“If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel. For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them.” 1 Corinthians 9:16-19

“To make the way smoother for the unlearned—for only them do I serve—I shall set down the following two propositions concerning the freedom and the bondage of the spirit: A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.

These two theses seem to contradict each other. If, however, they should be found to fit together they would serve our purpose beautifully. Love by its very nature is ready to serve and be subject to him who is loved.” Martin Luther (1483-1546) The Freedom of a Christian, 1520, “For All The Saints” volume II, (p. 977)

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses or points for discussion on the door of All Saints Church in Wittenberg, Germany. They were 95 issues he had with the church, mostly regarding the practice of selling indulgences, and he was hoping to have a scholarly debate on these points. What they sparked was not just a conversation but a complete Reformation – the Protestant Reformation.

Just two years ago we celebrated the 500th anniversary of that seminal moment in history, and yet, the Reformation Spirit remains elusive in the Lutheran Church. The church that was born out of challenging the norm and questioning the practice of the church now fights so hard NOT to change, NOT to reform in any way, and to hold onto what now we call the “norm” — and in many cases that even means we go head-long toward our demise. Society and the church of Luther’s time were both experiencing great changes. The “One” Catholic church soon found itself challenged with the growing “Protestant” churches, fracturing into numerous denominations. The bible was translated into the vernacular so that the cobbler, the baker, and the printing press maker could read holy scripture and find meaning for themselves. And with the advent of the printing press, writings and sermons and the like could be duplicated and distributed so that the masses were no longer in the dark with new ideas.

My friends, we need to re-capture the essence of the Reformation. On this night, children will dress up to go door to door to ask for “treats”. The treat I ask for this October 31 is to be treated by disciples of Jesus who do not just “dress up” as Christians, but actually will live in the Reformation Spirit, seeking to keep the gospel of Jesus in their hearts as they stop holding themselves and others hostage to ways that may need to be reformed – and will hold onto only those traditions that are necessary to point to the cross of Jesus, as they live the Christ-like life.

Pastor Dave