Catechetical Sermon Series II – Confession & the Keys and The Creed

Here are some comments to help the reader understand how I arrived at the scripture readings and hymns chosen for this part of the catechetical sermon series.

Sermons on Confession and the Keys

The Scripture readings for the sermons on Confession and the Keys were primarily chosen from the passages listed in each part of the explanation to Luther’s Small Catechism. The order of the sermons reflects the order found in the current editions of the Catechism and LSB. The first sermon should reflect the two parts of confession: 1) the act of confessing one’s sins, and 2) God’s pronouncement of absolution by either the pastor or a fellow Christian. The second sermon should reflect the fact that at our Baptism God bestows on us the Office of the Keys. The Keys are exercised both by Christian laity and clergy – the laity privately, the clergy publicly on behalf of the laity and for their spiritual benefit. The third sermon should center on the office of the Holy Ministry and the duties God calls the pastor to perform. Luther’s catechetical hymn on the Keys can be sung each Sunday. The Keys were given to the Church so that faith in Christ would be strengthened and exercised.

Sermons on the Creed

Some of the sermons on the Creed have a specific textual basis in all three scripture readings which are to be proclaimed in the sermon; for instance, when considering the person and work of Christ, each of the readings is tied to one of Christ’s threefold office of Prophet, Priest, and King. The sermon on seeing and hearing the forgiveness of sins is a proclamation of the Means of Grace – the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, Scripture, and the Sacrament of the Altar – with each reading speaking about each of the Means of Grace. The catechetical sermons are to be Law and Gospel proclamations of Christ and His saving work designed to help parishioners grow in their faith and love for Christ.

Liturgical Recommendations

Because the confession of the Creed is an integral part of the liturgy, my suggestion is that the reading of the creedal sections of the Catechism be spoken/confessed before or after the sermon.

I suggest the singing of Luther’s catechetical creedal hymn (LSB 954) in each service when preaching on the Creed. This may get a bit repetitive for some. A substitute creedal hymn could be LSB 953.