The LORD spoke through Moses to our fathers of old, instructing them to teach God's Word to their children 24/7, that is, ”when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:6). We continue to apply this verse to our lives today, not only as a command to be obeyed but more especially as a promise of blessings to be enjoyed, for that is why God desires that His Word be taught among us. Though the world mock us, we waiver not, but we pass down to our children the good news that Christ has come to seek and to save the lost.

Don’t Ever Stop Teaching God’s Word

The Hausvater Project presents:

• A sermon on Deuteronomy 6, by the Rev. Dr. Michael K. Smith.
• Part 10 in Pastor Jonathan Conner’s series on the Divine Service.
• Advice for standing right side up in an upside down world, by Dr. Ryan MacPherson.

Don’t Ever Stop Teaching God’s Word

By Michael K. Smith

The LORD, through Moses, said (Deuteronomy 6:6–7):

And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.

... Let’s not treat God’s Word like a fire extinguisher, using it only in times of crisis or emergency. Let’s not treat God’s Word like a relative who only comes around once in a while and for whom we clean the house especially well. Let’s make using and learning God’s Word an everyday thing!

Yes, it is a big responsibility we have in teaching our children God’s life-giving Word. And it’s just as important that we learn God’s Word throughout our entire lives. But remember that “life-giving” aspect of God’s Word—we are not on our own! Only God through his Word gives us the strength, the motivation, the ability to teach his Word—through it he gives life. ...

Click to Continue Reading: http://www.hausvater.org/sermons/351

The Divine Service, Part 10: The Preparation

By Jonathan Conner

Over the last few months we have journeyed through the Service of the Sacrament and have come to the point of the distribution, but before we discuss the actual reception of the Sacrament, we must take a step back to discuss an oft overlooked part of the Sacrament of the Altar: our necessary preparation to receive Christ’s body and blood. In his Small Catechism Luther discusses the necessary condition to receive the Sacrament:

Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”

In short, the Sacrament of the Altar is for those who believe the Word concerning the gift given there. For those, then, who believe the Word, Luther provides several helpful questions that Christians may use in their personal preparation for Holy Communion.

Click to Continue Reading: http://www.hausvater.org/articles/345

Standing Right Side Up in an Upside Down World

By Ryan MacPherson

What remains for God’s people in a world increasingly hostile to Christ and His followers? A world that terms what is neither reproductive nor healthy nor caring as “reproductive health care”? A world that calls the despising of God’s institution of marriage a “diversity” worth celebrating? A world that idolizes tolerance and demonizes truth? A world that brands Christ’s followers as hateful and bigoted? A world that has been doing so for so long that few people seem to know the difference anymore?

Yes, civilization as we once knew it has crumbled to the ground, but God’s Word remains unchanged. The same Word of God by which the early church not only survived but thrived is still ours today. The Bible’s two main teachings—the Law and the Gospel—remain to expose sin as sin and to cover sin with grace. Let us read the Bible all the more earnestly in order that we can clearly distinguish right side up from upside down. Let us reach out in love to a deeply hurting world that needs the same peace with God that we have in Christ Jesus.

Click to Continue Reading: http://www.hausvater.org/articles/352

Forgiveness in Christ: it’s for you and your children. (Acts 2:38-29)

The Hausvater Project seeks to equip Christian men and women for distinctive and complementary vocations in family, church, and society, by fostering research and education in light of Holy Scripture as proclaimed by the Lutheran Confessions.

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