download Audio THE RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION Fourth: Who, then, is properly prepared to receive this sacrament? Fasting and other outward preparations may serve a good purpose, but he is properly prepared who believes these words: “Given” and “poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.” But whoever does not believe these words or […]
Download Audio THE POWER OF HOLY COMMUNION Third: How can eating and drinking do such great things? It is certainly not the eating and drinking that does such things, but the words “Given” and “poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.” These words are the main thing in this sacrament, along with the […]
Download Audio THE BLESSINGS OF HOLY COMMUNION Second: What blessing do we receive through this eating and drinking? That is shown us by these words: “Given” and “poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.” Through these words we receive forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation in this sacrament. For where there is forgiveness […]
Download Audio Divider page for the Exposition Luther’s Small Catechism: THE LORD’S SUPPER, with a picture of a goblet, grapes and stalks of wheat from a church window, and the caption, “Christ gives us his body and blood under bread and wine.” THE INSTITUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION First: What is the Sacrament of Holy Communion? […]
Download Audio CONFESSION First: What is confession? Confession has two parts. The one is that we confess our sins; the other, that we receive absolution or forgiveness from the pastor as from God himself, not doubting but firmly believing that our sins are thus forgiven before God in heaven. Second: What sins should we confess? […]
Download Audio THE PUBLIC USE OF THE KEYS Second: How does a Christian congregation use the keys? A Christian congregation with its called servant of Christ uses the keys in accordance with Christ’s command by forgiving those who repent of their sin and are willing to amend, and by excluding from the congregation those who […]
Download Audio Divider page for the Exposition Luther’s Small Catechism: THE KEYS, with a picture of two keys forming a cross from a church window, and the caption, “Christ gives his church two keys: the power to forgive sins and the power to refuse to forgive sins.” THE KEYS First: What is the use of […]
Download Audio THE MEANING OF BAPTISM FOR OUR DAILY LIFE Fourth: What does baptizing with water mean? Baptism means that the old Adam in us should be drowned by daily contrition and repentance, and that all its evil deeds and desires be put to death. It also means that a new person should daily arise […]