Reformation Day (B)
Romans 3:19-28
October 27, 2024
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The text that I have chosen for this morning’s sermon is the Epistle from Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome.
There are roughly 200 different Christian denominations in the United States; not counting the Mormons or Jehovah Witnesses because they’re not Christian. These denominations are based on geography, the history of the settlers, while many are the result of major denominations splitting into smaller pieces. For example, under the Lutheran umbrella there’s the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (what you are), the Wisconsin Synod, the North American Lutheran Synod, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, plus thirty-five or so other Lutheran denominations. A majority of these separate denominations are the result of disagreements over doctrinal issues. Some of the disagreements are significant, like the differences between you and the Roman Catholic church, while others are less so, like the differences between the Missouri and Wisconsin Synods.
The Church of Christ shouldn’t be divided because we’re all Christians. We don’t believe the Methodists, Roman Catholics, or Baptists are damned. As God says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Joel 2:32). However, there are significant differences between you and other denominations. There are also significant differences between liberal Lutheran churches like the ELCA, and the conservative Lutherans of Missouri and Wisconsin.
When it comes to the differences, I’m not talking about specific congregations or individuals because sometimes these differ from the denominational teachings, so I’m addressing what the church body officially teaches and believes. Most Lutherans don’t see these differences as significant, but they are! You Lutherans distinct from other Christians and that’s why you should cling to the pure teachings of the Lutheran Reformation.
We can first identify ourselves as unique by looking at our belief regarding the Bible, the Scriptures. Conservative Lutherans adhere to the axiom of Sola Scriptura, which in English means Scripture Alone. Our beliefs are found purely in the Word of God. It’s God’s Word through and through. It’s without error. It gives you all you need to be brought to faith and saved. Everything God wants you know is found within the Bible’s holy pages. There are some confusing parts for sure, still what we must know to be saved is clear as day. As Saint John says, “These things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31)
There are other denominations, including the ELCA, the Methodist, the United Church of Christ which believe the Bible does contain mistakes, that it isn’t all God’s Word, it’s only some of God’s Word. So it can be changed to fit our needs. There are those who use their flawed and sinful reason and logic to explain the Bible’s meaning. Other denominations believe that you need priests to explain it because it’s just too complex.
But where’s the help in all this? What good is the Bible if we say it doesn’t say what it says? What good is a Bible that has mistakes or changes with the times. What comfort can be found in the Bible when our sinful feelings tell us that God doesn’t mean it when He says you’re saved or forgiven or loved? What good can come from rejecting God’s Word? I’ll tell you that no good will ever come. As God says, “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it” (Deuteronomy 12:32). To add or subtract from God’s Word leads only to death, despair, and possibly damnation. You Lutherans are unique so cling to Scripture Alone!
We Lutherans are also unique when it comes to Jesus. We call this Sola Christus, Christ Alone. Jesus Christ alone did all that we need to be saved. He died for everyone and all who believe in Him are saved from Death and Damnation. We can’t do anything to save ourselves! As Paul says, “For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Paul follows up with the wonderful promise: “the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Jesus has done it all! You don’t have to do anything.
Isn’t this better than hearing that you’re only forgiven if you do the appropriate penance? I’d say it is. Some say you need to achieve a certain level of perfection to be saved, not very comforting. Some say you need the dead saints to speak up for you. Some even teach that Jesus didn’t die for everyone, just certain people if you’re not one of the chosen ones, you’re damned. Why would this appeal to anyone? Don’t look inside yourself for proof you’re saved. He did it all. You Lutherans are unique so cling to Christ Alone.
Lutherans are also distinct when we use the term Sola Fide, Faith Alone. Paul is clear: “You are saved by grace through faith, this is not your own doing.” God is the one who brings you to faith! You are called by the Holy Spirit who enlightens you with His gifts. Faith is a gift – bestowed in baptism and the Word, strengthened by the Lord’s Supper and the Word. We are all sinful from conception and we’re spiritually dead. And the dead can’t rouse themselves from the grave. So praise God that He breathes life into us, giving us faith by which we are saved.
Lutherans are distinct because some denominations teach that God gives you a little push start, but you must summon up in yourself the power to bring yourself to faith. Some teach that you have to make a decision for Christ, which puts all the weight on you. If a person is spiritually dead, how can they rouse themselves to spiritual life? It’s impossible. And plus, can you ever truly know if you have faith if you have to conjure it up by your power? You can’t! Be unique, be Lutheran and know that faith is a total gift from God, and it’s never skimped on or withheld.
You are Lutheran, you are unique because you’re saved by Sola Gratia, by God’s grace alone. Paul says, “You are justified by his grace as a gift.” To be justified means that God forgives you because of Jesus, not because of anything in you. Jesus is the propitiation, the sacrifice, for your sins. He blood has done it all and God has forgiven all your sins! There’s nothing you need to do, except believe, but as you just heard, even faith is a gift from God. You’re incapable of pleasing God and earning salvation because you’re a lost and condemned creature. God has come to you and bestowed free forgiveness on you. Not partial, not piecemeal, you are forgiven by God’s grace!
Are you going to feel forgiven if you’re taught to look inside yourself for proof you’re forgiven? Are you going to feel forgiven if you’re told to do something before the forgiveness is completely bestowed? There is no greater sorrow for a faithful Christian to be unsure of their salvation. You can’t cooperate with God and you sure can’t earn His grace. How can you! We all fall short of the glory of God. So be unique, be Lutheran! Your sins are forgiven because of Christ’s bloody passion and death opened the windows of Heaven for God to shower His grace upon you.
There’s a reason that you are a Lutheran: you were born into it, you married into it, or you agreed with what was taught and joined. Don’t be so quick to say that it doesn’t matter what denomination you’re a part of. Don’t stay silent when a family member leaves the unique Lutheran church for a denomination which teaches uncertainty. Don’t just shrug when another Lutheran converts to Roman Catholicism and its purgatory, penance, and saints. We’re Lutherans, we don’t like change, so stay unique. Cling to the truth of the Scriptures, of Jesus Christ, and of forgiveness and eternal life. To leave the Lutheran Church is to forsake the pure Gospel for a Gospel corrupted by what is added and what is taken from it. Stay unique, stay Lutheran.
Amen
Now the peace which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen