Brothers and sisters, as members of the church, we need to continually evaluate its beliefs, teachings, and confession, to hold to the true gospel revealed in Scripture, and to reject heresy. If we don’t, we will end up with a false gospel and a false Jesus who cannot save, but leads us astray to eternal separation from God.
Sunday October 27 we will celebrate the anniversary of the church reformation brought about by Martin Luther. I’m not talking about Martin Luther King, one of the civil rights leaders in the US in the 1960s. Martin Luther was a former Roman Catholic professor and monk who lived in Germany in the early 1500s. He was concerned that many in the church were promoting teachings and practices that obscured the gospel of Jesus.
On October 31, 1517, the day before All Saints Day, Luther went to the church in Wittenberg Germany and nailed a notice on the door, challenging the Pope’s representatives to a debate about the definition and value of repentance and good works. Luther proposed 95 Theses to be discussed, listing errors in the church’s teaching and practice. Luther’s goal was to more clearly convey the message that salvation is a gift from God, paid for by the perfect life and sacrificial death of Jesus, a gift that is received by faith alone, without any works or merit from us. That is a truth still true today. So, like every Sunday, the gospel of Jesus is really what we will be celebrating on Reformation Sunday.
Identifying as ‘Lutheran’ is a shorthand way of saying we agree with Martin Luther’s reading of the scripture and his understanding of the gospel. Luther was a sinner like all of us. He didn’t want to get rid of the catholic church, or to separate from it; He wanted to correct it. We continue the effort of uniting people around Jesus, our only Savior from sin.
On Sunday October 27 we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 of the Lutheran Service Book. Hymns chosen for the day are #566 By Grace I’m Saved; #567 Not What These Hands Have Done; #622 Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared; and #656 A Mighty Fortress.
Scripture texts chosen for Reformation Sunday are Psalm 46:1-11; Revelation 14:6-7; Romans 3:19-28; and John 8:31-26.
The introduction to Psalm 46 says it is a maskil to the choirmaster from the sons of Korah, according to Alamoth. It is uncertain what Maskil and Alamoth mean. There are references elsewhere that suggests this means it was intended as a vocal artistic piece. Sons of Korah were descendants of a musician who was a descendant of Levi. After the exodus from Egypt, the tribe of Levi was assigned the task of conducting worship and the sacrifices. The word Selah is mentioned at the end of verses 3, 7, and 11, indicating truths to pause, ponder and meditate upon. In Psalm 46 God is described as a fortress, a place of strength and refuge. In times of trouble, we can rely on God to help us. As the world rages and seems to be coming apart, God remains a faithful aid to us. When trouble threatens, remember God is greater than any trouble. Be comforted by the assurance that the Almighty and gracious Lord who rules and directs the angels is with you.
The first lesson to be read is not an Old Testament reading, but rather a passage from Revelation 14. God gives the Apostle John a vision of an angel going about the earth proclaiming the gospel. Note that the word angel can also be translated as messenger. The angel is exemplified by Martin Luther and missionaries and pastors and others who speak the good news of Jesus. Jesus has ascended out of our sight. He will return one day to raise the dead and gather His people into eternal heaven. Judgment will take place. Unbelievers will be sent away to suffer for their sin apart from God. But those who trust in Jesus will gather around Him to sing His praises. You are encouraged to join us Sundays as we gather to participate in receiving from Him and to praise Him.
In Romans Chapters 1 and 2 and most of 3, St. Paul lays out the evidence that we are all sinners deserving to be separated from God. In the verses of the epistle lesson to be read Sunday, Paul concludes that obedience to God’s Law cannot make us righteous; instead, the Law points out sinful condition. But there is good news for you—Jesus’ death was a redemptive and atoning sacrifice that paid for your sin and reconciled you to God. God demands death as a payment for sin. Jesus was sent into the world to die in your place. In Jesus, God fulfills His justice and is also our justifier. He is the one who took the necessary action. So, you and I have nothing to boast about, nothing to offer Him as our contribution. Jesus paid all of our sin-debt. He grants us the benefits of His death and resurrection as we trust in Him. This is all part of the gospel message that Luther “rediscovered”, and faithful churches still proclaim today.
In the Gospel lesson Jesus declares that He sets us from the slavery of sin. If we abide in Jesus, remaining connected to Him, we will be His disciples, we will know His truth, and we will be set free from sin, eternal death, the devil, and our own sinful desires.
COLLECT: Almighty and Gracious God, 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 Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please contact me if you have any prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
