Reformation Sunday
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 31:31-34
The promise of a new covenant.
Lesson 2: Romans 3:19-28
Justification by grace through faith, not works.
Gospel:
John 8:31-36
Jesus' disciples know the truth which frees.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 46
Hymn Of The Day
"A Mighty Fortress"
Theme Of The Day: Salvation - The Work Of God
Gospel - God gave Christ to set men free from sin.
Lesson 1 - God promises a new covenant of forgiveness.
Lesson 2 - God justifies the sinner by grace through faith.
Several themes can be found in today's lessons: freedom from sin, knowledge of the truth, the grace of God. The predominant theme is salvation as the sole work of God by grace through faith. In the Gospel, God's greatest work is Christ whom to know is to be free. In the First Lesson God comes to offer a new relationship that is personal and internal. Paul, in the Second Lesson, gives the famous passage concerning God's justification of the sinner by faith in Christ. Very definitely there is no suggestion that man has any part in his reconciliation with God. God does it all. In the Hymn of the Day we are assured of God's victory over Satan, our ancient foe.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
John 8:31-36
1. Truth (v. 32). When Pilate asked Jesus what truth was, he gave no answer. In this passage Jesus defines the truth. It is in his word, for he spoke God's Word. As long as we hold to the word of Jesus, we will be his disciples and will know the truth. It is not a truth of science, politics nor economics. It is religious truth personified and spoken by Christ. It is the truth of God and life.
2. If (v. 31). Though it has only two letters, it is a big word. Jesus says we will know the truth and be free "if" we continue in his word. It is possible to lose the word of Jesus through negligence or unconcern. We can fall from the truth and lose our religious freedom if we ever sever ourselves from the Word.
3. Free (v. 32). The truth of Christ frees. It does not mean necessarily women's liberation or political independence. These may follow. It is freedom in and of religion. Truth frees us from false religious beliefs, superstitions and practices. Christ's truth frees us from the Law. Christ frees us from the bondage of sin by his death on the cross. Out of his spiritual freedom come other freedoms. If we are free before and in God, we will not be content until we are free among men.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 31:31-34
1. New (v. 31). Here is a corrective to Ecclesiastes which says there is nothing new. God makes a new covenant. Note that man has nothing to do with it. God has the idea and he proposes the new covenant. This is evidence of God's grace in giving his people another chance to be his people. What is new about it? It is new in that the covenant will be made with the individual rather than with the nation as a whole. It is new in that each will instinctively know God rather than learning of God through teaching.
2. Husband (v. 32). God calls himself a husband of his people. It infers a marriage between God and his people. This is the meaning of covenant. It is a personal relationship between God and his people. Like a marriage, they belong to each other and enjoy a oneness in love and loyalty. It is expressed in God's words, "I will be their God and they will be my people." Sin breaks the marriage relationship for sin is disloyalty to God. Thus, it was necessary to have a new covenant.
3. Know (v. 34). In the scriptures knowledge is more than cognition, as one would know a fact. To know God is to enter a relationship with him in a covenant. Thus, one cannot be taught to know God. It is an act of commitment and an entering into union with God. Thus, everyone will instinctively know God and it is not a matter of rote.
Lesson 2: Romans 3:19-28
1. Justified (vv. 20-24, 26, 28,). This is an important word in this pericope. The word is associated with a court. The judge acquits the guilty one. He is exonerated and allowed to go free. It is not that he was innocent, but the judge accounted him as innocent because of the penalty paid by another, Christ. The sinner is not righteous, but he is accounted or considered righteous for Jesus' sake.
2. Righteousness (vv. 21, 22, 25). The righteousness of God is not the popular understanding of goodness, perfection or justice. In the scriptures, righteousness means right-relatedness to God. This understanding of the word gave Luther his liberation and insight into the gospel. It is not a word to fear nor to cringe at the wrath of God. It means God's goodness is approaching us in good will to offer us reconciliation and peace. By grace we experience the righteousness of God by being rightly related to him through faith.
3. Grace (v. 24). We are saved by grace, not by faith. Grace is the undeserved love of God for sinners. It implies that while we were sinners, Christ died for us - pure grace for the worthless. This grace is made a personal possession when we accept it by faith. The hand that accepts our acceptance is faith. Thus, we are saved by grace through faith. It is the work of God, and this leaves us without any reason for boasting.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Three Lessons: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36
1. Let God Save You.
Need: The gospel is part of the good news that God alone saves man from sin and death. It is all the work of God. Man has no part in it except to believe and accept it. This runs counter to today's humanism which insists that man is basically good and can take care of himself, if he will only believe in his ability. Luther called upon man to let God be God. It is the peculiar work of God to reconcile humanity. This does not appeal to the pride of man who wants to be self-made and self-sufficient.
Outline: Let God save you.
a. God saves by the truth revealed in Christ - Gospel.
b. God offers a new relationship based on forgiveness - Lesson 1.
c. God saves by grace accepted by faith - Lesson 2.
2. It's All in Knowing.
Need: In these three Lessons is a theme of knowing. Knowledge is the foundation for truth and salvation. Who can respond to God if he does not know him? How can anyone be saved if he dies not knowing what God has done for him in Jesus? This harmonizes with the Reformer's emphasis upon knowing the Bible to learn the truth of God. This craving for knowledge led to the translation and distribution of the Bible that the common people might know the truth of God. Today's lack of biblical knowledge is alarming. A poll reveals that youth know the composers of a popular song but only one-third associated Jesus with the Sermon on the Mount.
3. Grace is Sufficient.
Need: Grace is sufficient for more than physical or mental needs, for more than strength to bear a thorn in the flesh. Grace can be seen in today's three Lessons. Grace is sufficient to bring God and man together as friends. Yet, many church members have no concept of the meaning of grace. In this there is need for this sermon.
Outline: Grace is sufficient.
a. The grace of God is seen in the truth of Jesus - Gospel.
b. The grace of God offers a new covenant - Lesson 1.
c. The grace of God justifies the sinner - Lesson 2.
Gospel:
John 8:31-36
1. You Can Know the Truth. 8:31-32
Need: Truth for man is so elusive that many, like Pilate, wonder what truth is. There is widespread skepticism. What is proclaimed as truth today is not what it was yesterday. Who knows what it will be tomorrow? In addition, there are various kinds of truth: scientific, political and spiritual. In this passage Jesus is dealing with spiritual truth concerning God and life.
Outline: In this text Jesus tells us -
a. What truth is - "If you continue in my word" - v. 31. Truth is the word of Christ; he is the truth.
b. What truth does - "the truth will make you free" - v. 32.
3. Made Free - Not Born Free. 8:34-36
Need: A popular song claims we are "born free." This is a widespread opinion. The truth is we are born slaves to sin, born in original sin. We are in bondage to the power of the Devil. This bondage was broken by the cross. Christians are now slaves of Christ, but in Christ slaves are free. The Reformation was the event that called for religious freedom - freedom of conscience, freedom from the false teachings of the Roman Church. This sermon is needed to show that our freedom is in Christ - the freedom to live and love and serve.
Outline: Christians are -
a. Born slaves to sin - v. 34.
b. Made free by the Son - v. 36.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 31:31-34
1. Are You Living in B.C. or A.D.? 31:31-34
Need: Though Christ was the initiator of the new covenant, many church members live in the old covenant. They live and move within the Old Testament even though they read the New Testament. This sermon is to help the congregation make the transfer to the new covenant promised by Jeremiah and fulfilled by Jesus.
Outline: In which era are you living?
a. Old Covenant?
1. Broken covenant - "which they broke (v. 32)."
2. External covenant - "which I made with their fathers (v. 32)."
3. Taught covenant - "Each man teach his neighbor (v. 34)."
b. New Covenant?
1. Heart - "I will write it upon their hearts (v. 33)."
2. Mind - "They shall all know me (v. 34)."
3. Soul - "I will forgive their iniquity (v. 34)."
2. The New Ever Renewed. 31:31-34
Need: Jeremiah promised God will make a new covenant which was fulfilled by Jesus. It has been almost 2,000 years since the event occurred. Is there need for another new covenant? It is not a matter of a new but a renewed covenant. This renewal occurs each time the Lord's supper is celebrated; it is a renewal of our baptismal covenant. The new covenant should be forever renewed. The sermon, based on the text, describes the nature of the new covenant.
Outline: Facts about the new covenant.
a. The need for it - "my covenant which they broke (v. 32)."
b. The nature of it - "I will be their God (v. 33)."
c. The result of it.
1. Knowledge - "They shall all know me (v. 34)."
2. Forgiveness - "I will forgive their iniquity (v. 34)."
Lesson 2: Romans 3:19-28
1. Not Proud to Be a Christian! 3:27-28
Need: A true Christian is not proud to be a Christian. Being a Christian, according to Paul, is no reason for boasting. There is nothing to boast about, because we have nothing to do about being or becoming a Christian. We are made Christians by God's grace. Since some church members are afflicted with a sense of spiritual superiority, this sermon is needed.
Outline: We have no reason to be proud.
a. All of us are sinners - v. 22.
b. All of us fail to get right with God by self-effort - v. 20.
c. All of us are acceptable to God through faith - v. 28.
2. The Steep Ascent to Heaven. 3:19-25
Need: Heaven is our ultimate hope, for heaven is life with God in peace and joy. All want to go to heaven, but not all those talking about it will get there. Consider heaven as high above the earth and every person faces the problem of reaching that height. This sermon is needed to show people there is only one way to reach the height of heaven.
Outline: How to get to heaven - your options -
a. Climb the ladder of the Law - v. 20. It is too high. No one can attain to it. It requires moral perfection by self-effort.
b. Be lifted upon the elevator of grace - vv. 24, 25. The elevator is Christ who lifts us up to God without any effort on our part. All we need is faith to get on the elevator.
The promise of a new covenant.
Lesson 2: Romans 3:19-28
Justification by grace through faith, not works.
Gospel:
John 8:31-36
Jesus' disciples know the truth which frees.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 46
Hymn Of The Day
"A Mighty Fortress"
Theme Of The Day: Salvation - The Work Of God
Gospel - God gave Christ to set men free from sin.
Lesson 1 - God promises a new covenant of forgiveness.
Lesson 2 - God justifies the sinner by grace through faith.
Several themes can be found in today's lessons: freedom from sin, knowledge of the truth, the grace of God. The predominant theme is salvation as the sole work of God by grace through faith. In the Gospel, God's greatest work is Christ whom to know is to be free. In the First Lesson God comes to offer a new relationship that is personal and internal. Paul, in the Second Lesson, gives the famous passage concerning God's justification of the sinner by faith in Christ. Very definitely there is no suggestion that man has any part in his reconciliation with God. God does it all. In the Hymn of the Day we are assured of God's victory over Satan, our ancient foe.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel:
John 8:31-36
1. Truth (v. 32). When Pilate asked Jesus what truth was, he gave no answer. In this passage Jesus defines the truth. It is in his word, for he spoke God's Word. As long as we hold to the word of Jesus, we will be his disciples and will know the truth. It is not a truth of science, politics nor economics. It is religious truth personified and spoken by Christ. It is the truth of God and life.
2. If (v. 31). Though it has only two letters, it is a big word. Jesus says we will know the truth and be free "if" we continue in his word. It is possible to lose the word of Jesus through negligence or unconcern. We can fall from the truth and lose our religious freedom if we ever sever ourselves from the Word.
3. Free (v. 32). The truth of Christ frees. It does not mean necessarily women's liberation or political independence. These may follow. It is freedom in and of religion. Truth frees us from false religious beliefs, superstitions and practices. Christ's truth frees us from the Law. Christ frees us from the bondage of sin by his death on the cross. Out of his spiritual freedom come other freedoms. If we are free before and in God, we will not be content until we are free among men.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 31:31-34
1. New (v. 31). Here is a corrective to Ecclesiastes which says there is nothing new. God makes a new covenant. Note that man has nothing to do with it. God has the idea and he proposes the new covenant. This is evidence of God's grace in giving his people another chance to be his people. What is new about it? It is new in that the covenant will be made with the individual rather than with the nation as a whole. It is new in that each will instinctively know God rather than learning of God through teaching.
2. Husband (v. 32). God calls himself a husband of his people. It infers a marriage between God and his people. This is the meaning of covenant. It is a personal relationship between God and his people. Like a marriage, they belong to each other and enjoy a oneness in love and loyalty. It is expressed in God's words, "I will be their God and they will be my people." Sin breaks the marriage relationship for sin is disloyalty to God. Thus, it was necessary to have a new covenant.
3. Know (v. 34). In the scriptures knowledge is more than cognition, as one would know a fact. To know God is to enter a relationship with him in a covenant. Thus, one cannot be taught to know God. It is an act of commitment and an entering into union with God. Thus, everyone will instinctively know God and it is not a matter of rote.
Lesson 2: Romans 3:19-28
1. Justified (vv. 20-24, 26, 28,). This is an important word in this pericope. The word is associated with a court. The judge acquits the guilty one. He is exonerated and allowed to go free. It is not that he was innocent, but the judge accounted him as innocent because of the penalty paid by another, Christ. The sinner is not righteous, but he is accounted or considered righteous for Jesus' sake.
2. Righteousness (vv. 21, 22, 25). The righteousness of God is not the popular understanding of goodness, perfection or justice. In the scriptures, righteousness means right-relatedness to God. This understanding of the word gave Luther his liberation and insight into the gospel. It is not a word to fear nor to cringe at the wrath of God. It means God's goodness is approaching us in good will to offer us reconciliation and peace. By grace we experience the righteousness of God by being rightly related to him through faith.
3. Grace (v. 24). We are saved by grace, not by faith. Grace is the undeserved love of God for sinners. It implies that while we were sinners, Christ died for us - pure grace for the worthless. This grace is made a personal possession when we accept it by faith. The hand that accepts our acceptance is faith. Thus, we are saved by grace through faith. It is the work of God, and this leaves us without any reason for boasting.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Three Lessons: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36
1. Let God Save You.
Need: The gospel is part of the good news that God alone saves man from sin and death. It is all the work of God. Man has no part in it except to believe and accept it. This runs counter to today's humanism which insists that man is basically good and can take care of himself, if he will only believe in his ability. Luther called upon man to let God be God. It is the peculiar work of God to reconcile humanity. This does not appeal to the pride of man who wants to be self-made and self-sufficient.
Outline: Let God save you.
a. God saves by the truth revealed in Christ - Gospel.
b. God offers a new relationship based on forgiveness - Lesson 1.
c. God saves by grace accepted by faith - Lesson 2.
2. It's All in Knowing.
Need: In these three Lessons is a theme of knowing. Knowledge is the foundation for truth and salvation. Who can respond to God if he does not know him? How can anyone be saved if he dies not knowing what God has done for him in Jesus? This harmonizes with the Reformer's emphasis upon knowing the Bible to learn the truth of God. This craving for knowledge led to the translation and distribution of the Bible that the common people might know the truth of God. Today's lack of biblical knowledge is alarming. A poll reveals that youth know the composers of a popular song but only one-third associated Jesus with the Sermon on the Mount.
3. Grace is Sufficient.
Need: Grace is sufficient for more than physical or mental needs, for more than strength to bear a thorn in the flesh. Grace can be seen in today's three Lessons. Grace is sufficient to bring God and man together as friends. Yet, many church members have no concept of the meaning of grace. In this there is need for this sermon.
Outline: Grace is sufficient.
a. The grace of God is seen in the truth of Jesus - Gospel.
b. The grace of God offers a new covenant - Lesson 1.
c. The grace of God justifies the sinner - Lesson 2.
Gospel:
John 8:31-36
1. You Can Know the Truth. 8:31-32
Need: Truth for man is so elusive that many, like Pilate, wonder what truth is. There is widespread skepticism. What is proclaimed as truth today is not what it was yesterday. Who knows what it will be tomorrow? In addition, there are various kinds of truth: scientific, political and spiritual. In this passage Jesus is dealing with spiritual truth concerning God and life.
Outline: In this text Jesus tells us -
a. What truth is - "If you continue in my word" - v. 31. Truth is the word of Christ; he is the truth.
b. What truth does - "the truth will make you free" - v. 32.
3. Made Free - Not Born Free. 8:34-36
Need: A popular song claims we are "born free." This is a widespread opinion. The truth is we are born slaves to sin, born in original sin. We are in bondage to the power of the Devil. This bondage was broken by the cross. Christians are now slaves of Christ, but in Christ slaves are free. The Reformation was the event that called for religious freedom - freedom of conscience, freedom from the false teachings of the Roman Church. This sermon is needed to show that our freedom is in Christ - the freedom to live and love and serve.
Outline: Christians are -
a. Born slaves to sin - v. 34.
b. Made free by the Son - v. 36.
Lesson 1: Jeremiah 31:31-34
1. Are You Living in B.C. or A.D.? 31:31-34
Need: Though Christ was the initiator of the new covenant, many church members live in the old covenant. They live and move within the Old Testament even though they read the New Testament. This sermon is to help the congregation make the transfer to the new covenant promised by Jeremiah and fulfilled by Jesus.
Outline: In which era are you living?
a. Old Covenant?
1. Broken covenant - "which they broke (v. 32)."
2. External covenant - "which I made with their fathers (v. 32)."
3. Taught covenant - "Each man teach his neighbor (v. 34)."
b. New Covenant?
1. Heart - "I will write it upon their hearts (v. 33)."
2. Mind - "They shall all know me (v. 34)."
3. Soul - "I will forgive their iniquity (v. 34)."
2. The New Ever Renewed. 31:31-34
Need: Jeremiah promised God will make a new covenant which was fulfilled by Jesus. It has been almost 2,000 years since the event occurred. Is there need for another new covenant? It is not a matter of a new but a renewed covenant. This renewal occurs each time the Lord's supper is celebrated; it is a renewal of our baptismal covenant. The new covenant should be forever renewed. The sermon, based on the text, describes the nature of the new covenant.
Outline: Facts about the new covenant.
a. The need for it - "my covenant which they broke (v. 32)."
b. The nature of it - "I will be their God (v. 33)."
c. The result of it.
1. Knowledge - "They shall all know me (v. 34)."
2. Forgiveness - "I will forgive their iniquity (v. 34)."
Lesson 2: Romans 3:19-28
1. Not Proud to Be a Christian! 3:27-28
Need: A true Christian is not proud to be a Christian. Being a Christian, according to Paul, is no reason for boasting. There is nothing to boast about, because we have nothing to do about being or becoming a Christian. We are made Christians by God's grace. Since some church members are afflicted with a sense of spiritual superiority, this sermon is needed.
Outline: We have no reason to be proud.
a. All of us are sinners - v. 22.
b. All of us fail to get right with God by self-effort - v. 20.
c. All of us are acceptable to God through faith - v. 28.
2. The Steep Ascent to Heaven. 3:19-25
Need: Heaven is our ultimate hope, for heaven is life with God in peace and joy. All want to go to heaven, but not all those talking about it will get there. Consider heaven as high above the earth and every person faces the problem of reaching that height. This sermon is needed to show people there is only one way to reach the height of heaven.
Outline: How to get to heaven - your options -
a. Climb the ladder of the Law - v. 20. It is too high. No one can attain to it. It requires moral perfection by self-effort.
b. Be lifted upon the elevator of grace - vv. 24, 25. The elevator is Christ who lifts us up to God without any effort on our part. All we need is faith to get on the elevator.
