Tag Archives: Good Works

Galatians Bible Study, Pt. 35 Freedom from Wrath (in the Conscience)

Posted on by

Class #35:  Last Sunday we began with a thematic overview of freedom and St. Paul’s summary statement in 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty/freedom by which Christ has made us free.”

This Sunday we begin to unpack the New Testament liberty/freedom that we have in Christ.  The law cannot secure our freedom, either by refraining from sin or by doing good works.  It cannot provide freedom from wrath.  Only faith in Christ created by the Word of Gospel can set us free from the eternal wrath of God.

For what answer was St. John the Baptist looking when he said to the Pharisees and Sadducees, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”

Overhead: Galatians Class 35 Overhead
Handout: Freedom Study 2 in the Conscience

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Ecclesiastes Bible Study 3: Meaningful Conclusion

Posted on by

Solomon teaches that success lies only in the hands of God.  We are given to do our work in the present, but we cannot control the future.  He tells us that we should receive a quiet and peaceful heart and commit everything to God.  Some fools respond by saying, “Then let us do no work.”  When Solomon teaches us to reject our counsels and anxieties, but to do the work, then fools either fall into despair or become prideful.  When their plans are thwarted they despair.  When their plans succeed they become presumptuous.

Similarly, the Gospel teaches an alien righteousness earned by the merit of Jesus Christ and freely received by faith.  The fool responds, “Then let us not do any good works.  If faith is sufficient, let us sin.”  When we teach about the fruits of faith and true good works, the fool trusts in them for salvation.

Solomon attempts to teach about the meaningful life of the Christian, who gives thanks for the gift of salvation.  He is not concerned about the future, but is content with his present vocation.  The grace of God provides an abundance of gifts, including daily provisions and satisfaction in the work of his daily vocation(Eccl 2:24-25).

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Baptismal Life Bible Class – The Baptized Using the Law Lawfully, Part 14

Posted on by

The law can only produce “works of the law”(Rom 3:28).  The Gospel creates faith, which brings forth good works, which are called “fruits of the Spirit”—“love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5).  So what are Christians to do with the law?  How do Christians use the law?  St. Paul tells Timothy, “But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully…” (1 Timothy 1:8).  This lesson introduces the topic of using the law lawfully.

Handout: Baptism Apr 24 2016 Lesson 14

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Baptismal Life Bible Class – The New Man = Faith, Part 11

Posted on by

The Small Catechism says, “…and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.”   According to the Scriptures (Eph 4:23, 2 Cor 4:16, Col 3:10, Gal 4:19), the new (inward) man is faith.  This new man in the Christian is being renewed by God through the Gospel.  The two parts of the baptized life are not confession and good works, but confession and faith.  And where there is faith, the fruits of faith (good works) will follow.  Receive faith and you get good works.  Aim at good works and you will get neither faith nor good works.

Overheads: Lesson Eleven Overheads Baptism Apr 3 2016

Resources:  Lesson Nine Baptism Mar 20 2016
Lesson Six The Ways and Means of God in Mortifying old Adam
Lesson 11 Yellow Sheet LW v26 p431

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS