{"id":1172,"date":"2019-11-03T13:02:28","date_gmt":"2019-11-03T21:02:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1172"},"modified":"2019-11-03T13:34:07","modified_gmt":"2019-11-03T21:34:07","slug":"thank-god-for-our-lutheran-heritage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2019\/11\/03\/thank-god-for-our-lutheran-heritage\/","title":{"rendered":"Thank God for Our Lutheran Heritage!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"color:black;font: 10pt 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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\tfont-size:11.0pt; \tfont-family:\"Calibri\",\"sans-serif\"; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} <\/style>\n\n <![endif]--><\/p>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1172-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Reformation-Sunday-11-03-19.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Reformation-Sunday-11-03-19.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Reformation-Sunday-11-03-19.mp3<\/a><\/audio>&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\">&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\">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 3, 2019<\/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\">Romans 3:19-28<\/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\">Thank God for Our Lutheran Heritage!<\/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\"><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><\/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\">Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished\u2014he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Where, then, is boasting?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is excluded.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On what principle?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On that of observing the law?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No, but on that of faith.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.<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\">As you and I look around at the religious landscape of our society today it is not difficult for us to see that the prevailing wind that is sweeping through the vast majority of Christian churches today is something called \u201cecumenicalism.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Ecumenicalism is the teaching which emphasizes that all Christian churches should drop the denominational lines which separate them and join together into a patchwork mosaic under just one banner.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On the surface, such a teaching may sound pretty good.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Just imagine what such an organization could accomplish in this world!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But in reality a teaching such as ecumenicalism spells disaster for God\u2019s church and plays right into the hands of the church\u2019s enemies.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because whether we like to acknowledge it or not some churches are teaching and tolerating and promoting errors\u2014 false teachings!<\/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\">Today, Reformation Sunday, is the one day out of the entire church year when we unabashedly set out our pictures of Dr. Martin Luther and hold high the banner of historic Lutheranism.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And if ever there were a sermon text perfectly suited for a celebration such as this it is our text for today\u2014 Romans 3:19-28.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So let\u2019s rejoice today, my friends!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On the basis of these passages from God\u2019s holy Word let\u2019s rejoice and:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Thank God for Our Lutheran Heritage!<\/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\">Now before we proceed any further I want to make it very clear that we are not going to be \u201cbashing\u201d other churches today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Many of you know that I have members of my own family who belong to \u201cother\u201d churches.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I also have dear friends who belong to \u201cother\u201d churches.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The same might hold true for you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We must never lose sight of the fact that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ, their only Savior from sin, is a member of the Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But at the same time we simply cannot turn a blind eye to the reality that the various churches that we see in our communities proclaim different teachings.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Even the Lutheran  Church runs the entire gamut from \u201cliberal\u201d to \u201cconservative.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I believe that I am a Christian purely by the eternal grace of God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But at the same time, I am a Lutheran Christian and I am a member of an historic Lutheran Synod purely by choice.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As I read and study my Bible I have yet to find another church body whose teachings so closely parallel what Scripture reveals as well as the Wisconsin Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and those who are in fellowship with us!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So with that in mind let\u2019s see how our text for this morning leads us to thank God for our Lutheran heritage!<\/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\">Paul\u2019s letter to the Romans gives us an unprecedented and an unparalleled insight into how we mortal sinful human beings become <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cjustified,\u201d<\/i> that is, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cDeclared:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Not Guilty!\u201d<\/i> in the eyes of the one and only true God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Paul begins by having us look at the root cause of all of our problems:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>sin.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Paul writes, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cNow we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.\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\">If you went to your doctor for a check-up how would you feel if you found out a year later that your PSA test (the test that is used to detect prostate cancer) came back way up there in double digits or your mammogram revealed a highly suspicious growth but your doctor told you, \u201cEverything is fine!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Go home and enjoy your life!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You\u2019re in as good of health as anyone your age can expect.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Would you be upset when you finally found out the truth\u2014 especially if it was too late?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Tragically, that is exactly what is being done by many \u201creligious doctors\u201d in many Christian churches today.<\/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\">Sin is like a spiritual cancer with which each and every human being is born.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Left untreated sin inevitably causes death\u2014 not just physical death but also eternal death in hell.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>To see just how serious the cancer of sin is all we need to do is look into the mirror of God\u2019s holy Law.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The God of heaven tells us that if we want to live with Him in His heavenly home we must be holy and we must be perfect\u2014 just as He is holy and perfect!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See Leviticus 19:2; Matthew 5:48)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But when we look into the mirror of God\u2019s holy Law we are <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201csilenced\u201d<\/i> as Paul says here in our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we look into the mirror of God\u2019s holy Law we see that we haven\u2019t been able to keep even one of the Commandments much less all ten of them!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When God\u2019s Law is faithfully proclaimed in the way in which it is revealed in Scripture it always leads us to the powerful realization that we are sinners\u2014 sinners who will be held accountable by a holy, just, perfect and almighty Judge!<\/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\">That is a message, my friends, which does not go over well\u2014 especially in our society today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And for that reason it is a message which is not being clearly proclaimed by many churches today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Like the doctor who tells his cancer-ridden patient, \u201cDon\u2019t worry!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You\u2019re just fine!\u201d there are churches today who are telling people that sin isn\u2019t really all that serious.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They\u2019ll say that deep down inside we are all basically \u201cgood\u201d people and given the right stimuli, given the right environment, given the right encouragement, given the right opportunities our \u201cgoodness\u201d will rise to the surface and eventually everyone\u2014 even God\u2014 will have to acknowledge that we are \u201cworthy\u201d or at least \u201cworthy enough\u201d to merit eternal life in heaven.<\/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 much as it may hurt us, as much as it may embarrass us, as much as it may make us squirm in our chairs the historic Lutheran Church clearly proclaims God\u2019s holy Law in all of its severity!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cAll have sinned and fall short of the glory of God\u201d<\/i> (Romans 3:23).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThe wages of sin is death\u201d<\/i> (Romans 6:23).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cAll our righteous acts are like filthy rags\u201d<\/i> (Isaiah 64:6).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s the message of the Law.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s the message which <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201csilences\u201d<\/i> the entire human race.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Martin Luther once said, \u201cThe error of neither knowing nor understanding what sin is usually brings with it another error, that of neither knowing nor understanding what grace is.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I have long taught people that unless we truly understand the seriousness of our sin we will never be able to fully appreciate the glory of God\u2019s gracious Gospel message.<\/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\">That thought leads us to yet another reason to thank God for our Lutheran heritage.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Although the Gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed being proclaimed in \u201cother\u201d churches, in the historic Lutheran church the Gospel is allowed to shine forth in both Word and Sacrament in all of its grace and beauty\u2014 uncluttered by the traditions of men and unfettered by the shackles of work-righteousness.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This pure sweet message of the Gospel is what Paul emphasizes in this text when he writes, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cBut now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and Prophets testify.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.\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\">There are only two types of righteousness being proclaimed in this world.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is work-righteousness and there is faith-righteousness.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Paul very clearly reveals throughout this entire letter that work-righteousness does not, can not and will not work!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We can work as long and as hard as we want\u2014 our works will never gain us entrance into the eternal Paradise of God!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cAll have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Faith-righteousness is what God\u2019s written revealed Word, the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201claw and the Prophets\u201d<\/i> as Paul says here in our text, has proclaimed loud and clear down through the ages.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>By believing and trusting that Jesus is the eternally begotten Son of God who came into this world to live a perfect life for us, innocently suffer and die on the cross to pay for our sins and physically rise from the dead to guarantee our justification, through that wondrous vehicle called <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfaith,\u201d<\/i> we have received a robe of absolute perfect righteousness!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This robe which has been dipped in the blood of the Lamb of God (Revelation 7:14) is what guarantees to us eternal life in heaven above.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Your salvation then is <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">not<\/b> based upon what <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">you<\/b> do, but rather your salvation is based upon what your <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">God<\/b> has done <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">for<\/b> you. (Pointing to the cross) That is what the pure sweet message of the Gospel is all about.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We are saved purely by grace through faith alone.<\/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\">That, my friends, is also what the historic Lutheran church proclaims.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is no need for penance or purgatory.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Christ\u2019s death on the cross has completely paid for all your sins.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is no room for \u201cpersonal decisions\u201d or \u201caltar calls.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>God the Holy Spirit not only creates but also sustains the gift of saving faith in your hearth through the power of His holy Word and Sacraments.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is no need to legislate to people that if you want to be a \u201cgood\u201d Christian or if you want to become a \u201cbetter\u201d Christian then you must do this and this and this and never do that or that or that.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We are to live each and every day of our life in loving thanksgiving to the God who so freely saved us for all of eternity.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We strive to grow and mature in our faith, we willingly serve our Lord and each other because we want to not because we have to.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When you put all of that together into one neat little package you end up with the perspective on Scripture called:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Lutheranism.<\/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 are saved by grace alone, by faith alone and by Scripture alone.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That is the battle-cry of our Lutheran-Christian faith.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And, as Paul declares in the closing words of our text that is yet another reason why you and I can and do thank God for the heritage that we enjoy as heirs of the Lutheran Reformation.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWhere, then, is boasting?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is excluded.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On what principle?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On that of observing the Law?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No, but on that of faith.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For we maintain that a man is justified by faith, apart from observing the law.\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\">I don\u2019t make a big deal out of the fact that we are members of a fellowship of Christians called the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod or the Evangelical Lutheran Synod\u2014 not because I\u2019m embarrassed, not because I\u2019m uncomfortable, but only because I want to make sure that when it comes to your faith and when it comes to your life you look to Scripture first and foremost\u2014 over and above all other things, including what Synod we belong to.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We need to study and examine what God reveals to us in His holy Word.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Once we know what the Lord says, then we take what the pastor teaches and what the congregation teaches and what the Synod teaches and we lay it alongside of what Scripture teaches.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If all of the teachings \u201cline up\u201d with God\u2019s holy inspired Word then we have the confidence of knowing that we are in an \u201corthodox\u201d fellowship of believers.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But if any of those teachings contradict what God has revealed to us here in His Word, then I\u2019m afraid that we would need to be searching for a different church.<\/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\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cFor we maintain that a man is justified by faith, apart from observing the law.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For many many centuries that simple central message of Scripture was all but lost to God\u2019s people here on this earth.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then, on October 31<sup>st<\/sup>, 1517 a monk by the name of Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany and the Lutheran Reformation was born.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Through the work of Dr. Martin Luther and through the work of countless dedicated pastors, teachers and lay people the message of salvation by grace alone, by faith alone and by Scripture alone is still being faithfully proclaimed today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So as you and I pause to celebrate this Reformation Sunday, my friends, let\u2019s first thank God for our Lutheran heritage.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But then let\u2019s also ask the Lord our God to graciously give us whatever is necessary so that we might take that precious heritage which has been faithfully handed down to us and in turn faithfully hand that heritage down to our children and our grandchildren.<\/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<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Reformation-Sunday-11-03-19.mp3\">Reformation-Sunday-11-03-19.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Reformation Sunday November 3, 2019 Romans 3:19-28 Thank God for Our Lutheran Heritage! &nbsp; &nbsp; Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.&nbsp; Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight [&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-1172","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\/1172","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=1172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1172\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}