True Faith

Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings

Series: Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 8:1–3

Come to Christ because you are a sinner, not because you think he must have someone as great and pious as you. Come with faith in him, not in yourself.

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Run to Win

Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings

Series: Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 9:23–27

A Christian does not live life aimlessly. This life is a race to the prize, eternal life in Jesus Christ, and so, must be run with passion and purpose.

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Freely Given Gifts

Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings

Series: Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 8:5–10

Take the Word of God "as it stands," as it is written, and be transformed by the Holy Spirit who works through that very Word in all his people.

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Proud of the Gospel

Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings

Series: Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 11:21–23

A Christian glories in the things of which other men are ashamed — in the cross and in his sufferings. For the world will not long endure the Word.

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Favor the Lowly

Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings

Series: Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 12:14–16

As much as you are able, live in peace with all; spend time with those of humble circumstance. Be a blessing to your neighbor.

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The Marriage Will

Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings

Series: Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: John 2:1–2

Marriage, because it is God's institution, will be a difficult work, as the flesh will resist and rebel, as it always does against doing God's will.

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Love Your Neighbor

Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings

Series: Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 5:43–46

Love desires the best for its neighbor, even when one's neighbor does not desire the best for you, so one must pray for them even when they are not neighborly.

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Wheat and Weeds

Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings

Series: Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Matthew 13:26–30

Jesus allowed for believers and unbelievers alike in the church, so that both might be spared, believers from violent uprooting, and unbelievers an opportunity to believe.

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Many Functions

Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings

Series: Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 12:3–5

Each Christian has been given a calling, and with that calling a particular gift or gifts to fulfill the calling. These do not make her better or happier than another.

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Failure

Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings

Series: Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 2:41–49

God permits us to fail in order to make us seek him in his Word. Do not despair when things do not go your way. God is calling you.

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Prophecy

Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings

Series: Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 12:6–8

Paul does not put much emphasis on foretelling the future, but on the explanation of the Scriptures, so that there may be faith in the gospel.

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Love Is Not Vengeful

Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings

Series: Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Proverbs 10:12

Love is virtue pure and precious. It neither utters, nor thinks any evil of its neighbor. It rather covers sin; not one sin, nor two, but a “multitude of sins.”

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Sober Judgment

Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings

Series: Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Romans 12:1–3

We must consider ourselves with sound and sober judgment, not thinking much of our piety. There is always room for improvement in the Christian life.

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Appearances

Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings

Series: Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: Luke 2:33–35

Simeon was not impressed by appearances and so, could bless Christ Jesus. If appearances are our motivation, we will not bless Jesus.

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Acceptable Sacrifice

Scripture and a reading from Luther's sermons and devotional writings

Series: Reading the Word with Luther
Scripture Text: 1 Peter 2:2–5

Christians are priests, each and every one of them, and as priests, are to offer acceptable sacrifices to God. That sacrifice is self for the honor God.

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Keeping the Commandments

Reflections on the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: John 14:8–17

Jesus laid a heavy burden upon his followers when he said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” How can they do this?

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Recovery

Reflections on the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: John 14:3–6

At first he would not admit he had a problem but then, he went to his father for help. He told him that he would have to do this on his own and that all he had to do was white-knuckle it.

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Providential Pasture

Reflections on the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Psalm 23:1–6

It made no difference to David the condition in which he found himself. Certainly he wished for comfort and gave God thanks for ease. Yet he seems to have learned to give God thanks regardless.

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Hearing Christ Alone

Reflections on the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Luke 9:28–36

It is clear that the three disciples had yet to full awaken spiritually since they seemed to credit all three who appeared in glory as equal.

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Peace Restored

Reflections on the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: John 20:19-31

“I don’t believe it!” This is a common enough saying but in connection with the Lord’s promises, one is aghast that someone would doubt—especially one of the Apostles.

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The Struggle

Reflections on the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Acts 10:34-43

Go ahead; try to read it again. Do not skim over it; read it aloud; struggle to pronounce the words and their meaning will come to you (especially of you have spent much time in the King James Bible, for it owes much to Wyclif’s text).

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Momentous Trivialities

Reflections on the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Philippians 2:2-8

A video was aired on a popular television program, showing a pastor baptizing a young boy. The pastor’s style was to scoop a small amount of water into his hand and as with a shell to pour water three times onto the child’s head.

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Convocation

Reflections on the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Ezekiel 37:1–14

C. S. Lewis reminds us, “The Church will outlive the universe.” (The Weight of Glory) One day, when days are no longer counted, every member of the Body will be called together and joined with the Head of the Body who is Christ.

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The Heresy of the Modern Spirit

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Romans 4:13-25

The great heresy today is one shared long ago by Pelagius. That Celtic theologian, fueled perhaps by an excessively strong Irish individualism, relied not on the sacrifice or resurrection of Jesus but...

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Let Us Confess

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Genesis 30:1-24; 1 John 1:1-10; John 9:1-17

When reading the story of Jacob and his wives, one would have to conclude that they were not quite walking in full light.

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Everything You Need

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Romans 5:1-5

God does not leave you alone in your struggles to live up to being created in his image. He gave you his example, his Spirit, and his Word.

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Curses

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Genesis 3:14-21

“I can’t stop sinning!” he complained to the pastor. “I keep asking God to help me but he doesn’t.” But God has indeed helped.

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Our All and Everything

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Psalm 111:1-10

You await nothing. There is no greater cause, no finer moment, no more wondrous event, no fuller teaching. Jesus is the One. He is the Only One.

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Longsuffering

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Galatians 5:22-23

He was sitting in line at the drive-through of a local hamburger restaurant, waiting three cars back. Suddenly, he backed up a few feet, almost hitting the car behind him...

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Drawing a Crowd

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Acts 2:1-21

It is curious that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit happened quite suddenly, even surprisingly, and at a point when the little Church was in one accord.

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Credo

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Acts 16:4b-15

Too often the Spirit is viewed as a tool or power. In fact, many believers refer to the Holy Spirit as an “it.” This is far from the truth.

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Knock, Knock

Reflections on the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Acts 11:1-18

“But I have always done it this way!” Nevertheless, now it is time to listen to how the Lord wants things done.

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The Further Shore

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Psalm 51:1-12

It is God himself who provides that further shore of salvation. Indeed, he is the shore. You must rise up and go!

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On the Run

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Psalm 4:1-8

David was called to be the king of Israel yet was consigned to the wilderness instead of a palace, running from the present king and the whole army.

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Prudence

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Series: Reflections

Psalm 32:1-11 From the Reformer David, after enduring long and dreadful torments, when God was severely trying him, by showing him the tokens of his wrath, having at length obtained favor, applies this evidence of the divine goodness for his own benefit, and the benefit of the whole Church, that from it he may teach himself and them what constitutes the chief point of salvation. All men must necessarily be either in miserable torment, or, which is worse, forgetting themselves and God, must continue in deadly lethargy, until they are persuaded that God is reconciled towards them. Hence David here teaches us that the happiness of ...

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A Fortune of Joy

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Psalm 126:1-6

The local bank began offering 5% interest on checking accounts. Many certificates of deposit do not offer that much. You would have to be crazy not to switch to a bank that offered such earning potential on a checking account.

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Let Go

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Isaiah 43:16-21

You are a sinner, besieged with temptation. The weight of it worries you. Perhaps, you wonder, it is not well with your soul. Let go of it; give it to God. Take a breath; calm down and pray.

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The Right Focus

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Psalm 85:8-13

He was convinced that he was no good because he could not keep the commandments of God perfectly. He did well most days but then fell down sometimes.

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Glimpsing God

Reflections on Writings of the Reformers

Series: Reflections
Scripture Text: Psalm 99:1-9

You may worship him in Zion or by the pillar of the camp or at his footstool or on the holy mountain or on the Mercy Seat itself!

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