The Twenty-Fourth Sunday of the Pentecost Season
Also known as
The Festival of the Lutheran Reformation – November 01, 2026
Why am I a Lutheran Christian on Reformation Sunday 2026?
Because of the Reformation Legacy of
Faith Alone……Grace Alone……Scripture Alone
The year was 1517. The date, October 31. Five hundred nine years ago, a relatively unknown German monk set the religious and political world on its ear (without having intended to create an international furor). But to say that what resulted, namely the Lutheran Reformation (for which we will be thanking God this morning), all started with Martin Luther posting his 95 Theses against indulgences on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, would be a misstatement. In fact, the roots of the Lutheran Reformation are found in Luther’s extensive and intensive study of the Holy Scriptures, begun nearly a decade earlier. It was there, literally sitting at the feet of Moses and the Prophets, of the Apostles and Evangelists, and of Christ Himself (just as we do today when we study the Scriptures), that Luther came to the realization that his Church had wandered far away from Gospel, and from many of the other precious truths of God’s Holy Word. What he discovered (or better, recovered) were the simple yet clear doctrines of the early Christian Church, doctrines given to the Church by Jesus Christ through His Apostles. With that thought in mind, this morning we will celebrate not the “birthday” of our Lutheran Church, but the “Restoration” of the Gospel to the Church through the God-given Lutheran Reformation. Ours, then, is not a “new” Church whose origin merely goes back to 1517; ours is the ancestor of the true Christian Church, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ, Himself, as the chief Cornerstone.
This morning, we are going to be concentrating on the fact that what we, as Christians, believe, teach and confess is based NOT on the changing opinions and ideas of men, nor on the church’s traditions or practices across the centuries, BUT RATHER on Holy Scripture alone…..on the 66 books of the Bible, which ARE the Word of God. As Lutheran-Christians we are proud and grateful that God’s inspired, inerrant and infallible Word is our chief – indeed, our only – guide in matters of faith and life. Because it is, we can be confident of, and rest comfortably in, what we believe – certain that it is the truth and so is absolutely reliable for here and the hereafter…..because it comes to us from our Savior-God Himself.
We believe, as did Luther, that “what is asserted without the Scriptures may be held as an opinion, but need not be believed.” Consequently, Luther did not want to discard everything that had been incorporated into the life of the Christian Church since the days of the Apostles. He admired the early Christian writers like Augustine, for example, and revered the three ancient Christian creeds (the Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian) as faithful statements by the Church of what Scripture teaches. But, he argued, the Scriptures – as the very Word of God – must be the first and final Word in the Church. Why? Simply, as Luther wrote, because it is “the Holy Spirit’s book” and preaches Christ as Savior and Lord.
As we search those inspired Scriptures throughout our worship service today, we’ll be giving our attention to this morning’s Old Testament Lesson, which presents us with the story of one of the earliest-recorded “reformations” of the church – some 2100 plus years prior to Luther’s reformation. This one occurred during the reign of “good King” Josiah. He ruled over the nation of Judah shortly before its destruction and captivity at the hand of the Babylonians. Both before and following Josiah’s rule, the people of Judah would commit en masse to the wicked practice of idolatry. The Lord was well aware of this and in our reading promises to punish them for it. But during Josiah’s time – and largely under his influence – the nation enjoyed a spiritual renaissance tied – amazingly enough – to a rediscovery of God’s Word that had been “lost” inside the temple during earlier days when God’s people didn’t care to hear and heed His Word. The rediscovery and reuse of the Scriptures brought about a profound and positive change in the people of Judah which led to their re-commitment to serving and worshiping the Lord.
In today’s Epistle Lesson, Paul makes a critical point that the Law speaks to those “under the law” (he was thinking especially of the Jews) so that “every mouth will be silenced” — in other words, so that no one can claim, based on his/her merits, a personal holiness that can earn heaven. Instead, in the eyes of the Law the whole world is held accountable before God as the sinners that we are. Consequently, the purpose of God’s Law is to reveal humanity’s sin, not to justify us before God. It’s then that Paul introduces “the righteousness of God” which has been revealed – apart from the Law – through the Gospel. This righteousness is a gift of God’s grace that saves us, and which is available “through faith in Jesus Christ” to all who believe….even though we all have sinned and have fallen short of God’s glory. Paul next presents Christ as God’s means of reconciling sinful humanity to Himself, through Christ’s sinless blood shed for us. Christ’s sacrifice for us proves that God’s righteous demands (His justice) have been satisfied, and that, in His mercy, He has placed our sins on Jesus and has forgiven and justified us, for Jesus’ sake. Consequently, Paul asks, “What happens to our boasting?” The answer: any boasting of our moral goodness and worthiness before God has been excluded. Our justification comes, not by our good works, but through faith in Christ alone and what He accomplished to save us.
Our Gospel Lesson Jesus addresses a group of Jews who believe in Him, encouraging them to hold faithfully to the Word of truth that He given them – the Word through which they were freed from Jewish legalism as well as protected from the deceptions of Satan, the father of unbelievers.
Spread throughout our festival order of service this morning are a number of special “inclusions:” Our Sermon Hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is based on today’s Sermon Text, Psalm 46. Both the hymn and Psalm were two of Luther’s favorites, the latter known far and wide as “the battle hymn of the Reformation”). Today’s Confession and Absolution are also of Reformation-era vintage; they were written by Martin Luther himself, and were used originally as a means through which to offer private confession. Both our “Hymn Response to God’s Forgiveness” and another Choral Selection are also Reformation era products. The former is part of one of Lutheranism’s better known hymns, “Salvation Unto Us Has Come.” It was written by Paul Speratus in 1523, and was included in the first Lutheran Hymnal. It has been called “the true confessional hymn of the Reformation.” Its melody, incidentally, was first a German folk-tune. “Lord Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word,” which serves as our “sequence hymn” between today’s Scripture lessons, was written by Martin Luther toward the close of his life in 1541. It was originally titled, “A children’s hymn to be sung against the two arch-enemies of Christ and His holy Church, the Pope and the Turk.” It is widely thought that Luther wrote this 1541 hymn for a special service arranged in Wittenberg for prayer against the Turkish (Moslem) army threatening southeastern Europe. Another “special” component of this morning’s service is the Litany Prayer for the Church, built around the Lord’s Prayer. And, finally, today’s closing Hymn, “God’s Word is Our Great Heritage” is a “favorite” hymn within our Wisconsin Synod circles, having been composed many years ago by Dr. Martin Luther College (of New Ulm, MN) music professor, Dr. Fritz Reuter.
The portions of God’s that are 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
The Pre-service Prayer
Lord, open now my heart to hear
And through Your Word to me, draw near;
Let me Your Word e’er pure retain,
Let me Your child and heir remain.
Your Word does deeply move the heart,
Your Word does perfect health impart,
Your Word my soul with joy does bless,
Your Word brings peace and happiness. Amen.
Period For Silent Prayer
Pre-Service Music “
We Praise Our God
The Greeting and Invitation to Worship
The Opening Hymn Hymn 279 “O Word of God Incarnate”
O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky,
We praise You for the radiance That from the hallowed page,
A lantern to our footsteps, Shines on from age to age.
The Church from her dear Master Received the gift divine,
And still that light is lifted O’er all the earth to shine:
It is the golden treasure Where gems of truth are stored;
It is the heaven-drawn picture Of Christ, the living Word.
O make Your Church, dear Savior, A lampstand of pure gold,
To bear before the nations Your true light, as of old;
O teach Your wandering pilgrims By this their path to trace,
Till, clouds and darkness ended, They see You face to face.
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.
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
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 “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 our 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, You have revealed Your saving love,
Your blessed name be hallowed. Amen.
The Prayer For This Festival
O Lord God, heavenly Father, we pray that You would pour Your Holy Spirit into our hearts; keep us ever steadfast 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 bestow upon all the Church militant Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.
After which the Congregation may be seated for
Today’s Choral Selection “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word”
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.
Lord Jesus Christ, Your power make known
For You are Lord of lords alone
Defend Your Christendom that we
May sing Your praise eternally.
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
We Hear God’s Word
The Old Testament Lesson II Chronicles 34:29-33
29 The king then summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 30 The king went up to the House of the Lord with all the men of Judah, with the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests, the Levites, and all the people from the least to the greatest. In their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the House of the Lord.
31 The king stood in his place by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord to walk in the way of the Lord, to keep his commandments, his testimonies, and his statutes with all his heart and with all his soul, and to uphold the words of the covenant that were written in this book.
32 Then he made all those who were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin stand up and do the same. The inhabitants of Jerusalem acted according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.
33 Josiah removed all the abominations from all the lands that belonged to the people of Israel. He influenced everyone in Israel to serve the Lord their God. Throughout all his days, they did not turn away from the Lord, the God of their fathers.
The Epistle Lesson 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[j] 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.
after which the Congregation will rise out of respect for Christ’s words for
The Gospel Lesson John 8:31-36
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples. 32 You will also know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 “We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered, “and we have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say, ‘You will be set free’?”
34 Jesus answered, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: Everyone who keeps committing sin is a slave to sin. 35 But a slave does not remain in the family forever. A son does remain forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.
The Public Confession of our Christian Faith
according to the words of the Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light. Very God of Very God. Begotten, not made. Being of one substance with the Father, By Whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary And was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried; And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, And I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come. Amen.
after which the Congregation may be seated for
The Children’s Lesson Hebrews 11:1 & 3
Faith is being sure about what we hope for, being convinced about things we do not see……3 By faith we know that the universe was created by God’s word, so that what is seen did not come from visible things.
The Power of God’s Word….At Creation and In Us
The Choral/Sermon Hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
(CHOIR) Ein Feste Burg ist unser Gott ein gute Wehr und Waffen
Er hilf us frei aus aller Not, die uns jetzt hat betroffen.
Der alt bose Feind, mit Ernst er’s jetzt meint;
gross Macht und viel List sein grausam Rusting ist,
auf Erd is nicht seins gleichen.
1. 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 bitter Foe Now means deadly woe:
Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight;
On earth is not his equal.
2. 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.
3. Tho’ devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill, They cannot overpow’r 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.
4. The Word they still shall let remain, Nor any thank 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.
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 Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, a helper who can always be found in times of trouble. 2 That is why we will not fear when the earth dissolves
and when the mountains tumble into the heart of the sea. 3 Its waters roar and foam. The mountains quake when it rises. 4 There is a river—its streams bring joy to the city of God, to the holy dwelling of the Most High.
5 God is in her. She will not fall. God will help her at daybreak. 6 Nations are in turmoil. Kingdoms fall. God raises his voice. The earth melts. 7 The Lord of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is a fortress for us. 8 Come, look at the works of the Lord. What a wasteland he has made of the earth!
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He shatters the bow. He cuts up the spear. He burns the carts with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted on the earth.” 11 The Lord of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is a fortress for us.
OUR GOD IS A MIGHTY FORTRESS
I. The Gospel is the Key that Allows Us Inside This Refuge
II. Our Security for This Life and for Eternity is Found In Him Alone
After which the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED for
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!
after which the Congregation will be seated as
We Bring Our Offerings to the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
We will be passing an offering plate through our chapel at this point. For those unable to worship with us in person, if you would like to participate in this offering, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.
The Offerings are gathered and presented to our Lord
We Come With Our Prayers to the Lord
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.
Our Self-Examination Before the Lord’s Supper
Pastor Let us now examine ourselves in preparation for receiving this Sacrament, as the inspired Apostle Paul so instructs us in I Corinthians 11, where he writes, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.”
Pastor Accordingly, are you sincerely sorry for your sins and determined, with God’s help, to change your sinful ways?
Congregation Yes, I am sorry for my sins and desire to serve Jesus and not a sinful lifestyle.
Pastor Do you believe that here in the Lord’s Supper you will receive, along with the bread and wine, the true body and blood of your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?
Congregation Yes, I believe that I will be receiving the true body and blood of my Lord and Savior, which was given into death for my sins.
Pastor Are you coming to the Lord’s table as one in the faith with this Christian congregation, as the Scriptures teach?
Congregation Yes I have studied the teachings of this congregation concerning God’s Word; I agree with them; And am one in faith with them, as the Scriptures command me to be before I come to the Lord’s table with anyone.
Pastor Finally, do you recognize your need for forgiveness and do you believe that you will receive through the Lord’s Supper the full and free forgiveness of all your sins?
Congregation Yes, I have examined my life, see the need for God’s forgiveness and believe that I will receive complete forgiveness for all my sins, as my Savior has promised.
Pastor Having examined yourselves and confessed your sins, come now with confidence and joy to your Lord’s table and receive here, through His body and blood, the guarantee that your sins are all forgiven, and that eternal life and salvation are surely yours.
(Please read the following if you have not spoken with
our Pastor about taking communion. Thank you.)
TO OUR GUESTS AND FRIENDS
We ask that only “Confirmed, Communicant” members of this congregation, or of one of our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod congregations come forward to receive the Lord’s Supper at this time. To us the Lord’s Supper is both an expression of our common faith in Christ (which we share with all our fellow Christian worshipers this morning), and also a public expression of our complete doctrinal agreement as a congregation and church body (as I Corinthians 1:10 and 10:17, as well as Romans 16:17 and I John 4:1 require of us).
Accordingly if you are not a communicant member of Grace Lutheran Church or our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, we are not, in any way, judging your Christian faith by respectfully asking you not to join us in the Lord’s Supper this morning. Rather, we pray that our Scripture-based practice of “Close Communion” will encourage all those Christians who are not presently in full fellowship with us to seriously examine the teachings and practices of their church in order to determine if those teachings and practices are really in full agreement with God’s Word. It is our earnest desire that you might become familiar with the doctrines of our congregation, so that you might one day join with us at the Lord’s altar in this public expression of full unity of doctrine and practice. Until then, please know that we are most grateful for your participation as a fellow Christian in this worship service, and that we appreciate your patience and understanding of our Communion practice. Finally, if you do have any questions or concerns about our “Close Communion” practice, please speak with our Pastor following today’s worship service, or at your convenience.
The Words of Institution
The Distribution
The Distribution Hymns TLH 264 “Preserve Your Word, O Savior”
1. Preserve Your Word, O Savior, To us this latter day,
And let Your Kingdom flourish; Enlarge Your Church, we pray.
O keep our faith from failing; Keep hope’s bright star aglow.
Let naught from Your Word turn us While living here below.
2. Preserve Your Word and preaching, The Truth that makes us whole,
The mirror of Your glory, The pow’r that saves the soul.
Oh, may this living water, This dew of heav’nly grace,
Sustain us while here living Until we see Your face.
3. Preserve in wave and tempest Your storm-tossed little flock;
Assailed by wind and weather, May it endure each shock.
Stand at the helm, our pilot, And set the course aright;
Then we will reach the harbor In Your eternal light. AMEN
Hymn 204 “O God, Our Lord, Your Holy Word”
1. O God, our Lord, Your holy Word Was long a hidden treasure
Till to its place It is by grace Restored n fullest measure.
For this today Our thanks we say And gladly glorify You.
Your mercy show And grace bestow On all who still deny You.
2. Salvation true By faith in You, That is Your Gospel’s preaching,
The heart and core Of Bible lore In all its sacred teaching.
In Christ we must Put all our trust, Not in our deeds or labor;
With conscience pure And heart secure Love You, Lord, and our neighbor.
3. Lord, You alone This work have done By Your free grace and favor.
All who believe Will grace receive Through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
And though the foe Would over throw Your Word with grim endeavor,
What plan he tries, It always dies; Your Word will stand forever.
4. You are my Lord, And by Your Word Death holds no dreadful terrors;
Your precious blood, My highest good, Has blotted out my errors.
My thanks to You! Your Word is true, You keep Your promise ever.
While here I live, Your grace you give And heaven’s bliss forever.
We Conclude our Worship
P: Hear the prayer of Your people, O Lord, that the lips which have praised You here may glorify You in the world, that the eyes which have seen the coming of Your Son may long for His coming again, and that all who have received in His true body and blood the pledge of Your forgiveness, may be restored to live a new and holy life through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.
The Benediction
The LORD bless you and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon You and be gracious unto you,
The LORD look upon you with favor, and grant you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 293 “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.
Silent Prayer, Announcements, Post-service Music
What was the Lutheran Reformation?
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 multiple (though not as historically notable) reformations. 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 Roman Catholic church’s hierarchy had forfeited the right to lead Christ’s church on earth. These are just three examples of the many reformations throughout church history.
Yet, none of these reformations were like Luther’s Reformation. He focused his opposition on a multitude of Scriptural abuses and man-made teachings which Rome had permitted 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 God’s grace, by faith alone in Christ. Luther also sought to reform various moral abuses that had developed within Roman Catholicism. He boldly attacked the Papacy of the Roman Church as the very Anti-Christ, and he challenged the papal prohibition against clergy being married. What made the Lutheran Reformation so unique was that it was predominantly 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 God’s Word correctly (WA TR 1:624; LW 54:110).
God’s Reformation of His Church through Martin Luther began as a rediscovery of the main teaching of Christianity, that we are declared righteous (justified) by faith 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. Christ’s righteousness alone is what saves us. This righteousness is credited/imputed to our account when we are brought to faith through the Holy Spirit’s working, thereby embracing the precious truth that, as our sin-Substitute, Jesus Christ lived perfectly, died sacrificially and rose gloriously for us all.
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 it. Whatever in the Church was found to contradict this Gospel of salvation by grace through faith 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, we are not merely observing the “birthday” of our Lutheran-Christian Church (as many might believe). Rather, we are celebrating the rediscovery of the Gospel – that central doctrine of Scripture on which the 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.
Why All the Fuss About the Lutheran Reformation?
Why all the fuss about the Lutheran Reformation? Because it was a time when, by God’s grace, essential teachings of the Bible were rediscovered and restored, returning Christianity to the doctrine that Christ taught. Specifically what do we celebrate, then, when we observe the Festival of the Lutheran Reformation?
First, the rediscovery of the Biblical Gospel: that a sinner is justified by grace alone, through faith in Jesus Christ alone – apart from the works of the Law (see Romans 3:21-28; Galatians 2:16-21; Ephesians 2:8-9).
It is a 16th century event that took place, primarily during the life of Luther (especially 1517-1546). It was the reforming of the Church’s doctrine and practice by this Gospel, drawn from Scripture alone.
Thus, it was a reforming of doctrine more than a reforming of life; or one could also call it a reforming of corrupt doctrine more than a reforming of corrupt life. It stressed the change of an outward situation more than the change of our inward condition. Through Christ our outward relationship with God is changed; though inward renewal follows to varying degrees, this is not the main emphasis. Reform movements prior to Luther (notably that of Wyclif and Huss) and subsequent reforming and renewal movements (particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries) put a far greater emphasis on inward change rather than outward change: on man’s vows, rededications, promises, rather than on God’s promises in Christ. Regrettably, those reform movements legalistically stressed sanctification more than (and almost to the exclusion, in some cases, of) justification. Most of the “reformers” who were 16th century contemporaries of Luther also tended toward legalism in this area, notably Andreas Karlstadt, the Anabaptists, and the Spiritualists/Enthusiasts, and, to a lesser extent, Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin, and John Knox.
Second, the Lutheran Reformation involved a major shift in authority, from Roman Catholic Church’s pope and/or church councils to Holy Scriptures….and nothing but the Scriptures! The inspired Word of God went from being an authority in the Church to the sole authority in all matters of faith and Christian living. Scripture became the highest court of appeals, whereas the papacy (for most) and councils (for some) had been regarded as the highest authority in Christendom. The decisions of previous Christian Church Councils, the three Creeds of the Christian Church (the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian) and the writings of the Church Fathers (the theologians of the past) remained important to Luther, but only insofar as they agreed with Scripture. And wherever anyone or anything disagreed with Scripture, Luther rightly maintained that God’s Word was to be held up and that which diverged from Scripture was to be regarded as false. Period.
Emphasized again was the Biblical teaching of Jesus Christ as Savior not Law-Giver, as Savior, not Helper toward salvation, as Savior not Judge. Reasserted was the Biblical teaching of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross as the all-sufficient payment for all mankind’s sin…….sufficient to forgive ALL people of ALL sin, both original sin and actual sin, both eternal punishment and temporal punishment, both sins committed beforehand and sins not yet committed. Therefore no other helpers were needed (because they didn’t work): whether Mary or saint or relic or indulgence. The false teaching of purgatory was rejected by the Reformer because it was not Scriptural. After all, if Christ’s death had cleansed those who believe in Him of ALL sins, guilt, and punishment, why would any Christian have to continue to suffer after his/her death in order to provide additional payment for his/her sins?
The Biblical teaching of salvation by God’s grace was reaffirmed and returned to its place of prominence in the Church’s teaching. Grace was no longer presented as an infused quality, received at Baptism, that enabled a person from that point forward to earn his/her salvation through a life of obedience, sacrifice and suffering. Grace was accurately presented as the undeserved love of God for sinners, for Jesus’ sake. To say that we have been saved by grace means that God gives us salvation, justification, forgiveness, heaven, as free gifts, paid for by the perfection, suffering and death of Jesus Christ for us. Grace neither leaves room for, nor needs, man’s works and achievements. Again, salvation as a free gift from God which cannot be earned by us through our good works and achievements.
The Biblical teaching of faith was reasserted. The Roman Catholic Church of the Middle Ages had taught that faith saved only if it was made complete by good works. Luther returned to Christianity the Biblical teaching that we are saved through Spirit-given faith which relies totally on what Christ accomplished for us as Savior and Substitute – apart from any good works on our part. Faith is that “hand” that receives God’s offered, free gift of forgiveness and salvation through the merits of Jesus Christ. Faith is the confidence that says, “Yes, I believe that Jesus Christ suffered and died for me; therefore I believe the Gospel promise that I am completely forgiven and that heaven is true, and is mine for Jesus’ sake.” Trying to add anything (sincerity, good works, a personal decision to believe, etc.) to faith only serves to compromise the Gospel and demeans the redeeming work of Christ…..and any compromise whatsoever of the Gospel leaves the church with a message, not of salvation, but of damnation (See Galatians 1:6-10)…..regardless of how pious-sounding that message might be. Faith alone saves; that’s what Scripture teaches!
A Few Facts about the 95 Theses
(1) On Oct. 31, 1517, Martin Luther mailed the 95 Theses to local bishops in order that they might join him in taking action against the sale of indulgences. According to Luther’s co-worker, Philip Melanchthon, Luther also posted the Theses to the Castle church door on this same day, though Melanchthon’s story is the only source we have that mentions it. Nevertheless, it was customary to post public notices such as the 95 theses on the door of the local church – which, among other services, functioned as the information center of the community.
(2) Inside the Castle church at this time were seven aisles full of relics (the bones of saints and other supposedly holy items) laid out for the purpose of being adored/worshiped by the faithful the following day (All Saints Day). Duke Frederick the Wise of Saxony had an extremely high regard for relics…..believing that the adoration of them was a meritorious good work which served to diminish the worshiper’s stay of suffering in purgatory. His Castle Church housed in excess of 19,000 relics. If one were to view them all – so church clerics taught – it would result in an indulgence worth a reduction of ones stay in purgatory of more than 1,900,000 days. The relic collection supposedly included a piece of Moses’ burning bush, soot from the fiery furnace of Daniel 6, mother’s milk from the Virgin Mary, a piece of Jesus’ crib, and fragments of Christ’s cross…….to name a few.
(3) The purpose of the 95 Theses was to invite local scholars to participate in a disputation on the purpose and sale of indulgences. This was to be a purely academic exercise in theological debate – consistent with the practice of that period in history. The subtitle of the 95 Theses read: “Out of love and zeal for truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following theses will be publicly discussed at Wittenberg under the chairmanship of the reverend father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and Sacred Theology and regularly appointed Lecturer on these subjects at that place. He requests that those who cannot be present to debate orally with us will do so by letter. In the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.” Though a footnote in Reformation history, that disputation actually took place in Wittenberg two weeks later. Luther did not originally intend for the 95 Theses to serve as a catalyst for church reform, let alone as an attack on the Pope, etc. Initially, he simply intended to raise publicly his questions regarding the church’s use of indulgences….something he had done in his classroom ever since he began his first lectures on the Psalms during the 1513-14 school year.
(4) Luther was not the only one to question the Roman Catholic Church’s use indulgences. Many theologians (and politicians/rulers) throughout Europe for some time had complained and were continuing to complain about them. Perhaps this explains in part why his 95 Theses spread so rapidly and found such enthusiastic support. Within six weeks they had been copied and passed about such that all of Europe was familiar with them – an astonishing achievement given the communication and transportation limitations of that time. But we should bear ths in mind, though others also were troubled by the sale of indulgences, it was Luther who was the first to present a thorough, Scripture-driven challenge to indulgences.
(5) The sale of indulgences were a central (and very lucrative) part of the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching of penance. By Luther’s time Catholicism taught that there were three elements to penance: (a) confession and sorrow for sin, (b) absolution/forgiveness spoken by the priest, and (c) making satisfaction, some good work done to pay for the temporal punishment of sin. Visiting relics, pilgrimages to holy places, praying the rosary, and the purchasing of indulgences for oneself or ancestors were all examples of making satisfaction, the so-called third part of penance.
An indulgence was simply a certificate, which – when purchased from the church, once confession had been made – assured the holder of the elimination of any temporal punishment (requirements for saying the Lord’s Prayer or rosary multiple times, performing charitable deeds/restitution, inflicting punishment on oneself, etc.). As a matter of normal practice, the Catholic Church did not officially teach that indulgences remitted eternal punishment either in purgatory or hell.
(6) However, what prompted Luther to write the 95 Theses was a special jubilee indulgence instituted by Pope Leo X. The purpose of this indulgence was to build St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome. (Actually 50% of the proceeds was to go to the building of St. Peter’s; the other 50% was to go to Albrecht, who had recently bought his position as archbishop of Mainz – he needed the money to pay off his loan). This indulgence was a plenary indulgence, which meant that all sin and eternal and temporal punishment would be forgiven to those who purchased them.
(7) It was claimed that this jubilee indulgence gave the owner the following four “chief graces:” a) the complete forgiveness of all sin; b) the possibility to receive a confessional letter which would grant one the right to twice receive absolution for all sins; c) purchasers of the indulgence and their dead relatives would participate in all the pious works and merits of the church and its saints; and d) the full forgiveness of punishment for those already in purgatory when one bought an indulgence for someone already there.
8) Though Luther’s prince, Duke Frederick the Wise, had prohibited the sale of the jubilee indulgence in his Saxon territory, they were being sold across the river. Fredrick’s Saxon subjects would cross the river to purchase these indulgences. They subsequently would return to their Saxon homes and there claim the right to use the “benefits” of these indulgences to avoid performing penance for their sins, as well as reduce or escape any penalties in purgatory and/or hell. John Tetzel, a Dominican, was the chief preacher for indulgences, since he had been hired by Archbishop Albrecht as their primary salesman throughout Germany.
(9) When indulgence salesmen came to town, they would set up inside the local church. While they were there, regular preaching was suspended and forbidden. Actual drafts of indulgence sermons from this time exist. One sermon reads: You should know: whoever has confessed and is contrite and put alms into the box, as his confessor counsels him, will have all of his sins forgiven, and even after confession and after the jubilee year will acquire an indulgence on every day that he visits the cross and the altars, as if her were visiting the seven altars in the Church of St. Peter, where the perfect indulgence is granted. So why are you standing about idly? Run, all of you, for the salvation of your souls . . . Do you not hear the voices of your dead parents and other people, screaming and saying: “`Have pity on me, have pity on me . . . for the hand of God has touched me’ (Job 19:21)? We are suffering severe punishments and pain [in purgatory], from which you could rescue us with a few alms, if only you would.” Open you ears, because the father is calling to the son and the mother to the daughter. (Oberman: 1992, 188).
(10) How much did a Jubilee indulgence cost? That depended on ones station/status in life. Kings and Queens: 25 gulden; high counts and prelates: 10 gulden; low counts and prelates: 6 gulden; merchants and townspeople: 3 gulden; artisans: 1 gulden; most others: ½ gulden; those who were indigent, and so without any funds, were expected to fast and pray as their payment for an indulgence.
(11) The main topics of the 95 Theses are repentance and good works. However, Luther makes several startling statements about the Pope, which later brought him into conflict with the Roman Church. Many, then and since, have viewed this document primarily as an attack on the papacy, which was not Luther’s intent.
(12) Within two weeks of their posting by Luther, the 95 Theses had been translated into German and spread throughout Germany. Before this Luther was only known locally. The Theses catapulted him to international fame.
(13) John Tetzel died in 1519, a disgraced and broken man.
Sources:
Roland Bainton, Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther, New York: `Abingdon-Cokesbury, 1950.
Martin Brecht, Martin Luther: His Road to Reformation, 1483-1521, Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1985;
Heiko A. Oberman, Luther, Man Between God and the Devil, New York: Image, 1992.
E. G. Schweibert, Luther And His Times, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1950