This Sunday, most if not all Lutheran Churches in the world will be celebrating Reformation Sunday.  For those who might not know, on October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed 95 theses to the door of the The Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany.  The 95 Theses argues that Catholic Church was not acting in the appropriate manner regarding baptism and absolution. One of the major problems that Luther had with the church at the time involved  indulgences (remissions of temporal punishment due for sins which have already been forgiven).  Luther wanted to be authentic to what the Gospel was saying, he wanted to follow his heart when it came to Jesus’ words.

Can we do the same thing?  What does it mean to be authentic in today’s world?

We do not have to go out there and try and change the world like Luther did.   We do not have to be different for thesake of standing out of the crowd.  We just need to be true to what God is calling us too.   We need to sit down and discern where God is calling us in this crazy world.

Authenticity is a word that is used quite often these days.  Many people are trying to figure out what it means to be authentic, and if it is a good and necessary thing or not.
So what does it mean to be Authentic?

First of all, authentic people (or churches) are aware of their thoughts and feelings, and they behave in ways that reflect those feelings. They don’t try to be someone or something that they are not.  They don’t try to put on an act or a show to impress others.  They take advantage of their strengths and they accept their weaknesses.

When they accept themselves for both their strengths and weaknesses other people will start to accept them as well.

So, if you want to grow as a person (or as a church), take time to really know yourself. If you’re not completely happy with what you find, don’t worry too much. Work on accepting yourself for what
you are, right here, right now, and on being truly authentic.

This week’s Text

We have a wonderful group who meets every Tuesday morning to talk about the upcoming texts: If you are unable to make those meetings feel free to use this sampling as to what God is telling us this week.

The first lesson is Jeremiah 31:31-34.  Just when you think you have God figured out He changes everything!  In this text God realizes that people are not going to change.  We make promises to God “empty promises” if you will.  So God is going to approach things differently.  God says that he is going to make a new covenant, something different, something exciting!  Instead of leading people by the hand God is going to lead people through their hearts.
When have you changed the way you do things?  Did it make things easier or harder?  What do you think of a changing God?

The second lesson is Romans 3:19-28.  When I think of Reformation Sunday I think of this verse.  In this verse Paul talks about we are made righteous through Jesus Christ not by the law.  Paul says to us that if we were to take away only one thing from the Gospel is that we are justified by our faith alone….that the grace of God is a gift.
What does that mean to you?  If we are justified by faith, what does it mean if our faith is shaken?  Would you be disappointed if the only gift you got in life was the grace of God?

The Gospel is John 8:31-36.  Jesus tells the Jews and he tells us that the truth will make us free.  What does it mean to be free?  How do you know if you are free or not?  What is the truth?

In light of all these texts we will be celebrating the Reformation as well.  If you have any thoughts on these texts, or on the Reformation feel free toemail me.