Thursday after Pentecost 22
October 24, 2013
The Lord be with you
This coming Sunday will be celebrated as Reformation
Sunday at Lamb of God. Of course, the Reformation is that key moment in time
when Protestantism in general was born. In light of this, it is somewhat
surprising that Lutheran’s are the only ones I know of that recognize this
history shaping movement on their liturgical calendar.
Reformation Day is October 31 because that is the
day Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the castle church door in 1517. Those
95 Theses sparked the Reformation. If one should read those theses, one would
be amazed at how Roman Catholic Luther still was. That would change, as any
reader of the Augsburg Confession (1530) can see. The light of the Word of God,
along with the light from the Church Fathers, cast out the shadows of current
theological opinions and ushered in a new age.
Most often we celebrate the Reformation with a
special liturgy. However, one of the hallmarks of the Reformation was a
reformation in the liturgy. Over the centuries many misleading, and even false,
practices had crept into the regular Sunday liturgy. Just a few examples were
prayers to the deceased, prayers seeking to assist the deceased, restricting
the Lord’s Supper to only the clergy, and prayers that gave the impression that
the Lord’s Supper was our work. Luther, and others, went over the current
liturgy with a find tooth comb, removed the dross, kept the gold and silver,
and bequeathed to the Church a form of the Western Rite that most Protestant
Churches that are liturgical follow to one degree or another (everyone “tweaks”
it a bit). To honor the Reformation liturgical renewal, this year we will use
Divine Service 3 (page 184) with just a tweak or two from our normal practice. This
is a communion service. To prepare you may review the “Christian Questions with
Their Answers” found in most any copy of Luther’s Small Catechism (page
329 in the Lutheran Service Book).
The most obvious “tweak” in Sunday’s service will be
the Introit. Instead of Pastor speaking it, the congregation will chant it. The
words of the Introit will be included in an insert.
Our opening hymn will be “Faith and Truth and
Life Bestowing” (LSB 584). Our sermon hymn will be “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in
Your Word” (LSB 655). Our closing hymn will be “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (LSB
657). This is the Bach arrangement of Luther’s great hymn. The distribution
hymns will be “The Law of God Is Good and Wise” (LSB 579), “The Gospel Shows
the Father’s Grace” (LSB 580), and “Come, Let Us Eat” (LSB 626).
Our readings will be Revelation 14:6-7, Romans 3:19-28,
and John 8:31-36. The sermon text will be John 8:31-32. The sermon is titled “Informational
or Transformational.”
Below
is a video of our sermon hymn, “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word.” The
words are included. You will notice that Rachel, “The Lutheran Warbler” has
made some changes.
We
continue in the Gospel of Luke in our Sunday morning Bible study. All
are welcome. Bible study begins at 9:00 am.
Preview of Lessons
Revelation
14:6-7
This
is the traditional epistle lesson for Reformation. John sees an angel flying “directly
overhead” which carries the “eternal gospel” that is proclaimed to everyone.
Some of Luther’s more ardent admirers identified this angel as Martin Luther
himself. They weren’t as “out there” as you might first think. This angel
represents all the messengers of the Gospel as they spread the life giving
message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus. Remember, the word “angel”
means “messenger.” So this angel does represent Luther, it just doesn’t
represent only Luther. Every generation has its “angels” that proclaim
the “eternal gospel.”
Romans
3:19-28
There
is a fundamental distinction in the Bible which Lutheran’s call “Law and
Gospel.” One might say commands and promises or some other contrasting pair.
This reading brings this distinction our clearly. There are passages that seem
to consign all humanity to hell. We are a hopeless lot that can never live up
to the objective standards established by our Creator. The second group of
passages is full of grace and mercy. Our shortcomings are forgiven, forgotten, erased.
Heaven’s door is opened and we are welcomed home. So do we have a frowning God,
waiting to cast us into hell, or a loving God who forgives and welcomes us into
his family? The answer is, “yes.” Those who receive faith in Jesus enter into
God’s grace and see the “smiling God.” Those who reject God’s grace in Christ
are left with the “frowning God.” This is not God’s choice or desire. God would
have all be saved. But those who turn from his love in Christ Jesus are left
with condemnation.
John
8:31-36
The
text for Sunday’s message is taken from this reading. Jesus is speaking of the
power of his word. However many do not understand him, even those who might be
described as believers. Thank the good Lord that perfect understanding is not a
requirement for eternal life. That is not an excuse to remain ignorant. False belief
is still false, it is still displeasing to God, it is still sin, but it is
forgivable sin. It reminds me of the words suggested in Lutheran Worship
for the pastor to use in blessing people after receiving the Lord’s Supper: “The
body and blood of our Lord strengthen and preserve you steadfast in the true
faith to life everlasting. Go in peace. Amen.” Notice the pastor does not say “in
the true Lutheran faith.” Sure, we think we have it right, but just in case we
are off center here or there, we ask to be preserved in the pure Christian
faith. This, by the way, is why I continue to use this blessing instead of the
one in LSB (which shows an influence from Australian Lutheranism, a genuine
expression of Lutheranism but having embraced some ideas that are not
pan-Lutheran.)
Lesson Synopsis
(from the LC-MS)
The Son of God Has
Set Us Free from Sin and Death by His Grace
(There
is actually a reading option for the Gospel lesson Sunday. I chose the one from John. The other
option is Matthew 11:12-19). The following synopsis reflects both readings.)
“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 8:32).
On
Sunday mornings our Bible study hour begins at 9:00. The Prelude begins around
10:20. Our opening worship moments begin around 10:25. Our opening hymn begins
around 10:30.
Well,
I hope we will see you Sunday.
Blessings
in Christ,
Pastor
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