{"id":1073,"date":"2018-11-05T10:32:57","date_gmt":"2018-11-05T18:32:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1073"},"modified":"2018-11-05T10:33:29","modified_gmt":"2018-11-05T18:33:29","slug":"the-reformation-gives-our-faith-a-firm-foundation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2018\/11\/05\/the-reformation-gives-our-faith-a-firm-foundation\/","title":{"rendered":"The Reformation Gives Our Faith a Firm Foundation!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><font color='black' size='2' face='arial'><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:WordDocument>   <w:View>Normal<\/w:View>   <w:Zoom>0<\/w:Zoom>   <w:TrackMoves\/>   <w:TrackFormatting\/>   <w:PunctuationKerning\/>   <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas\/>   <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false<\/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>   <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false<\/w:IgnoreMixedContent>   <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false<\/w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>   <w:DoNotPromoteQF\/>   <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US<\/w:LidThemeOther>  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class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Reformation Sunday<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">November 4, 2018<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Mark 13:5-13<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The Reformation Gives Our<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span>Faith A Firm Foundation!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:justify;tab-stops:13.5pt .5in 2.5in 238.5pt 337.5pt\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">Jesus said to them:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">&#8220;Watch out that no one deceives you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Many will come in my name, claiming, &#8216;I am he,&#8217; and will deceive many.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>These are the beginning of birth pains.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You must be on your guard.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.&#8221;<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(NIV1984)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Dear fellow heirs of the Lutheran Reformation,<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Whenever I see a panoramic view of the City of San Francisco my eyes are almost always drawn to at least one of three noteworthy towers.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The first tower is the Transamerica Tower.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Like the Arch in St. Louis and the Space Needle in Seattle the iconic shape of the Transamerica Tower is noteworthy in that it is automatically associated with San Francisco.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The second tower is the Salesforce Tower.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Standing 1,070 feet high with 61 floors the Salesforce Tower is noteworthy for being the tallest building in San Francisco, and I believe I heard it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The third tower is the Millennium Tower.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Millennium Tower, which is the tallest residential building in San Francisco, is noteworthy for the fact that it is both sinking and leaning.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It has sunk at least 16 inches and tilted at least two inches since its completion in 2008.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While the cause of the Millennium Tower sinking and leaning has not been definitively determined, according to the Transbay Joint Power Authority, \u201cThe only plausible explanation for the poor performance of the Millennium Tower is a completely inappropriate foundation for such a heavy structure.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The sinking and the leaning of the Millennium Tower is a vivid visual example of why it is important for a building to have a firm foundation.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>A firm foundation, however, is not only important for tangible things such as buildings.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is also important to have a firm foundation for intangible things such as\u2014 our faith!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Today then, my friends, let\u2019s use this portion of God\u2019s holy Word to rejoice in the fact that:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">The Reformation Gives Our Faith a Firm Foundation!<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">When I first saw that this text was scheduled for the same Sunday that we are celebrating the Reformation, I was somewhat confused.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I have preached Reformation sermons on Romans chapter three, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cFor we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law<\/i>\u201d<i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"> <\/i>(3:28).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I have preached Reformation sermons on John chapter eight, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cIf you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free\u201d <\/i>(8:31, 32).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I have preached Reformation sermons on Jeremiah chapter 31, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201c\u2019The time is coming\u2019 declares the L<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">, \u2018when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> (31:31).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But this is the first time I have preached a Reformation sermon on these words of our text!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">When we look at these verses in the context in which our Savior first spoke them it quickly becomes clear that Jesus is teaching His disciples about the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201csigns\u201d<\/i> that will reveal that the end of the world is drawing near.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus and His disciples had just left the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As they were leaving the Temple we\u2019re told that one of Jesus\u2019 disciples was so overwhelmed by the beauty of the Temple that he said to Jesus, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cLook, Teacher!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What massive stones!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What magnificent buildings!\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do you remember how Jesus responded?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He said, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cDo you see all these great buildings?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When Jesus and His disciples reached the Mount of Olives and sat down opposite the Temple some of His disciples asked Him privately, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cTell us, when will these things happen?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That is when Jesus spoke the words of our text.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Here is where my confusion came in.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As I looked at these <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201csigns\u201d\u2014 \u201csigns\u201d<\/i> which not only predict the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, but <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201csigns\u201d<\/i> which also predict Judgment Day\u2014 I wondered how these <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201csigns\u201d<\/i> tie in with the Reformation?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then it dawned on me!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201csigns\u201d<\/i> of the end of the world dove-tail quite well with the Reformation in that these <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201csigns\u201d<\/i> expose some of the false foundations upon which people all too often build their faith.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We\u2019ll look at four of those false foundations.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The first false foundation is false doctrine.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our Savior warns us, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWatch out that no one deceives you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Many will come in my name, claiming, \u2018I am he,\u2019 and will deceive many.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Many people today have a very na\u00efve attitude towards religion.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There seems to be a growing emphasis on being \u201cspiritual\u201d at the expense of being \u201creligious.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If someone is \u201creligious\u201d that usually means that they have a definite set of beliefs\u2014 they believe this; they don\u2019t believe that.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When someone is \u201cspiritual\u201d that usually means that as far as they are concerned it doesn\u2019t really make any difference whom you \u201cfollow\u201d or what you \u201cbelieve in\u201d as long as you \u201cfollow\u201d someone (even it that\u2019s yourself!) and as long as you \u201cbelieve in\u201d something (even if it\u2019s something you came up with on your own!)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Everything is \u201crelative,\u201d we\u2019re told.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whatever works best for you is \u201cperfectly acceptable.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Just try not to hurt anyone\u2019s feelings and make sure you give equal respect to whatever someone else might believe.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The Reformation application here is quite obvious.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Any and every false doctrine, any and every human tradition that conflicts with or contradicts Scripture needs to be torn down like the massive stones of the Temple.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Scripture and Scripture <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">alone <\/b>is the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">only <\/b>perfectly acceptable foundation for everything we believe, teach and confess.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The second false foundation centers on the bedrock of political power\u2014 civil government.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our Savior warns us, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWhen you hear of wars and rumors of war, do not be alarmed.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Since we live in such bitter partisan times I do not want to go too far down this road.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>A discussion such as this is best left for Bible class or better yet, the dinner table.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What I will say is that\u2014 in my opinion\u2014 too many people base their sense of security on civil government.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While we are to obey our civil government because <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthere is no authority except that which God has established\u201d<\/i> (Romans 13:1) and while we need to remember that <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201che who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves\u201d<\/i> (Romans 13:2), as Christians we do not look to our civil government as the \u201csavior\u201d of all mankind\u2019s problems\u2014 whether physical or spiritual.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Christ and Christ <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">alone <\/b>is our Savior!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He is the One who provides for all of our physical needs.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He is the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">only <\/b>Solution to all of our spiritual problems.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The Reformation application here is one with which we are very familiar:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>the separation of Church and State.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>God Himself has given to civil government one over-arching role.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That role is to maintain peace and order in society.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>God Himself has also given one all-consuming role to His Church.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That role is to preach the Gospel to all creation, to make disciples of all nations by faithfully administering God\u2019s holy Sacraments and by faithfully teaching <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">all <\/b>of God\u2019s Word in its truth and purity.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Reformation also reminds us that eventually <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">all <\/b>forms of civil governments will fall like the massive stones in the Temple in Jerusalem.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">Only <\/b>Christ and His Kingdom will endure forever!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The third false foundation is the created world in which we live.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our Savior warns us, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThere will be earthquakes in various places, and famines.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>These are the beginning of birth pains.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I may be wrong (It wouldn\u2019t be the first time!) but it almost seems as though people today consider \u201cMother Earth\u201d as being just a smidgen short of divine.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It\u2019s almost as though they believe that this earth is \u201cas good as it gets\u201d and so we need to treat the earth as the most precious thing we will ever have.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Not true\u2014 at least not completely.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This world is indeed a precious gift that our Creator-God has given to us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As Christians we want to make sure that we do not ruin this gift by polluting the air or the water and by not misusing the natural resources God has woven into this world.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>At the same time, every earthquake, every wildfire, every hurricane, every drought, every flood, every \u201cnatural disaster\u201d is a powerful testimony to the fact that one day this world as we know it will come to a fiery end.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then the good Lord will graciously give us <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ca new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness\u201d<\/i> (2 Peter 3:13).<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The Reformation application here is to remember that this world\u2014 as awesome and as wonderful as it is\u2014 this world is not \u201cas good as it gets.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>One day the entire universe will come tumbling down like the massive stones in the temple at Jerusalem.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For that reason we cannot put our faith in this world or in anything that is a part of this world.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our faith needs to be focused on Christ <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">alone<\/b> and what He has done <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">for <\/b>us!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Pointing to the cross)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The final false foundation is one that may catch us offguard.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is\u2014 our family and our friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our Savior warns us, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cBrother will betray brother to death, and a father his child.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">We love our families.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We treasure our spouse.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We rejoice in our children.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We spoil our grandchildren.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We have fun with our friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But as many Christians have experienced down through the ages, sometimes even our family and our friends can be a source of persecution.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For the people who originally heard Jesus speak these words, openly confessing one\u2019s faith in Jesus\u2014 even among their closest circle of family and friends\u2014 could and did result in being thrown into prison or even being put to death.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That reality still holds true for many Christians in many parts of the world today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As important and as God-pleasing as our relationships with our family and our friends might be, we cannot put our faith and our trust in them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our relationship with our dear Lord and Savior is always to be the most important relationship we have in our life.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The Reformation application here is summed up quite nicely in Luther\u2019s famous hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In stanza four Luther taught us to sing, \u201cThe Word they still shall let remain Nor any thanks have for it; He\u2019s by our side upon the plain With His good gifts and Spirit.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And take they our life, Goods, fame, child, and wife, Let these all be gone, They yet have nothing won; The Kingdom ours remaineth.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Now, my friends, how do these four false foundations tie in with our sermon theme for today\u2014 <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">The Reformation Gives Our Faith a Firm Foundation!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span>The answer is found in verse 11 of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>After warning His disciples of the persecutions they will face because of their faith in Him, Jesus assures them, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWhenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">As Lutheran Christians we strive to follow the example Martin Luther set for us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When Luther was asked to recant everything he was teaching and everything he had written he said, \u201cUnless I am convinced by the teachings of Holy Scripture or by sound reasoning\u2014 for I do not believe either the pope or councils alone, since they have often made mistakes and have even said the exact opposite about the same point\u2014 I am tied by the Scriptures I have quoted and by my conscience.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither safe nor right.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Here I stand.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>God help me!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Amen.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As Lutheran Christians we believe, teach and confess that the Bible <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">is <\/b>the holy, inspired and inerrant Word of God from beginning to end, from Genesis to Revelation.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As Lutheran Christians we take seriously God\u2019s commands to us, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cDo not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the L<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> your God that I give you\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">(Deuteronomy 4:2; See also Deuteronomy 12:31; Revelation 22:18 ,19) and <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cteaching them to obey <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">everything <\/b>I have commanded you\u201d<\/i> (Matthew 28:20).<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Our Lutheran heritage does indeed give our faith a firm foundation, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our Lutheran heritage keeps us from being <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ctossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful schemes\u201d<\/i> (Ephesians 4:14).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our Lutheran heritage helps insure that words such as these will never be used to describe the foundation of our faith, \u201cThe only plausible explanation for the poor performance of the Millennium Tower is a completely inappropriate foundation for such a heavy structure.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Praise and thank the Lord your God, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Praise Him for your Lutheran heritage!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Thank Him that the Reformation gives your faith a firm foundation!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">To God be the glory!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Amen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<p> <\/font><\/p>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Reformation-Sunday-11-04-18.mp3\">Reformation-Sunday-11-04-18.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Reformation Sunday November 4, 2018 Mark 13:5-13 The Reformation Gives Our &nbsp;Faith A Firm Foundation! &nbsp; Jesus said to them:&nbsp; &#8220;Watch out that no one deceives you.&nbsp; Many will come in my name, claiming, &#8216;I am he,&#8217; and will deceive many.&nbsp; When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed.&nbsp; Such things must [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1073","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermon"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1073","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1073"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1073\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1073"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}