Dear Christian friends:

Greetings especially to you members of the Confirmation Class and parents: You, members of the Confirmation Class have learned the chief teachings of the Bible during these past few years. You can say the Creed perfectly. You know what you believe about God and you can tell others about that also. That is very fine. And we praise you and thank God.

But don't get proud and big headed. Don't think now that you know everything and are finished with Bible study and learning. Often that happens to young people after they are confirmed. They say, "Finished with Sunday School. Finished with Bible study. Finished with Church."

Our text today reminds us that we should not think like that. It shows that we should not only learn God's Word or listen to it, but also do what it says. It is easy to learn God's Word and listen to it, but it is not easy to do it. For that we need God's help and power daily all of our life.

So today I want to preach to you from our text about:


Certainly we need Creeds. Some people think we need creeds and not deeds. Many young people after confirmation seem to think like that. They say, "We know, we know! Finished Sunday School, Finished Bible! Finished Church. See my confirmation certificate!" They they do not come to church anymore and obey God's Word. They only want to have fun and a good time.

Then other people say we need deeds not creeds. These people want to do good and help the poor and needy and give food to the hungry. But they don't care about learning God's Word and the Creed. They say, "No difference what Bible you have or what Creed you have. Creeds are not important. But Deeds are most important. They do not go to church often or Bible Class or read and study their Bibles.

Both of these groups are wrong. Not Creeds alone; not deeds alone but Creeds and Deeds.

We need the Creed very much because in the Creed we learn of God's great love for sinners. How God gave His Son Jesus through Mary. How Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate and let them crucify Him for the forgiveness of sins. When we hear in the Creed and Bible and Baptism and the Lord's Supper of God's wonderful love for us sinners that the Holy Spirit touches our hearts and helps us to believe in God and to love Him and humbly serve Him.

Only people who know and believe the Creeds can please God with good deeds because the heart is right, humble and full of thanks and praise to God. Others can do good deeds but their heart is proud and not right before God. So all their good deeds do not please God. They do good works to get honor and praise for themselves. Their good deeds do not praise God.

In the love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13:3 Paul shows that very clearly: "Even if I give away all I have to feed the hungry and even give up my body to death, but only to boast and not have love, it doesn't help me."

Before anyone can do a truly good deed or work he must have the Creed and know and believe in the one true God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

But Creed alone, without deeds is no good either. If you only have Deeds, you are a hypocrite! In our text James 1:22-27 warns us: "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless."

Perhaps you know the Creed and know your Bible and maybe go to church every Sunday, but if you do not control your temper, you are not serving God. If you quickly become cross and angry, and say bad words and are not sorry and do not try to improve, does Jesus live in your heart?

Again James shows we need Creeds and Deeds in verse 27 of our text, "Your way of worshipping(your faith) is pure before God the Father, if you look after orphans and widows in their troubles and keep your self unspotted by the world."

If you are very smart and know the Creed perfectly and go to church every Sunday and read your Bible everyday, but don't love the poor and needy and don't give to the Lutheran World Mission (L.W.R.) or CARE, does Jesus really live in your heart? Or if you join with the wicked world and do wrong and dirty things like they do, are you a true Christian?

So, you members of the Confirmation Class and all of you. You perhaps know the Creed that's fine. But that's not enough. You are not yet finished with learning and hearing and church. If you intend to serve God with the right heart you will need His Holy Spirit daily. Confess your sins and receive forgiveness.

Remember your Baptism. Remember the Creed. Come to church and the Lord's Supper often. Pray and read your Bible daily at home. Let God's Holy Spirit lead you everyday. Then you will have both Creeds and Deeds! You will be happy in God and He will be pleased with you.

Amen.