Participants: Graham Weir
Series Code: FGW
Program Code: FGW000026A
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00:26 Hello, everyone.
00:28 I'm Graham Weir. 00:29 Welcome to part one of the six-part 00:32 Reformation Revisited series. 00:34 This is a dynamic series 00:36 examining the Great Protestant Reformation 00:39 and its vital implication 00:41 for the survival of Christianity today. 00:43 And today we'll be talking about that great reformer, 00:47 Martin Luther. 00:48 Let's begin with a prayer. 00:53 Loving Father in heaven, 00:55 we thank You once again 00:56 for the privilege 00:58 of remembering that mighty path, 00:59 that mighty heritage 01:01 that you've given us as Christians. 01:04 Our conscious, Lord, 01:06 that if we don't remember the lessons of history, 01:09 we're in danger of repeating the mistakes. 01:13 So please bless us. 01:15 Give us ears to hear and eyes to see and more than this, 01:20 incline our hearts to want to do Your work 01:22 because we ask these things in Jesus' precious name. 01:26 Amen. 01:31 Our text today comes from 01:32 the Book of 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4. 01:39 In this text, 01:40 Paul was obviously worried about something strange 01:43 going on among the believers in Thessalonica 01:47 when he wrote this letter. 01:48 Let's take a look at verse 1 01:51 and he says, "Now we beseech you brethren, 01:53 by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, 01:56 and by our gathering together unto him." 01:59 So we see here in this little piece 02:01 that Paul is talking about the second coming of Christ 02:05 and he has spoken about this previously 02:07 in 1 Thessalonians 4 02:10 when he encouraged them 02:11 to keep the second coming in mind, 02:14 so what he says here in his second letter 02:16 was something that his readers were not expecting. 02:19 Looking at verse 2, 02:22 he says, "That ye be not soon shaken in mind, 02:24 or be troubled, neither by spirit, 02:27 nor by word, nor by letter as from us, 02:31 as at the day of Christ is at hand." 02:34 Now Paul is telling them in this text 02:36 to be careful about becoming disturbed in mind 02:39 by any news that Jesus is on his way back, 02:44 even if they receive a letter 02:45 which appears to be signed by Paul. 02:48 Now that would come as a shock to the Thessalonians. 02:52 They'd be thinking about 02:53 what he had already said in his first letter 02:56 but verse 3 and 4 explain why he said this. 03:00 He says, "Let no man deceive you 03:02 by any means: 03:03 for that day shall not come 03:06 except there come a falling away first, 03:10 and that man of sin be revealed, 03:13 the son of perdition 03:15 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, 03:20 or that is worshipped, 03:22 so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God 03:25 showing himself or pretending that he is God." 03:29 So Paul was telling them 03:30 that before the second coming of Jesus could happen, 03:33 the truth of God's word will be so overwhelmed 03:36 with the tide of corruption so bad 03:39 that a man would arise sitting in the place of God 03:42 and claiming to be God. 03:45 Can you imagine this shock, 03:46 this news would give the believers in Thessalonica? 03:51 Paul had written a similar warning 03:53 to his younger fellow worker Timothy, 03:55 in the Book of 1 Timothy 4:1 03:58 when he said this, 04:00 "Now the spirit speaketh expressly, 04:02 that in the latter times 04:04 some shall depart from the faith 04:06 giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils." 04:10 And as we look at the early church history, 04:13 this is exactly what happened, 04:16 and I'm going to show you a brief example. 04:19 In AD 321, the first Sunday Law was introduced. 04:25 In AD 416, 04:27 the concept of infant baptism was introduced, 04:30 that ignored the Bible example of adult baptism 04:33 by full immersion. 04:34 A downward spiral had begun. 04:38 In 593, 04:40 the concept of purgatory became doctrine 04:43 and this idea was the idea 04:46 that at death a person didn't really die 04:49 but their soul went to some place 04:50 between heaven and hell called purgatory 04:54 where they supposedly suffered continual torment 04:57 until someone paid money for their soul to be released 05:00 to go to heaven. 05:02 And this false doctrine caused misery for millions. 05:06 Friends, let's think about this. 05:08 If it is true that at death the body doesn't really die, 05:12 but simply take some other life form 05:14 called the soul, 05:16 then we would have to say 05:17 that the devil must have told the truth to Eve in Eden 05:21 when he said thy shall not surely die. 05:24 But do you really think the devil told the truth? 05:28 Of course, he didn't. 05:30 The Bible calls him the father of lies. 05:34 In AD 787, the worship of images and statues 05:40 was declared acceptable ignoring 05:42 the second commandment. 05:45 And in AD 1190 05:47 the sale of indulgences was introduced. 05:50 This false doctrine 05:51 was supposed to enable dead souls 05:53 to be released from purgatory, 05:56 and it also granted freedom from sin for the buyer, 05:59 the person who put money in the box, 06:01 but thankfully some wise people were not fooled 06:04 and they called these things "ticket to sin." 06:08 And in 1545, 06:10 one of the worst errors were introduced. 06:13 This was the teaching that manmade tradition 06:15 was more important than what the Bible said. 06:19 And there were many more than we have time for here. 06:23 Whereas the false doctrine became more and more corrupted 06:26 and people sank into spiritual darkness, 06:29 the deluded church leaders, 06:31 many convinced governments that the heretics 06:33 were a danger to the state and had to be killed. 06:38 And as a consequence of that decision, 06:40 over the period of AD 336 to 1487, 06:45 a grand total of more than 100 million people, 06:49 more than four times the population of Australia 06:52 were branded heretics and killed 06:54 just because they didn't agree with the teachings 06:58 of the religious-political system 07:00 that claimed to be Christ's representatives on earth. 07:03 It was just as the Bible had prophesied 07:05 in Revelation 17:6, 07:08 which says, 07:10 "And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, 07:13 and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus 07:15 and when I saw her, 07:17 I wondered with great admiration." 07:20 And we know that in Bible prophetic symbolism, 07:23 the word woman is just a symbol or a code word 07:26 that really means a church. 07:29 And as the tide of corruption swelled, 07:32 the man of sin emerged like a monster from the deep 07:37 as the leaders of the church became known 07:39 for their depravity and their sin. 07:42 And in this list you're about to see, 07:45 we'll see a brief list of the sins 07:47 of the head of the church. 07:50 Murder, adultery, stealing, 07:55 sexual depravity, 07:56 and there were many other things 07:59 and these were just the popes. 08:01 The man who claimed to be God on the earth 08:04 and pretended to be God in heaven, 08:07 just as the Apostle Paul told 08:08 to Thessalonians it will happen. 08:11 Friends, Pope did not invent these lists 08:14 and I'm just showing you history. 08:16 Plenty of evidence is available for anyone 08:18 to read in classic books like these. 08:21 The decline and fall of the Roman Empire by Gibbon, 08:26 Saints and Sinners, 08:27 A History of the Popes by Eamon Duffy, 08:31 Truth Triumphant by Wilkinson, 08:34 and this book list 08:35 some of the grim details typically suffered 08:37 by many of the martyrs. 08:39 This isn't bedtime reading 08:42 but it's very enlightening. 08:45 Well by the 15th century, 08:46 the church had become swamped by an ocean of corruption. 08:50 The truth of God's word had become grand 08:52 and a thief tradition and meaningless rituals. 08:56 And upon this scene entered the early reformers 08:59 like John Wycliffe, Jann Hus, 09:02 and Jerome of Prague. 09:05 These early reformers protested strongly 09:08 against the excesses of the church 09:10 and in particular the selling of indulgences 09:13 and the immoral living of the popes and the priests, 09:17 and the misuse of offering money 09:18 to support evil lust out. 09:22 This didn't win them any friends 09:23 among the corrupt leaders of the church 09:26 and after Wycliffe's death 09:27 from a stroke at the age of 64, 09:30 the enraged church 09:31 actually dug up his bones, burned them, 09:34 and threw them into the River Swift 09:36 in Lutterworth. 09:38 Hus and Jerome were given mock trials 09:40 and they were burned at the stake. 09:43 About 100 years after these events, 09:45 there was a young man in Germany 09:47 by the name of Martin Luther. 09:50 He was growing up in the home with parents 09:52 who did their best to instruct their children 09:54 in the knowledge of God 09:56 and the practice of Christian virtue. 09:59 In fact, Martin's father, who was a copper miner, 10:02 often prayed in the hearing of his son 10:04 that the boy must remember the name of the Lord 10:07 and one day 10:08 aid in the advancement of truth. 10:11 Little did he know 10:12 what the Lord had in store for his son. 10:16 Unfortunately, it was common for most people at that time 10:19 to have gloomy 10:20 superstitious ideas of religion. 10:23 These ideas filled Martin with fear and dread 10:27 and made him think of God as a cruel tyrant 10:29 rather than a kind heavenly Father. 10:32 These were common views in those days. 10:35 In spite of this, 10:36 Martin spent several years at Erfurt University. 10:39 He was training to be a lawyer, 10:41 but in spite of these gloomy 10:43 spiritual attitudes surrounding him, 10:45 he still was deeply religious 10:47 and he never failed to seek the hope of God 10:50 on a daily basis with prayer, 10:53 and little did he imagine the great mission 10:54 that God was preparing him for. 10:58 Well, one day examining the books in the library 11:00 of the university, 11:02 Luther discovered a Latin Bible. 11:05 And this was a book he had never seen before. 11:09 Now for the first time, 11:10 he looked upon the whole of God's Word 11:14 and in awe he exclaimed, 11:16 "O that God would give me such a book for myself!" 11:21 And as he read, 11:23 a great desire to be free from sin and find peace 11:25 with God took hold of him, 11:28 and then something happened to Martin Luther 11:31 that would change his life's direction in a way 11:35 he could never have imagined. 11:37 On 2nd of July, 1505, 11:40 he was returning to university after a trip home 11:44 when during a thunderstorm 11:46 a lightning bolt struck near him. 11:49 It terrified him 11:50 and he fell to his face on the earth, 11:52 he was terrified at divine judgment. 11:53 In fact he thought 11:55 this was the Lord with a big stick 11:56 trying to strike him out because he was a sinner. 11:59 He fell to the ground and in desperation 12:01 he cried out, "Help! 12:03 Saint Anna, I will become a monk!" 12:07 And at that point we might ask, well, hang on a minute, 12:09 why did he pray to Saint Anna instead of God. 12:12 While the Bible talks about the dead knowing nothing, 12:15 it was still hidden by generations of error 12:17 in those days, 12:19 so it was common practice for people 12:20 to pray to dead saints. 12:23 But I believe God understood this lack of knowledge 12:25 and still allowed the young Martin Luther 12:28 to enter into an experience 12:29 that would eventually share a great flood of light 12:33 upon himself and the world. 12:37 While he survived the storm, 12:39 and because he felt he could never break his vow, 12:43 and in spite of the fact 12:44 his father was disgusted with him 12:45 and was so angry 12:47 about Martin giving up his education 12:49 that he wouldn't even talk to him for two years. 12:52 In spite of all this, 12:53 Martin dropped out of the law school, 12:55 sold his books, and a few days later on 17th of July, 1505, 13:01 he entered St. Augustine's Monastery 13:04 and offered to become a monk, 13:07 and in here he was required to perform the lowest drudgery 13:11 and to beg from house to house, 13:13 but he patiently endured this humiliation believing 13:17 that it was necessary 13:19 because he felt he was so sinful. 13:22 Years later, looking back on his early experience 13:25 in his monastery, he said this, 13:28 "I was indeed a pious monk 13:30 and I followed the rules of my order 13:32 more strictly than I can express. 13:34 If ever a monk could obtain heaven 13:36 by his monkish works, 13:38 I should certainly have been entitled to it." 13:42 Well, with all his efforts 13:43 to make himself worthy of salvation, 13:45 he found no relief in the guilt of sin. 13:49 But God didn't fail to help him. 13:52 His mentor Staupitz opened the Word of God to his mind 13:55 and this is what he said to him. 13:57 He said, "Instead of torturing yourself 13:59 on account of your sins, 14:01 throw yourself into the Redeemer's arms. 14:04 Trust in Him, 14:05 in the righteousness of His life, 14:07 in the atonement of His death. 14:10 Listen to the Son of God. 14:12 He became man to give you the assurance of divine favor. 14:16 Love him who first loved you." 14:20 Well, at this stage, Martin's experience, 14:23 he was still a true son of a papal church 14:25 and he had no thought 14:27 that he would ever be anything else. 14:29 And the providence of God, he was led to visit Rome. 14:33 He pursued his journey on foot, 14:35 lodging at the monasteries on the way. 14:38 He entered the city, visited the churches, 14:42 listened to fantastic stories repeated 14:44 by priests and monks, 14:45 and he performed all the ceremonies required. 14:49 But everywhere he looked, 14:50 he saw sins that filled him with astonishment and horror. 14:55 He saw that inequity existed among all classes 14:58 that were clergy. 14:59 He heard indecent jokes from pulpits 15:03 and was filled with horror 15:04 at the awful profanity even during mass. 15:09 Turn where he would, 15:10 in the place where he expected holiness, 15:12 he found evil. 15:14 Writing about his experiences later, 15:16 he said, "No one can imagine what sins 15:19 and infamous actions are committed in Rome. 15:21 They must be seen and heard to be believed. 15:26 But at this time the pope had promised 15:28 an indulgence to all 15:29 who would climb up Pilate's staircase 15:31 when they need. 15:33 And the church claimed that these stairs 15:36 were the very stairs 15:37 that Jesus descended 15:38 as he left the Rome in judgment hall. 15:41 And that they were miraculously moved 15:43 from Jerusalem to Rome. 15:45 They're still there today and the devout tourists 15:49 still climb up these stairs on their knees. 15:53 While Luther was devoutly climbing these steps, 15:57 unaware that the Lord was about to give him 15:59 an unforgettable conversion experience, 16:03 as he climbed, 16:05 suddenly a voice-like thunder seemed to say to him, 16:09 "The just shall live by faith." 16:15 Deeply shocked at the realization 16:17 of what he was doing, 16:19 he sprang to his feet 16:20 and hastened from the place in shame and horror 16:23 and immediately began his journey home. 16:26 Well, it takes never lost its power upon his soul. 16:29 From that time on he saw more clearly 16:31 than ever before 16:34 the futility of trusting to human works for salvation 16:40 and the necessity of constant faith 16:41 in the merits of Christ. 16:44 His eyes had been opened 16:46 and were never again to be closed 16:48 to the delusions of the papacy. 16:51 When he turned his face from Rome, 16:53 he had turned away also in heart, 16:56 and from that time 16:57 the separation grew wider and wider 17:01 until eventually 17:02 he severed all connection with the papal church. 17:07 Eventually, 17:08 he received the degree the Doctor of Divinity 17:10 from the University of Wittenberg 17:13 where he was employed as the professor of theology 17:16 and with the thunderous words 17:18 "The just shall live by faith," 17:20 still ringing in his mind, 17:22 he began to teach that 17:23 "Christians should receive no other doctrine than those 17:26 which rest on the authority of the Sacred Scriptures." 17:29 That's good advice, isn't it? 17:30 Amen. Amen. 17:32 These words struck 17:34 at the very foundation of papal supremacy. 17:37 They contained divided principle 17:38 of the mighty Protestant Reformation, 17:42 presses with the message 17:43 which he brought to the eager crowds 17:45 that hung upon his words. 17:47 Never before 17:48 had such teachings fallen upon their ear. 17:51 The glad tidings of Savior's love, 17:54 the assurance of pardon and peace to his atoning blood 17:58 rejoiced their hearts 17:59 that inspired within them an immortal hope. 18:04 At Wittenberg, a light was kindled 18:06 whose rays should extend 18:08 to the uttermost parts the earth 18:11 and which was to increasing brightness 18:13 to the close of time. 18:16 Meanwhile, the Roman Church 18:19 will be making merchandise of the grace of God. 18:22 Under the excuse of raising fund 18:24 for the erection of St. Peter's Church at Rome, 18:27 indulgences to sin were publicly offered for sale 18:30 by the authority of the pope. 18:33 By the price of crime, 18:34 a temple was to be built for God's worship. 18:39 The cornerstone laid with the wages of inequity. 18:44 The official appointed to conduct 18:45 the sale of indulgences in Germany, 18:47 the chief salesman, Tetzel by name, 18:51 he had been convicted 18:52 of basest offences against society 18:55 and against the law of God 18:56 but he was still employed 18:58 to further the mercenary projects 19:00 of the pope in Germany. 19:02 He repeated glaring falsehoods and marvelous tiles 19:05 to deceive an ignorant and superstitious people. 19:08 In fact, at the end of the town 19:10 a messenger went before him announcing, 19:13 "The grace of God and of the Holy Father 19:15 is at your gates." 19:17 And the people walk on the blessings 19:19 pretending as if he were God himself 19:21 come down from heaven to them. 19:24 He set off this dishonorable traffic 19:26 in the church and ascended to pulpit, 19:29 and extolled the indulgences 19:31 as the most precious gift of God. 19:35 He even declared that 19:36 by virtue of his certificates of pardon, 19:38 all the sins 19:40 which a purchaser should afterward desire to commit 19:43 would be forgiven to him 19:45 and that not even repentance was necessary. 19:47 Imagine that. 19:49 You can do anything you liked 19:51 and you'd be quite confident 19:52 that it didn't matter what you did, 19:54 you'll be forgiven as long as you put some money in the box. 19:59 More than this, 20:00 he assured his hearers that the indulgences 20:02 even had the power to save 20:04 not only the living but the dead. 20:07 At the very moment the money should click 20:09 against the bottom of his chest, 20:11 the soul on whose behalf 20:12 it had been paid would escape from purgatory 20:15 and make its way to heaven. 20:18 And believe it or not, 20:19 Tetzel's offer was grasped by eager thousands, 20:22 and gold and silver flowed into his treasury. 20:26 Now the salvation that could be bought with money 20:29 was more easily obtained 20:30 than that which requires repentance, faith, 20:33 and diligent effort to exist and overcome sin. 20:38 Luther, though still a papacy of the state 20:40 of sort was filled with horror 20:42 at the blasphemous assumptions of the indulgence. 20:47 And many of his own congregation 20:49 had purchased certificates of pardon 20:51 and they soon began to come to their pastor 20:54 confessing their various sins and expecting absolution, 20:59 not because they repented and wished to reform, 21:02 but on the grounds of the indulgence. 21:05 Now Luther refused them absolution, 21:07 and he warned them 21:08 that unless they should repent and reform their lives, 21:11 they must perish in their sins. 21:14 Well, in great perplexity, 21:15 they returned to Tetzel 21:17 with the complaint that their confessor 21:19 had refused the certificate, 21:22 and some of them even boldly demanded 21:24 they get their money back. 21:26 Well, the friar was filled with rage. 21:29 He hurled at them terrible curses, 21:31 he even caused fires to be lighted in public squares 21:34 and he declared that he had received this order 21:36 from the pope to burn all heretics 21:38 who presumed to oppose his most holy indulgences. 21:42 This is the trigger for Luther 21:45 to boldly begin his work as a champion of the truth. 21:49 He told the people not to buy indulgences 21:51 but to look in faith to a crucified redeemer. 21:55 He told them about his own painful experiences 21:57 and vainly trying to end salvation 21:59 by painfully climbing up those stairs on his knee 22:03 and many other works of humiliation and penance 22:06 and he assured his heirs 22:08 that he was by looking away from himself 22:11 and believing in Christ 22:13 that he found peace and joy. 22:16 But as Tetzel continued his deceptions, 22:19 Luther determined to make a bolder protest against him. 22:23 First of all saints with depressing sin, so Luther, 22:27 knowing that Tetzel 22:28 would try to sell his indulgences 22:30 to the people who came to see the relics, 22:32 on the day before the festival, 22:34 he joined the crowds walking to the church 22:37 and posted on its door 22:39 a paper containing 95 propositions 22:42 against the doctrines of indulgences 22:46 and he declared his willingness to defend these 22:48 theses next day at the university 22:51 against all who should see fit to attack him. 22:54 Well, in these theses 22:56 it was shown that the power to grant 22:57 the pardon of sin and to remit its penalty 23:01 had never been committed 23:02 to the pope or to any other man. 23:05 Now I will scream with the facts, 23:07 a deception to extort money 23:09 by playing upon 23:10 the superstitions of the people, 23:13 and it was also clearly shown this important statement that 23:17 "The gospel of Christ 23:18 is the most valuable treasure of the church 23:22 and that the grace of God, it revealed, 23:24 is freely granted to all 23:25 who seek it by" money, is that what it says? 23:29 No. 23:31 it says by "Repentance and faith." 23:36 Luther could not have imagined what the Lord would now do. 23:39 Because remember this was the time 23:41 when printing had just been invented. 23:43 In a few days, they were being copied 23:46 and they were being spread all over Germany 23:49 and a year after the posting of his theses on the door, 23:52 Luther's writings and his doctrines 23:55 were extending to every nation in Christendom. 23:58 The work spread to Switzerland and Holland, 24:02 copies of his writings found their way to France and Spain. 24:06 In England his teachings were received 24:08 as the word of life, 24:10 to Belgium and Italy also the truth had extended. 24:14 Thousands were awakening from the death-like stupor 24:18 to the joy and hope of a life of faith. 24:21 The climb out of the Dark Ages had begun. 24:26 Rome was bent upon the destruction of Luther, 24:29 but God was his defense. 24:32 His doctrines were heard everywhere, 24:33 in cottages, in conference, 24:35 in the castle of the nobles, in the universities, 24:39 and in the palaces of the kings, 24:41 and the noble men were rising on every hand 24:43 to sustain his effort. 24:47 Now Luther felt confident 24:48 that the church leaders were reasonable men 24:50 and they would gladly unite with him in reform 24:53 but how mistaken he was. 24:56 Crafty ecclesiastics seeing their games endangered, 25:00 they were enraged. 25:02 They quickly saw that the people 25:04 looked to Christ alone for salvation 25:07 would stop thousands of streams of money 25:09 from flowing into the church's coffin. 25:12 They would overthrow the pontiff's throne 25:14 and eventually destroy their own authority 25:17 so their writings of against Christ 25:19 and the truth by opposing the man 25:22 that God had so cleanly sent to enlighten them. 25:26 The writings of Luther had kindled everywhere 25:28 a new interest in the Holy Scriptures. 25:31 Not only from all parts of Germany 25:33 but from other lands 25:35 students flocked to the university. 25:38 Young men coming inside of Wittenberg 25:40 for the first time 25:41 would raise their hands to heaven, 25:43 and bless God for having caused a lot of truth 25:46 to shine forth from Wittenberg. 25:49 But Luther's opponents burning with a desire for revenge, 25:53 urged the pope to take decisive measures against him, 25:57 and it was decreed that his doctrines 26:00 should be immediately condemned. 26:02 Sixty days were granted to reformer 26:04 and his adherence, 26:06 after which if they did not recant 26:09 they were all to be excommunicated. 26:13 That was the curve of crisis for the reformation. 26:17 But when the papal bull reached Luther, 26:19 with terrible power, 26:20 he flung back upon Rome herself the sentence of condemnation. 26:26 In the presence of a crowd of citizens of all ranks, 26:29 Luther burned the papal bull and he said this, 26:33 "A serious struggle has just begun. 26:36 Before this, 26:38 I've been only playing with the pope. 26:40 I began this work in God's name, 26:43 it will be ended without me, and by his might. 26:47 Who knows if God has not chosen and called me 26:51 and if they ought not to fear that by despising me, 26:53 they despise God himself." 26:56 While there was peace for Luther for a while, 27:00 the pope's edict was not enacted 27:02 because the princes of Germany were supportive of him. 27:05 But after a few years a new emperor, 27:07 Charles V ascended the throne of Germany. 27:11 The Electorate of Saxony to him, 27:13 Charles was in great degree indebted to for his crown, 27:17 he entreated the emperor and he said, 27:20 "Don't take any steps against Luther 27:23 until you give him a hearing and a safe conduct." 27:28 So Luther was summoned to appear 27:30 before the assembly 27:33 at the city of Worms on April 17, 1521. 27:40 And at length Luther stood before the council. 27:44 The emperor occupied the throne. 27:46 He was surrounded 27:47 by the most illustrious personalities in the empire. 27:51 Never had any man appeared 27:53 in the presence of a more imposing assembly 27:56 but not before which Martin Luther 27:58 was to answer for his sake. 28:00 And his appearance of itself a signal of victory 28:04 over the papacy. 28:06 The pope had condemned the man 28:08 and he was now asked to appear before a tribunal 28:11 which by this very activities about the pope. 28:15 The pope had laid him and do a indict 28:17 and cut him off from all human society 28:21 and yet he was summoned in respectful language 28:24 and received before the most august assembly 28:27 in the world. 28:29 The pope had condemned him to perpetual silence 28:32 and he was now about to speak 28:33 before thousands of attentive hearers, 28:36 drawn together 28:37 from the furthest parts of Christendom 28:40 and immense revolution had best been affected 28:43 by Luther's instrumentality. 28:46 Rome was already descending from her throne 28:49 and it was the voice of a monk that caused this humiliation. 28:54 In the presence of that 28:56 powerful entitled assembly 28:58 the lowly born reformer seemed at odd and embarrassed. 29:02 Several of the princes, observing his emotion, 29:05 they approached him and one of them whispered 29:08 "Fear not them which kill the body 29:10 but are not able to kill the soul." 29:13 Another said, 29:14 when you shall be brought 29:16 before governors and kings for My sake, 29:18 it shall be given you 29:19 by the Spirit of your Father, what you shall say." 29:24 So in this way the words of Christ 29:26 were brought by the world's great men 29:28 to strengthen his servants in the hour of trial. 29:33 When Luther was conducted to a position directly 29:35 in front of the emperor's throne, 29:38 a deep silence fell upon the crowded assembly. 29:42 Then an imperial officer arose 29:44 and pointing to a collection of Luther's writings, 29:47 he demanded that the reformer answer 29:49 two questions. 29:51 The first question was whether 29:52 he acknowledges the books as his own, 29:56 and the second one was whether he proposed 29:58 to retract the opinions 30:00 which he had expressed in them. 30:03 After the officer read out the titles of the books, 30:06 Luther replied to answer the first question, 30:08 he acknowledged the books to be his. 30:12 As to the second, he said, 30:14 "Seeing that it is a question 30:16 which concerns faith and salvation of souls, 30:20 and in which the Word of God, 30:22 the greatest and most precious treasure 30:25 either in heaven or earth is involved, 30:28 I should act imprudently 30:31 were I to reply without reflection. 30:34 I might affirm less than the circumstance demands, 30:38 or more than the truth requires, 30:40 and so sin against this saying of Christ who said, 30:43 "Whosoever shall deny Me before men, 30:46 him will I also deny before My Father 30:48 which is in heaven." 30:50 And that was in Matthew 10:33. 30:53 "For this reason I entreat your Imperial Majesty, 30:57 with all humility, to allow me time, 30:59 that I may answer without offending 31:02 against the Word of God." 31:04 Well, he got, he was given some time. 31:07 And the next day 31:08 he was to appear to render his final answer. 31:11 But that night in his room, 31:13 his heart sank within him as he contemplated the forces 31:18 that were combined against the truth. 31:21 His faith faltered, fearfulness and trembling came upon him, 31:26 and horror overwhelmed him, dangers multiplied before him, 31:32 his enemy seemed about to triumph, 31:35 and the powers of darkness appeared about to prevail. 31:39 Clouds gathered about him 31:41 and seemed to separate him from God. 31:43 He longed for the assurance 31:45 that the Lord of hosts would be with him. 31:47 In an anguish of spirit 31:49 he threw himself with his face upon the earth 31:52 and poured out those broken, heart-rending cries, 31:55 which none but God can fully understand. 31:58 This is what he prayed, listen carefully to his prayer. 32:03 He said, "Oh, almighty and everlasting God, 32:06 how terrible is this world! 32:08 Behold, it openeth its mouth to swallow me up, 32:11 and I have so little trust in Thee. 32:14 If it is only in the strength of this world 32:17 that I must put my trust, all is over. 32:20 My last hour's come, 32:22 my condemnation has been pronounced. 32:25 Oh, God, do thou help me 32:27 against all the wisdom of the world. 32:29 Do this, thou alone, 32:31 for this is not my work, but thine. 32:34 I have nothing to do here, 32:36 nothing to contend 32:37 for with these great ones of the world. 32:40 But this cause is thine, 32:42 and it is a righteous and eternal cause. 32:45 "Oh, Lord!" He says, "Help me!" 32:48 Faithful and unchangeable God, in no man do I place my trust. 32:53 All that is of man is uncertain, 32:56 all that cometh of man fails. 32:59 Thou hast chosen me for this work, 33:02 stand at my side for the sake 33:03 of thy well-beloved Jesus Christ, 33:05 who is my defense, my shield, and my strong tower." 33:10 In his utter hopelessness, 33:12 his faith fastened upon Christ, the mighty deliverer, 33:15 he was strengthened with the assurance 33:17 that he would not appear alone before the council. 33:21 Peace returned to his soul, 33:24 and he rejoiced that he was permitted 33:25 to uplift the Word of God 33:27 before the rulers of the nations. 33:32 While his mind stayed upon God, 33:33 Luther prepared for the struggle before him. 33:36 He thought upon the plan of his answer. 33:39 He examined passages in his own writing, 33:42 and drew from the Holy Scriptures 33:44 suitable proofs to sustain his position. 33:47 Then, laying his left hand on the Sacred Volume, 33:51 which was open before him, 33:53 he lifted his right hand to heaven and he vowed, 33:57 "To remain faithful to the gospel, 33:59 and freely to confess his faith, 34:02 even should he seal his testimony 34:05 with his blood." 34:08 Well, the next morning, 34:09 when he was again ushered into the presence of the Diet, 34:12 his countenance bore 34:14 no trace of fear or embarrassment. 34:16 Calm and peaceful, yet grandly brave and noble, 34:20 he stood as God's witness 34:21 among the great ones of the earth. 34:24 The imperial officer now demanded his decision 34:27 as to whether he desired to retract his doctrines. 34:31 Luther made his answer in a subdued and humble tone, 34:35 without violence or passion, 34:38 his demeanor was diffident and respectful, 34:41 yet he manifested a confidence and a joy 34:44 that surprised the assembly. 34:48 Proceeding to the question, 34:49 he stated that his published works 34:51 were not all of the same character. 34:54 In some he had treated of faith and good works, 34:57 and even his enemies declared them 34:59 to be not only harmless but profitable. 35:02 To retract these would be to condemn truth 35:05 which all parties confess. 35:08 And the second class consisted of writing 35:10 exposing the corruptions and abuses of the papacy. 35:14 To revoke these works 35:16 would strengthen the tyranny of Rome, 35:18 and open a wider door to many and great impieties. 35:22 In the third class of his books, 35:24 he had attacked individuals 35:26 who had defended existing evils. 35:29 And concerning these, 35:30 he freely confessed 35:32 that he had been more violent than was becoming. 35:35 He did not claim to be free from fault, 35:38 but even these books he could not revoke, 35:41 for such a course would embolden 35:42 the enemies of truth, 35:44 and they would then take occasion 35:45 to crush God's people with still greater cruelty. 35:50 "Yet," he said, " 35:51 I am but a mere man, and I'm not God. 35:55 I shall therefore defend myself as Christ did, 35:58 'If I have spoken evil, and bear witness of evil.' 36:04 By the mercy of God, 36:05 I conjure you, most serene emperor, 36:08 and you most illustrious princes, 36:11 and all men of every degree, 36:13 to prove from the writings of the prophets and apostles 36:16 that I have erred. 36:18 As soon as I'm convinced of this, 36:21 I will retract every error, 36:22 and be the first to throw my books 36:25 into the fire." 36:27 "What I've just said plainly shows, I hope, 36:30 that I've carefully weighed in considered the dangers 36:32 to which I exposed myself, 36:35 but far from being dismayed, 36:37 I rejoice to see that the gospel is now, 36:40 as in former times, 36:42 a cause of trouble and dissension. 36:45 This is the character, 36:46 this is the destiny of the Word of God. 36:49 He said, 36:50 "I came not to send peace on the earth, 36:52 but a sword" said Jesus Christ. 36:54 God is wonderful and terrible in his counsels, beware lest, 36:57 by presuming to quench dissensions, 37:00 you should persecute the holy word of God, 37:02 and draw down upon yourselves a frightful deluge 37:06 of insurmountable dangers, 37:09 of present disasters and eternal damnation. 37:16 I might quote many examples from the Oracles of God. 37:20 I might speak of the Pharaohs, the kings of Babylon, 37:22 and those of Israel, 37:24 whose labors never more effectually contributed 37:26 to their own destruction 37:28 than when they sought by counsels, 37:30 to all appearance most wise, to strengthen their dominion. 37:35 But God removed mountains, and they know it not. 37:39 Interestingly Luther had spoken always in German. 37:43 And he was now requested to repeat 37:45 the same speech in Latin. 37:48 He was exhausted by the previous effort, 37:50 but he complied with this, 37:52 and he again delivered his speech 37:54 with the same clearness and energy as at the first. 37:58 God's providence directed in this matter. 38:01 And the minds of many of the princes 38:02 were so blinded by error and superstition 38:05 that at the first delivery 38:07 they didn't see 38:08 the force of Luther's words or his reasoning. 38:11 But the repetition in Latin enabled them 38:14 to perceive clearly the points he was trying to point out. 38:18 Those who stubbornly closed their eyes to the light, 38:21 and determined not to be convinced 38:23 of the truth, 38:24 were enraged at the power of Luther's words. 38:28 As he stopped speaking, 38:30 the spokesman of the Diet said angrily, 38:33 "You have not answered the question put to you. 38:36 You are required to give a clear 38:38 and precise answer. 38:39 Will you or will you not retract?" 38:43 The reformer answered, 38:46 "Since your most serene majesty 38:47 and your high mightiness's require 38:49 from me a clear, simple, and precise answer, 38:54 I will give you one, and it is this. 38:57 I cannot submit my faith either to the pope 39:01 or to the councils 39:03 because it is clear as the day 39:04 that they have frequently erred and contradicted each other. 39:09 Unless, therefore, 39:11 I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture 39:14 or by the clearest reasoning, 39:16 unless I am persuaded 39:18 by means of the passages I have quoted, 39:21 and unless they thus render my conscience, 39:23 bound by the Word of God, 39:26 I cannot and I will not retract, 39:30 for it is not safe for a Christian 39:32 to speak against his conscience. 39:35 Here I stand, I can do no other. 39:39 God, help me. 39:41 Amen." 39:44 Well, at this speech, 39:45 the agents of Rome had been roasted. 39:48 They sought to maintain their power, 39:50 not by appealing to Scripture, 39:52 but by threats, Rome's unfailing argument. 39:58 Said the spokesman of the Diet, 39:59 "If you do not retract, 40:01 the emperor and the states of the empire 40:03 will consult what course to adopt 40:06 against an incorrigible heretic." 40:11 But Luther said calmly, 40:14 "May God be my helper, for I can retract nothing." 40:19 He was directed to withdraw 40:21 while the princes consulted together. 40:24 And Luther's persistent refusal to submit, 40:26 might affect the history of the church for ages. 40:30 It was decided to give him 40:32 one more opportunity to retract. 40:34 So he was brought back into the assembly. 40:37 And again the question was put, 40:39 would he renounce his doctrines? 40:42 "I have no other reply to make," 40:44 he said, "than that which I have already made." 40:48 Well, as the Roman legate perceived 40:49 the effect produced by Luther's speech, 40:52 he resolved to employ every means at his command 40:55 to affect the Reformer's overthrow. 40:58 So with all his eloquence and diplomatic skill, 41:02 he went to the youthful emperor 41:04 and he whispered to him and spoke to him 41:07 about the danger of sacrificing the friendship 41:10 and support of Rome 41:12 for the cause of an insignificant monk. 41:15 And unfortunately, 41:17 this did have an effect on the emperor 41:20 because the next day Charles caused a message 41:24 to be presented to the Diet, 41:26 announcing his determination to carry out the policy 41:28 of his predecessors to protect the Catholic religion, 41:32 and use the most vigorous measures 41:34 to oppose Luther and his heresies. 41:38 With this decision, 41:39 the ruler of Germany decided 41:41 that he would not step out of the path of custom, 41:43 even to walk in the way of the truth and righteousness. 41:47 Because his fathers upheld the papacy, 41:50 he would do the same, 41:52 even with all its cruelty and corruption. 41:56 So he refused to accept any light in advances 41:59 for his fathers had received 42:00 or to perform any duty 42:03 that they had not performed. 42:06 It's like Pilate, centuries before, 42:09 permitted pride and popularity to close his heart 42:13 against the world's Redeemer, 42:16 just like the proud Agrippa confessed to the Apostle Paul, 42:21 "Almost they persuaded me to be a Christian," 42:25 and yet he turned away from the heaven-sent message. 42:29 The same divine power had spoken through Luther 42:32 to the emperor and the princes of Germany. 42:36 And as the light shone forth from God's Word, 42:38 his spirit pleaded for the last time 42:41 with many in that assembly. 42:46 So Charles V, 42:47 yielding to the dictates of worldly pride and policy, 42:50 decided to reject the light of truth. 42:56 Well the take home message of this story for us today 42:58 is what. 43:00 It is this. 43:02 Many people today still cling to the customs and traditions 43:06 of their fathers. 43:09 So when the Lord sends a medicinal light, 43:11 they refuse to accept it 43:13 because not having been graded to their fathers 43:15 it was not received by them. 43:18 Friends, we are not placed in the same time period 43:21 or in the same circumstances that our fathers were. 43:26 Our duties and responsibilities are not the same as this. 43:30 We shall not be approved of God 43:32 if we continue to look at the example of our fathers 43:35 to determine our duty 43:37 instead of searching the word of truth for our souls. 43:42 Our responsibility is greater 43:44 than with that of our ancestors. 43:47 We are accountable for the light 43:48 which they received 43:50 and which was handed down as inheritance for us. 43:54 And we are accountable also for the additional light 43:57 which is now shining upon us from the Word of God. 44:04 The most prolific woman author in all history, 44:07 Ellen G. White, 44:08 she summed it up very well when she said this, 44:12 "The banner of truths and religious liberty 44:14 which these reformers held aloft has, 44:17 in this last conflict, being committed to us." 44:22 The responsibility for this great gift 44:25 rests with those 44:26 whom God has blessed with the knowledge of His Word. 44:29 Friends, that is you, and that is me. 44:33 She said, "We are to receive God's word 44:35 as supreme authority. 44:38 We must accept its truth for ourselves. 44:40 And we can appreciate these truths 44:42 only as we search them out by personal study. 44:46 And then, if we make God's word the guide of our lives, 44:50 for us is they answered the prayer of Christ, 44:52 'Sanctify them through thy truth. 44:55 Thy word is truth." 44:59 So the question for you and me today is this, 45:03 "Are you willing to search for truth in God's Word 45:06 as studiously as did Martin Luther 45:10 and the reformers of old?" 45:12 Think about this question. 45:16 And, 45:17 "Are you willing to stand for the truth 45:19 in God's strength alone, 45:21 whenever and wherever He calls you?" 45:26 Please, consider these questions 45:28 as you watch this beautiful hymn 45:30 written by Martin Luther 45:32 and sung by the Fountainview Choir 45:34 and Orchestra, our mighty fortress is our God. 46:08 Welcome, I'm your host John Bradshaw. 46:11 And I'm so glad you've joined us 46:13 for The Great Controversy production, 46:15 presented by Fountainview Academy 46:17 Orchestra and Singers. 47:23 A mighty fortress is our God 47:28 A bulwark never failing 47:33 Our helper He Amid the flood 47:38 Of mortal ills prevailing 47:45 For still our ancient foe 47:49 Doth seek to work us woe 47:53 His craft and pow'r are great 47:58 And armed with cruel hate 48:02 On earth is not his equal 48:10 Did we in our own strength confide 48:15 Our striving would be losing 48:21 Were not the right Man on our side 48:27 The Man of God's own choosing 48:32 Dost ask who that may be? 48:36 Christ Jesus it is He Lord Sabaoth 48:43 His Name 48:45 From age to age the same 48:49 And He must 48:51 Win the battle 48:59 And though this world 49:01 With devils filled 49:07 Should threaten 49:08 to undo us 49:13 We will not fear for God hath willed 49:20 His truth to triumph through us 49:26 The Prince of Darkness grim 49:32 We tremble not for him 49:37 His rage we can endure 49:42 For lo, his doom is sure 49:48 One little word 49:50 Shall fell him 50:15 That word above 50:19 All earthly pow'rs 50:24 No thanks to them 50:28 Abideth 50:34 The Spirit 50:36 And the gifts are ours 50:43 Through Him 50:45 Who with us sideth 50:53 Let goods and kindred go 50:58 This mortal life also 51:02 The body they may kill 51:07 God's truth abideth still 51:13 His kingdom 51:16 Is forever 51:42 Let us pray. 51:46 Loving Father in heaven, 51:48 we pray thee and thank you so much 51:49 for the mighty heritage of history, 51:52 the mighty price that had been paid 51:55 for the Reformation. 51:57 A great light that has shone out of darkness upon us today, 52:00 help us Lord to appreciate it, to apply to our lives. 52:04 Lord, we pray that you will fill us 52:06 with zeal and enthusiasm 52:08 that we might live according to the light 52:10 you've given us 52:11 and spread that light to others 52:13 because we ask these things in Jesus' precious name. 52:17 Amen. |
Revised 2017-12-24