Abide in Jesus ~ October 31, 2021
AS WE GATHER: We are rightly proud of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, of our Lutheran Confession, and especially the Augustinian monk whose name became attached to this confession and church, Martin Luther. Reformation Day marks the day in 1517 that Luther posted his 95 Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg. “The eternal gospel” (Revelation 14:6) issued from the very first stroke of the pen when he wrote, “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent,’ He willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” So this day we celebrate the entire life of believers by proclaiming the eternal gospel of repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ. In the Lutheran liturgy, we have preserved for us from the time of Luther the one place God wants to be worshiped, namely, in Christ.
Bible Readings:
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Revelation 14:6–7
(“Fear God and give Him glory.”)
EPISTLE READING: Romans 3:19–28
(All have sinned; all are justified by His grace.)
HOLY GOSPEL: John 8:31–36
(Listen to Jesus and be set free.)