Bible Study: The Divine Service- The Service of the Word, cont.

Opening Hymn: LSB 849:1 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness Psalm 146 Creed (Back Cover) Lord’s Prayer (Back Cover)

The Service of the Word The Creed, Hymn, and Sermon

1. The Creed a. What does the word “creed” mean?

i. “I believe” (from Latin, credo)

1. Why do we need to confess what we believe?

2. To hear, briefly the whole of the Gospel

3. To publicly confess our acceptance of that Gospel

4. What are the three creeds we confess and when do we confess them?

5. The Apostles – non communion services

6. Nicene – communion services

7. Athanasian – Trinity Sunday

8. Where did these creeds come from?

9. The Apostles Creed is taken from the Apostle’s Doctrine as confessed in

the NT. It has been in its present form since roughly 750 A.D.

1. The Nicene Creed was drafted and adopted at the council of Nicaea in 325

A.D.

1. The Athanasian Creed has been in use since the 500’s A.D. and was

attributed to Athanasius for centuries, but likely was composed after his

death.

1. The Hymn

2. Why a hymn right before the sermon?

3. To focus hearts and minds on the texts of the day

4. To prepare us for the preaching of the word

5. How do we pick this hymn?

6. It is almost like another proper- there are hymns appointed that reflect and summarize the Gospel reading, if not all of the propers of the day

7. It is to teach us the general theme of the day

8. The Sermon

9. Is this the high point of the entire Divine Service?

10. No. The sermon stands in tandem with, not above the other sacramental

elements of the service- the Holy Absolution and the Holy Communion

1. This helps explain the sense of order and reverence to the sermon- use of a

pulpit, respectful use of the chancel, etc.

1. What is goal of the sermon?

2. It is, “The voice of the living church lifted in instruction, testimony, and exhortation.” (Reed, 306)

3. In other words- convict of sin, forgive sin, testify of the Gospel, instruct the Christian in the way of the faithfulness

c. What ought the sermon be about?

1. It ought to be built upon the lessons of the day, either one, or all of them

2. It ought to reflect the theme of the specific day of the church year

d. Why can’t it be on something else?

1. The sermon is IN the service, to preach on something other than the propers of the day risks tearing apart the unity and harmony of the whole Divine Service.

2. To step into the pulpit and say, “Now for something completely different” elevates the pastor and the sermon about the rest of the service in a dangerous way.

3. “Not that which is for the moment is nearest the heart of the minister, nor that which is nearest the heart of the individual members, but that which is so arranged that the entire contents of the divine Word are unfolded and communicated in a complete cycle, will afford most permanent edification, and maintain the interest of devout people.” Reed (307)

Closing Prayer: For Blessing on the Word (Inside front cover) *Notes taken from An Explanation of the Common Service, and The Lutheran Liturgy