Revelation 14:6 – “Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.”
During the Reformation, this text was used to refer to Luther’s ministry and the Lutheran message. We have an eternal Gospel to proclaim. Christ has freed us from our sins without any works on our part. We are saved by grace alone!
And, ironically enough, Luther said this should make him the “apostle of works.” Once we are freed by grace, we are truly free to serve God in works that flow from thankfulness and praise.
LCMS Stewardship Bulletin Sentences
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Taking Faith Home / Learn By Heart Family Devotions
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Revelation 14:6–7; Romans 3:19–28; Matthew 11:12–19 or John 8:31–36
The Son of God Has Set Us Free from Sin and Death by His Grace
“Wisdom is justified by her deeds” (Matthew 11:19), and the true Wisdom of God, Christ Jesus, the incarnate Son, justifies us by His deeds.
He prepares His way by the preaching of repentance, but He has suffered the violence of the Law and voluntarily handed Himself over to violent men, that we might eat and drink with Him in His kingdom and “remain in the house forever” (John 8:35). For He is “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:19), and He has rescued us by His grace from the slavery of sin and death.
By the proclamation of His eternal Gospel “to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people” (Revelation 14:6), “the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law” (Romans 3:21), “that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26). And by hearing the Gospel of Christ Jesus, “whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith” (Romans 3:25), “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
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Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (Reformation Sunday Observed) - “We need pro-life laws and alternative-to-abortion options to provide bridges and buy time for us to share the Gospel of salvation in Christ.
Yet we cannot settle for a favorable court ruling, a strong piece of legislation, or a life-favoring politician … Ultimately, though, changed hearts provide the alternative of eternal hope when despair and desperation tempt us to do bad things.”
Pastor Robert Fleischmann, Christian Life Resources – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • lutheransforlife.org
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