Lord’s Day 37: Q&A 101-102: So Help Me God

As a continuation of last week’s Lord’s Day on blaspheming and taking God’s name in vain, we get a bit of clarification from the Catechism on ‘proper’ oaths. That is, the obvious follow-up question of whether or not it’s okay for Christians to swear any oath at all, especially in circumstances like being in court. According to Ursinus and Olevianus, it is indeed fine for us to swear reverent oaths, as long as it’s done in proper reverence for God’s glory and our neighbor’s good. Or to put it a bit differently, we can swear oaths only if we plan to uphold them, which according to Jesus (let your yes be yes and your no no), we should anyways.

Lord’s Days like this one can be a bit interesting to adapt for use in worship in a straightforward manner, so you have to get a bit creative and pick up on some of the underlying themes of the Q&As. For instance, I really like the lines in 101 ‘. . .in order to maintain and promote truth and trustworthiness for God’s glory and our neighbor’s good.’ That sounds like it could be a sending/blessing to me. Or from 102 ‘. . .calling upon God as the only one who knows my heart’ got Chadd thinking about a Prayer for Illumination.

Lord’s Day 37

Q&A 101

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

God of Truth, work in our hearts and minds today to hear the truth you have from your holy word. As we hear your word in scripture, reveal to use the truth of the gospel, Holy Spirit. God, during this sermon, may your truth, not ours, take hold in our hearts and minds. It is by the witness of your holy, true, and perfect name that we hear your truth, Christ Jesus. Amen.

SENDING

Let us go forth to be lights in this dark world as followers of Christ who promote the Truth of God’s glory and strive for the good of all of our neighbors. 

Q&A 102

CONFESSION OF SIN (Matthew 5:7, Romans 9:1)

One true God,

You know our hearts

And know we do not live by truth.

We deceive others in our lives 

To take advantage of our neighbors

And to receive what we have not been given.

We use the powerful things of your creation

Rather than turning to you, Holy One.

We even deceive ourselves 

By not being honest with our sinfulness.

Revealing God,

Your glory exposes our deceit.

Forgive us of our lies to others and ourselves.

Holy Spirit, 

Imbue our words with the truth of Christ.

Amen.