The Violent Take it by Force

Reformation Sunday

Opening & Scripture Reading

Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus, who is the Christ. Amen. The words that serve as the basis of our meditation this day were written by the evangelist Matthew: "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Historical Context of the Reformation

A monk in a small town in eastern Germany in the province of Saxony, who teaches at the University of Wittenberg, goes to the castle church on an October day in 1517 to post 95 theses on the castle church doors regarding the doctrine of penance. With his hammer, he fixes his 95 statements to the door and goes home. Someone takes down his 95 theses, places them on the new Gutenberg press, and distributes copies. What Martin Luther intended as an academic discussion on penance and indulgences becomes the start of the Lutheran Reformation on October 31st, 1517. Later, on June 25th, 1530, Lutherans presented the Augsburg Confession to the Holy Roman Emperor.

Indulgences vs. God's Word

The Reformation started over the doctrine of penance—a system where people were required to confess sins and pay for release from purgatory through indulgences. As John Tetzel famously proclaimed, "For every coin in the coffer that rings, a soul from purgatory will spring." This tied the assurance of God's people to their pocketbooks rather than God's Word. By making salvation dependent upon works and wealth, the grace of God was cast into doubt. Satan has used this same tactic from the beginning of time—slithering into the garden with the question, "Did God really say?" to create doubt about how one is justified.

The Meaning of True Grace

Luther recognized from the Scriptures that the righteous are saved apart from works of the law. True grace is a free gift with no strings attached, earned solely through Jesus' suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension. While grace costs us nothing from our own bank accounts, it cost something immense: the blood of Lord Jesus shed on the cross at Skull Hill.

True Repentance and Idolatry

Confession and absolution are not a "get out of jail free card" to appease God and continue living in selfishness or sin. Attempting to forgive oneself is making oneself into a god, which is idolatry. God alone forgives through Christ's victory over sin, death, and the devil. True repentance consists of contrition—terror of the heart over sin—combined with faith that God forgives through the blood of Christ.

The Sustaining Power of the Holy Spirit

Faith is sustained by the Holy Spirit, who calls believers through the gospel, removes hearts of stone, and establishes life upon Jesus as the firm rock foundation. Believers are encouraged to ask the Heavenly Father for the Holy Spirit, who fills hearts and prepares Christians for all circumstances. The Reformation ensured that this true repentance and comfort in Christ's promises would be proclaimed freely.

Confessing the Lutheran Faith

Lutherans confess Martin Luther's Small Catechism as a true and correct exposition of the Bible. At confirmation, believers vow that Evangelical Lutheran doctrine is faithful to God's Word, standing firm against the world and the devil. Believers are marked by the cross of Christ, announced forgiveness, and invited to receive Christ's body and blood in Holy Communion.

Grounded in the Word of God

Believers are defined by God's inspired, inerrant, and incarnate Word rather than by feelings, emotions, pastors, or church buildings. Faith always has Jesus as its object and is received as a gift from the Spirit through the means of grace. The sermon closes with a prayer that God preserve His gospel truth for generations to come.

Conclusion

Jesus is Lord; He has won the victory by His death and resurrection and reigns for eternity. The peace that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.