The Way to Heaven A Sermon for Reformation Sunday

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "The Way to Heaven A Sermon for Reformation Sunday"

Transcription

1 The Way to Heaven A Sermon for Reformation Sunday Rev. Michael D. Halley October 28, 2018 Suffolk Christian Church Suffolk, Virginia Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost Reformation Sunday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The announced sermon topic for today just did not come together this week. In its place I want to tell you the story of a man who found the way to heaven. The last Sunday in October is typically celebrated as Reformation Sunday. This is because it was on October 31, 1517, years ago -- that an obscure professor of theology named Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany. Professor Martin Luther did not know nor did he intend that he would start a movement which would lead to much-needed reforms in the church of his day. By the way, the now-famous 95 Theses were 95 statements which Professor Luther posed for discussion. Posting ideas such as these on the door of the church was an accepted custom of that day, since anyone could post items there for public comment and discussion. Let s say it was the Facebook of its day. The movement which Martin Luther started is called the Protestant Reformation. The story begins in 1505, when young Martin had just finished his undergraduates studies and was ready to begin the study of law, as his father wanted him to do. One day he was caught outside in a fierce thunderstorm. With the rain pouring down, with thunder and lightning, he saw no sign of

2 Page -2- shelter and feared for his life. In desperation, Martin Luther called out to God for help, and he pledged to enter a monastery and become a priest of the church if God would only save him from this storm. God did save him from the storm and young Martin made good on his promise, entering the Augustinian monastery 1 to study for the priesthood. Life in the monastery was not easy. The monks rose each morning between 1 and 2 a.m. They would begin their day with prayer and singing, followed by a time of meditation, followed by another time of prayer and often another time of singing. It was a rigorous, difficult daily schedule. For these young monks it meant that their life was filled with religious ritual, religious ceremony, the sacraments, confession and penance. It was a life of poverty and austerity. Martin Luther gladly accepted that lifestyle because, like millions of people down through the ages and even today, he was looking for peace with God and a way to heaven. He was looking for forgiveness for his sins. He was looking for a way to be justified -- to be made right with God. Martin Luther was a good monk. He kept all the rituals. He stayed on schedule. He did all that was required of him, believing that if he did all that, he would gain admission to heaven. But in his quiet moments this sincere young monk knew that something was wrong. Despite all that he did to follow the rules and be a good Christian, he never felt that he could ever be good enough to be reconciled to a God who was truly holy and good and pure and righteous. That thought gripped Martin Luther so thoroughly that he was terrified. Something was missing. So he intensified his efforts to please God. Every day, even several times a day, he would enter the confessional and confess every single sin he could remember. Even that did not give him the peace with God that he craved. He despaired of ever finding that way to

3 Page -3- heaven. The turning point in Martin Luther s life came in the year 1515 when the head of the monastery 2 appointed him to teach the Bible. So Luther brushed up on his Hebrew and Latin and Greek and began to study the Bible. He was first assigned to teach the book of Psalms and then the book of Romans and the book of Galatians. It was during that time of studying and teaching the Bible that Martin Luther made the great discovery which was to change him forever and reveal to him the way to heaven he so sincerely sought. Here is how it happened. Luther was studying the Epistle to the Romans and he came to Romans 1:16-17, which in the NIV reads this way: I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: First for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith. It was this very passage that changed Martin Luther s life. As he began to study it, suddenly the light flooded in. As he said to himself, It was as though the gates of heaven were opened to me! 3 Martin Luther had found the way to heaven. Martin Luther learned that day that obedience to the religious system and following all the rules was not enough. The church of his day had developed elaborate rituals and even declared that the church held the keys to the kingdom of God. Nobody could get to God, the church of that day taught, except through their religious system. It was the doing of good deeds and being obedient to the church structure, Martin Luther was taught, that a person could be right with God. But when the light dawned on Martin Luther he learned that it was

4 Page -4- total and absolute reliance upon the grace and mercy of God that brings salvation and peace to the soul. When we say absolute reliance upon the grace and mercy of God, it means that we must let go of all the other things we have trusted -- our goodness, our merit, our success, our power, our money, and even our religion. If we will dare to let those things go and come with our empty hands to the Saviour, Jesus will meet us with open arms. By faith we can receive the righteousness of God, righteousness we will never otherwise achieve. It is by faith, from first to last. That s what Martin Luther discovered. That s what the Protestant Reformation was all about. That is Martin Luther s way to heaven. If you are trusting in your religion or your good works or your baptism, you are on the wrong way. You are on a road which does not lead to heaven. The bridge is out. You will never make it. But there is much good news, for all of us. We don t have to go that way. God sent his own Son to die on the cross and God will assign or credit to us the righteousness of his Son and God will declare us not guilty of all our sins -- past, present and future -- if only we will reach out and embrace his Son Jesus by faith. A pastor friend 4 wrote a prayer that I would like to use in closing. As he said, Perhaps it [this prayer] will help you to form your [own] words into a very simple prayer. Prayer isn t magic, as Martin Luther himself would be the first to affirm.... I caution you that saying words alone will not save you. Prayer doesn t save. Only Christ can save. But prayer can be a means of reaching out to the Lord in true saving faith. Let us pray together: Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. And I know that I cannot save myself. I turn away from my religion, from my good works, from anything good I have ever done and from anything good I will ever do. I know that in

5 Page -5- myself there is nothing good that I have done or could ever do that would merit eternal salvation. Apart from your mercy and grace, Lord Jesus Christ, I have no hope of heaven. I do believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. I receive the free gift of your righteousness as my only hope of heaven. Lord Jesus, right now I trust you and you alone for my salvation. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for taking my sins away. I confess you as Lord and Saviour both now and for eternity. Amen. Amen. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. +==+==+==+==+==+==+ Sunday Sermons from Suffolk Christian Church are intended for the private devotional use of members and friends of the church. Please do not print or publish. Thank you. Suggestions for sermon topics are always welcome! 1. The Augustinerkloster in Erfurt, Germany(a.k.a. the Augustinian Church and Monastery), is where Martin Luther took his vows as a monk in the church and lived in the cloister from 1505 to The monastery dates back to the 1200s, when Augustinian monks settled in Erfurt. By the time Martin Luther joined the order in 1505, the Augustinerkloster was a respected center of Catholic learning with a theological college and an extensive library of books and manuscripts. See 2. The head of the Augustinian monastery was Johann von Staupitz ( ). 3. Here is how Martin Luther himself described that experience: At last, by the mercy of God, meditating day and night, I gave heed to the context of the words, namely, In it the righteousness of God is revealed, as it is written, He who through faith is righteous shall live. There I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that by which the righteous lives by a gift of God, namely by faith. And

6 Page -6- this is the meaning: the righteousness of God is revealed by the gospel, namely, the passive righteousness with which merciful God justifies us by faith, as it is written, He who through faith is righteous shall live. Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates. There a totally other face of the entire Scripture showed itself to me. Thereupon I ran through the Scripture from memory. I also found in other terms an analogy, as, the work of God, that is what God does in us, the power of God, with which he makes us wise, the strength of God, the salvation of God, the glory of God. From: Preface to the Complete Edition of Luther s Latin Writings, written by Martin Luther in Wittenberg, The English edition is available in Luther s Works, Volume 34, Career of the Reformer IV (St. Louis, Concordia Publishing House, 1960), p Dr. Ray Pritchard, who is president of Keep Believing Ministries. This quote and the prayer can be found at

The Highway to Heaven A Sermon for Reformation Sunday Romans 3:19-28

The Highway to Heaven A Sermon for Reformation Sunday Romans 3:19-28 The Highway to Heaven A Sermon for Reformation Sunday Romans 3:19-28 Rev. Michael D. Halley October 26, 2014 Suffolk Christian Church Suffolk, Virginia Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost Reformation Sunday

More information

SOLA FIDE (Romans 3:21-31)

SOLA FIDE (Romans 3:21-31) SOLA FIDE (Romans 3:21-31) INTRODUCTION I am continuing my series on the Five Solas of the Reformation. Sola is the Latin word for alone. The Five Solas are: Sola Scriptura (Scriptures alone), Solus Christus

More information

SOLA FIDE FAITH ALONE Sermon preached by Pastor C. John Steer Autumn Ridge Church October 14-15, 2017

SOLA FIDE FAITH ALONE Sermon preached by Pastor C. John Steer Autumn Ridge Church October 14-15, 2017 1 SOLA FIDE FAITH ALONE Sermon preached by Pastor C. John Steer Autumn Ridge Church October 14-15, 2017 No. 3: Sola Power Scripture: Romans 5:1-11 Solar power is one of the great hopes for meeting our

More information

Martin Luther and the Doctrine of Justification

Martin Luther and the Doctrine of Justification Martin Luther and the Doctrine of Justification 2017 The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 1333 S. Kirkwood Road St. Louis, MO 63122 888-THE LCMS lcms.org/ctcr This work may be reproduced by a churches and

More information

A Most Surprising Disciple Sermon Series: A Firm Foundation Acts 9:1-8, 19b-22

A Most Surprising Disciple Sermon Series: A Firm Foundation Acts 9:1-8, 19b-22 A Most Surprising Disciple Sermon Series: A Firm Foundation Acts 9:1-8, 19b-22 Rev. Michael D. Halley Sept ember 16, 2018 Suffolk Christian Church Suf folk, Virginia Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

More information

Understanding The Reformation. Part Four: Martin Luther!

Understanding The Reformation. Part Four: Martin Luther! Understanding The Reformation Part Four: Martin Luther! 2 Key Issues 1. The authority of the Pope 2. The nature of salvation Medieval Catholic Concept of Salvation Birth Confession to the Priest Heaven

More information

I hated the expression righteousness of God, for through the tradition and practice of all the doctors I had been taught to understand it

I hated the expression righteousness of God, for through the tradition and practice of all the doctors I had been taught to understand it Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed

More information

October, 2017 Florida Hospital Seventh-day Adventist Church Romans 1:16-17 Pillars of the Reformation: By Faith Alone (Sola Fide) by Andy McDonald

October, 2017 Florida Hospital Seventh-day Adventist Church Romans 1:16-17 Pillars of the Reformation: By Faith Alone (Sola Fide) by Andy McDonald 1 October, 2017 Florida Hospital Seventh-day Adventist Church Romans 1:16-17 Pillars of the Reformation: By Faith Alone (Sola Fide) by Andy McDonald The difference one week can make. Last Sunday morning

More information

CHAPTERS 1 4. The Heart of the Gospel

CHAPTERS 1 4. The Heart of the Gospel CHAPTERS 1 4 The Heart of the Gospel CHAPTERS 1 4 The Heart of the Gospel CHAPTERS 5 8 The Hope of the Gospel CHAPTERS 9 11 The Defense of the Gospel CHAPTERS 12 16 The Transformation of the Gospel INTRODUCTION

More information

Sentence: Introduction to Romans. Scripture: Romans 1:1-07 Date: 10/04/2016 Name: Michael Brumpton Location: St George & Dirranbandi Page: 1 of 10

Sentence: Introduction to Romans. Scripture: Romans 1:1-07 Date: 10/04/2016 Name: Michael Brumpton Location: St George & Dirranbandi Page: 1 of 10 Location: St George & Dirranbandi Page: 1 of 10 Today we begin our new series. A few weeks ago, someone asked me if I d ever preached a sermon on a certain passage in Romans, and I said, I can t remember,

More information

cph.org Copyright 2011 Concordia Publishing House 3558 S. Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO

cph.org Copyright 2011 Concordia Publishing House 3558 S. Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO Copyright 2011 Concordia Publishing House 3558 S. Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118-3968 1-800-325-3040 www. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval

More information

Essential Question: What caused the Protestant Reformation? Warm-Up Q: Look at this image: What is the main idea of the Protestant Reformation?

Essential Question: What caused the Protestant Reformation? Warm-Up Q: Look at this image: What is the main idea of the Protestant Reformation? Essential Question: What caused the Protestant Reformation? Warm-Up Q: Look at this image: What is the main idea of the Protestant Reformation? During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church was the dominant

More information

Reformation. The Story

Reformation. The Story Reformation The Story Close your eyes. Pretend you lived in a time with no T.V., no computers, no cars, airplanes, or trains, no electricity, no movies, and no video games. Your life would be very different.

More information

Take some time to read our primary source document for the morning.

Take some time to read our primary source document for the morning. The Reformation Context, Characters, Controversies, and Consequences Welcome! Please help yourself to coffee and snacks and fill in a name tag. Take some time to read our primary source document for the

More information

The Reformation. Part One

The Reformation. Part One Part One October 31 st marks the 500 th anniversary of the beginning of the Protest Reformation. It was on that day in 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg,

More information

! CNI. Martin Luther - passionate reformer

! CNI. Martin Luther - passionate reformer ! CNI Martin Luther - passionate reformer At last meditating day and night, by the mercy of God, I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that through which the righteous live by a gift of

More information

The Halloween That Changed the World Reformation Day

The Halloween That Changed the World Reformation Day The Halloween That Changed the World Reformation Day Mary Ditzel On October 31, 1517, something happened that changed the world. Do you know what it was? Even the man who did it didn t know the effect

More information

The Story of Martin Luther

The Story of Martin Luther The Story of Martin Luther Part 1 Martin Luther was born to a family of miners on November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany. His parents dedicated their first son to God and named him after St. Martin of

More information

What It Means to be: Protestant Part 1. Bill Petro your friendly neighborhood historian

What It Means to be: Protestant Part 1. Bill Petro your friendly neighborhood historian What It Means to be: Protestant Part 1 Bill Petro your friendly neighborhood historian 1 Class: billpetro.com/lighthouse Luther: billpetro.com/history-of-martin-luther 2 Objectives By the end of this session

More information

Sola Scriptura We are celebrating an anniversary today. This happens to be what the Protestant Church considers the 500 th anniversary of the

Sola Scriptura We are celebrating an anniversary today. This happens to be what the Protestant Church considers the 500 th anniversary of the Sola Scriptura We are celebrating an anniversary today. This happens to be what the Protestant Church considers the 500 th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. It was October 31, 1517 when Martin

More information

Sola Fide Galatians, Romans Justin Deeter October 8, 2017

Sola Fide Galatians, Romans Justin Deeter October 8, 2017 Sola Fide Galatians, Romans Justin Deeter October 8, 2017 What must I do to be saved? There is no other question more important than this. After all, eternity hangs upon its answer. During the Middle Ages,

More information

Thought Control Romans 8:6-11

Thought Control Romans 8:6-11 Thought Control Romans 8:6-11 Rev. Michael D. Halley July 16, 2017 Suffolk Christian Church Suffolk, Virginia Sixth Sunday After Pentecost ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I ran across

More information

1. How does Thesis 1 foreshadow the criticism of indulgences that is to follow?

1. How does Thesis 1 foreshadow the criticism of indulgences that is to follow? [Type here] These writings first brought Luther into the public eye and into conflict with church authorities. Enriching readers understanding of both the texts and their contexts, this volume begins by

More information

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Psalm 46:1-11; Romans 1:16-17

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Psalm 46:1-11; Romans 1:16-17 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Psalm 46:1-11; Romans 1:16-17 Message by Michael J. Barnard October 29, 2017 Teaching Aim: To explore the events leading to the Protestant Reformation. To study the life of

More information

Martin Luther THEOLOGIANS PASSIONATE REFORMER

Martin Luther THEOLOGIANS PASSIONATE REFORMER THEOLOGIANS Martin Luther PASSIONATE REFORMER At last meditating day and night, by the mercy of God, I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that through which the righteous live by a gi!

More information

What Are We Protesting About? Martin Luther and the Reformation

What Are We Protesting About? Martin Luther and the Reformation What Are We Protesting About? Martin Luther and the Reformation What are We Protesting About?: Martin Luther and the Reformation 4/26/2009: The Medieval Church and the Seeds of Reformation 5/3/2009: Martin

More information

The Reformation at.//: Who was Martin Luther?

The Reformation at.//: Who was Martin Luther? The Reformation at.//: Who was Martin Luther? June 25, 2017 Third Sunday after Pentecost A Sermon Preached by Jack Cabaness Katonah Presbyterian Church For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power

More information

Church History: Martin Luther

Church History: Martin Luther YSCM Y o r k s h i r e S c h o o l o f C h r i s t i a n M i n i s t r y for all Bible believing Churches and Christians - organised by The West & North Yorkshire FIEC Churches the bible college on your

More information

FRIDAY NIGHT SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH. A. We have had a number of occasions to refer to this teaching.

FRIDAY NIGHT SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH. A. We have had a number of occasions to refer to this teaching. FRIDAY NIGHT SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH INTRODUCTION A. We have had a number of occasions to refer to this teaching. 1. It is at the heart of soteriology (doctrine of salvation). 2. It is

More information

MARTIN LUTHER S DECLARATION FROM HIS COMMENTARY ON GALATIANS

MARTIN LUTHER S DECLARATION FROM HIS COMMENTARY ON GALATIANS MARTIN LUTHER S DECLARATION FROM HIS COMMENTARY ON GALATIANS I Corinthians 1:30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

More information

The Dark Side of Epiphany Matthew 2:1-8

The Dark Side of Epiphany Matthew 2:1-8 The Dark Side of Epiphany Matthew 2:1-8 Rev. Michael D. Halley January 6, 2019 Suffolk Christian Church Suffolk, Virginia The Epiphany ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More information

Martin Luther Commentary on Galatians Justification by Grace alone through faith alone A comparison: ACTIVE vs. PASSIVE in the obtaining of

Martin Luther Commentary on Galatians Justification by Grace alone through faith alone A comparison: ACTIVE vs. PASSIVE in the obtaining of Martin Luther Commentary on Galatians Justification by Grace alone through faith alone A comparison: ACTIVE vs. PASSIVE in the obtaining of righteousness I have taken in hand, in the name of the Lord,

More information

I simply taught, preached, and wrote God s Word; otherwise I did nothing. And while I slept, or drank Wittenberg beer with my friends the Word so

I simply taught, preached, and wrote God s Word; otherwise I did nothing. And while I slept, or drank Wittenberg beer with my friends the Word so I simply taught, preached, and wrote God s Word; otherwise I did nothing. And while I slept, or drank Wittenberg beer with my friends the Word so greatly weakened the papacy that no prince or emperor ever

More information

Reformation Sunday By Rev. Sharon MacArthur For Berkeley Chinese Community Church Sunday October 29, 2017

Reformation Sunday By Rev. Sharon MacArthur For Berkeley Chinese Community Church Sunday October 29, 2017 Reformation Sunday By Rev. Sharon MacArthur For Berkeley Chinese Community Church Sunday October 29, 2017 Jeremiah 31:31-34 31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant

More information

Topeka Performing Arts Center Topeka, Kansas

Topeka Performing Arts Center Topeka, Kansas 1 Reformation Sunday October 29, 2017 John 8:31-36 President Peter K. Lange Circuit 6 LCMS Kansas District Topeka Performing Arts Center Topeka, Kansas Dear fellow redeemed by the blood of Jesus, brothers

More information

their moral character but the quality of their music. It was good music. It was music they could be proud of and the name stuck. 1

their moral character but the quality of their music. It was good music. It was music they could be proud of and the name stuck. 1 George A. Mason 500-year Anniversary of the Reformation Wilshire Baptist Church 15 October 2017 Third in a series, The Legacy of Luther Dallas, Texas Just Faith Romans 1:16-17, 5:1-3; Ephesians 2:8-9 If

More information

THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION

THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION Essential Question: p. 58 What caused the Protestant Reformation? Warm-Up: Look at this image: What is the main idea of the Protestant Reformation? During the Middle Ages, the

More information

Religious Ritual or Sacred Sacrament? Luke 3:15-22

Religious Ritual or Sacred Sacrament? Luke 3:15-22 Religious Ritual or Sacred Sacrament? Luke 3:15-22 Rev. Michael D. Halley January 10, 2016 Suffolk Christian Church Suffolk, Virginia First Sunday After the Epiphany Baptism of the Lord ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More information

The Reformation and You Rom. 3:21-28; Hebr. 4:12; II Tim. 3: About the time I graduated from college, Bonnie and I were in a

The Reformation and You Rom. 3:21-28; Hebr. 4:12; II Tim. 3: About the time I graduated from college, Bonnie and I were in a 1 The Reformation and You Rom. 3:21-28; Hebr. 4:12; II Tim. 3:14-17 10/29/17 (The 500 th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation) About the time I graduated from college, Bonnie and I were in a Christian

More information

The Reformation. Part Two

The Reformation. Part Two Part Two October 31 st marks the 500 th anniversary of the beginning of the Protest Reformation. It was on that day in 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg,

More information

For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation Read Rom 1:1-7, * * * * *

For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation Read Rom 1:1-7, * * * * * UNITING REFORMED CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA & DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH IN SOUTH AFRICA SA GESTIG CONGREGATION, BELHAR, 27 NOVEMBER 2016 LICENSING OF THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS FOR THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD Read Rom

More information

Sola Fide Various texts OCTOBER 11 TH, 2017

Sola Fide Various texts OCTOBER 11 TH, 2017 BEHIND THE BOOK Sola Fide Various texts OCTOBER 11 TH, 2017 Introduction: The Five Solas are five Latin phrases (or slogans) that emerged from the Protestant Reformation intended to summarize the Reformers'

More information

BY FAITH ALONE ROMANS 4: Luther came slowly to this truth, but his conversion was profound, as he recounts

BY FAITH ALONE ROMANS 4: Luther came slowly to this truth, but his conversion was profound, as he recounts BY FAITH ALONE ROMANS 4:17-22 On October 31 this year, we will mark the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses (topics for debate) on the door of the Wittenberg (Castle) Church. Historians

More information

Water Baptism and Salvation

Water Baptism and Salvation Water Baptism and Salvation 12/18/07 My Spiritual Journey of Baptism: I grew up not going to church and not believing in God. At fourteen years old I began to attend a Christian youth group when I heard

More information

Martin Luther. ( ) - Part III

Martin Luther. ( ) - Part III Martin Luther (1483 1546) - Part III "The just shall live by faith" (Retold from "Martin Luther" written by Mike Fearon, published by Bethany House Publishers; "Martin Luther: The German Monk Who Changed

More information

IT IS WRITTEN GALATIANS 3:6 14 OCTOBER 15, 2017

IT IS WRITTEN GALATIANS 3:6 14 OCTOBER 15, 2017 IT IS WRITTEN GALATIANS 3:6 14 OCTOBER 15, 2017 1. [SERIES] This month marks the 500 th anniversary of an event in Europe that changed the face of Christianity. Does anybody know what that event was? a.

More information

The Break of Dawn. The Rise of the Protestant Reformation under Martin Luther

The Break of Dawn. The Rise of the Protestant Reformation under Martin Luther The 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation HaDavar May 16, 2017 Ron Keller Session 2 The Break of Dawn The Rise of the Protestant Reformation under Martin Luther On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther

More information

Reformation Church History

Reformation Church History Reformation Church History CH502 LESSON 03 of 24 W. Robert Godfrey, PhD Experience: President, Westminster Seminary California This is lecture 3 in the series of Reformation Church History. In this lecture

More information

Your Choice: Pride or Humility Sermon Series: A Look at the Seven Deadly Sins Genesis 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:5b-6

Your Choice: Pride or Humility Sermon Series: A Look at the Seven Deadly Sins Genesis 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:5b-6 Your Choice: Pride or Humility Sermon Series: A Look at the Seven Deadly Sins Genesis 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:5b-6 Rev. Michael D. Halley Oct ober 15, 2017 Suffolk Christian Church Suf folk, Virginia Nineteenth

More information

Martin Luther. A religious reformer

Martin Luther. A religious reformer Martin Luther A religious reformer Keywords Martin Luther Reformer Germany Monk Salvation through Faith Alone Indulgences 95 Theses Papal Bull Martin Luther was from Germany He was sent to university to

More information

If a child grows up with an angry father who is always. threatening him, shouting and swearing at him, even often

If a child grows up with an angry father who is always. threatening him, shouting and swearing at him, even often Sermon Draft Text: Galatians 4:21 23, 31; 5:1 Sermon: Reformation 2017 (Slave or Free) Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two

More information

The Gospel Obligation Lent 2019 Series: The Greatest Letter Ever Written Romans 1:14-17

The Gospel Obligation Lent 2019 Series: The Greatest Letter Ever Written Romans 1:14-17 The Gospel Obligation Lent 2019 Series: The Greatest Letter Ever Written Romans 1:14-17 Rev. Michael D. Halley March 10, 2019 Suffolk Christian Church Suffolk, Virginia First Sunday in Lent ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More information

Church Society. Leader's notes. Contents. Series overview 2. Background notes. Martin Luther 3 4. William Tyndale 5.

Church Society. Leader's notes. Contents. Series overview 2. Background notes. Martin Luther 3 4. William Tyndale 5. Leader's notes Contents Series overview 2 Background notes Martin Luther 3 4 William Tyndale 5 Thomas Cranmer 6 1 Series overview Luther Tyndale Cranmer This series has been written to celebrate the th

More information

Wisdom: Knowledge + Practice A Summer Sermon Series: Practical Teachings from James

Wisdom: Knowledge + Practice A Summer Sermon Series: Practical Teachings from James Wisdom: Knowledge + Practice A Summer Sermon Series: Practical Teachings from James James 1:5-8 Rev. Michael D. Halley August 2, 2015 Suffolk Christian Church Suffolk, Virginia Tenth Sunday After Pentecost

More information

Printing Press Quiz with Target Sheet - on half sheet paper.

Printing Press Quiz with Target Sheet - on half sheet paper. Printing Press Quiz with Target Sheet - on half sheet paper. 1. In what year was the Printing Press invented. 2. How old was Gutenberg when he invented it? 3. Who was Gutenberg s mother? 4. In what year

More information

CAUSES OF THE REFORMATION

CAUSES OF THE REFORMATION CAUSES OF THE REFORMATION The Renaissance caused people to start thinking for themselves Renaissance: period in European civilization immediately following the Middle Ages conventionally characterized

More information

Joy and Sweetness to a Broken Heart God s Justifying and Sanctifying Love according to Martin Luther

Joy and Sweetness to a Broken Heart God s Justifying and Sanctifying Love according to Martin Luther 1 Joy and Sweetness to a Broken Heart God s Justifying and Sanctifying Love according to Martin Luther PART ONE Loved, Lovely, and Loving: The Redeeming Power of God s Justifying Love 1. Anfechtungen (intense

More information

A Man Named Martin From A Man Named Martin part 2: the Moment Over the 15 centuries before Martin Luther s day, the Christian church in the West devel

A Man Named Martin From A Man Named Martin part 2: the Moment Over the 15 centuries before Martin Luther s day, the Christian church in the West devel From part 2: the Moment Over the 15 centuries before Martin Luther s day, the Christian church in the West developed a system of doctrine and practice that drifted widely from Old and New Testament teachings.

More information

The importance of Faith

The importance of Faith 1 Galatians 3:6-14 The importance of Faith The early church had a saying, In essentials, law, in non-essentials, liberty, in all things love. Three Tiers: Dogma (Essentials) Doctrine (Non-essentials) Opinion

More information

FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS HOW ARE WE BEING REFORMED?

FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS HOW ARE WE BEING REFORMED? FIRST (SCOTS) SERMONS HOW ARE WE BEING REFORMED? Scripture Lessons: 2 Chronicles 34:14-21, 29-33; Romans 3:19-28 This sermon was preached by Dr. L. Holton Siegling, Jr. on Sunday, October 29, 2017 at First

More information

F A Q. Why baptize infants? by Dr. Glenn Parkinson

F A Q. Why baptize infants? by Dr. Glenn Parkinson F A Q Why baptize infants? by Dr. Glenn Parkinson All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and

More information

DEO CORAM. Bible Study INTRODUCTION. July 5-8, 2011 Las Vegas, Nevada University of Nevada. July 12-15, 2011

DEO CORAM. Bible Study INTRODUCTION. July 5-8, 2011 Las Vegas, Nevada University of Nevada. July 12-15, 2011 INTRODUCTION First things first. Coram Deo? What exactly does Coram Deo mean? Well, it s Latin for before God, as in His presence, under His reign, etc. Think a bit about living Coram Deo, before God.

More information

A Sermon on 1 Peter 2:9-12 Year A - Reformation November ALONE: A Lutheran Legacy All Of Us Priests

A Sermon on 1 Peter 2:9-12 Year A - Reformation November ALONE: A Lutheran Legacy All Of Us Priests ALONE: A Lutheran Legacy All Of Us Priests A Sermon on 1 Peter 2:9-12 Year A - Reformation 8 12 - November - 2017 JJ 1 Persecution was a way of life for Christians for nearly 300 years after Jesus ascended

More information

How Far Will Your Faith Take You? Sermon Series: A Firm Foundation Acts 7:54-60

How Far Will Your Faith Take You? Sermon Series: A Firm Foundation Acts 7:54-60 How Far Will Your Faith Take You? Sermon Series: A Firm Foundation Acts 7:54-60 Rev. Michael D. Halley August 19, 2018 Suffolk Christian Church Suffolk, Virginia Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More information

Martin Luther Without the King Jr.

Martin Luther Without the King Jr. Martin Luther Without the King Jr. Submitted By: Lyndsay Daniels Submitted To: Mr.Melnyk Due Date: Monday, February 20, 2006 Course Code: CHY 4U1 Pages Attached: 5 1 Martin Luther, born on November 10

More information

Five Talks The Reverend Ross Royden. The 500 th Anniversary of the European Reformation

Five Talks The Reverend Ross Royden. The 500 th Anniversary of the European Reformation Five Talks The Reverend Ross Royden The 500 th Anniversary of the European Reformation These are the transcripts of five talks originally broadcast on RTHK Radio 4: Minutes that Matter in March, 2017 The

More information

Romans 3:19-28 Just a Single Monk Reformation B. I m not sure you realize the enormity of it all. Martin Luther was just a single monk.

Romans 3:19-28 Just a Single Monk Reformation B. I m not sure you realize the enormity of it all. Martin Luther was just a single monk. Romans 3:19-28 Just a Single Monk 10.25.15 Reformation B PB I m not sure you realize the enormity of it all. Martin Luther was just a single monk. He was well-educated and a professor at the University

More information

Luther s Life and Thought

Luther s Life and Thought Butler University Digital Commons @ Butler University Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS College of Liberal Arts & Sciences 10-21-2017 Luther s Life and Thought Brent A. R. Hege Butler University,

More information

Is There Hope? Matthew 28:1-7 Lenten Sermon Series: Essential Questions About Life and Faith

Is There Hope? Matthew 28:1-7 Lenten Sermon Series: Essential Questions About Life and Faith Is There Hope? Matthew 28:1-7 Lenten Sermon Series: Essential Questions About Life and Faith Rev. Michael D. Halley April 20, 2014 Suffolk Christian Church Suffolk, Virginia Easter Sunday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More information

Empowered! Sermon Series: A Firm Foundation Acts 2:1-4, 16-21

Empowered! Sermon Series: A Firm Foundation Acts 2:1-4, 16-21 Empowered! Sermon Series: A Firm Foundation Acts 2:1-4, 16-21 Rev. Michael D. Halley July 15, 2018 Suffolk Christian Church Suffolk, Virginia Eighth Sunday After Pentecost ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More information

I. Introduction. II. Scripture Reading (Acts 15:1-21, NIV, 1984)

I. Introduction. II. Scripture Reading (Acts 15:1-21, NIV, 1984) Osaka International Church Pastor Daniel Ellrick March 3 rd, 2013 Series: Acts # 43 Scripture: Acts 15:1-21 Key Verse: Ephesians 2:8-9 Title: We are not under Moses Special Events: Communion I. Introduction

More information

The Reformation Protestant protest

The Reformation Protestant protest The Reformation The church had fallen into ritualism, superstition and lifeless theological scholasticism. Some church leaders even suggested that salvation could be earned or bought. Giving the church

More information

Questioning the Church and the response from the Catholic Church. The Reformation, Counter- Reformation, and societal impacts

Questioning the Church and the response from the Catholic Church. The Reformation, Counter- Reformation, and societal impacts Questioning the Church and the response from the Catholic Church The Reformation, Counter- Reformation, and societal impacts 1500-1700 Fundamental Christian Question: How can sinful human beings gain salvation?

More information

Series 1988, SE Edition 2011 Lesson 27 Law and Grace Faith and Works

Series 1988, SE Edition 2011 Lesson 27 Law and Grace Faith and Works GREAT DOCTRINES OF THE BIBLE (Special English Edition) Prepared by William S.H. Piper, D.D. For Rogma International, Inc. (All Scripture quotations from the KJV of the Bible) Copyright 1989 by Rogma International,

More information

..,---._...,,... """"... -, :.'-.:r..::.:-n-=== -----l-_.,_( , ::._,:::"""'... :..::z... J,,..M..._..,..

..,---._...,,... ... -, :.'-.:r..::.:-n-=== -----l-_.,_( , ::._,:::'... :..::z... J,,..M..._..,.. ..,---._...,,.... """"... -,......,..... --4::._,:::"""'...... -----l-_.,_(.......--:.'-.:r..::.:-n-=== :..::z.... J,,..M....._..,.. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached,

More information

Advent Evening Service, year B. The scripture text is taken from Romans 3:21-26

Advent Evening Service, year B. The scripture text is taken from Romans 3:21-26 Advent Evening Service, year B. The scripture text is taken from Romans 3:21-26 As the year 2017 comes to a close, does the Reformation which started in Germany 500 years ago still matter? Do we still

More information

The Bondage of the Will

The Bondage of the Will The Bondage of the Will 1525 Volker Leppin Introduction There would have been no Reformation without humanism: going back to the sources ad fontes! was the key motto of many of the humanists, and Luther

More information

The Reformation is the Gospel. Four hundred and ninety-one years ago this coming Friday, a 34-year-old Augustinian monk

The Reformation is the Gospel. Four hundred and ninety-one years ago this coming Friday, a 34-year-old Augustinian monk Reformation Day (Observed), October 26, 2008 Church of the Reformation Lutheran, Affton, MO Text: John 8:31-36 The Reformation is the Gospel Four hundred and ninety-one years ago this coming Friday, a

More information

Why is Paul eager to preach the gospel in Rome? For I am not ashamed of the gospel

Why is Paul eager to preach the gospel in Rome? For I am not ashamed of the gospel Martin Luther This Epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament and the very purest Gospel, and is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself

More information

The Reformation: Law and Gospel (Part 1 of 2) 1

The Reformation: Law and Gospel (Part 1 of 2) 1 October 18, 2015 Reformation 2015.1 of 2 Text: Luke 11:27-28 27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which

More information

Luther s Reading of the Human Condition Robert Kolb

Luther s Reading of the Human Condition Robert Kolb Luther s Reading of the Human Condition Robert Kolb Who am I? What does it mean to be human? On the one hand, those are questions that most people in human history have spent little time thinking over.

More information

BAPTISM: PLACE AND PURPOSE

BAPTISM: PLACE AND PURPOSE BAPTISM: PLACE AND PURPOSE 7-16-16 (Titus 3) This morning we will look at a subject on which I have not taught in my seven years of ministry here; and I believe it is due a look. It is a subject that has

More information

Bethel Pulpit. Sermon 100. Christ Our Propitiation

Bethel Pulpit. Sermon 100. Christ Our Propitiation Bethel Pulpit Sermon 100 Christ Our Propitiation Sermon preached at Bethel Chapel, Luton, by Mr. B. A. Ramsbottom, on Lord s day morning, 3rd October, 1993 Text: blood (Romans 3. 25). We stand amazed at

More information

A Covenant of Trust Mary and Joseph Summer Sermon Series: Love Secrets from Bible Marriages Matthew 1:18-25

A Covenant of Trust Mary and Joseph Summer Sermon Series: Love Secrets from Bible Marriages Matthew 1:18-25 A Covenant of Trust Mary and Joseph Summer Sermon Series: Love Secrets from Bible Marriages Matthew 1:18-25 Rev. Michael D. Halley August 31, 2014 Suffolk Christian Church Suffolk, Virginia Twelfth Sunday

More information

God s Pursuit of Us. Jeremiah 31:31-34, Reformation Sunday, October 25, 2015

God s Pursuit of Us. Jeremiah 31:31-34, Reformation Sunday, October 25, 2015 God s Pursuit of Us Jeremiah 31:31-34, Reformation Sunday, October 25, 2015 Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1483. Many of you also know that he has long been regarded to be one of the most influential

More information

MARTIN LUTHER, BORN in 1483, grew up amidst the peasants and poverty of a small mining town in fifteenth-century Germany.

MARTIN LUTHER, BORN in 1483, grew up amidst the peasants and poverty of a small mining town in fifteenth-century Germany. MARTIN LUTHER, BORN in 1483, grew up amidst the peasants and poverty of a small mining town in fifteenth-century Germany. His father was a wood-cutter who later became the manager of a small foundry, smelting

More information

Lesson 3: Who Are Protestants?

Lesson 3: Who Are Protestants? STANDARD C - WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A PART OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD? Introduction Lesson 3: Who Are Protestants? Most Christians are in agreement on basic beliefs. Most accept the Apostles Creed and the Nicene

More information

Isn t that interesting? The first words spoken by a person in the New Testament are: WHERE IS

Isn t that interesting? The first words spoken by a person in the New Testament are: WHERE IS REFORMATION 2014, CFO: YOU ARE AN ANGEL! Revelation 14:6-7 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and

More information

The Saving Righteousness of God

The Saving Righteousness of God The Saving Righteousness of God Rev. C. Harinck Romans 3: 21-22 1 Singing: Psalter 83 Reading: Romans 3: 9-31 Singing: Psalter 227: 1-4, 7, 8 Singing: Psalter 232: 3 Singing: Psalter 375: 1, 2, 5 Congregation,

More information

What a Fellowship! Acts 2:40-47

What a Fellowship! Acts 2:40-47 What a Fellowship! Acts 2:40-47 Rev. Michael D. Halley May 31, 2015 Suffolk Christian Church Suffolk, Virginia First Sunday After Pentecost ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More information

My struggle with the Social Structure in The Evangelical Tradition.

My struggle with the Social Structure in The Evangelical Tradition. My struggle with the Social Structure in The Evangelical Tradition. My early experiences with organized Evangelical Christianity. Evangelical churches are some of the most racially and culturally exclusive

More information

Galatians. Paul s letter to the. Living in line with the truth of the gospel. Leaders Guide. Galatians 2:14

Galatians. Paul s letter to the. Living in line with the truth of the gospel. Leaders Guide. Galatians 2:14 Galatians Paul s letter to the Leaders Guide Living in line with the truth of the gospel Galatians 2:14 Tim Keller Redeemer Presbyterian Church 2003 HOW TO USE THIS MATERIAL This study of Galatians is

More information

CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE LESSON 8: SAVED BY GRACE NOT BY WORKS

CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE LESSON 8: SAVED BY GRACE NOT BY WORKS Essentials for Spiritual Leadership Study Guide CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE LESSON 8: SAVED BY GRACE NOT BY WORKS INTRODUCTION This lesson is part of a Discipleship Essentials module titled. This series of lessons

More information

THE GOSPEL: BUILDING A FIRM FOUNDATION IN THE FAITH!

THE GOSPEL: BUILDING A FIRM FOUNDATION IN THE FAITH! THE GOSPEL: BUILDING A FIRM FOUNDATION IN THE FAITH INTRODUCTION: I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another;

More information

Steven Kuhl on Reformation Spirituality (Part Two)

Steven Kuhl on Reformation Spirituality (Part Two) Steven Kuhl on Reformation Spirituality (Part Two) Colleagues, A week ago I sent you the first half of a talk by Steve Kuhl on Reformation ideas about spirituality. Here is the second half. There is much

More information

Understanding Romans 7

Understanding Romans 7 Understanding Romans 7 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. (Romans 7:19) The aim of this article There is a widespread opinion that Paul, in the seventh

More information

In the Footsteps of Martin Luther March 28 April 5, 2014

In the Footsteps of Martin Luther March 28 April 5, 2014 In the Footsteps of Martin Luther March 28 April 5, 2014 $1800 Single Occupancy* $1650 per person Double Occupancy* 7 nights lodging and 6 dinners. Most admission fees included. Airfare not included, but

More information

The Five Solas Of The Reformation

The Five Solas Of The Reformation The Five Solas Of The Reformation THE REFORMATION AT 499 Martin Luther Nailed It (Oct 31, 1517) The Reasons For Luther s Protest Indulgences = contribute to a worthy causes and the church of Rome offered

More information

Start With Why A Sermon for Advent 4 John 1:1-14

Start With Why A Sermon for Advent 4 John 1:1-14 Start With Why A Sermon for Advent 4 John 1:1-14 Rev. Michael D. Halley December 23, 2018 Suffolk Christian Church Suffolk, Virginia Fourth Sunday of Advent ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More information

Reformation. Nigel M. Azer

Reformation. Nigel M. Azer 1517-2017 Reformation Nigel M. Azer Romans 4:5 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the

More information