Truth Is a Person Reformation 2025

Devotional

Day 1: The Truth Is a Person—Jesus Christ

Truth is not a concept or philosophy to be shaped by personal preference, but is found in the person of Jesus Christ, who alone declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." In a world where "truth" is often seen as subjective or self-defined, Jesus stands as the objective, living Truth who invites us to know Him and be set free. The freedom He offers is not about discovering or inventing our own truth, but about surrendering to the One who embodies truth itself. When we look to Jesus, we find the answer to our deepest questions and the freedom our hearts long for. [04:11]

John 8:31-32 (CSB)
Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Reflection: Where in your life have you been tempted to define truth on your own terms, and how might you surrender that area to Jesus, the living Truth, today?

Day 2: The Law Reveals Our Need for Christ

God’s law is not a ladder to climb for our own righteousness, but a mirror that reveals our inability to justify ourselves and our desperate need for a Savior. The law silences our boasting, crushes our pride, and shows us that every attempt to earn God’s favor by our own merit falls short. Yet, the law’s purpose is not to leave us in despair, but to drive us to Christ, who alone fulfills the law perfectly on our behalf and offers us grace. [07:14]

Romans 3:19-20 (CSB)
Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are subject to the law, so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment. For no one will be justified in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.

Reflection: What is one area where you have tried to earn God’s approval by your own efforts, and how can you let the law point you back to your need for Christ’s grace?

Day 3: Righteousness Is a Gift Through Faith Alone

Righteousness before God is not something we achieve by our works, traditions, or moral checklists, but is a free gift given through faith in Jesus Christ. This righteousness is manifested apart from the law and is received by trusting in Christ’s finished work—His death and resurrection for our justification. There is nothing we can add to Jesus’ work; it is Christ alone who saves, and in Him, we have everything we need. [09:36]

Romans 3:21-22 (CSB)
But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets. The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction.

Reflection: Is there anything you are tempted to add to Jesus’ finished work for your sense of acceptance before God? What would it look like to rest in Christ alone today?

Day 4: True Freedom Is Found in Surrender to Christ

True freedom is not the ability to do whatever we want, but the liberation that comes from surrendering to Christ, who sets us free from sin, death, and self-reliance. The world’s definition of freedom often leads to deeper bondage, but in Christ, we are freed from the need to justify ourselves and are invited to live in the joy and security of His grace. This freedom is not just for ourselves, but empowers us to proclaim the eternal gospel to others, shining light in the darkness. [13:48]

John 8:36 (CSB)
So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to surrender control to Jesus in order to experience His true freedom?

Day 5: Cling to Christ Alone—The Eternal Gospel Still Flies

The heart of the gospel is not a tradition or a label, but the proclamation that Jesus Christ alone is our justification, and in Him, we are beggars who receive everything by grace. This eternal gospel is not for debate or negotiation, but for proclamation and reception—flying out to every nation, tribe, and tongue. As those who have received this gift, we are called to let the gospel fly from our lips, boldly and winsomely, to a world in need of freedom and hope. [14:47]

Revelation 14:6-7 (CSB)
Then I saw another angel flying high overhead, with the eternal gospel to announce to the inhabitants of the earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people. He spoke with a loud voice: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the liberating message of Christ alone, and how can you share the eternal gospel with them this week?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gather not simply to remember a historical event, but to be reminded of the living impact of the Reformation and the heart of the Christian faith: that truth is not an abstract concept or a personal preference, but a person—Jesus Christ. In a world that encourages us to “find your truth” or “live your truth,” we are called back to the words of Jesus: “If you continue in my word, you are really my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” This freedom is not the ability to do whatever we want, but the liberation from sin, death, and the need to justify ourselves before God.

The Reformation was not about inventing new ideas, but about rediscovering the living Christ in the Scriptures. The law, as Paul writes in Romans, silences our boasting and reveals our inability to save ourselves. It is only when we are brought to the end of ourselves that we can receive the gift of righteousness through faith in Jesus. Luther’s insight was that the law says, “do this,” and it is never done, but grace says, “believe this,” and everything is already accomplished in Christ. Our efforts, traditions, and moral checklists cannot earn God’s favor; it is Christ alone who justifies us.

True freedom, then, is not self-determination, but surrender to Christ. Luther himself recognized that our will is bound, and that real freedom is found only in being claimed by Jesus. The eternal gospel, as proclaimed in Revelation, is not a matter for debate or tradition, but a living proclamation that Christ alone is the way, the truth, and the life. To be Lutheran is not to cling to a label, but to cling to the Word of God as it reveals Christ—uncompromised and uncorrupted.

At the end of our lives, may we be remembered not for our striving, but as beggars clinging to Christ and his resurrection. The Reformation calls us to stop treating truth as an idea to be shaped, and instead to receive Jesus as the truth who sets us free. This freedom is personal, eternal, and desperately needed in our world. We are called to be light in the darkness, proclaiming the eternal gospel with boldness and mercy, trusting that Christ is still saving and still setting souls free.

Key Takeaways

1. Truth Is a Person, Not an Idea In a culture that treats truth as subjective and personal, Jesus stands as the objective, living truth. He does not invite us to shape our own reality, but to receive him as the truth who alone can set us free. This challenges us to move beyond self-made philosophies and to anchor our lives in the person of Christ. [04:01]
2. The Law Silences Our Boasting and Points Us to Christ The law’s purpose is not to make us despair endlessly, but to reveal our inability to justify ourselves. It exposes our insufficiency and silences every claim to self-righteousness, driving us to look outside ourselves for salvation. Only in Christ do we find the righteousness that the law demands but cannot produce. [07:14]
3. Grace Means Everything Is Already Done in Christ Where the law says “do this” and leaves us always lacking, grace says “believe this”—it is finished. Our salvation is not a project to be completed, but a gift to be received. This frees us from the endless treadmill of religious performance and invites us to rest in the finished work of Jesus. [08:21]
4. True Freedom Is Found in Surrender, Not Autonomy The world defines freedom as the ability to do whatever we want, but this is actually another form of slavery. Real freedom is found in surrendering to Christ, who alone liberates us from sin, death, and self-reliance. In Christ, we are set free to live as beloved children of God, no longer bound by the need to prove ourselves. [13:48]
5. We Are Beggars, Clinging to Christ Alone At the end of all our striving, we are left with empty hands—beggars before God. Our hope is not in our works, traditions, or religious identity, but in Christ’s death and resurrection for us. This humility frees us to proclaim the eternal gospel boldly, knowing that it is Christ alone who saves and sets souls free.

** [16:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:21] - Opening Prayer and Setting the Theme
[00:40] - Gratitude for Musicians and Community
[00:58] - The Reformation: More Than History
[01:28] - Luther’s Intent: Reform, Not Revolution
[02:18] - Why Remember the Reformation?
[02:58] - The Meaning of Truth in Our Culture
[04:01] - Truth Is a Person: Jesus Christ
[05:03] - The Pharisees and the Nature of Slavery
[06:20] - The Law’s Purpose and Our Inability
[07:58] - Luther on Law and Grace
[09:07] - Righteousness as a Gift Through Faith
[10:27] - Christ Alone: The Heart of Justification
[11:13] - The Math of Grace: Jesus Plus Nothing
[12:10] - Freedom in Christ: Surrender, Not Self-Reliance
[13:48] - Redefining Freedom: Surrender to Christ
[14:07] - The Eternal Gospel in Revelation
[15:31] - What It Means to Be Lutheran
[16:28] - We Are Beggars: Clinging to Christ
[17:37] - The Freedom We Proclaim
[18:45] - The Reformation’s Message for Today
[19:16] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 8:31-36 (CSB) — > Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
> “We are descendants of Abraham,” they answered him, “and we have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?”
> Jesus responded, “Truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain forever. So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free."

Romans 3:19-24 (CSB) — > Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are subject to the law, so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment. For no one will be justified in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.
> But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets. The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Revelation 14:6-7 (CSB) — > Then I saw another angel flying high overhead, with the eternal gospel to announce to the inhabitants of the earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people. He spoke with a loud voice: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

Observation Questions

In John 8, what does Jesus say is the result of continuing in his word? How do the people respond to his statement about freedom?
According to Romans 3, what is the purpose of the law, and what does it reveal about us?
In Revelation 14, what is the message the angel proclaims, and who is it for?
The sermon says, “Truth is a person. It’s a person. And the Reformation was about not inventing new ideas. It was about rediscovering the breathing, the crucified, the risen Christ, the person who alone would declare, I am the way, the truth, and the life.” What does this mean about how we understand truth? [04:01]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon points out that our culture often says, “find your truth” or “live your truth.” How does Jesus’ claim to be the truth challenge this way of thinking? [03:38]
Romans 3 says the law “silences every mouth.” What does it look like in real life to have our boasting silenced by the law? How might this feel? [07:14]
The sermon says, “Grace says, believe this, everything’s already done. Mission accomplished. Mission completed. It is finished, says Jesus on the cross.” How does this understanding of grace change the way we relate to God? [08:21]
The sermon describes true freedom as “surrender to Christ” rather than self-determination. Why might surrender feel like the opposite of freedom, and how does Jesus redefine it? [13:48]

Application Questions

The sermon says, “Truth is a person. And his name is Jesus. When we stand under the law and we hear its accusation. It shows us our great need for Jesus. Not simply to crush us eternally but to turn us to the cross.” When was the last time you felt the weight of not measuring up? How did you respond—did it turn you toward Jesus or toward trying harder on your own? [16:59]
“Our efforts, traditions, and moral checklists cannot earn God’s favor; it is Christ alone who justifies us.” Are there ways you still try to earn God’s approval through your own efforts? What would it look like to rest in what Jesus has already done? [10:47]
The sermon says, “Real freedom is found only in being claimed by Jesus.” Is there an area of your life where you are still trying to be in control instead of surrendering to Christ? What is one step you could take this week to surrender that area? [13:48]
“At the end of our lives, may we be remembered not for our striving, but as beggars clinging to Christ and his resurrection.” What would it look like for you to live as a “beggar” clinging to Christ, rather than someone trying to prove yourself? [16:28]
The sermon challenges us to “stop treating truth as an idea to be shaped, and instead to receive Jesus as the truth who sets us free.” Are there beliefs or habits in your life that you have shaped around your own preferences rather than around Jesus? How can you realign those with Christ this week? [16:59]
The angel in Revelation proclaims the “eternal gospel” to all people. Who in your life needs to hear about the freedom found in Jesus? What is one way you can share this good news with them, either in word or action, this week? [14:07]
The sermon says, “We are called to be light in the darkness, proclaiming the eternal gospel with boldness and mercy.” What is one practical way you can be a light in your workplace, family, or community this week? [17:54]

Sermon Clips

So today we pause and we reflect on this day, not just as a historical event, but as an event that continues to have a living impact and inform us some centuries later. Key to that understanding is the very words of Jesus Christ that Lonnie read for us so well earlier from the gospel of John, the eighth chapter, the 31st verse, where Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, if you continue in my word, you are really my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. [00:02:18] (39 seconds) #LivingTruthSetsFree

He doesn't say, find your truth and shape your truth, shape your life around it. He says, The isn't a concept. It's not an idea. It's not a philosophy. Truth is a person. It's a person. And the Reformation was about not inventing new ideas. It was about rediscovering the breathing, the crucified, the risen Christ, the person who alone would declare, I am the way, the truth, and the life. [00:03:56] (32 seconds) #TruthIsAPerson

We want religion without surrender. We want inspiration without obedience. We want the Bible as a book of ideas rather than as the living, creating word of God. Because of that, we remain slaves to sin. Unaware of that freedom. Freedom has already been offered to us. [00:05:46] (20 seconds) #FreedomThroughSurrender

Righteousness is not something we achieve for ourselves. It is a gift given to us through faith in Jesus, freely, completely, no strings attached, a gift. A gift. [00:09:33] (16 seconds) #RighteousnessByFaith

It's not about arguing over details of doctrine. It's not about meeting. It's about meeting, rather, Christ in his word and at his gifts of his sacraments, recognizing he alone is our justification, and living in the freedom, the freedom that he gives. No human effort, no tradition, no moral checklist can earn it. It is Christ or nothing. [00:10:37] (26 seconds) #ChristAloneJustifies

That eternal gospel that still declares that Jesus Christ alone is the truth. So what does that matter for us today? It matters for us today not because Lutheranism is a denomination invented by a clever reformer. No, that's not it at all. Rather, it's a return. A return to the scripture. To Christ. To the pure gospel. [00:15:10] (27 seconds) #ClingToChristNotLabels

At the end of our lives. When we are remembered. May we not be remembered for how hard we worked and somehow could earn our salvation. No. May we be remembered that we were beggars. Clinging to Christ. Clinging to his resurrection. Clinging to his work for us. [00:16:38] (21 seconds) #JesusIsTheTruth

When we stand under the law and we hear its accusation. It shows us our great need for Jesus. Not simply to crush us eternally but to turn us to the cross. By your baptism into Christ Jesus. He claimed you as his own dearly beloved child. You have received Christ in faith and have in Jesus all that you need. Freely given for you. Not earned. [00:17:11] (26 seconds) #FreedomToBeLight

The freedom that Jesus offers is a real. It's a personal and it's an eternal one. And it's one that's desperately needed. By the people around us. Where we get to be light in the midst of the darkness. Where we get to be those perfectly positioned to proclaim his truth boldly and winsomely. In our communities. In our families. In the places he's perfectly positioned. Each and every one of us. [00:17:37] (25 seconds) #TruthIsChristAlone

If you've been trying to find your own truth. Trying to earn God's favor. Trying to live by religion instead of by grace. Hear Jesus' words again today. If the son sets you free. You will be free indeed. That's the message of the reformation for you. Not a stale history. Not a tradition for tradition's sake. But the eternal. Liberating. Life giving gospel of Jesus Christ. Still flying. Still saving. And still setting souls free. [00:18:26] (38 seconds)

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