Participants: John Bradshaw
Series Code: IIW
Program Code: IIW001291A
00:00 ♪ [It Is Written Theme] ♪
00:07 >: It has stood the test of time. 00:12 God's book, the Bible; 00:17 still relevant in today's complex world. 00:22 It Is Written, sharing hope around the globe. 00:34 [Sounds of Thunder] 00:43 [Majestic Music] 00:53 JB: This is It Is Written. 00:55 I'm John Bradshaw. 00:56 Thanks for joining me today. 00:58 The Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, Germany, about 225 miles south 01:03 of the city of Hamburg, was completed in the year 1068, 01:08 and at one time it was the home of one of 01:11 history's most famous prisoners. 01:15 From time to time people appear on the world stage 01:17 that profoundly affect the planet. 01:20 Very often, they have no intention of ever doing so, 01:23 and one of those people was Martin Luther. 01:30 Luther was kept as a prisoner here between May of 1521 01:34 and March of 1522. 01:37 It was at this solitary retreat that Martin Luther translated 01:41 the Bible into German. 01:43 It was in this very place, safe from the malice of his enemies, 01:48 admits some of the greatest dramas of his life, that Martin 01:52 Luther kept the fires of reform burning throughout Germany 01:56 and throughout all of Europe. 01:59 And Martin Luther left to the world a profound legacy that 02:03 affects all of us, even today. 02:07 [Suspensful Music] 02:13 The journey that brought Martin Luther to this place of peace 02:16 and quiet was one of tempest, conflict and great peril. 02:20 Charles V, the new Holy Roman Emperor, who reigned over most 02:25 of central Europe, was under great pressure from Rome 02:28 to crack down on Luther and his followers. 02:31 So Charles had a big problem. 02:34 The man whose influence was most responsible in getting him 02:37 elected emperor, Frederick the ruler of the province of Saxony, 02:42 was deeply impressed by Luther's teachings and had given Luther 02:46 protection. 02:48 Frederick insisted Luther had done nothing wrong and 02:51 that no error was found in his teachings, so he refused 02:53 to act against the Reformer. 02:55 And since the emperor was dependent on Frederick's support 02:59 to stay in power, the emperor found himself in quite a bind. 03:04 Frederick of Saxony was a faithful and powerful friend 03:07 to the great Reformer, and his influence ultimately 03:10 saved Luther's life. 03:14 Soon after Charles became emperor, key representatives 03:17 from throughout the German states gathered in the city of 03:20 Worms to meet with the young monarch. 03:24 Now in spite of the fact that there were plenty of pressing 03:26 political problems troubling the empire, there was nothing 03:30 generating the amount of excitement as the challenge that 03:33 had been made to the church and its teachings by a young Saxon 03:38 monk named Martin Luther. 03:40 And when word spread that Luther had been summoned 03:44 to appear before the princes, that excitement really grew. 03:48 You see, thousands of people had been impressed by the biblical 03:51 clarity and by the passion and by the eloquence 03:55 of Martin Luther's teachings. 03:58 Hope sprang up in countless hearts that a new day was 04:02 dawning, for the church in Germany and for all of Europe. 04:14 But a papal representative named Eleander was not impressed. 04:18 He insisted to the emperor and to others that because the pope 04:23 had already excommunicated Martin Luther the princes and 04:27 their new emperor had no other option than to go along 04:30 with what the pope had already decided. 04:32 So Charles gave Eleander an opportunity to make his case 04:36 to the princes. 04:37 He spoke eloquently and passionately and persuasively 04:41 against Luther and against Luther's challenge to the 04:44 establishment. 04:46 Many people were impressed, but the princes were well aware 04:50 that the church had been guilty of terrible crimes 04:53 and terrible persecution. 04:56 Nothing Eleander could say could erase that knowledge 04:59 from their minds. 05:02 A committee was put together by the princes to catalog the 05:05 abuses and oppression committed by the established church. 05:10 The list contained 101 specifications. 05:14 The emperor was urged to set about immediately to correct 05:17 these problems. 05:19 "It is our duty," the princes said, "to prevent the ruin 05:22 and dishonor of our people." 05:25 Addressing the emperor, they declared, 05:27 "We most humbly and most urgently entreat you to 05:31 order a general reformation and to undertake its 05:34 accomplishment." 05:37 The princes then demanded that Charles stick with his original 05:40 plan to bring Luther to appear before an assembly 05:43 of the princes, known as the Diet of Worms. 05:47 Now, if you see those words written they look like they say 05:49 the Diet of Worms, but the Diet was an assembly and Worms was 05:55 the German city in which that assembly took place. 05:59 There were loud protests from the papal authorities, 06:02 but the emperor did not consent and he pressed ahead 06:05 with his original intention. 06:07 An imperial messenger was dispatched to Wittenberg 06:10 with the emperor's summons, told to bring him back to Worm. 06:14 And he assured Luther that the emperor had pledged 06:18 that Luther would be kept safe. 06:21 But Luther's friends weren't so sure. 06:24 They remembered what had happened over a century earlier 06:28 to the Reformer, John Hus, of Bohemia. 06:32 Hus has been promised protection and safety when he appeared 06:36 before a papal tribunal, but that promise was broken 06:40 as soon as Hus arrived at the tribunal. 06:43 He was imprisoned and ultimately burned at the stake. 06:50 But although Luther's friends were afraid, 06:52 Luther himself was not. 06:54 He was convinced that God would be glorified whether he 06:56 lived and preached or died and was silenced. 07:00 So Luther and several companions set out on what would be a 07:03 two-week journey from Wittenberg to the city of Worms. 07:07 Almost the entire population of Wittenberg came out to farewell 07:11 their friend, many people in tears because they believed 07:14 they would never see their friend alive again. 07:18 They were convinced that the church was going to treat Luther 07:21 the same way it had treated John Hus. 07:25 Luther's journey to Worms was quite the spectacle. 07:28 In many towns along the way he was greeted as a hero and he was 07:32 frequently warned that the church was going to 07:35 burn him at the stake, just like it had Hus 07:37 and Jerome and so many others. 07:40 But Luther was firm in his reply. 07:43 "Though they should kindle a fire all the way from Worms to 07:47 Wittenberg, the flames of which reached to heaven, 07:51 I would walk through it in the name of the Lord. 07:55 I would appear before them. 07:56 I would enter the jaws of this behemoth and break his teeth, 08:01 confessing the Lord Jesus Christ." 08:05 I'll have more in just a moment. 08:08 ♪ [Gentle music] ♪ >: You are watching the weekly 08:10 It Is Written program with Pastor John Bradshaw, 08:13 but did you know that there's a daily program, too? 08:16 Every Word is a one-minute Bible-based daily devotional 08:19 presented by Pastor John Bradshaw and designed especially 08:23 for busy people like you. 08:24 Look for Every Word on selected networks, or watch it online 08:28 every day on our website, ItIsWritten.com. 08:31 Receive a daily spiritual boost. 08:34 Watch Every Word. 08:35 You'll be glad you did. 08:39 ♪ [Rythmic Melody] ♪ 08:47 JB: Hebrews chapter 11 deals with the great heroes of 08:49 faith and gives examples of their great faithfulness. 08:53 Verse 36 says, "Others had trial of mockings." 08:57 People were put on trial and challenged and ridiculed 09:00 for their faith. 09:01 There've been many examples of that in post-Bible times 09:03 as well. 09:04 When Martin Luther was on trial and urged to take back what he'd 09:07 said in defense of the Bible and in criticism 09:09 of the ruling church, he said, "I cannot 09:12 and I will not retract. 09:14 For it is unsafe for a Christian to speak against his conscience. 09:17 Here I stand. 09:18 I can do no other. 09:19 May God help me. 09:20 Amen." 09:22 It takes something to stand for what you believe-- 09:25 it takes faith. 09:26 And that's what Luther, like so many heroes of the Bible, had. 09:29 Luther did not wilt in the face of opposition. 09:32 Instead, he leaned on the Bible. 09:33 That's an example worthy of imitating. 09:36 Let's live today by every word. 09:40 [Thoughtful Melody] 09:45 When Luther finally reached Worms the welcome that 09:47 awaited him was more grand and more spectacular than 09:50 the one that had greeted the new emperor. 09:53 Martin Luther had truly become Germany's new national hero. 09:57 Some of his followers were still frightened for his safety, 10:01 but Luther's opponents were even more worried. 10:04 They urged the emperor to burn Luther at the stake immediately 10:07 and to not give him a hearing. 10:09 But Charles wouldn't do it. 10:12 He insisted he would keep his promise and let Luther 10:16 present his case. 10:18 Luther was so popular with the nobles and with the citizens of 10:21 the city of Worms that he had hardly any rest as he awaited 10:25 to address the Diet. 10:27 His first night in Worms there were so many kings and priests 10:30 and nobles and citizens who wanted to talk to Martin Luther, 10:34 he only got a few hours sleep. 10:36 It seemed that everybody wanted a glimpse of the courageous 10:39 young man who dared resist the pope 10:42 and the might of the church. 10:47 The next morning, Luther at last stood before the council. 10:52 The emperor sat on his throne, surrounded by the princes 10:56 and great men of Germany. 10:58 It's probably fair to say no one charged with the task of 11:01 defending the faith of Christ had ever appeared in the 11:04 presence of a more imposing assembly than this one. 11:08 Luther was nervous, realizing that the eyes of both heaven 11:12 and history were upon him. 11:16 A deep hush fell across the assembly. 11:19 An imperial officer came forward and asked two questions. 11:22 As he pointed to a collection of Martin Luther's writings, 11:24 he asked first, "Were these in fact 11:27 Martin Luther's writings?" 11:29 And second, "Was Luther prepared to renounce what he had written 11:33 against the teachings of the church?" 11:37 Luther stated that these were very much his writings, 11:41 but in answer to the second question he 11:43 asked the emperor if he could have more time so that he could 11:46 check to review that everything he had written was in harmony 11:50 with the Scriptures. 11:52 The next day, he was to give his final answer. 11:55 It looked as though Martin Luther's enemies 11:58 were about to triumph. 12:01 "My last hour has come," he cried to the Lord. 12:05 "My condemnation has been pronounced, but the cause 12:09 is mine and it is a righteous and eternal cause. 12:14 Stand at my side, for the sake thy well-beloved Jesus Christ, 12:19 who is my defense, my shield and my strong tower." 12:24 Luther had come to a place where he recognized his weakness 12:28 and his need of God's help. 12:31 And that's the right place for anyone to be. 12:33 God says in 2 Corinthians 12 in verse 9, 12:36 "My strength is made perfect in weakness." 12:41 It's when we are weak that we can be the strongest, 12:45 when we rely on God. 12:47 [music] 12:54 The next morning, Luther was asked to appear again before 12:58 the emperor and the princes. 12:59 At first he made his case in German, 13:02 but was asked to repeat his presentation in Latin, 13:06 which means Luther got to state his case twice. 13:10 Then Luther was asked if he would retract what he had 13:14 written, if he was prepared to renounce what he had believed. 13:18 And Martin Luther gave his answer, in words that will live 13:22 forever in history. 13:26 "Unless therefore I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture 13:30 or by the clearest reasoning; unless I am persuaded by means 13:34 of the passages I have quoted; and unless they thus 13:37 render my conscience bound by the Word of God, I cannot 13:41 and I will not retract. 13:43 For it is unsafe for a Christian to speak against his conscience. 13:46 Here I stand. 13:48 I can do no other. 13:50 May God help me. 13:52 Amen." 13:55 As Luther finished, the entire assembly to which he spoke was 13:58 speechless with amazement. 14:00 Priests and princes, even the emperor. 14:03 No one expected Luther to stand so resolutely. 14:07 Charles himself said of Martin Luther, "This monk speaks 14:10 with an intrepid heart and unshaken courage." 14:16 The emperor and his council debated what they should do 14:19 with the stubborn Reformer. 14:20 The papal authorities urged that like John Hus a century before, 14:25 Martin Luther be burned at the stake, and that his ashes, 14:29 like the ashes of Hus, should be thrown 14:31 into the Rhine River. 14:33 But even among those people who disagreed with Martin Luther 14:36 there was a sizable number who had no number to see the promise 14:40 of safety made to Martin Luther be broken. 14:43 They were familiar with the calamities that followed the 14:46 execution of John Hus. 14:48 The emperor believed that killing Luther would be 14:50 a disaster for him and for his people. 14:54 So Martin Luther was permitted to return home to Wittenberg. 14:59 [suspenseful music] 15:04 But no sooner had Luther left Worms than the emperor was 15:08 persuaded to condemn Luther, his writings and his followers. 15:13 An order was issued to arrest him wherever he might be found. 15:17 People were forbidden to shelter him or to give him food 15:20 and drink. 15:21 His writings were to be destroyed. 15:24 Luther's enemies were now convinced the fate of the 15:27 Reformation was sealed. 15:30 But God had the last word. 15:33 Martin Luther was still in the hollow of His hand. 15:36 The duke of Saxony came up with a plan. 15:39 As Luther made his way home from Worms to Wittenberg, he was 15:43 captured by some of his own supporters and brought 15:46 by force to this castle. 15:50 Even the duke didn't know where Luther had been taken, 15:52 and that was the intention. 15:53 This was, if the duke was asked by the emperor or anybody 15:56 else if he knew of Luther's whereabouts, he could honestly 15:59 say that he didn't know. 16:02 But he knew that Luther was safe, and to the duke, 16:05 that was all that mattered. 16:07 [pastoral melody] 16:11 Spring, summer, autumn and winter passed, 16:15 as 1521 became 1522. 16:20 Martin Luther remained a prisoner 16:22 in this magnificent fortress. 16:25 The church was confident his voice would be heard no more. 16:28 His disappearance convinced them he had been seized 16:31 and put to death. 16:32 But from the friendly security of this castle, the light of 16:36 truth was to shine with growing brightness. 16:39 And the work of the Reformation would go forward. 16:44 I'll be right back. 16:48 [Triumphant melody] I hope you'll get the book 16:50 I'm offering you this week. 16:52 It's called "Revelation Today." 16:54 It unfolds the end times scenario presented 16:57 in the book of Revelation. 16:59 It untangles the end times prophetic scenario to let you 17:02 see how the battle between good and evil ultimately plays out. 17:06 Just call or write, and I'll send you "Revelation Today." 17:10 There's no cost, no obligation. 17:12 It's absolutely free. 17:14 All you need to do is call 1 (800) 253-3000, 17:18 and ask for "Revelation Today." 17:20 You can call 24 hours a day. 17:22 You can also request your free copy of "Revelation Today" 17:25 by writing to It Is Written, Box 6, 17:29 Chattanooga, TN 37401, and we'll mail a copy to 17:34 your address in North America. 17:36 To get it right away you can download a free electronic 17:38 version of this book "Revelation Today" from 17:40 our website ItIsWritten.com. 17:43 Now, It Is Written is a faith-based ministry made 17:46 possible by viewers like you. 17:48 Thank you so much for your kind support. 17:50 Your tax deductible gift can be sent to the address on your 17:53 screen, or you can support us online at ItIsWritten.com. 17:58 Our toll-free number is 1 (800) 253-3000, 18:02 and our web address is ItIsWritten.com. 18:11 [pastoral melody] 18:25 It was right here, in this very room, that Martin 18:29 Luther wrote so profusely. 18:32 In here, in this place, Luther translated 18:35 the New Testament into German, giving the Word 18:38 of God to the people in their native language, enabling the 18:42 Reformation to surge forward. 18:45 Like John the Revelator writing during his confinement on the 18:49 Island of Patmos, what Martin Luther achieved here would 18:54 revolutionize the world. 19:01 Luther's enemies were baffled by the steady production of 19:04 materials that flowed from the pen of someone they thought 19:07 was dead. 19:09 Even though he remained in isolation, 19:11 his labors flourished. 19:12 In fact, his labors flourished because he remained in 19:15 isolation, cut off from earthly support and the outside world. 19:20 Luther was protected from not only the attacks of his enemies 19:24 but also from the pride and self-confidence that so often 19:27 accompany great success. 19:29 [anthem played on an organ] 19:33 Six years later, now removed from the safety of 19:36 this place, Martin Luther wrote the lyrics of the song which 19:41 became known as "The Battle Hymn of the Reformation." 19:44 "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." 19:48 Recalling his times of trial and triumph, his moments of courage 19:52 and conflict, Martin Luther wrote about defenses available 19:57 to any believer. 19:59 The greatest defenses of all. 20:01 He wrote about towers and turrets and ramparts 20:05 invulnerable to the craft and the design of even the most 20:09 brilliant of God's enemies. 20:12 He wrote: A mighty fortress is our God A bulwark never failing 20:20 Our helper He amidst the flood Of mortal ills prevailing. 20:25 And he went on to say this: Let goods and kindred go 20:30 This mortal life also The body they may kill 20:36 God's truth abideth still His kingdom is forever. 20:44 If anybody could understand those words, 20:46 it was Martin Luther. 20:48 His experience taught him the truth of all of this. 20:52 A single, humble man driven by a relentless desire to honor God 20:59 and an unshakable faith that would trust God 21:02 and lean on God in all things. 21:05 The truth is, we can have Martin Luther's faith experience 21:09 ourselves. 21:10 You can, and I can too. 21:12 Luther made a decision every day that Jesus 21:15 would be his fortress. 21:17 And knowing that Christ was his fortress, his defense, he could 21:21 face some of history's most difficult enemies knowing 21:26 that God would be honored, Jesus would be glorified, 21:30 and that Luther himself would be kept in the mighty 21:35 fortress that was his God. 21:38 ♪ [Anthem crescendo] ♪ 21:51 A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; 22:01 our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. 22:12 For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; 22:21 his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, 22:29 on earth is not his equal. 22:37 And though this world, with devils filled, 22:45 should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, 22:54 for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us. 23:05 The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; 23:16 his rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure; 23:26 one little word shall fell him. 23:53 Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; 24:03 the body they may kill; God's truth abideth still; 24:14 his kingdom is forever. Amen. 24:42 Well now, let me ask you this: 24:45 How is it with you today? 24:47 How is it with you and God today? 24:49 Luther was able to say, a mighty fortress is our God, 24:53 and he was really saying, a mighty fortress is my God. 24:57 I think both you and I know that Jesus walked on water; 25:01 He turned water into wine. 25:03 Jesus fed the five thousand and other people besides with just 25:08 five loaves and two fish. 25:10 Jesus is able to do all of that. 25:12 We know that God created something out of nothing 25:15 way back then. 25:17 We know the Bible is the Word of God, 25:18 we trust that it is true, we believe that often by 25:21 experience, we've seen God work, we understand something 25:25 about fulfilled prophecy. 25:26 But at the end of the day, are you able to say, 25:30 a mighty fortress is my God? 25:32 Are you able to say, in the midst of the difficulty 25:35 I'm facing right now, I trust him. 25:38 Are you able to say, in the midst 25:39 of my financial challenges, my marital challenges, 25:43 my health challenges, even in the midst of my joys 25:46 and successes knowing that many people just forget 25:49 God in the midst of all of that. 25:51 Are you able to say, in a real way, in a living, 25:55 experiential way, a mighty fortress 25:59 is my God. 26:01 Luther could, not because he was 26:03 any better than you or me, but because 26:06 he made that decision. 26:07 Today, Jesus will be my fortress; 26:09 today, I will trust in God; today, the Bible will be 26:14 the foundation of my faith not just in theory, but in fact. 26:19 Would you like Jesus to be your fortress today, 26:23 not in theory but in fact? 26:25 Can you make a decision that the Bible will be the foundation 26:28 of your experience today? 26:30 Again, not in theory but in fact. 26:34 Why don't you make that decision with me right now. 26:36 Let's pray. 26:38 Our Father in heaven, I thank You for Martin Luther's example. 26:41 For his courage, for his faith, for his tenacity, 26:46 for his trust in You. 26:47 But more than that, I thank You for Your faithfulness. 26:50 I thank You that You will be to anyone what You were to Luther. 26:53 I thank You that You are willing to be a fortress for me today. 26:59 So Lord, today we make a decision to yield to You. 27:02 Be our fortress, be our strength, 27:04 be the foundation of our lives, be the mighty castle or tower 27:10 that surrounds and keeps us. 27:13 We trust You, we want to trust You more. 27:15 Be more real to us than You've ever been. 27:19 And my, like Luther, we determine that we would 27:20 live up to all of the light that we have and follow 27:23 the Word of God, wherever it leads us; 27:25 to be faithful, whatever anybody says; 27:27 to trust in You and follow You. 27:30 Let it be pleasing. 27:31 We want it, we believe it and we pray it in Jesus' name. 27:35 Amen. 27:46 [It Is Written Theme] Well, 27:47 thanks for joining me today. 27:48 I look forward to seeing you again next time. 27:50 Until then, remember, It Is Written: 27:53 "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that 27:58 proceeds from the mouth of God." |
Revised 2015-06-18