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  FOR DO I NOW PERSUADE MEN, OR GOD?
  by Martin Luther
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Summary: Martin Luther boldly declares that his preaching is motivated
by a desire to please God and proclaim His glory, rather than seeking
the favor of men.

Topics: "True Gospel", "Persecution"
Scripture References: Galatians 1:8, Galatians 1:10, Ephesians 2:8, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, 2 Timothy 4:3

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DESCRIPTION
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Martin Luther passionately emphasizes the importance of preaching the
true Gospel without seeking the favor or praise of men, but solely for
the glory of God. He highlights how preaching the depravity of man, the
free mercy of God through Christ, and condemning worldly works can lead
to persecution, excommunications, and curses. Luther, like Paul, asserts
that preaching the divine truth may bring hatred and wrath from both
Jews and Gentiles, but it is necessary to uphold the right doctrine and
reject any false teachings that do not align with the Gospel.

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CONTENT
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With the same vehemence Paul continues: "You Galatians ought to be able
to tell from my preaching and from the many afflictions which I have
endured, whether I serve men or God. Everybody can see that my preaching
has stirred up persecution against me everywhere, and has earned for me
the cruel hatred of my own people, in fact the hatred of all men. This
should convince you that by my preaching I do not seek the favor and
praise of men, but the glory of God."

No man can say that we are seeking the favor and praise of men with our
doctrine. We teach that all men are naturally depraved. We condemn man's
free will, his strength, wisdom, and righteousness. We say that we
obtain grace by the free mercy of God alone for Christ's sake. This is
no preaching to please men. This sort of preaching procures for us the
hatred and disfavor of the world, persecutions, excommunications,
murders, and curses.

"Can't you see that I seek no man's favor by my doctrine?" asks Paul.
"If I were anxious for the favor of men I would flatter them. But what
do I do? I condemn their works. I teach things only that I have been
commanded to teach from above. For that I bring down upon my head the
wrath of Jews and Gentiles. My doctrine must be right. It must be
divine. Any other doctrine cannot be better than mine. Any other
doctrine must be false and wicked."

With Paul we boldly pronounce a curse upon every doctrine that does not
agree with ours. We do not preach for the praise of men, or the favor of
princes. We preach for the favor of God alone whose grace and mercy we
proclaim. Whosoever teaches a gospel contrary to ours, or different from
ours, let us be bold to say that he is sent of the devil.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/martin-luther/for-do-i-now-persuade-men-or-god/
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