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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 2

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we
are writing these things so that our joy may be
complete. (1 John 1:3–4)

“Joy:fully Lutheran”
Jesus is the key to joy. Jesus is our source of joy. Jesus is our
anchor of hope. Jesus is our consolation in the face of Satan
and his fury! Jesus is our joy! When I advocate being “Joy:fully
Lutheran,” I’m not saying there’s not joy (eternal life) outside
orthodox Lutheranism. There is salvation and joy wherever
Jesus’ Word of free forgiveness through cross and resurrection
is present and believed. I’m not on some hyper-orthodox kick
to question the Lutheranism of some. I am advocating that we
revisit Luther’s Small Catechism, albeit, with joy in mind. I am
convinced that orthodox Lutheranism is the best thing going!
Why? It’s the clearest and most comforting refuge for sinners
there is. It’s all about Jesus.

Refuge for the Troubled Conscience
Let me dare say that the whole Small Catechism is a refuge
for troubled consciences. (I am speaking primarily of the catechism itself, the part written by Luther, though this is also true
of the wonderful LCMS Explanation, especially the most recent
edition that was published in 2017.) The whole Small Catechism
gives greater confidence in the Gospel and is a strong bulwark
against the devil’s lies. Indeed, the Small Catechism, as the basic
confessional document of the LCMS, is chock-full of cause for
joy! The basic teachings of the catechism, directly teaching the
Bible, are our most effective remedy for Satan’s wiles against us.

The Ten Commandments and Joy
The hymn says, “The Law is but a mirror bright / To bring
the inbred sin to light” (LSB 555). The Law is given, as St. Paul
says, “that every mouth be stopped and the whole world held
accountable to God!” (Rom. 3:19). That includes you and me!
The Law says, “Guilty!” Even if my hands and feet or mouth
are not sinning, my mind is full of lust, greed, anger, hatred,
envy, and more. If you say this is not true of yourself, then you
are a liar and a fool. And worse yet, you have no Savior. “If we
say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not
in us. But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and
will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”
(1 John 1:8–9).
Where’s the joy? Jesus was punished in my place. He who
knew no sin became sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). Moreover, Jesus
kept all the commandments perfectly for me! My conscience is
clear! And Jesus even gives me the Holy Spirit that I begin to
love and find joy in living (however imperfectly) as He wills. Joy!

The Creed and Joy
I learn in the Creed—every bit of which is taken directly
from the Bible, which is God’s fully perfect, verbally inspired,
inerrant, and infallible Word—that I don’t have to wander in
the dark, making up idols, casting about for some unknown god
or gods. I don’t have to sit in ignorance wondering who God is,
what He does, or what He expects or thinks of me. I know with
absolute certainty—certainty born of trust in Jesus Christ, who
is God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten not made—that God the Father created me and all things. I
know that Jesus Christ was sent into the flesh to save me and all
2019 Convention Workbook

people from sin, death, and the devil. And I know that the Holy
Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, and works through
God’s Word and Sacraments to forgive. God acts to forgive me!
My conscience is clear! Joy!

The Lord’s Prayer and Joy
It’s no coincidence that Paul writes, “Rejoice always. Pray
without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:16–17). Jesus gave His disciples a
specific prayer. We know full well from the Bible’s many, many
prayers and teachings on prayer that we have great freedom in
approaching God in prayer. Yet Jesus teaches us here that God
is our beloved Father, that He loves us as dear children, and
that He loves to hear our prayers. We are to pray that His name
be holy among us by right believing and right living. We pray
the missionary prayer, that His kingdom come to everyone and
also among us. We pray that His will be done (it will be!), but
especially among us! We pray for “daily bread”—for everything
we need for this body and life, for us and for all. We pray that
our sins be forgiven, and that as forgiven people we forgive others. We pray to be delivered from temptation and the devil. And
Jesus tells us to top off the prayer with a hearty “Amen,” which
means, “Yes! It’s so!” I believe it! I know God the Father loves
me. I know Jesus loves me and cares for my needs. I know God
loves to forgive my sins and loves it when I forgive others! Joy!

Baptism and Joy
“Baptism … now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from
the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through
the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). Baptism saves
because it forgives sins (Titus 3:5). Baptism cleanses from sin
(Eph. 5:26). Baptism connects us with Jesus and all the benefits
of His death and resurrection (Rom. 6:1ff.) Baptism is, according to St. Peter, “an appeal to God for a good conscience!” I am
baptized! Jesus is mine! Joy!

Confession and the Office of the Keys and Joy
I am invited to live daily as a baptized Christian. I am just
like St. Paul, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do
not want is what I keep on doing” (Rom. 7:19). As the catechism
confesses: “We daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but
punishment” (Small Catechism, Fifth Petition of the Lord’s
Prayer). But I am invited to confess my sins and to hear from my
pastor, “as from God Himself,” that my sin is forgiven (Small
Catechism, Confession). This regularly happens in Confession
and Absolution in the Sunday service, and it happens when I
ask my pastor to hear my sins privately and I’m absolved. The
keys are given to every Christian (Matthew 18), and I am to
speak forgiveness to others who sin against me, and to seek their
forgiveness in the name of Christ when I sin against them. Sin
among Christians is inevitable because we are all sinners. The
keys are a powerful tool to live in peace, love, and joy!

The Lord’s Supper and Joy
I come to the altar weekly. I come weak, knowing my many
sins. I kneel, having confessed my sins. I also confess Christ, my
Savior. I confess His body and blood in bread and wine. And I
believe what He says, “given and shed for you for the forgiveness
of sins.” I receive what He gives. I believe what He says. Christ
is mine! Heaven is mine! I’m forgiven! I forgive. I am at peace
with those who likewise confess and receive. I “go in peace.”