Martin Chemnitz

On Chastity

August 27, 2010

God wills that the light of chastity shine in our entire body and all of our members. -Martin Chemnitz, Loci Theologici, Sixth Commandment

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Theology quiz

August 26, 2010

What do you think about the following statement? True or false? Those things which have been commanded [by God] are necessary as the fruits of righteousness, even if they are not necessary for righteousness itself which comes alone from faith. For it is not the freedom of the Gospel to be able to omit the [...]

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The Marriage of Sarah Mellott and Edward Cadagin

August 12, 2010

July 31, 2010 Sarah is a thorough and orderly person, which was evident as she planned this wedding. Last night at the rehearsal, I discovered part of Ed’s own thoroughness, as he asked me for a copy of the vows so he could practice them. That always makes a pastor happy — but the truth, [...]

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Christmas Day sermon

December 26, 2009

Gospel: John 1:1-14 Dearly beloved: This bright morning, “The Ancient of Days has become an infant” [Chrysostom].  The Holy One leaps down from His royal throne to lie helpless in a feeding trough.  This bright morning, He who could not be touched has come among us, to be touched, not as a baby is touched, [...]

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New obedience comes slowly

November 29, 2009

Martin Chemnitz, Loci Theologici, p555: In the case of our justification, which is the full and perfect acceptance of the believer unto eternal life, certain effects in our life, such as the new obedience, follow rather slowly because of the weakness of our flesh.

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Sanctification is an effect of justification

November 28, 2009

Martin Chemnitz, Loci Theologici, p555: This distinction between causes and effects is also useful for showing that sanctification or renewal is to be distinguished from justification, and that the new obedience is not a cause or an essential part of our justification, because it is an effect or a result.

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All Saints Day

November 7, 2009

Sermon from last Sunday, November 1, 2009. Text: Matthew 5:1-12 Death puts everything into perspective. Death reveals that all of our accumulated treasures on earth are worthless, all of our medicine cannot heal, everything done outside of God’s Word and will was a waste. All Saints Day is about the dead. It is about the [...]

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"My Father is greater than I"

May 29, 2009

I’ve been struggling to fully understand the Gospel reading for this coming Sunday, Pentecost (John 14:23-31), particularly these words of Jesus: “My Father is greater than I.” Francis Pieper, in his Christian Dogmatics (II:62), says the following: The statement of John 14:28: “My Father is greater than I,” describes Christ according to His human nature [...]

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