Sunday’s Verse:
From Romans 1:17 ESV
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Today in church, we will be celebrating the Reformation, even though it does not occur until the end of this week. The date of October 31st, 1517 marks the day that Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to a church door in Wittenberg. This sparked the beginning of the Reformation. Although Martin Luther and his teachings were the driving force behind the Reformation, the Reformation was not about Martin Luther. It was about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Martin Luther asked the question that all of us who are sinners have asked: How do I become right with God?
The answer is not in good works. The answer is not in man-made rituals. The answer is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Martin Luther, through God's Word, learned that we do not become righteous in God's sight. We become righteous because of Jesus Christ.
That is what the Reformation is all about. We cannot earn our way to heaven. We cannot buy forgiveness from God. We are not righteous because of what we have done. Jesus Christ lived a perfect life for us. He died on the cross to atone for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day.
That message has not changed since the days of Martin Luther.
We are still sinners. We still fall short of God's glory. We still want to prove that we are worthy of God's love. But we need to turn our attention to the cross and the message of the Reformation.
It's not what we can do for God. It's what God has done for us.
Let's remember this as we celebrate the Reformation this week. We do not have to earn God's forgiveness. It's freely given to us through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Today’s Prayers
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word. Thank You for keeping it alive among us. Forgive us when we trust in ourselves rather than in You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Image above was created by Gemini (gemini.google.com).