Over the last 8 weeks 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. Last week we looked at the first part of the life of this great Jesus Freak. On fire, burning with a passion to show up the church for it’s failings and such a passion for the gospel Martin Luther’s life continues this week.
Martin Luther on God’s Word.
“I would advise no one to send his child where the Holy Scriptures are not supreme. Every institution that does not unceasingly pursue the study of Gods word becomes corrupt. Because of this we can see what kind of people they become in the universities and what they are like now. Nobody is to blame for this except the pope, the bishops, and the prelates, who are all charged with training young people. The universities only ought to turn out men who are experts in the Holy Scriptures, men who can become bishops and priests, and stand in the front line against heretics, the devil, and all the world. But where do you find that? I greatly fear that the universities, unless they teach the Holy Scriptures diligently and impress them on the young students, are wide gates to hell.”DVD – Martin Luther – Part Two
Questions:
1. What spoke to you from the DVD?
2. What did Martin Luther think of the Bible?
3. What do you think sustained Martin Luther when he was persecuted?
4. What did Martin Luther think about the Pope?
5. What did he think of the Catholic Church?
6. what can you take away from this session to apply to your life?
Closing thoughts on Martin Luther’s understanding.
Martin Luther wrote in his 62nd of his 95 thesis “The true treasure of the Church is the Most Holy Gospel of the glory and the grace of God” this was a revolutionary thought. In his day what was preached was works, paid indulgencies (Get out of Jail Cards) in the Catholic Church it was the law and the dictates of the pope and his army of priests that brought the grace, peace and righteousness from God. Luther came to the understanding that Grace was free and came simply from faith in Christ and his works. The church believed that the (The pope) mediated the things of God and they were mediated by the priests. Luther came to understand that no mediator was needed; Heavens were open because of the faith in the grace of God. He attacked the church for leaving the truth of Jesus and faith in his grace. He unleashed two things the fury of the Catholic Church and the breath of the Holy Spirit that lit a fire called the “Reformation” that burned and still burns with the passion of and for Jesus. “Here I stand, I can do none other, God help me. Amen”
Prayer:
Prayer:
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