1. Luther’s thought, Our Times
Practical Applications of Reformation Theology For Preaching

2. preaching
A way to gain change Proclamation Exhortation

3. What Kind of Person Are you?
Luther’s view Vs. Calvin’s view

4. Human beings need god’s law
Calvin and Luther argued that God’s law was necessary for human beings. They agreed it served two purposes, or had two uses.

5. Use number 1
Civil Use of the Law The Law was instituted by God to restrain evil in the world. Fear of punishment, either by human authorities, or by God, keeps people from living selfishly.

6. Use Number 2
Theological Use of the Law – primary use for Luther Law reveals how unrighteous we are, how we cannot be righteous on our own. Functions like a mirror. Since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, they are justified by God’s grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23-24).

7. Calvin’s third use Why Not??
Guide for Christian Living – Calvin’s primary use
Teaches God’s will so that believers understand it.
Arouses the believer to obedience when sin would hinder a person from doing what is right.
But Luther never explicitly accepted a third use of the law.
Why Not??

8. What Kind of Person Are you?
What is a Christian? Calvin: A Christian is a person who is regenerated, that is, their sin is forgiven and they are judged to be like Adam and Eve, innocent before God but still capable of sin.

9. What Kind of Person Are you?
What is a Christian? Luther: A Christian is part of a new creation, who has the image of the risen Christ living in and through her or him by the power of the Holy Spirit. Key verse: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me, and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:19b-20).

10. Simul iustis et peccator
We are at the same time: A Saint, who eagerly does God’s will A Sinner, who eagerly rejects God’s will

11. Simul iustus et peccator
From The Small Catechism, “Baptism,” Question IV What then is the significance of such a baptism with water? It signifies that the old person in us with all sins and evil desires is to be drowned and die through daily sorrow for sin and through repentance, and on the other that daily a new person is to come forth and rise up to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

12. Simul iustis et peccator
We are broken and whole at the same time. Though we sin, God lives in and through us. God shows up in our lives each and every day.

13. The God Who Shows Up
In individual lives In congregations In our neighborhoods In the world

14. Freed to live for others
God is with us in this life. God will bring us to the life to come. We do not need to worry about ourselves. We can devote ourselves to the needs of others.

15. Implications for preaching
Every person’s life is a parable The law is used to help us say “no” to the sinner so that God’s “yes” may be seen in our lives

16. The God Who Shows Up With a partner, share the following:
The story of a time God showed up in your individual life.
The story of a time you saw God at work in your congregation.
How this teaching may affect your preaching