Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself to for our sins t deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (Galatians 1:3-5). I encourage you to attend worship to receive the benefits of the gospel, forgiveness and nurturing of Christian faith. In Bible study we are currently studying the doctrines in Scripture that led to the development of the Nicene Creed. Bible study begins at 9 am, worship at 10:30 am.
On Sunday, October 26 we will commemorate the Reformation of the Church, marked by Martin Luther’s nailing of his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg (in present day Germany) on October 31, 1517 (All Hallows Eve). Luther was challenging representatives of the pope to debate him regarding the teaching of repentance, law, and gospel. Luther was concerned about the Roman church’s misleading teaching that works and penance contribute to salvation. Such teaching obscured the gospel of Jesus, and suggested Jesus’ sacrificial death was insufficient payment for sin. Earlier theologians had tried to turn the church’s teaching back to the gospel revealed in scripture, but they had been silenced. Luther’s calls for reform gained support as his teaching was spread by use of the recently invented printing press. We are referred to as Lutherans. We do not worship Luther. But we intend to continue preaching and teaching the gospel he (and other church reformers) ‘re-discovered’. Jesus alone saves us from the punishment of sin. There are no other ways to approach God the Father or avoid the condemnation of sin. Jesus saves and forgives by grace, that is, as a gift. The gift is received through faith alone, that is, we hold to forgiveness as we trust in Him. We cannot earn or otherwise merit forgiveness or God’s favor. This gospel truth is revealed in Scripture alone. It cannot be deduced by human logic or observation of the world. Come and worship! Listen to the good news of freedom from guilt and fear revealed in the Bible, proclaimed to you in the preaching of the gospel, administered in absolution, and distributed in the Lord’s Supper.
On October we will use a slightly modified version of Divine Service Setting Four beginning page 203 in the LSB hymnal. We will substitute Hymn #948 All Glory Be to God Alone for the Kyrie and Hymn of Praise following the reading of Psalm 46. We will also sing hymns #793 Praise My Soul the King of Heaven; #580 The Gospel Shows the Father’s Grace; #566 By Grace I’m Saved; and #657 A Mighty Fortress.
Scripture lessons assigned to the day are Psalm 46:1-11; Revelation 14:6-7; Romans 3:19-28; and John 8:31-36.
Psalm 46 describes God as a fortress, a place of refuge and strength, as a constant help to His people even in times of trouble. This fortress is described as having a river which provides constant refreshment. While chaos, storms, wars, and other troubles are occurring all around us, God offers peace. He encourages you to come to Him and rest in the assurance of His promises fulfilled in Jesus.
The reading from Revelation 14 mentions an angel (or messenger) proclaiming an eternal gospel (good news). While we cannot be sure what is being revealed to St. John in this vision, it is fulfilled in many ways by Martin Luther. In his insistence that faith in Jesus is the only way to be saved from God’s condemnation for sin, and we cannot contribute in any way to His work, Luther was giving all glory to Jesus, our maker and redeemer.
The epistle lesson is a portion of St. Paul’s letter to the congregation in Rome. Throughout the letter Paul argues that Jesus is the only way to be justified before God. Justified is similar to being righteous, and in this case can be defined as ‘being declared right’ or ‘acquitted’. In the passage to be read Sunday, Paul argues that the Law of God would condemn us as it exposes our rebellious nature, disobedient to God’s will for us. Works of the Law cannot save us or justify us before God. With sinful natures inherited from our first parents, Adam and Eve, we will always fall short of the perfection God demands. But Paul writes, there is a way of relief for us. God has revealed a righteousness we can have apart from serving the Law. It is a righteousness, or right standing before God, which Jesus has accomplished by His death on the cross. In a merciful redemptive action, He takes and pays for your sin, and credits to you His perfection. God sees you connected to Jesus’ perfection as you trust in Him.
In the gospel lesson, Jesus tells Jewish believers to abide in His Word, the Scriptures that point to Him. His Word is truth, and it leads to freedom from guilt and fear of being condemned by God. Some might imagine we are already free. We do not consider ourselves slaves to anyone. Jesus gives the reminder that everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Jesus alone can set us eternally free from the grasp of sin, death, the devil, and our own selfish desires. Consider the impact of what Jesus said. If His life, death, and resurrection have set you free, you are truly free, no matter what earthly situation you might be in.
Collect: Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions or concerns about Sunday’s Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
