Lord’s Day 31: Q&A 83-85: Keys of the Kingdom
As we finish out part two of three in the Catechism (that being Salvation/Deliverance), we move from the Sacraments into a brief aside on Preaching and Church Discipline. The bits on preaching this week are fairly standard enough, in that the kingdom of God is open to believers as we repent of our sins and hear the word proclaimed to us. Conversely, the kingdom is closed when we are unrepentant or are not true believers in God.
The more tricky thing is the Church Discipline. It is one of the marks of the true church (those being preaching of the word, celebration of the sacraments, and church discipline), but of those marks, it is the most controversial. A lot of churches have abused the idea of church discipline through the years and have used it as a bludgeoning tool for judgement, rather than a tool for prayer and discipleship to bring someone back into the fold of the church. On the other hand, many churches have also ignored the need for church discipline, choosing rather to let unrepentant and wayward people flounder in their fallenness. Neither of these are ideal, nor are they really what we are called to do. We are all sinners, but we are still called to admonish one another for the sake of building up the body of Christ.
We have for you this week a few liturgical elements that try to strike that balance of not being hypocritical but still recognizing and bringing before God those who are indeed unrepentant.
Lord’s Day 31
Q&A 84
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Lord our God, we pray that as we open your Word today, you would speak to us the words that you plan to impress upon our hearts. As we hear from you, may you declare to us anew that you, because of Christ’s merit, truly forgive all of our sins. Open unto us the kingdom of heaven as we open up your scriptures today. Amen.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God, our ultimate judge and arbiter: we confess to you that we are in need of repentance. We know that when we do not repent of our sins, we bring upon ourselves your wrath and judgment. Forgive us of our sins because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior. Take your wrath away from us by his merit, and empower us to live out your gospel truth for your name’s sake.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Brothers and Sisters, the kingdom of heaven is open to you, as often as you accept this promise of the gospel in faith: God, because of Christ’s merit, truly forgives all of our sins.
Thanks be to God!
Q&A 85
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Jesus, in spite of us calling ourselves Christians, we often fall short of what you have called us to be in this world. Instead of giving light and life, we give into the darkness of sin and death. Rather than sharing your teachings, we allow ourselves to be influenced by our sinful desires and our fears. Forgive us, Lord, for when we remain unrepentant in our sin. Revive and reform us anew, Holy Spirit, that we may live godly lives, abandon our errors and the evil ways in which we stray from you, that the world may see you, Christ, through our actions.
Amen.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER FOR THE UNREPENTANT PERSON
God, Father, Son, and Spirit: we recognize that we are all sinners who have fallen short of your glory and the call you have on our lives as believers. None of us are truly righteous apart from you, O God.
Recognizing the planks in our eyes, O Lord, we lift up -name- to you, as they are not bearing the fruits of your Spirit, but are unrepentant in their sins. Touch their heart, Holy Spirit, and convict them anew as we also pray that you convict us of our own sins. Bring us all closer to you, Father, and forgive us of our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. We pray in your most holy name. Amen.
