Though Reformation Day can and has been a celebration of division within the Christian Church, in recent decades the Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches have made major strides towards reconciliation and mutual understanding. The Bishop of our new denomination was even warmly welcomed in Rome by the Pope himself.
Reformation Day is really about the recovery of the central truth of the Gospel: "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law" (Romans 3:28). There is nothing we need to do to make ourselves right with God, because there is nothing we can do. The cost is too high, the chasm too wide -- so God in his mercy did it for us through his Son Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul talks about Christ's work under three headings:
- Redemption -- Jesus sets us free from our captivity to sin
- Sacrifice -- Jesus' blood covers over our sin
- Justice -- Jesus took our place and bore the punishment of our sin
Listen to the sermon here.
