Reformation Day (Ootober 31)

 

 Revelation 14:6–7
Romans 3:19–28
John 8:31–36or Matthew 11:12–19

The Son of God Has Set Us Free from Sin and Death by His Grace

“Wisdom is justified by her deeds” (Matt. 11:19), and the true Wisdom of God, Christ Jesus the incarnate Son, justifies us by His deeds. He prepares His way by the preaching of repentance, but He has suffered the violence of the Law and voluntarily handed Himself over to violent men, that we might eat and drink with Him in His Kingdom and “remain in the house forever” (John 8:35).  For He is “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matt. 11:19), and He has rescued us by His grace from the slavery of sin and death. By the proclamation of His eternal Gospel “to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people” (Rev. 14:6), “the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law” (Rom. 3:21), “that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26). And by hearing the Gospel of Christ Jesus, “whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith” (Rom. 3:25), “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32).

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summary copyright LCMS commission on worship

Saturday prior to Reformation

[1]

Sunday’s hymn of the day, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (LSB #656) is Luther’s great battle hymn of the Reformation. Based on the Psalm of the day, Psalm 46, it reflects complete confidence in God, even when faced by a host of devils and the earthly adversities they bring. They can harm us none, for they have been felled—defeated—by one little Word, the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Savior.

Prayers for defending the Church from error: O Christ, our defender, protect us from all those whose plans would subvert Your truth through heresy and schism that, as You are acknowledged in heaven and on earth as one and the same Lord, so Your people, gathered from all nations, may serve You in unity of faith; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, You would have all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. By Your almighty power and unsearchable wisdom break and hinder all the counsels of those who hate Your Word and who, by corrupt teaching, would destroy it. Enlighten them with the knowledge of Your glory that they may know the riches of Your heavenly grace and, in peace and righteousness, serve You, the only true God; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for unity of faith: O God, Your infinite love restores to the right way those who err, seeks the scattered, and preserves those whom You have gathered. Of Your tender mercy pour out on Your faithful people the grace of unity that, all schisms being ended, Your flock may be gathered to the true Shepherd of Your Church and may serve You in all faithfulness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for spiritual renewal: Almighty God, grant that we, who have been redeemed from the old life of sin by our Baptism into the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, may be renewed by Your Holy Spirit to live in righteousness and true holiness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

 

Collect for Reformation: 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.[2]

---

[1] Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Collects from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Friday prior to Reformation

[1]

John 8:31–36—Sunday’s Gospel speaks of the freedom we find in the Truth of Jesus Christ. All of us were born into slavery—the slavery of sin. But Christ has set us free from our bondage by His atoning sacrifice. The One who declares, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life tells us here that the Truth shall set us free. The Truth has set us free: the Truth which embodied in Christ Jesus and the Truth which He declares to us in His Word. We are free, indeed!

Jesus offers discipleship and freedom to those believing in Him.

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

The previous verse tells us that many believed in Him (John 8:30). Jesus spoke to those who had that beginning of belief, telling them what they needed to continue in belief.

If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed: If we will be Jesus’ disciples, we must abide in His word. There is no other way. To be a follower of Jesus – the Word made flesh – is to abide (to live in, to dwell in, to make your home in) His word.

This too is another statement reflecting the unity between the Father and the Son. Jesus called men to abide in His word. In the mouth of anyone other than Jesus, these words would be absurd.

You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free: This is the result of abiding in the word of Jesus. We prove ourselves to be His disciples and we know the truth, and God works His freedom in our life through His truth. The freedom Jesus spoke of doesn’t come from just an academic pursuit of truth in general; but from abiding in His word and being His disciple.

There is nothing like the freedom we can have in Jesus. No money can buy it, no status can obtain it, no works can earn it, and nothing can match it. It is tragic that not every Christian experiences this freedom, which can never be found except by abiding in God’s word and being Jesus’ disciple.[2]

Collect for Friday of the week of Pentecost 19:  Thou hast brought us to this place, O God, by al our several ways, ever keeping faith with us, for all our unfaithfulness. God before us still, we beseech Thee, by Thy Word and Spirit, leading us from this day forth where it shall please thee. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen [3]

---

[1] Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/john-8

[3] Collect for Friday of the week of Pentecost 19, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Thursday prior to Reformation

[1]

Romans 3:19–28—Theologians use a Latin phrase that describes our relationship with God’s Holy Law: “Lex semper accusat,” that is, ‘the Law always accuses’. This is because none of us sinful humans can obey God’s Law perfectly. Both our original sin and our actual sin condemn us.

But there is a righteousness before God apart from the Law and apart from ourselves and anything we do. This righteousness is the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to us through faith in the propitiating death of Christ on our behalf. Because of Christ’s fulfillment of the Law, and His blood which He shed for us, God declares us ‘not guilty’.

Summation: The law cannot save us from our sin and the penalty it deserves.

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. V.19

Whatever the law says: Paul points out that this horrific description of man’s utter sinfulness come to us in the law; and it is intended for those under the law, to silence every critic and to demonstrate the universal guilt of mankind – that all the world may become guilty before God.

It says to those who are under the law: If God speaks this way to those who had the law, and attempted to do the law, it is evident that by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight.

Remember that many Jewish people of Paul’s day took every passage of the Old Testament describing evil and applied it only to the Gentiles – not to themselves. Paul makes it clear that God speaks to those who are under the law.

Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight: The law cannot save us. The law can’t justify anyone. It is useful in giving us the knowledge of sin, but it cannot save us.

Since the time of Adam and Eve, people have tried to justify themselves by the deeds of the law. In the Garden of Eden Adam tried to make himself presentable to God by making coverings out of fig leaves – and he failed. In Job, the oldest book of the Bible, the problem is presented clearly: how can a man be righteous before God? (Job 9:2). God makes part of the answer clear here through Paul – the answer is not in the performance of good works, in the deeds of the law.

How we need to deeply understand this – that by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified!

· This means that the law, having been broken, now can only condemn us – it can never save us.

· This means that even if we could now begin to perfectly keep the law of God it could not make up for past disobedience, or remove present guilt.

· This means that keeping the law is NOT God’s way of salvation or of blessing under the New Covenant.

For by the law is the knowledge of sin: J.B. Phillip’s paraphrase of this phrase is striking. He writes, “it is the straight-edge of the Law that shows us how crooked we are.” [2]

Collect for Thursday of the week of Pentecost 19: O Blessed Jesus, you know the impurity of our affection, the narrowness of our sympathy, and the coldness of our love; take possession of our souls and fill our minds with the image of yourself, break the stubbornness of our selfish wills and mold us in the likeness of your unchanging love, O you who alone can do this, our Savior, our Lord and our God. Amen [3]

---

[1] Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/romans-3/

[3] Collect for Thursday of the week of Pentecost 19, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Tuesday prior to Reformation

[1]

Psalm 46—This psalm of David expresses complete confidence in God, no matter the circumstance. It depicts scenes of turmoil: natural disasters (vv. 2, 3), political persecution (v. 6a), and even the end of days (v. 6b). The one who trusts in God can withstand such troubles, and be still and quiet, for God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46 – The LORD’s Protection and Power

The title of this psalm is To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth. These sons of Korah were Levites, from the family of Kohath. By David’s time it seems they served in the musical aspect of the temple worship (2 Chronicles 20:19).

An ode upon Alamoth, or concerning the virgins: possibly meaning a choir of singing girls.

Some Bible scholars have wondered if Alamoth referred to a high-pitched stringed instrument as suggested by 1 Chronicles 15:20.

Comment on this great song of confidence seems almost unnecessary so powerfully has it taken hold on the heart of humanity, and so perfectly does it set forth the experience of trusting souls in all ages and tumultuous times.

Luther, when in greatest distress, was wont to call for this psalm, saying, Let us sing the forty-sixth psalm in concert; and then let the devil do his worst.[2]

Collect for Psalm 46: Lord God, our refuge and strength, when the restless powers of this world and the waters of hell rise up against your holy city, watch over it and keep it safe. By the river that glows from the throne of the Lamb, purify this New Jerusalem as your chosen dwelling, for you are with us, our stronghold, now and forever.[3]

---

[1] Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-46/

[3] Collect for Psalm 46, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Monday prior to Reformation

[1]

Psalm 34:1–2, 11, 22; Antiphon, Psalm 119:46—The Antiphon for next Sunday’s Introit proclaims, I will speak of Your statutes before Kings O Lord, and shall not be put to shame. This verse also serves as the inscription for the Augsburg Confession, one of the documents in the Lutheran Book of Concord. We need fear no earthly kings or powers when we make confession of our faith, for we have been set free from fear by the Gospel. Let us make bold our proclamation of confidence in the Lord, who redeems the life of His servants. For this, we bless the LORD at all times.

The Son of God Has Set Us Free from Sin and Death by His Grace

“Wisdom is justified by her deeds” (Matthew 11:19), and the true Wisdom of God, Christ Jesus the incarnate Son, justifies us by His deeds. He prepares His way by the preaching of repentance, but He has suffered the violence of the Law and voluntarily handed Himself over to violent men, that we might eat and drink with Him in His Kingdom and “remain in the house forever” (John 8:35). For He is “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:19), and He has rescued us by His grace from the slavery of sin and death. By the proclamation of His eternal Gospel “to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people” (Revelation 14:6), “the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law” (Romans 3:21), “that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26).And by hearing the Gospel of Christ Jesus, “whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith” (Romans 3:25), “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32).[2]

Collect for Monday of the week of Pentecost 19: Almighty and eternal God, Father of the world to come, your goodness is beyond what our spirit can touch and your strength is more than the mind can bear. Lead us to seek beyond our reach and give us the courage to stand before your truth. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen [3]

---

[1] Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Lectionary Summary LCMS Commission on worship

[3] Collect for Monday of the week of Pentecost 19, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and by the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Reformation study notes

Revelation 14:6–7
Psalm 46
Romans 3:19–28 
John 8:31–36 or Matthew 11:12–19 

The Son of God Has Set Us Free from Sin and Death by His Grace

“Wisdom is justified by her deeds” (Matthew 11:19), and the true Wisdom of God, Christ Jesus, the incarnate Son, has justified us by His deeds. He prepares His way by the preaching of repentance, but He has suffered the violence of the Law and voluntarily handed Himself over to violent men, that we might eat and drink with Him in His Kingdom and “remain in the house forever” (John 8:35). He is “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:18–19), and He has rescued us by His grace from the slavery of sin and death. 

By the proclamation of His eternal Gospel “to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people” (Revelation 14:6), “the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law” (Romans 3:21), “that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26). And by the hearing of that Gospel of Christ Jesus, “whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith” (Romans 3:25), “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32).

Collect for Reformation Sunday: 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.

"O God, Your infinite love restores to the right way those who err, seeks the scattered, and preserves those whom You have gathered. Of Your tender mercy pour out on Your faithful people the grace of unity that, all schisms being ended, Your flock may be gathered to the true Shepherd of Your Church and may serve You in all faithfulness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen"

Matthew 11:12-19

Context John is in prison, world attacking the kingdom of the heavens, 

Matthew 11:12 

 ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν ἡμερῶν Ἰωάννου τοῦ βαπτιστοῦ ἕως ἄρτι ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν βιάζεται, καὶ βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν.

From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,[a] and the violent take it by force. 

a Or has been coming violently

“From the time of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of the heavens suffered violence.” The kingdom - Makes its way advancing with violent force. And violent men have seized it. How does it come. Not by what we think, through violence done to him. Forcibly treated can be taken middle or passive. The kingdom suffers violence. It has been violently attacked by violent men, the flesh, and Satan. 

Matthew 11:13 

πάντες γὰρ οἱ προφῆται καὶ ὁ νόμος ἕως Ἰωάννου ἐπροφήτευσαν·

For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 

“For all the prophets and the Law prophecies until John.”

Matthew 11:14

καὶ εἰ θέλετε δέξασθαι, αὐτός ἐστιν Ἠλίας ὁ μέλλων ἔρχεσθαι.  

and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 

“And if you want to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.”

When you hear John you hear all of the prophets, it comes to its finger John and the head Christ.

Matthew 11:15

ὁ ἔχων [a]ὦτα ἀκουέτω. 

He who has ears to hear,[b] let him hear.

b. Some manuscripts omit to hear

“He who has ears to hear let him hear.” 

Hear what he just said, listen to what he will say. Avoid the theology of glory. NOT BY DOING BUT BY RECEIVING this is a passive thing.

How does the Christian suffer today?  We still suffer violence by the big three although not seen.

Matthew 11:16

Τίνι δὲ ὁμοιώσω τὴν γενεὰν ταύτην; ὁμοία ἐστὶν παιδίοις [b]καθημένοις ἐν ταῖς ἀγοραῖς ἃ προσφωνοῦντα τοῖς ἑτέροις 

“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

“To what will I liken this generation? It is like two small children.”

Matthew 11:17

[c]λέγουσιν· Ηὐλήσαμεν ὑμῖν καὶ οὐκ ὠρχήσασθε· [d]ἐθρηνήσαμεν καὶ οὐκ ἐκόψασθε·

‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

“We played flute for you and you did not dance. We sang a dirge you did not mourn!”

Matthew 11:18

ἦλθεν γὰρ Ἰωάννης μήτε ἐσθίων μήτε πίνων, καὶ λέγουσιν· Δαιμόνιον ἔχει·

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’

“John came neither eating or drinking he had a demon.”

Matthew 11:19

ἦλθεν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐσθίων καὶ πίνων, καὶ λέγουσιν· Ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος φάγος καὶ οἰνοπότης, τελωνῶν φίλος καὶ ἁμαρτωλῶν. καὶ ἐδικαιώθη ἡ σοφία ἀπὸ τῶν [e]ἔργων αὐτῆς.

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”[c]

c. Some manuscripts children (compare Luke 7:35)

“The Son of man came and you said he's a glutton and wine drinker a lover of tax collectors and sinners.”

When law was preached you did not repent when gospel preached you did not receive it. 

Repent = contrition and faith.

But wisdom is proven by actions. JESUS is this wisdom of God. 

John 8:31-36- speaks of the freedom we find in the Truth of Jesus Christ. All of us were born into slavery-the slavery of sin. But Christ has set us free from our bondage by His atoning sacrifice. The One who declares, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life tells us here that the Truth shall set us free. The Truth has set us free: the Truth which embodied in Christ Jesus and the Truth which He declares to us in His Word. We are free, indeed!

John 8:31 

Ἔλεγεν οὖν ὁ Ἰησοῦς πρὸς τοὺς πεπιστευκότας αὐτῷ Ἰουδαίους· Ἐὰν ὑμεῖς μείνητε ἐν τῷ λόγῳ τῷ ἐμῷ, ἀληθῶς μαθηταί μού ἐστε,

Jesus began to say to those Jews who had believed in Him if you hold to my teachings you are really my disciples.

Who makes up the crowd? This is the simil both sinner/Saint 

John 8:32

καὶ γνώσεσθε τὴν ἀλήθειαν, καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια ἐλευθερώσει ὑμᾶς.

Then you will know the truth and the truth will free you.  

What is "freedom"? To know is to perceive it in a believing way. A deeper kind of knowing the truth. Not the weak knowing of Adam/Eve. They knew evil but did not have intimate understanding of evil. This knowing is to possess Jesus.

John 8:33 

ἀπεκρίθησαν [a]πρὸς αὐτόν· Σπέρμα Ἀβραάμ ἐσμεν καὶ οὐδενὶ δεδουλεύκαμεν πώποτε· πῶς σὺ λέγεις ὅτι Ἐλεύθεροι γενήσεσθε;

They answered to him, we are the sperm of Abraham how can you say you shall be made free?   

Irony they are children of the promise while he is the promise. See John, "do not presume to say we have Abraham as our Father,"

John 8:34 

Ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ποιῶν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν δοῦλός ἐστιν τῆς ἁμαρτίας· 

Jesus said, I say to you ALL the ones who do sin are each individually slaved OF sin. 

SEE Romans 6 Jesus changes from external to internal slavery. 

John 8:35 

ὁ δὲ δοῦλος οὐ μένει ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα· [b]ὁ υἱὸς μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

A slave has no permanent place in the family. But a son belongs to it forever. 

"Into the age" you remain in the house by being a son. See Galatians 3:26-29 

John 8:36

ἐὰν οὖν ὁ υἱὸς ὑμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃ, ὄντως ἐλεύθεροι ἔσεσθε.

So if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed. 

This freedom comes at a price. The price of Christ's blood. That freedom is forgiveness.

____________

Luther’s Seal © Higher Things

English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

 

Saturday prior to Reformation

1

Sunday’s hymn of the day, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (LSB656) is Luther’s great battle hymn of the Reformation. Based on the Psalm of the day, Psalm 46, it reflects complete confidence in God, even when faced by a host of devils and the earthly adversities they bring. They can harm us none, for they have been felled—defeated—by one little Word, the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Savior.

Luther’s explanation of his seal (from a letter he wrote to Lazarus Spengler, city clerk of Nürnberg, in July 1530):

Honorable, kind, dear Sir and Friend! Since you ask whether my seal has come out correctly, I shall answer most amiably and tell you of those thoughts which now come to my mind about my seal as a symbol of my theology.

There is first to be a cross, black and placed in a heart, which should be of its natural 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 nature; that is, the cross does not kill but keeps man alive. For the just man lives by faith, but by faith in the Crucified One. 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 white joyful 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 the spirits and of all the angels. 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. 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.

May Christ, our dear Lord, be with your spirit until the life to come. Amen. 2

Prayer for defending the Church from error: Almighty and everlasting God, You would have all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. By Your almighty power and unsearchable wisdom break and hinder all the counsels of those who hate Your Word and who, by corrupt teaching, would destroy it. Enlighten them with the knowledge of Your glory that they may know the riches of Your heavenly grace and, in peace and righteousness, serve You, the only true God; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 3

Sources:

1. Luther’s Seal copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

2. Explanation from Luther’s Works, American Edition, vol. 49, pp. 358-359. 

3. Collect for Defending the Church from error, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Friday prior to Reformation

1

John 8:31–36—Sunday’s Gospel speaks of the freedom we find in the Truth of Jesus Christ. All of us were born into slavery—the slavery of sin. But Christ has set us free from our bondage by His atoning sacrifice. The One who declares, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life tells us here that the Truth shall set us free. The Truth has set us free: the Truth which embodied in Christ Jesus and the Truth which He declares to us in His Word. We are free, indeed!

When Pilate asked Jesus what truth was, he gave no answer. In this passage Jesus defines the truth. It is in his word, for he spoke God’s Word. As long as we hold to the word of Jesus, we will be his disciples and will know the truth. It is not a truth of science, politics, or economics. It is religious truth personified and spoken by Christ. It is the truth of God and life. 

Though it has only two letters, it is a big word. Jesus says we will know the truth and be free “if” we continue in his word. It is possible to lose the word of Jesus through negligence or unconcern. We can fall from the truth and lose our religious freedom if we ever sever ourselves from the Word. 

The truth of Christ frees. It does not mean necessarily political or social independence. These may follow. It is freedom in and of religion. Truth frees us from false religious beliefs, superstitions, and practices. Christ’s truth frees us from the Law. Christ frees us from the bondage of sin by his death on the cross. Out of this spiritual freedom come other freedoms.  2

Collect for Grace: O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, You have safely brought us to the beginning of this day. Defend us in the same with Your mighty power and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doings, being ordered by Your governance, may be righteous in Your sight; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 3

Sources:

1. Luther’s Seal copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

2. Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

3. Collect for Grace, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Reformation reflection

Law/Gospel Theme:  In our Bible story for today we are reminded that in our country we celebrate the freedom we have living in America.  In this country. We are free to say what we choose. Go to church where we choose. Be friends with whoever we choose. And send our children to schools we choose.

America is an amazing country to live in. Because we have so many freedoms here!  But there is an even more exciting freedom that we call all have!  We can have incredible freedom through Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Lord, pour into our hearts your Holy Spirit. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth.

Protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant us Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen  

Hymn: # 18 Beautiful Savior

 Confession/Absolution:

LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.

In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone. And so uphold us by Your Spirit.

That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He strengthen you in all goodness. And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

 John 8:31-36

31 To those who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

 34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Hymn: #19 Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine

The word “freedom.” is quite literally, tossed about these days. When we mention this word “Freedom”, it comes with individual rights and choices. Some in our culture will use this word, “freedom’ to imply there should be no limits, no restrictions, no cost for autonomy and liberty.

Some associate “Freedom,” with license, assuming that self-determination and independence implies no responsibilities or accountabilities.

Yet, there is a sense of Freedom purchased for us by the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, we consider the price of Freedom.

Freedom comes at a cost – Freedom is not free. It is bought with a price.

And the precious blood of Christ paid for the cost of freedom.  And the price that was paid to redeem you; set you free to cover the cost of the penalty of your sin. To reconcile you back to God. That was the cost of the precious blood of Jesus.

The Savior paid for you redemption with His own blood. “You were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your Spirit, which are God’s” as St. Paul teaches. – 1 Corinthians 6:20

Yes, you were bout with a price. It cost the Savior something with which to redeem you. The price that was paid to redeem you set you free. The price to reconcile you back to God was the cost of blood, which was shed by Christ at Calvary’s cross.

Jesus tells us in our reading for today "If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."

How could the Son set them free? He could say that and then do that because of who He is.

Jesus is the Son who has been sent into the world by the Father. He knew the Father's plan. He had the most intimate relationship with the Father.

He had heard everything the Father had said. And He came with this message of good news: "The Father has sent Me in order to set you free."

Jesus is that One who declares, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Today He tells us here that the Truth shall set us free.

The Truth has set you free.  It is the Truth which is embodied in Christ Jesus and the Truth which He declares to you in His Word. You are free, indeed!

Jesus offers freedom to those believing in Him.

“Then Jesus said to those who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John reminds us that many believed in Him. (John 8:30). Jesus spoke to them. Telling them what they needed to continue in their belief and trust in Him.

Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.”  If you would be Jesus’ disciples. You abide in His word.

There is no other way. To be a follower of Jesus is to abide. (To live in. To dwell in. To make your home in) His word.

Jesus called men to abide in His word. In the mouth of anyone other than Jesus, these words would be absurd.

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” This is the result of abiding in the word of Jesus. We prove ourselves to be His disciples and we know the truth, and God works His freedom in our life through His truth.

The freedom Jesus spoke of comes from abiding in His word and being His disciple.

There is nothing like the freedom we can have in Jesus. No money can buy it. No status can obtain it. No work can earn it. And nothing can match it.

As God’s true and only Son Jesus has given us a greater freedom than we could ever have on earth or by living in America. 

Jesus sets us free from our every burden.  He lived a perfect life and then died on the cross taking the punishment for our sins in our place.   

This God. This Father. Loved the world. That He sent His only Son into it.

He had only one Son. But He sent Him to die on a cross in order to save everyone who believes in Him.

Jesus said; “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”

This led Paul to explain, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not of works that no one should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

As you believe and follow Jesus. You are given eternal freedom.  When Jesus sets us free. We will for all eternity be free indeed!

Through faith in him and following his teaching, we can have true freedom.

You are free. And you are loved. Jesus loves you.  That is true for everyone here.  Yes? Yes!  It sure is.  Jesus loves each & every one of us.

Jesus loves us.  He knows that we are not always going to do the right thing--even when we try very very hard. - Still he loves us. 

So, each day we have opportunities to love each other and the most important 'true' thing we can know is that 'Jesus loves us' and because he loves us, he wants us to keep loving each other and he will help us do that.

The Lord wanted to let him know the good news of the Gospel is for everyone! It wasn’t just for those who followed the rules or did what was expected.

The message of God’s love and grace needs to be shared with everyone.  It isn’t about your background, but about the life you live now.

You can show God’s love because He has made everyone and called us to value them. Today. Let’s practice love for one another. And thank God for the good news we have in Jesus. For He has made us free.

Thank you, Lord for your love and care. Thank you for the freedom you give us to belong to your family. You have set us free to love and serve others as you guide and lead us. We thank you for sending Jesus to show us the truth of your love. 

Let us cry out to the Lord with our prayers and petitions on this day.

Today we remember those people affected by recent hurricanes and storms. We ask that as relief agencies come to their aid that they may be the hand and feet the fingers and toes of Jesus. May they show compassion, mercy and care for those who are vulnerable. And may we continue to lift them up in our prayers as this is what we are called to do. In Jesus’ name we pray.

The Lord has given us one another and we give thanks for God’s grace and mercy as we offer prayers for the sick and suffering.

The Lord has given us the beauty of worship and the gift of fellowship with one another. We thank you Lord, for gathering us this day.

The Lord has given us life in a nation of opportunities and liberty; with public services such as fire and police protection, ambulances, food pantries, schools, libraries, and hospitals. We thank you Lord, for our national life.

The Lord has given us neighbors, friends, families, and coworkers to share the joys and burdens of this life. We thank you Lord, for the privilege of loving others.

The Lord has given us a world full of creatures that crawl, fly, swim, and climb. We enjoy a bounty of flowers and shrubs, grasses and trees, plants and moss, and rocks and hills. We thank you Lord, for your creation.

The Lord has given us a promise that where He goes, He will prepare a place for us.

We thank you Lord for the gift of life and for giving us to one another for safekeeping. Bring us home when it is time. Lord in your grace, hear our prayer.[1]

[1] September-15.2024-10AM-17th-Sunday-after-Pentecost.pdf (stmarksnewcanaan.org)

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

 

Thursday prior to Reformation

1

Romans 3:19–28—Theologians use a Latin phrase that describes our relationship with God’s Holy Law: Lex semper accusat, that is, ‘the Law always accuses’. This is because none of us sinful humans can obey God’s Law perfectly. Both our original sin and our actual sin condemn us. But there is a righteousness before God apart from the Law and apart from ourselves and anything we do. This righteousness is the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to us through faith in the propitiating death of Christ on our behalf. Because of Christ’s fulfillment of the Law, and His blood which He shed for us, God declares us ‘not guilty’.

Justification (Vv. 20, 24, 26, 28) is an important word in this reading. The word is associated with a court. The judge acquits the guilty one. He is exonerated and allowed to go free. It is not that he was innocent, but the judge accounted him as innocent because of a penalty paid by another, Christ. The sinner is not righteous, but his is accounted or considered righteous for Jesus sake. 

The righteousness of God is not the popular understanding of goodness, perfection, or justice. In the Scriptures, righteousness means right-relatedness of God. This understanding of the word gave Luther his liberation and insight into the Gospel. It is not a word to fear nor to cringe at the wrath of God. It means God’s goodness is approaching us in goodwill to offer us reconciliation and peace. By grace we experience the righteousness of God by being rightly related to him through faith. 

We are saved by grace, not by faith. Grace is karma’s worst nightmare. Grace is the undeserved love of God for sinners. It implies that while we were sinners, Christ died for us – pure grace for the worthless. This grace is made a personal possession when we accept it by faith. The hand that accepts our acceptance is faith. Thus, we are saved by grace through faith. It is the work of God and this leaves us without any reason for boasting.  2

Almighty God, Who, through the preaching of Thy servants, the blessed Reformers, hast cause the light of the Gospel to shine forth: Grant, we beseech Thee, that, knowing its saving power, we may faithfully guard and defend it against all enemies and joyfully proclaim it, to the salvation of souls and the glory of Thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. 3

Sources:

1. Luther’s Seal copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

2. Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

3. Collect for Reformation, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church Vol. IV  © 1996 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY