Reformation (10.28.2012)
St John 8:31-36/Romans 3:19-28/Revelation 14:6-7
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
The Roman Church of Luther’s day is alive and kicking. We are days from the Festival of the Reformation and only five years from its 500th anniversary. And do not think for a second the false doctrine and practices our Lutheran Confessions reject and condemn are dead. They are not.
The Pope still arrogates the authority of Christ and sets himself above the truth of Holy Scripture. He continues to spin his lies of false teaching, maintaining condemnation of anyone who would presume to proclaim that one is justified, that is, declared righteous before God in heaven, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, apart from works. You heard it read, We hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the Law!
Now perhaps the methods are not as crass as in Luther’s day. The Pope’s emissaries aren’t standing on the street corners, case open in front of them, singing, “When a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs!” But he still traffics in guilt and trades the grace of God as if it were a commodity.
This month is the fiftieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. And the Pope has issued a Plenary Indulgence for this year, dubbing it the Year of Faith! It reads, “[This] Plenary Indulgence for the temporal punishment of sins may be obtained by all faithful who take Sacramental Confession and the Eucharist and pray in accordance with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.”
In other words, IF you attend three sermons on special days, or IF you make an acceptable pilgrimage, or IF you participate in a special service, or IF you visit the church where you were baptized you will receive this indulgence.
That little word “if” is a soul killer. It is a conditional. One is only granted the indulgence, the remission of temporal punishment, IF one does what the Pope requires in the manner that he requires it on the days he requires it. It is entirely conditional on you! How would you know if you were pious enough during the pilgrimage? Paid attention enough during the sermons? Participated properly in the special service? That little “if,” dependent on your work, casts horrible doubt on faith and the promises of Christ.
Thus the Reformation is still relevant. The justification of the sinner before God is still relevant.
Now Christ says, If you abide in My Word, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. It is a conditional, yes. But one where everything is dependent on Him! And that makes all the difference.
But you say, “We are Americans and have never been enslaved to anyone.” “We are German Lutherans.” “We are independent, self-sufficient adults.”
Two things are two for each of you, and for everyone on earth: You are a sinner, enslaved by sin; and you are redeemed by Christ the Crucified, in order to be set free by His grace through faith in His forgiveness.
The first truth is made clear by the Law. Now we know that whatever the Law says it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be stopped and the while world may be held accountable to God. The Law says, “We should fear, love, and trust in God above all thing.” But we do not. We fear and worry about all sorts of things – our failing health, paying the bills, fixing the roof. We trust in our jobs, in our money, in our insurance. We love our little pet sins and so we are enslaved to them.
The preaching of the Law makes us feel guilty because we are guilty. Through the Law comes knowledge of sin.
The second truth, that you are redeemed by Christ the Crucified, set free by His grace through faith in His forgiveness is made know only, and in no other way, than by His Gospel.
The inherent contradiction between these two facts cannot remain forever. If you continue in the Word, which is Christ Jesus, abide in Him, then you will be free indeed. And you will remain with Him in the house of His God and Father forever. But apart from Christ you will remain enslaved by your sin. The slave does not remain in the house, but will finally be imprisoned by the Law, sentenced to eternal death and damnation.
The problem is that we do not recognize our slavery, nor Christ’s freedom for what they are. Twisted and curved inward on ourselves we assume our slavery to sin is really freedom, that our death is really life! And we see the freedom of Christ and of faith in His Gospel as a burden and a bondage that would imprison us. Life in Christ is tedious, burdensome, and boring.
Do you not imagine that doing whatever you want would be perfect freedom?
And do you not suppose that giving attention to the Word of Christ – hearing it preached and attending Bible study – watching in prayer with Jesus, taking up the Cross to follow Him is rather a lot of effort and work which you’d prefer not to bother with?
Our assertion of freedom is a delusion. We are not free. Anyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. We are so addicted to our sin that we don’t even realize its killing us. What we call “free will” is really a ravenous monster that consumes us with our own craving.
That monster can be tamed. Ironically he delights in the Law. Little “do’s” and “don’ts” feed his addiction. He loves the little “Ifs” of conditional Christianity; they fatten his ego. For by doing them he becomes the supreme pontiff of his fate. The monster becomes the pope of our own life. The so-called “indulgence” is just that, license to indulge in self-righteousness and pride.
And we are not free. Not apart from Christ. And the truth is that it is slowly killing us.
If you would know the truth that sets you free, then die to sin and live unto righteousness. How so? By hearing and heeding the Word of Christ Jesus and by following Him as a disciple through faith in His Word. For He is your Righteousness and your Justification and your Refuge and Strength.
For what neither you nor the Law could accomplish, Christ has done and accomplished for you; in His flesh and with His blood. He has kept the Law perfectly, fulfilled and satisfied it. And this, not the artificial commandments of the pope or “if” brand Christianity. No! But the exacting, condemning Law that demands your blood as payment! He feared and loved God always and without fail. Yet He suffered all its judgments, condemnation, and punishments in your place and on your behalf.
Redemption is in Him, for God put Christ forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. And not only for your sins, but for the sins of the whole world. You need never fear that you or your sins are the exception or are excluded. And you need never pay attention to the issuing of indulgences or “if” brand Christianity, for Christ has removed not only the eternal punishments for your sins, but also all temporal punishments.
If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Free from the Law with all its curses, free from the accusations and condemnation of the devil, free from having to justify yourself and your works, free from death. Free.
Now there is an interesting aspect to this text in the Greek. Jesus says, If you remain in My Word, you will know the truth and the truth will elutherose. The truth will make you a “Lutheran.” Elutheosen is what Luther called himself; “The Free Man.” That is what you are. Lutherans. Free men and woman. But not to yourself, though, for that is not true freedom. You are free in Christ. You belong to Him. He has bought you with the price of His holy, precious blood and innocent suffering and death. But you are not a slave. Rather a beloved brother or sister, a beloved child of His God and Father.
His Church, the fellowship of His Family, is your place of peace and rest. You belong here, safe and sound, where His Word is preached and taught, confessed and prayed; His flesh and blood are given for the forgiveness of your sins, your life, and salvation. Dear one, don’t run away from home. For it is here, where your Father sends His angels, His messengers, to preach His everlasting Gospel.
To eat and to drink His sacred gifts is not slavery, but freedom. Really. It is to live as a child of God in your Father’s house. If the Son sets you free, you will be a Lutheran; you will be free indeed; now and forever. Amen.
St John 8:31-36/Romans 3:19-28/Revelation 14:6-7
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
The Roman Church of Luther’s day is alive and kicking. We are days from the Festival of the Reformation and only five years from its 500th anniversary. And do not think for a second the false doctrine and practices our Lutheran Confessions reject and condemn are dead. They are not.
The Pope still arrogates the authority of Christ and sets himself above the truth of Holy Scripture. He continues to spin his lies of false teaching, maintaining condemnation of anyone who would presume to proclaim that one is justified, that is, declared righteous before God in heaven, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, apart from works. You heard it read, We hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the Law!
Now perhaps the methods are not as crass as in Luther’s day. The Pope’s emissaries aren’t standing on the street corners, case open in front of them, singing, “When a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs!” But he still traffics in guilt and trades the grace of God as if it were a commodity.
This month is the fiftieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. And the Pope has issued a Plenary Indulgence for this year, dubbing it the Year of Faith! It reads, “[This] Plenary Indulgence for the temporal punishment of sins may be obtained by all faithful who take Sacramental Confession and the Eucharist and pray in accordance with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.”
In other words, IF you attend three sermons on special days, or IF you make an acceptable pilgrimage, or IF you participate in a special service, or IF you visit the church where you were baptized you will receive this indulgence.
That little word “if” is a soul killer. It is a conditional. One is only granted the indulgence, the remission of temporal punishment, IF one does what the Pope requires in the manner that he requires it on the days he requires it. It is entirely conditional on you! How would you know if you were pious enough during the pilgrimage? Paid attention enough during the sermons? Participated properly in the special service? That little “if,” dependent on your work, casts horrible doubt on faith and the promises of Christ.
Thus the Reformation is still relevant. The justification of the sinner before God is still relevant.
Now Christ says, If you abide in My Word, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. It is a conditional, yes. But one where everything is dependent on Him! And that makes all the difference.
But you say, “We are Americans and have never been enslaved to anyone.” “We are German Lutherans.” “We are independent, self-sufficient adults.”
Two things are two for each of you, and for everyone on earth: You are a sinner, enslaved by sin; and you are redeemed by Christ the Crucified, in order to be set free by His grace through faith in His forgiveness.
The first truth is made clear by the Law. Now we know that whatever the Law says it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be stopped and the while world may be held accountable to God. The Law says, “We should fear, love, and trust in God above all thing.” But we do not. We fear and worry about all sorts of things – our failing health, paying the bills, fixing the roof. We trust in our jobs, in our money, in our insurance. We love our little pet sins and so we are enslaved to them.
The preaching of the Law makes us feel guilty because we are guilty. Through the Law comes knowledge of sin.
The second truth, that you are redeemed by Christ the Crucified, set free by His grace through faith in His forgiveness is made know only, and in no other way, than by His Gospel.
The inherent contradiction between these two facts cannot remain forever. If you continue in the Word, which is Christ Jesus, abide in Him, then you will be free indeed. And you will remain with Him in the house of His God and Father forever. But apart from Christ you will remain enslaved by your sin. The slave does not remain in the house, but will finally be imprisoned by the Law, sentenced to eternal death and damnation.
The problem is that we do not recognize our slavery, nor Christ’s freedom for what they are. Twisted and curved inward on ourselves we assume our slavery to sin is really freedom, that our death is really life! And we see the freedom of Christ and of faith in His Gospel as a burden and a bondage that would imprison us. Life in Christ is tedious, burdensome, and boring.
Do you not imagine that doing whatever you want would be perfect freedom?
And do you not suppose that giving attention to the Word of Christ – hearing it preached and attending Bible study – watching in prayer with Jesus, taking up the Cross to follow Him is rather a lot of effort and work which you’d prefer not to bother with?
Our assertion of freedom is a delusion. We are not free. Anyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. We are so addicted to our sin that we don’t even realize its killing us. What we call “free will” is really a ravenous monster that consumes us with our own craving.
That monster can be tamed. Ironically he delights in the Law. Little “do’s” and “don’ts” feed his addiction. He loves the little “Ifs” of conditional Christianity; they fatten his ego. For by doing them he becomes the supreme pontiff of his fate. The monster becomes the pope of our own life. The so-called “indulgence” is just that, license to indulge in self-righteousness and pride.
And we are not free. Not apart from Christ. And the truth is that it is slowly killing us.
If you would know the truth that sets you free, then die to sin and live unto righteousness. How so? By hearing and heeding the Word of Christ Jesus and by following Him as a disciple through faith in His Word. For He is your Righteousness and your Justification and your Refuge and Strength.
For what neither you nor the Law could accomplish, Christ has done and accomplished for you; in His flesh and with His blood. He has kept the Law perfectly, fulfilled and satisfied it. And this, not the artificial commandments of the pope or “if” brand Christianity. No! But the exacting, condemning Law that demands your blood as payment! He feared and loved God always and without fail. Yet He suffered all its judgments, condemnation, and punishments in your place and on your behalf.
Redemption is in Him, for God put Christ forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. And not only for your sins, but for the sins of the whole world. You need never fear that you or your sins are the exception or are excluded. And you need never pay attention to the issuing of indulgences or “if” brand Christianity, for Christ has removed not only the eternal punishments for your sins, but also all temporal punishments.
If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Free from the Law with all its curses, free from the accusations and condemnation of the devil, free from having to justify yourself and your works, free from death. Free.
Now there is an interesting aspect to this text in the Greek. Jesus says, If you remain in My Word, you will know the truth and the truth will elutherose. The truth will make you a “Lutheran.” Elutheosen is what Luther called himself; “The Free Man.” That is what you are. Lutherans. Free men and woman. But not to yourself, though, for that is not true freedom. You are free in Christ. You belong to Him. He has bought you with the price of His holy, precious blood and innocent suffering and death. But you are not a slave. Rather a beloved brother or sister, a beloved child of His God and Father.
His Church, the fellowship of His Family, is your place of peace and rest. You belong here, safe and sound, where His Word is preached and taught, confessed and prayed; His flesh and blood are given for the forgiveness of your sins, your life, and salvation. Dear one, don’t run away from home. For it is here, where your Father sends His angels, His messengers, to preach His everlasting Gospel.
To eat and to drink His sacred gifts is not slavery, but freedom. Really. It is to live as a child of God in your Father’s house. If the Son sets you free, you will be a Lutheran; you will be free indeed; now and forever. Amen.
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