Summary
The Lutheran Church celebrates the Reformation each year on the Sunday before October 31st. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Church Door in Wittenberg, the action which started the Lutheran Reformation.
The Lutheran Reformation can be summarised in the following statements:
Christ Alone
Word Alone
Grace Alone
Faith Alone
We believe that the challenge of reformation continues today. God wants to revive and reform the Church. God wants to give us New Life.
Martin Luther had many times of discouragement and challenge in his life. He would turn to Psalm 46 in the challenging times in his life. This Psalm reminded him to trust God, as it reminds us to trust God today.
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city;
it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
The nations are in an uproar,
the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice,
the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come, behold the works of the Lord;
see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow,
and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Martin Luther wrote a hymn which expressed his confidence in God’s victory. He said this hymn was inspired by Psalm 46. It identifies Jesus as the Lord of Hosts, who wins the victory over evil.
A mighty fortress is our God, a sword and shield victorious
He breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod and wins salvation glorious.
The old satanic foe has sworn to work us woe!
With craft and dreadful might he arms himself to fight.
On earth he has no equal!
No strength of ours can match his might! We would be lost, rejected.
But now a champion comes to fight, whom God himself elected.
You ask who this may be? The Lord of hosts is he!
Christ Jesus, mighty Lord, god’s only Son, adored.
He holds the field victorious!
Though hordes of devils fill the land all threatening to devour us,
we tremble not, unmoved we stand; they cannot overpow’r us.
Let this world’s tyrant rage; in battle we’ll engage!
His might is doomed to fail; God’s judgment must prevail!
One little word subdues him!
God’s Word forever shall abide, no thanks to foes, who fear it;
For God himself fights by our side with weapons of the Spirit.
Were they to take our house, goods, honor, child, or spouse,
Though life be wrenched away, they cannot win the day.
The kingdom’s ours forever!
Bible References
- Romans 3:19 - 28
- Psalm 46:1 - 11
- John 8:31 - 36
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