October 27, 2024
The 507th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation
The Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity
The Twenty-fourth Sunday of the Pentecost Season
Martin Luther’s 95 Theses (selected)
“In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
* When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent’ (Mt 4:17), He willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.
Thesis 1
* They preach only human doctrines who say that as soon as the money clinks into the money chest, the soul flies out of purgatory. Thesis 27
* Those who believe they can be certain of their salvation because they have indulgence letters will be eternally damned, together with their teachers. Thesis 32
* Any truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without indulgence letters. Thesis 36
* Any true Christian, whether living or dead, participates in all the blessings of Christ and the Church; and this is granted by God, even without indulgence letters. Thesis 37
* Christians are to be taught that he who sees a needy man and passes him by, yet gives his money for indulgences, does not buy papal indulgences, but God’s wrath. Thesis 45
* The true treasure of the Church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God. Thesis 62
* Away with those prophets who say to the people of Christ, ‘Peace, peace,’ and There is no peace! (Jer 6:14)” Thesis92
Martin Luther’s SEAL
Martin Luther never compiled a comprehensive theological textbook (called a “Loci” in his day, namely, a “dogmatics” (doctrine) textbook, in which he spelled out the truths and implications of the doctrine of justification, along with Scripture’s other teachings, as he learned them from his study of God’s Word. However he did produce what he called “my compendium of theology.” It was a visual, rather than a verbal, compendium. It was Luther’s personal seal, which he designed to symbolize that which was the essential foundation of the theology he confessed, namely, the teaching that sinners are justified –– forgiven fully and freely — through the grace of God, by faith in Jesus Christ alone. In a letter to a friend, Lazarus Spengler, Luther explained the meaning of this emblem:
“There is first to be a cross, black and placed in a heart, which should be in its natural [red] color, so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the Crucified saves us. For if one believes from the heart, he will be justified. Even though it is a black cross, which mortifies and which also should hurt us, yet it leaves the heart in its natural color and does not ruin its nature; that is, the cross does not kill but keeps alive. For the just man lives by faith in the Crucified One. (Galatians 6:14)
“Such a heart is to be in the midst of a white rose, to symbolize that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace; in a word, it places the believer into a joyful white rose; for this faith does not give peace and joy as the world gives and, therefore, the rose is to be white and not red, for white is the color of spirits and of all the angels.
(Romans 5:9; Romans 10:10)
“Such a rose is to be in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in the Spirit and in faith is a beginning of the future heavenly joy; it is already a part of faith and is grasped through Hope, even though not yet manifest. (Isaiah 1:18)
“And around this field is a golden ring, symbolizing that in heaven such blessedness lasts forever and has no end, and in addition is precious beyond all joy and goods, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal.”
(John 14:1-3; Revelation 21:18-19, 21-27)
Serving Us Today
Elders: Steve Stone, John Johnson Organist: Debbie Huebner
Ushers: Taylor Ashley, John Wambold
Altar Guild: Mary Karloski, Vicki Walker Video: Dale Johannes
Custodian: Lesa Roe Secretary: Marilyn Outlaw
Fellowship: The Quinlan Family
PRE-SERVICE PRAYER In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. My Heavenly Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, for keeping me through the night from all harm and danger. Keep me through this day also, from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. Into Your hands I commend my body and soul and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, so that the Devil may have no power over me. Amen.
The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version Copyright 2019, The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
Seven Popular Heresies and
False Teachings Taught in Churches Today;
This morning…..LEGALISM
Two weeks ago we began the above-named worship and sermon series that focuses on seven subtle, and not-so-subtle, heresies and false teachings that are becoming increasingly popular and prevalent among so-called Christian churches today. In using the word “heresy,” we mean teachings that so thoroughly distort the truths of God’s Word that embracing them destroys faith. Some false teachings, of course, are not faith-destroying heresies, but they are nevertheless serious rejections of God’s truths, and so should be soundly rejected by all faithful Christians. When churches that identify themselves as “Christian” teach heresy and/or tolerate false teaching, those institutions should be branded as unfaithful and given Biblical correction. They should also be avoided by anyone committed to the truths of God’s Word (and shouldn’t e all be committed to all of God’s Word all the time?).
In his day, Martin Luther had to deal with a variety of heresies and false teachings that had infiltrated the church of his birth, the Roman Catholic Church. Originally assuming that the unBiblical teachings he was encountering were isolated to Germany and did not dominate the church, Luther appealed to the leaders of the church to make the appropriate rejections and corrections on the basis of God’s Word. Unfortunately, Luther found out very quickly that the church’s leadership was well-aware of what was being falsely taught and practiced…..but they had no interest at all in repenting and returning to the truths of Scripture alone.
Eventually, Luther was excommunicated by the Catholic church because he would not relent from his demands that the church needed to repent of its toleration of both its heretical teachings as well as numerous false doctrines. The result, of course, was that Luther ended up forming the Evangelical (Lutheran) Church, whose “birth” on October 31, 1517 we are observing today, since this is the Sunday in October closes to the 31st.
Luther uncompromisingly contended for all the truths of God’s Word over against the 16th century Catholic Church’s many false teachings. He particularly fought for the restoration of the Gospel message of salvation by God’s grace alone, through faith alone in Christ our Savior….and never in ones works. Throughout his life Luther contended with Catholicism’s legalistic (and heretical) teaching that a person is saved by his/her obedience and good works, along with believing in Jesus. However, any time any human performance or effort is added to what Christ accomplished for our salvation, what results is not the Gospel, but a legalistic, works-oriented “false gospel” that cannot possibly save anyone.
Sadly, the heresy of legalism that Luther fought against over 5 centuries ago within the Catholic church, has infiltrated many churches, pulpits and hearts today. And so, it’s appropriate for us on this Reformation Sunday to consider the heresy of legalism and its counterpart (and antidote), the Gospel…..since we have to contend with legalism today too, just as Luther fought against it so many years ago.
Incidentally, the contemporary heresies and false teachings we’ve examined so are: 1) Religious Pluralism…..the lie that all religions are equal, and that all faiths worship the same God; and 2) Antinomianism….the practical rejection of God’s Law, and the popular notion that “I can live however I want.”
As we’ve just noted, today, we’re going to be addressing the heresy of Legalism….which teaches that God’s favor and eternal life must be earned by man’s effort.
In the weeks ahead, we will be considering four other false teachings and heresies. On November 3 we’ll examine the false Gospel of Prosperity…..that God will give you materially whatever you want. In two weeks (November 10) we’ll use God’s Word to recognize the Lie that a believer’s Soul “Sleeps” at the point of death….instead of going directly to heaven. After that, on November 17, we’ll explore The Fabrication of Annihilation…..that the lost don’t go to hell, because it doesn’t exist; they just cease to exist. And, finally, on November 24 we’ll address perhaps the most popular and attractive heresy of them all (at least today)…..The heresy of Universalism…..that lie everybody goes to heaven regardless of what you believe or how you behave.
However, before closing out this part of the worship flyer, I’d like to encourage you to read a little about the Lutheran Reformation and what made (and keeps) it so special.
What Made the Lutheran Reformation Unique?
The Lutheran Reformation was an event in 16th century Germany and Europe in which God used a Roman Catholic monk by the name of Martin Luther (1483-1546) to reform the Christian Church of that day. By “reform” we mean to correct abuses and to restore the church to the Bible-based servant of the Lord that it should be.
However, it is important to understand that this was not the first or only reformation in the history of the Christian church. There were numerous Old Testament-era reformations among the Jewish people (Jehosaphat’s, Josiah’s, Hezekiah’s). In addition, throughout the fifteen hundred years of New Testament-era church history prior to the 16th century Reformation, there were many attempts at reformation. For example, a reformation in the 11th Century, led by Pope Gregory VII, attacked lay control of the Church, simony (buying church offices), and clergy immorality. In the 14th Century John Wyclif (d. 1384) sparked a reformation in England when he attacked the power and corruption of the Roman Church, rejected celibacy and transubstantiation, and stressed the reading of the Scriptures in the every day language of the common people. In the 15th Century, the Bohemian, Jan Hus (d. 1415), influenced by Wyclif, initiated a reformation among his people by directing the people to obey God rather than the Roman Church authorities. Hus declared that because of their false teachings and immorality, the Catholic church’s hierarchy had forfeited the right to lead Christ’s church on earth.
Luther’s efforts to reform the church’s doctrine and practice
centered on a restoration of the absolute authority of God’s Word in the church, with an emphasis on the unadulterated Gospel as the Christian’s motivation for living and his confidence for eternity. Other reforming and renewal movements of that period (and afterward) tended to place their primary emphasis on making improvements in the Christian’s moral character (inward change), rather than on establishing sound Biblical doctrine as the starting point and foundation for any subsequent inner spiritual renewal. In general, other reformers (especially of that period) stressed sanctification far more than justification, typically with legalistic (Law-, works-driven) rather than evangelical (Gospel-driven) motivation. Some of those legalistic and emotion-driven reformers included: Andreas Karlstadt, the Anabaptists, the Spiritualists/Enthusiasts, and, to a lesser extent, Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin, and John Knox. In contrast, Luther’s efforts centered on a reforming of the church’s doctrine (conforming it to Scripture alone) more than a reforming of life. More accurately, it was a reforming of the church’s corrupt doctrine in contrast to a reforming of the church’s corrupt life. And, as the motivation for godly living, Luther stressed the peace, promises and joy that every Christian can know through the Gospel. He saw the Law as the means of convincing men of their sinful condition and desperate need for a Savior from sin, as well as the guideline for godly living – but never as the do-or-be-damned motivation for sanctified living and eternal salvation.
Luther’s reformation efforts focused on eliminating a multitude of Scriptural abuses and man-made teachings which Rome had been allowing to compromise the teachings of the Church to the extent that true, Biblical Christian doctrine had all but disappeared. What Luther especially challenged was Rome’s false (and damning) doctrine that the way to heaven was through good works, obedience, and legalism. Luther knew from his study of Scripture that Rome’s doctrine of salvation was exactly the opposite of the Bible’s message of salvation through grace by faith alone in Christ. Luther also sought to reform other false doctrines, as well as various moral abuses that had developed in Roman Catholicism. He boldly attacked the Papacy of the Roman Church as the very Anti-Christ. What made the Lutheran Reformation unique was that it was most concerned with the restoration of Biblical truth…..not simply a change in the church’s moral character. In one of his table talks, Luther made this remark concerning the restoration of sound Biblical doctrine:
Doctrine and life are to be distinguished. Life is as bad among us as among the papists. Hence we do not fight and damn them because of their bad lives. Wyclif and Hus, who fought over the moral quality of life, failed to understand this . . . When the Word of God , remains pure, even if the quality of life fails us, life is placed in a position to be what it ought to be. That is why everything hinges on the purity of the Word. I have succeeded only if I have taught correctly (WA TR 1:624; LW 54:110).
God’s Reformation of His Church through Martin Luther began with his rediscovery of the main teaching of Christianity: The Gospel – namely, that we are declared righteous (justified) by grace alone in the cross of Jesus Christ. It is not our righteousness (created by our works, efforts, and obeying God’s laws) that saves us; rather, it is Christ’s righteousness that has saved us. This righteousness is
credited/imputed to our account when the Holy Spirit brings us to faith, thereby enabling us to embrace the precious truth that, as our sin-Substitute, Jesus Christ lived perfectly, died sacrificially and rose gloriously for us and for our salvation.
Put very simply, Luther’s Reformation was a matter of taking this rediscovered Gospel, showing that it was
Scriptural, and then reforming the church by using it (God’s mercy in Christ for us) as the chief motivation for Christian living, rather than the Law’s threats and condemnations. Whatever in the church was found to contradict this Gospel of salvation by grace through faith alone – apart from works – was to be reformed or removed. Anything else (if it edified and was in accord with God’s Word) could be retained.
The Lutheran Reformation was concerned with the essentials of the Christian faith. For that reason it swept through Europe like a wildfire and produced amazing results. Without this Reformation, there would be no Christian faith as we enjoy it today, for the light of the Gospel would have remained all but extinguished. Whenever we celebrate the Reformation then (as we are doing today), we are not merely observing the “birthday” of our Lutheran-Christian Church (as many might suggest). Rather, we are celebrating the rediscovery of the Gospel – that central doctrine of Scripture on which the whole Christian Church and our faith is (and must remain) founded: namely, that we are saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone in Christ Jesus – God’s Son, our Savior – and that this precious truth comes to us in Scripture alone.
The Order of Worship for the Festival of the Reformation
Period For Silent Prayer Pre-Service Music
We Praise Our God
The Greeting and Invitation to Worship
After which, at the Pastor’s invitation, the Congregation will rise for
The Invocation
We begin this service in the name
of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Psalm for Reformation Sunday Psalm 46
P: God is our refuge and strength, a Helper Who can always be found in times of trouble.
C: That is why we will not fear when the earth dissolves + and when the mountains tumble into the heart of the sea. + Its waters roar and foam. + The mountains quake when it rises.
P: There is a river – its streams bring joy to the city of God, to the holy dwelling of the Most High.
C: God is in her. She will not fall; + God will help her at daybreak.
P: Nations are in turmoil. Kingdoms fall. God raises His voice. The earth melts.
C: Come, look at the works of the LORD. + What a wasteland He has made of the earth.
P: He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
C: He shatters the bow. + He cuts up the spear. + He burns the
shields with fire.
P: Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.
C: The Lord of Armies is with us; + the God of Jacob is a Fortress to us.
The Opening Hymn Hymn 203
“Lord Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word”
1 Lord, keep us steadfast in your Word;
Curb those who by deceit or sword
Would seek to overthrow your Son
And to destroy what he has done.
2 Lord Jesus Christ, your pow’r make known,
For you are Lord of lords alone;
Defend your Christendom that we
May sing your praise eternally.
3 O Comforter of priceless worth,
Send peace and unity on earth.
Support us in our final strife,
And lead us out of death to life.
after which the Congregation will rise as
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To the LORD
P: Brothers and sisters in Christ, in preparation for confessing our sins together, please join me in examining our lives according to God’s Ten Commandments, along with Martin Luther’s explanations for each of those commandments:
C: You shall have no other gods.
P: We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
C: You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.
P: We should fear and love God that we do not use His name to curse, swear, lie or deceive, or use witchcraft, but call upon God’s name in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.
C: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
P: We should fear and love God that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but regard it as holy, and gladly hear and learn it.
C: Honor your father and mother, that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.
P: We should fear and love God that we do not dishonor or anger our parents and others in authority, but honor, serve, and obey them, and give them love and respect.
C: You shall not murder.
P: We should fear and love God that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and befriend him in every bodily need.
C: You shall not commit adultery.
P: We should fear and love God that we lead a pure and decent life in words and actions, and that husband and wife love and honor each other.
C: You shall not steal.
P: We should fear and love God that we do not take our neighbor’s money or property or get it by dishonest dealing, but help him to improve and protect his property and means of income.
C: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
P: We should fear and love God that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, or give him a bad name, but defend him, speak well of him, and take his words and actions in the kindest possible way.
C: You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
P: We should fear and love God that we do not scheme to get our neighbor’s inheritance or house or obtain it by a show of right, but do all we can to help him keep it.
C: You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, workers, animals, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
P: We should fear and love God that we do not force or entice away our neighbor’s spouse, workers, or animals, but urge them to stay and do their duty.
Pastor: Beloved in the Lord, let us draw near to the Lord with sincere hearts and confess our sins to God, our Father, pleading that He might, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, grant us the forgiveness of all our sins.
Congregation: Miserable person that I am, I confess and lament to You, O most holy God, that I am a weak and sinful creature, guilty of every sin, of unbelief, and of blasphemy. I also confess that Your Word
has not brought forth good fruit in me. I hear it, but do not receive it earnestly. I do not show works of love toward my neighbor. I am full of anger, hate, and envy. I am impatient, greedy, and bent on every evil. Therefore my heart and conscience are heavy. Lord, I ask You, free me from my sins, strengthen my faith, and comfort my weak conscience by Your divine Word, that I may obtain Your promised grace.
The Assurance of God’s Forgiveness
Having just heard your sincere confession of sins and plea for pardon may these words of our Savior in Matthew 8:31 comfort and encourage you: “It will be done for you as you believe.” And now, in the place of and according to the command of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. God be gracious unto you and strengthen your faith. Go in peace. Amen.
We Respond To God’s Forgiveness ….. verses 1 & 6 of Hymn 390
“Salvation Unto Us Has Come”
Salvation unto us has come By God’s free grace and favor
Good works cannot avert our doom, They help and save us never.
Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone, Who did for all the world atone
He is the one Redeemer.
All blessing, honor, thanks, and praise To Father, Son, and Spirit,
The God that saved us by His grace — All glory to His merit!
O Triune God in heaven above, Who has revealed Your saving love,
Your blessed name be hallowed. AMEN.
The Prayer For Today
O Lord God, heavenly Father, we pray that You would pour Your Holy Spirit into our hearts; enable us to remain steadfast in our faith in Your grace and truth; protect and comfort us in all temptation; defend us against all the enemies of Your Word and Your name; and grant to all the Church militant Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, as the One true God, forever and ever. Amen.
After which the Congregation may be seated
We Hear God’s Word
Sola Gratia: By Grace Alone Psalm 103:8-13
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy. 9 He will not always accuse. He will not keep His anger forever. 10 He does not treat us as our sins deserve. He does not repay us according to our guilty deeds. 11 Yes, as high as the heavens are above the earth, so powerful is His mercy toward those who fear Him. 12 As distant as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our rebellious acts from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
P: Salvation is by God’s grace alone! This was Martin Luther’s continuing refrain throughout his preaching and teaching, his writings and his hymns. Let us join him how in affirming:
C: “Grace consists in this, that God is merciful to us, shows Himself gracious for the sake of the Lord Christ, forgives all sins, and will not charge them against us for eternal death. This is grace: the forgiveness of sins for the sake of the Lord Christ, the covering up of all sins.”
A Hymn of Response Hymn 384 “By Grace I’m Saved”
By grace I’m saved, Grace free and boundless.
My soul believe, and doubt it not.
Why waver at this word of promise.
Has Scripture ever falsehood taught?
So then this word must true remain,
By grace, we too shall heaven obtain.
Sola Fide: By Faith Alone Galatians 2:11-20
When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? “We who are Jews by birth and not `Gentile sinners’ know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified. “If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.
P: Salvation becomes our own by faith alone and not by our own works or efforts! Luther compared faith to a hand which receives God’s gift of salvation in Christ:
C: “In what manner, then, do we lay hold of this treasure and gift? It is faith alone. It holds out the hand and opens the bag and is content to receive nothing but benefits. For as God, the Giver, moved by His love, bestows these blessings upon us, so we are the recipients through faith, which does nothing but accept the gift. For salvation is not of our doing and can’t be merited by our work.”
A Hymn of Response Hymn 403 “I Know My Faith Is Founded”
I know my faith is founded on Jesus Christ, my God and Lord;
And this my faith confessing, Unmoved I stand upon His Word.
Man’s reason cannot fathom The truth of God profound;
Who trusts in worldly wisdom Relies on shifting ground.
God’s Word is all sufficient. It makes divinely sure,
And trusting in its wisdom, My faith shall rest secure.
Sola Scriptura: By Scripture Alone John 5:24, 31-32, 37-40
24 Amen, Amen, I tell you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him Who sent Me has eternal life. He is not going to come into judgment but has crossed over from death to life…..31 “If I were to testify about Myself, My testimony would not be valid. 32 There is Another Who testifies about Me, and I know that His testimony about Me is valid……37 The Father Who sent Me—He is the One Who has testified about Me. You have never heard His voice or seen His form. 38 And you do not have His word remaining in you, because you do not believe the One He sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them. They testify about Me! 40 And yet you do not want to come to Me in order to have life.
P: Salvation is revealed to us by Scripture alone! Luther pointed out that nobody must stand above any part of Scripture with one’s own ideas:
C: “We should rather allow Scripture to rule and master us, and we ourselves should not be the masters, according to our own crazy heads, setting ourselves above Scripture.”
The Hymn Response “God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage
God’s Word is our great heritage And shall be ours forever
To spread its light from age to age Shall be our chief endeavor.
Through life, it guides our way In death it is our stay.
Lord, grant while worlds endure We keep its teachings pure
Throughout all generations.
After which the Congregation will rise for
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. + And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; + Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; + Born of the Virgin Mary; + Suffered under Pontius Pilate; + Was crucified, dead and buried; + He descended into hell; + The third day He rose again from the dead; + He ascended into heaven + And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; + From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. + I believe in the Holy Ghost; + The Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; + The forgiveness of sins; + The resurrection of the body; + And the life everlasting. Amen.
The Children’s Lesson Romans 3:23-24
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God 24 and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Grace: the Christian’s “Get Out Of Jail Free” Card
The Sermon Hymn “Thy Hand, O God, Has Guided”
Thy hand, O God, has guided Thy flock from age to age;
The wond’rous tale is written, Full clear, on every page;
Our fathers owned Thy goodness, And we their deeds record;
And both of this bear witness, One Church, one Faith, one Lord.
Through many a day of darkness, Through many a scene of strife,
The faithful few fought bravely To guard the Church’s life.
Their Gospel of redemption, Sin pardoned, man restored,
Was all in this enfolded, One Church, one Faith, one Lord.
Thy mercy will not fail us, Nor leave Thy work undone;
With Thy right hand to help us, The victory shall be won;
And then by men and angels Thy name shall be adored,
And this shall be their anthem, One Church, one Faith, one Lord.
The Pre-Sermon Greeting
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
The Sermon Text based on Romans 3:19-28
19 Now we know that whatever the law says is addressed to those who are under the law, so that every mouth will be silenced and the whole world will be subject to God’s judgment. 20 For this reason, no one will be declared righteous in his sight by works of the law, for through the law we become aware of sin. 21 But now, completely apart from the law, a righteousness from God has been made known. The Law and the Prophets testify to it. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all and over all who believe.
In fact, there is no difference, 23 because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 Whom God publicly displayed as the atonement seat through faith in His blood. God did this to demonstrate His justice, since, in His divine restraint, He had left the sins that were committed earlier unpunished. 26 He did this to demonstrate His justice at the present time, so that He would be both just and the One Who justifies the person who has faith in Jesus. 27 What happens to boasting then? It has been eliminated. By what principle—by the principle of works? No, but by the principle of faith. 28 For we conclude that a person is justified by faith without the works of the law.
Who Gets The Credit?
Man for His Efforts….Or God For His Grace?
The Post-Sermon Blessing
And now, to Him Who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom of priests to serve His God and Father — to Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen!
We Offer Our Gifts to the Lord
We offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) Those in the chapel can place their offerings in the offering plates
2) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
3) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.
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We Bring our Prayers Before Our Lord
Reformation Sunday Litany Prayer for the Church
P: Dear Lord of all, we acknowledge our sin and our guilt before You, and our unworthiness to be considered Your very children; yet we call to You:
C: OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN
P: Men all around us have devised fables and lies instead of proclaiming Your truth; they have turned the hearts of many to follow Satan’s deceptions; yet among us, we pray,
C: HALLOWED BE THY NAME
P: Satan’s forces rise in range against You and plot the overthrow of Your Church; they seek only our eternal loss and the damnation of all men; yet through the faithful preaching of Your Word to us and all men, may
C: THY KINGDOM COME
P: Heavenly Father, please hinder and frustrate all efforts to destroy Your Word and Your Church; with your power and love turn everything for our good, according to Your holy purpose, so that
C: THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
P: We come before You as beggars, needing the daily blessings of Your hands, that we may have food and shelter, prosperity and safety, health and comfort, and life itself; we plead with you now to continue our preservation:
C: GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD
P: Because we are all, by nature, sinful men and women, and because our sinful acts and thoughts have often worked against Your good will, give us also, Lord, and abundant portion of Christian love and spiritual maturity, that we may forgive those who sin against us:
C: AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.
P: We are certainly no better and no more worthy of Your love than other men; but that we do not fall into sin that harms our faith and hinders Your work:
C: AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION
P: From this world free us, O Lord. Bring us safely through the temptations, through the lies of men, and through the efforts of a hostile world intent on destroying Your Church, built on Jesus Christ alone:
C: BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL
P: We come before You confidently, knowing that Your power has sustained the Church throughout the generations, and that You will continue to do so today. On this Reformation Sunday, we place our trust in You, with the full reliance that You will bless and protect and support Your Church, as You have promised, for Jesus’ sake:
C: FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Benediction
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord look with favor upon you, and give you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
A Mighty Fortress is our God, a trusty Shield and Weapon;
He helps us free from ev’ry need That hath us now o’ertaken.
The old evil Foe now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight;
On earth is not his equal.
With might of ours can naught be done Soon were our loss effected.
But for us fights the Valiant One, Whom God, Himself, elected.
Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is,
Of Sabaoth Lord, And there’s none other God;
He holds the field forever.
Tho’ devils all the world should fill All eager to devour us.
We tremble not, we fear no ill. They shall not overpower us.
This world’s prince may still Scowl fierce as He will,
He can harm us none, He’s judged; the deed is done;
One little word Can fell him.
The Word they still shall let remain Nor any thanks have for it.
He’s by our side upon the plain With His good gifts and spirit.
And take they our life, goods, fame, child and wife,
Let these all be gone. They yet have nothing won.
The Kingdom ours remaineth. Amen.
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