Sermon - 2019-10-27 - Reformation Sunday

Our gospel lesson today reminds us of how quickly and easily we can be led astray and forget our reason and purpose as a church and as a people of God in this community.  Jesus confronts the Jewish people and at that moment, they confess that their generation has never been slaves to anyone but they show that they have forgotten that for over four hundred years, their ancestors suffered as slaves and their lessons should still be learned and passed on from generation to generation.  Yet like the crowd gathered before Jesus, we do not always remember the small details or the harsh reality that molded and shaped the people as they are today.  

Every year, we gather together to remember the calling of a monk to reform the church. A church that was so focused on growing power, influence, and wealth, instead of bringing forth God’s Word to the world.  Now, this is a very simple generalization of what truly happens however if we think back on history, this is exactly what we do. We do not remember all of the details, we remember only a portion.  

We often forget that the leaders of the time of the Reformation were facing the possibility of death for their words and their faith. They thought that all people should be able to hear and understand God’s Word. They wanted this for each and every one of us.  We sometimes forget that the peasants, the commoners like you and I, were fighting not only for religious understanding but also to have a voice of equality. They wanted to know that they were part of a future society and not simply slaves to do the work that no one else would do.  

We forget that before Luther had a successful Reformation, there were others who faced their death.  John Hus was burned at the stake for bringing forth similar ideas of Martin Luther only a few decades before Luther came into the public view.  Their names have been forgotten and some of their movements passed with them. Some of their movements continued like the Moravian Church, a church with which we share Common Cup, shared communion partner.  They were a group of reformers that held many of the same ideas as Luther but were divided into practice and also leadership. However, this is also why we celebrate and remember those who have gone before us, but always keep our focus on Jesus Christ as the one who unites us now and always.  

Throughout the Reformation Luther led, he learned from previous generations of better ways and more impactful ways but also what worked.  This is one of the reasons there were slogans to help people be rallied together and united for the cause of making a difference as a society.  Word Alone, Faith Alone, Grace Alone. These were the focus of Luther’s movement within the church for people to understand. Clear statements to know and carry on in the everyday conversation to explain what they and we stand for. This is why we are constantly changing in our relationship with God and others but even more so, we know what our solid foundation truly is.  Yes, we call ourselves Lutherans for the work and man named Martin Luther but truly he wanted us to have a greater understanding of Jesus Christ and know that we have a part of the Kingdom of God that was shaped and molded together for every single person.  

This was one of the main reasons for the success of the Reformation.  Each person knew the reason and purpose of the movement. More importantly, they were involved in the shaping and forming of what it would be.  They knew that it would impact not only their earthly life but span into all eternity to their salvation with Jesus Christ. In order for us to remember, we gather together to celebrate events like the Reformation, Christmas, and Easter to celebrate what others have done so that we would know, learn and be part of the salvation and relationship with Jesus Christ.  This is truly Christ’s calling for us. For us to be disciples of Jesus and share the good news, every single day.  

Today, as we sing of God’s praises through that favorite Reformation hymn of A Mighty Fortress.  May we also pause to remember the people, the lessons, and the love that has been shared with us through Jesus Christ and all generations.