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Six Chief Parts

Issue 40

The Lutheran’s Confession

Do you have a filing system for important papers? Is it any good? When you are looking for something that you know you didn’t throw away, that you wanted to keep, that you were sure you would use, but then didn’t use for years…when you finally do need that thing and go to get it, how easy is it to find?

I hate to think how many times I have “re-invented the wheel” because I couldn’t find a previous project on my computer or in my filing cabinets. If you are like me and you have failed at filing, then It may seem impossible to believe that at that very moment in a conversation when you could really use some guidance and direction and you wish that you could remember what you are supposed to say, you actually have a portable file at your disposal to help, but you do because you are a Lutheran.

You have the Catechism. You have the 6 Chief Parts (The 10 Commandments, The Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, Confession/Absolution, and The Lord’s Supper). There isn’t a single conversation that you can have that does not neatly fit into one of these six categories. These categories provide the principles that you need to navigate through all the twists and turns that your crazy life in this fallen world offers.

Don’t believe me? Give it a try! Do you want to know about the complexities of the natural order of God’s creation? Study the 10 Commandments. Learn about how each created thing is related to one another, whether you are talking about the relationships you have with other people or some other part of God’s creation.

Do you want to know about the relationship between the Creator Himself and his Creation? Do you want to go beyond the limitations of science and philosophy and uncover the mysteries of the person and work and heart of God? The Apostle’s Creed is ready to be your guide!

Learn the language of God by studying the Lord’s Prayer. Learn about the transformative power of the Gospel and the new reality that has been created and given to you in the waters of baptism and are sustained by absolution and at the Lord’s Table. Learn the truth about your identity and your worth and your purpose…you and the people around you!

The 6 Chief Parts are the ultimate filing system to help us to organize our thoughts and direct our deeds. There is a place for everything in your life in your Catechism. Make use of the 6 Chief Parts.

In His Grace,
Pastor Wiist

Next Saturday, November 13th, at 10:00 a.m. we will have a discussion of the booklet, “A Biblical Response to Suicide”, and will be our last Saturday morning class of the year.

Some additional resources to our Saturday class,
“A Biblical Response to Abortion”

“The woman who has had an abortion needs to hear that for this sin too the blood of Jesus Christ was shed, and that there is in Him now full and free forgiveness. This assurance needs to be given over and over; namely, that in Christ Jesus, there is forgiveness—complete and total forgiveness. This is how the church best ministers to those who continue to feel the burden of the sin of abortion, by again and again pointing them to the cross of their Lord Jesus Christ and assuring them of the full and free forgiveness He won for them there, for all sins, for each and every one.” — Dr. A. L. Barry 10th President of the LCMS

other resources concerning abortion and infant loss
from around the LCMS

Today's readings are: Revelation 7:9–17, Psalm 149, 1 John 3:1–3, Matthew 5:1–12

The Introit is Psalm 31:1, 3, 5; antiphon: Revelation 7:14b

The Collect of the Day
Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

The daily readings for this week are: November 7: Jer. 11:1–23; Matt. 24:1–28; 8: Jer. 20:1–18; Matt. 24:29–51; 9: Jer. 22:1–23; Matt. 25:1–13; 10: Jer. 23:1–20; Matt. 25:14–30; 11: Jer. 23:21–40; Matt. 25:31–46; 12: Jer. 25:1–18; Matt. 26:1–19; 13: Jer. 26:1–19; Matt. 26:20–35.