Lectio Concordia

Perfect Peace

23 Apr

Perfect Peace

Wednesday before the Second Sunday of Easter

Series: Lectio Concordia

April 23, 2025 By Rev. Mark Ryman

• Online jigsaw puzzle of today's reading • Index

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• Collect: We have never seen you, Lord Jesus, but we believe. Your word is enough for us to know that we have life and peace in your name only. Give us a full measure of your Spirit that we may share the peace of Christ with our world. Amen.

• Psalm 4:1–8

• Philippians 4:4–7

• Peace of conscience will not be found in works. Due to real terrors of conscience, people heap up works upon works, hoping to appease God, then at length, despair because they find no work pure enough. So, the Law continues to accuse and produce wrath. [The Defense of the Augsburg Confession, Reply to Adversaries’ Arguments]

• “Peace, Perfect Peace, in This Dark World of Sin,” Edward Henry Bickersteth Tune

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.

Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?
Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.

Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and he is on the throne.

It is enough: earth’s struggles soon shall cease,
and Jesus call to heaven’s perfect peace.

• Benediction: May the God of all hope fill you with the joy and peace of faith, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope and rest in Christ’s peace. Amen.

• Memory Verse: Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)

• Memory Verse Aid: SWHBJBF, WHPWG TOLJC. (R51)