Worship Helps for Reformation

Artwork: The preaching of Martin Luther

Artist: Lucas Cranach the Elder

Worship Theme: On Reformation Sunday we give thanks to God for his rescue from hell, rescue that comes by his grace alone. We thank him for the faith he gives us to trust his promise. We thank God for his errorless word, the Bible, which gives and strengthens that faith. At the same time we understand that we can fall away from that grace by unbelief. We recognize that Satan, society and our sinful self will daily challenge our faith. Therefore let us never stray from God’s life-giving word.

Old Testament: Daniel 3:16-28

¹⁶Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “We have no need to answer you about this matter. ¹⁷Since our God, whom we serve, does exist, he is able to save us from the blazing fiery furnace. So, he may save us from your hand, Your Majesty. ¹⁸But if he does not, you should know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods, and we will not worship the golden statue that you set up.”

¹⁹Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed against Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego. He said to heat the furnace seven times hotter than it was usually heated. ²⁰He ordered some men, who were soldiers from his army, to bind Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego in order to throw them into the blazing fiery furnace. ²¹So these men were bound in their coats, their pants, their turbans, and their other clothing, and they were thrown into the middle of the blazing fiery furnace. ²²Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace was extremely hot, those men who carried Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego were killed by the intense heat of the fire. ²³But these three men, Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego, who had been tied up, fell into the blazing fiery furnace.

²⁴Then King Nebuchadnezzar was startled and immediately stood up. He said to his advisors, “Didn’t we throw three men, who had been tied up, into the middle of the fire?”

They answered the king, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”

²⁵He said, “Look! I see four men, who are untied and walking around in the middle of the fire, unharmed. What is more, the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

²⁶Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the blazing fiery furnace. He said, “Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!” Then Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego came out from the middle of the furnace. ²⁷The satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the royal advisors gathered together and looked at these men. The fire had no power over their bodies. Not a hair on their head was singed, their robes were not damaged, and the smell of fire had not stuck to them.

²⁸Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego, who sent his angel and saved his servants, who trusted in God and ignored the king’s command. They gave up their bodies and did not pay homage or worship any god except their God.

1. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not sure God would save them from the fiery furnace. Still, what did they say to the king just before he threw them in? (See 3:18.)

2. What three things did Nebuchadnezzar say that he concluded? (See 3:28-29.)

3. What should we conclude from this story?

Epistle: Revelation 14:6–7  

⁶Then I saw another angel flying in the middle of the sky. He had the everlasting gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth, to every nation, tribe, language, and people. ⁷He said with a loud voice: Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and the springs of water.

4. The book of Revelation offers a number of symbols and pictures of how the world is and will be until the end of the world. What did the Apostle John see in these verses?

5. What connection does this vision have with the Reformation?

Gospel: Mark 13:5–11  

⁵Jesus began by telling them, “Be careful that no one deceives you. ⁶Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.

⁷“Whenever you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled. Such things must happen, but the end is not yet. ⁸In fact, nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. ⁹But be on your guard! People will hand you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand in the presence of rulers and kings for my sake as a witness to them. ¹⁰And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. ¹¹Whenever they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand what you should say. Say whatever is given to you in that hour, because you will not be the ones speaking; instead it will be the Holy Spirit.”

6. What kinds of things does Jesus warn us will continue to happen until the end of the world?

7. Why should we not be afraid of such things?

Answers:

1. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said that even if their God did not rescue them from the flames, they would not serve Nebuchadnezzar's gods or bow down to the image he had set up.

2. Nebuchadnezzar concluded a) that the God of the three men had sent his messenger/angel to save them, b) that the three had done the right thing, and c) that no other god could save in such a way.

3. Among many things, we should conclude that God will bless those who fear him―those who put his word and command above any other word and command.

4. John saw an angel who went out urging all people to honor and worship God, for the time of his judging had come.

5. In previous visions, John had seen that believers would suffer many trials and that the enemies of God and false teachers would attack them. Today’s two verses offer the comfort that even in the midst of persecution and false teachers, God’s Word will be proclaimed to the nations. Martin Luther was one messenger who did just that. The Greek word for angel means “messenger.” May we, like Luther, be messengers of the truth in this wicked world.

6. Jesus warns us that many people claiming to be Jesus or the Messiah will come. There will be wars and rumors of war.

7. God promises to be with us and give us strength. He promises his Holy Spirit, who will help us defend our faith without fear. We have God’s promise of eternal life. We know that all trials are “birth pains,” that is, signs of the new and perfect life that is coming soon.

Putting your faith into action

Praise the Lord that he has compelled us to believe that the Bible is the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Even though we live in a world that does its best to convince us to believe we have a lot to worry about, we know that wars, national conflicts, earthquakes, and famines are simply the birth pains of this world as it waits for its day of destruction. Earthly blessings are temporary. Through faith in Jesus we can confidently look forward to the day he will deliver us from this vale of tears and take us to a perfect heavenly kingdom. Meanwhile we will focus on what’s important, that our congregations and our church body have adequate resources to preach the gospel to as many nations as possible so that many other people may still be saved.

A reading from the Book of Concord for Reformation Day

I have to tell a story.  A doctor was sent here to Wittenberg from France, who openly told us that his king was convinced that we have no Church, no government, no marriage, but that we all live promiscuously like cattle and do as we please.  Imagine those whose writings have instilled such crude lies into the king and other countries, presenting them as the pure truth.  How will they face us when we are brought before the judgment seat of Christ? Christ, the Lord and Judge of us all, knows well that they lie.  They, in turn, must hear His sentence.  May God convert to repentance those who can be converted!  To the rest will be said, “Woe and alas!” for eternity.

I return to the subject.  I really would like to see a truly Christian council, so that many people and issues might be helped.  Not that we need help.  Our churches are now, through God’s grace, enlightened and equipped with the pure Word and right use of the Sacraments, with knowledge of the various callings and right works.  So, on our part, we ask for no council.  On such points, we have nothing better to hope or expect from a council.  But we see throughout the bishops’ jurisdictions so many parishes vacant and desolate that it breaks our heart.  Neither the bishops nor the Church officials care how the poor people live or die.  Christ has died for them, yet they are not allowed to hear Him speak as the true Shepherd with His sheep. – Smalcald Articles, Luther’s Preface 1537, paragraphs 8-10

200  A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

1  A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon;

He helps us free from ev’ry need That has us now o’ertaken.

The old evil foe Now means deadly woe;

Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight;

On earth is not his equal.

2  With might of ours can naught be done; Soon were our loss effected.

But for us fights the valiant one Whom God himself elected.

You ask, “Who is this?” Jesus Christ it is,

The almighty Lord. And there’s no other God;

He holds the field forever.

3  Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us,

We tremble not, we fear no ill; They shall not overpow’r us.

This world’s prince may still Scowl fierce as he will,

He can harm us none. He’s judged; the deed is done!

One little word can fell him.

4  The Word they still shall let remain, Nor any thanks have for it;

He’s by our side upon the plain With his good gifts and Spirit.

And do what they will—Hate, steal, hurt, or kill—

Though all may be gone, Our victory is won;

The kingdom’s ours forever!

Text: Martin Luther, 1483–1546; tr. composite.