Northwoods Table Talk

Lection for Trinity VII Sunday  1 Samuel 10:1-27        Acts 22:17-29 A question I have been asked, or at least a topic that has been brought to my attention is, “Pastor, how should I pray? I do not know how?” Well, as we have been taking an excursion into Luther’s Large Catechism, that is a question Christians have asked of every age – and Luther addresses. Ever notice how the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments are tied together? Today we continue in the “Third Part” of Luther’s Large Catechism , “Of Prayer,” specifically, the 2 nd Petition. OK, I will quit so that you may read what Luther says. Large Catechism —— Third Part: Of Prayer The Lord’s Prayer – The Second Petition Thy kingdom come. 49] As we prayed in the First Petition concerning the honor and name of God that He would prevent the world from adorning its lies and wickedness with it, but cause it to be esteemed sublime and holy both in doctrine and life, so that He may...

Lection for Saturday after Trinity VI  1 Samuel 9:1-27        Acts 21:37-22:16 A question I have been asked, or at least a topic that has been brought to my attention is, “Pastor, how should I pray? I do not know how?” Well, as we have been taking an excursion into Luther’s Large Catechism, that is a question Christians have asked of every age – and Luther addresses. Ever notice how the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments are tied together? Today we continue in the “Third Part” of Luther’s Large Catechism , “Of Prayer,” specifically, the 1 st Petition. OK, I will quit so that you may read what Luther says. Large Catechism —— Third Part: Of Prayer The First Petition. 35] Hallowed be Thy name. 36] This is, indeed, somewhat obscure, and not expressed in good German, for in our mother-tongue we would say: Heavenly Father, help that by all means Thy name may be holy. 37] But what is it to pray that His name may be holy? Is it not holy ...

Lection for Friday after Trinity VI  1 Samuel 8:1-22       Acts 21:15-26 A question I have been asked, or at least a topic that has been brought to my attention is, “Pastor, how should I pray? I do not know how?” Well, as we have been taking an excursion into Luther’s Large Catechism, that is a question Christians have asked of every age – and Luther addresses. Today we begin “Third Part” of Luther’s Large Catechism. This “part” deals with the prayer that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ taught us, what is in some places called ‘The Lord’s Prayer,’ and in others is called ‘The Our Father.’ In today’s reading, Luther addresses prayer, and deals with what is called, at least in Lutheran circles, the ‘Introduction’ to the Lord’s prayer. OK, I will quit so that you may read what Luther says. Large Catechism —— Third Part: Of Prayer 1] We have now heard what we must do and believe, in which things the best and happiest life consists. Now foll...

Lection for Thursday after Trinity VI  1 Samuel 6:19-7:17       Acts 19:1-22 It is my hope and prayer that you are enjoying this excursion into Luther’s Large Catechism. Today we continue the “second part.” This is that which deals with the Apostles’ Creed. In today’s space we continue the 3rd Article of the Creed. OK, read what Luther says.            Second Part: The Creed The Third Article 34 “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.” 35 To this article, as I have said, I cannot give a better title than “Sanctification.” In it is expressed and portrayed the Holy Spirit and his office, which is that he makes us holy. Therefore, we must concentrate on the term “Holy Spirit,” because it is so precise that we can find no substitute for it. 36 Many other kinds of spirits are mentione...

Lection for Wednesday after Trinity VI  1 Samuel 5:1-6:3, 10-16       Acts 18:1-11, 23-28 It is my hope and prayer that you are enjoying this excursion into Luther’s Large Catechism . Today we continue the “second part.” This is that which deals with the Apostles’ Creed. In today’s space we continue the 2 nd Article of the Creed. OK, read what Luther says.       Second Part: The Creed The Second Article 25 “And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried: he descended into hell, the third day he rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven, and is seated on the right hand of God, the Father almighty, whence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.” 26 Here we learn to know the second person of the Godhead, and we see what we receive from God over and above the temporal goods mentioned above — that is, how ...

Lection for Tuesday after Trinity VI  1 Samuel 4:1-22       Acts 16:23-40 It is my hope and prayer that you are enjoying this excursion into Luther’s Large Catechism . Today we begin the “second part.” This is that which deals with the Apostles’ Creed. In today’s space will be a brief introduction to The Creed, as a whole. After that will be the 1 st Article of the Creed. OK, read what Luther says. Second Part: The Creed 1] Thus far we have heard the first part of Christian doctrine. In it we have seen all that God wishes us to do or not to do. The Creed properly follows, setting forth all that we must expect and receive from God; in brief, it teaches us to know him perfectly.  2] It is given in order to help us do what the Ten Commandments require of us. For, as we said above, they are set on so high a plane that all human ability is far too feeble and weak to keep them. Therefore it is as necessary to learn this part as it is the other so that ...

Lection for Monday after Trinity VI  1 Samuel 3:1-21        Acts 16:1-22 It is my hope and prayer that you are enjoying this excursion into Luther’s Large Catechism . Today we continue the “first part” on the Ten Commandments, specifically, the “The Conclusion of the Ten Commandments.” OK, read what Luther says.           [First Part:] The Ten Commandments           Conclusion of the Ten Commandments 311 Here, then, we have the Ten Commandments, a summary of divine teaching on what we are to do to make our whole life pleasing to God. They are the true fountain from which all good works must   spring, the true channel through which all good works must flow. Apart from these Ten Commandments no deed, no conduct can be good or pleasing to God, no matter how great or precious it may be in the eyes of the world. 312 Let us see, now, how our great sain...

Lection for 6th Sunday after Trinity  1 Samuel 2:18-36       Acts 15:22-41 It is my hope and prayer that you are enjoying this excursion into Luther’s Large Catechism . Today we continue the “first part” on the Ten Commandments, specifically, the “The Ninth and Tenth Commandments.” OK, read what Luther says.           [First Part:] The Ten Commandments The Ninth and Tenth Commandments 292 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.” “You shall not covet his wife, man-servant, maid-servant, cattle, or anything that is his.” 293 These two commandments, taken literally, were given exclusively to the Jews; nevertheless, in part they also apply to us. The Jews did not interpret them as referring to unchastity or theft, since these vices were sufficiently forbidden in commandments above. They thought they were keeping the commandments when they obeyed the injunctions and prohibitions contained in them. God ...