6. Martin Luther - Part One


Introduction:
Over the last 7 sessions we have been looking at that it means to be a Jesus Freak. There are a great many who have had such a passion for Jesus that it has set the world and the church on fire with that passion. No more so than the great hero of the faith Martin Luther. He was a Jesus freak who grew tired of the church of his day and set about the work of transforming it

Some things you might not know about Martin Luther
Martin Luther was caught in a severe thunderstorm in which he was flung to the ground in terror, and he suddenly vowed to become a monk if he survived.
 
Martin Luther is known as the man who ignited the Protestant Reformation. 
 
Martin Luther had a strong and often abrasive personality. 
 
Martin Luther became greatly disillusioned, and very discouraged by the immorality and corruption he witnessed in the church. 
 
1517: Luther wrote a scholastic objection protesting against the church practice of indulgencies which came to be known as the 95 Theses in this he denied that the pope had the right to forgive sins.
 
1517: Luther nailed a copy of the 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg
In January 1521, Martin Luther was officially excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church.

Quotes of Martin Luther

“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess.” 
“I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.” 
“If I am not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there.” 
“If he have faith, the believer cannot be restrained. He betrays himself. He breaks out. He confesses and teaches this gospel to the people at the risk of life itself”
DVD – Martin Luther
Questions:
1. What was the most distinct thing from the DVD for you?
2. How would you sum up Martin Luther's Character?
3. What were Martin Luther's Beliefs?
4. How brave was Martin Luther? DISCUSS.
5. How much of a Jesus Freak was Martin Luther?
6. How did he portray Jesus?
7. Is there anything you can take from his life for your life today?

Closing Quote from Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a man who would rather die than give in. He was a Jesus freak of the highest order. He would not deny his God. He had an unquenchable faith in God. He did not put his trust in works, or his own efforts to gain peace with God – Just faith. He came under tremendous persecution for being a heretic. Martin Luther shook the church with his revelation of faith in Christ alone for salvation. In one of his great sermons he said this “First I shake the whole Apple tree, that the ripest might fall. Then I climb the tree and shake each limb, and then each branch and then each twig, and then I look under each leaf.” Martin Luther is regarded as one of the great reformers of the church. He lit a fire that still burns and will continue to burn in the hearts of those who pursue Jesus. He had an burning anger against the abuses of the church of his day he said “ When I am angry I can pray well and preach well”

Prayer:

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