Reformation Day

Reformation Day Martin Luther

Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Grace is knowing God can

Faith is knowing God will.

Today the church is preaching people happy

but not preaching people free.

Martin Luther (1483–1546) was born in Eisleben, Saxony (now Germany), to parents Hans and Margaretta. Luther’s father was a prosperous businessman, and when Luther was young,

his father moved the family of 10 to Mansfeld.

At age five, Luther began his education at a local school where he learned reading, writing and Latin (age 5). At 13, Luther began to attend a school run by the Brethren of the Common Life in Magdeburg. The Brethren’s teachings focused on personal piety, and while there, Luther developed an early interest in becoming a Monk.

After 20 years of study, he was committed to the idea that salvation could be reached through faith and by divine grace only, he vigorously objected to the corrupt practice of selling indulgences.

In the teaching of the Catholic Church, an indulgence is "a way to reduce the amount of punishment one has to undergo for sins" which may reduce either or both of the penance required after a sin has been forgiven, or after death, the time to be spent in Purgatory (Ill..). Acting on this belief, he wrote the “Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences,” also known as “The 95 Theses,” a list of questions and propositions for debate. On October 31, 1517 Luther defiantly nailed a copy of his 95 Theses

to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church.

The first two of the theses contained Luther’s central idea, that God intended believers to seek repentance and that faith alone, and not deeds, would lead to salvation. The other 93 theses,

a number of them directly criticizing the practice of indulgences, supported these first two.

John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

"Today is Reformation Sunday."

Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith;

The Message of Reformation not a message that began with Martin Luther but with Jesus Christ, the first true reformer. It is something that is to continue today - in the church and in your hearts.

2000 Years Ago Jesus was teaching in the temple court. Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, to try Jesus. They told Him that the Law of Moses said that she was to be stoned.

If He agreed, He would have gone against Roman law. If not, he would be against the law of Moses. They did not present any evidence and the guilty man was to be punished as well. They were using and altering the law for their own benefit. Jesus, did not argue whether she was guilty or not. Rather, he challenged the one without sin to throw the first stone. In other words, all are guilty of sin and we all need forgiveness.

Jesus went on to tell who He was. Then, He then speaks to those who profess to believe that He

is God and challenges them as to whether they are truly His disciples. He says to the church before the Reformation, He says to the church today, and he says to the each one of us:

"If you hold to my teaching, you are “truly” my disciples, then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Not just to believe my word, but to hold on to it - you abide in it or dwell in it, you live it every day. Then, we’re free, sons of God, free for ever, we have a permanent place in the family of God. Jesus is the Reformer.

1500 years later, the situation was still the same.

Martin Luther, struggling with church doctrine, knew, both Jews and Christians had forgotten

the simple truth and added their own rules.

There were 3 pictures that influenced Luther and made Him see the need for Reform: As a 14 year old, two pictures were impressed on his mind:

An altarpiece in a church, showed a boat sailing toward heaven. In the boat were the pope, the cardinals, bishops, monks and priests. The latter were tending oars and sails and were casting ropes to laymen struggling in the water.

Some were clinging to ropes while others were drowning. No laymen were in the boat and no clergy in the water. Over the ship, directing its course, was the Holy Spirit.

It pictured that the laity were utterly dependent on the clergy for their salvation. Only those declared saved by the priests was actually saved.