Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Churchs

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments 1 Sacraments are Visible Words— Robert Jenson 2 Word of God comes in a visible & tangible way. 3 Sacrament = gift of God

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Council of Trent – 1545 -1563 Prompted by Protestant Reformation • Seven Sacraments

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments LUTHERANS CELEBRATE THESE AS SACRAMENTS Holy Baptism Holy Communion LUTHERANS CELEBRATE THESE AS RITES Confession (Penance) Confirmation Last Rites (anointing of sick; Extreme Unction – dying) Ordination (Holy Orders) Marriage

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments WHAT DETERMINES A SACRAMENT? • Physical (earthly) Element: i. e water, bread and wine • Commanded by Jesus: Matthew 28: 19 -20; Words of Institution found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and 1 st Corinthians 11: 23 -26 • Conveys God’s Promises of Grace & Salvation

A SACRAMENT IS…A SACRED ACT: ØINSTITUTED BY GOD,

A SACRAMENT IS…A SACRED ACT: ØINSTITUTED BY GOD, ØIN WHICH GOD HIMSELF HAS JOINED GOD’S WORD OF PROMISE TO A VISIBLE ELEMENT,

A SACRAMENT IS…A SACRED ACT: ØINSTITUTED BY GOD, ØIN WHICH GOD HIMSELF HAS JOINED GOD’S WORD OF PROMISE TO A VISIBLE ELEMENT, ØAND BY WHICH GOD OFFERS, GIVES AND SEALS THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS EARNED BY CHRIST.

A SACRAMENT IS…A SACRED ACT: ØTHE WORD SACRAMENT COMES FROM THE LATIN BIBLE, WHERE IT TRANSLATES THE GREEK WORD FOR MYSTERY.

WHAT IS BAPTISM? From the Small Catechism… Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water used according to God’s command connected with God’s word.

WHAT DOES BAPTIZE MEAN? From the Small Catechism… BAPTIZE means to apply water by immersing, washing, pouring and the like.

WHAT GIFTS OR BENEFITS DOES BAPTISM BESTOW From the Small Catechism… It effects forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil and grants eternal salvation to all who believe, as the Word & promise of God declare.

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments ORIGENS OF HOLY BAPTISM Old Testament: Genesis: Flood – Noah & family Prophets: (Isaiah 1: 16; Exekiel 36: 25 ff; Psalm 51: 2) Used water an external symbol for internal cleansing

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments John the Baptist – final prophet of Old Testament Covenant. Baptism of Jesus in Jordan River ushers in Messianic fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments In Baptism our gracious heavenly Father frees us from sin and death by joining us to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are born children of a fallen humanity; by water and the Holy Spirit we are reborn children of God and made members of the church, the body of Christ. Living with Christ and in the communion of saints, we grow in faith, love and obedience to the will of God. ” p. 227)

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments I am Baptized!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments I am Baptized! His mantra!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments I am Baptized! His mantra! His “tattoo!”

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Gift given to church and us! All Promises of God found in Baptism! Baptism makes all things Right! …between us and God …within ourselves …between us and the world!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Water: Sign of cleansing, washing, life & new birth!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments The old “Adam” is drowned and raised up as a new creation in Christ!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments In Baptism we’re joined to the death and resurrection of Jesus and given the gift of the Holy Spirit which creates faith.

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Jesus’ Command: “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, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age. ” (Matthew 28: 19 -20)

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Holy Happening: Experienced on Many Levels. Grow to Understand it more and more. Never fully comprehend it. No age of reason when we’ll get it!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments The seeds of faith are best planted and nurtured within the community of believers, the body of Christ…the Church!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Lutherans Baptize people of all ages: tradition of both western and eastern Christianity for more than 1000 years. Emphasis is on God’s action: a baptism by grace!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments When might we know enough to understand? How much do we need to do to earn God’s grace & salvation?

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments I am Baptized! Individual and Communal Gift of God lived out in life of the church and the world!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments A Way of Life: God comes to us and seals us in a promise of Grace That affects what we do every day!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments A new beginning again and again! Marked for service in the world—to love others the way God loves us— even to those who may not understand it, who may not deserve it, but who desperately need itl Just like we do!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Holy Communion

What is the Sacrament of the Altar? From Small Catechism Instituted by Christ himself, it is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, give to us Christians to eat and to drink.

What is the benefit of such eating & drinking? From Small Catechism We are told in the words “for you” and “for the forgiveness of sins. ”

What is the benefit of such eating & drinking? From Small Catechism By these words the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given to us in the sacrament…

What is the benefit of such eating & drinking? From Small Catechism For where there is forgiveness of sins, there also life and salvation.

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Most popular room in your home? Jenson in Visible Words: “Eating together is 2 nd most binding communal act of humanity! We love table fellowship!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Holy Communion instituted at Last Supper. Words of Institution: offer present gift and future fulfillment (Matthew 26: 29; Mark 14: 25; Luke 22: 11 -18; Paul in 1 st Corinthians 11: 23 -26)

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Heaven as a Banquet: Isaiah 25: 6 Psalm 23 Matthew 22 Luke 14: 15 Luke 22: 29

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments A foretaste of the Feast to Come!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Eucharist Lord’s Supper Holy Communion Sacrament of the Altar

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments “Finitum Capax Infiniti” The finite can hold the infinite! And the infinite can’t run out!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Earthly Element: Bread & Wine

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Earthly Element: Bread & Wine Promise: Forgiveness & Salvation

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Earthly Element: Bread & Wine Promise: Forgiveness & Salvation Command: “Do this. . ”

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Consubstantiation: Substance of bread and wine coexists with the body and blood of Christ.

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Real presence of Christ, body & blood in, with, & under the bread & wine.

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments “This is my body given for you; this is my blood shed for you. ” Not a reminder; not a representation; not a transformation. Simply are both bread and wine and body and blood of Christ.

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Real Presence is really present. Trust that it is so!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Why would God enter into us? According to scripture… 1. Divine Glory – suffered death on cross to defeat sin, death & devil and bring salvation!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Why would God enter into us? According to scripture… 1. Divine Glory – suffered death on cross to defeat sin, death & devil and bring salvation! 2. Divine power of God made perfect in human weakness!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Why would God enter into us? According to scripture… 1. Divine Glory – suffered death on cross to defeat sin, death & devil and bring salvation! 2. Divine power of God made perfect in human weakness! 3. Divine majesty of God born in a stable

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Why would God enter into us? According to scripture… 1. Divine Glory – suffered death on cross to defeat sin, death & devil and bring salvation! 2. Divine power of God made perfect in human weakness! 3. Divine majesty of God born in a stable FOR NOTHING IS TOO LOWLY FOR GOD TO STOOP INTO TO REDEEM AND SAVE!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Given so that we can be: Ø CARRIERS OF GOD’S GRACE AND MERCY;

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Given so that we can be: Ø CARRIERS OF GOD’S GRACE AND MERCY; ØBE THE LIVING BODY OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments Given so that we can be: Ø CARRIERS OF GOD’S GRACE AND MERCY; ØBE THE LIVING BODY OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD! ØCLAIMED, CALLED, WASHED, FED, SENT!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments God’s people of every time and place! Already but not yet! Saints yet sinners! Finitum Capax Infiniti – the finite can hold the infinite… And the infinite can never run out!

Visible Words A Lutheran Understanding of the Church’s Sacraments