'The Devil Accuses Martin Luther'
Martin Luther's discovery of justification by faith brought him freedom from sin and guilt, and his message shook the whole of Europe.
This sermon reflects on the transformative experience of Martin Luther, who heard God's call and shook Europe by rediscovering the truth of justification by faith. Luther's encounter with God in a cemetery symbolizes the awakening to spiritual life amidst the deadness of religious rituals and traditions. Through the powerful image of Satan accusing him of sins, Luther proclaims the liberating truth that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin, setting believers free from the bondage of legalism and pointing to the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice.
Full Transcript
When the whole of Europe was as black as night, one man heard God. Of course, you know his name, Martin Luther. What happened? He shook the whole of Europe.
He didn't invent justification by faith, he came to a cemetery, the church was a cemetery full of dead men's bones, and he was made alive. He said, it came one moment when I was browsing over my sins, and Satan came in with an inkwell and a pen, and he wrote on the wall of my cell the sins of my youth, the sins of my manhood, the sins of the flesh, the sins of the spirit, the sins I remember, the sins I've forgotten. And then he laughed in my face and said, there you are, all your sins that you ever committed.
Martin Luther says, write one more, there isn't one to write. Well then, if there's not one to write, write across them all, the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses me from all sin. I'm a free man, I don't need the priest, I don't need the sacraments.
Sermon Outline
- The Power of One Man
- The Accusations of Satan
- The Power of Justification by Faith
- The Blood of Jesus Christ
- Freedom from Sin and Guilt
Key Quotes
“He said, it came one moment when I was browsing over my sins, and Satan came in with an inkwell and a pen, and he wrote on the wall of my cell the sins of my youth, the sins of my manhood, the sins of the flesh, the sins of the spirit, the sins I remember, the sins I've forgotten.” — Leonard Ravenhill
“And then he laughed in my face and said, there you are, all your sins that you ever committed.” — Leonard Ravenhill
“Write across them all, the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses me from all sin.” — Leonard Ravenhill
Application Points
- We can be free from the weight of guilt and shame by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.
- The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, giving us justification and freedom.
- We don't need the priest or sacraments to be right with God; faith in Jesus Christ is enough.