Sermon Central
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Martin Luther And The Gospel
Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jul 20, 2022 (message contributor)
Martin Luther: 1483-1546
In 2017 – the 400th anniversary of the Reformation, I had the privilege to visit Wittenberg, Germany, birthplace of the Reformation. I walked the cobblestone streets, and even toured Luther’s home.
The prodigious Martin Luther appeared headed for the legal profession but surprised everyone when he declared his intentions to become a monk. As part of his preparation, he walked in pilgrimage from his hometown of Eisleben, Germany to Rome. A distance of some 1300 kilometers.
Upon his return he completed his doctoral degree and became professor of theology at Wittenberg University.
Luther had long struggled with the question, how can a mere sinner get right with the holy and transcendent God? He knew that judgement day was unavoidable and himself unprepared to stand before his judge.
His repeated and even tedious attempts of confession in the catholic confessional wore down all priests who heard him. Finally, a spiritual mentor told him (repeatedly), look to the wounds of Christ, for there you will find a full and sufficient pardon.
But it was a verse from Romans that changed his understanding of the gospel and triggered the Reformation: “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)
It was life-changing and earth shattering: From this fresh understanding of the gospel, his theology became centered in the cross and union with Christ.
From 1521 until his death in 1546 there was a bounty on Martin Luther’s head and a financial reward for the one who killed him off.
Said Luther, “To know that the just (justified) live by faith, is to be the freest person alive.”
Luther’s impact on the church – and world history - cannot be quantified. It is likewise impossible to exaggerate the importance of justification by faith for all believers in Christ our Lord.
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