Message prepared for Messiah Lutheran Church, Auburn WA
Reformation Sunday; October 31, 2010.
Texts: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalms 46; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-35
The Message We Bear
FOR TODAY’S SERMON, imagine that you are in Wittenberg, Germany. It is October 31, 1522; exactly five years after Martin Luther posted his “95 Theses” against papal indulgences. Since that posting, he has been served papers and excommunicated by the Church (June, 1520). He defended his writings in Worms (April, 1521).
That May, he was taken into protection in the Wartburg Castle near Eisenach through February of 1522. He had already written some of his more famous publications including: A Treatise on Good Works, An Open Letter to the Christian Nobility, The Babylonian Captivity, The Freedom of the Christian Man.
In March of 1522, the ban against Luther was lifted and he returned to his congregation in Wittenberg, where some leaders—in their attempt to follow Luther, and shake off the Roman Church—had thrown the liturgy into confusion, were destroying furniture and iconography, and were harassing monks and priests who would not conform. Luther immediately launched a harsh sermon series, preaching daily from Sunday to Sunday, re-establishing the gospel message, priority, and order.
In September of 1522, at the age of 38, and a month prior to his preaching today, Luther published his translation of the New Testament from the original Greek into common German. His preface to Paul’s Letter to the Romans included these frequently quoted words on faith: “Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that you could stake your life on it a thousand times.”
[This message was delivered in the costume and personage of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther, and adapted from several of his own sermons: 1) a preface to “The Sermon Preached in the Castle at Leipzig,” June 29, 1519; 2) “The First Sermon,” “The Second Sermon,” & “The Sixth Sermon,” March 9-14, 1522, an 8-part sermon series delivered in Wittenberg; and 3) “The Sermon on the Sum of the Christian Life,” November 24, 1532. These are NOT meant to be taken as quotations from Martin Luther's works. Parts in brackets are longer additions of my own.]
[How good to be back with you here in Wittenberg!] It is doubtless known to you that I have been out among other churches, still speaking against the abuse of the Roman indulgence. I do this in Christian faithfulness and good intentions; since I have seen how the people were being misled by the excessive greed of some preachers, and the people were being deprived of what little they did have. …In all this, what has grieved me most is that this movement and my words have prompted so many Christian people to hatred, jealousy, backbiting, frivolous judgment, when—if it were not for this damnable greed—these indulgences…are not and cannot ever be worth the price of one heart poisoned.
…One can see why they have made such a hullabaloo and uproar against me …And though I might justly attack them in return I have refrained …seeing that God, who has forgiven me many thousands of times has commanded us to do the same. I am also at peace, knowing that though the envier and hoards of devils may battle against the truth, they shall never gain the upper hand. It seems right however, that I should do what I can to warn all Christians to guard their souls against these slanderous tongues, and I am willing, with God’s help and grace, to die for this gospel message.
For the summons of death comes to us all, and no one can die for another. All of us must fight our own battle with death…alone. We can shout into another’s ears, but every one must be prepared for the time of death, for I will not be with you then, nor you with me. Therefore let every one …know and be armed with the chief things which concern a Christian. And these are what you, my beloved, have heard from me many days.
In the first place, we must know that we are the children of wrath, and all our works, intentions, and thoughts are nothing at all. Here we need a clear, strong text to bear out this point. Such is the saying of St. Paul in [Romans 3: There is no one on earth who is good and who understands God and does good; rather they all need God’s grace. And since “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”] they must be justified by his grace as a gift. So, please do not undertake to say: I have paid for or built an altar, given a foundation for the church, etc. It will not stand without grace.
Secondly, we must know that God has sent us his only-begotten Son that we may believe in him and that whoever trusts in him shall be free from sin and a child of God, as [Jesus declared in John’s third chapter, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free…And if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed]. We should all be well versed in the Bible and ready to confront the devil with many passages like these.
Thirdly, we must also have love and through love we must do to one another as God has done to us through faith. For without love faith is nothing, as St. Paul says in I Cor. 13: If I had the tongues of angels and could speak of the highest things in faith, and have not love, I am nothing.
Here let us beware lest our town become like the Biblical Capernaum [which Jesus cast into the depths of the sea for its lack of goodness and repentance]. I notice that many preachers and leaders these days have a great deal to say of the doctrines quoting scripture to back themselves up …And this is no wonder; a donkey’s ass can almost recite the lessons, so why would these others not be able to repeat the doctrines and formulas?
Dear friends, the kingdom of God,—and we are that kingdom—does not come in talk or words, but in activity, in deeds, in works and exercises. God does not want mere listeners and repeaters of words, but followers and doers, and this occurs in faith through love. For a faith without love loving action is not enough.
Fourthly, in bearing this message we also need patience. For whoever has faith—trusting in God, showing love to his neighbor, and practicing it day by day—must suffer persecution. For the devil never sleeps, but constantly gives plenty of trouble. But patience works, and patience produces hope. And hope through affliction and persecution, increases, and is strengthened day by day. A heart thus blessed with [God’s grace, followed by faith, patience, and then hope] can never rest or restrain itself, but rather pours itself out again and again for the benefit and service of the neighbor, just as God has done for us.
And here, dear friends, one must not insist upon rights, but must see what may be useful and helpful to the neighbor, as Paul says “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful.” For we are not all equally strong in faith; some of you have a stronger faith than I. Therefore we must not look upon ourselves, or our strength, or our prestige, but upon our neighbor.
Let me illustrate. The sun has two properties, light and heat. No king has power enough to bend or guide the light of the sun; it remains fixed in its place. But the heat may be turned and guided… Thus faith must always remain pure and immovable in our hearts, never wavering; but love bends and turns so that our neighbor may grasp and follow it.
There are some who can run, others must walk, still others can hardly creep. Therefore we must not look upon our own, but upon our neighbor’s powers, so that the one who is weak in faith, and attempts to follow the strong, may not be destroyed of the devil. Therefore, dear friends, follow my example; I have never been a destroyer. And I cannot run away, but will remain among you as long as God allows. I was the one to whom God first revealed that his true Word should be preached rightly to you. I am therefore sure that you have the pure Word of God.
Let us, therefore, let us act with fear and humility, cast ourselves to one another’s needs, join hands with each other, and help one another in walking onward. I will do my part… for I love you even as I love my own soul. For here we battle not against pope or bishop, [or doctrines and words], but against the devil, and do you imagine he is asleep? He is not, but sees the true light rising, and to keep it from shining into his eyes he would like to make a flank attack upon us—and he will succeed, if we are not on our guard.
[That is why we gather to hear his Word.] Dear friends, you know how earnestly God has commanded everyone to hear and to learn his precious Word in worship, for it cost him much to bring it to the world…even sent his own Son and allowed him to be crucified and to die for this. He permitted all the apostles to be persecuted and all Christians to be afflicted for this purpose, and he commanded some to preach the Word, and others to hear it. …This one reason would be sufficient, for as creatures we owe it to our Lord and Creator to be obedient to him.
But he does not leave it at that; he does not wish that it be imposed upon us only as a command or demand it as bound in duty, but he also promises that great fruits and benefits shall [be given through worship. The world is full of ways and places to worship God. The mother serves and worships God best through her care and upbringing of her children, likewise the father diapering an infant or teaching a child, or the carpenter or swine herder doing their work whatever it is. They do it to their best ability, for the sake of their neighbor, and for God who gave them ability. This is all good and true worship of God, as Paul says, “Everything you do, do it to the glory of God.”]
But God has also exalted and extolled this service of worship, both of those who hear and those who preach his Word. This day he has specially marked out and commanded that it be kept, so that all can expect and plan for it. He has also appointed special places, churches or houses, where we come together. He has instituted and preserved the whole priesthood of believers for this purpose, [and through their mutual treasures, efforts, gifts, God supports and] has given the world a special commandment and [a place to worship him and keep his Word alive and thriving in the hearts of people around the world.]
Now, as for a man who will neither listen to this nor gladly hear and learn from God’s Word whenever he can, I do not know how to advise him, for I cannot drag anybody in by the hair. Anybody who despises it, let that person go on despising it and remain the pot-bellied sow that he or she is!
[On the other hand, it is you my brothers and sisters, who will reach and change the world around you, through your families, children, servants and friends, even your enemies, by the grace God gave you, by turning around and giving the same to them. As Christ prayed for you, pray for them. As Christ taught and was patient with you, do likewise. As Christ did all for God’s glory, so you live and do your best, offering it with humility to the God who accepts all you do as forgiven, good and holy. This is the message we bear. And you, my friends, are not to keep this treasure to yourselves, but to share it out. We are stewards of the greatest treasure.]
[How then shall we bring the message we bear to those who need it so desperately? How shall we change lives? How shall we change our city, and make children and neighbor believe as we do? The same way Christ did. For he] allowed the Word to act and prayed for them. For the Word who created heaven and earth and all things; the Word must do this thing too, and not we poor sinners. In short, preach it, teach it, speak it, write it, live it, but …constrain no one by force, for faith must come freely without compulsion. Take myself as an example. I opposed indulgences and all the papists, but never with force. I simply taught, preached, and wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing. And while I slept, or drank good Wittenberg beer with my friends, Philip and Amsdorf, the Word so greatly weakened the papacy that no prince or emperor ever inflicted such losses upon it. I did nothing; the Word did everything.
[How can we trust ourselves and the message to do such amazing things? We will do what we need to do. Sacrifice what we need to sacrifice: for faith and love.] Believe that God steps in for you and stakes all he has and his blood for you. It is as if he were saying: Fall in behind me without fear or delay, and then let us see what can harm you; come devil, death, sin, and hell, and all creation, [God shall protect you, God is our refuge and strength, a mighty fortress. Be still and know that he is God most exalted.]
In closing, faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that you could stake your life on it a thousand times.
That faith is the message we bear, and it is our greatest treasure. But we are commanded joyfully to break open this treasure to all who will hear it. Let this suffice for today’s message. I commend you to God.
Reformation Sunday; October 31, 2010.
Texts: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalms 46; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-35
The Message We Bear
FOR TODAY’S SERMON, imagine that you are in Wittenberg, Germany. It is October 31, 1522; exactly five years after Martin Luther posted his “95 Theses” against papal indulgences. Since that posting, he has been served papers and excommunicated by the Church (June, 1520). He defended his writings in Worms (April, 1521).
That May, he was taken into protection in the Wartburg Castle near Eisenach through February of 1522. He had already written some of his more famous publications including: A Treatise on Good Works, An Open Letter to the Christian Nobility, The Babylonian Captivity, The Freedom of the Christian Man.
In March of 1522, the ban against Luther was lifted and he returned to his congregation in Wittenberg, where some leaders—in their attempt to follow Luther, and shake off the Roman Church—had thrown the liturgy into confusion, were destroying furniture and iconography, and were harassing monks and priests who would not conform. Luther immediately launched a harsh sermon series, preaching daily from Sunday to Sunday, re-establishing the gospel message, priority, and order.
In September of 1522, at the age of 38, and a month prior to his preaching today, Luther published his translation of the New Testament from the original Greek into common German. His preface to Paul’s Letter to the Romans included these frequently quoted words on faith: “Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that you could stake your life on it a thousand times.”
[This message was delivered in the costume and personage of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther, and adapted from several of his own sermons: 1) a preface to “The Sermon Preached in the Castle at Leipzig,” June 29, 1519; 2) “The First Sermon,” “The Second Sermon,” & “The Sixth Sermon,” March 9-14, 1522, an 8-part sermon series delivered in Wittenberg; and 3) “The Sermon on the Sum of the Christian Life,” November 24, 1532. These are NOT meant to be taken as quotations from Martin Luther's works. Parts in brackets are longer additions of my own.]
[How good to be back with you here in Wittenberg!] It is doubtless known to you that I have been out among other churches, still speaking against the abuse of the Roman indulgence. I do this in Christian faithfulness and good intentions; since I have seen how the people were being misled by the excessive greed of some preachers, and the people were being deprived of what little they did have. …In all this, what has grieved me most is that this movement and my words have prompted so many Christian people to hatred, jealousy, backbiting, frivolous judgment, when—if it were not for this damnable greed—these indulgences…are not and cannot ever be worth the price of one heart poisoned.
…One can see why they have made such a hullabaloo and uproar against me …And though I might justly attack them in return I have refrained …seeing that God, who has forgiven me many thousands of times has commanded us to do the same. I am also at peace, knowing that though the envier and hoards of devils may battle against the truth, they shall never gain the upper hand. It seems right however, that I should do what I can to warn all Christians to guard their souls against these slanderous tongues, and I am willing, with God’s help and grace, to die for this gospel message.
For the summons of death comes to us all, and no one can die for another. All of us must fight our own battle with death…alone. We can shout into another’s ears, but every one must be prepared for the time of death, for I will not be with you then, nor you with me. Therefore let every one …know and be armed with the chief things which concern a Christian. And these are what you, my beloved, have heard from me many days.
In the first place, we must know that we are the children of wrath, and all our works, intentions, and thoughts are nothing at all. Here we need a clear, strong text to bear out this point. Such is the saying of St. Paul in [Romans 3: There is no one on earth who is good and who understands God and does good; rather they all need God’s grace. And since “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”] they must be justified by his grace as a gift. So, please do not undertake to say: I have paid for or built an altar, given a foundation for the church, etc. It will not stand without grace.
Secondly, we must know that God has sent us his only-begotten Son that we may believe in him and that whoever trusts in him shall be free from sin and a child of God, as [Jesus declared in John’s third chapter, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free…And if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed]. We should all be well versed in the Bible and ready to confront the devil with many passages like these.
Thirdly, we must also have love and through love we must do to one another as God has done to us through faith. For without love faith is nothing, as St. Paul says in I Cor. 13: If I had the tongues of angels and could speak of the highest things in faith, and have not love, I am nothing.
Here let us beware lest our town become like the Biblical Capernaum [which Jesus cast into the depths of the sea for its lack of goodness and repentance]. I notice that many preachers and leaders these days have a great deal to say of the doctrines quoting scripture to back themselves up …And this is no wonder; a donkey’s ass can almost recite the lessons, so why would these others not be able to repeat the doctrines and formulas?
Dear friends, the kingdom of God,—and we are that kingdom—does not come in talk or words, but in activity, in deeds, in works and exercises. God does not want mere listeners and repeaters of words, but followers and doers, and this occurs in faith through love. For a faith without love loving action is not enough.
Fourthly, in bearing this message we also need patience. For whoever has faith—trusting in God, showing love to his neighbor, and practicing it day by day—must suffer persecution. For the devil never sleeps, but constantly gives plenty of trouble. But patience works, and patience produces hope. And hope through affliction and persecution, increases, and is strengthened day by day. A heart thus blessed with [God’s grace, followed by faith, patience, and then hope] can never rest or restrain itself, but rather pours itself out again and again for the benefit and service of the neighbor, just as God has done for us.
And here, dear friends, one must not insist upon rights, but must see what may be useful and helpful to the neighbor, as Paul says “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful.” For we are not all equally strong in faith; some of you have a stronger faith than I. Therefore we must not look upon ourselves, or our strength, or our prestige, but upon our neighbor.
Let me illustrate. The sun has two properties, light and heat. No king has power enough to bend or guide the light of the sun; it remains fixed in its place. But the heat may be turned and guided… Thus faith must always remain pure and immovable in our hearts, never wavering; but love bends and turns so that our neighbor may grasp and follow it.
There are some who can run, others must walk, still others can hardly creep. Therefore we must not look upon our own, but upon our neighbor’s powers, so that the one who is weak in faith, and attempts to follow the strong, may not be destroyed of the devil. Therefore, dear friends, follow my example; I have never been a destroyer. And I cannot run away, but will remain among you as long as God allows. I was the one to whom God first revealed that his true Word should be preached rightly to you. I am therefore sure that you have the pure Word of God.
Let us, therefore, let us act with fear and humility, cast ourselves to one another’s needs, join hands with each other, and help one another in walking onward. I will do my part… for I love you even as I love my own soul. For here we battle not against pope or bishop, [or doctrines and words], but against the devil, and do you imagine he is asleep? He is not, but sees the true light rising, and to keep it from shining into his eyes he would like to make a flank attack upon us—and he will succeed, if we are not on our guard.
[That is why we gather to hear his Word.] Dear friends, you know how earnestly God has commanded everyone to hear and to learn his precious Word in worship, for it cost him much to bring it to the world…even sent his own Son and allowed him to be crucified and to die for this. He permitted all the apostles to be persecuted and all Christians to be afflicted for this purpose, and he commanded some to preach the Word, and others to hear it. …This one reason would be sufficient, for as creatures we owe it to our Lord and Creator to be obedient to him.
But he does not leave it at that; he does not wish that it be imposed upon us only as a command or demand it as bound in duty, but he also promises that great fruits and benefits shall [be given through worship. The world is full of ways and places to worship God. The mother serves and worships God best through her care and upbringing of her children, likewise the father diapering an infant or teaching a child, or the carpenter or swine herder doing their work whatever it is. They do it to their best ability, for the sake of their neighbor, and for God who gave them ability. This is all good and true worship of God, as Paul says, “Everything you do, do it to the glory of God.”]
But God has also exalted and extolled this service of worship, both of those who hear and those who preach his Word. This day he has specially marked out and commanded that it be kept, so that all can expect and plan for it. He has also appointed special places, churches or houses, where we come together. He has instituted and preserved the whole priesthood of believers for this purpose, [and through their mutual treasures, efforts, gifts, God supports and] has given the world a special commandment and [a place to worship him and keep his Word alive and thriving in the hearts of people around the world.]
Now, as for a man who will neither listen to this nor gladly hear and learn from God’s Word whenever he can, I do not know how to advise him, for I cannot drag anybody in by the hair. Anybody who despises it, let that person go on despising it and remain the pot-bellied sow that he or she is!
[On the other hand, it is you my brothers and sisters, who will reach and change the world around you, through your families, children, servants and friends, even your enemies, by the grace God gave you, by turning around and giving the same to them. As Christ prayed for you, pray for them. As Christ taught and was patient with you, do likewise. As Christ did all for God’s glory, so you live and do your best, offering it with humility to the God who accepts all you do as forgiven, good and holy. This is the message we bear. And you, my friends, are not to keep this treasure to yourselves, but to share it out. We are stewards of the greatest treasure.]
[How then shall we bring the message we bear to those who need it so desperately? How shall we change lives? How shall we change our city, and make children and neighbor believe as we do? The same way Christ did. For he] allowed the Word to act and prayed for them. For the Word who created heaven and earth and all things; the Word must do this thing too, and not we poor sinners. In short, preach it, teach it, speak it, write it, live it, but …constrain no one by force, for faith must come freely without compulsion. Take myself as an example. I opposed indulgences and all the papists, but never with force. I simply taught, preached, and wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing. And while I slept, or drank good Wittenberg beer with my friends, Philip and Amsdorf, the Word so greatly weakened the papacy that no prince or emperor ever inflicted such losses upon it. I did nothing; the Word did everything.
[How can we trust ourselves and the message to do such amazing things? We will do what we need to do. Sacrifice what we need to sacrifice: for faith and love.] Believe that God steps in for you and stakes all he has and his blood for you. It is as if he were saying: Fall in behind me without fear or delay, and then let us see what can harm you; come devil, death, sin, and hell, and all creation, [God shall protect you, God is our refuge and strength, a mighty fortress. Be still and know that he is God most exalted.]
In closing, faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that you could stake your life on it a thousand times.
That faith is the message we bear, and it is our greatest treasure. But we are commanded joyfully to break open this treasure to all who will hear it. Let this suffice for today’s message. I commend you to God.
