The Ten Commandments

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT
You shall have no other gods.

What does this mean for us?
We are to fear, love and trust God above everything else.

THE SECOND COMMANDMENT
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not use God's name superstitiously, or use it to curse, swear or lie, or deceive, but to call on God in prayer, praise and thanksgiving.

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God, so that we do not neglect God's Word and the preaching of it, but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.

THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT
Honor your father and your mother.

What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God, so that we do not despise or anger our parents and others in authority, but respect, obey, love and serve them.

THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not kill.

What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not hurt our neighbor in any way, but help them in all their physical needs.

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not commit adultery.

What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that in matters of sex our words and conduct are pure and honorable, and husband and wife love and respect each other.

THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not steal.

What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor's money or property, or get them in any dishonest way, but help them improve and protect their property and means of making a living.

THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not betray, slander, or lie about our neighbor, but defend them, speak well of them, and explain their actions in the kindest way.

THE NINTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not covet your neighbor's house.

What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not desire to get our neighbor's possessions by scheming, or by pretending to have a right to them, but always help them keep what is theirs.

THE TENTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not covet your neighbor's spouse, or their manservant, or their maidservant, or their cattle or anything that is your neighbor's.

What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not tempt or coax our neighbor's spouse or workers, but encourage them to remain loyal.

WHAT DOES GOD SAY OF ALL THESE COMMANDMENTS?

God says," I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the parents upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments."

What does this mean for us?
God warns that he will punish all who break these commandments. Therefore we are to fear God's wrath and not disobey God. But God promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore we are to love and trust God, and gladly do what God commands.

Luther's Morning Blessing

In the morning, as soon as you get out of bed, you are to make the sign of the holy cross and say: "Under the care of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen."

Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer. If you wish, you may recite this little prayer as well:

I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have protected me through the night from all harm and danger and I ask that you would also protect me today from sin and every danger, so that my life and actions may please you. Into your hands I commend my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

After singing a hymn, or whatever else may serve your devotion, you are to go to your work joyfully.

Luther's Evening Blessing

In the evening, when you go to bed, you are to make the sign of the holy cross and say: "Under the care of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen."

Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer. If you wish you may recite this little prayer as well:

I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have graciously protected me today, and I ask you to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously to protect me tonight. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Then you are to go to sleep quickly and cheerfully.

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at
the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven;
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass
against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism

1. What is Baptism?

Baptism is not water only, but it is water used together with God's Word and by God's command.

What is this Word?

In Matthew 28 our Lord Jesus Christ says: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

2. What benefits does God give in Baptism?

In Baptism God forgives sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives everlasting salvation to all who believe what God has promised.

What is God's promise?

In Mark 16 our Lord Jesus Christ says: "They who believe and are baptized will be saved; but they who do not believe will be condemned."

3. How can water do such great things?

It is not water that does these things, but God's Word with the water and our trust in this Word. Water by itself is only water, but with the Word of God it is a life-giving water which by grace gives the new birth through the Holy Spirit.

St. Paul writes in Titus 3: "God saved us...in virtue of God's own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by God's grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. The saying is sure."

4. What does Baptism mean for daily living?

It means that our sinful self, with all its evil deeds and desires, should be drowned through daily repentance; and that day after day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.

St. Paul writes in Romans 6: "We were buried therefore with Christ by Baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

1. What is Holy Communion?

Holy Communion is the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ given with bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself for us to eat and drink.

Where do the Scriptures say this?

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Paul say: Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in which he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take eat, this is my body, which is given for you; this do in remembrance of me."

After the same manner also he took the cup after supper, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins; this do, as often as you drink of it, in remembrance of me."

2. What benefits do we receive from this sacrament?

The benefits of this sacrament are pointed out by the words, given and shed for you for the remission of sins. These words assure us that in the sacrament we receive forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.

3. How can eating and drinking do all this?

It is not eating and drinking that does this, but the words, given and shed for you for the remission of sins. These words, along with eating and drinking, are the main thing in the sacrament. And whoever believes these words has exactly what they say, forgiveness of sins.

4. When is a person rightly prepared to receive this sacrament?

Fasting and other outward preparations serve a good purpose. However, that person is well prepared and worthy who believes these words, given and shed for you for the remission of sins. But anyone who does not believe these words, or doubts them, is neither prepared nor worthy, for the words for you required simply a believing heart.