Lutherna View of Church and State

LESSON EIGHT

2007-2008

SANCTIFICATION

I. Introduction (p. 149)

A. 1Ti 3:16.

B. Study is a kind of pilgrimage toward the Lutheran heritage.

1. Next portions among the most familiar.

2. Yet some of the most confusing.

C. Sacraments, Absolution and Worship

II. Sacraments (p. 149)

A. At first glance, seem to be a curiosity.

B. Value seems to be their age, not in their practicality.

C. But, they are actually part and parcel of Gospel for all time.

D. If today’s pressing issue is finding out where God is:

1. Nothing more practical than understanding what God intends to accomplish through the sacraments.

2. Have already emphasized can not find God in own heart or emotions.

3. The reality of God and the power of His presence found only in the person and work of Jesus.

4. In every dealing with man, it is God who makes first move.

5. This is true also in the sacraments.

E. Baptism and Lord’s Supper:

1. Are not intrusions into the worship service.

2. Are God’s intrusions into our lives!

3. Are based upon and extend God’s intrusion into this world in the person of His Son.

III. The Impossible Reality (p. 150)

A. To understand sacraments, must begin with the Incarnation.

1. Scriptures teach He is truly God and truly man.

2. Therefore, there is no reason to doubt that physical elements could be vehicles of spiritual reality.

B. Human logic has problems with this.

1. Reason can not grasp how the finite could possibly be capable of the infinite.

2. Christians need stand on faith rather than reason.

C. Lutheran church is sacramental because we take the Incarnation very seriously.

1. If, in Person of Jesus Christ, God died and man is now ascended to His right hand in glory, anything is possible!

2. Rather than forcing Scripture under scrutiny of man’s logic, we prefer to bow acknowledging the mystery of faith.

IV. The Mystery of the Gospel (p. 151)

A. Key to understanding sacraments is understanding Greek “mysterion”, mystery.

1. Latin Bible uses “sacramentum”.

2. English “sacrament”.

B. 1Ti 3:16 (again).

C. Col 1:25,26: word “mystery” emphasizes not just Gospel’s complexity, but also its dynamic power.

D. Already studied:

1. How God reveals Himself by hiding in the cross of His Son.

2. Message of God’s salvation in Jesus Christ always works that way; it is both hidden and revealed.

3. Hidden because it is beyond the reach of human reason.

4. Revealed through God’s self-disclosure in His Son.

5. Paradox: Though He is unknowable in His majesty, God has made Himself known to us in His grace.