The Gospel
Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This pamphlet has been prepared to show you how much we need the Gospel, why it is such good news, how we receive it and how we respond to it.
(Read about the Gospel by clicking here.)
The Ten Commandments
This pamphlet will help you study the Commandments and use them in your daily life. We recognize sin in our lives as we examine ourselves according to the Ten Commandments. Sin takes a gift God has given and uses it in a way God does not want it used. Each commandment also teaches us how God’s gifts are used to His honor and glory.
(Read about the Ten Commandments by clicking here.)
The Apostles’ Creed
There is nothing more sure or certain in this life than the word and promise of God. With the words of the Apostles’ Creed, Christians through the ages have responded to God’s Word to them. With the Psalmist we pray, “O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall confess your praise” (Ps.51:15). The word “creed” comes from the Latin word, “credo,” which means, “I believe.” To “confess” means to make a declaration of what one believes. When we confess the faith of the Christian church in the words of the Apostles’ Creed, we are confessing our belief in who the Holy Trinity is, and what God has done for us. Each section, or article, of the Apostles’ Creed speaks about the work of one of the persons of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Each article of the Apostles’ Creed is our opportunity to speak back to God, and to each other, the mighty deeds of the Holy Trinity by which He has created us, by which He has redeemed us, and by which He keeps us in the one true faith until life eternal. This is a very important dimension of our faith and worship of God.
(Read about the Apostle’s Creed by clicking here.)
The Lord’s Prayer
The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, reconciles us to God and thus makes it possible for us to come to God in prayer. Prayer is a marvelous privilege from the Lord. He not only commands us to pray, but He invites us to pray to Him. He wants our prayers. What a fantastic blessing prayer is! The Lord’s Prayer is the prayer above every other prayer because our Lord Jesus Christ personally gave this prayer to the church. Let’s spend a few moments here exploring the Lord’s Prayer.
(Read about The Lord’s Prayer by clicking here.)
Holy Baptism
Suppose for a moment that there was a doctor who had such incredible talent that he could prevent people from
dying, and bring those who had died back to life, never to die again. Just imagine how people would do whatever they could to be treated by this doctor! Now consider that in Holy Baptism, God actually does give us the gift of eternal life! Let’s learn more about this marvelous blessing.
(Read about Holy Baptism by clicking here.)
Confession and Absolution
Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9–14 confronts each of us with an important question: Am I a poor,miserable sinner?
The Pharisee in the parable is not alone. We too are often unaware of our sinfulness, or don’t want to admit it. How easy it is for us self-righteously to compare ourselves with others. Thanks be to God,that the second man, the tax-collector, is not alone either! Jesus Christ is with him. When Jesus calls, sinners come. They receive His forgiveness, life and salvation. And thus, we too say, “Lord,be merciful to me, a sinner,” for Jesus is the friend of sinners. The precious gift of our Lord’s absolution is what confession is all about.
In confession and absolution, Jesus Christ, who poured out his life-blood as the perfect and complete sacrifice for all sin, pours into our ears the life-giving promise of absolution, “My son,my daughter, go in peace, your sins are forgiven.” Trusting that promise, we say, “Amen.Yes, Lord, it is true.” Thanks be to God!
(Read about Confession and Absolution by clicking here.)
The Sacrament of the Altar
On the journey through our earthly life to heaven, our good and gracious God provides a holy and precious meal to sustain and strengthen us on our pilgrimage—the Lord’s Supper. What a privilege it is for us to receive this powerfully comforting gift! Thanks and praise forever be to God for the Sacrament of the Altar.
(Read about the Sacrament of the Altar by clicking here.)
The Lutheran Confessions
Drawn from God’s Word, the Lutheran Confessions are a true and binding exposition of Holy Scripture and serve as authoritative texts for all pastors, congregations and other rostered church workers of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
(Read about the Lutheran Confessions on the LCMS website by clicking here.)
