The Augsburg Confession earlier covered the topic of Confession in Article 11. However, in Article 11, the focus was on absolution, not on confession itself. The purpose of this article was to show how highly Lutherans value Private Confession. This article also explains the abuses that the Lutheran churches have eliminated from the practice of […]
Romans 10:5-17: When were you saved?
August 10, 2014 by
If you lose the basics, it’s hard to move beyond that. For if the basics aren’t there, when you move to something more advanced, your weakness in the basics will always undermine what you are trying to do. Take reading the Bible. One of the basics is to know who the writer is (or who […]
Acts, Lesson 9: Simon, Philip, and Saul
August 6, 2014 by
In the last lesson, we saw God choosing to act in ways He has not promised to do so. In particular, we saw God the Holy Spirit coming to a new group of people only through the hands of the Apostles. It’s almost as if God was chastising the Apostles for not leading the way […]
Augsburg Confession, Article 24
August 4, 2014 by
AC XXIV: The Mass (Pt 1) Our churches are falsely accused of abolishing the Mass. In fact, the Mass is retained among us and is celebrated with the greatest reverence. Almost all the customary ceremonies are also retained, except that German hymns, added for the instruction of the people, are interspersed here and there among […]
Matthew 14:13-21: Jesus Can Provide
August 4, 2014 by
When you hear about Jesus’ disciples doubting His ability to do something, did you ever think, “Why didn’t they get it? Didn’t they know what Jesus could do?” After all, they lived with Him and saw Him conquer disease, defeat demons, and quiet wind and wave. Didn’t they realize that Jesus could provide–even in that […]
Deuteronomy 7:6-9: God Chooses You
August 4, 2014 by
God didn’t inspire the Old Testament so we could dare to be like Daniel, become a manly man like Moses, or lead like Joshua. Of course, when we see how those saints of old experienced God’s grace and how He strengthened them in faith that also encourages us (AC 21). But if we only see […]
Pastor Futrell will continue serving at SOTHLC
July 20, 2014 by
Our pastor has declined the call the serve at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thermopolis, Wyoming. Here is his letter that he read to our congregation on Sunday, July 20, 2014. Note: the specific reasons for him declining the call are excised from his letter below. He thought it was best not to list the specific reasons for […]
Roman 8:18-27:Prayers of groans too deep for words
July 20, 2014 by
On August 31, 1422, King Henry V of England died. Henry V’s one-and-only son, Henry VI, then became king. However, a problem then confronted that island nation in the sea: Henry VI was only eight months old! So, because of Henry’s young age and inexperience, the English Parliament appointed Humphrey, the Duke of Gloucester, to […]
Augsburg Confession, Articles 22-23
July 20, 2014 by
AC XXII: Reception of Christ’s Body and Blood in the Lord’s Supper The laity are given both forms of the Lord’s Supper because this practice is the Lord’s command, “Drink of it all of you (Matthew 26:27). Christ has clearly commanded that all should drink from the cup. So no one will quibble and say […]
