Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10)
Christ has Risen! He has Risen indeed! Faith NEEDS GOD’S WORD. By the Power of the Holy Spirit you believe in Jesus. No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12)
Scripture clearly teaches that faith can be lost. The one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. (Matthew 13)
What do you love the most? Pleasure? Money? Self? Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6)
Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10)
By the Holy Spirit's power you confess Jesus as Lord. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved…. Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame. (Romans 10)
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mk 16)
Baptizing and teaching God's Word. I can recall a number of Confirmation days when it was the last day I would see those who were confirmed. All kinds of reasons are given why people leave the church. Selfishness. Rebellion. Sin. Living for pleasure. But NO EXCUSES will be accepted on Judgment Day. Walking away from Jesus means to walk away from salvation. Some of Christ’s disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” (John 6)
Repent and believe in the gospel. (Mark 1)
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John)
The promises that are made on Confirmation Day:
- Do you intend to live according to the Word of God, and in faith, word, and deed to remain true to God, Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, even to death?
- I do, by the grace of God.
Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev. 2)
Stay with Jesus. WHERE? CHRIST’S WORD. If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8)
Living in and from your Baptism. Waters of Life. Gladly hear God’s Word and hold it sacred. God's Word PREACHED into your ears and hearts. Feast on the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Lord's Supper. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God. (John 6)
Happy hearing the WORD OF GOD. Happy having your sins FORGIVEN. Happy believing in Christ. Happy Confessing Jesus as Lord. Christ has Risen! He has Risen indeed! Amen.