When do we hear the Word of God gladly?

We hear the Word of God gladly, when we receive it in faith, keep it in our hearts, meditate upon it and live in accordance with it.

James 1:21: Receive with meekness the ingrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.

Luke 2:19: Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 8:15: But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the Word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Luther says: “Any observance or work that is practiced without God’s Word is unholy before God, no matter how brilliantly it may shine.”

Assignment: Learn the festivals and seasons of the church year.

Why does God want us to support the preaching and teaching of His Word?

God not only wants us to benefit from His word, He wants others to receive this benefit also.Therefore He wants us to testify of Jesus and to do and support mission work both at home and in other countries.

Mark 16:15: Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.

Matt. 28:19,20: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And, lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world.

Assignment: Discuss: How can we do mission work?

When do we gladly hear God’s Word?

We gladly hear God’s Word, when possessing it means more to us than anything else. This is apparent when

1. We want to be present when our congregation meets to hear and study God’s Word.


2. We support the preaching, teaching and spreading of God’s Word according to our ability.


3. We faithfully participate in our family devotions.


4. We individually study God’s Word diligently.
   
   

   Ps. 119:72: The law of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
   
   Ps. 26:8: Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thine honor dwelleth.
   
   Ps.122:1: I was glad when they said to me: Let us go into the house of the Lord.
   
   Acts 2:42: And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
   
   Gal. 6:6: Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
   
   Acts 17:11: They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Assignment: Read Luke 10:38-42: Mary, sister Martha. Discuss: How can we help to maintain the office of the ministry and spread the Word of God?

How do we hold the Word of God sacred?

We hold God’s Word sacred, when we at all times with a truly respectful heart regard it as God’s own word and with holy fear avoid desecrating it and taking it lightly.

1 Thes. 2:13: When ye received the Word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the Word of God.

Is. 66:2: To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My Word.

Why is despising God’s Word such a serious sin?

When a person despises God’s Word, he despises God himself. At the same time he rejects God’s good intention, because God wants to save him through His Word.

Luke 10:16: He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

John 8:47: He that is of God heareth God’s words; ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

When do we despise God’s Word?

We despise God’s Word:

1. When we consider worldly matters more important than hearing God’s Word.
   
   

   Luke 8:11,14: From Jesus’parable of the sower: The seed is the Word of God....The seed which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.




2. When we refuse to hear God’s Word.
   
   

   Luke 14: 16-24: Jesus’parable of the great banquet. The invited guests refused to come because worldly matters were more important to them. Read the entire parable.




3. When we do not believe the Word and do not want to live in accordance with it.
   
   

   Heb. 4:2: For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them; but the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
   
   James 1:22: Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
   

What does it mean to despise God’s Word?

God‘s Word is despised when its divine authority is not respected. This happens openly when the Bible is not regarded as God’s Word, and when God‘s Word is not used, heard, or studied, and the Sacraments are not used.

It happens in a hidden manner, when they are indeed used, but reluctantly, carelessly and hypocritically.

Assignment: Read Jer. 36: Jehoiakim burned Jeremiah’s scroll, on which the Word of the Lord had been written; Luke 8:5-15: Jesus’ parable of the sower.

What does God forbid in the Third Commandment?

God forbids us to despise His Word.

Hebr. 10:25: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is.

John 8:47: He that is of God heareth God’s words; ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

What does God require of us in the Third Commandment?

God requires that we hold His Word sacred, glady hear it and live in accordance with it all the days of our lives.

John 17:17: Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy Word is truth.

Luther: “At whatever hour, then, God’s Word is taught, preached, heard, read or meditated upon, there the person, day and work are sanctified thereby, not because of the external work, but because of the Word, which makes saints of us all...Where this is done, this commandment is in force and being fulfilled.”

What does it mean to sanctify the holy day?

We sanctify the holy day in the right way, when

1. We join our fellow Christians in our congregation and, with believing hearts, hear the pure Word of God, partake of the Sacraments, pray, and thank and praise God.


2. We individually use God’s Word diligently, and when we sanctify our lives by believing this Word. We do not sanctify the holy day if we only rest but do not use God’s Word.

Acts 2:42: And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Heb. 10:25: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is.

Acts 17:11: They received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

What does the word ´sanctify´ mean?

To sanctify something means to set it apart and bless it with God‘s Word and prayer for its God-intended use. We cannot sanctify anything without God’s Word.

1 Tim. 4:4,5: For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.

How is the New Testament Church to observe the Third Commandment?

God has not bound the New Testament Church to the Jewish Sabbath, which was Saturday. Nor has he designated any other day to replace it. But he wants us to continue to gather together to worship Him and to hear His Word. Exercising their Christian liberty, Christians chose Sunday or the Lord’s Day as a special day for gathering together for worship because Christ arose from the dead on Sunday, the first day of the week. He brought us genuine rest when He conquered sin and death.

John 5:18: He not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

Col. 2:13-17: And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us.....Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath day.

Col. 3:16: Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spir64 itual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Assignment: Read Heb. 4:1-13: Rest for the people of God.

What day of the week was the Sabbath day during the Old Testament time?

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Thou shalt sanctify the holy day.) What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we may not despise preaching and his Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.

The Old Testament day of rest was the Sabbath day or Saturday. On that day the people gathered to hear God´s Word. Sabbath means rest. The Sabbath foreshadowed Christ in whom we have forgiveness for our sins without having to earn it by our own works. As a result, our conscience is at rest and we are eternally blessed.

Lev. 23:3: Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation.

Heb. 4:3: We which have believed do enter into rest.

Matt. 11:28: Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

When do we thank and praise God’s name?

We thank God’s name everyday in our individual prayers and our home devotions. Together we thank and praise Him in prayer, and with our hymns and offerings at the worship services of our church.

Col. 3:16: Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Prov. 3:9: Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.

Jonah 2:9: I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving

How are we to use God’s name?

God wants us to use His name in accordance with the Bible in a sincere and respectful manner.

Ps. 115:1: Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.

1. God wants us to trust in His name in all times of trouble.
   
   

   Ps. 50:15: Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.

   
   
   Assignment: Read Matt. 8:23-27: The disciples in distress; Matt. 15:22: 60
   The Canaanite woman; Luke 23:42,43: The thief on the cross.



2. God wants us to trust in His name when we pray:
   
   

   Matt. 7:7: Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.
   

   
   Luther says: “For this end it is also of service that we form the habit of daily commending ourselves to God, with soul and body, wife, children, servants, and all that we have, against every need that may occur; whence also the blessing and thanksgiving at meals, and other prayers, morning and evening, have originated and remain in use.”



3. God wants us to thank and praise His name. This occurs in our prayers of thanks and hymns of praise and at other times when we confess that we have received all the good things we have as gifts from God.
   
   

   James 1:17: Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.
   
   Ps. 103:1,2: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.

   
   
   Assignment: Read Luke 17:11-19.



4. God wants us to tell others about Him with our words and deeds.
   
   

   Ps. 145:10-12: All Thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord; and Thy saints shall bless Thee. They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and talk of Thy power, to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom.

   
   
   Confessing that we are Christ‘s disciples, faithfulness and honesty in our everyday lives, conscientiousness and a sense of responsibility in all things at home, at work and elsewhere, a contented and friendly spirit – all these are noble testimonies of our faith.
   

   
   2 Cor. 3:3: Ye are...the epistle of Christ.




5. God wants us to confess His name before our fellow men. This happens especially when we teach the pure doctrine of God‘s Word, defend it against false teachings and commit everything we have to the glory of God and the eternal salvation of souls.
   

   
   Matt. 10:32,33: Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.
   
   Mark 8:38: Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

In What way does god warn us not to take this Commandment lightly?

God has added a serious warning to the Second Commandment: “For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.”

Assignment: Read Acts 5:1-11: The punishment of Ananias and Sapphira.

What is lying and deceiving by God’s name?

The person who, in God’s name, spreads, defends and promotes false doctrine and a godless life, lies and deceives by God’s name.

Jer. 23:31: Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.

Matt.15: 8,9: This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoreth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Matt. 7:21: Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

What is using witchcraft by God‘s name?

Using witchcraft by God’s name is using God’s name in a superstitious way; for example, to heal sicknesses, reveal secret matters and to predict the future. People who engage in this sin may, as a punishment, become allied with the devil.

Lev. 19:31: Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.

Deut. 18:10-12: There shall not be found among you anyone that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord.

Assignment: Read 1 Sam. 28:5-14: Saul’s delusion; Acts 8:9-24: Simon, the sorcerer. Discuss occultism and spiritism in the light of the Bible.

When are we permitted and even required to swear?

All swearing or taking an oath in God’s name is not forbidden. An oath is proper, permitted and commanded when it is required to confirm the truth in important matters. In such an instance it is for the glory of God and the welfare of our neighbor. When we swear by God’s name we call upon God to witness the truth of what we say.

2 Cor. 1:23: I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet to Corinth.

Deut. 6:13: Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve Him, and shalt swear by His name.

Heb. 6:16: Men verily swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

Eccl. 8:2: I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.

Assignment: Read Gen. 14:22,23 and 24:2-9: Abraham, the father of faith, took an oath and demanded an oath from his servant; Matt. 26:63,64: Jesus agreed to an oath. Cite some examples of proper oaths in our day and age.

When is swearing forbidden?

Swearing is forbidden under the following circumstances:

1. False oath: A person swears he is telling the truth even though he is lying:
   
   

   Zech. 8:17: Love no false oath.

   
   
   Assignment: Read Matt. 26:72: Peter’s false oath.



2. Swearing in sinful matters:
   
   Assignment: Read Acts 23:12: The Jews swore they would kill Paul.



3. Swearing in uncertain matters: When we swear that something is true, but are not sure that it is:
   
   

   Zech. 8:16: Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor.




4. Thoughtless and frivolous swearing:
   
   Assignment: Read: Matt. 14:6-10: Herod’s frivolous oath.



5. Swearing in support of something that is wrong:
   
   Assignment: Read 1 Sam. 28:8-10: Saul’s oath.



6. Swearing in unimportant matters of everyday life:
   
   Assignment: Read: Matt 5:33-37: Jesus’ warning.