Rediscovering Peace: Luther's Journey and the Gospel

 

Summary

In reflecting on the profound journey of Martin Luther and the Reformation, we are reminded of the transformative power of the gospel. Luther's struggle to find peace with God amidst the false assurances of indulgences and works-based righteousness led him to a profound discovery: true peace comes only through faith in Jesus Christ. This realization was not just a theological breakthrough but a deeply personal awakening for Luther, as he found himself reborn, experiencing the assurance of salvation and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

Luther's journey highlights the futility of trying to earn God's favor through human efforts, whether through good works or deep contrition. Instead, he discovered that righteousness is a gift from God, imputed to us through faith in Christ. This righteousness is not something we can achieve on our own but is granted to us because of Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death. As Luther embraced this truth, he experienced a profound peace that sustained him through life's tribulations, echoing the Apostle Paul's words in Romans 5 about the peace that comes from being justified by faith.

The Reformation was not merely a doctrinal correction but a spiritual awakening, a rediscovery of the gospel's power to transform lives. It reminds us that salvation is not about what we can do for God but about what God has done for us in Christ. This message is as relevant today as it was in the 16th century, as many still seek peace through their efforts rather than resting in the finished work of Christ.

As we commemorate the Reformation, we are called to pray for a new awakening, a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, to bring the gospel's transformative power to a world in desperate need of hope and salvation. We must remember that the Reformation was not just a historical event but a call to continually reform our lives and churches according to the Word of God, seeking the same Spirit that empowered ordinary men and women to bring about extraordinary change.

Key Takeaways:

- The Futility of Works-Based Righteousness: Luther's journey underscores the futility of trying to earn God's favor through human efforts. True peace with God cannot be achieved through works or contrition but is a gift received through faith in Christ. This realization brought Luther profound peace and assurance of salvation. [01:48:11]

- The Gift of Righteousness: Righteousness is not something we achieve but something imputed to us through faith in Christ. This righteousness, based on Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death, allows us to stand before God justified and at peace. [01:49:40]

- The Power of the Gospel: The Reformation was a spiritual awakening, a rediscovery of the gospel's power to transform lives. It reminds us that salvation is about what God has done for us in Christ, not what we can do for God. [01:59:25]

- A Call for a New Awakening: As we remember the Reformation, we are called to pray for a new awakening, a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, to bring the gospel's transformative power to a world in need. [02:00:40]

- Continual Reformation: The Reformation was not just a historical event but a call to continually reform our lives and churches according to the Word of God, seeking the same Spirit that empowered ordinary men and women to bring about extraordinary change. [02:01:13]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:42:56] - Introduction of Dr. Sinclair Ferguson
- [01:43:37] - Justification and Peace with God
- [01:44:20] - Luther's Struggle and Discovery
- [01:46:12] - The Saving Righteousness of God
- [01:48:11] - The Futility of Works-Based Righteousness
- [01:49:40] - The Gift of Righteousness
- [01:51:22] - Tribulations and Peace
- [01:53:03] - The Love of God in Christ
- [01:54:23] - Assurance of Salvation
- [01:56:03] - Tetzel and Luther's Contrast
- [01:57:18] - God's Love and Everlasting Life
- [01:59:25] - The Need for a New Reformation
- [02:00:40] - A Call for a New Awakening
- [02:01:13] - The Role of Ligonier Ministries

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 5:1-5
- John 3:16

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 5:1, what is the result of being justified by faith? How does this relate to Martin Luther's discovery of peace with God? [01:49:57]

2. In the sermon, what were the two ways people in Luther's time believed they could achieve salvation, and why did Luther find them insufficient? [01:48:27]

3. How did Luther's understanding of the "righteousness of God" change his perspective on salvation and peace? [01:49:40]

4. What role did the Holy Spirit play in the Reformation according to the sermon, and how is this relevant to the call for a new awakening today? [02:00:13]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "peace with God" in Romans 5:1-5 challenge the idea of works-based righteousness that Luther struggled with? [01:49:57]

2. In what ways does John 3:16 encapsulate the message of the Reformation as described in the sermon? How does this verse speak to the assurance of salvation? [01:57:18]

3. The sermon mentions that the Reformation was not just a doctrinal correction but a spiritual awakening. How does this perspective influence the way we view church reform today? [01:59:25]

4. How does the sermon suggest that the Holy Spirit's role in the Reformation can inspire us to seek a new awakening in our current context? [02:00:40]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be relying on works or personal efforts to find peace with God? How can you shift your focus to faith in Christ alone? [01:48:27]

2. The sermon calls for a new awakening and a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. What specific steps can you take to pray for and participate in this awakening in your community? [02:00:40]

3. Consider the idea of continual reformation in your personal life. What is one area where you feel God is calling you to reform according to His Word? [02:01:13]

4. How can the assurance of salvation, as highlighted in John 3:16, impact the way you live your daily life and interact with others? [01:57:18]

5. The sermon emphasizes the transformative power of the gospel. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear this message. How can you share the gospel with them this week? [01:59:25]

6. Reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you be more open to His guidance and empowerment in your daily walk with Christ? [02:00:13]

7. In what ways can you contribute to the ongoing reformation of your church community, ensuring it aligns with the teachings of Scripture? [02:01:13]

Devotional

Day 1: The Futility of Human Efforts
True peace with God cannot be achieved through human efforts or works-based righteousness. Martin Luther's journey exemplifies the futility of trying to earn God's favor through good deeds or deep contrition. Instead, he discovered that peace and assurance of salvation come only through faith in Jesus Christ. This realization was a profound personal awakening for Luther, as he experienced the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. His journey reminds us that righteousness is a gift from God, imputed to us through faith in Christ, and not something we can achieve on our own. [01:48:11]

"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own efforts to earn God's favor? How can you shift your focus to resting in the grace and righteousness given through faith in Christ today?


Day 2: The Gift of Righteousness
Righteousness is not something we achieve but something imputed to us through faith in Christ. This righteousness, based on Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death, allows us to stand before God justified and at peace. Luther's discovery of this truth was transformative, providing him with a profound peace that sustained him through life's tribulations. It echoes the Apostle Paul's words in Romans 5 about the peace that comes from being justified by faith. This gift of righteousness is a cornerstone of the gospel, reminding us that our standing before God is secure because of what Christ has done. [01:49:40]

"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding righteousness as a gift change your perspective on your relationship with God? What steps can you take to embrace this gift more fully in your daily life?


Day 3: The Transformative Power of the Gospel
The Reformation was a spiritual awakening, a rediscovery of the gospel's power to transform lives. It reminds us that salvation is about what God has done for us in Christ, not what we can do for God. This message is as relevant today as it was in the 16th century, as many still seek peace through their efforts rather than resting in the finished work of Christ. The gospel's transformative power is a call to experience the freedom and peace that come from knowing we are loved and accepted by God through Christ. [01:59:25]

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced the transformative power of the gospel in your life? How can you share this power with someone who needs to hear it today?


Day 4: A Call for a New Awakening
As we remember the Reformation, we are called to pray for a new awakening, a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, to bring the gospel's transformative power to a world in need. The Reformation was not merely a historical event but a call to continually reform our lives and churches according to the Word of God. We must seek the same Spirit that empowered ordinary men and women to bring about extraordinary change, praying for a revival that will impact our communities and the world. [02:00:40]

"Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?" (Psalm 85:6, ESV)

Reflection: What specific areas in your life or community need a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit? How can you actively pray and work towards a new awakening in these areas?


Day 5: Continual Reformation
The Reformation was not just a historical event but a call to continually reform our lives and churches according to the Word of God. We are reminded to seek the same Spirit that empowered ordinary men and women to bring about extraordinary change. This continual reformation involves aligning our lives with God's Word and being open to the Spirit's leading in every aspect of our lives. It is a call to live out the gospel daily, allowing its transformative power to shape us and our communities. [02:01:13]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in the continual reformation of your life and church? What steps can you take to ensure that your life is aligned with God's Word and open to the Spirit's leading?

Quotes


There were those who fairly calmly consistently carefully expounded the scriptures and disclosed very little about their personal lives, and you would immediately think I'm sure of John Calvin, and there were others who dragged their friends and their congregations through their spiritual discoveries until eventually they and their congregations ultimately realized and experienced the power of the gospel. [01:43:50]

And it was of course only when he discovered the real significance of the saving righteousness of God that he discovered true peace in Jesus Christ and was able to say that he felt himself to be born again and the very doors of heaven opened to him and he entered into paradise, not only for the future, but paradise here on earth in the assurance of faith and genuine peace with God. [01:46:04]

Luther very early on understood there was no salvation and no peace to be found in such a way. He began to learn that our basic problem is we are incurvatus in se, turned in upon ourselves, and there is no good in us, there is no power to cooperate with the grace of God, and there is no man or woman who has ever lived apart from Jesus Christ who has ever done enough to be justified. [01:47:44]

And then in the grace of God in Jesus Christ he discovered the righteousness of God, the saving righteousness of God that covers us, cloaks us in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, enables us to stand before God as righteous as Jesus Christ because clothed in his righteousness, and immediately this happened to him, as Paul says here in Romans chapter 5, he found true peace with God. [01:49:31]

And when he came thus to trust in Jesus Christ, the peace of God broke over his life just as it broke into the life of the Apostle Paul in a marvelous way as Paul goes on to say in Luther's life of tribulations that you cannot read or sing his mighty fortress or his safe stronghold our God is still without understanding this was a man whose peace was threatened by tribulations. [01:50:43]

And so he began to grasp not least because now he was able to read him Erasmus New Testament, but all of his salvation was to be found not in his doing, but in Christ's, Christ's dying, and because of Christ dying he said the love of God is actually poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. [01:52:57]

And you contrast that with Martin Luther and those last words of his found written out we are beggars, this is true, and discovering that although he was a beggar, he was able to die in the unfailing love of the Lord Jesus Christ, so that three times from the dying lips of Martin Luther came the words God so loved the world. [01:57:46]

And they believe that there are two ways in which they will find salvation, they will be able to do enough or they will be able to be sorry enough, but they slowly discover by God's grace as we pray for them that they can neither do enough nor be sorry enough, but they have nowhere else to look. [01:58:38]

And we want to sound again that note that's already been sounded this evening that we need a new kind of reformation, that is to say we need a new awakening, my own great predecessor in gospel preaching in Scotland John Knox you know when he was asked to explain how it was that the reformation came about. [01:59:46]

We need to cry to God that he will send the same spirit again we need to pray like Elisha and his companions not just where is the Lord God of Elijah but where is the Lord God of Martin Luther you did it once Lord in your infinite mercy do it again give your Holy Spirit with your word to ordinary men in great abundance. [02:00:37]

We are remembering the grace of God because the grace of God transforms lives and it has never been doing it since the reformation. Legator ministries is not a museum ministry though, we do not look backwards at some golden age of Christianity, instead just as Dr. Ferguson says, we remember the grace of God and how it broke forth in that time. [02:01:31]

And so we would like to be able to to move this out there to serve the church and provide this as just another resource that provides an enduring testimony to the grace of God, reminder, don't forget to enter the reformation 500 sweepstakes we have over a thousand winners who will receive some wonderful equipping resources for you. [02:02:53]

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Transcript
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